The standard saying was ‘the difference between the heavens and the earth,’ but this was more like a beast growling at another beast. Veronica’s whisper sent a chill to go down his spine.
Theo gulped.
A bad fishy smell… Is it Aquilo’s blood?
It was a completely unexpected problem. Just as Aquilo had noticed Veronica’s presence back at the Pirate Archipelago, Veronica noticed Aquilo’s presence on Theo.
The red dragons and blue dragons had always had a thoroughly troubled relationship dating back to ancient times. As far as the two clans were concerned, invading each other’s territories was a declaration of war. Therefore, it wasn’t strange for them to be sensitive to the other’s presence.
Additionally, Gluttony had once said that most battles between the two dragon clans were usually seen when one crossed into another’s territory… or when their possessions were touched.
“Kid. Yes? Don’t keep your mouth shut.” Veronica’s grip on Theo’s neck tightened as her eyes started to blaze. Unlike her singsong voice, the emotions in her eyes resembled barely contained magma.
Despite the fact that there was nothing hard to reveal, Theo’s mouth couldn’t open. Did she notice Theo’s cautiousness?
Veronica grinned as Dragon Fear melted away, then her voice became sweet enough to melt Theo’s ears. “I’m sorry, kid. Have you been suffering?”
“Huh?”
“I know the importance of breaking through the wall as a magician, but I also know that the process is never smooth. You went all the way to foreign kingdoms, so was it hard?”
“… That…” Theo trembled slightly.
He had pushed himself with a steel-like will, but he wasn’t an iron man who couldn’t feel tired. Theo had missed his home whenever he looked up at the strange night sky. On the days when he didn’t speak, he had longed to communicate with someone.
It had been a little better after Randolph had joined him, but he always yearned for a chat with another magician. However, the only people he could feel this kinship with had all been in Meltor. And now, one of the people he had missed was standing before him.
Ah, I’m comfortable.’
Her affectionate voice and heat had interfered with Theo’s cool thinking. Veronica knew his pain and comforted him. He relaxed as he looked into her eyes.
A subtle smile appeared on Veronica’s face. “Yes, I know everything. How difficult it was for you, how hard you tried…”
“T-Tower Master.”
“Theo, you should call me sister.”
Theo’s heart thumped when he heard her call his name, rather than a nickname. Was this the dragon’s voice which had attracted heroes in many myths and legends?
Should I just tell her? It is hard to hide everything…
He knew it wasn’t wise to reveal everything, but he felt like he should just tell her. She had a mixed red dragon’s fiery temper, but she was also one of the Tower Masters who guarded Meltor. Veronica was mature enough to deal with it.
He nearly broke as she whispered, “I know everything, so don’t worry.”
“That…”
At that moment, the magma bubbling inside her leaked out. “-Where’s the fish I should kill?”
He felt an eerie chill in the air, despite the heat. The innate aversion of the red clan toward the blue clan was being roused over Theo. If it wasn’t for the sake of their relationship, Veronica would’ve immediately flown off to kill Aquilo.
No, there is no way I can tell her.
But thanks to that, Theo finally realized how dangerous it was. He absolutely couldn’t let Veronica and Aquilo meet. If he brought Aquilo here, they would immediately fight to the death. Aquilo wasn’t his enemy, but neither were they in a mutually beneficial relationship.
As Theo hesitated to answer, the light of salvation appeared.
“Stop it, Red Tower Master.”
Sylvia stepped forward and used her white staff to separate them. She stood in front of Theo and stared straight at Veronica as she said, “You are burdening Theo right now.”
“… Hah?” Veronica uttered. Her temper got even worse. “Little girl, why are you getting in between me and the kid?”
“I’m his friend.”
“Friend?”
“Yes, friend. The best.”
Veronica smiled strangely at Sylvia’s words and said, “Yes, you are the kid’s friend? I understand.”
This time, Sylvia’s expression stiffened. It was an explicitly mocking taunt. Theo, the eye of the storm, didn’t know it, but the two women had already become rivals. They competed with their positions, as well as advantages and disadvantages. Unlike men who just hit each other, this was the beginning of the war called the catfight.
“Does Tower Master know anything about Theo?”
Veronica froze. “What?!”
“You’re just the Tower Master.”
For the first time, Veronica’s face went blank before she rallied. She was only used to fighting with fists or magic, so this was a first for her. The argument between the new rivals only grew more heated as they glared at each other.
Thankfully, they were interrupted.
“Veronica! Theo! Sylvia! Are you in here?”
As Theo turned to the entrance, a harried man rushed in.
Didn’t this happen last time?
Veronica was clearly thinking the same as her voice filled with annoyance, “Why are you calling me when I’ve just returned?!”
“Hiik!” The Dragon Fear in Veronica’s voice crashed down on the magician, leaving him weak kneed. An 8th Circle magician with dragon’s blood generated quite the ominous presence.
However, the Magic Society magician’s response was impressive. His legs quivered and his voice trembled, but he still delivered his message to them. “H-His Majesty called all of you…!”
“Me and the kid?”
“S-Sylvia as well!”
Summoning Veronica and Theo was understandable. There were many reasons why they might be called. After going beyond the wall of the 7th Circle, a magician would become a pillar of the nation and a symbol of strength comparable to an elite army.
However, why was Sylvia summoned as well? The three of them exchanged glances.
Phew, I’m saved thanks to His Majesty.
In any case, Theo narrowly escaped.
***
Kwaang!
The door bounced right off its hinges. Even one of the Seven Swords of the Empire wouldn’t dare do such a thing in Meltor’s royal palace. Yet, everyone seemed to be ignoring it.
Veronica’s eyes were burning brightly as she stood with one foot extended.
“Your Majesty!” she roared.
As Theo and Sylvia stayed a step behind her, Veronica snapped at Kurt, who was sitting on the throne, “Do you think I can travel like Orta? I flew all the way here! If I keep working without a break, of course I’m going to be exhausted! Also, why is the chairman of the Magic Society here?”
“It has been a while, Veronica.” The chairman of the Magic Society smiled.
“Its been a long time since you left the central tower,” Veronica stated.
Veronica was correct. The chairman of the Magic Society was different from the other Tower Masters. The magic towers played an active part in the administration of the kingdom, and the chairman acted as a caretaker who always stayed in Meltor. He was an old magician who would help if war broke out, but otherwise, he put his own research first.
The chairman frequently didn’t show up for big meetings, so it was unusual to see him present.
“Now, let’s sit down and talk,” Kurt declared.
“… I will listen.”
Kurt smiled bitterly as Veronica took her seat. Once everyone had taken a seat at the round table, Kurt rose from his throne. “I would like to express my gratitude to you who have gathered in the middle of your busy day. I’ll skip all the small talk. The reason I’ve asked you here is to talk about the Annual Magic Contest.”
Veronica’s eyes narrowed. “Magic Contest… Already?”
Kurt nodded. “It is a bit sooner this year.”
The event was held once a year in the Meltor Kingdom, and it was literally the greatest attraction in the North. It was a matter which had a great impact on the whole kingdom, so the king usually gathered all the top magicians in the kingdom to discuss it in advance.
However, the discussion about the Annuala Magic Contest was held periodically once a year, so there was no need to summon everyone. Kurt focused on those in front of him and revealed, “The Annual Magic Contest this year will be more special than any other.”
The same questioning gaze appeared in the eyes of all the magicians. The king continued, “I was contacted just last night. An ambassador from Elvenheim will come to announce our alliance at this year’s Magic Contest.”
“A-Ambassador from Elvenheim!”
“Announcing the alliance?!”
The others asked in disbelief and confusion, and Kurt nodded gently before continuing, “Of course. They don’t need to come to Meltor if they have no intention of announcing it. The status quo would be more than enough. Doesn’t it seem like the North is going to turn upside down?”
“… Fascinating.”
“Huhaha! There is no time to rest in my old age!”
White Tower Master Orta touched his chin, while Blue Tower Master Blundell laughed and pounded the table.
Meltor was the only kingdom who contested the vast territory, population, and armies of the Andras Empire. Every so often, they fought back when a great magician emerged, but the roots of the empire’s pillars had never broken.
However, that was only when they fought with equal strength. The alliance with Elvenheim and the emergence of a new master, who had killed one of the Empire’s Seven Swords, meant that Meltor’s power had climbed to a point where they could compete with Andras.
The war which could last for hundreds, maybe thousands of years might be approaching its end.
“In fact, this discussion occurred last year, but it was postponed because the main party wasn’t there. It is Theodore Miller, not Meltor, that Elvenheim thinks of as their savior.”
Theo bowed his head. “I’m ashamed.”
“No, there is no need to apologize. You returned with even more profit. You took down one of the Empire’s Seven Swords and gave this kingdom another master. This meeting isn’t just to discuss Elvenheim’s delegation.” Kurt III paused for a moment before gesturing.
The servant, standing silently behind the throne, approached Theo with a box marked with the sigil of Meltor’s royal family. The box was made of precious wood, and Theo could sense an unbelievable amount of magic power spilling from the seal on the box.
Theo took it, and Kurt continued speaking, “Once the ambassadors from Elvenheim arrive, it will be hard for you to show any kind of credibility if you remain as a magician with no rank. So, I want to give you a worthy position as your personal reward.”
Kurt’s words weren’t wrong. As a 7th Circle magician, there was no one more senior than Theo except for the Tower Masters and the chairman of the Magic Society. How could such a person be left without a title? It would clearly be a waste in such a situation. 𝒷𝒹𝓸𝓿𝓁.𝒸ℴ𝓶
“Open it.”
Theo opened the latches of the box.
Slide.?
The lid of the wooden box slowly opened, revealing its contents.
It was a suit. There weren’t enough decorations on the clothes for them to be formal robes, and it was too luxurious to be a combat suit. It was like shadows had been weaved together in order to make these clothes.
Theo looked at the clothing and murmured, “… This?”
The gold pattern embroidered on the heart area was in the shape of an owl, the symbol of Meltor’s Tower Masters. Theo understood what it implied and looked up sharply.
Kurt nodded. “In anticipation of the war with the Andras Empire, I proposed the formation of a magic division consisting of the next Tower Master candidates. With the exception of Veronica, all Tower Masters and the majority of state administrators have approved.”
Theo’s eyes widened as he grasped the situation, and Kurt clapped. “I will make you the head of the magic division, Quattro.”