A Returner’s Magic Should Be Special - Chapter 33

Episode 33. The Magic Tower, Time Chess (5)

With that, the atmosphere pressing Dezir Armang for answers crumbled entirely. Romantica, who had only just noticed it, cried out toward Pram.
“Hey, Pram! You’re betraying us!”
“But Master Dezir isn’t that sort of person.”
As Pram’s gaze shifted to Dezir Armang, he nodded.
“That’s right—Pram has it. This isn’t charity I received for nothing. I made a deal with the Tower Master.”
Dezir Armang began explaining what had happened with the Tower Master. He skillfully omitted the details of his regression, yet wove fact and fiction together carefully enough that no contradiction emerged.
It was an account that anyone hearing it would find impossible to question.
“…and that’s how matters stood.”
“Hmm.”
Even after Dezir Armang finished speaking, Romantica kept her suspicious gaze fixed upon him.
Just then, the ice cream they had ordered arrived. Dezir Armang handed Romantica a spoon that had come with it.
“How about you eat it before it melts?”
Romantica, with an air of resignation, accepted the spoon Dezir Armang offered.
“I suppose I have no choice.”
She set aside her questioning for now; there was time enough to savor the delicacy before her.
Dezir Armang spooned up a mouthful of ice cream.
It melted smoothly across his tongue.
“It’s delicious.”
Pram nodded vigorously, echoing his words.
“It truly is delicious.”
“So sweet~”
Each of them savored the taste of the delicious ice cream in their own way.
“So while I was at the Magic Tower, you two have been exploring the city this whole time?”
“Well, yes.”
“What did you think of it?”
“It’s nice. Shopping is always good, of course—though I came in such a rush without a single coin on me, so I couldn’t buy a thing.”
Romantica clenched her fist tightly.
‘Why does she feel so strongly about that?’ Dezir Armang wondered.
He simply could not understand it.
Then Pram spoke up.
“There are so many wonderful attractions to see there. The gondolas crossing the river looked absolutely delightful! I’d love to try the elevated roadway system too, and also… um, the theme fork?”
“Theme park.”
“Yes, that’s right. The theme park. That place was especially fantastic. I really wanted to go, but unfortunately I didn’t have an entrance fee, so I couldn’t get in…”
Pram made no effort to hide his disappointment.
“I see.”
Dezir Armang set down his spoon.
“Then once we finish eating, let’s do some proper shopping and visit that theme park.”
“But what about money?”
“Don’t worry about that.”
Dezir Armang withdrew something from inside his clothes.
It was a card with a black background and platinum-trimmed edges.
“What is that?”
“The Tower Master’s Credit Card. She said to use it freely.”
“What? Really!?”
“She said to enjoy our time here since we’ve come this far.”
“Wow!”
Pram and Romantica high-fived each other, delighted. When moments like this came around, the two really were perfectly in sync.
“Then let’s go to the clothing store first!”
“No, the theme park first!”
Romantica and Pram bickered back and forth.
“Well, at least let’s finish the ice cream first before we—”
Whoosh-whoosh-whoosh!
They devoured every last bit of ice cream before them at astonishing speed.
It happened in an instant. By the time he had collected himself, they had already dressed to leave and were flinging open the door.
Let’s leave it at that.
What are you doing, Dezir? Come on, let’s go!
It was truly astonishing speed.
I’ll settle up and catch you outside, so go ahead.
You have to hurry!
With nothing more than that parting word, Pram and Romantica left.
Watching the two of them laugh with such abandon, Dezir found himself smiling. That alone was reward enough.
After paying the bill, Dezir didn’t rush outside. Instead, he borrowed a pen from the server, approached a nearby table, and pulled a sheet of paper from his pocket, unfolding it carefully.
Scratch. Scratch.
He drew two lines.
Let me see—the Magic Tower’s support has been dealt with smoothly enough. Now, the remaining critical events are…

4. Magic Tower support announcement — July 5th
3. Magic Tower Eureli Branch attack — July 7th

Dezir’s gaze fixed on a single entry. He lifted his pen and circled it firmly for emphasis.

6. Shadow World emergence — July 20th

Today was July 7th.
Exactly two weeks remained until the Shadow World appeared.
Time-wise, it’s when training should begin.
Through the window, Dezir watched Romantica and Pram laughing and chattering away noisily.
Take them both back to Hebrion Academy right now and start their training?
No. One day of rest wouldn’t hurt.
A single day of indulgence was something he could grant them. The two weeks that lay ahead would be absolute hell for them.

* * *

Dresden, the capital of the Hebrion Empire.
While Dezir’s party enjoyed their small pleasures elsewhere, a grand soirée was in full swing at the country estate of the Nifleka Family in Dresden.
The Nifleka Family’s capital residence was as magnificent and imposing as befitted one of the Empire’s five great ducal houses.
Brilliant lights and an abundance of fine foods.
What a joyous occasion this is.
Around three hundred guests filled the party hall—Magic Tower officials, professors friendly with Fuggman, members of the Blue Moon Party, and nobles who supported them.
This celebration marked the Blue Moon Party’s confirmation as the Magic Tower’s official sponsor. For the second consecutive year, they had secured the Tower’s backing.
Fuggman gestured toward the Magic Tower representatives and spoke.
Three years. For three consecutive years, our party has been acknowledged by the Magic Tower as the mightiest force in Hebrion Academy, and now we receive their support once more.
Fuggman raised his glass high.
This is merely the beginning. We shall become the greatest party in the history of Hebrion Academy. And that party shall be filled with the greatest nobility.
Deafening cheers erupted, whistles rang out, and applause thundered through the hall.
Fuggman was among the most influential professors at the Academy.
Unlike Brigitte, who championed equality, he followed a different path—one that exalted bloodline and rejected commoners. His ideology was radically extreme.
Because of this, he had the worst approval among Beta Class students, but conversely, a considerable number of Alpha Class students supported him.
Though his views clearly contradicted Hebrion’s egalitarian educational philosophy, the Academy could not afford to treat him lightly given the considerable power he wielded.
……
Azest Kingscrown.
Her gaze, fixed upon Fuggman, held not a single trace of emotion.
To the future of the great Empire and her nobility, let us raise our glasses.
Hear, hear!
Passionate roars. The clink of glass against glass rang out from every corner.
Azest closed her eyes. The raucous atmosphere disgusted her.
A dull ache crept into her head. At this point, falling asleep might not be the worst outcome—at least she wouldn’t have to listen to their drivel.
Pardon me, but aren’t you Azest?
Of course, sleep proved elusive. A young man standing beside her, sipping his drink, had recognized her.
That sparked the beginning. One by one, others made their way toward her.
Wait! Now that you mention it!
The Rising Saint herself! What an honor to meet you!
You’re the one carrying the Blue Moon Party’s future on your shoulders.
What began with one or two quickly became more than ten people converging on her, encircling her as they poured forth praise and self-serving pleasantries in a torrent, as relentless as a waterfall.
“Excuse me, could you let me through? I’d like to step outside for a moment.”
Azest spoke with perfect courtesy, though she had no appetite for conversation. Yet her words vanished into the wall of voices around her. She tried again several times, to no avail.
She was beginning to grow irritated.
“One lady surrounded by so many people—how remarkably discourteous of you all.”
“And who are you?”
“Elheim Triquinsia. I have an appointment with her.”
Azest lifted her head, and her eyes met those of Elheim, who had been watching her.
“Remember? We arranged to meet at the Terrace earlier this evening. Mentor and mentee, as it were.”
…….
He had excellent instincts.
Not only had he offered her a way out of this situation, but he’d had the tact to invoke the word “mentor” to prevent any unfortunate misunderstandings. That was worth admiring.
Azest nodded, making it clear to everyone that his account was true.
The atmosphere on the Terrace improved at once. The music faded, and in place of the heady excitement of the party came the cool night breeze of summer.
“The party doesn’t seem to suit your taste. Truth be told, I’m not entirely enjoying it either. I do like parties, but not this sort of gathering.”
Elheim drained the drink in his glass.
“I was under the impression that you weren’t particularly fond of commoners. This is surprising.”
“That’s merely my personal view. I don’t make such feelings public.”
The Triquinsia Family held an unfavorable stance toward commoners. Yet even Elheim found Fuggman’s rhetoric excessively extreme.
“I confess I can’t fathom what the professor intends to accomplish with all this.”
Azest answered Elheim’s question.
“There’s a calculated design beneath his rhetoric.”
“Calculated design? What do you mean?”
“A nobleman’s sense of superiority—and the dread that one day they might be overtaken. Superiority and fear are emotions remarkably easy to manipulate. The slightest provocation, and people become fervent in their devotion to such ideas.”
Azest glanced toward the interior of the party venue.
There stood Doneta, gazing at Fuggman with eyes full of longing. He was one of Fuggman’s most zealous supporters.
“Then what could the professor possibly gain from—”
“Building one’s faction is essential for any nobleman.”

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