TN: Changing academy to magic tower. I thought it would be a nice blanket term, but with Aria’s potential, she’s most likely in a specialized place. I think I’ve changed it in the previous chapters also.

The Southeast Magic Tower was the most famous among the nine magic towers established in the Empire.

A year ago, during the quarterly ‘Imperial Magic Symposium,’ she presented a groundbreaking paper that astonished the world.

The paper was nothing other than a combination of magic and technology.

But the creative idea of intertwining what was considered entirely different—magic and science—changed the world.

Emerging entrepreneurs began integrating magic into their technologies, and thanks to these innovations, life in the Empire became even more prosperous.

It was indeed a revolutionary discovery.

“Is it okay? At this output?”
“Yes, Tower Master. It’s perfectly fine. The process is proceeding without any issues.”
“But… I have a feeling something might happen.”

And Aria Radner, the protagonist of the transformative paper, was pacing in her office, biting her nails.

“We can reinforce the magical barriers further.”
“No, that’s not it.”
“Then should we increase the security?”
“That’s not it either.”
“Then… the screening of the guests…”
“No…”

The reason was none other than the inaugural celebration of the Southeast Magic Tower Master scheduled for today.

Despite finally achieving the position she had dreamed of, Aria couldn’t shake off her unease.

She looked down at her hands. The blue magical power was undulating fiercely.
Normally, magical power should flow smoothly once it reaches a certain level.

“Something is going to happen.”

Although she was a prodigy in all fields of magic, Aria excelled in prophecy.

She realized that the quivering of her magical power clearly hinted at some event that would take place during the celebration.

But what exactly was going to happen? She couldn’t know that much.

Prophecy was a sensitive and delicate discipline, and interpretations could vary widely.

“For now, prepare for anything. Be ready to handle whatever happens.”
“Yes. I will do so.”

Aria dismissed the senior assistant and picked up the list of attendees.

– Ania Bronte
– Edward Radner

Seeing the two names listed together, Aria’s mind went blank.

Who would invite two people who divorced in such an embarrassing manner at the same time?

‘Why am I so dumb…’

It was her standing alone in the middle of the office.

But it was inevitable.

Aria had spent a hectic month due to her inauguration as the Tower Master and preparing for the new paper.

That was the reason she hastily selected the guest list.
Edward was her family, so she naturally invited him.
She also thought it was a good time to invite Ania since it had been years since they last saw each other.

“You foolish woman!”

Aria hit her head with her fist and stared again at the two names on the list.

The writing penned with a felt-tip pen shimmered softly.

Perhaps they would cause a commotion.
However, it had been two years since their divorce, so there was unlikely to be any particular incident if they met now.

Still, Aria couldn’t take her eyes off the two names on the list.

Looking at the names of her brother and the sister she adored more than anyone else in her childhood with trembling eyes, Aria set the list down and took a deep breath.

‘It’s probably nothing.’
‘It might just be because my heart is uneasy.’

Aria decided to think that way.

***

The Southeast Magic Tower was grand and magnificent.
Tall spires stretched high into the sky without knowing their limits, and around them, a faint blue aura of magic floated about, making it quite majestic like a fortress.

“Aria…”

Biologically, my younger sister, but a sibling I met only once in the distant past.

It’s no wonder I didn’t feel thrilled when she ascended to the position of the Tower Master.

“I’ll ensure we’re prepared to depart as soon as you exit.”
“Please do so.”

Leaving behind Lorendel, who bowed in greeting, I slowly walked into the Tower.

True to its name, the interior was filled with many different inventions.

Bulbs, cars, printers, railways, electricity…

In an era bursting with modernity, seeing lamps lit by magic and stairs moving by magic felt quite strange.

I made my way to the spiral staircase.

Since the celebration was at the highest point, I had to walk for a while.
But contrary to my thoughts, the stairs moved independently and lifted me upward.
Thus, I was able to ascend the Tower to a height, touching the clouds in an instant.

As I reached the top floor, someone greeted me.
It was an old man dressed in navy robes.

“Welcome… May I confirm your identity?”
He bowed his head and asked.
I nodded in agreement, and a surge of magic enveloped my body.

“You are Viscount Edward Radner. I’m sorry for taking your time; please come in.”

The old man stepped aside, and as I walked in, I asked him.

“Where is Aria?”
“The Tower Master is in her office.”
“Could you tell me where it is?”
“Follow the path.”

As the old man recited the spell, a blue light shimmered on the floor, showing the way.

“Enjoy your time.”

Beyond the entrance, a scene reminiscent of a banquet hall unfolded.

Nobles, from those recognizable by name to renowned wizards of the Empire, all turned their gaze toward me.

I heard their murmurs about me.
However, I felt indifferent.

The uneasy glances bothered me when the Edward Company was first established, but I got used to it.

Yet, despite getting used to it, the feeling of being dirty lingered.
Becoming the subject of someone’s gossip was a sensation that could never feel normal.

In reality, rather than getting used to it, being apathetic might be a more accurate description.

As I walked, just as the crowd began to thin out, memories from the past surfaced.
Her indifference to the mocking she faced.

I wondered if Ania felt the same way amid people who reveled in spreading rumors.

How did she feel being worn out, unable to accept, and becoming numb? Lost in these thoughts, I shook my head.

Why should I waste my time thinking like her?
Our situations are different from the start.

In my case, it was a misunderstanding caused by Johann’s fault.
Ania’s situation was entirely due to her own actions.

It was all because I went to visit Duke Bronte.
Despite promising never to meet her again, I made the foolish decision to go.

I thought I had washed away all my regrets, but they resurfaced, and I let out a small sigh.

‘Focus on the task at hand. ‘

Today is about celebrating Aria’s inauguration. So, I should just congratulate my sister.

Letting my mood be affected by that snake-like woman would only harm myself.

I arrived at the office and lightly knocked on the door twice.

Even if she’s my sister, proper etiquette must be observed.
She’s now an esteemed adult who has ascended to the position of the Tower Master.

“Who is it?”
“Edward Radner of the Edward Company.”

The door creaked open, and Aria popped out and hugged me.

I embraced Aria lightly as she greeted me.

“Brother!”
“It’s been a while.”

Though two years had passed in a flash, Aria Radner’s face remained unchanged.
Her red hair and freckles were still there, and although she had grown into adulthood, she still seemed like a child.

To think that such a child was a Tower Master.

“Are you healthy?”
“Yeah, as you can see.”
“Your words say one thing, but your face says another.”

As I gently touched the dark circles under Aria’s eyes, she placed her hand on my waist.

“You shouldn’t say such things to a lady.”
“Haha. Alright, sorry.”
“We still have some time before the start. Let’s go in and talk.”
“Sure thing.”

I gently pushed the small girl, whose height barely reached my chest, into the office, inching her slowly inside.

But then, I heard another voice behind me.

“Hello?”

Instinctively turning my head, there was a face I had hoped not to see.
A woman dressed extravagantly and was adorned with decorations fitting of a noble lady.

“……..”

Ania Bronte.

Why is she here?

My gaze lowered to Aria, and the child looked up at me with a stern expression, smiling slyly.

“Haha…”
“Did you invite her?”
“Uh, yeah…”
“What on earth…”

What was that girl thinking?

Having ascended to the position of Tower Master, she must know what happened between us.
Perhaps she thought, with her pitiful heart, she could mend our relationship.

“Aria, it’s been a while.”
“Yeah… it has.”
” Can we talk?”
“Haha…”

Unintentionally, my brow furrowed.

“Alright then, I’ll find you again later.”

As I muttered softly, intending to turn and leave, I heard Ania’s voice.

“Edward.”

At the sound of her calling, my head turned.
I tried not to, but… once again, it felt like an unstoppable force was moving me.

“I have something to say to you too.”
“I’ve said this before; I don’t want to hear it.”
“Please. It’s a special day; let’s not ruin it for Ania.”
“……. ”
“We can have a brief conversation, can’t we?”

I sighed.

“You should have done so earlier.”
“I intended to.”
“But you didn’t.”

As I glared at Ania, Aria, feeling caught in the middle, nervously interlocked her fingers.

“Brother….”

Her pitiful gaze met mine. I looked at Aria for a while, eventually sighing as if admitting defeat.

“Fine. I don’t know what nonsense you’ll say, but I’ll listen.”

It wasn’t because of Ania.
It was for Aria.
For my younger sister, who will become a Tower Master today.
I can’t ruin her special day.

Watching Aria and Ania enter ahead of me, I slowly dragged my reluctant steps forward.