NOVEL NEXT Chapter 11
Living in the Magic Tower was a bit uncomfortable for Jeongjae. Of course, there were hardly any places in this “other world” where he felt as comfortable as at home, but the Magic Tower had a different vibe altogether.
The facilities, though somewhat old, were nonetheless better than those in the university dorms. With various convenient devices, the bathrooms and washbasins often rivaled those in modern Earth.
Yet, there was something about the overall atmosphere that unsettled Jeongjae. It felt akin to being a civilian in a Pentagon bunker, mingling with four-star generals of the U.S. military—an overwhelming sense of alienation and discomfort.
According to some wizards, the atmosphere of the Magic Tower during peacetime wasn’t always like this. However, when Jeongjae crossed over to this world, the war between the Grand Mage and the Demon Clan was already intensifying and escalating toward crisis.
He had no way of knowing what the “original atmosphere of the Magic Tower” was like.
“Uuaaaahhh!”
Today, just as he woke up, a refreshing scream greeted Jeongjae. When he first arrived in this world, he was terrified that the Magic Tower was using criminals or slaves for human experiments, but thankfully, he learned that slavery was illegal in the Audrich Empire and that using criminals for such purposes was also prohibited.
So what about that crackling noise and screams that accompanied the electric sparks? That was probably the sound of a wizard researching electric magic burning their own hair.
“I lost my job, and now I’m homeless! What am I supposed to do to make a living?”
Whether he cared or not, Jeongjae had grown accustomed to the near-constant explosions and screams echoing from various parts of the tower. As he washed his face with cold water, he listened to the sizzling screams of the wizard researching electric magic next door.
If only he could cast soundproofing magic, but regulations prohibited that.
There were two main reasons why soundproofing magic was banned in the Magic Tower. The first was that too many wizards engaged in foolish acts like creating creative traps in their rooms using barriers, resulting in an outright ban on all types of barrier magic.
Since soundproofing magic was fundamentally a type of barrier magic, he couldn’t complain about it.
Sure, they might allow some leeway to permit soundproofing for privacy, but there had been instances when wizards who had cast strong soundproofing magic missed emergency broadcasts due to summons and slept through them, making even that questionable.
Well, he just had to get used to it. If he could adapt.
“Uwaaaah! I’m getting electrocuted!”
“Read! Read! You should be reading and studying! If you read first and then work, you won’t have these problems! Why do you keep rushing into action without understanding?”
Jeongjae suddenly lost patience and yelled toward the next room. The wizard next door shot back without losing.
“I wish I had a head that could understand whatever I read!”
This was the second reason Jeongjae struggled to blend into the atmosphere of the Magic Tower. Most wizards envied and resented Jeongjae for being a magical genius dropped into this world.
Fortunately, after a brief exchange of shouts, the ruckus from next door died down, and Jeongjae was able to finish washing his face and step outside his room.
It wasn’t wrong to feel jealous. Wizards—especially those who could enter the Magic Tower—were all individuals who had dedicated years to this field. Probably at least ten years, while some had spent over sixty. But not a single one surpassed Jeongjae’s abilities.
In fact, there wasn’t even a close contender. In a certain sense, just how unreasonable was that?
“Even so, I don’t want to live aware of that fact every day…”
At least it was fortunate that he was given a personal research lab in the Magic Tower. The wizards in the tower were so engrossed in electric magic research that they acted strangely anywhere they went—be it the library or their offices.
He could still feel the unsettling sensation from that sticky trap he accidentally stepped on in the library just two days ago.
“I didn’t feel this way at all in university…”
Of course, in the Imperial Magic Academy managed by the Empire, such foolish antics would lead to disciplinary actions or expulsions, not to mention that more seriously, they could affect grades, which would cause everyone to be more restrained.
He couldn’t say it was absolutely wrong. If one got expelled, there were ways to find reasons for re-admission, but the zero-point assignment scores would never disappear, so students of the Imperial Magic Academy were even more afraid of low grades than expulsion.
Anyway, it was strange to think that even these students, who were more subdued when their futures were on the line, turned into this rabble right after graduation.
Maybe the Magic Tower was more like a graduate school than a workplace in this other world? If that were the case, it wouldn’t be surprising to see students go from being gentle in college to being tough and rough after graduating. After all, Jeongjae was someone who had managed to get through his master’s thesis back on Earth. He certainly didn’t live a life where he just haphazardly collapsed under books.
“Well, I understand the pain of being a grad student, so it wouldn’t hurt to relate on that level.”
Jeongjae licked his lips, somewhat regretfully, as he entered his personal research lab. Despite everything, he was an outsider—a very peculiar and powerful outsider.
He was a part of the hero’s company. What sort of people in this world could accept him without prejudice or discrimination? Now that he was cast out from that group, where could Jeongjae find solace and what should he aim toward?
To dedicate himself to magical research and development at this Magic Tower, contributing to the defeat of the Demon King? He had no complaints about devoting his life to such an engaging endeavor, but he disliked the atmosphere of the Magic Tower. He secretly wished Walter would send him somewhere remote as quickly as possible.
Just as Jeongjae was savoring the rare tranquility he could enjoy in this tower, burying his nose in his book…
Knock, knock
A gentle sound came from the door of his research lab. Jeongjae raised his head from his book and spoke.
“Who is it?”
“It’s Gwen. Can I come in?”
Gwen. Gwen Markellius. The head of the Magic Tower, commonly referred to as the “Sage.” In this case, ‘Sage’ was less about wisdom, like in Walter Hellhound’s case, and more about the title usually conferred on the head of the Magic Tower.
Typically, Grand Mages who exhibited unparalleled wisdom and achievements would receive the title of “Great Sage,” but looking at the chaotic atmosphere in the tower at the moment, it was clear that Gwen Markellius was not exhibiting that level of charisma.
Jeongjae felt somewhat sorry for contributing to the fact that this was the case. No matter how wise and powerful she was, if a Grand Mage existed in her time who surpassed her, it was only natural for the prestige of being a Sage to dwindle.
“Yes, Sage.”
At Jeongjae’s words, Gwen opened the door to the research lab and walked in. A hunched-over old woman with white hair donned in a red robe gingerly leaned on her staff as she shuffled in.
Jeongjae hurriedly pulled out a chair for her. Gwen, smiling gently at him, nodded and sat down, leaning her staff against the side.
“What brings you here, Sage?”
Jeongjae asked as he took a seat across her. After removing the hood that shadowed her face, the Sage slowly began to speak.
“It won’t be a long story, so I’ll be quick. How’s life in the Magic Tower treating you?”
“It’s good. The people are enthusiastic, and the facilities are excellent.”
Jeongjae told a slight untruth. Gwen shook her head with a knowing smile, as if she could see right through him.
“The Grand Mage is not someone suited for this tower. Oh, I don’t mean to imply that you’re lacking. Rather, it’s I who am insufficient. A tower led by a powerless old woman like me isn’t a sufficient vessel for a Grand Mage such as yourself. I’m sorry that the wizards under me do not hold the respect they ought to for you.”
Jeongjae genuinely felt flustered and waved his hands.
“Respect? I’m just… I just happen to hold great power. It all just happened to work out. It really is a matter of chance. I wouldn’t say I have any reason to be respected.”
“Great power isn’t the issue. The issue is whether one can bear the weight that comes with it. Many wizards intoxicated by their own abilities fail to understand the burden of heart that comes with holding great power. The weight of the decisions you must make in difficult times.”
Hearing Gwen’s words, Jeongjae recalled the battle at Nomember Castle. The flames of devastation. The magic he unleashed, which destroyed everything in the castle.
It wasn’t an easy decision. He wished he could think of it as a decision made in someone else’s name, simply something he followed blindly. He wanted to be able to think that way, but Walter had shattered that escaping mentality with blunt reasoning.
Yeah. The pressure of managing great power correctly in a crisis—how immense must that burden be.
“Thank you for your kind words.”
“The reason I’m here today is that a royal communiqué regarding your treatment has been issued. Tomorrow, the Grand Mage is requested to attend the Imperial Palace to meet His Majesty the Emperor.”
“His Majesty the Emperor? What could this be about?”
A tremor ran through Jeongjae at the thought that perhaps Jenis’s fears were turning out to be true. He began to tremble, worrying that Walter or other members of the hero party had reported him for some crime.
“Oh, don’t worry; it’s not bad news. Apparently, the hero wishes to confer the title of Baron upon you. His Majesty has approved this proposal, and it has been granted. Congratulations, Baron Park Jeongjae!”
Baron Park Jeongjae. That was such a peculiar title to hear. Was it because they attached the title of baron to a Korean name? In Eastern titles, a designation like “Baron 000” is less common than “000, Baron Park Jeongjae.”
Anyway, of course, there had been rumors that he would eventually receive a noble title, but it was unexpected for it to happen so quickly, especially at a time like this.
And it was Walter’s proposal—the same Walter who had kicked him out of the party not long ago?
Could this be the fulfillment of Walter’s promise to “provide a place for him to settle”? Jeongjae, utterly bewildered, couldn’t help but ask Gwen.
“Will I be granted a fief?”
“Yes. It is reported to be a small castle near a village under the influence of Count Harker’s house. The population is about three thousand, so although small, it holds significance as a fief.”
“Indeed, that size seems suitable for a barony…”
Jeongjae felt more confused about Walter’s intentions than the fact that he was receiving a title. After expelling him from the party, why would Walter strategically insert him into a relatively meaningless barony under Count Harker’s house?
Was this some hidden mission from Walter? Did something magical lie hidden in that territory, and now Jeongjae had to embark on an exploration quest?
“Thank you for the information. That’s all the business, right?”
“Yes, once again, congratulations, Baron-elect. I will take my leave now.”
“Safe travels. You’re not going far.”
Gwen got up, leaned on her staff, and trudged out of the research lab. Despite her appearance, she was capable enough in executing her duties, so there was no need for Jeongjae to accompany her.
More than that, the intent behind Walter’s recent actions was what puzzled Jeongjae.
After the lab door gently shut, Jeongjae bowed his head and once again sank into thought.
“Walter must have seen something through those glasses back then. After that, he kicked me out and said he would provide me with a place to settle. And now, through Walter’s proposal, a small yet decently sized village has been handed over to my jurisdiction…”
Based on the population of 3000, there likely weren’t many people remaining in that fief considering how many might have been summoned to war under Count Harker’s influence. It would be reasonable to estimate that about 2800 would remain since many able-bodied young men would’ve been conscripted.
It didn’t seem likely that a territory under House Harker would be located near the northern border, right next to the Demon King’s Army, so one couldn’t expect any significant role in the war by placing Jeongjae there.
“Oh right. I have a dinner appointment with Count Harker the day after tomorrow.”
It was a timely matter. An invitation from Count Harker that Jenis had relayed to him before he was dismissed. Since he had already accepted, he naturally had to attend, and this was a very good opportunity.
Having a new baron coming to a territory influenced by House Harker certainly meant the Count would be informed in advance. Tomorrow he would meet the Emperor to receive his title, and the day after that, he would ask the Count about the land he was about to receive, as Jeongjae buried his nose back into the book he had been reading.
Regrettably, his mind was now filled with other thoughts, causing the book’s contents to lose their appeal compared to before.