Chapter 31: The Visit (2)

The Alchemist’s Tower.  

A tower exclusive to alchemists, an extremely insular group.  

Its secrecy surpassed even that of the Spacetime Magic Tower.  

At least the Magic Tower made annual announcements.  

The Alchemist’s Tower didn’t even do that.  

If you want to join, prove yourself!  

They never proactively recruited, and even those who expressed interest faced rigorous tests.  

What they sought wasn’t legitimacy or fame—only skill.  

Of course, with the changing times, their tightly shut gates were slowly opening, but they would never go so far as to personally offer recruitment.  

And yet…  

Why is she here?  

The Elder of the Alchemist’s Tower, Aegis.  

A named character.  

Neither an ally nor a villain—neutral in alignment.  

A genius who rose to the rank of Elder in her early thirties.  

Rumor had it she was once a kingdom’s princess but fled, finding the small kingdom stifling.  

Her defining trait?  

A sucker for good looks.  

She was obsessed with handsome faces.  

And now, Aegis was grinning ear to ear while looking at Evan.  

Hmmm!  

Ugh, this is too much pressure.  

But he couldn’t exactly say that.  

As Evan inwardly squirmed, Aegis smiled with satisfaction.  

Handsome, huh?  

First test: passed.  

He could probably outshine every alchemist in the tower.  

Most alchemists weren’t exactly lookers.  

Holed up in their rooms, they were either rail-thin or excessively heavy.  

Their average age was high, and their irregular lifestyles left them constantly ailing.  

Evan?  

A bit thin, sure.  

But just the right amount.  

It suited him, even.  

His slightly sharp features matched perfectly.  

Those eyes pass too.  

His emotionless gaze.  

Some might find it creepy, but Aegis liked it.  

Geniuses often had an odd focus.  

Many were inarticulate or extreme in demeanor.  

Almost like they’d made some equivalent exchange.  

A type Aegis despised.  

Evan was the exact opposite.  

Good, good. 

He passes.  

The old fogeys at the tower might disagree, but in Aegis’s eyes, he was a pass.  

Wasn’t his handsome face reason enough to join?  

No wonder Belia told me to meet him.  

Times had changed.  

The Alchemist’s Tower had started making outward moves.  

Their first step was securing stable trade routes for funding.  

In that process, she’d met Belia, the second daughter of the Golden Caravan.  

Despite her youth, Belia was sharp and good at keeping up, making her a favorite of Aegis’s.  

One day, Belia had told her to meet someone named Evan Alkart.  

It was a bit surprising.  

Because someone else had recommended Evan first.  

Someone recommended him before me?  

Yeah. Why? 

You know Evan too, don’t you?  

Then why…  

Belia’s funny reaction stuck in her memory.  

Aegis grinned and spoke.  

“So, you’re the next tower master?”  

“?!”  

Evan looked at Aegis with his emotionless eyes.  

Yes!  

That emotionless gaze!  

Perfect.  

She was tired of the madness common among high-level alchemists.  

Having someone this detached was exactly what they needed!  

“I don’t understand what you mean.”  

And he was polite too?  

Pass, pass again!  

He was serious about his persona!  

Aegis exclaimed in admiration.  

“What do you mean, what? You know Zildre, right?”  

Zildre.  

Evan’s brow furrowed slightly.  

Hmm, that suits him too. Should I just keep staring?  

As Aegis blatantly propped her chin and admired his face, Evan stared back, suppressing the itch on his back.  

It was overwhelming.  

God, can she stop staring like that?  

His insides felt clogged with discomfort.  

Why was she acting so overbearing?  

Aegis… I know her, sort of.  

She wasn’t a bad character.  

Which made it even more uncomfortable.  

It wasn’t because she was a woman.  

It was just that she was ogling him so openly.  

How could that not be awkward?  

“Ajumma.”  

At that moment, Lapis, who had been quietly munching lettuce beside Evan, spoke up.  

“Don’t stare so much. You’ll wear out Evan’s skin.”  

“W-What? Ajumma?”  

Crack!  

A vein popped on Aegis’s pale forehead.  

“Hey, I’m still in my thirties, okay? I’m the youngest in the tower!”  

“Evan’s in his teens. Isn’t your group just too old?”  

“…”  

She couldn’t argue back!  

The average age in the Alchemist’s Tower was in the seventies.  

They maintained youthful appearances through alchemy, but inside, they were decaying old folks.  

It couldn’t be helped.  

Ability was proportional to time invested.  

It was inevitable that older alchemists dominated the tower.  

Young recruits often failed due to insufficient skill.  

It wasn’t called stagnant for nothing.  

“Hmph, heh. Fine. This generous lady will calm down.”  

Aegis forcibly changed the subject.  

She’s stung.  

She’s totally stung.  

Evan and Lapis thought the same thing but didn’t show it.  

“So, why are you here?”  

“Oh, uh! It’s no big deal!”  

Aegis’s expression brightened oddly as she pulled out a letter of recommendation from her pocket.  

Tower Master Recommendation.  

Recommender: Zildre.  

Count Zildre’s seal was blatantly stamped on it.  

Evan’s eyes widened slightly.  

…What, is this insane?!  

Not just a membership recommendation, but a tower master recommendation?  

If Evan had at least joined the tower, it might make sense.  

But this was his first encounter with the Alchemist’s Tower.  

In other words, he was a complete stranger.  

And they’re recommending him as tower master?  

Are they out of their minds?  

“Oh, just to clarify, you didn’t blackmail Count Zildre, did you?”  

“If an alchemist could be swayed by blackmail, they wouldn’t be in the tower.”  

“What? Hahaha! You’re right!”  

Aegis burst into laughter.  

Respect in that curt voice.  

Aegis, proud of her affiliation, couldn’t help but feel good about being respected.  

Second test: passed!  

Handsome, serious, composed.  

He’d cleared three criteria already.  

All that remained was proving his ability!  

“So, here’s the thing. A tower master nomination doesn’t just happen because of a recommendation.”  

Aegis pulled out a membership recommendation letter.  

“How about taking the tower’s entrance exam?”  

“No, thank you.”  

“Yeah, sounds good? Got it—wait, what?”  

Aegis, assuming he’d accept, was shocked by his refusal.  

“Why?!”  

“Is there a reason I should?”  

“Why not?! It comes with prestige!”  

Does prestige feed you?  

The Alchemist’s Tower.  

Only the most skilled of the continent’s few alchemists could join.  

A mere twenty or so members.  

Joining would bring prestige, sure.  

A normal alchemist might be tempted.  

If Evan weren’t a transmigrator.  

There’s no real benefit, so why would I?  

What did joining the tower offer?  

Prestige, and that’s it.  

Money? 

Support?  

None.  

In fact, it cost money to be a member.  

Maybe some research assistance, but…  

Do I need that kind of help?  

Why ask a lunatic for help?  

He’d already been burned by Bluebeard.  

Fellow alchemists weren’t trustworthy!  

Having reached that conclusion inwardly, Evan saw no reason to join a tower full of lunatics.  

“No, no! I can help with your research!”  

“I can do it alone.”  

“You’re really, really refusing? Seriously?!”  

“Yes.”  

“There won’t be another chance!”  

“I’m sorry.”  

Knowing Aegis’s personality, she probably wouldn’t take offense, but just in case.  

Not because he was scared—purely for politeness—he bowed respectfully.  

She’s not mad, right?  

Did I refuse too harshly?  

As Evan quietly wrestled with his thoughts, Aegis fell into confusion.  

Wait, I got rejected?  

Not just rejected for asking his mailing address, but ignoring an offer to join the tower?  

With only one test to take?  

Even when she was a princess, she’d never felt this kind of deprivation.  

Was this what it felt like to be the underdog?  

Her head spun.  

At that moment—  

Young Masterrrr!  

Bang, bang, bang!  

Dolph pounded on the door.  

Evan, puzzled, moved a golem.  

The staff leaning against the table [reconstructed] into a small golem.  

Aegis’s eyes lit up.  

“Wait, wait! That’s a golem?!”  

“Yes.”  

“How’d you make it?!”  

“With effort?”  

Evan’s questioning look only deepened Aegis’s confusion.  

Golem crafting had long been lost.  

Even the tower was desperately searching for it.  

If the underworld weren’t under Duke Alkart’s control, they’d have turned it upside down looking.  

They said he mainly works with golems— was that true?  

Did Zildre notice it first?  

Aegis’s eyes gleamed with a dangerous light.  

The light of someone eyeing talent!  

Creak.  

Evan opened the door with the small golem.  

Dolph, clutching the doorknob and panting, calmed down after a few breaths and shouted.  

“Someone from the Spacetime Magic Tower is here to see you!”  

“!”  

Aegis’s eyes widened.  

The Spacetime Magic Tower!  

As insular as the Alchemist’s Tower and just as greedy for talent!  

Now it clicked.  

He’d been planning this all along!  

Both the Alchemist’s Tower and the Spacetime Magic Tower at once!  

“…You knew about this?!”  

“No.”  

As if.  

Evan rarely showed irritation.  

 ***

The Spacetime Magic Tower.  

A tower that worships and studies time and space, with almost no known information.  

Even in the game, it was the same.  

All that was known was their strong desire for talent.  

To survive the tempests of time, one needed ability, or so they said.  

They used a unique magic called Spatial Awareness and always covered their eyes.  

“Pleased to meet you, Young Master Evan Alkart.”  

A bandage over their eyes.  

A robe with unique patterns.  

Only their lips visible.  

Presumed to be female.  

A mage exuding a mysterious aura bowed.  

“I am Osera, a mage of the Spacetime Magic Tower.”  

“Nice to meet you. I’m Evan Alkart.”  

Osera.  

A familiar character.  

Neutral alignment, leaning slightly toward good.  

If you had a connection with the Maiden of the Night Sky, her favorability would rise significantly.  

She’d help the player indirectly without getting too involved.  

Is this… good luck?  

Let’s get along.  

As Evan shook her hand kindly, her lips curved into a smile.  

“You’re a kind person.”  

“Thank you.”  

He almost let his voice crack.  

Nearly showed his confusion.  

As Evan cleared his throat,  

Despite her covered eyes, she turned precisely toward Lapis, as if truly sensing space.  

“I mean no harm. Don’t worry. I’m here today on someone’s request.”  

“A request?”  

“Not my own. The master of my tower asked me to fulfill a request from a young, talented lady.”  

It’s not Asella, is it?  

Having just been stung by Asella’s political maneuvering, suspicion arose naturally.  

Asella was talented, after all.  

In a bad way.  

“Kind sir, may I observe your [talent]?”  

“My talent?”  

“Yes. I’d like to observe how brightly your soul shines. Please allow it. I’ll offer fitting compensation. Do you know of Time Grass?”  

Oh!  

A familiar name.  

Time Grass.  

A peculiar herb that grows only in the crevices of spacetime.  

When consumed, it slows the body’s time.  

Some even experienced time loops.  

But if processed well?  

It can slow down things like curses.  

When made into a potion, it could slow time for specific parts of the body.  

Organs, certain cells, even curses.  

This would be great for the Saintess.  

Since observing my soul isn’t possible anyway…  

Spatial Awareness was impressive, but it couldn’t see souls.  

Letting her try once should be fine.  

Alright, Evan! You can do this!  

“Yes.”  

“Thank you, kind sir.”  

As Evan nodded, she thanked him, clasping her hands.  

“…”  

“…”  

An awkward silence hung in the air.  

“Huh?”  

“It’s… not being observed?”  

“You’re… special.”  

Grip!  

Her delicate hands tightened around Evan’s with surprising strength.  

“Have you ever considered joining our tower?”  

“…I’m an alchemist.”  

“That doesn’t matter. Does talent care about profession?”  

Osera leaned in uncomfortably close.  

“I want you to join our tower and shine with that talent.”  

Wait…  

I didn’t do anything!  

“Esteemed sir, please accept my offer.”  

“Sorry, but we called dibs first.”  

At that moment, the door burst open, and Aegis stormed in.  

She’d apparently been eavesdropping.  

Dispelling a small trumpet made through alchemy, Aegis spoke.  

“We were here first. Isn’t cutting in line cheating?”  

“…Elder Aegis. Why are you here?”  

“Why? To recruit a valuable talent. Mind stepping aside?”  

Aegis tilted her head.  

Osera slowly released Evan’s hand and clasped her own hands politely.  

Her tone, however, was far from polite.  

“You’re as reckless as ever. We don’t know yet who he’ll choose to spend his time with, do we?”  

“At least it won’t be you.”  

“Deciding that is the height of arrogance, Aegis.”  

The two growled at each other.  

Two neutral named characters began to clash.  

Wait…  

Only then did Evan realize something had gone terribly wrong.