The Problematic Child of the Magic Tower

[Translator - Clara]

[Proofreader - Gun]

Chapter 56: Training Camp (1)

"Come in."

At the permission of the Deputy Tower Master, the man who entered the room stood tall with a rigid posture.

He was exceptionally tall.

He appeared to be in his late 30s, but he was probably older than that.

The depth of his mana was proof enough.

'A Level 6 mage of the Red Tower.'

The reason for his presence here was easy to deduce.

'They said the mage towers dispatched Level 6 mages to eliminate the Mage Hunters.'

This was likely related to that.

The Deputy Tower Master greeted him with a gentle smile.

"Welcome. I am Hamel Grimwiz, the Deputy Tower Master of the White Tower."

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"Thank you for responding to this sudden request. I am Karim Fernian, a Level 6 mage of the Red Tower."

He bowed politely but without servility, briefly glancing at the two people sitting nearby.

His expression briefly conveyed curiosity about their presence, but upon noticing their youthful faces, he lost interest and averted his gaze.

"It seems you already had prior engagements."

"Yes, I was in the middle of an urgent report. But as this matter concerns you as well, please, have a seat."

Karim, slightly surprised by the implication, sat down and asked,

"Does this have something to do with the Mage Hunters?"

"That's correct. Since you’ve come to the White Tower to share information about the Mage Hunters, I should fulfill that purpose."

The Deputy Tower Master delivered the news concisely.

"The Mage Hunters are dead."

"…!"

Karim's eyes widened slightly at the unexpected news.

"You mean they've already been eliminated?"

"Yes."

"Who managed to do that? Was it the Yellow Tower?"

"The White Tower."

The Deputy Tower Master smiled and continued,

"The Mage Hunters were taken down by these two sitting here."

"…Them?"

At last, Karim's gaze returned to the two.

This time, his eyes carried unmistakable disbelief.

After a moment's hesitation, he asked,

"Frankly, that's hard to believe. The Mage Hunters even took down Level 5 mages of the Red and Yellow Towers."

"Ha-ha, I understand your skepticism."

The Deputy Tower Master nodded and turned to Oscar with a knowing look, signaling him to explain the situation.

After hearing the detailed account, Karim murmured,

"A two-person team... a trap hunt using a magical artifact called a calling card..."

"Both of them were Level 4 mages, but they weren’t as formidable as rumored."

"That makes sense. They must have been insects without a tower or a proper family."

Karim's indifferent reply revealed his personality.

'...A typical elitist.'

Someone who believed only those born into noble families were destined to excel in magic.

Incidentally, they hated who Oscar used to be the most.

'And for good reason. A back-alley orphan like me rose to become the world's greatest mage.'

He wondered if they felt even a shred of gratitude when he died alongside the Great Emperor.

"And…"

Karim's gaze finally shifted to us.

"Who are you?"

‘Finally, he asks.’

Oscar and Killian introduced themselves in turn.

"I’m Oscar Crucian, a Level 3 mage of the White Tower."

"I’m Killian Lockwood, a Level 4 mage of the White Tower."

Hearing their names, Karim's eyes widened slightly.

Both were among the fastest-rising mages across all the towers.

But Karim was only interested in one of them.

"I see. So, you’re the current head of the Crucian Count's family. A pleasure."

Ignoring Killian entirely, Karim extended his hand to Oscar for a handshake.

His intent was obvious, but it was best to play along as a guest from another tower.

"Yes."

The moment their hands met, mana flowed through the handshake.

'Trying to gauge my level?'

Oscar smirked inwardly.

'You're a hundred years too early for that.'

Karim’s expression stiffened slightly.

As a Level 6 mage of the Red Tower, he had met countless mages and prided himself on accurately assessing others' capabilities.

But this was the first time he’d experienced this.

'What is this?'

He couldn’t read anything.

It was as though he was staring into an unfathomable abyss.

'I can’t measure his level? And he’s only supposed to be a Level 3 mage?'

As he struggled to comprehend this baffling situation, the Deputy Tower Master spoke.

"You must be tired from the long journey. Feel free to stay the night before heading back."

"…No, thank you."

Karim shook his head and rose from his seat, his gaze lingering on Oscar until the very end.

"I’ll rest on the way back."

"…You plan to take a taxi from here to the Red Tower?"

Surely, being a noble and from the Red Tower, he must have the means.

That taxi is ridiculously expensive even just to get to Baran.

When Oscar clicked his tongue in curiosity, Karim tilted his head.

"A taxi? What are you talking about? I meant my private vehicle."

"Private... vehicle?"

"High-ranking mages of the Red Tower are provided with personal vehicles and drivers."

"…"

That’s kind of enviable.

Doesn’t the White Tower have something similar?

When Oscar glanced at the Deputy Tower Master, he chuckled awkwardly and avoided his gaze.

"Take care on your way back. I hope we meet next time under better circumstances."

"Yes. I hope so too."

"Deputy Tower Master, if you don’t mind, I’d like to escort Karim to the entrance of the tower."

"Hmm?"

Hamel, surprised by Oscar’s unexpected offer, looked puzzled.

"Sure, go ahead."

The two headed straight for the mana elevator.

Pleased with the gesture, Karim casually started a conversation.

"I’ve greeted your father a few times at social gatherings."

"…Is that so?"

"He always boasted about his son’s talents, and now I see why."

Karim turned and patted Oscar's shoulder with a smile.

"The Red Tower always welcomes exceptional talent, especially someone as gifted as you."

"Exceptional talent…"

Oscar met his gaze and smiled.

"Do you mean someone like Lloyd Schultz?"

The reason Oscar volunteered to escort him was simple.

Karim was the first mage of the Red Tower he had encountered since inhabiting young Oscar's body.

[Translator - Clara]

[Proofreader - Gun]

It was an invaluable opportunity to gather information about his first disciple.

"…Lloyd Schultz?"

At the mention of the name, Karim's expression twisted as though he had just encountered something unpleasant.

"No, not someone like that. A rootless orphan like him hardly qualifies. Let me clarify: I mean someone like you, with a clear lineage and evident talent."

"But I heard his talents were extraordinary—enough for the Red Tower Master to take him as a disciple."

"Skill alone isn’t enough to achieve everything. His limitations are evident."

Oscar could guess what kind of treatment Lloyd received at the Red Tower.

But this wasn’t enough information.

"Is Lloyd Schultz doing well?"

"…You seem quite interested in him."

Karim’s eyes narrowed in displeasure, but Oscar shrugged casually.

"Don’t you know what he’s called in our tower?"

"I don’t. What is it?"

"Bat, traitor, opportunist. Those are some of the names. I was curious if he’s thriving after defecting to your tower, but it seems that’s not the case."

The man smiled faintly, clearly understanding the schadenfreude laced in the other’s tone.

“Oh, if that’s what you were hoping for, don’t worry. Even within the Red Tower, he’s an outsider. Proof? He rarely sets foot in the main tower and spends all his time wandering the battlefields.”

“…Serves him right.”

Despite the words escaping his lips, his heart felt heavy.

‘What a fool.’

He should at least be happy if he left the White Tower with such determination.

The thought of him struggling in a foreign place, eating scraps under wary gazes, filled him with a pang of frustration.

“You two seem to get along better than expected. Have you considered transferring to the Red Tower? A promising individual like you, destined to become Count Crucian one day, could find a special place in my faction.”

“Thank you for the offer, but it’s difficult right now. I have too many unfinished matters to attend to.”

Oscar responded with a polite smile until the end.

Keeping the connection with a high-ranking mage of the Red Tower could prove useful someday.

“I see. That’s unfortunate. When you’ve cleared your plate, feel free to contact me anytime.”

Karim nodded nonchalantly, perhaps already considering Oscar as part of his future.

Ding!

As they stepped out of the elevator and left the tower, a sharp, commanding voice rang out not far from the entrance.

“Say that again, I dare you!”

Curious, he turned to see two familiar faces in front of a mage wearing the Red Tower’s robes.

They were both his students.

“Why are you so mad? I’m just stating facts, that’s all.”

“Facts?”

“Yes. Back in the academy, I was always top of the class. That’s why I joined the Red Tower and became the first of my peers to reach Level 4. Meanwhile, you two were always average. That’s why you ended up in the White Tower and haven’t even broken past Level 3. Did I say anything wrong?”

“You little—how dare you—”

“Silvia, calm down!”

After observing the scene for a moment, Karim began walking toward them.

As he approached, the Red Tower mage recognized him and quickly bowed.

“Have you finished your meeting, sir?”

“Yes.”

Oscar glanced at the students and asked,

“What’s going on here?”

“Oh, nothing serious. Just catching up with some friends from the academy.”

“Friends, you say. Which families do they belong to?”

“Well… they’re commoners.”

“…Commoners?”

Karim frowned immediately and let out a sigh.

“Hah, Leo Brult. How many times have I told you? Only associate with people who are worth your time—like the heir to the Crucian Count, standing here before you. He’s a few years your senior.”

When Karim introduced him, Leo bowed again.

“Greetings! I am Leo Brult, a Level 4 mage of the Red Tower.”

“Oscar Crucian.”

Oscar gave a small nod in response.

Karim chuckled and continued,

“I’ve been taking this kid around to give him some field experience. He’s the first of his graduating class to reach Level 4. Being the second son of Viscount Brult, he’s got talent, but as you can see, there’s much to refine. If only he were more like you.”

“I see.”

To Karim, Oscar’s students no longer existed.

The moment he realized they were commoners, they weren’t worth his attention.

“Ah, there’s our ride. Let’s go.”

Oscar bowed slightly to Karim.

“Safe travels. Until next time.”

“Next time, let’s meet in a better setting with more fitting company.”

With a soft smile, Karim boarded a luxurious car with Leo, leaving them behind.

Oscar, still watching the spot where the car had vanished, spoke up.

“Frustrated?”

His two students, Benjamin and Silvia, who had been standing still, nodded.

“…Yes. I’m frustrated.”

“I can deal with being looked down on, but having the White Tower insulted really pisses me off.”

“Well, that’s the current reputation of the White Tower. There’s no helping it.”

Oscar’s calm tone made Silvia pout.

“Don’t you feel angry when you hear things like that, senior?”

“Of course, I feel angry. But will anything change if I lose my temper?”

He turned to face her, his expression unwavering.

“The world is full of people who judge and discriminate based on your birth, status, and affiliation. Do you know the only way to stand tall before such people?”

After thinking for a moment, she answered,

“Is it… skill?”

“Exactly. Overwhelming skill that leaves no room for doubt, no matter the other factors.”

The two students’ faces darkened.

“But… that guy’s already a Level 4 mage. He’s better than us.”

“It’s unfair. Nobles grow up with all the support they need to learn magic.”

“True, the starting line is different. But so what?”

Oscar asked nonchalantly.

“The world isn’t fair. Change doesn’t come from complaining about that—it starts when you accept it and face it head-on.”

Benjamin, mulling over Oscar’s words, cautiously asked,

“Compared to noble-born mages, we lack talent, and we started learning magic later. The White Tower’s current state is also worse than the other four major towers. How can we surpass them?”

“It’s obvious. Use what the White Tower has that the others don’t.”

“What the White Tower has that the others don’t…?”

“Does such a thing even exist?”

As they stared at him with wide eyes, Oscar grinned confidently.

“Me. You won’t find a better teacher than me in the entire continent.”

“….”

“….”

Judging by their sour expressions, they weren’t convinced—but that didn’t matter.

He would show them.

What kind of results could the once-strongest mage in the world produce when he trained them with full dedication?

“Post an announcement on the Tower’s board when we get back.”

Oscar’s voice was brimming with his characteristic confidence and composure.

“All Level 3 mages in the Tower will attend a training camp in three days. No exceptions.”

“...A training camp for Level 3 mages, with full attendance. Got it.”

“When should we say the camp ends?”

Silvia asked.

As if the answer was obvious, Oscar replied,

“When every participant reaches Level 4.”

[Translator - Clara]

[Proofreader - Gun]