[TKOSINM] 127 - Magic Tower

“If Noel says so, then so be it.” Irene answered as if convinced. 

She’d said those words to end the conversation, but to Noel, her words struck him like an arrow. His mouth was itching to speak for no reason, and so he closed his lips pretending to observe the interesting trees outside the window. Irene noticed his reaction from the side of her periphery and her cheeks lifted. Her eyes twinkled as she smiled. How cute.

From then, no conversation between the two flowed.

Contrary to what he had told Louiselle about it being close, the carriage only stopped after they had been on the road for a while. Irene got off the carriage and tilted her head back.

This is…

‘The Tower of Wizards.’ 

It was also known as the ‘Magic Crafting House’ by another name. 

“I’ve heard of it, but it’s my first time coming in person.”

The Tower of Wizards, also called the Magic Tower for short, was an unknown world to Irene. A place where wizards gathered to create mysterious and ingenious tools. Access was extremely restricted, and it was difficult to even visit for a short period of time. For Irene, who could not even go out, it was impossible for her to have even visited the magic crafting house. Irene did not know that she would have the opportunity to come to this place, she only looked around in excitement. 

Tall…

The tower soared into the sky, it’s top endless. As if it were trying to pierce the heavens. Even if she craned her neck, she could not see the top.

“Shall we go in?”

“Oh, yes.”

Irene, who had been observing, hurried along when she heard Noel’s words in her ear. She was so nervous, that she clenched her fist. 

Rather than the Imperial Palace, this is the difficult place to enter...

That was what she had heard. The palace was accessible to those who had their status guaranteed, but the magic tower, even if their status was guaranteed, people could never enter unless they obtained exclusive permission. Long ago, there was such a story -- it was a mysterious and dangerous place, that was so restricted, a nobleman secretly entered the tower and returned insane.

It will be fine.

She believed in Noel, but the article at that time was so intense, so she could not help but feel nervous. 

A huge iron gate was the entrance of the tower. As there was no doorkeeper to open the door anywhere to be seen, Irene looked around curiously. They did not have the key to open this iron door themselves, right? The huge, thick iron gate seemed like it would never open even if ten men rused at it. However, contrary to her expectations, Noel casually pushed the door. It was a light gesture, like turning the pages of a book. What was more surprising was the thick iron door opened with ease. Irene could not hide her startled face.

How does Noel possess such tremendous strength?

Of course, as a swordsman, he would have more strength and stamina than the ordinary person, but that did not mean he could open such a huge iron gate effortlessly. Even his expression remained the same! Unaware of her thoughts, Noel calmly opened the gate, turning around to look at Irene. He paused for a moment, seeing her unusual expression, then he eventually came to a realisation.

Though he was familiar with it, she would obviously be surprised if she was unfamiliar with the magic tower. 

“It’s magic,” he explained.

“Magic?”

“Exactly. This iron gate was crafted with magic. If you imprint your hand on this gate, the next time you touch it, it will open. It’s like a giant safe.”

“Oh wow, I see. How fascinating.” Irene looked up in wonder and admiration. This gate was a magic tool.

It’s far more amazing now that I see it in person.

Though the gate was amazing, Noel, who could freely enter and exit such a secure place, was even more so. With high expectations, Irene went inside. The gate closed automatically. No matter how many times one entered the tower, it was thoroughly designed to prevent one from leaving unless they were authenticated. The inside of the tower was complicated and chaotic. The phrase ‘Magic Crafting House’, was indeed a fitting name. Periodically, crackling could be heard, and from time to time, explosive sounds shook an area. As if to prove that this was the tower, people wearing robes with the insignia of the tower ran frantically, to and fro around them. Noel and Irene slowly made their way deeper, walking along the middle of the path. One would expect interest in outsiders, but none of the mages even spared the two a glimpse. Everyone seemingly appeared so busy. After walking for a while, a cage-shaped elevator inside the tower came into view.

“Go on,” Noel opened the elevator door and guided her in. Irene shuffled in as Noel came and closed the door. He pulled a lever all the way to the end. The elevator rattled as it ascended. Except for the first rattle, the elevator smoothly went up without shaking. The elevator, which had been going up for a while, finally stopped when it arrived at the top floor.

“This is the place. Be careful when you get off.”

Noel, who got down first, grabbed Irene’s arm in case she tripped. She felt ashamed as if she were a child, but the distance between her and the other side of the elevator was quite far. So Irene leaned on his arm and carefully alighted.

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