ushernet Chapter 22
Chapter 22
[Translator - Clara]
[Proofreader - Gun]
Chapter 22: The Star Instructor, Oscar (1)
The secluded training chamber of the White Tower, once a dungeon used to imprison criminals centuries ago.
The entrance was so dark it felt like ghosts of the dead prisoners might leap out at any moment.
“...So.”
Fran, wearing a deeply troubled expression, spoke.
“That’s the entrance, right?”
“Yeah.”
“And you’re saying I have to go in there?”
“Yeah.”
Indeed, Fran, who had recently advanced to Level 4, was sentenced to a grueling 30 days of closed-door training.
Now, as he stood before the ominous entrance, he couldn’t help but wonder how things had come to this.
“Wait, doesn’t this seem weird? Usually, people do closed-door training either because they volunteer or because they’ve done something wrong and are being punished. I’m neither!”
“But the Deputy Tower Master personally ordered it. It shows how much they believe in your potential.”
“...Is that so?”
“Exactly.”
Oscar lied effortlessly, not even bothering to wet his lips.
If Fran found out it was Oscar who had secretly requested the training, he’d likely refuse outright.
“Think positively. Now that you’ve hit Level 4, you needed some time to organize your newfound insights, right?”
“Well... yeah, but... Ah, whatever. Fine, I’ll go.”
“Safe travels.”
Oscar waved him off enthusiastically as Fran begrudgingly stepped into the training chamber.
By the time they met again, Fran would likely be a formidable Level 4 mage.
‘He’ll thank me later for this,’
Oscar thought with a smile as he left the basement and headed straight to the Deputy Tower Master’s office.
“I heard you called for me.”
“Yes, I have a favor to ask. Did Fran go in smoothly?”
“He made a fuss about not wanting to, but he went in.”
“Haha!”
The Deputy Tower Master laughed heartily, as if picturing the scene.
After a good chuckle, he sipped his tea and continued.
“There’s some good news this morning. We received a letter from the Sirius Trading Company. They’ve offered us free access to their distribution network.”
“...They’re offering it for free?”
The Sirius Trading Company, the continent’s top trading firm, boasted the best logistics network.
Even paying a hefty sum for access would’ve been well worth it, yet they were offering it for free.
Of course, Oscar wasn’t naive enough to believe in pure altruism.
‘They’ve calculated the benefits. Sharing their network doesn’t cost them much, but the value will be immeasurable if the White Tower revives as we hope.
In short, Sirius had nothing to lose from this investment.
‘Their intentions are obvious, but I don’t mind.’
This was like gaining wings with plans to enter the potion market soon.
A mutually beneficial arrangement, indeed.
“That’s certainly great news. Is your request related to this?”
“Oh, no.”
The Deputy Tower Master shook his head, smiling warmly.
“Oscar, would you be interested in taking on a teaching role?”
“...Teaching?”
Oscar blinked at the unexpected proposal.
Sensing his confusion, the Deputy Tower Master elaborated.
“This isn’t a sudden decision. I’ve considered it for a long time—ever since I read your academy thesis, The Application and Advanced Study of Basic Magic.”
It was one of young Oscar’s many papers and the foundation for his later work, A Reinterpretation of Basic Magic.
“However, understanding something and teaching it effectively are entirely different skills, so I held off on the idea until now.”
“Ah.”
Oscar let out a soft exclamation as realization dawned.
“So that’s why...”
“Exactly. Recently, you’ve proven yourself not only as a capable mage but also as an exceptional leader.”
The Deputy Tower Master referred to Oscar’s efforts in convincing the senior mages to collaborate on potion development and mentoring Fran to Level 4.
“I’m already swamped brewing potions and running errands. Who’s got time for lectures?”
“Can’t they invest in us mid-level mages too?”
The Level 3 mages cautiously moved in as they left the bulletin board.
Their reactions were different—these were people desperate to break through the wall of Level 4.
“Reinterpreting basic magic... Does that mean they’ll teach us magic we can use right now?”
“Probably. The White Tower’s basic magic has always been weak, so this is good timing.”
“Whatever it is, it’ll be better than training alone.”
And so, days passed, with the junior mages harboring high expectations.
* * *
The 36th floor of the Tower was often called the Campus.
It was an entire floor designed like an academy, complete with a main and annex building, a training field, and even a decent walking path—not as grand as the 10th floor, but still impressive.
This floor, without windows, used artificial sunlight, moonlight, and starlight on the ceiling to distinguish day from night.
Today, a lecture was to be held in Lecture Hall 4 of the main building.
A peculiar lecture with a 100% attendance rate of Level 3 mages.
“Wow, all familiar faces. I thought some of you had died.”
“Mages, you know? Always busy with personal research or training.”
“Still, more people showed up than I expected.”
“I counted 32. Every junior mage in the White Tower, except for one, is here.”
Hearing that only one was absent, everyone naturally thought of the same person.
Oscar Crucian.
That proud genius hadn’t even shown his face here.
“Why lump him with us? He’s still just a Level 2.”
“Calling him a senior feels wrong. Why care if that insufferable guy shows up or not?”
“I heard his personality’s softened lately, though.”
“You believe that nonsense? Enough gossip. Let’s guess who the lecturer might be.”
“They say the Deputy Tower Master invited them personally. Could it be true?”
“Probably. The Tower made a fortune recently selling that flu remedy.”
The mages, who rarely interacted, now chatted freely.
Though no one said it aloud, they all shared the same frustration, stuck at the barrier of Level 4.
In such circumstances, a special lecture felt like a much-needed rain after a drought.
“Honestly, am I the only one excited this is happening in the main hall?”
“Probably everyone here is. This hall used to host seminars even the royal family attended.”
“...Then, maybe the lecturer is someone truly impressive?”
Just as the excited mages whispered fervently, a mocking voice rang out from the topmost seat of the lecture hall.
“Look at you all, getting worked up over nothing.”
A boy with golden hair and a stature small enough to make you doubt his age sneered down at them.
“If they were serious about investing in us, they wouldn’t be offering a lecture on Reinterpreting Basic Magic. They’d be teaching something like Understanding Mana Control or Design and Application of Mana Circuits, like the other Great Towers do.”
“Isn’t that going too far?”
“Right? Talk like that, and people might think you’re from another Tower.”
“Can’t you read the room on a good day like this?”
“...Tch.”
Just as Damian, shaking his head, prepared to deliver another (in his mind) cutting remark—
“Enough chit-chat.”
A flat, emotionless voice silenced the room.
It wasn’t just a figure of speech.
The rustling wind outside the windows, the sound of pens being readied, and even the slight scraping of chairs—all noise ceased as if cut away by scissors.
"......?"
"......!"
It was an eerie, almost mystical experience, as if someone had surgically removed their sense of hearing.
In that absolute silence, only one voice resonated clearly in their ears.
“Nice to meet you.”
A man ascended the platform, his steps calm and unhurried.
“I’ll be your lecturer for Reinterpreting Basic Magic.”
He scanned the room with a brief glance before finishing his introduction.
“I’m Oscar Crucian.”
[Translator - Clara]
[Proofreader - Gun]