Chapter 82: The Academic Festival at the Tower (3)

Louis could feel Ron’s gaze burning into the back of his head. Naturally, Louis was aware of it but pretended not to notice, as acknowledging him might lead to further complications.

Ah… Am I really popular with older folks?

Louis wasn’t thrilled about constantly being involved with elderly individuals. He tried to ignore the nosy old man hovering nearby, but how could he overlook someone standing right beside him, especially when they were staring so intently?

Finally, Louis spoke up, sounding slightly annoyed. “Aren’t you busy?”

“Not particularly. My subordinates seem busier than me.”

”…It seems so.”

“Heh heh heh.”

I wasn’t sure who this old man was, but he wasn’t ordinary.

‘Is he Tier 1?’

Among all the humans Louis had encountered while wandering through their world, this elderly man appeared to be at the highest level. There was no way such a person could be average.

‘This is quite annoying…’

The old man’s gaze, constantly scrutinizing his surroundings, irritated Louis.

Unaware of Louis’s discomfort, Ron asked without hesitation:

“What are you doing?”

“Can’t you tell by looking?”

“Well…yes, I can see that. Are you fixing it?” Ron chuckled awkwardly.

Louis nodded affirmatively.

“I see you’ve noticed.”

“Heh-heh! And you’re fixing it?”

“There’s nothing I can’t fix since I built this machine.”

“What?! You made that thing yourself?” Ron looked astonished, blinking rapidly as he shifted his gaze between Louis and Dragonfly. It was hard to believe such a claim from someone so young. Honestly, who would?

“But is that true?”

“I only speak the truth. Whether you choose to believe me is up to you, Grandpa.”

“Hmm…I see.” Taken aback by Louis’s bold response, Ron stroked his beard to hide his surprise.

Ron’s intentions were clear to Louis, but he felt no need to prove that he had indeed created Dragon Flare. Why go through all that trouble?

Louis glared at Ron and asked, “How long will you keep hovering there?”

“What…?”

“I can’t concentrate with you pacing back and forth like that.”

“…”

Ron had never been treated so poorly before. Ever since displaying exceptional talent for holy magic as a child, his every advancement was met with praise and flattery. Although he eventually realized most of it was insincere as he grew older, this was the first time someone outright dismissed him like Louis just did.

However, this was his first time encountering someone like Louis who openly tried to push him away.

“Heh-heh-heh.” Ron chuckled heartily.

Louis stared at him blankly before turning away abruptly and focusing on his work instead. The blatant dismissal caused Ron to grimace with a wry smile.

What an intriguing young man.

Despite being treated poorly by Louis, for some reason, it didn’t bother Ron. In fact, the less attention Louis paid to him, the more intrigued he became.

How strange… I keep finding myself drawn to him…

The reason behind this was quite simple. While Louis’s uniqueness certainly played a part, the bigger factor was that Ron himself was a strength-type cleric.

Louis also wielded strength attribute magic. Although his proficiency was lower as a tier-2 mage compared to Ron, the purity of the strength attribute emanating from Louis’s dragon heart far surpassed that of Ron’s own power. Naturally, this drew Ron towards Louis like a magnet.

Huh… Is this what it feels like to have a crush at my age?

Ron, completely oblivious to these feelings, found himself utterly perplexed yet strangely drawn to Louis. If indeed this were a genuine infatuation, convention dictated that the one with unrequited affection should make the first move.

Ron cautiously approached Louis and asked, “Is there anything I can assist you with?”

“No,” came the cold reply, but undeterred, Ron continued hovering around Louis.

Two days after Louis shattered the castle gates…

The vice tower master of the Tower of Luminosity turned to his fellow high-ranking mages. “Where is our lord?”

“He seems to have gone out.”

“Did he go there again?”

One mage awkwardly responded to the vice tower master’s question. “…I believe so.”

“Hmm…” The vice tower master rubbed his chin thoughtfully.

In Prana, the capital city of Lumasia, the Academic Festival was underway. After the opening parade on the first day, participants were given three full days for final preparations before their presentations began. Two of those days had already passed, and it was now the eve of the presentation day.

Ever since the parade, Ron had been leaving often and hadn’t returned yet. Initially, people assumed he simply wanted to explore the area, but that theory didn’t hold up based on reports from his disciples.

However, the news from his disciples completely shattered his expectations.

Was it Louis…?

Witnesses reported seeing Ron with a disciple from the Tower of Wishes.

The vice tower master cleared his thoughts before speaking up. “What have you found out about this Louis fellow?”

“Well…” The high-ranking mage hesitated, appearing uneasy at the question. “Despite our inquiries, we couldn’t uncover much information. It seems he doesn’t hail from the Autumn Continent.”

“I see.”

“Yes, sir. However, there is one rumor that Dawn and Dusk’s vice tower masters clashed on Halfsun to compete for him as their disciple.”

“Halfsun?”

“She was on a passenger ship traveling between Winter and Autumn continents.”

“So she has connections to Winter Continent?”

“That’s our assumption.”

Tak-tak.

The vice tower master tapped his fingers against the table several times before posing another question. “What do you think about this?”

“What would you like us to elaborate on, sir?”

“I’m asking why you believe the Tower Master is interested in him.”

“Well…” The mages surrounding the vice tower master shook their heads.

Ron wasn’t one to be easily impressed despite being presented with countless talented individuals from Fall Continent. It puzzled them as to why he’d show interest in just any child.

“Perhaps it’s simply because he’s cute…?”

“Do you truly believe that?”

“…”

“I’ve served as your vice tower master for forty years now, and I have never seen you make any move without purpose.”

“Could it be…that you intend to take him on as your disciple?”

“It’s not entirely impossible.”

“That seems like quite a leap. You’ve only known him for a few days. What about him would compel you to consider taking him under your wing?”

“Perhaps Lord Gremillion sees something we do not.”

“But sir—”

Ronald Gremillion was the spiritual leader of the Tower of Luminosity, revered by all its members. As such, every action he took garnered keen attention from his disciples.

As such, every move Ron made was closely scrutinized by his disciples.

One of the senior mages sitting to the side spoke up. “Even if Lord Gremillion truly wants to take that child as his disciple…wouldn’t there be complications?”

“Hmm…”

“I’ve heard he’s already a disciple of the Wish Tower. How could he accept him as his own?”

“There isn’t a single person on Fall Continent whom I cannot take under my wing. Although still young, this boy understands well enough which would benefit her more—the Wish Tower or the Tower of Luminosity.”

The high-ranking mages nodded at the vice tower master’s words.

“For now, let us observe them further and discern why our lord is showing interest in him.”

“As you wish.”

“Yes, it’s too early to jump to conclusions.”

With those final remarks, their conversation ended.

Meanwhile, at the Tower of Luminosity…

“Please let me go!”

”…What’s gotten into you?”

The Tower Master of Dawn appeared exasperated by Vice Tower Master Aiden’s tantrum. Over the past few days, Aiden had continually protested against his superior’s decision. Unable to bear it any longer, the Tower Master exploded:

“We have our dignity to uphold! What has gotten into you that you’re acting so recklessly?!”

“Dignity? Are you serious? What if Louis decides to run away because of this?”

“No need to worry. I’ve been told that young Louis has remained quietly near the city walls for several days now.”

“Oh, thank goodness. But listen, that’s not important right now! Just please lift the travel ban already!”

”…”

“What if some other strict jerk snatches up Louis while we’re at it?! Will you—no, will you, boss, take responsibility then?”

Despite their hierarchical positions, Aiden and the Lord of the Dawn Tower addressed each other informally due to their long-standing friendship. The Tower Master sighed, as he had never seen Aiden this adamant before.

“If I lift the ban, would you go after him again and cause more trouble?”

“When have I ever caused any trouble?”

“You mean like what happened with the vice tower master from Dusk?”

Under the Tower Master’s piercing gaze, Aiden awkwardly cleared his throat. “Ahem! W-wasn’t that necessary for securing talent?”

”…”

The Tower Master’s sigh deepened at Aiden’s audacity.

“Ahh… What exactly do you see in that boy to cause such a fuss?”

“I swear on my honor as Aiden. Louis must…must become our disciple. If we can secure him, Dawn will surpass even the brightest Fragment of Luminosity.”

“…”

The Tower Master had often dismissed Aiden’s suggestions before, but this was their first proper conversation. He sighed softly at Aiden’s earnest words.

“…Are you truly serious about this?”

“Boss… It has been sixty years since I joined Dawn. Since the age of seven, I’ve lived solely for Dawn alongside you. Have you forgotten what my ultimate goal is?”

“You know very well… Why else would I do this? To surpass the name of the brightest Fragment of Luminosity.”

“That’s correct. How could I abandon my lifelong goal?”

”…”

As Tower Master, he knew better than anyone how much Aiden cherished and protected Dawn’s Tower. He also understood Aiden’s desire to surpass the brightest Fragment of Luminosity. Thus, he couldn’t dismiss Aiden’s words any longer.

For a moment, their eyes met.

”…I understand.”

“What does that mean…?”

“Tsk, if our sole vice tower master is doing this for Dawn… I cannot stop you anymore. But!”

”…?”

“Please approach Louis properly while maintaining decorum!”

“Ha-ha-ha! Don’t worry, sir. I will uphold propriety while bringing Louis to our tower at all costs!”

From Aiden’s tone, it was clear that any notion of propriety had already left his mind.

The Tower Master sighed and waved him off, signaling for Aiden to leave. Without wasting another second, Aiden dashed out, heading straight toward Louis’s location.

However, this wasn’t just happening within Dawn’s Tower alone.

“Heh-heh, Lord of the Tower, please wait just a moment. I’ll definitely bring back our Louis!”

“Get out, now!”

After much persuasion, Logan finally lifted the travel ban. No sooner had he given permission than Logan rushed off towards Louis as well.

And so, at the same time but from three different locations…

The silent war for Louis’s heart resumed among those who had been feasting on kimchi stew instead of worrying about their missing companion.