My Husband Is Not the Magic Tower Master - Chapter 7
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 7
I boarded the elevator that arrived at precisely that moment, tilting my head thoughtfully.
“That’s useful information. But water magic, you say?”
“A Water Mage. Since water attribute is always welcome regardless of who possesses it.”
I understood what he was driving at.
‘If I were the interviewee and you were the personnel interviewer, that would mean I’m hired.’
But Lucas already had someone he loved.
My friend, no one else.
His simple thinking made me laugh aloud.
“If I thought like that, I could fall in love right away too.”
“….”
“It’s been over a century since a Grand Water Mage appeared, so there’s a considerable vacancy in the Magic Tower these days. It would’ve been nice if your blind date match was someone like that.”
All the more reason I needed to be careful.
Ding.
The elevator doors opened at the floor where the Security Department was located.
“Ah. We’ve arrived.”
The night air, well past midnight, blew cool through the elevator entrance.
Early morning was always cold.
“Aren’t you getting out?”
Only then did Carlo quietly hold his forehead, as if his head was aching.
* * *
I hadn’t noticed the peculiarity of my power from the beginning.
After awakening as a Water Mage, it was late spring.
At Elaine’s suggestion, I was preparing for a special recruitment interview for a Water Mage in the Magic Tower Security Department.
In particular, the mandatory first question for mages:
‘How far can you deploy your mana?’ — I’d been busy memorizing magical incantations all day in preparation for answering that.
Elaine said I was a rare talent with a broad Mana Spectrum.
The compliment lacked credibility.
Because her mana, when she would later become a Grand Mage, was dozens of times more powerful than mine.
Then came a moment of carelessness, and right after I drew out the power I felt from the deepest place within my body.
Whoooosh!
‘What?’
A single small gesture summoned a colossal wave that crashed over me.
Even after barely suppressing the spell, an enormous volume of water soaked through to my waist as it passed, leaving me looking like a drowned rat.
The Mansion’s front garden became a mudfield in an instant.
Elaine, who had stepped out briefly and returned just then, saw my state and cried out in shock.
I still haven’t properly explained what happened that day.
But one thing was certain.
“It’s been over a century since a Grand Water Mage appeared….”
Perhaps I was that very person.
But if possible, I intended to keep this fact buried until my dying breath.
‘Of course, I showed about half of my true capability at the recruitment interview because I wanted to pass….’
I’d only demonstrated modest competence — nothing beyond that. This power’s true nature had to remain a secret for life.
Elaine and Lucas might manage it, but being a Grand Mage was too heavy a burden for an extra like me.
Besides, I was declining the protagonist’s role anywhere and everywhere.
I wanted to live as ordinarily as possible.
‘Anyway, once Elaine becomes a Grand Mage, it’ll all be resolved.’
This world’s ending is a happy one.
Whether or not the people here live on a continent where water mana’s balance has shattered.
It didn’t feel terribly real to ordinary people anyway, and it was only something the Magic Tower would lament.
Besides, as a Water Mage — and they’re few in number — I’m already suffering under excessive workload.
I’m holding back the urge to quit immediately and continuing to work, so no one could speak of justice to me.
‘And besides, I’m already a keeper of world peace.’
Even the Possession First Prize wouldn’t be enough.
Eight tenths of the magical designs the Security Department created have passed through my hands.
Yesterday, thanks to Carlo’s suggestion, I’d gratefully clocked out at dawn. And now I’d just woken from sleep.
Lying in bed, I savored the sunlight streaming through the window for the first time in ages, and nearly shed a tear of joy.
“Hee-hee. I’m happy.”
How long had it been since I’d rested at home?
The mornings here at the Stein Count Estate were so satisfying they gave me goosebumps, and I kicked at my blanket with pure delight.
All I needed now was the chef’s special brunch.
‘Who needs alcohol? I’m already intoxicated here.’
I was reaching for the bell pull to call for breakfast.
Knock, knock.
“Come in.”
“Miss Elaine Ross has just arrived at the estate. Shall I show her to your room?”
“…At this hour?”
I opened my mouth in shock.
Why now? This was hardly the time to be clinging to my blankets like a dust mite.
“It is currently five minutes before noon. One could say you’ve slept rather well.”
The head maid winked brightly at me.
Since I hadn’t left my room all morning, she must have come herself out of concern.
“Come now, get up, miss.”
“No! I’ve only had nine hours of sleep!”
“We would normally call that sleeping quite wonderfully, I assure you.”
Not enough is not enough. How unreasonable!
My blanket, which had been wrapped around me like a cocoon, was suddenly pulled taut in the maid’s hands.
At Elaine’s unexpected visit, I felt tears welling up—but for a different reason this time.
“At least let me eat this gorgeous brunch—the kind where two people eating it and one dying wouldn’t notice the difference.”
“Please, miss, watch your language!”
Where in this world was there anything refined?
Only soft beds and blankets.
“Elaine, what’s wrong at the mansion?”
“I know, actually. I know you know about my relationship with the Crown Prince.”
I set down my fork mid-bite of the omelet and looked up.
The unexpected words left my head spinning.
‘…Wasn’t I not supposed to know?’
Elaine’s brow was furrowed with seriousness.
She gripped her water glass so tightly, it looked like she might do something reckless.
But instead of the splash of water I’d half-expected, Elaine declared solemnly:
“I ended things with the Crown Prince long ago. So even if you marry him, I don’t mind.”
…This wasn’t some recycled romance from a past life.
I coughed awkwardly several times in succession.
When had this culture of revisiting old flames made its way here?
With the brunch growing cold before us, tears were already glistening at the corners of Elaine’s eyes, despite her solemn expression.
‘That’s really a terrible habit of hers.’
It makes me want to listen to anything she says.
With a heavy sigh, I picked up the fork before her and promptly placed a piece of sausage into Elaine’s mouth.
“Understood. Let’s finish eating first, then talk.”
“Mm—yum, no… but!”
“You know that Coffee House nearby that we always go to? I heard they opened their terrace today. Apparently it’s beautifully situated.”
“…Really?”
“Finish this, and we’re going.”
Color returned to her face as she swallowed. Soon her hand moved rapidly between plate and mouth.
So she’d been pretending not to be hungry—she was actually starving.
‘You’re something else, you know that?’
I smiled, watching her hair flutter like petals with each movement.
“The salon just received some hats—they’re exactly your style. Take one with you.”
“How can I not love this, Rose? It’s perfect!”
Of course she’d love it. It was hers from the start.
All manner of things Lucas had sent as wedding gifts were filled with Elaine’s tastes.
Standing before the mirror, turning this way and that, Elaine looked happier than anyone in the world.
Even after we arrived at the Coffee House and took our seats, she kept touching the Ribbon Lace Brimmed Hat.
Her pale pink hair swayed with the breeze, and I found myself thinking how lovely she looked—truly like the heroine she was.
‘Compared to her, I….’
He swallowed what he’d been about to say and turned his gaze quietly toward the distant landscape, resting his chin on his hand.
Stop belittling yourself. I’m not so bad either.
It’s only surprising because despite the name, I have ordinary brown hair and eyes—nothing like what you’d expect.
There was still quite a wait before the tea and dessert they’d ordered would arrive.
In that time, Elaine gradually began to confess what she hadn’t finished saying.
“Even if it’s a political marriage, it’s still a marriage, isn’t it? I’ll accept it. I can accept it.”
It was a noble ambition.
And that was all there was to it—a vague, half-formed resolve.
‘She hasn’t truly accepted it yet,’ he thought.
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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