“Suddenly, what is this…?”
Of course, it wasn’t just Kyle who was surprised. In fact, Duke Nicholas, who had entered with the Water Tiger, was even more shocked.
The attendants following behind and the mages in the hall were all frozen in place by the sudden turn of events.
In this awkward, if not outright troublesome, situation where the spirit brought by the Duke was hostile to a mage from the Arkhé Magic Tower, no one stepped forward—even though Adela could have been attacked.
The reason was simple: there was an overwhelming force present in the room.
“Hmm.”
Master Olfin Glassburn. One of the eight Archmages in the Empire.
As long as Olfin, the symbol of the Magic Tower and the embodiment of power itself, was present, he would have acted if the Water Tiger truly intended to pounce on Adela.
Yet, Olfin simply tilted his head and stroked his beard.
“Duke, Your Grace, what exactly is that…?”
“…It’s my daughter’s spirit.”
“Your daughter, the Princess? Then why didn’t she come herself…? Hmm.”
After muttering something incomprehensible for a moment, Olfin nodded as if he had figured it out.
“Well, there must be a reason.”
“Master Olfin, Tower Lord?”
“From what I see, that spirit… seems quite fond of its creator. Such overprotectiveness. Are you acquainted?”
“It’s a spirit that stayed close to the Duke’s House for a while.”
“Hoho, that makes sense… I suppose. What do you say? Let’s leave the spirit to its creator and continue the tour. Adela, you should get along with the spirit. It’ll be a good connection for the future.”
Why was there talk of networking when it came to befriending a spirit?
The others vaguely understood that getting close to the Princess’s spirit would mean building a connection with the Princess herself.
But Adela alone could grasp the true meaning behind Master Olfin’s words.
In fact, she had no choice. Unlike the others, Adela could clearly see the true nature of that Water Tiger.
‘Two souls coexisting in one body.’
Adela was particularly sensitive to “boundaries” among the tower’s mages. This was a blessed talent for those who wielded light and dark magic in Arkhé.
When she looked at the Water Spirit, she sensed a boundary within it—a clear division between two souls.
One was the original owner, the Water Spirit, and the other was an intruder.
Yet, it was the intruder who dominated the body, while the owner quietly yielded control.
“Adela?”
“…I will follow the Tower Lord’s command.”
Adela, with her sharp eyes, alternated her gaze between the Water Tiger glaring at her and Kyle Byron, who was tilting his head in confusion.
Even though the spirit had suddenly lunged at Adela, Kyle didn’t stop it. Instead, he seemed to know the spirit well and was merely flustered.
…There was clearly some relationship between the two that she didn’t know about. And it was a rather intimate one at that.
At the very least, the other party had gone to such lengths to come and meet Kyle.
‘No, why should I care who Kyle Byron is close to? After all… I’ve already wronged him.’
The memory of that day when she attacked Kyle with an illusion still haunted her dreams.
Whenever it resurfaced, Adela would kick her blanket in frustration and find herself lingering around Kyle even more.
She had to apologize. She had to say she was sorry.
She had tried to apologize before, but Kyle had brushed it off as if it were nothing. Yet, that didn’t ease the burden on Adela’s conscience.
So, they played board games. They played Abracadabra.
At first, it was for revenge, but every time she played Abracadabra with Kyle, who loved board games, it felt like her guilt was slowly lifting.
That was all their relationship was. A one-sided burden on Adela’s part, a relationship she would forget once Kyle left.
…Adela believed that.
“Ah, Creator, could you follow me for a moment? I called for you earlier.”
“I heard on the way. Alright, Tiger? Adela? Go ahead and wait upstairs. I’ll join you soon, and we can play Abracadabra!”
“…………….”
[………….]
“Then, let’s go.”
Kyle Byron headed toward the Tower Lord and the Duke. He said he had something to discuss, so he’d be back soon.
For a moment, the Water Tiger tried to follow Kyle, but Adela gestured to stop it. A low growl was heard, but she paid it no mind.
After Kyle and the others had left…
“………….”
[…………….]
In the suffocating silence, the mages in the hall quietly hid their presence. Truly, their awareness and social skills were admirable for mages.
No conversation, no movement—just silence.
Without a sound.
Adela led the way, followed by the Water Tiger. Unlike when they descended with Kyle, the steps back up were deep and heavy.
[Whoosh……….]
In between, only the sparrow spirit, Ppyak, cried pitifully.
After walking and walking, Adela finally turned around after entering the room where she had played the board game with Kyle.
“Please stay still until that man returns. I don’t want to forcefully subdue you for no reason.”
[………Grr.]
“What are you doing?”
But the Water Tiger didn’t even seem to hear Adela’s words.
It was glaring at the board game, Abracadabra, placed on the table.
And then.
“………!!”
Thud!
It immediately threw itself onto the table, knocking over the board game.
If Adela hadn’t quickly used magic to levitate Abracadabra into the air, sensing something was off, it would have spilled and made a mess.
Adela, who had saved the board game, looked down at the Water Tiger with a fierce gaze.
“You’re crossing the line. Especially with how suspicious you already are.”
[Grr!]
“Did you think I wouldn’t notice? Not even coming directly but using such a sneaky method, I’m starting to worry about Kyle Byron.”
[…………….]
Adela’s eyes were colored with intense emotion.
Suddenly appearing and inserting itself between Kyle and Adela, trying to ruin the board game they were playing, and now acting so shamelessly.
Adela knew exactly what she was feeling.
A feeling that was both ridiculous and embarrassing.
‘Jealousy.’
What kind of relationship did she even have with Kyle Byron to feel jealous of this mysterious being?
For a moment, the memory of that day resurfaced, and Adela longed to kick her blanket again.
‘This is……protecting him. There’s no way a relationship that comes looking like this is normal. Kyle Byron didn’t seem to know either.’
Perhaps the deep relationship was with the original Water Spirit, not with any other soul.
No, it’s almost certain. Otherwise, why would it come in such a state like a malicious stalker? Nodding her head, Adela was filled with a sense of mission.
This was, after all, a ‘natural’ action to atone for the sin she had committed against that man.
“…………….”
[………….]
They glared at each other again. The situation was similar to earlier in the hall, but the crucial difference was that there was no board game creator or any other eyes to watch them here.
In the sharp atmosphere where even the smallest trigger could set things off.
Creak!
“Young Master! You must be hungry, would you like some snacks that you like………?”
“……….”
[………….]
“? Why are you looking at me like that, you bitches? I won’t give you anything for bothering the Young Master.”
……Even the maid Sally, who was smiling.
All they could do was hope that Kyle Byron would return soon.
Ppyak desperately held her breath.
*
Time passed, and the sun set.
Gradually, the land was dyed in darkness, but only in Gias did another sun rise.
An artificial sun that was usually not lit, considering the lifestyle of the territory’s people, but today was different.
Because countless nobles and big shots had gathered due to the invitations sent throughout the Empire.
“This is exciting. When was the last time the 6 Great Magic Towers sent out invitations on such a grand scale?”
“About 3 years ago, the Agni Tower sent one asking for support from the Duchy. But in this sense, it’s the first time for a peaceful invitation.”
“My grandfather told me that over 100 years ago, the Arkhé Magic Tower sent invitations to the entire Empire using a giant board game as bait.”
“I see. The Arkhé Magic Tower again……….”
Those who received the invitations were powerful nobles, merchants, famous adventurers, and other Magic Towers—each one either famous or highly influential.
It was essentially the result of mobilizing Master Olfin’s connections and the reputation of the Arkhé Magic Tower.
Being one of the 6 Great Magic Towers, they could gather such a crowd, but of course, it wasn’t without cost.
“I heard the Arkhé Magic Tower has been in serious deficit for the past few years. This must be quite a stretch.”
“Probably trying to recreate the trend from 100 years ago. An old idea. With so many other things to see and enjoy in the Empire, a board game? It’s obviously that game where you capture the opponent’s king.”
“Is there anything else besides that board game? Anyway, it’s good. If the deficit gets worse, we’ll have no choice but to reach out externally. I’m looking forward to how much we can squeeze out of them.”
Merchants who know the current state of the Arkhé Magic Tower and are ready to tear into it.
“Although we were invited, this is quite unpleasant. Merchants with no roots and adventurers too? What do they take us for?”
“The Magic Tower is pushing too hard. If it’s nothing special, we can just cut off the donations we’ve been sending to the tower. This visit can serve as a pretext.”
“To think a mere board game would cause such a fuss, tsk.”
Nobles who are displeased just by the fact that so many people have been gathered.
“Hoho, how long has it been? This is the first time since the last meeting.”
“Indeed. Shall we move over there to talk?”
“Ahem. The tower’s announcement will start soon…”
“It’s fine if we’re a little late. It’s probably just that board game from 100 years ago, isn’t it?”
“That’s true too. Hoho!”
Some are completely uninterested in whatever the tower is doing, focusing only on mingling with other nobles and power figures.
Not everyone who stepped into the Arkhé Magic Tower did so out of pure goodwill or curiosity. If the announcement doesn’t meet their expectations, it could deal a fatal blow to the tower.
But not everyone was like that.
“Greetings, Your Highness the Prince.”
“Duke Evertz, it’s been a while. By the way, this is the first time in my life I’ve seen so many people gathered in one place.”
“Same here, Your Highness.”
“Is Duke Grandel the same? Indeed, this is quite an interesting event. What about you? I’d like to hear from the perspective of another magic tower.”
“The Astron Magic Tower has always hoped for Arkhé’s revival.”
“Stop lying. You’re the one wishing most desperately for their downfall.”
“…Please watch your words in front of His Highness. It’s shameful for someone who’s also an Archmage.”
“Lol.”
“This damn—”
The circular auditorium prepared in the first-floor hall of the Arkhé Magic Tower.
Even in a place prepared with seats and refreshments for distinguished guests from all over, a strict hierarchy existed.
At the center, closest to the illusion being prepared, sat adventurers and merchants in the lowest seats, while nobles sat in gradually higher seats according to their rank.
And higher still, in a space specially prepared in the air to give the best view of the hall and the illusion, sat the most esteemed individuals.
The Empire’s Third Prince, the Duke of Evertz, the Duke of Grandel, the Marquis of Leonhardt, and the two Archmages from the Astron Magic Tower and the Glesia Magic Tower.
Each one of them could shake the Empire, yet the situation was surprisingly chaotic.
“Please, maintain some dignity!”
“Nah, I’m good.”
“Ahhh!!”
The two Archmages were on the verge of grabbing each other’s hair in a fight.
“That looks quite delicious.”
“So I ate it.”
“…Eastern bumpkins really can’t resist food, can they?”
“Haha, still better than the insufferable folks from the west, right?”
“Hohoho.”
“Hahaha.”
The two dukes from the traditionally competitive and regionally tense west and east were laughing while grinding their teeth.
“Marquis Rutenhark, which Archmage do you think will win?”
“……..I…don’t…know……..”
“Well, I didn’t expect much from you anyway.”
“……..”
“Don’t look so glum.”
The prince and Marquis Rutenhark were engaged in idle chatter.
At first glance, their behavior and words seemed unbecoming of their status, as if they weren’t seriously concerned about the Empire’s future.
But in reality, they were more at ease than anyone else in the room precisely because of their high status.
This wasn’t in front of the First or Second Princes, who were competing for the throne. Evertz and Grandel, despite growling at each other, were deeply intertwined economically. The two Archmages had been friends since childhood. And Marquis Rutenhark was personally close to the Third Prince.
They all knew each other’s circumstances well, so they kept up appearances but were otherwise completely relaxed.
Of course, if the nobles or others below saw them, they’d all straighten up immediately, but that wasn’t the case.
How long had this been going on?
The Third Prince, who had been watching the two dukes and two Archmages bicker while snacking, suddenly turned his head.
“He’s here, Master Olfin of the Magic Tower.”
“Greetings, Your Highness. And to everyone else.”
“Ahem, ahem! Hello, Master Olfin.”
“Olfin’s here. Let’s stop now, you pervert.”
“So…!! Ugh, to think that such a woman is the representative of the prestigious Glesia Magic Tower……….”
As the host of the event, Archmage Olfin, appeared, the dukes’ bickering and the archmages’ petty fights came to a halt.
It wasn’t like the atmosphere suddenly became formal just because Olfin was there, but at least they had to show some restraint in front of the host.
Among them, Duke Nicholas, who had remained silent until now, was the first to approach Olfin.
As if he wanted to confirm something important.
“Master of the Magic Tower, are the preparations for that thing complete?”
“Perfect, as I mentioned earlier. In fact, it was trembling with excitement.”
“Trembling…? I can’t even imagine that.”
“It was excited, saying that soon everyone would come to understand the charm of board games.”
“Huh.”
What did their conversation mean? When did Master Olfin and Duke Nicholas become so close? And who was this “thing” they were referring to?
There were many questions, but the Third Prince, with a smile, asked only one.
“By the way, is it alright for me to be here? It’s almost time to start.”
“Thank you for your concern, Your Highness. But after all, I’m not the main character here.”
“What…?”
“The real protagonist… is someone else.”
They had gathered in the tower’s hall, invited under the names of the Magic Tower and the Archmage, yet if the host wasn’t the main character, then who could it be?
At Olfin’s words, the prince, Duke Grandel, Marquis Rutenhark, and the two archmages all looked down at the center of the hall with curiosity.
“───Thank you for waiting!”
In the center, watched by hundreds of nobles, merchants, and influential figures.
A young man confidently stepped forward, spreading his arms wide and shouting.
“My name is Kyle Byron. I am a board game creator.”
“A board game… creator? Not a mage of the tower?”
“And Byron… that Byron family? I’ve never heard of them, so it must be some third son or a branch family.”
“Have you not heard? A month ago, the second son…”
“What?”
“Anyway, is this rookie really the representative? It says a lot about Arkhé’s standards.”
Unfavorable murmurs filled the air. It was expected, and even anticipated.
Despite the whispers, Kyle Byron simply smiled.
“Since everyone is waiting, I’ll skip the formalities. Then…”
Whoosh.
From Kyle Byron’s outstretched hands, light and darkness surged forth.
A basic magic that any mage of Arkhé Magic Tower could perform.
But.
“What…!!”
Clang.
Though not exceptionally talented, the Third Prince, who had some aptitude for magic, immediately noticed.
Kyle Byron had no magical talent at all. He wasn’t a mage, yet he was using Arkhé’s magic.
As the prince instinctively rose from his seat and stared at Kyle Byron.
“Shall we begin?”
Clap.
With a clap, light and darkness merged. Magic manifested from the hands of a talentless non-mage.
The light and darkness combined to create a brilliant flash, illuminating the entire hall. All but a few of the hall’s distinguished guests shielded their eyes from the blinding light.
When they opened their eyes again.
“…………This.”
In the center, where there had been nothing but the floor, something had risen.
Three towers, bizarre yet majestic, stood tall. At their peaks was a wide, flat space.
And stone tablets falling from the three towers forming a triangle.
Boom!! Boom!! Boom!!!
Arkhé’s illusions were supposed to be intangible, with no sound or vibration, yet they felt all too real.
The entire hall fell silent at the transformation.
Standing on a floating platform, Kyle Byron grinned.
“From now on, I invite you all── to the board game of mages.”
A board game where anyone can become a mage.
A game of dreams and illusions.
