Florya (1)
Chapter 47
“The Magic Tower is a den of lunatics…”
The Count suppressed a laugh that was threatening to escape by gulping audibly.
Mohamed, who was guarding the Count, also entered expression management mode by letting out an unnecessary cough.
After taking a sip of tea, the Count nodded.
“You are right.”
Mages are indeed a faithless bunch.
They are people who arbitrarily judge rules and ethics under the guise of pursuing practical benefits.
The Count himself harbored no good feelings towards mages, so he had no intention of reproaching Ray for the fixed notions embedded in his head.
“However, Ray, don’t you need a mage who has studied a systematized theory of magic?”
The Count was well aware of Ray’s thoughts.
Until the knights were dispatched, Ray did not let the orphans at the orphanage hold swords.
Although he taught them living martial arts like taekwondo, which involved moving their center of gravity while using their bodies, it only went as far as that.
Ray was worried.
He feared that if he taught them swordsmanship half-heartedly, they might develop bad habits that would be impossible to correct later.
Therefore, he delayed teaching them swordsmanship until skilled knights arrived.
Luna was in the same situation.
Even though she might encounter some trial and error, with just a few shoddy spellbooks, Luna could mimic a mage through self-study without much difficulty.
However, that would be a waste of talent. This was Ray’s steadfast belief, and the Count agreed with it.
“It will be hard to find a mage of the level you desire anywhere but the Magic Tower.”
“I understand what you mean. But even if I go… would those closed-off mages even bother to show their faces?”
“This time, we’ve secured an opportunity to send Alesya on a short-term study abroad to the Royal Magic Tower.”
“The Royal Magic Tower?”
When Ray showed confusion, the Count briefly explained about the Royal Magic Tower.
The Royal Magic Tower was born under the support of the royal family and served as an organization that mediated between magic towers, commercialized artifacts, conducted research services, and hosted joint academic conferences.
Though it was called a magic tower, it was essentially a political body aimed at controlling the factional groups of mages and countering the information monopoly of large magic towers.
“For convenience, it’s called a magic tower, but various buildings designated for different purposes gather together to form a city-like structure. Since it receives support from the royal family, the mages affiliated with the Royal Magic Tower tend to be mindful of their behavior.”
“Insightful lunatics, you mean.”
“Not entirely wrong. Still, wouldn’t even insightful lunatics be better than those who have nothing to be mindful of?”
Chuckling, the Count continued speaking.
“It’s a place where the proportion of mages focused on theoretical research is high.”
This means there are many people with extensive magical knowledge whose circle levels are relatively low. They’re easier to control and suited to the role of teachers.
“What do you think?”
“Though this is truly a gracious offer, what qualifications do I have to enter the Royal Magic Tower…?”
“As Alesya’s escort.”
Ray nodded his head.
It was better to try out even a small possibility rather than sit idly by.
“Understood. Since you’ve created the opportunity, I’ll give it a shot.”
“A rare chance it is. The Royal Magic Tower doesn’t accept just anyone, even for short-term study abroad.”
One of the few ways to connect with the royal family.
Therefore, to obtain permission for short-term study at the Royal Magic Tower, one needed connections, background, and talent.
Ray scratched his chin.
“Hmm… Was Alesya’s magical talent really that outstanding?”
The Count shook his head.
“Thanks to the fame gained from eradicating the locusts, this opportunity arose.”
The Count hesitated for a moment before adding,
“Coincidentally, since the daughter of Osiris Count is also going abroad for studies, we received some help from Osiris Count.”
In other words, it meant that Alesya was forcibly squeezed into the seat next to the daughter of Osiris Count who was leaving for studies.
Although the Philips Count family lived near the Osiris Count family, their influence was more than five times greater.
Understanding the situation, Ray silently nodded his head.
Further arguing would only hurt the pride of Philips Count.
“When is the departure?”
“We have plenty of time. We still have to wait at least two weeks, so take your time to think it over.”
“Thank you.”
“This is an uncommon opportunity. The Royal Magic Tower doesn’t accept just anyone for short-term study abroad.”
One of the few ways to connect with the royal family.
Therefore, to obtain permission for short-term study at the Royal Magic Tower, one needed connections, background, and talent.
Ray scratched his chin.
“Hmm… Was Alesya’s magical talent really that outstanding?”
The Count shook his head.
“Thanks to the fame gained from eradicating the locusts, this opportunity arose.”
The Count hesitated for a moment before adding,
“Coincidentally, since the daughter of Osiris Count is also going abroad for studies, we received some help from Osiris Count.”
In other words, it meant that Alesya was forcibly squeezed into the seat next to the daughter of Osiris Count who was leaving for studies.
Although the Philips Count family lived near the Osiris Count family, their influence was more than five times greater.
Understanding the situation, Ray silently nodded his head.
Further arguing would only hurt the pride of Philips Count.
“When is the departure?”
“We have plenty of time. We still have to wait at least two weeks, so take your time to think it over.”
“Thank you.”
“This is an uncommon opportunity. The Royal Magic Tower doesn’t accept just anyone for short-term study abroad.”
“One of the few ways to connect with the royal family.”
“Therefore, to obtain permission for short-term study at the Royal Magic Tower, one needs connections, background, and talent.”
Ray scratched his chin.
“Hmm… Was Alesya’s magical talent really that outstanding?”
The Count shook his head.
“Thanks to the fame gained from eradicating the locusts, this opportunity arose.”
The Count hesitated for a moment before adding,
“Coincidentally, since the daughter of Osiris Count is also going abroad for studies, we received some help from Osiris Count.”
In other words, it meant that Alesya was forcibly squeezed into the seat next to the daughter of Osiris Count who was leaving for studies.
Although the Philips Count family lived near the Osiris Count family, their influence was more than five times greater.
Understanding the situation, Ray silently nodded his head.
Further arguing would only hurt the pride of Philips Count.
“When is the departure?”
“We have plenty of time. We still have to wait at least two weeks, so take your time to think it over.”
“Thank you.”
“This is an uncommon opportunity. The Royal Magic Tower doesn’t accept just anyone for short-term study abroad.”
The Count picked up a piece of paper that looked like a study abroad application and handed a sealed letter to Ray.
Ray’s expression brightened instantly. It was a letter from Saria.
The Count handed over the letter and added,
“There’s another good news. Though it took too long to complete the review, finally, an honorary title has been conferred.”
“…An honorary title?”
“It’s closer to a medal than a proper title. It’s an award given by the royal family to those who have achieved great accomplishments.”
“Count, I’m ignorant about such matters, but what are the benefits of an honorary title?”
“It’s not a reward with significant benefits, but since it’s directly conferred by the royal family, it’s not a light matter. The recipient can receive quasi-noble treatment, albeit slightly.”
Ray blinked as the Count further explained,
“Even a noble of high standing cannot arbitrarily punish the recipient of an honorary title without due process. It would be considered an act of disrespecting the authority of the royal family.”
“I see.”
Nodding his head, Ray asked the most important question,
“Then, who is the recipient of the honorary title?”
“Who else?”
After taking a sip of lukewarm tea, the Count loosened the corners of his mouth.
“Those who shared your achievements.”
*
Under the blazing sun.
Jimy, wearing a straw hat, was pulling out weeds while sweating profusely.
Next to the weeds was a plant named ‘Rapa,’ which had grown tall enough to reach the knees, with white roots and deep green leaves.
Rapa is one of the edible vegetables, popular among both nobles and commoners for its crunchy texture.
In the small field surrounded by a fence, various other vegetables had sprouted and peeked out.
Jimy nodded his head in satisfaction.
Recently, Jimy had started cultivating vegetables in a small field to partially achieve the slow life he had dreamed of.
Looking at the lush vegetables growing, Jimy felt as if the stress he had accumulated was slowly dissipating.
“Uh, uh…”
A voice came from nearby.
Turning his head, he saw a young guard, still pale-faced, stammering with a blank expression.
Frowning slightly as his mood was ruined, Jimy asked,
“What’s the matter?”
“You, you shouldn’t grow such things here.”
“…?”
What is this nonsense?
Jimy forced a smile while trying to keep his face from crumpling and said,
“Listen, I think there’s some misunderstanding. This field belongs to me.”
He bought the field at a price higher than the market rate and only grew vegetables that people could eat.
There was nothing problematic about it.
But even after hearing Jimy’s explanation, the guard stood there fidgeting anxiously.
As Jimy’s patience ran out and he was about to shout,
An older-looking guard approached and hit the young guard on the head.
“Folo! What are you doing here?! Didn’t I tell you not to come near here?”
“But, sir, isn’t that ‘Brassia’?”
The guard named Folo pointed at the ‘Rapa’ and protested.
Only then did Jimy realize what the guard had misunderstood.
Brassia is a plant used as a drug ingredient, and its cultivation by civilians is strictly prohibited.
However, Brassia resembles Rapa in appearance, leading to cases where people disguised Brassia as Rapa for cultivation.
Jimy chuckled and pointed at the ‘Rapa.’
“Oh dear, don’t worry. This is Rapa. Rapa.”
“Haha, it’s definitely ‘Rapa.’ Sorry for the inconvenience.”
The senior guard smiled broadly, nodded, and quickly took Folo away from the field while whispering,
“Hey kid, didn’t I tell you not to come near here?”
“But sir, isn’t that Rapa actually Brassia?”
“Do you think I’m blind? I know that’s Brassia! So what?”
Common sense dictates that the ruler of the underworld wouldn’t be peacefully growing Rapa, would he?
The crop growing in that field is undoubtedly top-grade Brassia.
That’s why making any acknowledgment would be unwise.
“Our opponent is the ruthless ruler of the underworld, Jimy! If you don’t want to be dragged away unnoticed in the dead of night and die, pretend you didn’t see anything! You have a mother to take care of, understand?!”
Folo nodded his head fearfully.
“Yes, understood.”
“Kid… Listen carefully from now on.”
While the senior guard scolded and patted Folo’s back, Jimy looked at the Rapa with a mournful gaze from quite a distance.
They were reassured because they thought they were far enough away.
But Jimy heard every word of the guards’ conversation clearly.
With a dejected face, Jimy pulled out the Rapa he had nurtured with great effort.
He was the notorious ruler of the underworld, and whatever he did, people judged him with colored glasses.
It was clear that a normal slow life was long gone.
‘Where exactly did my life go wrong?’
If only he hadn’t met that guy, that devilish guy, everything would have been fine!
Jimy clasped his hands together and prayed.
Please make the kids at the orphanage go through an even crazier adolescence.
Please let Ray suffer under the karma he has accumulated.
“Waaaah-!”
While Jimy was praying devoutly, cheers from the children echoed from afar.
Shaking off the dirt, Jimy headed toward the source of the cheers.
“First one to arrive gets all the cookies!”
“Waaaah!”
Around thirty children dashed off somewhere.
They were all children residing at the Dinor branch of Jimy’s orphanage.
Timothy, the writing teacher Jimy had hired, was panting and running to catch up with the children from a little distance away.
Approaching Timothy, Jimy asked,
“What’s going on?”
“Ah, Mr. Jimy. Today is a picnic, so the children are very excited.”
“Picnic? Where to?”
“To visit David’s memorial monument.”
Jimy gave a hollow laugh.
David had become a hero who eradicated the feared dark spirit Locust alongside Seria sometime ago.
The world should know that this fool died from a knife wound at the age of nine.
‘I, who fought bitterly with the Locust, got no honor but only infamy!’
Anyway, it was a terribly unfair matter.
Muttering inside, Jimy asked Timothy,
“Isn’t it a bit dangerous to bring the children there?”
“That’s why I planned to go with other teachers, but the children got excited and ran ahead. I’ll go catch them.”
“No, it’s fine… I’ll go together.”
“Ah, are you sure?”
“I have nothing to do anyway. Let’s hurry and catch up.”
Crunch crunch!
While eating the freshly pulled Rapa raw, Jimy pointed at the children.
Timothy glanced around cautiously before quietly asking,
“Does eating it raw have any medicinal effects?”
Jimy hit Timothy’s head with the Rapa.
*
“Is this the place?”
At the entrance of the Sigini Mountain Range.
In front of David’s memorial monument made of Azure Ore, which emitted a soft blue glow.
Osiris Count’s daughter, Florya, was examining the battle scars that still remained in the area.
Since it was such an intense battle, shattered rocks and broken tree trunks were scattered everywhere.
“It must have been regrettable. If he had survived, he would have spent his whole life being revered by others. That’s an incredible feat, isn’t it? Eradicating the Locust alone with just two people.”
“The knights of Philips Count’s house also assisted.”
The knight’s comment made Florya chuckle while shielding her face with a fan.
“Six-Circle mages perished in this battlefield. If the knights of the Count’s house really helped, wouldn’t they have all survived?”
Did they even participate in the battle or just watch from afar?
“Such shameless individuals.”
Florya tapped her fan twice, gently touched the monument once, and turned her back.
“Let’s head back to the manor.”
“Understood…”
The knight bowed his head but stopped and narrowed his eyes.
Dozens of presences could be felt.
Not long after, about ten children aged around ten poured out of the forest.
“I won first place!”
The child who was leading the race wasn’t looking ahead, distracted by the other children chasing from behind.
The knight was about to yell when Florya stopped him with a look of interest.
“Wait and see.”
