“Has everyone gathered?”

“Yes, everyone is waiting.”

Givnen, who had brought Riley to the mansion, immediately returned to Horizon and headed to the academy.

Thanks to Sack, who had followed the order to summon the academy’s executives in advance, he only needed to walk to the conference room.

Seven council members were gathered in the conference room.

And Rivne, a current student at the academy and designated as a prospective council member of Horizon Academy, also joined this meeting.

When Givnen entered the conference room with Sack, all the council members except Rivne stood up abruptly to greet him. Only Rivne glared at him with an unsatisfied expression, crossing her legs.

‘What kind of nonsense is this.’

Rivne distrusted Givnen, and

‘What on earth has he summoned the council for.’

The council members were tense, trying their best to figure out Givnen’s intentions.

This was understandable because the academy was one of the most independent institutions among Horizon’s affiliates, and thanks to Rivne’s presence here, there was little need for interaction with Givnen, the overall supervisor of the Magic Tower.

Other than receiving final approval for proposals that had gone through deliberations, there was hardly any occasion to be involved with Givnen. Givnen, too, had not shown much interest in the academy.

Even at the recent Magic Tower Lord inauguration reception, they had only exchanged brief greetings.

It was essentially the first meeting arranged since Givnen’s inauguration as Magic Tower Lord.

There was nothing unusual about the scene, but a situation of mutual unfamiliarity unfolded.

“It’s been a while, everyone.”

Givnen greeted them cheerfully. All council members returned the greeting respectfully.

“Please, sit down.”

As everyone took their seats, Givnen said with a smile.

“I should have arranged a meeting like this sooner, but I’ve only now managed to convene the council. Have you all been well?”

The council members answered one by one that they were doing well and shared recent news.

After such simple pleasantries were over, Givnen immediately got to the point.

“I don’t like long talks or unnecessary small talk, so I’ll get straight to the point.”

All council members focused on Givnen.

And a bombshell statement burst from his mouth.

“I have a scholarship student I’d like to recommend, and I’d like you to give them a chance to take the exam.”

The council members exchanged glances, trying to read each other’s reactions. Some were so shocked that their eyes nearly popped out, and others gaped like fish.

And after a brief moment of bewilderment, overt displeasure was added.

“The exam application period has already ended. The exam is closed. Are you saying we should summon the professors for just one student?”

“What do you take us for, to make such a request! Did you come all this way to say such nonsense?”

“I don’t understand. I thought the Magic Tower Lord was someone who distinguished clearly between public and private matters more than anyone else.”

While Givnen remained calm listening to the angry voices, Rivne’s face, who was watching this situation, turned bright red. With an angry face that looked like she might pour out a barrage of curses at any moment, she trembled with shame, clenching her fists.

Although she seemed ready to pounce on Givnen at any moment, she just glared at him, suppressing her boiling emotions.

“Anyway, we absolutely cannot accept that proposal, even if we were to die and come back to life! Even if it’s an order!”

“The recommended scholarship student system is an official system that clearly exists, and I myself entered Horizon as a recommended scholarship student of my master, so what’s the problem? I’m not asking you to create a non-existent system.”

“There was a lot of talk even back then!”

“Then you should have abolished the system or done something about it back then.”

“…We have been continuously discussing abolishing that system.”

“You were discussing it, but you didn’t abolish it.”

The council members exchanged glances reluctantly.

In fact, the recommended scholarship student system itself had consistently produced outstanding talents throughout the academy’s history.

However, recently, issues of fairness had arisen, and there were cases of abuse, causing a big stir internally. Since then, there had been ongoing debates and discussions about whether to abolish it or keep it.

“Besides, I’m asking for a chance to take the exam, not to admit them immediately. Why are you getting so worked up?”

“…Ahem, if it’s a recommendation from none other than the Magic Tower Lord, it’s bound to cause a huge controversy of unfairness.”

“Wasn’t the controversy over the recommended scholarship student system ignited by Professor Magaroff’s lobbying incident? That was a case of bribing a professor to forcibly pass someone who didn’t have the abilities suitable for the academy, but I’m just asking for a chance to take the exam. I don’t think it’s comparable.”

“It’s only been 3 years since the lobbying incident swept through the internal affairs.”

“The lobbying incident and this matter should be considered separately. I’m not forcing you to admit my recommended scholarship student to the academy. I’m just asking, as has always been done, to give the recommended scholarship student a chance to take the exam.”

Givnen pressed the hesitating council members.

“Magicians are special talents under the country’s management. You said that fair and equal opportunities should be given to everyone, but what’s the reality? The person I want to recommend was born a magician but has been left in a blind spot without enjoying the benefits of being a magician.”

“…”

“Isn’t providing opportunities to those who have been overlooked also part of the fair and equal educational philosophy that this academy, which nurtures national talents, should pursue?”

“Ahem.”

“Please give them the opportunity and qualification to take the exam. If they don’t pass the exam, we’ll have them give up on entering the academy cleanly. If they’re talented enough to pass the exam, wouldn’t it be a loss for us to miss out on them?”

The executives who had been furious one by one lost their words at the young Magic Tower Lord’s eloquent speech.

They thought it might not be a big problem if he wasn’t asking to admit them to the academy right away, but just for a chance to take the exam. It wouldn’t be much of an issue to simply provide an opportunity, rather than selecting and admitting someone who doesn’t qualify, right?

The fact that the recommender was the Magic Tower Lord might be a sore point, but it was also common for other academies to scout promising talents occasionally…

The council members took a brief time to confer. The conclusion was reached quickly.

“Granting exam qualification seems fine.”

“Then let’s proceed with the procedure right away. I’ll send the relevant documents through Sack.”

“We can’t set the exam schedule immediately. The professors are busy preparing for the semester. As it happens, the general public exam application period starts in a month. All professors will be at the academy then, so we’ll try to arrange a separate exam session at that time.”

“I understand.”

Givnen stood up and the council meeting ended.

Everyone couldn’t hide their bewilderment at how anticlimactic the agenda was for a council meeting convened after such a long time.

As soon as Givnen left, the council members started buzzing among themselves.

“I wonder what kind of talent it is, for the Magic Tower Lord to personally come and convene the council.”

“In the first place, Lord Rianster was already publicly acknowledged as Master Yung’s personal disciple when he went through the recommended scholarship student process and entered, so there was no need for a separate verification process, but could it be that he has taken on a new disciple?”

“Tsk, how could someone so young already have a disciple? The Magic Tower Lord’s disciple is practically designated as the next Magic Tower Lord, how could he take a disciple so early in his term?”

“Didn’t the previous Magic Tower Lord take several disciples early on?”

“Even so, the current Magic Tower Lord is too young. He’s practically still a baby…”

“Lady Rivne, do you know anything?”

At the council member’s question, Rivne shook her head.

“How would I know what’s going on in that four-dimensional weirdo’s head?”

The council members all sympathized with Rivne’s words, though they didn’t show it.

The young Magic Tower Lord was unpredictable. He always showed shocking and bizarre behavior, which had been consistent since his days as Yung’s disciple.

Amidst various concerns and worries, one council member mumbled in a small voice.

“I’m looking forward to seeing how extraordinary this talent will be.”

“Was this your plan from the beginning?”

“What?”

“Sending young lady Riley to the academy.”

“No.”

“It wasn’t a planned thing?”

“It was an impulsive decision.”

The reason for convening the council was to conduct a magic power test.

Horizon Academy was the only place where a magic power test could be conducted secretly without the Magic Ministry knowing.

Given the nature of the council members who had strong dissatisfaction with the Magic Ministry that usually controlled and suppressed magicians, they were likely to turn a blind eye even if it was an illegal act.

Givnen’s original plan was to conduct Riley’s magic power test, secretly register her with the Magicians’ Association, and then manage her to prevent her magic power from becoming tangled or going out of control. He had no intention of educating her at all.

However, Riley’s appearance as she looked around the academy was that of someone who clearly wanted to study there.

“Seems like she wants to study.”

“…”

“Since we’ve brought her here anyway. It might be fun to raise her as a talent worthy of Horizon. She’s certainly too precious a talent to waste.”

“Pardon? Is she that impressive? She doesn’t seem that way at all…”

“She might not seem that way, but there must be something for the master to have entrusted her so vehemently.”

“…”

“I’m also curious about what kind of power she’s hiding. It seems she can’t even use magic now as she’s in an unawakened state, but when she awakens, we’ll find out what the master was worried about.”

There must be something.

An unprocessed gem is just a stone, but it’s a different story when processed.

Riley must certainly be a gem. Because she’s a woman of extraordinary origin.

“This might be for the best. We can’t just keep her confined in my mansion, so letting her out in the front yard and managing her is also a way.”

“…By the way, does young lady Riley have the talent to pass the academy exam?”

“I don’t know.”

“…Then why did you convene the council first?”

“Just, I think she’ll do well. Blood and genetics don’t lie. But that’s only when her magic power is unleashed. We have time until the exam, so we should try everything we can. Fortunately, there’s someone perfectly suited for this field.”

“Surely not…”

Givnen had already thought about how to educate her and who would be the best educator for her.

A pleased smile spread across his face.

“It’s interesting, Riley Eadalin.”

Because she’s a woman who makes me more and more curious the more I look at her.

It will definitely be fun to watch.

Certainly.

She had never thought about what she wanted to do or what she should do.

When others were exploring their career paths and taking steps towards their dreams, Riley stupidly only pondered how she could be loved by her family.

Being left alone in the world was too scary, too lonely. She obsessed over affection and love, needing someone to lean on, someone to depend on.

Trying to find reasons for hatred without any cause. Why do they hate me, why am I only hated? A life spent desperately asking herself these reasons. A life full of self-loathing.

Thinking about the future or dreams was a luxury in such a gutter-like life.

‘To think that someone like me would go to the academy…’

“Young lady, Mr. Sack has arrived. Please come out quickly.”

“…Already?”

“Yes.”

Riley, who had finished preparing to go out, left the room. Sack, who had just arrived, briefly kissed Riley’s hand.

“I’ve come to pick you up, young lady.”

“…Why are we suddenly going to Horizon?”

“There’s someone at Horizon who can oversee your education for a month. Since they can’t leave their post, you’ll have to go to Horizon.”

There was about a month left until the Horizon entrance exam.

During that month, Givnen had found a mentor to help Riley pass the Horizon exam. They said it was a genius who had never missed being the top student during their time at Horizon Academy and was now working at Horizon.

It was fortunate to have such an amazing person as a mentor, but on the other hand, it was also scary.

She was worried about being rejected as hopeless.

Riley sighed as she got into the floating stone carriage.

‘How did it come to this?’

Before she knew it, things had progressed rapidly.

She thought it was cool to study while attending the academy, but she didn’t want to attend the academy right away. How did she end up in a situation where she was about to receive education from an incredible archmage a month before the exam?

‘It’s really unrealistic.’

It’s been almost a month since she came here.

It still feels like she’s dreaming.

·

·

·

“Please enter here.”

The place where Sack brought Riley was somewhere she had been before.

The ‘Magic Storage’ located on the lowest underground floor of Horizon.

After Sack left, Riley, who was left alone, opened the door leading to the magic storage and went inside.

When she had visited with Givnen before, there was no one there, but this time someone was present. The figure of someone far away in the vast storage looked like a small dot, but soon that dot grew larger and eventually a tall man appeared right in front of her.

“!”

Startled by the sudden appearance, Riley fell backwards.

Then a man who looked like a beggar looked at Riley and irritably said as if he was dumbfounded.

“Who are you?”

“…Pardon?”

“I’m asking why you crawled in here, who are you?”

Wasn’t this arranged in advance?

Confused, Riley just stared up at the man without even thinking of getting up. The man then thumped his chest as if frustrated.

“Is your mouth just for decoration?”

“…”

“When someone asks you a question, it’s polite to answer, I’m asking who you are.”

It was amusing that he was talking about politeness with such impolite speech, but Riley stood up and introduced herself.

“I’m Riley Eadalin.”

“Who’s that?”

“…Pardon?”

“I’ve never heard that name before.”

By this point, she was certain something had gone wrong. Perhaps Sack had made a mistake, or something like that.

“Sack said… there would be a teacher here.”

“Sack? Ah, are you the one that Givnen, that crazy bastard, mentioned?”

“…”

The man looked Riley up and down, then grabbed his head as if dumbfounded.

“…Has this son of a bitch gone mad? Now he wants me to teach this little snot-nosed brat?”

A dark cloud settled over Riley’s face.

What should she do?

It seems… this has failed before it even started.