Chapter 13: Chapter 13 - The Inspector (2)
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In the office of the Chief of Imperial Administration.
"Agnes, you're submitting a resignation letter? Are you out of your mind?"
The Chief of Imperial Administration stared across at her with widened eyes, as if he'd heard something preposterous. He was holding Agnes's resignation letter in his hand.
Agnes replied without a hint of hesitation, "Yes."
"Don't just keep saying 'yes'. Explain yourself. You've finally earned a position as an Imperial Administrator after all your struggles in the Magic Tower, and now you want to go back? Does that make any sense?"
"I'm serious."
"Why this all of a sudden? Are you ill?"
But her decision had been made long ago.
She always gave her all to her assigned duties, but she wasn't foolish enough to accept being treated as disposable. This recent mission at the Palace of Penance had led her to decide on retirement; her illusions about the Imperial Administrator position had been completely shattered.
"This work doesn't suit me."
"Is it as difficult as work in the Imperial Magic Tower? It must be better than that!"
The Chief raised his voice, trying to hold onto Agnes.
From his perspective, a competent newcomer like Agnes was a rare find, appearing maybe once every few years. She was even taciturn to boot. Letting her go felt like an unbearable loss.
However, Agnes's expression remained as impassive as ever.
Though she was merely an administrator here, Agnes had been a renowned magician in her own right at the Imperial Magic Tower. No matter how grueling life there had been, she had never felt like a disposable resource.
The Chief continued anxiously, "I always emphasize this. It's most comfortable to just carry out your duties. The Magic Tower has so many people to deal with."
"That's fine with me."
"I hear a new inspector is being appointed. What if they're the complete opposite of you? Are you confident you can endure that? It'll be too late to turn back then! Once you turn your back on the Magic Tower, you can't come back here!"
"Yes. That's alright. I'll be going now."
Agnes turned on her heel, her short black hair swaying.
"Agnes, wait just a moment! Agnes!"
The Chief's cries did nothing to stop her steps.
Click─ click─
With a resolute heart, she began to turn the cube.
She was now heading back to the Imperial Magic Tower, with a heart at peace.
~~••~~••~~
At a restaurant in the downtown area near the Imperial Magic Tower.
"…Letters?"
I furrowed my brow at the mention of letters.
It was a natural reaction. Wasn't this whole situation triggered by the letters I'd written while drunk? Could it be that the replies from the other four had finally arrived?
Fortunately, I soon realized my assumption was wrong.
"They're letters from the Magic Tower. Since they didn't know your address, they were sent to the palace first. Would you like to read them?"
"I might as well."
"Given the timing, they must be about the inauguration ceremony."
Thankfully, these weren't marriage proposal letters. With a sense of relief, I unfolded the two sheets of paper.
First, the first letter.
===== x ===== x ===== x =====
To the esteemed Inspector,
Congratulations on your appointment as this year's Inspector of the Imperial Magic Tower. We wish you continued good health. We eagerly anticipate how your blank years of experience will be filled with achievements at the Tower.
I am Nox, the Chief of Administration at the Tower.
It's difficult to convey sincerity and dedication through mere text, isn't it? We've prepared an inauguration ceremony at the high-end restaurant 'Dawn's Rest' today. If you can make it on time, I will be sure to greet you personally.
===== x ===== x ===== x =====
'The Chief of Administration at the Imperial Magic Tower, huh.'
As Solana had said, it was about the inauguration ceremony. The Chief of Administration would be a fairly high position, though lower than the Inspector. I proceeded to read the remaining letter.
===== x ===== x ===== x =====
Congratulations on your appointment as Inspector.
It's truly welcome news that talent is coming to the Tower. I'm sure there will be blessings in the magic you utilize. Though I've never heard of a commoner making a mark at the Tower, I have expectations for you.
I am Widro, the Chief of Administration at the Tower.
The position of Inspector isn't easy, but I have a considerable amount of information that could be of help. I've prepared an inauguration ceremony at the high-end restaurant 'Twilight's Breath'. I look forward to our meeting.
===== x ===== x ===== x =====
After reading both letters, I closed my eyes.
Two Chiefs of Administration, a one-time inauguration ceremony at the same time, but different locations mentioned in the two letters…. All the clues pointed to only one thing.
"…Would you look at that?"
This was clearly about factions.
There were two separate factions within the Imperial Magic Tower.
The intention behind designing it so that I, the newly appointed Inspector, could only visit one side was obvious without asking. They wanted to see from day one which Chief of Administration I would align with.
In other words, to put it very simply….
─Who are you going to side with?
That's what they were asking. These mere fledglings.
My gaze turned to Solana sitting across from me.
She looked like a bright sunflower turned towards me. Curious about both the content of the letters and my reaction, she had been staring at me with sparkling eyes.
"Solana, do you know about Nox, the Chief of Administration at the Imperial Magic Tower?"
"Of course. He's the leader of the Practical faction."
"What about Widro?"
"I know him too. He's the leader of the opposite camp, the Theoretical faction."
Solana's brow furrowed.
"…Don't tell me, the letters were from each of them?"
"Exactly."
"Oh dear, I suppose the content wasn't pleasant."
She placed her small palm on her forehead.
"Actually, the Imperial Magic Tower doesn't just have poor relations with outsiders. There's also an intense rivalry between the two schools internally. It's not widely known, but those who need to know, know."
"A rivalry between two schools?"
"Yes. Theory versus practicality… That's the nature of the conflict."
"I've heard that magic scrolls have developed quite a bit."
"That's right. As the level of scrolls has improved beyond expectations, many existing magic practices are being questioned these days."
Solana's subsequent explanation was simple and clear.
As scrolls developed beyond a certain point, a sharp divide emerged within the Imperial Magic Tower between the Practical School, which blindly believes in scrolls, and the Theoretical School, which still adheres to traditional methods.
'Asking me to choose between them, how absurd.'
In any case, her explanation confirmed the existence of factions and their attempt to draw me into this conflict.
A hint of concern colored Solana's expression.
"Did they make some unreasonable demands of you?"
"Don't worry about that part."
I had no intention of taking sides with either faction; and I certainly won't be manipulated according to their wishes.
There was something else that bothered me more.
"How are my background and experience currently known?"
"Well… Since your records were erased, there's no career to speak of. Your status should be listed as a commoner."
"I see."
That makes sense. I understand now.
What bothered me most at the moment was their attitude.
I reread the key sentences in the letters.
— We eagerly anticipate how your blank years of experience will be filled with achievements at the Tower.
'Let's see what accomplishments this inexperienced nobody can achieve.'
— Though I've never heard of a commoner making a mark at the Tower, I have expectations for you.
'What's a commoner doing in the Magic Tower? Let's see if you can make any impact.'
The meaning was so transparent, I couldn't help but laugh.
Hoo─
I exhaled a long stream of the sunweed smoke.
"Well, I'm being treated like a proper parachute appointment."
A commoner by birth, with no experience.
For the seasoned Chiefs of Administration at the Imperial Magic Tower, there couldn't be a better prey. How convenient it would be to chew me up thoroughly and use me as a puppet inspector.
"...…"
It was then that I felt Solana's gaze fixed on me.
She was watching me, her chin resting on both hands on the table. At a glance, she looked like a sunflower with its flower base.
I also met her eyes silently, chewing on the sunweed. We used to have moments like this in the past occasionally. Moments of just looking at each other without saying anything.
Solana broke the silence first, "You know, Master."
"What?"
"Spending time like this, just the two of us, doesn't it feel like…"
"It does."
We spoke simultaneously.
"It feels like we're having a lesson."
"It feels like we're on a date."
Solana's eyes widened.
"…A lesson? What am I supposed to be learning right now?"
"A first-rate person should be able to learn from anything they see."
"Forget it. Anyway, this isn't a lesson."
Solana waved her hand dismissively.
"Anyway, you seem quite pleased right now. What's it about? Can I hear it too?"
"It's nothing special."
I crunched on the sunweed.
The small popping sensation in my mouth. Nice.
"They're just asking for a good scolding."
It wasn't a troublesome matter at all.
Just a bit annoying.
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