Chapter 622 - Omniscient First-Person’s Viewpoint

He stood out in a crowd, and indeed, he was noticeable. Even wizards, who generally held little interest in others, halted and whispered upon discovering the Blue Tower Lord. Someone even approached directly. "I hold you in high regard! I have read until the seventh volume of the Structural Theory you authored, Elisha! It was profoundly moving!" An unfamiliar wizard, brimming with excitement, approached, but the Blue Tower Lord didn't lose her smile. "Really? You made an effort. I scrawled it according to my mood, so it turned out to be quite a complicated paper." "It is a bit challenging... That's why I carry it around and keep reading it! Oh, if it isn't too much trouble, could you sign it for me?" "Of course." The Blue Tower Lord accepted the proffered paper and pulled out a short fountain pen. It seems she chose it more for its design than magical power. On the paper presented, she inscribed her signature elegantly in cursive. "I'm rooting for you. Keep striving hard. - Elisha." "Wow...! Thank you! I'll treasure it!" "Hoho. Thank you." ‘Reading it doesn’t make it any easier to understand, but the effort she made with her mind is commendable.' Should I say she is honest inside and out, or the opposite? Inside, she's more than Lankart. Unlike Lankart, who ignores and treats people indifferently, the Blue Tower Lord relishes in her superiority by observing others' struggles. Her kindness stems from her arrogance. But on the surface, she appears more gracious than anyone else. After signing, more wizards with similar intentions gathered around. With a troubled smile, the Blue Tower Lord said, "Uh-oh. I've drawn too much attention." "That's because of you," Lankart replied irritably. "It can't be helped. Not only moths are drawn to light; humans also gather around a shining intellect." Waving her hand to the gathered wizards, she soon covered her mouth and muttered, "But keeping prior engagements comes first, right? Sorry, rookies. I have somewhere to be." The wizards seemed to interpret her calling them 'rookies' as a playful term of endearment for fans. She meant it sincerely, though. "Shall we go?" The Blue Tower Lord flicked her fountain pen in the air. Instantly, the empty air froze, sketching a sparkling magic circle. Her unique sorcery, Determinism. The Blue Tower Lord's unique magic forcibly crystallized. Naturally, as if breathing, she turned the moisture in the air into crystals, drawing a magic circle. It's not merely freezing. That's just the outcome; the essence of Determinism is inducing and fixing phase changes through 'crystallization.' Permanent frost that doesn’t melt formed the magic circle. The crystal structure embeds magic. Breaking down the structure to release magic is the essence of white magic. This is why white magic uses gems as catalysts, and black magic is weaker—because the bodily structures black magic uses as catalysts are far inferior to crystals. Ice is similar; though its structure is decent, it melts too easily to be a reliable catalyst. If the structure collapses at an unintended moment, the magic disperses. Thus, ice catalysts are barely usable in polar regions. However, the Blue Tower Lord is different. The imperishable ice gleamed with magic. An enormous spell completed with surprising ease. The magic circle surrounding me, Lankart, and the Blue Tower Lord melted in an instant, adjusting gravity. "Ta-da." When the Blue Tower Lord capped her fountain pen, ice crystals melted away, completing the magic. Our bodies lifted off without any shock. The floating castle is a place with artificial gravity. The meticulously controlled gravity guided us towards the Blue Tower. A mage tower is not merely a structure. Its tower form symbolizes a solidified structure of knowledge. Even knowledge has factions. Initially, it was just a mark drawn on an empty ground, but as bricks of knowledge stacked upon it, intellectual wanderers came. Among those seeking a perch for their minds, some settled and laid bricks upon it. Enduring day-to-day weather and welcoming countless wanderers. The pinnacle of intellect meticulously built; that is the Mage Tower. The blue crystal tower, solidified by wizards exploring the hardened world, simply known as the Blue Tower, guided us to its topmost level. The Blue Tower Lord drew a square on the wall with her pen. After creating a door in the tower's outer wall, she led us inside. As she sealed the door and solidified the scattered crystals, she spoke, "Here, even a notorious black magician on the most wanted list cannot be found. Feel free to express gratitude." ‘A person who even embraces a wanted black magician. How superior I must be! In this floating castle, I'm probably the only wizard who understands the situation of a black magician.' I'm really at a loss. It's appreciated, but each time I read her mind through telepathy, the gratitude seems diluted. Nonetheless, if this arrogance benefits me, I should flatter her for now. "Thank you truly. This isn't out of mere obligation, but genuinely. I'm relieved there's someone who understands a harmless black magician like me coming from a militant nation." "Well, I do hold the title of the Head of the Intelligence Department." "Intelligence Department?" "The Federal Intelligence Department. A division that gathers and manages information from outside the Magical Federation. That's why I'm more informed than other wizards. Quick with trends as well." From her attire and subtly displayed accessories, pride was subtly evident. Even I, unfamiliar with fashion due to my military background, felt they justified a bit of self-pride. "By the way, your closest friend, Lankart, belongs to the same department. Technically, he's subordinate to me. There's nothing more valuable as an informant than those who come from the underworld." When I glanced at Lankart, he hastily explained, "Don't misunderstand; joining under her was purely nominal. You're still my top commander, Hughie." "That part isn't what's important here." Closest friend? What's that about? If anything, yours is more of a business relationship. "I appreciate your help. But wouldn’t it be more efficient to clear my wanted status?" "That's impossible." The Blue Tower Lord answered immediately. "A wizard should refrain from meddling in the domains of others, whether it be magic or power. Expecting the common sense of the mundane world here is unreasonable." 'I wonder if that dense face can grasp what I'm trying to say. Lankart said he's better than he seems, but I'm not entirely convinced. Born in a country as intellectually broken as the military nation, he might never overcome his ignorance.' Perhaps she has her own bounds, a kindness stemming from self-satisfaction rather than self-sacrifice. In that case, it's wise to stay within those bounds. "I understand..." When I mumbled with a somewhat defeated demeanor, the Blue Tower Lord flashed a refreshing smile once more. "That said, I won't betray you or anything, so rest easy. In fact, I'm a bit puzzled myself. Although you're labeled a black magician, if your origin as a military nation resident were known, they'd realize how feeble and insignificant your power is. I'm questioning why they'd put a bounty out." "Ha ha ha ha!" The laughter wasn't mine. It was Lankart who was clutching his stomach in laughter, causing the Blue Tower Lord to tilt her sunglasses slightly. Lankart waved his hand dismissively. "Ha ha ha, you're nothing special. The security bureau gave Hughie a fairer assessment." "What do you mean by that? Is there information I'm unaware of?" "Information? I've told you repeatedly. It's your misunderstanding that you didn't comprehend it." Perhaps it's because Lankart is among the 'chosen,' acknowledged by the Blue Tower Lord. She responded attentively to Lankart. "Your friend doesn’t seem that dangerous. If anything, he appears kind and harmless." "What can be judged by the logic of the right-handed world is just the right-handed world. Right-hander, you still don’t know what kind of power Hughie has obtained...!” "Hey, Lankart. Keep it down. What power do I supposedly have?" With that, Lankart’s words were abruptly cut off. It's flattering, but I prefer if you didn't raise the stakes in front of others. I need to be perceived as ordinary. 'It's one of two things. Either Lankart is deceived, or I am. Since I can’t be deceived, it must be Lankart. Even with outstanding talent, a subpar environment can distort perception.' ...That’s quite impressive in its own way. Anyway, wrapping up the conversation, the Blue Tower Lord clasped her hands. "As grown-ups, let's get down to business first. Lankart, report on the mysterious explosion at the Tree of Origin." "Hughie was present at the scene. Perhaps Nevada upset him." "Impossible." I promptly corrected her, speaking honestly. Thus, I explained that we were kidnapped by Nevada and had to blow up the Tree of Origin in order to escape. Naturally, it was Shei’s doing. Of course, I didn’t disclose that I was the King of Humans or Nevada's prime target. While it’s not a secret, there’s no need to reveal my cards too soon. The Blue Tower Lord pointed out some inconsistencies in the story. "That's odd. Nevada has no reason to kidnap you." "Are you dense? Hughie alone is reason enough. She probably wanted that power for herself...” “Haven’t I told you to keep it down?” She probably couldn’t conceive of an adequate reason. Let’s bring Shei into this. "I have a companion named Shei. We came here together, but we've parted ways because of the problem with the security bureau. In fact, he possesses a relic of a demon god. That could have been the target." I intended to emphasize how powerful and dangerous Shei was, but there was no need. The Blue Tower Lord spoke up. "You're referring to the Earth Goddess's relic, right?" “Really? You know about it?” "Of course. A demon god is a significant entity affecting the magical world. We’re always keenly aware of their movements." If a magic tower is an intellectual structure built progressively with knowledge and magic, a demon god is a giant tower that’s existed since the beginning. ‘Still... the demon god's relic at this time is rather tricky. Without me, the situation might have become quite tangled?’ "I’m already keeping track of your companion's movements." "Ah, that's information management for you." ‘Sure, they approached first, but it's certainly thanks to my shining intellect and the mercy I extend to the ignorant.’ I wonder if Shei knows the Blue Tower Lord’s thoughts. Perhaps she helped because he seems so naïve and pitiful. The Blue Tower Lord took out a small crystal sphere. It was a resonance crystal sphere, a magical artifact linking two crystals of identical structure, transmitting vibrations from one to the other. As a symbol of the Blue Tower, it can transmit voice and even light. She brought her lips close to the clear crystal sphere and spoke. "Sique, are you there?" [Yes, Lady Elisha! It's Sique here. Is there anything you need?] "The one who visited the Blue Tower previously, I’d like to see them. Summon them for me." [Understood! I will check on that right away!] From beyond the crystal sphere came a voice full of respect. After concluding the command, the Blue Tower Lord placed down the crystal sphere and said, "Well then, we have some time, so how about some casual conversation?" "Casual conversation? I don't really know much to discuss..." "I won't ask anything too troublesome. I'm simply curious about how the ignorant masses of the mundane world live. So, what would be suitable to drink while we chat? Green tea? Coffee?" Without giving me a chance to refuse, she picked up her fountain pen. Drawing a cup in the air, she wielded her unique magic, making a cup manifest just as she sketched it. She delicately slid the cup toward me, dripping water crystals onto it. The cup glided slowly across the table, stopping in front of me. Faint ice crystals adorned the table's surface. She had formed ice along the cup's path. Her use of unique magic was as natural as breathing. Though not as absolute as the Green Tower Lord's unidirectionality, it certainly appeared more versatile. I couldn’t help but express my admiration. "That's an intricate use of unique magic." "Hoho, it's blatant flattery, but it feels nice." "It's quite practical too. It's called crystallization, yet it's closer to material creation... If you overlook the limitations in material properties, it's superior to alchemy," I remarked. "Your analysis is pleasing. It's the first time someone reviewed my unique magic and made me feel this good. So, what about your unique magic?" the Blue Tower Lord asked, tilting her cup slightly. "Excuse me?" "You're 'friends' with Lankart, right? Considering Lankart, who embodies an elite consciousness stronger even than those born and raised in this floating castle, calls you a 'friend,' I'd assumed you had awakened your unique magic... Is that not the case?" "I don't have anything like unique magic." "Not having awakened unique magic, nor learned white magic. Truly a pure simpleton? My, my." A hint of disappointment crossed her face. It's a bit disheartening to be treated this way, honestly. Having nothing else to say, I silently sipped my drink. Just then, the resonance crystal glimmered, urgently conveying a voice. "Lady Elisha!" "What's happening?" "There's a battle occurring in the floating castle! The one you asked me to summon is fighting with the Black Tower Lord!" What trouble has Shei gotten into now?