Chapter 106

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Chapter 106: The Tower Master (4)

The Sage of the Stars was leisurely observing the stars.

‘It seems they get along quite well, considering how long they’ve been together.’

Ado Vail was someone with scars.

Scars, like thorns, often pierce others easily.

However, seeing how well he’s holding up, it seems Oscar must suit him quite well.

‘Well, it’s no wonder he would.’

A junior from the same tower, and moreover, someone who understands the anguish of being a tower master.

Above all, with such extraordinary genius, it’s impossible not to admire him.

Perhaps by now, even half a year might feel too short.

At that moment, sensing a presence, the Sage of the Stars spoke.

“You’re here?”

“It’s been a while.”

“...Ho.”

To him, only 30 minutes had passed.

Yet, the man before him, who had spent six months, now exuded a presence that was entirely different.

The depth in his eyes was akin to a serene lake, brimming with profound energy.

“You’ve reached the intermediate level. Congratulations.”

“Thank you.”

“Did he pass peacefully?”

“Yes, he left with a smile.”

“That’s a relief...”

The Sage of the Stars gave a faint smile.

“He was one of the oldest stars recorded in this library. His will was so stubborn that I doubted anyone could inherit it, but now that a rightful successor has been found, I’m delighted as well.”

“Thank you. Without your guidance, I wouldn’t have experienced such a meaningful time.”

“I’m grateful you think so.”

Raising his head, the Sage of the Stars gazed at the stars on the ceiling and spoke.

“...You must be cautious. Though not the Demon Emperor, a new threat looms over the continent.”

“A demon?”

“I’m not sure. But it’s not something to be dismissed lightly, even compared to that Emperor. That’s why I’ve been feeling impatient, unable to see a star capable of stopping it emerge.”

But now, things had changed.

A star capable of averting even greater disasters had reappeared.

‘Though, in this life, it’s still an unripe star.’

The Sage of the Stars remarked,

“It’s the first time even for me to meet the same person twice. Thank you for allowing me such a rare experience.”

“If there is a next time, I’ll see you again.”

“Hahaha, I doubt that. Unless you reincarnate once more for a third life.”

The Sage of the Stars let out a hearty laugh and offered kindly,

“If you wish, I can transport you to the foot of the mountain. You must be in a hurry.”

“Is that possible?”

“This vast snowy mountain is my world, after all.”

“That would be much appreciated. Oh, but... may I ask for one more favor?”

Seeing Oscar’s earnest expression, he nodded.

“As long as it’s not unreasonable, I’ll consider it. What is it?”

Hearing the request, the Sage of the Stars’ eyes widened.

With a look of slight surprise and eventual relief, he regarded Oscar.

“You are... the same as ever.”

“Hmm. Doesn’t sound like a compliment. I was aiming to be completely selfish this time.”

“Haha, only someone accustomed to selfishness can manage that. You can’t pull it off—it doesn’t suit you.”

The Sage of the Stars nodded.

“I’ll grant that request. Take care on your journey.”

“Thank you. Wishing you peace as well, Sage.”

After sending Oscar to the desired location, the Sage of the Stars turned back to his telescope, which he hadn’t looked through for some time.

“Heh.”

The star that had emerged there—

It burned brighter than any star he had seen in his lifetime.

* * *

“....”

The man, slowly opening his eyes, looked at the figure standing in the snowy field.

In all the 10 years he had guarded this place, this was the first time such a thing had happened.

“Is this a dream?”

“No.”

Oscar replied in a calm voice.

“I asked the Sage of the Stars for this. To meet you one more time.”

“...”

At those words, the ice mage let out a cold laugh.

“Why? Did defeating me last time bother you that much?”

“That’s part of it, I suppose...”

Oscar’s sincere and clear eyes met his.

“But now, I think I can fulfill your dream.”

“...”

Hearing this, the man slowly observed Oscar.

“Indeed.”

The man before him looked the same outwardly, but inside, he was an entirely different person.

“How much time has passed?”

“About an hour in real time. Though I’ve experienced half a year.”

“...Half a year.”

The man gave a bitter laugh.

This was why geniuses were different.

“Standing before me again means you’re confident, doesn’t it?”

“Yes, quite.”

“You remember my dream, don’t you? To live as a mage and die as one. To be killed by a mage worthy of going down in history.”

“I remember.”

So far, many mages must have defeated him.

Even a 6th-level mage could likely do it with ease.

‘But they wouldn’t have been certain.’

Certain that their name would go down in history.

That was why the man had waited, for over 10 years, for a mage of overwhelming talent he could acknowledge.

“Very well. Then there’s no need for further talk.”

The man began to summon his magic.

The fierce and heavy aura engulfed the snowy plain.

“Prove it. Prove that you’re a mage who can bring me death!”

Crack, crack!

Thousands of ice spikes slid across the snow, rushing toward Oscar like living creatures.

“...”

Oscar quietly closed his eyes, then tugged a single thread.

“Twist.”

Magic coursed through four circuits, then drained away like a receding tide.

The space warped, splitting the ice spikes into three branches before dissolving them entirely.

“...!”

Oscar began rushing toward the wide-eyed man.

“You won’t approach so easily.”

Frowning, the man clapped his hands.

Instantly, the snow covering the plain sprang up, transforming into ice arrows.

“...”

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Oscar focused all his senses on his eyes.

At the same time, his sixth sense warned him of every incoming threat.

‘The ground first.’

The moment he touched the ground, a trap would freeze his legs.

Realizing this, he leapt into the air.

“Ha! Foolish. Do you think that weak jump will reach me?”

“No.”

As he fell back to the ground, Oscar suddenly leapt again,

this time without touching the snowy surface.

“I have no intention of stepping on the ground again.”

By condensing air to form a platform and bursting it for propulsion,

he quickly accelerated, closing the distance with terrifying speed.

“Ugh!”

It was the ice mage whose heart grew impatient.

He slammed his palms down onto the ground.

“Floor Upheaval!”

Crack!

In an instant, the frozen ground rose up.

An icy wall, massive enough to feel like a fortress, began to tilt slowly toward the charging Oscar.

‘There’s no space to dodge….’

None.

It was impossible to change direction now, given the speed at which he was moving.

“This is the end.”

Crack! Crackle!

Convinced that his opponent would collide with the wall, the mage covered its surface with sharp, ice spears.

The moment of impact would freeze and impale the body—a guaranteed instant death.

‘That guy wasn’t….’

Wasn’t the mage he had been waiting for.

A fleeting sense of disappointment flickered in his eyes.

Whoosh!

Oscar pulled a new string and murmured:

“Blink.”

In the same moment, Oscar’s figure vanished without a trace, as if flickering out like a lightbulb.

He reappeared moments later—on the other side of the icy wall.

“...!”

The mage, caught off guard by the unexpected move, reached forward in a panic.

『Wind Blade』

The bitter cold air of the snowy field.

From within it, Oscar conjured a blade of wind, gripped it, and swung.

“......”

“......”

Oscar continued walking a few steps past the mage.

Then, returning the wind blade to the air, he spoke.

“Was it a satisfactory death?”

“......”

The mage raised a hand and touched his neck.

The blade had struck—but there was no wound.

Not “yet.”

Understanding what that meant, the mage burst out laughing.

“You, are you really a mage? Not some world-class swordsman or knight?”

“The ideal mage I strive to be excels at everything.”

“Perfect for becoming a jack-of-all-trades, master of none.”

Smirking, the mage closed his eyes and said:

“...Or a monstrous being beyond reason.”

The kind of monster that would be written about in history books.

Predicting what Oscar might become wasn’t difficult.

“Allan Winterhart. That’s my name.”

“I’ll remember it.”

“In the mountains behind Winterra, my hometown, there’s a frozen cave. Inside, there’s an elixir I prepared for myself. If you find it, it’s yours.”

“Didn’t you think of using it to heal yourself?”

“If it had even the slightest chance of working, I’d have already taken it. But it doesn’t. That’s why I kept it.”

An elixir saved in the hope of meeting a sage of the stars who could heal him.

Thinking of that treasure, Allan opened his mouth again.

“Your name?”

“Oscar. Oscar Crucian.”

“...A fine name.”

The same name as the mage Allan had always wanted to be like.

Smiling in relief, Allan dissolved into sparkling particles, like snowflakes scattered in the wind.

“...Rest well now.”

Allan’s silhouette would no longer be found in this snowy mountain.

* * *

Clip-clop, clip-clop.

“We’ve arrived, Mage!”

Stepping out of the carriage, Oscar looked up at the white tower.

It was entirely different from the half-ruined tower he had seen in Ado Vail’s domain—this was home.

Handing payment to the coachman, Oscar entered the Magic Tower and blinked.

‘Something….’

The passing mages’ faces were unusually bright and lively.

‘Did the tower make good money recently, and the meals improved or something?’

Entertaining the trivial thought, he headed straight to the deputy tower master’s chamber.

“......”

Hamel Grimwiz stared at Oscar as if he’d seen a ghost.

For a moment, he couldn’t say a word.

No, he couldn’t even figure out where to start.

“You’ve reached Level 4.”

“Yes.”

“Ha, you’ve truly become an intermediate mage in just a month.”

“Yes.”

“...Then the winner of our bet is you, Oscar.”

Wearing a mix of pride and resignation, the deputy tower master continued:

“A promise is a promise. I’ll allow you to head to the battlefield to meet the Red Tower Master’s disciple.”

“Thank you. Rest assured, what you fear will not come to pass.”

“...Yes, I can see that. It’s a relief.”

What reassured him was the look in Oscar’s eyes.

Though he was merely Level 4, those eyes held unfathomable depth.

“When are you planning to depart?”

“I’ll rest for two days to catch up on pending tasks and then leave.”

“Hmm. That’s tight. Could you delay it by just one more day?”

“...It’s not a big deal, but may I ask why?”

Oscar tilted his head, wondering if something urgent had come up in the delivery or potion departments.

“It’s nothing urgent. There’s just someone who wants to see you.”

“Someone who wants to see me…? Who?”

“Ah, you didn’t hear the news on your way here.”

“No, I came straight here upon arrival. Though I did notice the mages seemed oddly cheerful….”

“Of course they would.”

With a soft smile, the deputy tower master said something unexpected.

“The Tower Master has returned.”

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