“I shall take my leave now, Duke.”
“……Thank you for staying. That Water Spirit…”
“Princess insisted on taking it, believing it to be her own. If it’s alright with you, Duke, I’ll visit again.”
“You’re always welcome, but……”
“Yes?”
“………Never mind. Safe travels.”
“Thank you for everything, Duke!”
…………
……
…
“Steward.”
“Yes, Your Grace.”
“Send a message to the Byron family.”
“A message, you say…?”
“Regarding the engagement with Leisha………ask them what they think.”
*
Traveling from the Everts Duchy to Arkhé Magic Tower was a breeze.
Even with a heavenly carriage, it would’ve taken a day, but I had my unbeatable method.
‘With a board game, a day flies by.’
It wasn’t for nothing that I brought board games from the royal palace. After all, killing boring time is their main purpose.
Originally, it would’ve been four of us, but with the Water Tiger gone, it’s down to three.
[Grrr!]
“There, there. You like it here, don’t you?”
Leisha had asked me to take care of it, and honestly, it’s quite reliable.
Unlike Leisha, the Water Tiger is surprisingly good at board games. I patted its head and neck as it sat on my lap.
The squishy texture felt nice, and the Water Tiger seemed to enjoy it too.
It’s as big as a real tiger, but its personality is just like a puppy.
“……I suggest you keep your distance. With the power of the Water Spirit, you could easily be crushed.”
“Y-yes! Young Master, it’s dangerous!”
“Really? It’s so gentle. Nothing’s happened so far, right?”
[Grrr.]
“See? Even the Water Tiger is smiling.”
“…………….”
“………….”
Well, if the Water Tiger wanted to attack me, I’d be done for in an instant, but that’s not going to happen.
If something were to happen, it would’ve happened by now, and besides…
‘It’s just so cute!’
I’ve read that spirits are different in their normal state compared to their combat state, depending on the Spirit Master’s achievements and personality.
Given Leisha’s personality, even in combat mode, it probably wouldn’t be much different.
Maybe it’d just grow a bit bigger.
As I petted the Water Tiger and played board games, we arrived at Arkhé Magic Tower in no time.
The scenery of the tower and the territory was…
“Make way! The Abracadabra game is about to start! I must see it this time!”
“You’re not the only one! I even bought a seat!”
“The Abracadabra game featuring Baron Rainbell, Knight Kyrias, and Adventurer Baros will begin shortly! Those with tickets, please come this way!”
“Fried corn snacks for sale! A favorite snack of Master Olfin! Grab some before you go in!”
“………Wow.”
It was completely different from when I left.
Originally, Olfin had invited VIPs, making the tower and Gias Territory lively, but now it was on a whole new level.
The vast territory was packed with people and carriages. Everywhere, vendors sold all kinds of food, and inns were fully booked.
In one area, Arkhé Magic Tower’s magicians dazzled crowds with illusion magic demonstrations, while in another, traveling circus troupes and minstrels set up shop.
And most of the people here didn’t seem to be nobles.
‘Well, not entirely absent, but…’
Unlike the nobles in their fancy attire with guards in tow, many seemed to be wealthy commoners or merchants.
If the Third Prince hadn’t…
If it weren’t for the sky chariot, we would have been stuck waiting down there too.
Thanks to Adela contacting the Magic Tower in advance, we could fly through the sky and comfortably reach the tower.
And as we got closer to the tower, it finally hit us.
What we had seen so far was nothing in comparison.
“What on earth…?”
“Th-They’re all here for the Young Master’s b-board game!”
“The maid is correct. The Tower Master and the other magicians said they’ve been screaming with joy every day.”
“Good heavens.”
From the sky, it looked like a single wave.
Even though Arkhé Magic Tower is by no means a small building, compared to that crowd, it seemed infinitely cramped.
Yeah, come to think of it, the main goal of those who came all the way to Gias Territory was, of course, Abracadabra.
Three people can play at once, and a single round takes less than 10 minutes. Yet, only about 400 people can play Abracadabra all day long.
Considering the stamina and rest needed for the magicians maintaining the illusions, it’s probably just over 300 people. But the crowd gathered in front of the tower easily exceeded a thousand.
If you think about the fact that those who’ve played can reserve again, when would I even get a chance to play if I booked now?
So, most of them had no choice but to be spectators.
Even if they couldn’t play directly, they were thrilled just watching the magic and board games through the illusions.
Leaving the tower, staying in the imperial capital, and spending those 2-3 weeks in Duke Everts’ territory—that short yet long time was enough for Abracadabra to become a massive trend.
“Well, well, who do we have here? The honorary elder of our tower has arrived!”
“Tower Master.”
“Did you see the people on your way here? The carriages filling Gias Territory, the countless performances, and the fully booked inns? Kyle, what did you think when you saw it with your own eyes?”
“…You won’t have to worry about the budget for a while.”
“A while? Absolutely not! Saying ‘a while’ doesn’t even begin to cover it!”
Master Olfin, whom I hadn’t seen in a while, was so excited that he got up from his seat to greet me as soon as I entered his office.
When I left, he seemed quite composed, but it seems the popularity of Abracadabra has gone beyond satisfaction—enough to make even an Archmage lose his cool.
While Olfin was shaking my hand vigorously, Adela quietly approached and whispered in my ear.
“We’ve already earned enough profit to cover the tower’s operating costs for the next 30 years.”
“30 years…!!”
“And the trend is still on the rise.”
30 years. For a tower like Arkhé Magic Tower, which is on par with the six great towers, even one year’s operating costs would exceed that of a decent territory.
Not to mention, considering the magical materials, research books, and artifacts the tower consumes, I couldn’t even imagine how much 30 years’ worth of operating funds would amount to.
…Now I understand why Olfin was so over the moon.
‘Just a month or two ago, he must have been struggling with deficits.’
And now, thanks to Abracadabra, not only has he turned a profit, but he’s achieved a massive success.
Even as an Archmage, he must have been stressed about potentially ending the tower’s legacy in his lifetime. But now, he’s shaken off all that.
Thanks to that, I’ve been given the ridiculous title of honorary elder.
And Adela’s lie to the Third Prince has essentially become true.
“Most of the current visitors are from the west. The nobles who came as guests have mostly returned, but it’s still too early for others to come based on their word. Do you understand what I’m saying?”
“Even excluding the north, people from the east, south, and central regions will keep coming, right?”
“Exactly! They’ll all come to play the board game you created! The tower’s profits will keep piling up…!!”
Perhaps overwhelmed by emotion.
Olfin, who seemed like he was about to burst, took a few deep breaths…
After choosing, he placed his hand on my shoulder.
It was the firm hand of the Archmage, but at the same time, it was also the hand of an old man who had worked hard to protect the Magic Tower.
“Thank you, Kyle. Thanks to you, the Arkhé Magic Tower can rise again.”
“In the end, it was the illusion of the Arkhé Magic Tower that completed Abracadabra.”
“I’m not denying that. But without you, we couldn’t have even started. Even if we had sold that giant board game board… we would have faced a deficit again within 10 years.”
“…………”
“You saved the future of the tower. Kyle Byron, Honorary Elder.”
Originally, the position of Honorary Elder didn’t exist.
The Elders of the tower are High Magicians who have dedicated decades to the tower. Adela, for instance, is a High Magician but not an Elder.
Still, I knew what it meant for me to receive the title of Honorary Elder.
“Tower Master, I didn’t do it for some noble cause… I just really liked board games. I’ve already been sufficiently rewarded.”
“Rewarded…? The tower hasn’t done anything for you yet.”
“The giant board game board using illusions, and the days I spent researching board games with the tower’s magicians. All of that is my reward.”
“…………”
It wasn’t just lip service. I truly meant it.
Like in those old card game anime, board games played through illusions had something that moved a man’s heart.
‘Originally, I came because of funding issues.’
The original goal of solving the tower’s problems and receiving financial support was unintentionally resolved when I sent that second son to the silver mine and received the inheritance rights.
Connections could be handled through Duke Nicholas, and I also found a way to secure manpower for board game production.
Fiddling with the access rights to the Dwarf Village, I looked at Master Olfin.
“All I want is to be able to play Abracadabra whenever I want.”
“Of course! I’ll cancel all reservations if I have to, just to make a spot for you.”
“Huh? That’s not necessary. As a board game player, I should respect other players too. I’ll make a reservation and play just like everyone else.”
“…You’re serious.”
“Of course. Oh, but I do have one request.”
“What is it? Feel free to ask anything.”
“I want to make another board game! For that, I’d like to borrow illusion magic again.”
“…………”
“Tower Master?”
“…You really only think about board games. Well, that’s what makes you an Honorary Elder.”
For some reason, Master Olfin chuckled for a moment.
He then walked over to the desk he had been glancing at and handed me a letter.
“What’s this…?”
“I was originally going to send it back. I know her well, but you are a noble guest and Honorary Elder of our tower.”
“Huh?”
“But after hearing what you just said… I realized it was my own greed. In the end, the best thing we can do for you is to help you achieve your dreams.”
──Imperial Royal Academy, High Magician of the Astron Magic Tower, Lukesil Anis.
“Of course, it’s up to you to accept it.”
“…No way.”
“Knowing you, I don’t think you’ll refuse.”
*
“…………”
How many days has it been now?
Lukesil stared at the mailbox she had already checked countless times.
As a High Magician of the Empire’s 6th Magic Tower, the Astron Magic Tower, and as an administrator dispatched to the Academy, she always maintained her dignity, but that was only under normal circumstances.
In reality, whether or not she received a reply could determine whether everything she had built so far would crumble. Dignity be damned.
Just staring at the mailbox.
“Rather……….”
Wishing on a star, maybe?
While seriously pondering the forbidden taboo of Astron Magic Tower, strictly prohibited by the tower lord.
The office door swung open violently.
“Lu, Lukesil!”
“Pion. What on earth is going on───”
“I heard you called for me, Lukesil.”
“………Huh?”
“I rushed over and couldn’t send a reply. My apologies.”
Behind the familiar face of the assistant stood a young man I had never seen before.
Black hair, handsome looks, and clothes tightly wrapped despite the slightly warm weather.
It was a face I hadn’t seen before. But even so, I could tell.
Lukesil, who had been momentarily dazed, got up from her seat and approached the young man.
“Kyle Byron……… Is that you? The honorary elder of Arkhé Magic Tower and the genius board game creator?”
“Though it’s a bit excessive, yes, that’s me.”
“Wow, thank you so much for coming! On behalf of Astron Magic Tower, I express my gratitude! But, more than that, you came in person……?”
Lukesil also appeared to be a young woman, but it was merely due to the magic of Astron Magic Tower slowing her aging. She was much older than Kyle.
Nevertheless, Lukesil repeatedly bowed her head to Kyle, expressing her gratitude.
That’s how overwhelmed she was.
And at the same time, it meant she was that desperate.
“I’ve heard the situation through the letter. Since everything’s ready, let’s go.”
“You’ve already made the board game……? It’s not my place to say, but the conditions must have been quite tricky.”
“I happened to have a good one among the board games I’ve already made.”
Kyle’s bold claim that he had already solved the problem that had been troubling her for days.
Under normal circumstances, Lukesil wouldn’t have believed it, but his past achievements at Arkhé Magic Tower made it credible.
While still in a daze, Lukesil began to guide them, followed by her assistant, Kyle, and what appeared to be his entourage—a water spirit and a maid.
Among them, Lukesil’s expression hardened upon seeing Adela’s face.
‘It’s really her……!’
There’s no way she wouldn’t recognize the face of Master Olfin’s protégé, a genius who became a high magician at a young age.
Adela’s presence was proof that this man was undoubtedly Kyle Byron himself.
With a gut feeling that the problem would finally be solved this time, Lukesil clenched her fist and looked at Kyle with excitement.
“If it’s not too much trouble, may I know the name of the board game?”
“It’s probably not a board game you know……….”
“Magicians of Astron Magic Tower value names. Just like naming each star in the sky, we can predict rise and fall through names. So, please.”
“If you insist.”
Kyle Byron nodded and answered.
The name of the board game that might determine Lukesil’s future.
“It’s a board game called Monopoly.”
For some reason.
Even though it was a name she had never heard before, as Kyle said.
Lukesil couldn’t help but feel uneasy………
