Book Eater

Chapter 53: The Voices Calling Him (2)

Meltor Kingdom’s internal structure was rather unique. It had been founded by a great magician and had gone on to prosper by leaning heavily into magic. Thus, the magic towers gradually became the foundation of its national strength. As a result, nobles merely acted as custodians of wealth and status. The true wielders of power were the senior magicians of the towers. Their support was the reason the royal family had such a firm grip on the entire kingdom. As the only 8th Circle magicians, the Red Tower Master and Blue Tower Master were treated even more respectfully among senior magicians, second only to the king.

In other words, Theo had just been summoned by the three most powerful individuals in the entire kingdom.

As soon as he received Elder Shugel’s permission to leave, Theo immediately informed his family. Gluttony’s Inventory may have eliminated his need to pack, but he needed to say goodbye to his family.

“... So, that happened, and I have to return to the capital immediately.”

His family stared at him blankly. Their son was involved with His Majesty and two tower masters? It was like a scene right out of a fairytale for a family who only cared for a small village. His father, Dennis, came back to his senses first, as his mother picked up his little brother in a daze.

“Huh... His Majesty has called you, so you have to leave in a hurry.” Dennis sighed deeply.

He had thought Theo would stay for a few more days, but this decree had changed everything. Dennis was but a rural nobleman who inherited his title; nevertheless, he was sharp in his own way.

Dennis walked up to Theo, who had become much greater than him, and reached out to grasp his shoulders, “Theo, live for yourself in the future.”

Theo stared at him. “... Yes?”

His father smiled. “I’ve felt it in the past. We, I as well as the villagers, wanted too much from you. We hoped you would become an important person and help this village prosper.”

Theodore tried to speak, but he couldn’t. He knew of those expectations, and he had never begrudged them for it. Theo had also believed that he could be a special and great person, just as they had said. It was because of them that he had decided to enter the faraway Bergen Academy.

However, he would be lying if it hadn’t felt like a burden sometimes. There had been days at the academy where the only thing that had kept him moving forward was the guilt and shame of going back home without fulfilling those expectations.

His father’s words felt like a noose loosening from around his neck.

“If it wasn’t for you, this village wouldn’t be around right now. The money you gave me will keep the sick and poor warm this coming winter. At the very least, you are a much bigger man than this small Miller Barony.”

Tears appeared in Theo’s eyes. “... Father.”

Dennis finished, “So, I’m looking forward to it. Walk however far you want, and come back when you want to rest. We will always be here.”

Theo could feel the warmth of his father’s hand. He didn’t trust his voice, so he just nodded sharply. He had always thought he would walk his path alone, but his father had gently eased his pain.

His mother reached up to caress his cheek. “Your father said everything I wanted to say.” She glanced sideways. “And you, when did you start understanding all this? You sure sound impressive for someone who didn’t seem to realize a thing.”

C-Cough! Dennis coughed in embarrassment.

His mother narrowed her eyes at Dennis before smiling and hugging Theodore. “There is no need for you to be a big man or to go far away. Just don’t get hurt and be healthy. That’s all we’ve ever wanted.”

Theo hugged her back. “... Yes, I’ll keep that in mind.”

His mother added slyly. “And that Sylvia, I like her.”

She chuckled as she kissed Theo’s cheek and picked up his little brother again. Leo waved shyly at his much bigger brother. As Theo grabbed his little brother’s small hands, he wondered what his brother wanted to be when he grew older. A magician? A knight? Or perhaps… a farmer.

Theo stepped out of his house, brimming with the warmth of his family. It was time for him to go back into the world.

“What, are you going already, Young Master?”

A man leaning against the gate grinned as he caught Theo’s attention.

Theo grinned back. “... Randolph.”

“We will also be leaving this territory. I wanted to say goodbye before you left.” Randolph’s hand strayed to the two swords at his waist and said cheerfully, “It’s a shame that I had to pay two hundred gold for these, but the time I spent with Young Master was a lot of fun. If you want to hire me for something next time, I’ll do it for half price.”

Theo’s eyebrow rose. “Maybe it won’t end up as just half price?”

“Ha, you are a rotten employer. But will I be tricked twice?” Randolph’s laughter trailed after him as he walked away.

Randolph was the kind of man who entrusted his life to the honed edges of his swords as he tempted fate in lost lands. Perhaps he was indeed more suited to the life of a mercenary than that of a warrior’s descendant.

I hope I’ll meet him again.

Theo also turned in the opposite direction. The two men went on their own way as they left it to fate to meet again.

***

“Okay, are you ready?” Elder Shugel looked at the two magicians as he finished engraving a magic circle on the outskirts of the village.

Theo nodded. “Yes, I took care of everything.”

Sylvia echoed him. “I'm ready."

Theo had said farewell to his family, and Sylvia had quickly finished her preparations.

Shugel nodded slowly and spoke to the investigator who came with him. “We will return to the capital first. Examine the residual black magic and report to the Magic Society when you return.”

The investigator bowed. “Yes, I understand!”

“Then… I’ll get going.”

Huuuuong!

Shugel’s white hair and beard started to flap as magic power peeled off him in waves. It was different from the heavy sensation Theodore’s magic power gave off, or Sylvia’s icy magic power. The magic power of a Prime magician who trained in the wind attribute swept through the area like real wind, and the magic circle on the ground began to shine with a silver color.

A haze emerged as the space around them seemed to distort.

[Hold your breath...]

Shugel’s voice echoed in their ears. Even though he was speaking clearly, his voice was distorted by the bending space inside the magic circle.

Theo and Sylvia held their breaths simultaneously. Space magic was famous for being difficult, but also dangerous. They didn’t want to see what would occur if they didn’t follow the Elder’s directions. Shugel quickly finished his magic spell and slammed his staff in the center of the circle.

[Mass Teleport!]

The figures of the three magicians distorted for a moment before disappearing.

Ugh...!

Theo almost exhaled in fear. He had felt his body instinctively start to reject the magic power when the magic circle had activated. Colors had begun to mix as the boundaries between objects collapsed. His senses were completely thrown off, as bile rose in his throat. It was a natural reaction. After all, they were traveling through a gap in time and space that was inherently hostile to living creatures.

Theo couldn’t tell how long they had spent in that place.

One minute? Ten seconds?

“Huuuu!”

“Hah...!”

But suddenly, Theo and Sylvia’s senses returned in full force, causing them to gasp in surprise. Theo bent his knees slightly to maintain his balance as he glanced around him.

Where am I?

It was a wide, clean room without any furniture. The floor was marked with a magic circle that seemed very similar to the one he had just traveled through.

Shugel noticed his curiosity, and after recovering from the aftermath of the space magic, he explained, “Space movement requires an empty space. If there are any objects or people on the other side, then I can’t guarantee anyone’s safety.”

Theo warily moved out of the magic circle. There were only a few space magicians, but it was probably wise to quickly remove themselves from the transfer room.

Shugel gestured at the door. “I will guide you to the reception room. First, I need to go to His Majesty and tell him about your work.”

They exited the transfer room, and Shugel led the two magicians down the corridor. Theo had not spent a lot of time at the Magic Society, but he assumed he was somewhere in the inner areas. Since space magicians were prized assets, they would only move in those areas.

Yet Shugel soon came to a halt as he encountered someone. “You...?”

A dark haired man in red robes was leaning against the wall. But when Theo peered over Shugel’s shoulder, he was pleasantly surprised.

He cried out, “Master!”

It was Vince Haidel.

Shugel’s eyes wrinkled as he recognized the name. “Vince... Yes, your name was in the report. Did they contact you as Theodore’s teacher? Otherwise, you wouldn’t have known that we would be back at this time.”

A space magician’s movements were always under a veil of secrecy. They were one of the most valuable assets of the Meltor Kingdom. Their missions were only known to the king, the Blue Tower Master, the Red Tower Master, and the White Tower Master.

However, while Vince greeted Theo with a warm gaze, he seemed slightly awkward when it came to Shugel.

He sighed. “Huu. Elder Shugel, I would’ve gone through the proper procedures, but I hope you’ll understand that I didn’t have time to inform you properly.”

Shugel grew more puzzled. “Huh? What does that mean?”

Vince’s cryptic words left all three magicians confused.

H-Heok!

Theo felt a supremely violent presence appear behind him, causing him to freeze instinctively.

This presence was different from that of the Elder Lich, and it seemed to have a different quality than the pressure of the Blue Tower Master. It was a belligerent, overbearing, almost unconscious pressure. Even though its source was just standing there, the pressure radiating from them was suffocating. This was an absolutely apex existence.

“What, this little guy’s our newbie?”

A rich, sweet voice, like a well-aged wine, rang in their ears as the speaker walked around Theo and Sylvia. Bright crimson hair set off incisive golden eyes. A deep red robe was draped over her curvaceous, feminine body. But no one would dare stare at this woman.

The air… feels hot??

It wasn’t a hallucination. It was the result of a magic power that was so deeply attuned to an attribute that it naturally called out to the mana in the air. Despite the cool weather, the newly warmed air in the hallway tickled Theo’s skin. There was only one person in the world who was so transcendent and looked so beautiful in red.

“He’s quite a handsome kid,” the Red Tower Master said as she reached out to lift Theo’s chin. “From here on, Veronica will guide him.”