Chapter 49

“Everyone, welcome. You’ve arrived at the Rostia Magic Tower. My name is Bestie, and I’ll be assisting you for the next month.”

The elderly female magician, Bestie, smiled warmly at the trainees.

“Each of you must recognize and cherish the great value you hold. As you know, not just anyone can take the entrance exam for the tower. The criteria are few but crucial. While I can’t detail them, you’re here because you’ve already met those stringent conditions. Take pride in that.”

“Ooh…”

The trainees, who had been tense, began to relax at Bestie’s warm voice and words.

The atmosphere, which had been icy before the first schedule, started to warm up.

“You are the potential future of the Rostia Magic Tower. Perhaps not just our tower, but the future of the entire magical world, even the world itself. That’s why I’ll take great care of you—body and soul. I’ll care for you with love, so trust me. If there’s anything uncomfortable or anything you need, just tell me.”

Thanks to Bestie, a positive energy filled the training hall, but the gloomy expressions of the retrainees didn’t seem to lift.

“By the way, I see quite a few familiar faces among this year’s trainees.”

At Bestie’s casual remark, most of the retrainees flinched and avoided her gaze.

They were ashamed of having failed despite receiving Bestie’s warm care.

Bestie gave them a warm look nonetheless.

“I know why you’re avoiding my gaze. How could I not? I failed twice before finally passing on my last attempt.”

“R-really?”

“Of course. Can’t you tell? I don’t live in the upper levels of the tower; I’m here with you all. That means I’m not some great magician.”

Her words were meant to comfort the retrainees, but there was a hint of bitterness in them.

The trainees, seeing Bestie’s slightly sorrowful expression, didn’t know how to react.

But Bestie, as if expecting their reaction, smiled softly and continued.

“Don’t feel sorry for me. I’m satisfied with what I do now. Even if I couldn’t climb higher, I find fulfillment in nurturing those who can. So, to avoid making me sad… you’ll have to work harder, right? Hehe, don’t give up.”

Among the retrainees, Riana nodded as she looked at Bestie, whom she was spending time with for the second time.

It wasn’t for nothing that the tower had entrusted Bestie with managing the trainees.

She had a unique magic—relieving the trainees’ tension and allowing them to focus solely on their magical training.

‘Ah…?’

For a moment, Bestie’s gaze shifted slightly.

Riana was certain.

Bestie had looked directly at her.

But in that fleeting glance, Riana sensed a deep, unprecedented sorrow and regret.

‘What was that look just now? Why did she look at me with such tearful eyes…?’

“Alright, everyone!”

At the sound of Bestie clapping, Riana and the other trainees turned their attention back to her.

“Today is the first day, right? So, we have a very special event prepared. Think of it as a welcome ceremony. Everyone, take your seats quickly. The time granted for you by *that person* is extremely precious!”

At the mention of *that person*, the trainees buzzed with excitement.

They knew a big figure was coming, but in the magical world, the heights one could reach were limitless.

The less knowledgeable trainees couldn’t guess who it might be, but they were filled with anticipation, waiting for a mage who could cause ripples in the magical world with every passing second.

And then, the figure appeared.

“Gasp…!”

The trainees who saw the figure for the first time couldn’t help but gasp.

Their mouths hung open, and their eyes filled with awe.

Those seated unconsciously stood up one by one to greet the figure who had come for them.

“It’s my honor to introduce this person to you all. The Archmage of the Rostia Magic Tower, Ronos.”

Bestie clapped with a bright smile, but the trainees were too stunned to join in.

Just Ronos’s presence alone exuded an overwhelming pressure.

“Is… is he even human?”

“No way. How can someone like that be the same ‘human’ as us?”

Some trainees, overly excited, whispered among themselves, treating Ronos more like a deity than a person.

Even the retrainees meeting Ronos for the second time were equally awestruck by his presence.

‘I don’t get it. Sure, he has a special aura, but is he really someone to worship like that…?’

Riana was different.

Somehow, she remained unfazed by Ronos’s overwhelming presence.

Of course, she could vaguely sense that Ronos was extraordinary.

But if anything, it felt… strange.

‘Dad. Yeah, the aura I felt from Dad is similar to his… Ah.’

As Ronos walked, he suddenly stopped and slowly turned his gaze toward one of the trainees.

That one trainee was, of course, Riana.

The eyes of the trainees who saw the two locking gazes twisted with envy, jealousy, and resentment.

Ronos, whom everyone revered, was looking at Riana.

Not them, but a trainee who seemed to be receiving special treatment.

The trainees’ eyes were filled with nothing but negative emotions.

“Hmph…!”

But Ronos just snorted and turned his gaze away.

Seeing this, some retrainees smirked.

“He’s disappointed, isn’t he? Ronos is.”

“Yeah, that pathetic girl who failed even after getting special treatment!”

Though whispered, the words were loud enough to be heard.

Riana’s eyes momentarily sharpened, but she quickly relaxed, deciding it wasn’t worth it.

*Thud—*

Ronos, now on the podium, stomped his foot.

A strike infused with mana.

The entire training hall shook, and some trainees lost their balance and fell.

“I ask you all. What do you think magic is?”

“…….”

No one dared to answer the Archmage’s question.

“You fools! You came to the tower without even a thought about magic?!”

Ronos’s roar made most of the trainees shrink back.

He scanned the room and pointed at one trembling trainee.

“You.”

“Eh? M-me?”

“Yes, you. Give me any answer. What do you think magic is?”

“Uh, um… it’s… cool!”

“Cool? Is that all?”

“Very cool! Super cool!!”

“Cool, huh? Then why is it cool?”

“B-because it lets you do things you can’t do normally. With magic.”

“Hmm, not bad for someone so scared.”

Ronos’s words, half-praise, half-not, left the questioned trainee with a strange expression.

Bestie, smiling brightly, clapped first.

“You answered Ronos’s profound question very well. Everyone, applause!”

As applause poured in, the trainee finally relaxed and chuckled.

“What are you laughing about? Shut your mouth.”

“Y-yes…”

Ronos shot a sharp glance and then spoke firmly to the trainees.

“Never forget what I’m about to say. It will be the most valuable words of your life.”

No trainee would dare to ignore the words of an Archmage higher than the heavens.

Every trainee focused intently on Ronos’s lips, afraid to miss even the smallest sound.

And Riana, along with the retrainees, already knew what Ronos would say next.

Even though they knew, they listened just as intently as the newcomers.

“Magic is…”

“‘Not something you wield.’”

A very small voice.

Ronos’s eyes widened at the sound.

He quickly descended from the podium and walked toward one spot.

“Did you just say that?”

“…….”

“Answer me, Riana!”

“Yes. I said it.”

Ronos’s eyes burned with an indescribable emotion.

“You’ve heard it twice already. So, you understand its true meaning better than anyone here, don’t you? Then, you finish it! What is magic?”

“……. It’s ‘not something you wield.’”

“Then what is it?!”

“It’s ‘not something you wield,’ but ‘something you wish for’!”

Riana shouted, driven by frustration.

“Exactly! But you knew that and still failed, didn’t you?!”

The harsh rebuke made Riana bow her head deeply.

She knew why she came to learn magic, and she worked harder than anyone, yet for some reason, she had failed the exam.

“Listen well, everyone. Magic is not something you wield, but something you wish for. If you don’t wish for it earnestly, magic won’t answer you. If your desire to learn and use magic is weak, it’s not too late. Go home now!”

The words, ‘Go home now,’ were especially directed at one person.

Riana, who had already failed once and was struggling with the pain.