Manavil was famous for having strict checkpoints while the capital hosted its Annual Magic Contest. Everyone had heard the tale of that one fool who had spent a month in jail after trying to pass through a checkpoint without any proof of identity. As such, the tourists, merchants, and delegates lined up outside the capital’s main gates were understandably tense. They had been preparing for this event for several months, and an irritable guard could destroy all their efforts. Even Gordon couldn’t hide his nervousness.
However, Professor Vince was as collected as ever. He confidently walked to the convoy’s head with Theo and spoke to Gordon, “Leader, we’ll be going first.”
“Huh?… Ah! You don’t need to wait?”
Vince glanced at the envelope in his hand. “I have a letter of invitation.”
An invitation to the Annual Magic Contest wasn’t just an evaluation of the contestant’s reputation and status, but was also a clear token of identification. The magician who owned it had the privilege of passing through Manavil’s checkpoints freely, enjoyed a generous discount in all of Manavil’s stores, and could freely choose their accommodation within the capital.
Gordon’s eyes held badly concealed envy as he followed Vince’s glance, but the invitation only allowed the magician to bring their assistant. Vince couldn’t bring the hundreds of people in with him. Gordon decided to content himself with leaving a good impression on Vince.
“I’m grateful that Professor accompanied us this time. If you need anything, please don’t hesitate to find me at any time. I’ll do my best to help as much as I can.”
Vince nodded. “Thank you for your kind words. Then I’ll see you next time.”
Gordon bowed. “Yes, please go ahead!”
Vince and Theo took their leave from the convoy and walked past the long line. The crowd was abuzz with chatter and whistles, but no one made any trouble. Anyone who frequented the capital understood the significance of Vince’s crimson robe.
So Professor Vince belongs to the Red Tower.
Theo knew that it wasn’t the right time for questions, so he swallowed his tongue. Every student of Bergen Academy knew about the four towers of the capital that surrounded the Magic Society. The towers were built in each cardinal direction—north, south, east, and west; they were painted a different color to symbolize each of the four elements.
Theo knew that the Red Tower was home to fire magicians. It was the most militant magic tower and focused on raising peerless war magicians. The Red Tower’s magicians were so well known for their prowess that Meltor’s mercenary companies had standing orders to avoid combat with red-robed magicians.
The Red Tower’s members formed the core military power of Meltor Kingdom. As such, any idiot who fought with a red-robed magician was almost automatically deemed unfit to step into Manavil. This included the guards manning the checkpoint at Manavil’s gates.
“Excuse me!” The guard saluted as soon as he saw Vince’s red robe.
Any magician who received an invitation card was of the 5th Circle at minimum and held a title equivalent to a viscount. While Manavil’s guards had a greater status than most guards of noble estates, they still had to be deferential in front of an invitation holder.
Vince nodded as he held out the invitation.
“I am Professor Vince Haidel from Bergen Academy, a Superior of the Red Tower. The last time I visited Manavil was seven years ago. Are there any errors?”
“No, that is correct.”
The guard confirmed Vince’s identity using a device that contained the Magic Society’s list of registered magicians. He quickly asked some routine questions, and returned the invitation to Vince after confirming his answers.
The guard saluted. “Thank you very much, Professor. Please go ahead.”
“My sympathies to you during this busy time. Do your best.”
“Yes, thank you!”
Vince and Theo passed through the checkpoint with minimal fuss, skipping most of the luggage inspections that others were subject to. It was only then that Theo started to realize the true status of his teacher. This was the privilege granted to an invitation holder.
Thus, Theodore took his first steps into Manavil, the headquarters of magicians.
***
One of Manavil’s most unique features was the Sky Carriage. In truth, the word ‘carriage’ was inappropriate, but there really wasn’t another term that could quite encapsulate it. It was one of the most exotic methods of transportation in the world, where a magician would supply magic power to mana stones embedded in the carriage and allow it to fly through the sky. Of course, this wasn’t true flying magic, so the carriages weren’t particularly fast. However, the appeal of looking over Manavil from the sky made for a great tourist attraction.
One such Sky Carriage gently touched down in front of the steps to the Magic Society.
“We’ve arrived at the Magic Society. Thirty silver!”
“That’s a lot higher than it used to be. I guess that’s inflation for you.” Vince grumbled as he handed the driver three silver coins worth ten silver each.
They’d used a Sky Carriage that was normally used by nobles and wealthy merchants, so the fee was higher than a normal Sky Carriage. If Theo had come to Manavil alone, he would’ve chosen to brave the terrifying crowd in the city.
“Now, let’s hurry.”
“Yes.”
Theo and Vince got off the carriage and walked through the Magic Society’s doors. As soon as Theo passed between the antique pillars that held up the gates, his expression changed. Every magician could detect the density of mana around them. The ability to precisely differentiate densities was a matter of talent and hard work, but most magicians could distinguish between high and low density. On the other hand, Theo’s perception was now far more sensitive than that of a normal magician.
Four or five times denser than outside… No, maybe even more than that.
It had only been a moment or two since he stepped inside, but his breath hitched in his chest. He would catch a glimpse of a magician in rare garments or one that radiated strong magic, but he managed to follow Vince to their destination without getting too distracted.
Vince strode up to the reception desk that handled any external work of the Magic Society and slid the invitation letter to the staff. “Vince Haidel, a Superior of the Red Tower.”
“Please wait a moment.” The receptionist was also a magician, as befitted the Magic Society’s standards, and rapidly verified the invitation’s authenticity with his device.
“It’s verified. Thank you very much.”
The receptionist returned Vince’s invitation and started to describe the magic contest’s schedule for that year. The whole explanation was clearly well rehearsed and practiced, judging by the clarity and speed of his delivery.
The receptionist took a quick breath after finishing his explanation and asked, “Do you have any questions?”
Vince was still processing everything, so there was a beat of silence before he nodded. He glanced at Theo before he spoke again.
“I would also like a registration form for my student to enter the Pupil Tournament.”
“Ah, I will be happy to complete that for you.”
The receptionist was familiar with the process, so he reached into the drawer for a form and started filling it out.
The receptionist looked at Theo. “Name and age, please.”
Theo replied, “Theodore Miller, nineteen years old.”
The receptionist continued writing. “Are you affiliated with any academy?”
Theo nodded. “I am a student of Bergen Academy.”
“And…”
The receptionist filled out the form with all of Theodore Miller’s personal information in ten minutes. He was about to file the application when he caught sight of the last question. He’d almost forgotten to ask since the answer was always the same.
He turned to Vince. “Is he a 4th Circle disciple?”
It was a question that he didn’t even need to ask. Participants in the Pupil Tournament were usually the most talented students. Every participant was a highly talented 4th Circle magician with a robust financial background. It was common knowledge that even though the 5th Circle required a degree of enlightenment, the 4th Circle simply required an accumulation of magic power. That was why Vince’s answer was even more confusing. .
“3rd Circle.”
“… Huh?”
“I said the 3rd Circle.”
The receptionist was taken aback for a moment before recollecting himself. “I’m sorry, but are you sure you want your disciple to participate? All the other participants of the Pupil Tournament are 4th Circle magicians. There are basic safeguards in place, but there is always a serious injury or death every year.”
The receptionist was nearly panicking as he explained desperately. It was common sense that overcoming the difference between Circles was a tall task. Even veteran magicians found it extremely difficult, so what could one expect from an academy student?
However, Vince casually glanced at Theo. “What do you think?”
“I’ll do it,” Theo replied without any hesitation.
He had killed a hobgoblin chief all on his own, which had allowed Alfred’s memories and experiences to permeate deeper into his body. He was confident that no matter how strong his opponents were, they wouldn’t be stronger than a hobgoblin chief.
However, the staff member still hesitated. He was afraid that he would have to bear the responsibility of this student’s death. However, at that moment, a voice boomed out from behind Vince and Theo.
“So what if he’s only a 3rd Circle disciple? A disciple raised by the Red Tower would be more than capable of overcoming a paltry Circle’s difference. There’s no rule that states that the participants have to be of the 4th Circle.”
“Hmm?” Vince turned around and saw a blue-robed magician walking toward them.
A blue robe was a symbol of the Blue Magic Tower. In many ways, they were as famous as the Red Tower.
The blue-robed magician approached Vince with a friendly smile. “Oh, you look like a new face. Is this your first tournament for your pupil?”
A strange expression flashed across Vince’s face for a moment. “That’s right.”
The blue-robed magician disregarded Vince’s short response and leaned in conspiratorially. “I came to give you some advice, but your reaction is so cold. Ah, it’s okay. I’ll let you in on it. Ready? The rules for the Pupil Tournament were changed this year.”
“The tournament’s rules were changed?” Vince’s voice rose in surprise.
The blue-robed magician smiled as he nodded. “Ah, so maybe I can help you.”
But no matter how friendly he seemed, there was just something about him that didn’t seem well-intentioned.