Chapter 2

Business Plan.

The first word written on a blank sheet of paper.

It was the safest title in case anyone stumbled upon this document filled with thoughts about the future.

Though I plan to burn it once my thoughts are organized, there’s always a chance that Carisia might suddenly walk into the room and ask what I’m writing. Better to have an excuse ready.

Who would question a business plan, no matter how strange its contents? They’d just think it’s another eccentric idea.

Even if Carisia were to glance over my shoulder right now, she’d dismiss it as idle fantasy. She’d likely scold me for wasting time dreaming about grand schemes when I should be planning tomorrow’s tasks.

The first thing that came to mind was the number 2077.

This world’s “original story” involves the Wizard King returning—or maybe reviving—in the year 2077. Whether it was resurrection or return, I can’t quite remember.

My vague recollection frustrates me.

“Damn. If I’d known this was a fictional world, I would’ve written everything down before forgetting.”

The title doesn’t matter. Convincing myself of that, I continued jotting down words.

2077. Resurrection. The Ten Sages (Magical Decalogue).

In this world, the first person to systematize magic was the protagonist of the original tale—the Wizard King.

When the Wizard King ascended to Heaven, he divided his wisdom into ten attributes, leaving behind the first artifacts: the Ten Sages.

The disciples who inherited these artifacts founded the various schools of magic towers. Modern magicians still strive to perfect themselves in order to connect with the Ten Sages and become chosen ones.

This is the history known to the world—but the truth in the novel is different.

The Wizard King’s disciples betrayed and killed him during his attempt at ascension, tearing apart his power and dividing it among themselves.

Thus, the Ten Sages are fragments of the Wizard King’s power itself.

Thanks to an insurance policy created in case his ascension failed, the Wizard King resurrected across vast spans of time.

The novel begins with the bewildered Wizard King confronting the gap between the mythic age of his death and the cyberpunkish era of 2077.

The core of the story revolves around the resurrected Wizard King Simon reclaiming the Ten Sages to restore his ability to pierce through to Heaven.

“Our Employer must be Simon’s enemy,” I thought.

Strictly speaking, Carisia wasn’t Simon’s enemy from the start. She emerged as a competitor during Simon’s quest to recover the Ten Sages, eventually becoming his mortal rival.

The reason is simple. Both Simon and other magicians sought the Ten Sages to regain the immense wisdom accumulated by those who had connected with them throughout history, using it to ascend closer to Heaven.

But Carisia was different.

She wanted to destroy the Ten Sages.

More specifically, the Sage of Light.

At this point, I felt like tearing my hair out. How could I not have recognized the antagonist opposing the protagonist in such a crucial element of the story?

Yet, it wasn’t entirely my fault.

After all, the original Carisia had no name.

“The Hydra Midhead,” “The Nameless Witch,” or more simply, “Baegmun (White No-Name).”

These were the titles given to Carisia in the novel.

Damn. Even at first glance, she seemed aloof—”I won’t tell you my name because someone like you isn’t worth knowing it.” That’s what I assumed.

Calling her “Miss” every time got tiresome, so I just borrowed a name from the research facility where I found her.

“Twists and turns….”

My head hurt. Seeing her as the white-haired girl who fires deadly beams, I should’ve immediately thought of Baegmun. But her current name, Carisia, obscured her true identity from me.

Only upon hearing the name “Hydra Corp” at the inauguration ceremony did I realize her origins.

Oddly, despite getting quite close to her, she never revealed her real name. Either it was a secret too deep to share even with acquaintances, or perhaps she truly had none.

I stared at the word “Light” hastily scribbled under the Ten Sages in my business plan.

Baegmun sacrifices her life in a great spell to destroy the Sage of Light, thus exiting the story.

Because she disappeared without revealing her true name, only rumors persisted—like the speculation that she originated from the White Light Tower’s experimental subjects.

Baegmun’s death becomes a turning point in the original story.

With the Wizard King’s incomplete ascension and subsequent attempts by others, the dimensional barrier already riddled with holes finally collapses, unleashing extraplanar mana into the world.

This accelerates the descent of this already cyberpunk-like magical society into chaos.

Because the method of destroying the Sage of Light was excessively violent, the world couldn’t handle the aftermath.

As far as I recall, the problem wasn’t destruction itself but the fact that instead of dismantling the Sage gradually, she obliterated it all at once.

The accumulated desires of countless magicians for ascension were released simultaneously, shattering the dimensional barrier.

Given the situation, it was understandable that Baegmun chose to destroy the Sage with a spell that consumed her own soul as the Wizard King pursued her.

So, what I need to do is…

***

“Chairman, you shouldn’t be planning your own death.”

“What nonsense are you spouting?”

Perhaps I should instill in her a greater attachment to life.

“If you have time to say such foolish things, focus on your work. I’ll be away for a while.”

***

Three days after the founding ceremony of Hydra Corp,

Carisia announced she would temporarily leave her post to renew her position as Tower Master.

The newly appointed deputy leaders were baffled.

Even if she trusted her skills, leaving during such a chaotic period after forming the organization seemed reckless.

What if some of the deputies conspired to rebel?

Though Carisia had overwhelming power, she was still human—not some untouchable Great Magician attempting ascension. With the right people and preparations, she could be killed.

Once control of the tower fell into their hands, rebellion would be impossible. This was their last chance for assassination.

At least a few of the eight deputies believed this.

Just as they were weighing the risks and rewards of betrayal, Ortes, standing behind Carisia, spoke up.

“Chairman, you shouldn’t be planning your own death.”

His words shook those contemplating betrayal.

Carisia’s eyebrows twitched slightly—a reaction indicating that his statement was beneath her notice.

Calmly, she left the meeting room, reminding everyone to focus on their duties.

Arabel understood the hidden meaning: “Focus on your work while I’m gone—this clearly implies she’s appointing a temporary proxy.”

Even after Carisia left, Ortes remained standing with a faint smile, symbolizing that only Carisia could occupy the chairman’s seat.

“Chairman is still as swift as ever. Since you all have plenty of time, how about having individual discussions with me? Not here though—let’s use the interview room.”

Arabel hoped not to be the first one called. Being third or fourth would be ideal to observe what happened to earlier visitors.

“Let’s start with Director Arabel. Is that alright?”

How could she refuse? Managing her expression with difficulty, Arabel nodded.

***

In this world, the term “magic tower” carries two major meanings.

First, it refers to schools formed by magicians sharing similar philosophies.

Second, it denotes facilities that purify extradimensional mana and distribute it throughout the city.

Typically, the latter type of tower also houses the former kind of school.

Carisia’s renewal of her Tower Master status relates to the second meaning.

Since the head of the Lernian Tower, the original owner of the Hydra Corp building, had his head vaporized, the tower’s mana distribution system has been operating automatically.

However, once Carisia officially registers as the new Tower Master and gains full control over the tower’s operations, one-third of Etna City will truly belong to her.

In this world, mana holds a position equivalent to electricity and water in my previous modern society.

Just as life can continue without electricity or water, though inconveniently, life can persist without mana. A magician could personally supply mana.

But that would be incredibly troublesome.

And Arabel was precisely the type who disliked such inconvenience.

If Carisia died before registration, they might secretly rejoice and vie for the Tower Master position. But after registration, they’d likely bow obediently to her rule.

That’s because…

“Director Arabel, what percentage of your body is magically augmented?”

Arabel relied on magical-electrical enhancements to survive without mana.