ushernet Chapter 102
Chapter 102
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Chapter 102: Sage of the Stars (6)
The Sage of the Stars began explaining the book.
“This book was originally meant for the automaton guarding the observatory outside.”
“An automaton?”
“Hm? Didn’t you realize? All the attackers you encountered on this mountain were automata of my creation.”
Oscar froze at those words.
The mage he faced just before entering the mountain had such vivid eyes, reflecting emotions that seemed real.
If that weren’t the case, he wouldn’t have felt guilt or remorse for defeating them.
“By automaton, do you mean an illusion?”
“The concept is slightly different from an illusion.”
The Sage of the Stars waved a hand lightly, and countless fragments of starlight glimmered.
Just by looking at them, Oscar could tell who they were.
They were the attackers he had defeated while ascending the mountain.
“They were all those who perished on this mountain,”
The sage explained.
“Specifically, they died trying to steal invitations from others.”
“Ah...”
So, as punishment for their misdeeds, they were preserved here and lived on as automata.
Oscar thought of the ice mage he had defeated last.
“Then, does that mean the one guarding the observatory was also...?”
“Oh, no.”
The Sage of the Stars shook his head urgently, as if to dispel a grave misunderstanding.
“He’s the only one among my creations who voluntarily became an automaton.”
“He chose to become one?”
“Indeed. You can probably guess the reason to some extent.”
“...Ah.”
A bittersweet expression crossed Oscar’s face as he recalled something.
"All I want is one thing: to live as a mage and die as a mage. Nothing more, nothing less."
In a way, it could be said that the man had fulfilled his dream.
Though Oscar still thought that living and dying as a mage was more akin to self-imposed punishment.
If possible, he wished he could free him from that shackle.
“Don’t feel too sad, he was told that he could be freed anytime he wished.”
“...I see.”
Oscar nodded slightly, his gaze falling on the book that shone with radiant light even while closed.
“What magic is in that book?”
“It’s quite an old magic. A fragment left by a mage who failed to realize his dream 104 years ago.”
Swoosh!
The Sage of the Stars opened the book, and dazzling light spilled out, almost blindingly brilliant.
“This magic was the legacy of the one who froze the world... Hmm?”
But then, the light emanating from the book began to fade, eventually vanishing altogether.
Oscar stared blankly and asked,
“The light just stopped. Could something have gone wrong? It didn’t seem like this before.”
“I... I don’t know.”
“...Pardon?”
Oscar’s expression grew incredulous.
How could the librarian of this place, wielding absolute authority, claim ignorance?
But the sage, clearly shaken, shook his head.
Even his eyes, usually so composed, were trembling.
“This is the first time something like this has happened, even for me.”
“Are you joking?”
Even a being who had lived for nearly a millennium was encountering such an anomaly?
‘Why does something so rare have to happen during my visit...?’
As Oscar began to speak again, a series of sharp pops interrupted him.
Pop! Pop! Pop!
One by one, the lights from the books on the shelves extinguished, plunging the library into darkness.
The Sage of the Stars, his face grim, raised a hand protectively.
“Oscar, stay behind me. This could be dangerous.”
“I’m already behind you.”
“....”
Why, what?
The Sage, catching the meaning in Oscar’s gaze, reluctantly turned his head.
“Hmm, quite a fascinating expression. And correct.”
The sage chuckled softly and gently shook the book bound in chains.
“To borrow your words, this book contains the mysteries of the unfillable sky.”
“...!”
Oscar’s eyes widened as he looked at the book.
Just moments ago, it had seemed like a rude, presumptuous object, choosing its master with insolence.
Now it appeared as a treasure, fully deserving of its majesty.
“Isn’t spatial magic something only those born with unique abilities can wield?”
“Generally, yes. But isn’t this the Starlight Library?”
As the Sage of the Stars had previously mentioned, this was a place where all magic existed—except what didn’t.
“If you possess the necessary qualifications, even unique magic can be learned here.”
“I never knew.”
“Because very few meet those qualifications. Only one emerges every few centuries.”
Once every few centuries.
Oscar gazed silently at the book that seemed to be calling him and asked:
“...Is the original owner of this magic someone I know?”
“Sharp observation. Yes.”
The sage nodded.
“This star belonged to Ado Vail, the first Tower Master of the White Tower. It is his unique magic.”
“...So, is it because I am his descendant that it seeks to recognize me as its master?”
“Didn’t I say earlier? I’ve never seen anything like this before. I have no idea what this book is thinking.”
The Sage of the Stars unbound the chains restraining the book and held it out.
“This is spatial magic, one of the abilities people revere as divine power. Naturally, its pride is immense. For the answer to your question, you’ll have to ask it yourself.”
“...”
Swallowing hard, Oscar took the book with both hands, his expression resolute.
Whirrr!
As if it had been waiting, the book opened on its own.
An immense light burst forth, as if to engulf the space they occupied.
“Hm... Even this old man is curious now. Will he become the 373rd failure?”
The Sage of the Stars muttered to himself, left alone in the library.
“Or will he be its first true master?”
* * *
It was a place both familiar and unfamiliar.
The White Tower.
The stark white circular structure was only half-built.
“...”
As he gazed up at it, Oscar muttered reverently,
“So this is what the first Tower Master’s magic felt like.”
Finishing his words, he turned around to see an old man in a white robe sitting at the edge of the forest.
The man’s wistful eyes were fixed on the half-constructed White Tower.
“Oscar Sage, 17th Tower Master. Do you know why I called you here?”
“...Yes.”
Oscar nodded slowly.
His expression bore the solemnity and determination of a warrior heading to battle.
“To test whether I am worthy of inheriting your ‘Space’ magic, is it not?”
He was confident he could pass any test laid before him.
Finally lowering his gaze, the first Tower Master looked into his nervous eyes and said,
“Hm? No? I was going to give it to you anyway. Honestly, there’s probably no one who could handle it better than you.”
“...What?”
Oscar’s face immediately went blank.
His mouth opened and closed like a fish.
Then why had he been brought all the way here?
As he blinked in confusion, the old man spoke.
“Hey, 17th Tower Master. Come sit in front of me for a moment.”
“...?”
Oscar, without realizing it, obediently sat down in front of him.
He didn’t know why he felt compelled to sit so quietly.
It just seemed appropriate.
“Now listen carefully to what I’m about to say, all right? Back when I ran the tower, do you know what was absolutely unthinkable? Losing all the research materials! We worked day and night, studying and compiling magic, so you descendants could have a foundation...”
“...”
The first Tower Master’s lecture continued for two full days.
Oscar had no family or relatives, but now he felt he could finally empathize with people dreading holiday family scoldings.
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