Tristan pushed aside the inspector captain’s offer to serve him and rode the automatic lift with Yuric alone. His gaze traveled back through the ages, recalling the splendid past.
However, he never thought that this moment spent with Yuric would not be splendid as well. On the contrary, there were many things he knew now that he didn’t know then. If the past was a period of material prosperity, the present was a time of spiritual prosperity. He was undoubtedly embarking on a new chapter in his life.
Descending from the 9th floor, Tristan wandered down the unchanged corridor.
“This place remains the same.”
A warm feeling welled up in Tristan’s heart. He pointed here and there in the hallway, starting sentences with “Back in my day,” to Yuric, who listened attentively and replied with “Yes, that’s right.”
Soon they arrived in front of the former Master Mage’s office. However, the office was empty. The seat of the Master Mage had remained vacant since Tristan left twenty years ago.
Of course, this was not done in anticipation of Tristan’s return. The tower operated smoothly even with just the Elders and professors, so there was no need for the Elders to forcefully appoint a Master Mage.
Moreover, it was rare for someone to possess both the achievements and talent to be selected as Master Mage. Indeed, the Council of Elders once tried to elevate Grand Mage Violetta to the position of Master Mage, but she firmly refused, saying she did not fit such a role. After that, two more candidates were proposed for the position, but none succeeded.
Tristan stood for a moment in front of his old office before turning away. They then encountered Elder Diocles, who rushed over upon hearing the news, in the hallway.
“Senior!”
“Diocles.”
Tristan hugged Diocles.
“I thought I’d never see you again.”
“I thought I’d never see you again either.”
Diocles led Tristan and Yuric to his own office, which was also located in the eastern section of the 9th floor.
Sitting in the cozy office, drinking the tea offered, Tristan looked at Diocles, who was sitting across from him, staring at him intently.
The Elder felt a gentleness and warmth in the former Master Mage that he hadn’t noticed before. Back then, he seemed overwhelmingly sharp and terrifying, causing even other Elders to fear him.
“I’m sorry.”
Diocles’ eyes widened slightly in surprise. He couldn’t have imagined receiving an apology from Senior.
“I’ve been thinking a lot. I had no compassion or kindness back then. It was my fault. I truly apologize to everyone.”
Hearing Tristan’s sincere apology, Diocles genuinely felt his change.
“No, Senior. It’s our fault for not properly serving you.”
“That’s not true. I wasn’t fit to be Master Mage. That shouldn’t have been. I should have acted more wisely.”
“Senior…”
At that moment, a figure burst through the door of the office. The gruff-looking Elder, having overheard their conversation inside, was crying tears and snot.
He quickly rushed to Tristan, grabbed his hand, and loudly sobbed.
Elder Pious, known for his hot temper among the Elders, surprisingly turned out to be soft-hearted.
“Senior, why do you have anything to be sorry about? It’s our fault. We shouldn’t have let you go like that…”
Then Elder Diocles scolded Elder Pious in front of the young junior for acting like that.
Of course, hearing this, Pious cried even louder.
Soon, more Elders gathered in Diocles’ office. Tristan sincerely apologized to them for how unfit he was as Master Mage in the past. Naturally, they were all surprised by his change. Tristan, who never would have apologized, much less change so drastically, was unrecognizable.
Who could have guessed what made him change? The answer was clear: Mage Yuric.
“We should go back now.”
Yuric said to the concerned Elders.
“I will take good care of him. Don’t worry.”
Tristan bid farewell to the Elders and slowly walked to the elevator.
“It’s fine. Don’t come out. It’ll startle the children.”
Thus, the two of them took the elevator down and exited the tower through the entrance.
The sun had risen high into the sky, casting its warm light over the entire world.
“Yuric, thank you. I feel much lighter.”
“It’s fortunate, Elder.”
They walked slowly like a grandfather and grandson, supporting each other, and returned home.
After such a long trip, Tristan seemed a bit tired and sat in the recliner, soon falling asleep. Yuric carefully covered him with a blanket and read a magic book at the dining table.
As twilight approached, Tristan woke up.
“Are you feeling refreshed?”
“I really slept soundly.”
The two ate breakfast biscuits and some meat for dinner.
When Yuric was about to tidy up and leave, Tristan called him.
“Yes, Elder.”
“You’ve been reading your book. You’re studying about Dragon Knights.”
“Yes, I heard that the headquarters of Arcanum is somewhere in Ronadium, and I’ve been researching to find it.”
Tristan stroked his chin, lost in thought for a while. Then he spoke again.
“Then you must know about Reigenstein.”
“Yes, I heard he was the last Dragon Knight.”
“He was one of my colleagues.”
Upon hearing Tristan’s words, Yuric’s eyes widened.
“At that time, Dragon Knights and Mages worked closely together. There were several Dragon Knights besides Reigenstein. But when the Dragons left, only Reigenstein’s Earth Dragon remained.”
“Did you remember the name of that Earth Dragon?”
“……Lagos. Yes, Lagos.”
Earth Dragon Lagos. Yuric wrote the name down on a piece of paper.
“Reigenstein was truly valiant. He was worthy of the title of Hero.”
The former Master Mage gazed wistfully out the window at the setting sun.
“So much time has passed.”
“Then, do you know where the headquarters of Arcanum is?”
“I don’t know precisely since I’m not a Dragon Knight. But I have a rough idea of where it might be.”
Yuric’s heart raced. He couldn’t have imagined finding such a clue.
“Where is it?”
Tristan pointed behind his back with his finger.
“There might be an entrance in the underground area. But if you’re not a Dragon Knight, you won’t be able to enter.”
“Thank you very much. This will greatly help my research.”
The former Master Mage smiled kindly.
“If you need any help, just say so. Whatever I can do, I will, Yuric.”
Yuric squeezed Tristan’s hand tightly, expressing his gratitude.
Then he went to prepare the Elder’s bed and returned to his quarters.
Tristan’s Mana Blockage Disease treatment proceeded smoothly. The passage was being restored, and the flow of mana increased accordingly. Of course, if the flow of mana was not controlled properly, the condition could worsen. However, considering Tristan’s previous status as a Master Mage, his control ability was exceptional, comparable to a select few on the entire continent.
As his physical condition gradually recovered, Tristan’s appearance changed significantly, and his stamina improved considerably. He could even cast light spells lightly.
With his mobility issues resolved, Tristan resumed his magic research, particularly in the field of attack magic.
It was natural that Tristan had a friendship with Grand Mage Violetta. And surprisingly, Violetta was also a senior to the former Master Mage. Yuric became even more curious about his teacher’s age.
While consistently treating Tristan, Yuric explored the vast underground areas to find the Dragon Knights’ headquarters of Arcanum.
In the process, he discovered an ancient statue in one of the underground streets, feeling a strange sense of familiarity.
“…There’s something familiar about this…”
The statue resembled a finger-like object. At that moment, something flashed through Yuric’s mind.
He looked around and found a pattern on the ceiling. After illuminating the statue’s shadow with a light spell and lying it down on the floor, a familiar shape appeared on the ceiling.
Ah.
It was one of the three patterns shown on Treasure Mage Dural’s tenth map.
He couldn’t have imagined finding this here.
Yuric immediately returned to his quarters and wrote a letter to the Golden Hand. It seemed he had found the second pattern.
Since both cities were in the central region, it wasn’t far from the city of the Golden Hand to the city of the Tower.
The letter would likely arrive soon.
Finding clues to the treasure in an unexpected place, Yuric pondered the two patterns he had already discovered.
One was found in the magic-specialized city of Bemberg, and the other in the city of the Tower, Ronadium. Therefore, the last one might also be related to a city associated with magic.
Between treating Tristan, searching for the Dragon Knights’ headquarters, and guessing clues about the treasure, Yuric had a busy time.
A month and a half had passed since he sent a letter to Lord Golden Hand Niruin.
—
An enormous procession reached the city of the Tower, Ronadium.
The head of the inspection post came out personally and headed towards the carriage leading the procession. When he knocked on the door, the window slid open.
Peering through the window was a golden plaque.
This was a symbol of Schliffenberg’s owner, which shook the entire continent.
The Golden Hand, Niruin, appeared in Ronadium.
To meet Yuric.
