Quit The Hero Party

EP.81 Tower of Oddities (2)

The Ivory Tower of the Magic Association has five pillars.

The five pillars support the Ivory Tower.

Those entrusted with the pillars are great scholars.

Scholars who have made a mark in the field of magic.

They take pride in drawing circuits.

A circuit is a letter sent to the stars.

A circuit sent to the great star must be beautiful. Every stroke must be filled with care. Even a seemingly careless straight line must embody beauty.

For them, a circuit is a painting.

If the ultimate goal of the Tower is the development of new spells, the ultimate purpose of the Magic Association is to draw the most beautiful circuits.

“Over 300 circuits created by ancient mages.”

Based on that, the goal is to create artistic circuits that will be remembered in history. This is in stark contrast to the practical goals of the mages of the Tower.

The leader of such scholars.

Togelm, one of the five pillars of the Ivory Tower, was sweating profusely as he struggled to hold his gaze from wandering sideways.

Originally, Togelm wouldn’t need to be wary inside the Ivory Tower. Yet, the reason why he was restless was due to a certain individual who had visited the Ivory Tower.

An individual who barged into the meeting room of the pillars.

Though not one of the five pillars, this individual was sitting as an honorary pillar due to her outstanding interpretation skills and proficiency in reading circuits.

“…Why on earth is she here?”

He couldn’t grasp her intentions.

Why would someone of noble birth come to such a place? The only possibility he could guess was one thing.

“…To meet Professor Rania?”

Could it be to meet the hot topic of the moment? He wasn’t entirely sure. If she wanted to meet, there was no need to come to this gathering.

“I don’t understand.”

In the end, only questions remained.

Togelm shook his head to clear his thoughts and responded to the scholar knocking on the meeting room door.

“Come in.”

Soon, the door opened.

With the scholar bowing outside, a girl with ashen hair and blue eyes walked into the meeting room.

Her symbolic colors drew the eye first, followed by her youthful appearance.

“…She’s young.”

He had heard rumors, but she looked even younger than he imagined. Instead of the gloomy aura often felt from mages, there was a calm elegance about this girl.

Her first impression was not bad.

As he unfolded the pre-prepared problem, Togelm couldn’t help but be amazed.

“That young mage has drawn such a circuit?”

Interpreting and activating a circuit are different matters.

If the mages of the Tower are adept at activation, the scholars of the Ivory Tower are those with expertise in interpretation.

A circuit is the essence of magic.

In it, the life of the mage is captured.

Scholars who interpret such circuits can read the habits of the creator just by looking at it. They can predict what path the mage has walked.

“…It seems difficult.”

The life read from the circuit before him is not smooth. It’s akin to gazing at a cliff that’s been sharpened over many years.

“Rather than a young mage’s circuit…”

It carries an aura akin to that of an elder who has dedicated a lifetime to magic. Togelm blinked once and opened his mouth.

“Welcome to the Ivory Tower, Lady Rania.”

The girl bowed her head instead of answering.

When she raised her head, the pillars tapped the table with a thud.

The ceiling of the meeting room flipped upside down.

As if displaying constellations, the circuit of the pre-prepared problem was engraved on the ceiling.

One would be astonished by the sight at first glance, yet the girl reacted without a hint of excitement. It was as if she had experienced it before.

“A brief explanation and solution to the problem, please.”

“Yes, then…”

Soon, the girl began to speak.

The explanation didn’t last long. They were all aware of the high quality of this problem.

At a glance, it resembles a maze.

However, the solution is surprisingly simple.

“The most basic concept.”

With just that one concept, it is possible to solve the problem. It functions more as a learning tool rather than a challenge.

“…That’s all.”

The girl concluded her explanation.

It was a concise interpretation. There was no further need to test its value as a problem.

“It’s worthy of being published in an academic journal at any moment.”

However, Togelm found it difficult to speak.

“Hmm…”

The same goes for the other pillars.

They pondered as they stroked their chins while observing the circuit.

‘Something…’

Something feels lacking.

While the value of the problem is high, the disappointment lies in the circuit. Of course, there is nothing wrong with the circuit itself.

“On the contrary, it’s perfect.”

It is a flawless circuit. It’s so neat.

Yet, that neatness makes the pillars feel as if they are looking at an unfinished artwork.

What comes to mind is porcelain.

It resembles pure white porcelain.

The curves of porcelain are beautiful. It is a plain piece of art. Yet that plainness makes the pillars feel like they are looking at an unfilled white canvas.

“If only it were touched a bit more.”

If the circuit had just a bit more embellishment.

It would surely pass into the realm of difficult challenges, becoming a piece of art. The unfulfilled space is simply regrettable.

“This is… like looking at the circuits of the Ashen Mage from the past.”

Back when the Ashen Mage was poised to become the next Master of the Tower.

The Ivory Tower frequently clashed with him. It wasn’t that he disliked him. It was simply that when such a close to perfection circuit was there, it was baffling why no one touched it.

“Even now, it’s the same.”

This circuit is no different from the ones back then.

To the scholars of the Ivory Tower, such a circuit feels like torture.

‘How many circuits will remain unclaimed as artworks because of this young one…’

The fact makes the pillars sigh. Ultimately, Togelm, representing the pillars, spoke.

“The explanation is perfect. The value as a problem is also high. However, Lady Rania?”

Togelm pointed to the circuit.

“This part, this part right here. May I ask why you processed it as a direct connection?”

“Because it’s neat that way.”

“But if you embellish it a bit more…”

“I learned that neatness is a virtue in circuits.”

“Who on earth taught you that…”

Who could possibly be the insane mage?

Just as Togelm was about to say so, he hurriedly shut his mouth. The name of the girl flashed across his mind.

Rania van Trias.

So, the adopted daughter of the Trias family.

It turns out that Rosel, who raised the Ashen Mage, is her mentor. Even as pillars of the Ivory Tower, it wouldn’t be proper to disparage the sage Rosel.

“…I don’t know who the magnificent mage is, but wouldn’t it be better to embellish a circuit to be published in an academic journal?”

He said this softly while observing the girl’s reaction. Fortunately, she didn’t seem offended. Instead, she tilted her head as if she didn’t understand.

“Is it really necessary?”

“Why should I have to?”

With a tone that seemed to ask that, Togelm frowned.

‘I’ll have to teach her.’

This is a matter of pride as a pillar.

Togelm cleared his throat and opened his mouth.

“A bit more circuit…”

“A good circuit.”

However, someone interrupted his words.

At this, Togelm felt annoyed. Even among pillars, interrupting each other’s words is considered impolite.

Yet, the moment he recognized the owner of that voice… Togelm closed his mouth without complaint.

There was no time or reason for annoyance. There was one individual present who didn’t have to show etiquette toward the pillars.

The First Princess, Lruiel.

With platinum hair symbolizing royalty and golden eyes shimmering, she spoke.

“It’s a concise and beautiful circuit.”

2.

The First Princess, Lruiel.

As the second child of the royal family, she had long abandoned her claim to the throne. There were no nobles supporting her, and she herself didn’t desire the throne.

– Why do the nobles not support the First Princess?

Answering that question would involve a lot of talk, but most nobles found the answer in her personality.

– To put it nicely, she is straightforward…
– To put it badly, she is a bit… no, very foul-mouthed and has the temperament of a warrior.

She is straightforward.

She never knows how to back down. Once she speaks, she tends to tear someone apart before stopping.

– Avoid arguments with the First Princess as much as possible.
– …It’s not my place to say, but it’s better for your mental health to bow as if you’ve been bitten by a mad dog.

Such words circulate among the nobles.

– She would become quite the tyrant if she ascended to the throne.
– I am thankful she has given up her claim.

An individual with such a notorious reputation.

“How beautiful.”

She opened her mouth, continuing from where she left off.

“I said it’s a beautiful circuit. Why is no one responding? Didn’t you just say it was an incomplete circuit?”

The pillars knew all too well the rumors about Princess Lruiel. They remained silent, contemplating. Silence descended.

They wanted to refute the princess’s statement.

They wanted to elaborate on how the circuit could be made more beautiful.

Yet, none of them found the courage to respond.

‘Is it right to be stubborn against the First Princess?’

It would be madness.

Yet, it was difficult to bend down from their scholarly pride. In the end, Togelm spoke on behalf of the pillars.

“Your Highness, this circuit is like a blank sheet of white paper. No matter how neat and beautiful the paper is… it remains an unfinished piece of art.”

“Go on.”

Princess Lruiel nodded her head.

Togelm continued.

“If we were to fill the paper, it would become an even more beautiful piece of art, wouldn’t it? It’s a circuit on the verge of perfection. An artwork at the brink of completion. Not completing it is…”

“Is that how you think?”

She interrupted Togelm while resting her chin.

“I’ve heard that before. It’s boring. Not something I want to hear.”

Boredom filled her golden eyes.

“In my view, you must learn from those arrogant mages of the Tower.”

“Excuse me? What do you…”

“While they might be overly arrogant, they can certainly learn from their simplicity and plainness.”

Princess Lruiel flicked her finger.

The angle of the ceiling shifted, and the circuit floated before her eyes. Pointing to the circuit, she continued.

“Of course, a circuit that loses its beauty in pursuit of practicality is garbage. I agree with you as I am also a member of the Magic Association. However, this circuit is different.”

The space between lines—the whitespace.

Pointing to the whitespace, she spoke.

“This is not a failure to embellish due to lack of ability. It’s done deliberately. Do you not see the difference?”

…They couldn’t understand the fact that she didn’t embellish even though she could.

Seeing the blinking pillars, Princess Lruiel sighed.

“The way we pursue beauty differs. Can beauty in this world be only one kind? This person pursued beauty in her own way.”

Her gaze landed on Rania.

Looking at the ashen-haired girl, Lruiel smiled as if she found it interesting.

“This girl’s pursuit of beauty is simplicity. By restraining what can be expressed, she sought elegance over flamboyance, and calmness over noise.”

With a swish, Princess Lruiel’s finger brushed over the curve of the circuit.

“Even though she could have pursued flamboyance, she chose not to.”

As she smoothly traced over the runes contained within a single line, she said.

“To be able to summarize and condense something means one also knows how to unfold it.”

The finger that brushed over the runes pointed toward Rania. The princess asked, pointing to Rania.

“Can you do it?”

At her question, the girl nodded.

“Show me.”

Rania touched the circuit with her finger.

Shhhh.

She disassembles a single line, filling the whitespace.

The disassembled symbols bloom in the space between lines, resembling flowers blossoming.

Shhh, shhh.

With every movement of her fingers, the circuit adds embellishments. It grows larger. What once could fit on a single sheet of paper now fills the ceiling.

The intricacies that were hidden within the simplicity emerge.

The vibrancy that lies within the intricacy reveals itself.

“…”

The pillars blink.

They swallow hard at the blossoming beauty.

Squeeze.

Finally, just like placing a period at the end of a sentence, the girl pressed her finger into the air, stopping. The circuit is complete. She presents the beautifully adorned circuit to the princess.

“Hmm.”

Seeing that, the princess chuckled. Her laughter turned into a smirk directed at the pillars.

“Did you see it?”

“…”

“Did you see it or not? If you saw it, then speak. Are you all mute? Should I pry open your mouths personally? What utter disrespect.”

“…We saw it.”

The princess grinned.

“You saw it, so you understand.”

“…”

“Why are you all wrinkling your brows? The level of the Ivory Tower is evident.”

“No, Your Highness, that’s…”

“Don’t make excuses. It’s pathetic.”

She spoke her mind and stood up.

“Well, whether this problem gets published in the journal or not, that’s up to you. You can choose to engrave flamboyance or simplicity… it’s your decision.”

Treating the publication as a given, the princess turned to Rania.

“It seems this discussion is at an end.”

She flicked her finger.

“Professor. Let’s chat for a moment.”

3.

In the artificial garden located in the middle tier of the Ivory Tower.

The princess’s guard knights cleared the garden of people before leaving at the princess’s command.

“…”

Suddenly facing the princess one-on-one, I swallowed hard. A coffee cup was placed in front of me, but I had no desire to drink it.

‘…Why did she call me?’

No matter how I think about it, there seems to be no reason to summon me.

Did my circuit please her? If that’s the case, she could have said something right there.

Honestly, I don’t know.

The only royals I am familiar with are… the Second Prince and the Fourth Princess.

‘The First Princess, Lruiel.’

I tried to recall as much information about her as possible. The first thought that came to mind was a story Kyle told me one night by the campfire.

– The First Princess, Lruiel, is… a bit unique. She’s sharp and…
– Huh? What does that mean?
– When she drew the Holy Sword and was recognized as a hero, I met her once, and she was very… very unique.
– What did she say?
– Seeing an idiot like you become a hero, this world must be in its last days… she remarked.

Oh?

‘She’s kind of likable?’

Suddenly, the princess before me seemed friendly. I even felt like I was looking at an old friend.

“Is there something you wish to say?”

I smiled brightly and asked like that. The First Princess took a sip of her coffee and opened her mouth.

“I think the world we live in is really shitty.”

“…Excuse me?”

That was the first thing the princess said.

I couldn’t figure out how to respond, so while I was pondering, she continued speaking.

“My father may be somewhat competent in politics, but he certainly acts like a jackass. The epitome of that shortcoming is my older brother.”

“Uh… uh-huh…”

What am I listening to?

“When I think about my father and brother, the future looks bleak. It’s downright shitty. Especially my brother’s nonsense seems to intensify every day, driving me crazy.”

“Uh, uh-huh…”

“Professor, do you know?”

She continued, looking away as if she was staring at refuse.

“My older brother, the First Prince, is just a mix of mental illness, paranoia, and a whole lot of bullshit at a 1:1:1 ratio. And he’s the one set to inherit the throne.”

“Is that so?”

“And so, I want to talk to you about my brother.”

“…Why me?”

“Shut up and listen. I’m talking, aren’t I?”

What kind of person is she?

I felt like I had taken a blow to the head and couldn’t bring myself to respond.

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