[Translator - Kiteretsu]

    [Proofreader - Kyros]

    Chapter 46

    In Front of Kaylen''s Research Lab

    It had only been a day since Kaylen was assigned a research lab at the Magic Academy, but a crowd had already gathered outside.

    “All the representatives from the Water Towers have shown up, haven’t they?”

    “Yes. Not only the Tower Lords who attended yesterday’s Superior Mage Awards ceremony but also other Tower Lords who heard the news are reportedly on their way. Rumor has it that some are sprinting here at full speed, equipped with mana suits.”

    “Normally, I’d call that ridiculous, but... given the results, it’s hard to dismiss.”

    Irene’s words were spot on.

    No Tower could offer terms surpassing those of the Tower of Fairies.

    “We, the Glacier Tower, are prepared to stake everything for you.”

    One by one, the Tower Lords approached Kaylen directly, offering enticing proposals.

    Their conditions were largely similar:

    - The position of the next Tower Lord.

    - Full ownership and operational rights over a B-grade mana suit.

    - Unrestricted access to the Tower’s wealth and resources.

    “Our Tower is situated on fertile lands, fully prepared to ascend to major status. If you join us, we’ll reach the level of a major Tower within ten years.”

    “Use as much money as you need. Whatever materials you require, we’ll procure them. All we ask is that you serve as our Tower’s Meister.”

    At a glance, some Towers seemed to offer better terms.

    The Tower of Fairies had only promised to lend an A-grade mana suit, while other Towers not only offered full ownership of a B-grade mana suit but also granted unrestricted access to their wealth.

    However, these offers came with one critical condition.

    “Once the Engraving Ceremony is complete, everything we promised will be fulfilled immediately.”

    “If you’re worried about us reneging on our promises after the engraving, we can get it pre-certified by the Holy Office beforehand. You know their certification is binding and unquestionable.”

    The Tower’s Engraving referred to the process of marking a Meister’s official affiliation with a Tower. It involved inscribing tattoos symbolizing the Tower on the Meister’s hand, back, and chest.

    Once engraved, these marks remained for 20 years.

    If a Meister betrayed their Tower or caused significant damage, the Tower could banish them.

    A banished individual would have a large “Exile” brand marked on their face and be treated as a criminal within the mage community.

    They would not be allowed to join another Tower and would face severe restrictions in buying or selling magical goods.

    This was effectively a societal death sentence for a mage.

    Because of this, most engraved Meisters wouldn’t dare go against their Tower.

    Kaylen, however, responded with a disinterested expression.

    “Understood. Thank you for your kind offers.”

    From the beginning, Kaylen had no intention of affiliating with any Tower.

    The inclusion of the engraving condition only solidified his lack of interest.

    ‘All I care about is acquiring a high-grade mana suit.’

    Money and materials were secondary.

    For Kaylen, the mana suit was of utmost importance.

    The angel’s advice to avoid using the power of the Blade Deity weighed heavily on his mind. Additionally, with the balance of the Six Blades broken, he could currently only wield the Water and Light Blades.

    Until the balance was restored, he needed the support of a mana suit.

    Given this, there was no reason to choose a B-grade suit when an A-grade was available for loan.

    “You don’t seem interested at all...”

    Even with the Tower Lords offering conditions that would make anyone’s eyes widen, Kaylen remained unmoved, much to their frustration.

    As Kaylen’s firm resolve became clear, the Tower Lords, believing he had been tempted by the favorable terms of the Tower of Fairies, began to disparage it.

    “I imagine the Tower of Fairies must have made an appealing offer.”

    “But that place is overly insular.”

    “Let’s not forget, the origins of that Tower lie with displaced non-human races seeking a means of survival.”

    “Humans who go there often end up being exploited by the elves. Those elves cunningly use their otherworldly beauty to manipulate human society!”

    “The elves of the Tower of Fairies are craftier than the most cunning courtesans. The notion of innocent elves belongs in fairy tales.”

    “There’s no shortage of Meisters who’ve ruined themselves after getting involved with them. Even if their terms seem good, you must consider it carefully.”

    Listening to their warnings, Kaylen smirked inwardly.

    “I know that better than anyone.”

    Elves always prioritized their tribe above themselves as individuals.

    He recalled Deluna, his fifth wife in his previous life and a High Elf, abandoning even their child to save the World Tree, cutting off all contact in the process.

    “Still, from the way they’re all bringing this up, it seems elves are really leveraging their looks.”

    He couldn’t help but think of Irene, one of the seven leaders of the Tower of Fairies, who often wore scanty attire.

    It had puzzled him before—how drastically their fashion had changed compared to the elves he’d known in the past. But it seemed their adaptation to human society now involved wielding their beauty as a weapon.

    “Not that it works on me.”

    Kaylen had grown immune to such tactics long ago.

    “If we could use mana suits freely, we wouldn’t have had to abandon our original homeland.”

    “What kind of side effects?”

    “It’s simple—aging,” Irene explained, her gaze fixed on the Meisters equipping their mana suits.

    “When an elf wears a mana suit, aging progresses rapidly. The rate of aging is unpredictable. Using the suit more doesn’t necessarily make it worse, and sometimes, just wearing it once can lead to complete aging and death.”

    “So, the effects are entirely random?”

    “Yes. That’s why we elves avoid wearing mana suits ourselves. Instead, we provide the best support for human Meisters in the industry.”

    Kaylen glanced at the Meisters smiling brightly among the radiant elves. Their happiness seemed almost surreal.

    “Does the ‘best support’ include the elves themselves?”

    He couldn’t help but notice how all the Meisters’ spouses or lovers were conveniently elves.

    “Every Meister seems to have an elven partner. Was that intentional?”

    “Not at all,” Irene replied, smiling gently. “The elves admire and respect the Meisters deeply. These relationships developed naturally, through mutual affection.”

    Kaylen found her words insincere.

    Staring at Irene’s smiling face, he mused silently: “How calculated.”

    “If you join the Tower, many elves will be curious about you. Can’t you already feel their gazes on you?”

    “They’re... quite intense.”

    “If you find someone you’re interested in, let me know. I can introduce you to anyone you like.”

    “I’ll keep that in mind, though no one has caught my eye just yet. If that changes, I’ll let you know.”

    “Take your time,” Irene said with a chuckle. “I’m sure you’ll find your perfect match here.”

    As she spoke, her expression suddenly shifted, her brows furrowing.

    “This smell...?”

    The once-refreshing scent of the Tower was now overshadowed by a pungent odor.

    It was the unmistakable stench of alcohol, thick and overwhelming, wafting from the path ahead.

    Gulp. Gulp.

    “Ha! Maybe you should find yourself a match first, Irene.”

    “Brother!”

    A tall male elf, staggering and heavily intoxicated, was walking toward them.

    “You, of all people, have no right to lecture me about relationships!” Irene snapped.

    “What does it matter?” the elf retorted, his voice slurring.

    He was the spitting image of Irene, with the same striking elven beauty, though marred by scars.

    A large scar stretched from his forehead to his right cheek, ending at the remnants of a severed ear. The black eyepatch he wore hinted that his right eye was no longer functional.

    Leaning heavily on a large staff, he shuffled unsteadily toward Kaylen, his gait uneven.

    When he reached him, he fixed Kaylen with a bleary, half-lidded stare.

    “Heh... so this is the guy I’m handling?”

    “What are you talking about, Brother? He’s my responsibility.”

    “Hiccup. I’ve been reassigned. He’s mine now.”

    “Reassigned? All of a sudden?”

    “That’s right. So leave him to me and go focus on finding yourself a partner.”

    With a dismissive wave of his hand, he shooed Irene away like an annoying fly.

    Then, he turned to Kaylen, extending his calloused, scarred hand for a handshake.

    “Nice to meet you, friend. I’m Eldir.”

    Kaylen looked down at the elf’s hand, noting the countless cuts and marks across his palm.

    “Interesting,” he thought. “This is no ordinary elf.”

    The handshake revealed calloused palms.

    “...A swordsman’s hand.”

    As their hands clasped, Eldir grinned broadly.

    “Sharp eyes, firm grip... You’re as solid as they say. Seems like a real talent’s appeared among us.” He chuckled, then added slyly, “But why’d you fall for it, huh?”

    “Brother!”

    Smack!

    Irene slapped Eldir hard on the back, making him flinch and quickly withdraw his hand.

    “Ow! What was that for?”

    “Stop talking nonsense and let us pass, Brother,” Irene scolded.

    “Alright, alright... geez.” Eldir raised his hands in mock surrender, swaying slightly as he stepped aside.

    “I apologize, Kaylen,” Irene said with a sigh, watching her brother stagger away. “My brother can be... peculiar. Or, well, hopeless, depending on the day.”

    While Irene sighed in exasperation, Kaylen remained silent, his gaze fixed on his hand.

    “They still exist... here, on this land.”

    Eldir.

    That man was a Sword Master.

    [Translator - Kiteretsu]

    [Proofreader - Kyros]