The world is terrifyingly dark.

Even if the sun is up, it isn’t day, and even if the moon is up, it isn’t night. If you’re living a dark life, day and night are equally pitch black.

What is the joy of life? Why was I born into this world? What should I do in the future? Is the world really filled only with suffering…?

Instead.

To survive, you must be wary of your neighbors, and if you don’t want to be sold off to some strange perverted noble or lunatic, you have to kill your family, and if you’re not vicious, you die, and the one who suffers is the fool…

I couldn’t learn what I was supposed to learn, and I learned what I shouldn’t have.

“Selvier was born with really pretty hair.”

“With this much, it would be a great help to our family. Maybe we could even get gold coins.”

“I’ll sell you to a good place. If you become the adopted daughter of a noble family, wouldn’t your life blossom? Even if every night is a bit painful, how happy would that life be!”

These were the words Selvier had heard from her mom and dad.

When she was a child, she didn’t realize the strangeness of this sentence. She had learned and grown up that way from her hometown. Family, neighbors, friends, everyone thought that way.

Since parents worked hard to give birth and raise children, it was natural for children to be sold off in gratitude. They had to repay the kindness of being raised, even if it meant with their bodies.

If you don’t meet your quota, you’ll go hungry, so if you can’t afford to have and raise a child, you have to steal someone else’s child and sell them.

And if you don’t want to be sold off, you have no choice but to become the one doing the selling…

In the outskirts of the village, children huddle together and talk.

“My dad has a big scar on his face; he got it while killing my dad’s dad. My dad is always lurking around me… I wonder if I should kill him before I’m sold off.”

“I, I’m just… going to be sold. I’ll meet my real mom and dad there and live happily. I don’t want to be at home anymore…”

“Mom seems to watch you often, Selvier. I think she’s planning to steal you and sell you off secretly. I’ll let you know… should you tell your brother what you’re planning to do too?”

These are not words that should come from a child. But no one found it strange. This village was designed as a kind of farm, isolated from the outside as a ‘continuous supply source of living sacrifices.’

In the early days of the village’s formation, illusion magic had an influence. It diminished the morality of the villagers and imbued them with a passivity akin to that of livestock. However, now, after a considerable passage of time, even magic is no longer necessary.

The long-standing bad habits have solidified into culture. They are no longer swayed by external stimuli. They have genuinely learned and come to believe this way.

This is the hidden side of a village that seems to live healthily and ordinarily.

Selbier’s hometown, Sanjevi Village, has gone mad.

Everyone lives with their eyes closed to the truth. Not a single person sings of the sky’s blueness, the chirping of birds, or the happiness of life. The world is, horrifically dark.

Yet, they were unaware of the darkness. Because they did not know brightness.

So, so it goes.

“You’re Selbier, huh? Nice to meet you. My name is ▒▒▒…”

That boy was more special than anyone else.

The sun of Selbier, who showed him a life shining in brilliant colors.

⋯⋯⋯⋯.

After looking at the sun, even when you close your eyes, the afterimage remains. The brighter the light, the more so. Perhaps that’s why.

Even with my eyes closed, the boy’s figure lingers on my cornea. The scene of meeting him again in a dream repeats over and over.

Rustle. I wipe my eyes.

Even now, having just woken up from under the blanket in the dormitory of the red tower. The afterimage swims with tears in the darkness beneath my eyelids.

Because it was too bright.

——–

Beep beep beep beep.

Beep-!

I smack the head of the phoenix-shaped alarm magic clock to silence it.

Even though the temporary break from the academy has thrown my schedule into disarray, Selbier had no intention of wasting time.

With ambition, he would hone himself and earn recognition from the lord of the red tower to become a direct disciple. And then.

Using the ‘wish ticket’ that the lord of the red tower gifts to his disciples, he would ask to find his childhood friend.

Every time he puts in effort, the time until their reunion shortens. So where would there be room for rest?

Fortunately, Selbier had talent.

Though he may not be the material for a grand wizard who reaches the extremes of magic, he is evaluated to have the potential to grow to the point of making a name for himself across the continent.

He was already a genius who had achieved 2nd rank, ‘Tuning’ and ‘Answering.’

His sense of catching and manipulating the flow of magical power is exceptional, and his adaptability and improvisation skills honed through experience are also remarkable. Thanks to a mad wizard who had exposed him to all sorts of experiences, even tentacles now seem cute.

The only thing lacking is the amount of magical power.

This too has significantly increased due to the academy’s ‘unconditional growth’ power. Whether he has achieved ‘Fulfillment’ or not would require testing.

Perhaps… I might be able to glare at the disciple of the Red Tower.

“No, I can do it.”

Selbier clenched his fists and left the room.

The Red Tower is hot and stifling. This is inevitable, as fire magic is studied from all directions, raising the temperature. It is said that in the past, there were many cases of heatstroke among its inhabitants.

However, as time passed and magic developed, a series of spontaneous combustion incidents occurred in the Red Tower, resulting in several wizards being charred (thanks to the priests, they lost money but did not die).

‘To increase the heat here, I must first improve the tower’s structure,’ he thought. He called in experts in architecture to renovate the tower.

An open design to allow heat to escape.

Most corners of the tower feature large windows. The hallways and rooms are decorated to resemble terraces, sacrificing some privacy but ensuring safety from accidents.

It’s a bit concerning that people passing by the tower glance in. But those tourists will soon vacate their spots due to the heatwaves that pour out like from a forge.

Additionally, they promote an annual exchange program with the Blue Tower and its wizards.

The reason for this exchange was to enhance friendship and research collaboration between the two towers, but in reality, they simply needed human coolers. The Blue Tower needed human heaters.

The Blue wizard, who came as part of the exchange, receives support from the Red Tower to conduct research freely, using their chill to cool down the heat of the tower.

Selbier’s first encounter with ‘Baeksul,’ whom he considers a one-sided rival, also began because of this system.

“…Hoo.”

Selbier walked while fanning himself. Checking the thermometer, it read 36 degrees, slightly higher than usual. This could be interpreted in one of two ways: either the Lord of the Red Tower activated the ‘Sun,’ or the wizards’ research today was particularly passionate.

Most likely the latter. There’s a basis for this judgment. Because.

“You are now the ‘Flame Undertaker.’ No matter how wicked they may be, being born is not a sin; please burn their souls with a sincere and warm flame so that they may shed all corruption and be liberated…”

“Yes, yes…! I will burn not to kill, but to save. My flames will be warm and solemn in silence. I will follow the words of the Flame Undertaker.”

“No. Do not follow my words; conduct your own funeral. Tears, anger, lamentation, wishes—these are all wonderful funerals. Just do not forget the great meaning of mourning the living… Walk the street and express your own will.”

“Thank you, Undertaker, thank you…!!”

A man with black hair and red eyes, like a crow.

That b*stard.

No, that bishop, no, that professor… has brought a new wind to the Red Tower.

The main focus of the Red Tower is to enhance the destructive power of fire magic. Ultimately, the final wish was to create an eternal flame that would be immortal like the sun in the sky, obtaining infinite energy.

Therefore, most wizards who entered the Red Tower pursued only stronger destructive power. While there were a few odd ones who sought lethality or studied plant growth, they were not the mainstream.

But since that golden professor arrived…

“I made this flower-patterned firework!”

“Oh, it’s beautiful. You crushed this part of the magic circle on purpose, right? To give a soft fluttering feeling to the petals.”

“Wow, how did you know, newcomer?”

“Just looking at it, it’s obvious. Shall we try something more fun? Colliding magic circles, even if the efficiency is terrible, the effects become incredibly beautiful. So like this…”

Should I call it a lateral upgrade?

The number of wizards pursuing development directions completely unrelated to firepower enhancement has increased. Quite a lot, in fact. In reality, it was still on the rise.

“…Cii.”

Looking at them, for some reason, it irritated me.

I didn’t care what useless research they were doing, and it didn’t particularly affect Selbier. The temperature in the tower had risen a few degrees, but that was the same for other research as well.

Was it because they seemed to be playing thoughtlessly that my inner ambition couldn’t forgive the laziness? Or perhaps…

“Wow, it’s really pretty. Wow…!! I’m going to brag about this to my friends, newbie!”

“Come back with Melona!”

“I don’t know what that is!”

Were they having so much fun, laughing so happily?

I could also play.

If only I had someone compatible by my side. If a kind boy with black hair had been next to me, I could have spent the whole day smiling while researching.

No. I shouldn’t waver. Selbier steadied his mind. Hadn’t his childhood friend also said this?

That one must move forward no matter the situation.

There was not a shred of intention to stray from the path.

——–

In the center of the first floor of the Red Magic Tower, there is a large bulletin board. The wizards of the Red Tower call this bulletin board the “Gateway to Promotion.” Or perhaps the “Gateway to Despair.”

Completing the tasks posted on the board allows one to become a disciple of the Tower Master.

The tasks of the “Gateway to Promotion” are divided into three categories: theoretical, practical, and inspirational.

Theoretical. When one significantly improves the theoretical aspects of magic to increase efficiency, creates a new spell, or clarifies a previously undiscovered incantation.

“This magic circle seems like it could increase power by 1.35 times if it overlaps well.”

Inspirational. When one presents a concept that no one has ever thought of before. Or, when one has a positive influence that can accelerate the research of the Red Tower.

“I think fire magic would really suit a flame thrower, senpai. Instead of using magical fire, if you mix it with physical fire, I think it would work. It’s a hit.”

Practical. When one proves their ability by defeating famous monsters or subjugating enemies of the Red Tower.

“If I could just solve the mana issue, could I take on a basilisk…?”

“…”

Usually, achieving even one task is difficult. Naturally. If it were easy, anyone and everyone would become a disciple of the Tower Master. Hence, it is called the “Gateway to Despair,” and many wizards lament their lack of talent.

But this professor b*stard is doing all three. Hiding his title and sneaking into the tower, cosplaying as a newbie while flaunting his talent!

It makes me a bit emotional.

Feeling heat rise to his head, Selbier excitedly delivered a cause-and-effect punch to the side of the mad wizard who was babbling about theory.

thud!

“Ugh…!! W-why all of a sudden?!”

“What are you doing? What exactly are you doing here?”

“No, I explained it to you. I was torn into 30 pieces… “

“Could you please say something that makes sense?!”

The mad wizard smacked his lips with an awkward expression. Then, observing Selvier’s face closely, he suddenly interjected.

“Have you been eating well lately?”

“…Huh?”

“No, it’s just that you’ve been quite irritable. This tower is hot all year round… How about pairing it with some tomatoes or grapefruits? They have a good fairy called vitamin C in them…”

Thud.

Selvier’s eyes widened, and she froze.

The mad wizard kept rambling in front of her, but she couldn’t hear him. The words that had just passed were filling her mind.

What did he just say?

Vitamin C.

Really, not a single person… no one at all… knew such a strange word. Not when she asked Professor Alejandro at the academy, nor when she inquired with her senior from the Red Tower.

They all answered that they didn’t know.

Only one person had mentioned that word. Her childhood friend.

The mad wizard’s words overlapped with the echoes of her childhood friend from the past.

“It’s important to eat a balanced diet, Selvier. The food we eat has tiny fairies called nutrients that harmoniously supplement what is lacking, which is good for health. I’ll give you a list—”

“There’s something called a complete food. Of course, it doesn’t mean you’ll be fine just eating that, but still, eggs and tomatoes…”

“…I’m eating them. Tomatoes.”

“Yeah?”

The mad wizard looked as if he was questioning how she knew that.

Selvier felt the same way. How does the professor know a mysterious word that only she and the boy know?

It’s confusing. Does the professor have a childhood friend? Was he perhaps closer than she thought…?

Black hair, red eyes. Or maybe. Could it be—

This suspicious, frivolous, and sometimes absent-minded professor might be her childhood friend from her memories—

“If you’re eating tomatoes regularly, then it’s not a nutritional issue but simply stress piling up. Or is it sugar? Should we go eat something sweet?”

“—That can’t possibly be it!”

“…………”

Selvier screamed and ran away, escaping from the scene. It felt like his head was going to explode. No way, it can’t be.

If that’s the case… it means he didn’t recognize me.

And the mad wizard, left all alone, muttered timidly, wounded in heart.

“…Isn’t it a bit unnecessary to hate me so much…?”

It was summer.

From noble mtl dot come