The 31st Piece Overturns the Game Board

Seol’s conversation with Frannan became rather long.

Through their conversation, Seol had learned more details.

“So you’re saying that the search party… will likely be crossing kingdom lines?”

“Yeah, it probably will. Is this your first time crossing borders?”

“Yes, I’ve been in Nevenia since I was transferred to this world.”

“Hmm… Well, that makes sense. I’ve heard that most transferees don’t stray too far from where they were initially placed.”

As Seol was forced to take on this Adventure, he had to extract as much information as possible.

“Then the current Tower Master of Libra…”

“Master Bornuil. You’ve at least heard of his name before, right?”

"A sound argument. To be honest, I don't remember them either. It's not like most Tower Masters hold that position for long anyway."

- Isn’t that… a huge problem?

- What’s the name of your company’s CEO?

- Uh… Kim… something Kim…

“Why not?”

"Heavy workload, old age, research, and a variety of other reasons. Tower Masters hold a lot of responsibility, and it isn't easy."

“Hm…”

“Is it because you don’t want to cross borders? Do you have a base here?”

“Not necessarily,” responded Seol while scratching his chin.

Seol was simply worried about where he'd be headed after crossing the border and if he could still grow at the same pace he had grown here.

“But… I am curious about why we have to cross the border.”

"Well, we're discussing the search party at the Libra Tower, right? The Libra Tower isn't in Nevenia."

"Right."

"Furthermore, it's because of where Bornuil headed last before his disappearance. Do you know about Alcatron?"

It was Seol's first time hearing about Alcatron.

“No, I haven’t. What is it?”

"It is a recently discovered ruin. However, as it was being unearthed, a mysterious energy flowed out, halting progress."

“Hm…”

"Well, as always, it could just be the monsters in the ruins. However, no one is taking this matter lightly. The Libra Tower Master isn't weak enough to go missing without notice for no reason, after all.”

"Which in turn means that there must have been a justifiable reason why he disappeared without contact."

Frannan nodded.

"Precisely. And another thing is worrying me. Our journey to the Libra Tower will be rather easy, but the path to Alcatron... might be a bit troublesome."

“...Ah!”

“Have you realized why?”

“It’s because of the monster areas, right?”

"Yeah, there are also territories belonging to the other races mixed in, but... I doubt they'd clear a path for us so easily."

“Can’t we just go around it, through the other nations?”

"Unfortunately, that would make it meaningless. Time is sensitive, and that would take too long."

The hostile other races and monsters…

Passing through their territories was a risk in and of itself.

‘This might be… a much more dangerous Adventure than I had initially thought.’

Though Seol was confident in his ability to keep himself safe, there was a nagging feeling in the back of his head.

‘Since I can’t refuse him… I should just prepare more.’

As Seol pondered, he glimpsed at Frannan. Frannan was definitely behaving strangely compared to before.

Frannan continued to break out in cold sweats, as if there was an issue with his decision to return to the magic tower.

Seeing the normally boisterous Frannan like this, Seol grew curious about his past.

“Is there… a problem?”

“Problem? Haha! What problem? There’s no problem…”

“It’s fine if you really are, but… you seem nervous.”

“......”

"Had there been an issue back when you were an Aspect Magician?"

“What do you mean ‘were’?”

“What?”

“When did I ever say I ‘was’ one? I’m still an Aspect Magician. I haven’t given up my position yet. I’m just… I’m just taking a break.”

“Didn’t you give up your position?”

Frannan, with longing eyes, looked elsewhere.

“Well… if you want to be more precise, I wanted to give up on being a magician altogether.”

* * *

Two individuals, a man and a woman, both adorned in uniforms with gleaming shoulder pieces, conversed over a meal.

Only by understanding the significance of their epaulets could one truly grasp the importance of these two figures.

The two sharing the meal were Frannan and Yurin, Aspect Magicians of the Libra Tower.

However, now, they were old enough to be seen as their later years.

Yurin took a bite of the meat as she spoke to Frannan.

"You damned headache, magic isn’t meant to be kept to yourself. When you use spells that others can’t theoretically comprehend, it’s no different from using a spell to intentionally fool them."

“Well, that’s the kind of magician I’m trying to be.”

“Asshole.”

“What now…”

“You should be trying to pass on what you’ve learned to the future. Do you know how much Bornuil is badgering me?”

“Why is he annoying you this time?”

"He’s using me to persuade you into taking disciples."

“I told him I didn’t want to do that before, that old…”

"You, me, him, we’re all damn old, who cares! Argh, the only thing you care about is making yourself look cool. You never gave a rat’s ass about doing something for the tower. I still have no idea why Veil accepted a bastard like you when it only ended up causing him more stress."

“Hah…”

Frannan was a master of enchantment.

And Yurin, who was sitting in front of Frannan, was a master of mind spells.

Frannan paused for a moment before lightening the mood with a different topic.

“Are you not going to brag about your amazing pupil today?” asked Frannan.

“Do you want me to?”

"Nope, never. You've been bragging about every little thing recently. I was starting to think you would brag about how she was potty trained or something now."

"If I start bragging about her, are you going to listen?"

"Has this old witch lost her mind?!"

“Hold on, unlike you, I’ve been taking care of myself. I still have the allure of a mature woman, alright?”

“Wow, it must be so amazing…”

Frannan couldn’t hold back his laughter. He never could whenever he talked with her.

Most magicians lived very lonely lives. In the pursuit of knowledge, they had to stand alone as they traveled down their own individual paths.

However, they also often felt relief when they saw magicians of similar levels also struggle to raise their fields.

It was a reassurance—a reminder that they weren't alone.

Yurin had a 17-year-old disciple named Ebony.

Though Frannan didn’t understand why Yurin had accepted Ebony as her disciple, Yurin clearly seemed to enjoy it, which Frannan didn’t like.

"What are you going to do by taking in such a talentless pupil…"

Though his words were harsh, it was a truth that Yurin also accepted.

“She may not be the sharpest tool in the shed, but she’s a good kid.”

“Why are you repeating yourself? We all know ‘a good kid’ is just another way to call them stupid.”

“Isn’t that better, though? Even magicians aren’t fully decided on whether character or skills matter more.”

“Isn’t it obvious? It’s skills.”

“It’s character. How did you become like that when you studied under Veil?”

“But I never would have ended up casually having pointless conversations with you unless I caught up with you through my skills, no?”

“Urgh… It’s frustrating, but you’re not wrong either. You were damned stubborn…”

“Also, I haven’t changed. I’ve just realized the truth. Raising the future generation? Why would I when I still don’t have enough time to do my own research?”

Yurin wiped her mouth before continuing.

"I guarantee you, no one, except for the first ever magician, learned magic on their own from the start. Humans may be weak, but we are a race that accumulates knowledge. That is how we’ve continued to advance magic further.

“That’s why I’ll go as far as I can before recording it all for the future generation.”

"Leaving records and teaching are different. There’s no compassion in leaving behind research. You would never be able to help someone who’s faltering with research. Right now, all you’re doing is building a wall the future generation can’t break down."

The two had frequently clashed over these issues. Indeed, Frannan's reluctance to accept disciples was a source of frustration for the Libra Tower as well.

Frannan, carefully, revealed his true thoughts to her.

“I just… don’t think I’m someone who could do that. I am not a great magician.”

“...We aren’t thinking of the future because we are great magicians…”

Yurin looked kindly at Frannan. Her gaze was warm like the sun.

“...It’s because we are magicians.”

“Still, Ebony was a bit much.”

“You asshole… I told you, she’s a good kid.”

‘I should have stopped her. I should have intervened more until she gave up. A worthless disciple like that, Yurin… is just a hindrance to you.’

Those were the words that Frannan repeats to himself to this day.

Frannan then recalled the events of the last day he saw Yurin.

“Yurin! H-Have you lost your mind?! No! Don’t do it!” shouted Frannan.

Hum…

“Get back, Yurin! It’s too late for Ebony! We can’t save her!”

“No, I can save her! I’m an Aspect Magician…”

“Her mana’s running wild! Damn it, I told you! She’s too far gone! It doesn’t matter if you’re an Aspect Magician right now, just let her die on her own!”

“How could I…”

Ebony’s research had failed.

Lacking the talent to succeed at a young age, she had only made countless mistakes.

And as a result of her mistakes, her mana had ended up running wild in her body.

The wild mana would likely lead Ebony to losing her mind, turning her into a fool.

However, in that moment, her master stepped forth in her place. Frannan instinctively knew what Yurin was attempting to do. She was trying to shoulder Ebony’s burden instead.

“She’s my disciple, Frannan,” said Yurin.

“But you… you…”

“Frannan, if something happens, and I fail…”

She then made a request to Frannan. A request that Frannan could never forget.

“No! I’m not going to do that!”

“Stop making such a fuss. Well… I leave it to you.”

“Yurin! Why… Why are you doing this…”

Yurin gave a big smile, flashing her teeth.

“It’s because I’m a magician.”

Craaaaaaaackle…

Lightning crackled as the storm of mind spells swept through the research room.

The incident ended as swiftly as it began, leaving behind a sad story for those of the Libra Tower.

And like that, Frannan left the magic tower.

* * *

“Is it because of that?” asked Seol with a blank expression after hearing Frannan’s story.

Frannan took a sip of alcohol.

“Yeah, I still have nightmares about that day,” answered Frannan. “I haven’t moved on since that day.”

“...I see.”

"My apologies for bringing up something so grim. Anyway, once we're done getting ready, we'll leave right away. Just a reminder."

“Understood.”

Stand…

After Seol left, Frannan remained alone in the room.

Crack!

He tossed the glass cup in his hands, memories of Yurin after the incident flooding back.

- Who are you, mister?

- …Do you not remember me?

- Nope, it’s my first time meeting you!

- …When did you arrive here?

- Just yesterday! I officially became a magician yesterday!

- ……

- Mister?

- How admirable.

Though Yurin’s old body was unharmed, her mind had regressed to that of a 7-year-old girl's.

- Are you some great person here, mister?

- …I’m not.

There was no way he couldn’t break down after seeing his friend, an old woman, speak like a child.

“I don’t want to go back…”

Ever since that day, Frannan's only wish was to be able to run away forever.

* * *

“Then I’ll see you next time, hyung!” said Gyeongtaek.

“Yeah, sorry we couldn’t talk for long,” answered Seol.

“It’s alright, you’re busy. Will you come back to Nevenia at least?”

“I don’t know, we’ll have to see.”

“Somi noona’s going to get upset at me if you don’t give her a definite answer, so make sure to give her a clear answer, please.”

“Alright.”

Gyeongtaek let out a long sigh of relief.

Though Seol managed to meet Gyeontaek while he was in Timbrian, their time together was cut short by the pressing need for further preparations.

“Phew… that’s a relief.”

“Have you finished your business well?”

“I did. Oh, the noble also wanted to thank you as well.”

“Thank me?”

“Well… I kind of mentioned how I was helped by you… I shouldn’t have said anything, right?”

“Well… it’s your choice.”

Gyeongtaek smiled upon hearing Seol’s response, relieved that Seol didn’t dislike it as he had feared.

“Exactly! We’re like brothers, and it’s natural for younger brothers to brag about their older brothers, right?”

“I… guess?”

"Obviously! You have no idea how hard it was to hold myself back from saying that I knew you when people were talking about ‘The Hero of the Clock Tower’ or ‘The Herald of Tolling Bells’."

“......”

After hearing Gyeongtaek, Agony interrupted.

[Is that so? So you don’t enjoy being called that… huh? Okay… Then I’ll make sure to call you that the next time we’re around people! Kekeke… I knew it, I’m evil!]

- How did he instantly know what Snowman disliked? LMFAO

- It really is a demonic spirit, huh…

- It might just be faking being tamed.

Seol shot Agony a glare, causing it to shut its mouth.

“Regardless, see you next time.”

“Of course, hyung. Stay safe and take care. Make sure to message us! Somi noona first too, before me!”

Seol laughed as he nodded and waved.

Click…

A flamboyant carriage opened its door behind Seol, revealing Frannan.

“Get in, we’re going,” said Frannan, his body half-sticking out of the door.

“Yeah.”

Seol stepped into the carriage.

And when he did… he saw someone he didn’t expect to see.

“...Chameli?”

“Uh… So… I-It’s nice to see you again?”

“Why are you here?”

Frannan answered in her stead.

"Zodiac sent a request to the Black Pilgrims. It won’t just be the Nevenian Parish coming to help either. There will probably be more."

“Is this that big of an incident?”

“Well… it is, but it also isn’t. Regardless, it will probably be quite large-scale.”

To think that Zodiac dragged in the Black Pilgrims who had nothing to do with this… Seol thought once more about this Adventure, contemplating the number of people who would be involved.

“Hm?”

“...Oh?”

There were more people in the carriage. Two individuals, whom Seol didn’t recognize, were sitting with them, but for some reason... they felt familiar.

“Haven’t we met before?” asked Seol while scratching his head.

The two individuals were a man and a young woman.

Though Seol couldn’t recall the woman, he definitely remembered seeing the man before.

“It’s been a while, Snowman. It’s me.”

“Ah, so we have. So…”

The man glanced at Seol’s belt.

Seol immediately recalled it, though the man looked quite different from before.

“Ah! Back then, you…”

He was a man who, despite his cold expression, offered warm advice for Seol’s future.

In fact, he was also the one who gifted Seol with the invitation to the magic tower, which now resides in Seol’s inventory.

“Blaine?”

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