Chapter 3

  HOW TO LOSE YOUR SOUL IN TEN PAGES OR LESS (1)

  That same morning, two hooded figures approached the towering gates of the Arcadia Magic Tower. Their cloaks billowed slightly with each step as they walked along the luminescent stone path, which pulsed faintly with magic—responding to the vast magical vein beneath the tower.

  The two guests paid no heed to the magic tower’s grand architecture —the spiraling spires crackling with raw magical energy and the ancient magic circles glowing faintly along its stone walls.

  Despite the maze-like pathways, the two hooded figures navigated with ease, as if they had always been there.

  A guard stepped forward. “Stop there.”

  The figures stopped without hesitation. Then, with a slow, deliberate motion, one of the cloaked individuals extended a hand from beneath the robes.

  The hand was slender and delicate, resembling that of a woman. Between her gloved fingers, she held out a golden insignia, catching the eyes of the guards.

  The circular emblem, engraved with a blazing golden sun, was unmistakably —the mark of the Arcadia Magic Tower. But this was no ordinary insignia.

  The guard’s breath hitched.

  The insignia’s entire surface was covered with sixty radiant flares —a rank so high that it overshadowed nearly every mage in the tower.

  It was common knowledge that the number of flares extending from the golden circle in the insignia defined the rank of the mage in the magic tower by giving them access to that many floors on the magic tower.

  A bead of sweat formed on the guard’s temple.

  ‘Who were these people?’ The guard thought.

  He had never seen them before, yet they carried such high authority that demanded immediate recognition.

  “M-My apologies. You may enter.” His voice wavered. “And… is that your companion?”

  The taller hooded figure inclined their head just slightly.

  “Yes. They are with me.”

  The guard hesitated for a brief moment but dared not question further. With a deep bow, he stepped aside, watching as the two figures wordlessly passed through the iron-wrought gates, disappearing into the depths of the mage halls beyond.

  Once they were gone, the guard let out a deep breath he hadn’t realized he was holding.

  “Huh… I’ll never understand those mages.” he muttered, rubbing the back of his neck. “If they hold such high authority, why sneak in like ghosts?” His brows furrowed. “I haven’t even seen them before.”

  He sighed, leaning against his post.

  “This job pays well, sure… but this place gives me the creeps. It’s crawling with psychotic, cackling mages who summon the creepiest, most nightmare-inducing things imaginable. Sometimes it's a floating, screaming skull or a seven-eyed tentacle beast on the loose. How’s a regular guard like me supposed to deal with that?”

  He shuddered slightly, voice dropping to a whisper. “And lately, they've all been acting strange—like they're not even human anymore. Just shuffling around like mindless zombies. It’s been two weeks of this, and I swear… I don’t know how much longer I can take it.”

  …

  The two hooded figures continued moving silently through the vast, ghastly hallway of the Arcadia Magic Tower.

  They came to a stop at the end of the hall, where a large circular platform carved out of a single magetite stone awaited—levitating.

  Without a word, one of the figures stepped forward and drew out the same golden insignia he had presented at the gates. She placed it delicately upon a small glass panel embedded into the pedestal at the platform's center.

  As her fingers brushed the edges, she began to rotate the insignia slowly —until the pointer aligned with the final flare.

  The number of flares in the insignia gave them access to the number of floors in the tower. Setting the destination to the last floor just showed they had high authority and the permission of the tower master of the Arcadia magic tower.

  The platform pulsed in response as it started to move upwards.

  One could have easily made the mistake of thinking a mage could simply fly upward to enter any floor of the magic tower. At first glance, it might seem like a convenient shortcut, bypassing the usual entrances entirely.

  But that would have been the last foolish mistake they ever made. Anyone attempting such an approach would immediately trigger the tower’s deadly traps and self-defense mechanisms —magical weapons designed to annihilate anything and everything that dared to breach its defenses.

  No words passed between the two as the platform ascended in silence, the cityscape below them fading from view through the transparent walls of the magic tower.

  When it stopped, they stepped off with urgency, cloaks swaying behind them, and strode directly toward the only door on the topmost floor, as if every second weighed heavily on them and they couldn’t wait any longer.

  The giant metal door creaked open to reveal a vast and near-empty office—an observatory-like chamber beneath a dome of crystal glass, where half the ceiling revealed the plain sky above and the other half was veiled in protective magic circles.

  With only a few desks and a large round table. And on the central office table sat a man who didn’t even look up to take notice of the two strange figures who entered the office.

  Once, the two hooded figures stood face to face with the man as he slowly set his work back on the table.

  “Who are you two?” he asked with a sneer, laced with mockery—as if he already knew the answer but found amusement in pretending not to.

  The hooded figure in the front, having no choice, pulled off their cloak.

  A cascade of dusky rose hair tumbled down, catching the bright light of the sun above. Her amethyst eyes gleamed with barely concealed frustration, and her long coat—pure white with golden flame-wisp embroidery trailing around the edges—gave her an aura of noble magic.

  Her long hair was held together with a silver hairpin shaped like a phoenix feather.

  “Justin. Where is our master?” she asked, voice sharp, clipped with impatience.

  The man’s smirk deepened.

  “Well, well… if it isn’t Filia Arcaviel, the famed prodigy professor of Grindelwald Magic Academy.” The man pulled back on his chair as if making himself comfortable, putting his hands together. “Mind you, I am the vice tower master now. So, stop calling me by names.”

  Filia didn’t flinch.

  “Justin, I asked you a question. Where is our master?” the woman repeated, without showing any fear.

  “Since when was he still our master?” Justin’s voice slithered out, laced with contempt. “After you abandoned the tower? After you turned your back on everything he gave you? Don’t speak of loyalty you no longer carry, Filia.” Justin said with a smirk pulling at his lips, his eyes remained cold.

  That was the last straw.

  The second hooded figure behind Filia tensed —and in a flash of motion, they threw off their robe. The fabric fluttered to the obsidian floor like a fallen banner revealing a young woman.

  “You bastard!” the woman roared, charging forward with fury.

  Before Justin could react, she was upon him—grabbing him by the collar and slamming him against his own desk, hard enough to rattle the inkpot and scatter parchment.

  His veering eyes met hers—eyes that blazed with divine fury.

  “Lilliana Arcaviel.” Justin muttered with a snarl, clearly struggling to maintain his composure. “What’s the infamous commander of the Divine Flames and the Holy Kingdom’s golden paladin doing between us small mages?”

  The woman called Lilliana glared at the man, tightened her grip around the vice tower master Justin’s neck without answering him.

  “So, the hothead came along too. Of course.” The vice master of the magic tower, Justin still kept to his tune.

  Golden light flickered across the room as Lilliana’s hair shimmered like golden wildfire, strands cascading down her gleaming, ornate armor engraved with the crest of the Holy Kingdom—a flaming sword against a blazing sun.

  “Look at me. Do you think I’m here to take any of your crap, Justin? One more smug word and I swear I’ll—”

  “Lilliana, that’s enough.” Filia’s calm voice caught Lillian’s attention. “Justin, we didn’t come to fight. We came for answers. That’s all.”

  Lilliana released him with a grunt of disgust, shoving him back into his seat. Justin exhaled sharply, brushing off his rumpled robes as if nothing had happened, though his pride clearly stung.

  “I never liked this guy. How dare he talk to you like that, big sis!” Lilliana muttered, folding her arms. “He keeps on talking in circles. Makes my skin crawl.”

  “Neither do I. And I see that you still have your familial bonds going strong. Why show your faces here after all this time?” Justin sneered, straightening himself.

  Filia stepped forward, her gaze never leaving Justin. “Because we received a letter—from Master.”

  At those words, Justin looked more attentive as if he didn’t expect this either.

  Filia brought out a red stone ring, and in the next second, it erupted into a blazing red phoenix.

  The bird landed gracefully on Filia’s shoulder. In its beak was a sealed crimson scroll.

  “What’s master phoenix doing with you?” Justin seemed perplexed.

  Filia gently took the scroll from the phoenix’s moth and placed it on the desk between them.

  “Hah! It's empty. I can’t believe this.” Justin felt amused.

  “That’s what surprises you. He reached out to us personally. He never did this before. That concerns me.” Filia’s voice wavered for a moment but she held strong. “And now that we’re here… he’s gone. Vanished without a trace.”

  “Why ask me?” Justin’s eyes held no warmth, only a flicker of amusement as he spoke. “You two were his prized students, weren’t you? Shouldn’t you be the ones who know where he is? Maybe he just missed your pretty faces, got sentimental… but forgot himself and wandered off to handle tower duties.”

  “And what makes you so sure?” Lilliana butted.

  “That’s what we do, after all—tower masters carry burdens the rest of you can’t even imagine. You can head back to your shiny holy kingdom and academy lecture halls. I’ll let him know his long-lost prodigies stopped by to say hello. I’m sure he’ll be thrilled to see the children who left him behind.”

  Filia’s voice rang out, soft but unwavering. “Justin, you’re his student too. Don’t forget… the three of us—we are brothers and sisters. He took us in when no one else would. We are a family.”

  At that, Justin’s smile shattered. His eyes narrowed as if something snapped inside him.

  “Don’t start with that family nonsense, Filia.” His voice turned cold. “You were the ones who left first. You walked out of this tower, out of his life, and now you come crawling back, playing the loyal children? Spare me.”

  He stood now, walking toward the far wall where the master’s desk remained untouched. Dust had gathered in the corners.

  “He’s been gone for a month. Left on some business—didn’t even tell me where or why. Said it was urgent. Do you think I’m lying? You can check the logs and his desk. It’s all there.”

  Lilliana’s hand moved to her sword.

  “You—! I knew it. You’re hiding something! You always—”

  But Filia caught her wrist.

  “Lilliana, no.” Filia whispered for only Lilliana to hear, her eyes still locked on Justin’s. “We’ll take your word, Justin. But still—may we wait here? In case he returns. And… look around. Quietly.”

  Justin scowled. “Why should I allow that? You aren’t even part of the tower anymore. You have no authority here.”

  Filia stepped closer. The red phoenix on her shoulder gave a soft trill, embers falling from its feathers. Her gaze softened but didn’t back down.

  “This is our home. You know that. Master always said we were welcome anytime. You might wear the badge of Vice Tower Master, but you don’t get to rewrite what he gave us.” Filia held out the Arcadia Magic Tower insignia proudly.

  There was a long pause. Justin’s jaw tightened. Then, with a heavy sigh, he turned away and muttered,

  “Fine. Do as you wish. But don’t stir up trouble. Until he returns, I’m the one in charge —and I won’t have chaos in my tower.”

  Filia gave a small nod. “Thank you, Justin.” Then, more softly, “If Master does return… maybe, just once, we can all sit down again and have a meal together. Like we used to.”

  Justin didn’t answer. His back was turned, his shoulders rigid.

  …

  The tall doors of the vice tower master’s chamber creaked shut behind them, darkness returning to the dim corridors. Filia and Lilliana walked in silence for a while, the soft clinks of Lilliana’s golden armor echoing alongside the faint fluttering of the phoenix still perched on Filia’s shoulder.

  Finally, Lilliana exhaled sharply, breaking the silence.

  “Why do you always go easy on him? You know he doesn’t deserve it, Filia. Not after the way he spoke about you and Father. Not after what he’s become and what I have heard of him, even dabbling in curses and dark magic now.”

  Filia glanced at her, the flame from the nearby torch casting a soft shimmer over her amethyst eyes.

  “Because he’s still our brother… even if he’s lost his way.” Her tone was calm but firm. “Just like you’re my sister. And even if he’s hurt or bitter or angry… we don’t turn away from family. That’s what he taught us.”

  Lilliana scoffed, though her expression softened with guilt. “Then why did Father reach out to you? And not through the official tower channels either—but with his phoenix, with an empty scroll? That’s not something he would do unless…” She paused, fists clenching. “Unless something has happened to him.”

  Filia stopped in her tracks.

  “I know. That’s why I contacted you. I needed someone I could trust.” Filia smiled faintly. “So we can work together to help him. And the way you rushed back, leaving behind all your work I really appreciate it. It must not be an easy job directly working as a paladin under the saintess.”

  Lilliana crossed her arms and stood tall, pride swelling as she listened to her big sister’s praise. “Well, being the personal paladin to the Saintess isn’t exactly an easy job.” Her gaze grew distant for a moment. “But I knew the moment I saw the holy saintess that I wanted to serve her.”

  Filia nodded slowly. “I know we have been all too busy with our lives to even find time to catch up with each other like this.”

  Lilliana raised an eyebrow. “You’re practically a legend yourself. You are pretty famous and popular among the students of the Grindelwald magic academy, and I heard they also call you the Rose Flame.”

  Filia chuckled softly. “They’re just students. I only teach them what Father taught me.”

  “Alright,” Filia said, brushing a lock of pink hair behind her ear. “Let’s use this time to catch up—and more importantly, look for clues. Something’s wrong in this tower. I can feel it. And the other high mages… or the mages of the round table, I didn’t see any of them.”

  “That’s more than suspicious. How can they all vanish just like this?” Lilliana’s voice grew grim.

  Filia’s expression darkened. “Then we need to be careful. Something’s being hidden… and it might not just be about Father.”

  Suddenly, the phoenix on Filia’s shoulder gave a sudden screech, flames flaring briefly—and it suddenly took flight.

  “I guess we have to put the catching up on hold. Let’s chase the phoenix and see where it takes us.”

  This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.

  ◇◇◇

  We followed the directions the guard had given us, winding through cobbled paths until we reached the western back gate of the Magic Tower. It was clear this section had long since been cut off from the main tower halls.

  But this was our best shot if we wanted a way in.

  I glanced back. “Elsie? Alicia?” My voice was hushed, more to reassure myself than to call out. Elsie was still beside me, keeping her eyes on the surroundings.

  But Alicia—

  I spun around. “That girl, not again.”

  I am sure it was when Elsie and I got distracted by the giant Westgate and were looking out for the hidden defenses in place that Alicia vanished.

  Elsie cursed under her breath. She looked visibly annoyed, kicking a loose pebble into the overgrown path. “Did she really want to be a part of our team? Wasn’t she the one who was hellbent on going to the magic tower?”

  That’s when the heavy groan of the western gates opening echoed across the clearing.

  Elsie and I exchanged a look.

  “Maybe it’s better this way. We can move onto our own research without revealing anything to anyone.” I concluded.

  “Right.” Elsie affirmed.

  As the gate creaked wide, we pressed ourselves into the shadows—completely invisible. The tower official stepped through.

  His gaze swept the area… only to find an empty space.

  In this short span I had covered the western gate with my own black steel magic.

  The guard on turning off the lever to pull back the gate, without realizing the difference believed that he had closed the gate.

  The moment he turned away—in that single heartbeat of carelessness—Elsie and I slipped forward inside the tower premises. I snapped my fingers soundlessly, and the fake black metal gate disintegrated, leaving no trace behind.

  We were inside.

  “Let’s head toward the tower now.” I whispered, signaling Elsie with a subtle hand motion to move silently.

  But as we crept forward into the heart of the outer perimeter, a strange unease settled over us. The vast circular courtyard surrounding the base of the Magic Tower—a place that should have been normally buzzing with scholars and mages—was... completely empty.

  “I thought this place would be crawling with battle-crazed mages experimenting with explosives and sacrificial rituals. This silence is... eerie.” Elsie looked displeased.

  For a second, I wondered just what kind of image did Elise had of mages, but I did not ponder too much.

  “It’s not normal,” I murmured, scanning the expanse. “But we can’t afford to waste time. We find what we need before sunset… and leave before anyone notices.”

  A bitter thought crossed my mind. If the Empire’s prince was caught infiltrating the Magic Tower—especially without permission it would definitely be my end.

  So, the only solution?

  I don’t have to get caught.

  I wasn’t going to return to the Jade town empty-handed.

  We reached the side hall leading into the lower tower hallways, slipping past a pair of patrolling guards

  Once inside, Elsie’s eyes widened in awe.

  “…this place is massive.”

  The inner architecture of the tower defied logic. The walls spiraled upward in an impossible curve, vanishing into an open void that revealed the dozens—if not hundreds—of floating floors above. There were no stairs, no ropes, no ladders.

  Circular platforms suspended in midair, swirling slowly like islands on invisible currents of magic.

  “How are we supposed to get up there without stairs?” Elsie asked, her voice tinged with disbelief. “And those levitating platforms… we can’t access them without a registered tower crest.”

  “We don’t.” I said calmly, stepping forward and placing my palm against the cold wall.

  A soft hum of black steel magic pulsed from my body, and with a subtle ripple of energy, a tunnel began to form —resonating with the unaligned magical fields within the wall itself.

  A narrow tunnel shaft carved upward through the tower’s inner layer, with a ladder of dark iron rungs coalesced into place.

  Elsie worriedly asked. “Won’t this activate the tower’s magic defense?”

  I shook my head, smirking slightly.

  “Not exactly. The tower’s defense system is designed to detect unauthorized disturbances in the flow of magic in the surroundings whenever someone tries to access a restricted floor. But this tunnel, made from my black steel magic, has fused with the tower walls. That’s why we can move through this space freely without triggering the tower’s defenses.”

  Elsie gave a low whistle. “So, the tower won’t even know we were here. Your magic never ceases to amaze me, prince.”

  Elsie glanced upward at the spiraling tunnel. “So which level are we heading to? The Hall of Whispers? The Sanctuary of Tortured Souls? The Rift Gallery? The Inner Ascension? Arcane Vault? The Maze of Illusion? Honestly, is there even a single floor here that sounds remotely normal?”

  “The Arcane Vault.” I said without hesitation. “It’s where the tower stores its developed artifacts, prototypes, and magical research. If there’s any tool that can help us extract and refine the ore, it’ll be there.”

  With that, we began to climb.

  Step by step, the tunnel that wrapped around us absorbed every sound. The tower’s defenses remained dormant.

  At the fiftieth floor, the tunnel released us into a dimly lit chamber—The Arcane Vault.

  We tried to be attentive to our surroundings.

  “The perimeter looks… empty.” Else muttered as she scanned the deserted hallways through the tunnel before coming out.

  “Too empty.”

  There were no guards, no mages, no footsteps.

  Something felt wrong, but I couldn’t put my finger on it.

  Rather than being indecisive, we decided to proceed further with our plans to move out, and head to the Arcane Vault, and look inside.

  It was an arched doorway with no gate, and green light poured from within.

  Once we entered through the gateway, the place lacked any life forms.

  The entire place was like a giant store room for the magic tower.

  Shelves brimming with magically engineered devices, scrolls hanging from the walls. Another section had ancient grimoires and research manuals of all fields of magic.

  Different kinds of ingredients preserved and stored in cold chambers. And even magical swords and staffs could be found all over the place.

  “Now we just need to look for the right thing.”

  Elsie and I were overwhelmed as we were not even sure what we were looking for, and there was too much to search from. But we were still determined because the future of Jade town depended on this find.

  We decided to split and look around.

  ◇◇◇

  I wasn’t exactly sure what we were looking for—but, if we were trying to process and refine a raw magical ore, it had to be something big, loud, and badass-looking, right?

  “So… something big and mad magic tech.” I muttered aloud, scanning the room filled with magical items. “That should narrow things down for me.”

  The Arcane Vault was filled with all kinds of magic machinery monstrosities. Giant electric balls, alchemic hands, drill engines, a magic maw, and several furnaces that I couldn’t get close to because of the heat they produced.

  But as I stared at some of these giant machines, a tiny problem struck me.

  “How the hell am I supposed to carry these back with me?” I grumbled. “Forget that—can I even fit the ore into these constructs without knowing how to use them?”

  Then, something flickered in the corner of my eye.

  My pouch—hanging by my waist—was glowing. Faintly, but undeniably. I blinked and yanked it up, undoing the clasp. The ore nestled inside pulsed with a dim light.

  I held it up.

  The glow intensified.

  Shifting my hand ever so slightly, I noticed the radiance flaring brighter in one direction, like a compass drawn towards its magnetic north.

  “Sweet.” I grinned. “I am onto something.”

  And so began my scavenger hunt through the Magic Tower’s grandest arcane vault. I weaved my way through the giant shelves, letting the ore guide me like a dowsing rod, ignoring anything that didn’t trigger light from it.

  Eventually… it led me to a dead-end wall.

  “That’s odd.”

  I stared at it.

  Solid stone.

  No door. No inscriptions. Just a flat wall, cold to the touch.

  Yet, the ore blazed in the pouch—brighter than ever.

  “This is strange… Should I call the prince, too? Or maybe he’s already noticed this strange phenomenon.”

  Just as I turned slightly to head back, I decided to rest for a moment—my shoulder brushing against an old shelf beside me.

  Clink.

  A lever—previously hidden from sight—shifted as I accidentally nudged a protrusion from one of the devices nearby.

  A low, mechanical click echoed through the chamber.

  And then… the wall began to move.

  With a deep, grinding rumble, the dead-end split cleanly in two, stone parting.

  I skeptically approached the opening, half-hoping I’d just stumbled into the secret vault of the magic tower.

  “Did I just discover the secret stash of the magic tower?” I whispered to myself, excitement bubbling beneath my caution.

  But my optimism was short-lived.

  From within the darkness, a hand shot out—scraping against mine.

  “Shit!”

  I recoiled on instinct, staggering back just in time.

  The figure that emerged was now halfway out of the cleaved wall. My breath caught.

  The red uniform—tattered and stained—was unmistakable.

  A mage of the tower.

  “I-I'm sorry! We came here by mistake!” I stammered. “I lost my way… so could you please, uh, just… excuse me?”

  My legs were already coiled like springs, ready to bolt or swing to knock his lights out. I was praying this person wouldn’t shout for help.

  Then he lifted his head.

  “Grahhhh…”

  His mouth hung wide open, saliva dripping down in slow strands. His pale skin stretched too thin, and his eyes had rolled back so only the whites remained.

  “…Graahhhh…”

  My blood froze. My scream—unfortunately—did not.

  “EEEEK!”

  Before I could react, more figures began shoving out of the hidden chamber.

  Dozens of red-robed mages, their faces equally hollow, their limbs twitching unnaturally.

  “Gotta go—definitely gotta go!” I muttered, spinning on my heel and sprinting back through the vault.

  I didn’t need to look behind me to feel their jerky, rabid movements as they started chasing.

  But I looked anyway.

  Their arms flailed like broken marionettes, bodies swaying off-balance but somehow moving inhumanly fast.

  “Never in my life did I imagine I’d be running from mindless mages.” I wheezed, leaping over a cluttered pile of magical scrap.

  They were catching up. And fast.

  Which made no damn sense. These people lived indoors, they should have the physique of a breadstick and brittle bones, not breakneck speed!

  “Please don’t hold a grudge!” I yelled as I rounded a sharp corner.

  I needed to cut them off.

  Fast.

  I planted one foot firmly, pivoted, and kicked a nearby shelf—hard.

  The impact sent a violent tremor through the rack.

  A beat later—

  CRASH!

  The entire metallic structure came toppling down, burying a mess of magical tools, enchanted boxes, and god-knows-what ancient relics into a wall of debris between me and the incoming horde.

  BOOM!

  Dust exploded into the air, shrouding the corridor in a hazy mist.

  I didn’t wait to see if that stopped them as I ran harder.

  Having no choice after being discovered, I decided to run and escape with the prince before it was too late. I'm sure he must have heard the noise, so we’ll meet soon.

  ◇◇◇

  In search of the deadliest curse book in the world—and on Nia’s and Caige’s suggestion—I made my way to the biggest magic tower known: Arcadia Magic Tower, of the Arcadia Kingdom.

  Flying toward the kingdom, I wasn’t exactly sure what landmark to look for.

  But then I saw it.

  A tower so tall, it pierced through the clouds and an entire city surrounded it.

  “Nia was right.” I murmured. “I’d know it when I see it.”

  This must really be the Arcadia Magic Tower. It’s huge. I’m sure I’ll find something useful here.

  But as I approached the gates with hopeful excitement, I was... denied entry.

  Fervently. Rudely.

  They even laughed, calling me a little girl, and scoffed at my claim of being a magical genius.

  Those guards didn’t know what they were talking about.

  But then an idea struck me—simple, elegant, and effective.

  Get hired.

  If I couldn’t walk in as a scholar, I’d sneak in as a worker. I’d take an adventurer’s quest for the tower and get inside legally—as a hired hand.

  So I made my way to the adventurer’s guild, scanned the quest board, and started looking for the perfect quest for access to the tower.

  Only, just as my hand touched the parchment—

  Another hand touched it, too.

  Turning to see who dared snatch my opportunity.

  And there he was.

  Ken.

  What was he doing here?

  I mean, sure, I might have wondered once or twice what he was up to.

  It’s not like I missed him or anything.

  Was what dad said true? Was this guy following me?

  Or was this just another one of those weird coincidences?

  Either way, I didn’t have the luxury of wasting more time. It had taken me long enough just to find my way to the guild. The last thing I needed was another delay.

  So, maybe... just maybe… I’d party up with him again.

  That way, I could see for myself whether he was here for some suspicious reason, or if—like me—he had business in the tower.

  And if it turns out he's being shady? Then I’d follow mom’s advice and kick him where it’s supposed to hurt.

  For now, this worked in my favor by saving time in finding my way back to the magic tower.

  Luckily, by the time the three of us reached the tower's gates, the guard shift had changed, and no one recognized me from my earlier... unofficial visit.

  Once inside the grounds for the quest, I made my move.

  I slipped away from Ken and Elsie to go look for the library on my own.

  I didn’t want to involve Ken and Elsie. I’m sure they’d find it strange if they heard I was searching for a cursed magic book.

  No one truly understands the pursuit of magical research and discovery.

  Since it was going to be a gift for dad, this was something I had to find on my own.

  And finding the library was the next challenge for me that I had to overcome.

  Luckily, I had already gathered a crucial piece of information from the guild—that the library building was separate from the main magic tower.

  That narrowed things down.

  So, I started scanning the surrounding structures, looking for the second largest building beside the towering spire of Arcadia. My search led me into a beautifully kept garden.

  There, I spotted two mages in deep conversation, clearly immersed in some kind of magical theory.

  “Hello,” I called out politely. “Can you please tell me the way to the library?”

  They didn’t even flinch.

  “Excuse me?” I tried again, a bit louder.

  Still nothing.

  The two continued their heated discussion, completely ignoring me like I was invisible to them.

  I was not about to be dismissed a second time today.

  With a swift motion, I snatched the research paper from one of their hands mid-sentence and quickly scribbled a magic circle on it.

  My calculations were instant. I'd already understood what they were trying to do from a glance.

  “Hey! What do you think you're doing scribbling on my—” he started.

  But his partner cut in, eyes wide. “Wait. Look at this.”

  The first guy stared at the magic circle I'd drawn, and his jaw dropped.

  “No way… Is this what I think it is?”

  “I think this is exactly what you’ve been looking for,” said the second mage, practically vibrating with excitement.

  “This solution—it’s genius. I’ve been working on this theory for two years, and never thought about passing the magic particles through a filter using a magic circle to control the magic flux when I could not find any direct substance in nature!”

  “Now,” I smiled sweetly, “could you please tell me where the library is?”

  “Oh—yes! Of course!” The once-ignoring mage now looked embarrassed. “Take a left at the next corner, cross the bridge, and you’ll see a giant dome. That’s the library.”

  “Thank you.” I said with a satisfied nod, already moving.

  I was quite happy to hear them acknowledge my help and support me in return as I followed their path.

  …

  “Just who was that girl?” one of the mages asked, still staring down the path she vanished on.

  “No idea,” his companion replied, rubbing the back of his head. “Is she even with the tower? And what’s with that weird mask?”

  “Who cares? Arcadia’s full of lunatics and geniuses. Let’s proceed with our research now that we have a breakthrough.”

  “Let’s head to the tower. It’s been weeks since I last stepped inside my lab.”

  …

  Everyone here was… surprisingly kind.

  Sure, at first, they might ignore me like I'm some pesky squirrel chirping outside their window. But the moment I show them I understand their passion—or better yet, improve their magic—they completely open up.

  After chatting with five different groups—each with their own eccentricities and absurdly complicated problems—I found myself knee-deep in magic theory, modifying spell equations, enhancing magic circles.

  I couldn’t believe it when one elderly mage actually threw his hat in the air and dashed off, screaming, “EUREKA!”

  Finally, after all that hard work, I stood where I truly belonged.

  Right in front of the grand Arcadia Magic Tower Library.

  “Time to go in.”

  The library was a massive dome of enchanted glass that rose high above, shimmering like a prism.

  Shelves with never-ending tops were filled with books. Dozens of floating platforms hovered to take the readers to any levels.

  I didn’t know exactly where to start. The library was massive.

  So, I employed my secret tactic again—casually helping a few mages with their failed spellwork. A few conversations, two magic chain corrections, and for once, pretending to be interested in magic fungi.

  …I found myself at the entrance to the Dark Magic Section.

  It was immediately quieter. The light dimmed naturally.

  Tucked away on the bottom shelf, I found the section labeled with the cursed books.

  To my surprise, there were only a handful of books.

  So, I just started to scan through the titles.

  “How to Lose Your Soul in Ten Pages or Less.”

  “Accidental Necromancy and You: A Beginner’s Guide.”

  “Hell’s Kitchen: Cooking with Curses.”

  “101 Ways to Accidentally Open a Demon Portal.”

  These were all novice-level cursed books.

  There’s no way I could hand over something like this to the True Demon Lord.

  No, I needed the real deal. Nothing in here screamed of having world-ending potential.

  “….”

  I froze mid-reach, my fingers hovering just above the spine of Cooking with Curses.

  A strange sensation prickled at the back of my neck.

  My spider instincts flared.

  The air inside the library had shifted. Heavier. Darker. Like something foreign had slithered into a place it didn't belong.

  But I could recognize this powerful mana signature anywhere now.

  “―Found you.” My mask concealed my expression, but inside, my mind raced.

  I glanced back at the cursed books with a sigh.

  “Well,” I muttered, brushing a speck of dust off my glove. “I guess the search for the curse book will have to wait for a while.”

  ◇◇◇

  The moment he stepped into the library, the air warped.

  A towering figure emerged from the shadows, cloaked in a long black coat. Accompanied by a complex, serpentine red cravat—knotted like a noose around his neck.

  His gait was slow—deliberate. A black cowboy hat sat low over his face, concealing all but the sharp glint of crimson eyes beneath. Jet-black strands of hair fell across his brow like ink stains.

  His long coat, split at the sides, dragged behind him with ruffled shoulders that billowed like wings of a fallen angel. Dark riding boots echoed against the stone floor, each step leaving behind a thin trail of violet-black haze.

  Humming a low, jolly tune, he wandered down the hall.

  Wherever he passed the mages or scholars, they collapsed silently, faces twisted in frozen terror, caught mid-expression like broken statues. A few powerful mages with magical resistance tried to escape, but even they dropped to their knees, clutching their heads as dread seeped into their minds.

  “I just love this smell of fear.” The intruder whispered.

  Unbothered by the chaos, the man walked with the calm of a butcher through livestock. Eventually, he reached a dead-end shelf—an old, worn wall of books. His hand moved inside his coat and revealed a polished insignia with the Magic Tower’s crest.

  “I was told I could find what I was looking for here. I am still waiting for his final offering. But this will have to do for now to entertain me.” the man looked amused with himself.

  The shelf rumbled… and then shifted, parting to reveal a secret room that had not existed a breath ago.

  Beyond the false wall lay a chamber of cursed and forbidden books. Every book radiated a twisted presence as though they were alive.

  The man’s lips curled into a crooked smile.

  “So, he wasn’t lying after all… This truly is a banquet.”

  He walked inside and reached for a thick, cursed book. The moment he opened it, a sickly purple light escaped the pages. Without hesitation, he opened his mouth—and it split into four jagged sections, like a flower blooming from hell.

  Rows of gnashing, circular teeth emerged, and with a sucking vortex, he devoured the curse right out of the pages.

  That’s when a small voice rang out beside him.

  “Hello, mister. I wanted to ask you some questions. Can you please answer them for me?”

  The man paused.

  He hadn’t sensed anyone. He turned his gaze down slowly—and there she was. A young girl in an elegant white outfit, a featureless white mask covering her face like porcelain.

  “How did you…?” he muttered.

  He ignored the girl’s request and sank into thought. For a moment, he did wonder—how had the girl not been affected by his presence? How had she approached him without triggering his senses?

  But then, he smirked.

  “She is just a single human. This can be a good way to kill time.”

  He lowered his hat. His eyes were pitch black, glowing with red orbs like coals buried deep in ash.

  “You look like such a kind and sweet girl... So, why don’t you be my playmate this time? I was getting so bored waiting.”

  With a flick of his finger, a magic circle burst to life beneath the girl’s feet— he cast an advanced curse spell.

  “Let’s see how long it takes for your organs to rot from the inside. Though I am not going to stick around to see your death.”

  He turned, having already lost interest.

  That’s when her voice replied—calm, amused.

  “What a coincidence. I was getting bored, too.”

  The man stopped.

  What?

  A tremor shook his body—a feeling he only felt in the presence of his master.

  Suddenly, the spell he cast reversed. His eyes burst, bleeding red tears. Blood flooded from his ears in thick, pulsing gushes. He dropped to one knee, clutching his chest, pain blooming in every corner of his body.

  Inside, his organs twisted violently—squeezed, shredded, and churned into a grotesque pulp.

  “AHHHHH! What did you do!? How did you…turn back the curse!? What ARE you!?”

  His bloodied gaze shot up.

  The girl stood still.

  A crack stretched across her porcelain mask—revealing a wide, unhinged smile beneath it. Nowhere to find the kind expression he saw before.

  The sweet aura she once exuded was gone—replaced by something sinister, deranged.

  “You said something about death earlier…” she whispered. “But where’s the fun in killing you before I get what I need?”

  She took a step forward, shadows coiling at her feet.

  Her voice turned to a whisper that chilled his bones.

  “Now then… Mr. Devil Apostle. Will you answer some of my questions now?”

  ◇◇◇

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