✦ Chapter 93 – Not A Battle of Wits, But A Warm Celebration of Spirit (4) ✦
「Translator – Creator」
𒋝𒋝𒋝𒋝𒋝
After the presentations from the Magic Towers, two days flew by quickly.
Conventionally, the remaining days of the exchange meeting were dedicated to socializing. It wasn’t uncommon for young mages to find love amidst the bustling environment.
However, the Imperial Magic Tower was an exception.
Hedera swiftly issued orders, summoning all the mages back to their quarters in the Black Tower. The notes taken by the inspector during the other towers’ presentations needed to be meticulously reviewed, transcribed, and compiled into scrolls.
As a result, the situation quickly became urgent.
“Are we really going to turn each tower’s advanced technologies into scrolls?”
“What do we do? We record as much of the formula as we can, of course!”
“Isn’t that the one I was using?”
“Hey! That’s not mine! Ugh, they’re all mixed up again!”
Creating even one scroll perfectly would be an immense benefit to the Imperial Magic Tower. But turning dozens into scrolls all at once…
“Everyone, please calm down,” Agnes said, attempting to soothe the agitated mages. “Precision takes precedence over speed. It won’t reflect well on us if we appear too flustered.”
“No! This is too exhilarating to stay calm!” Nox, a specialist in scroll creation from the Imperial Magic Tower’s practical faction, exclaimed, pushing up his spectacles. “Stealing the advanced techniques of each tower and turning them into scrolls? Has there ever been a more significant accomplishment? We’ve never experienced anything like this before!”
“…Yes, well, that’s true.”
The idea wasn’t about selling these scrolls for profit. It was about significantly broadening the scope of magical research within the Imperial Magic Tower by retaining this information.
Nox continued, his voice brimming with excitement, “To put it bluntly, if our research based on these scrolls progresses exceptionally well? We could potentially see secret techniques from other towers being developed right here in the Imperial Magic Tower!”
The other mages gasped, marvelling at the possibilities.
“How did the Imperial Magic Tower get so lucky?”
“I’ve never seen anything like it! It’s incredible!”
Agnes nodded quietly.
“Well, we haven’t had an inspector before.”
“………….”
The other Imperial Magic Tower mages blinked in surprise.
Agnes, complimenting the Inspector?
The Agnes who always had something negative to say about him?
“In the future, even more amazing things might happen. Let’s all give our best effort.”
Although the members of the Imperial Magic Tower didn’t know the full details, it was undeniably a remarkable event.
There was no reason not to work hard.
Just then, the door to their quarters opened. A Imperial Magic Tower mage entered, carrying a bulging sack.
“Agnes, I brought them.”
“Ah, good work.”
Agnes hurriedly took the sack, the glass containers within clinking as they shifted. Several flask necks protruded awkwardly from the opening.
“Agnes, is that…?”
“A collection of elixirs, one or two from each tower. I thought it would be a good idea to offer them all to the inspector.”
“One looks like frost, the other like lava… Aren’t those elixirs with opposing properties?”
“I intend to give him all of them.”
“……….”
…The inspector wasn’t a cauldron, was he?
…Even a cauldron couldn’t withstand such a concoction.
…Was it even safe for a human to consume such a thing?
In the end, no one voiced their concerns.
Tether, the second princess’s aide, was assisting the Imperial Magic Tower mages. She observed the scene, a pleased smile gracing her lips.
‘The atmosphere has changed so much.’
She recalled the former state of the Imperial Magic Tower.
Hedera’s past expressions alone were enough to illustrate the dramatic shift. Whenever the second princess reviewed documents related to the Imperial Magic Tower, she’d always let out a heavy sigh.
Of course, the situation was the same during her visits. The mages of the Imperial Magic Tower always seemed indifferent and stressed, with sunken eyes.
“What the—! I put it in correctly, so why isn’t it activating!”
“Huh? Wait, why is it working when I put it in wrong?”
And yet, now it was bustling with energy.
Even if it was somewhat comical, it didn’t matter. Just seeing everyone vibrant and united in their efforts was heartwarming.
And it was all thanks to…
‘Inspector Ezekiel.’
Amazingly, he had accomplished this transformation single-handedly.
That was why no one objected to giving all those precious elixirs to the inspector.
Everyone knew very well.
There was something only Ezekiel could accomplish, and he was bringing tremendous benefits to the Imperial Magic Tower.
So, the work continued for quite some time.
Naturally, there were obstacles to face.
“Agnes, I don’t understand this at all,” one mage confessed.
“I don’t know how to replicate this,” another added.
Agnes, faced with a room full of confused mages, offered words of encouragement.
“We have to try our best. What else can we do?”
“Don’t you think we should ask the inspector himself?”
“Don’t exaggerate,” Agnes scolded.
“It’s not an exaggeration! Look at this…”
A mage thrust a crumpled note into Agnes’s hand, his voice trembling.
[3, 4, 213. It’s easy, no explanation needed.]
“……….”
Agnes stared at the note, speechless.
‘What is this?’
It seemed like Ezekiel had jotted down notes after observing the magic from other towers, but the problem was that even Agnes couldn’t understand any of it.
And the final line was the real kicker.
[It’s easy, no explanation needed.]
“…Easy? What exactly is easy?”
She muttered to herself, bewildered.
Agnes looked around the room, finally noticing the stark contrast.
The mages who were working with her notes and Tether’s notes were making progress, busily constructing replicas of the demonstrated techniques.
The mages huddled around Ezekiel’s notes, on the other hand, were tearing their hair out in frustration.
“Here, give me some more notes.”
She gathered a handful of Ezekiel’s notes and began to examine them.
[For the Red Tower’s ‘Flowing Flame’ spell manual]
Agnes’s notes were… thorough, to say the least.
She knew so little, she had to write down everything.
On the other hand, Ezekiel’s notes…
[324, 135, 1333. Weakly.]
“…………..”
[←↑→↓↗↙→→↑ Manifest ]
“……….…?”
What even was this?
His notes were the complete opposite of hers.
Ezekiel knew so much that he didn’t need to waste time writing lengthy explanations. The problem was… the other Imperial Magic Tower mages couldn’t understand his shorthand.
Agnes sighed, massaging her temples.
“…I’ll have to ask him later.”
The inspector, even after meticulously documenting all the presentations, had left for the social gathering, muttering something about not being satisfied with the amount of information he’d gathered.
Which meant he wasn’t currently available.
Just then…
“You’re all working hard.”
Hedera, the second princess and master of the Imperial Magic Tower, entered the room, her characteristic elegant aura preceding her.
“Greetings, Master of the Imperial Magic Tower, Second Princess!”
All the mages paused their work and rose to their feet, bowing respectfully. Hedera, seemingly unfazed by the chaotic state of the spacious quarters, nodded in acknowledgment.
“You’ve all been working diligently. Perhaps I shouldn’t have come.”
“…………”
The mages averted their gazes at her words.
…It was already her tenth visit today.
And judging by the current trend— a visit roughly every hour— they anticipated many more to come.
‘Why don’t you just stay here?’
The mages couldn’t help but think, silently, of course. Having to interrupt their concentration every hour to rush over and greet the princess was more taxing than they’d anticipated.
“Hmm.”
Hedera glanced around the room, her eyes landing on the sack of elixirs.
“Are those… elixirs?”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Agnes answered on behalf of the group.
“Hmm, storing them like that could be problematic… Their potency might deteriorate.”
“Ah, we’re planning to deliver them shortly…”
“And the scrolls shouldn’t be exposed to contaminants. The quarters seem a bit… untidy.”
“Yes, Your Highness. We’ll be more mindful.”
“Has the inspector been here yet?”
Agnes fiddled with her cube, a sense of frustration rising within her.
It was the same scenario — the tenth time today — Hedera inquiring about the inspector, fussing over every detail.
Understanding the 2nd Princess’s deep concern for the inspector was one thing, but having to stop work, show formalities, and answer various questions each time was causing significant delays.
Finally, Agnes spoke up.
“Your Highness.”
“Yes, I’m listening.”
“I…”
Agnes’s words came out slowly, carefully chosen.
“I will… take care of it.”
Silence descended upon the room.
Tether, observing the exchange from the sidelines, swallowed nervously.
This subtle power struggle…
Or rather… this bizarre display of courtesy… was far from over.