Masugaki Princess was only disgruntled about the high information value of Oknodie, but Rosgini focused on the fact that the defense status of the Red Magic Tower was being treated like garbage at a low price.
“This… how is this happening? The Magic Tower is under threat of attack, and information about its poor internal defense is treated as worthless!”
“If you want to know the reason, please present equal information on the table.”
“I will!”
Rosgini immediately presented the exchange information.
━━━
The apprentice magician of the Red Magic Tower, Rosgini, is the only successor of the [Red Flame] school and enrolled in the Academy to revive the school. The largest faction of the Red Magic Tower, the [Jangryeol] school, does not wish for Rosgini’s success.
━━━
The information exchanger smiled and replied, “No way. I’m sorry to say, but miss Rosgini lacks value.”
Not even the reason why the Red Magic Tower’s defense status was treated as worthless could be traded.
Rosgini’s personal desires and political enemies were worthless to the information exchanger of the Ghost Hotel.
It felt like her life had been denied right in front of her eyes.
An experience that could crumble one’s self-esteem.
Rosgini’s expression darkened.
‘An apprentice magician of the tower feels this way huh.’
Masugaki Princess looked at her with cold eyes, thinking it was perfectly natural.
In the Empire, most people possess value less than even the information of their own organization.
The strength of an organization is a tradition and history built upon individual dedication.
‘If they want to salvage even a fragment of long years, an individual’s power has to be strong enough to shake the organization!♡’
Oknodie’s little pinky poked Rosgini’s cheek.
“Rosgini. Are you crying?”
“I’m not crying. I just… accepted things a little. After entering the Academy as a first-year and experiencing various things, I thought I had become somewhat significant, but it was all an illusion. I’ve realized that reality. That’s all.”
“Then shall I add information for you?”
“Why?”
Rosgini’s question was valid.
“Why would you provide support that even the Magic Tower won’t? What do you want from me? I have nothing to offer!”
“Hmm. Let’s call it managing the end flag.”
“End flag…?”
“I just don’t want you to be sad, Rosgini.”
“?”
“Even if I’m furious enough to want to burn the world, I can stay by your side until the very end.”
Masugaki Princess’s mouth dropped wide open.
Unintentionally, she covered her mouth with both hands.
“Because Rosgini is a good person. Good people are boring, but there’s something about them that makes you want to take care of them. I don’t want to let you face that bad ending!”
“I don’t get what you’re saying. We’re not even close like Sandkooker, and you’re even younger than me, so why should I be listening to you?”
“There are much worse people living their lives indulgently while it’s not fair for Rosgini to suffer and crumble!”
In that moment, Masugaki Princess had a terrifying thought.
Does the Foundation already have a plan?
A weak girl who only borrows the name of the Red Magic Tower, with nothing to rely on – could it be that they plan to use her for the Foundation’s purposes?
“Do you dislike it if I help?”
The timid Oknodie asked cautiously.
Rosgini felt a wave of guilt at Oknodie’s unexpected shy behavior.
“I might not be able to repay the debt completely.”
Rosgini hung her head.
“It might take a very long time.”
A warmth surged over her body.
“If that’s okay, then I’d really like you to help…!”
“Hehe. Don’t worry. Havi Nodi is a friend of the public and the weak!”
“Oknodie…!”
As Rosgini teared up in gratitude and Masugaki Princess nodded with emotion, they both secretly tilted their heads.
What on earth was Havi Nodi?
“You don’t need to give me information. The information obtained from our current conversation has already been counted as valid.”
“Wow, really?”
“The friendship between the VIP customer Oknodie and the regular customer Rosgini, as well as the courage and resolve that connects Havi’s will, have been considered as information.”
Havi. Havi.
Somehow, the name felt like one they should never forget.
Masugaki Princess mentally replayed it, promising to check it out when she returned to the Academy.
*
The poor defense of the Red Magic Tower was already widely known.
It was something the tower had deliberately intended.
Rosgini was in shock.
‘How could such a proud tower do this!’
No way, could it be a trap?
A trap to fool the demons and lure them in?
With her last bit of hope, she approached the Red Magic Tower.
Couldn’t be.
She hoped until the moment she opened the branch door, but as soon as she stepped in, she realized with the heat that met her.
The information she bought was true.
The warmth of the magicians defending the branch was far too low.
Even in a volcanic area optimized for elemental adaptation training.
The Red Magic Tower magicians staying here were training too little compared to the facility’s importance and value.
Doubt ignited in Rosgini’s heart.
“Is the Red Magic Tower really on the verge of being attacked? Everyone here are all non-mainstream faction members. They keep saying they’re the main faction but disappear when it counts!”
Normally, the mainstream faction wouldn’t miss a key facility like this abandoned by the main faction.
The [Jangryeol] faction, the largest among those interpreting the fire of the Red Magic Tower, didn’t even show their faces.
Those remaining were the weaker factions, barely maintaining a few apprentices compared to the majority dominated by the Jangryeol faction.
The [Heat Wave] faction specialized in heat wave phenomena.
The [Combustion] faction specialized in oxidation that combines light and heat.
The [Red Flame] faction’s Rosgini was even worse than that.
A faction on the brink of disbanding with only one apprentice left, just hanging on by a thread.
There would be a point where the saying “Who cares about whom?” would come to light.
“If the mainstream faction set a trap, they could just leave with everyone! Why should they bear responsibilities foisted upon them?”
Even though she realized that the rambunctious Oknodie’s words might be closer to the truth, Rosgini couldn’t agree.
“That’s not possible. Whether I turn a blind eye or evacuate the non-mainstream seniors left in the branch, they will incur irreparable damage to their reputations. Once this game is drawn, the seniors can’t escape anymore. This is a trap from the mainstream faction.”
“I’ve heard that before ♡ the Red Magic Tower is a shabby tower with a balance broken between mainstream and non-mainstream factions ♡”
Masugaki Princess’s words were exasperating but undeniably insightful.
“You’re right, Princess. That’s why I want to protect them even more.”
“Why?”
“Unlike the seniors of the Heat Wave and Combustion factions, those from the mainstream Jangryeol faction didn’t laugh at the elderly mentor but respected his path.”
“Ah…”
“They’re just fools who were only attracted to the bright red flames. Though their origin is old, they’ve become a relic of a bygone era as time has progressed, classifying and dissecting the properties of fire. I have no intention of denying it. It’s true.”
Rosgini sincerely conveyed her feelings.
“The young magicians followed the Jangryeol faction, which could clearly enhance the power of magic alongside visible phenomena, and those who didn’t want to prioritize sheer might followed other specialized factions like the Heat Wave or Combustion factions, or even the conjuration-oriented Phantasm faction; they didn’t come to the Red Flame faction.”
“Then why did you join the Red Flame faction?”
“For me, the first impression of fire was the round and cute flame presented by my elderly mentor. It was a decorative magic show that wandering magicians typically displayed. I didn’t care about the power or efficacy. To me, fire wasn’t about causing explosions that effectively kill people or using minimal mana for various effects from the Heat Wave or Combustion; it was simply something to bring joy.”
Just a presence for enjoyment.
A light meant to bring happiness.
“So primitive ♡ Campfire vibes. I don’t dislike it ♡”
Rosgini felt somewhat awkward at the sympathy expressed by the most extravagant first-year, Masugaki Princess.
“If the non-mainstream factions collapse, the one-on-one winning Red Flame faction will vanish in an instant. For me, I can just leave the tower, but I can’t accept that the efforts of my mentor and the predecessors who led the faction are rendered worthless. So, please help me protect the Vesuvius Branch together.”
“Hehe. Rosgini is really timid. I’ve said several times that I would help from long ago.”
“The Red Magic Tower you knew is the mainstream faction, but even helping me wouldn’t bring help from the mainstream faction; I’d just be rejected, and yet you would still want to help…?”
“It doesn’t matter. The tower is not necessary for the future I envision!”
It was frightening to think of what kind of picture Oknodie was drawing on her own canvas, but for today, such bold declarations from her were reassuring to Rosgini.
“By the way, I explained the situation to your seniors and persuaded them, so there’s no need for me to repeat myself!”
“What? You, wait a minute. The mana technique you just brought up is no way…?!”
Has every sincere feeling that she couldn’t convey in front of the seniors of the non-mainstream faction been conveyed?!
Just as expected, her ominous premonition turned into reality.
The branch door swung open, and a swarm of middle-aged magicians rushed out with a whoosh.
“Rosgini, I never dreamed you would come to help us with such deep thoughts!”
“To think that this young apprentice magician would awaken the warmth of fire that does not exist in the all-blasting Jangryeol faction, the future of the tower isn’t as dark as it seems!”
“The Red Flame has its emotions…!”
“Red Flame Punch! Red Flame Punch! Red Flame Punch!”
“Master must feel so proud to have raised a disciple like you.”
“I’m so glad my only apprentice is well-grown.”
“We’re so proud of you, Rosgini!”
“How about this fine young lady as a girlfriend for you, my dear apprentice?”
With the welcoming remarks, countless applause poured in!
Suddenly subjected to a public execution, Rosgini’s face turned as red as the flag of the Red Magic Tower.
The Dark Princess Oknodie’s wickedness, capable of executing someone without malice, reminded them to never let their guard down with this child.
