The Book Eating Magician - chapter-179

The standard saying was the ‘difference between the heavens and the
earth,’ but this was more like the phenomenon where a beast growled at
another beast. The words which Veronica whispered into Theodore’s ears
caused a chill to go down his spine.

Theodore gulped and thought hard about it, ‘A bad fishy smell… Is it
because of Aquilo’s blood?’

It was a completely unexpected problem. Just as Aquilo had noticed
Veronica’s presence back at the Pirate Archipelago, it was likely
Veronica noticed Aquilo’s presence on Theodore.

The red dragons and blue dragons had always had a thoroughly troubled
relationship which stretched back to the ancient times. As far as these
two clans were concerned, the invasion of each other’s territories was
a declaration of war. Therefore, it wasn’t strange for them to be more
sensitive to the other clan’s presence.

Additionally, there were the words Gluttony had said. It had said that
most battles between the two dragons were usually seen when crossing from
one territory to the other… or when their possessions were touched.

“Kid. Yes? Don’t keep your mouth shut.” Veronica’s grip on
Theodore’s neck tightened as she gazed at him with blazing eyes. Unlike
her singsong voice, the emotions in her eyes resembled magma which was
about to explode.

Despite the fact that there was nothing hard to reveal, Theodore’s
mouth couldn’t open. Did she notice Theodore’s cautiousness?

Veronica grinned as Dragon Fear melted away, then her voice became sweet
enough to melt Theodore’s ears. “I’m sorry Kid. In the meantime,
haven’t you suffered?”

“Huh?”

“I know the importance of breaking through the ‘wall’ as a
magician, but I also know that the process is never smooth. You went all
the way to foreign countries, so wasn’t it hard?”

“…That…” Theodore’s eyes shook at the words.

He had stubbornly pushed himself with a steel-like mental power, but he
wasn’t an iron man who couldn’t feel tired. Theodore had missed his
home whenever he looked up at the different constellations in the sky. On
the days when he didn’t speak, he had longed to communicate with
someone.

It had been a little better after Randolph joined him, but he had wanted
to have a chat with another magician. However, the people he could feel
this kinship with had all been in Meltor. Standing before him was
Veronica, one of the people he had missed.

‘Ah, I’m comfortable.’

Her affectionate voice and hot temperature interfered with Theodore’s
cool thinking. Veronica was a person who knew his pain and gave him
comfort. Theodore gazed at Veronica and gradually relaxed. As if she
wanted to maintain the momentum to the end, a subtle smile appeared on
Veronica’s face. “Yes, I know everything. How difficult it was for
you, how hard you tried…”

“T-Tower Master.”

“Theodore, you should call me, ‘Sister’.”

Theodore’s heart thumped when he heard her call his name, rather than a
nickname. Was this the dragon’s voice which had attracted heroes in
many myths and legends?

‘Should I just tell her? It is hard to hide everything…’

He knew it wasn’t wise to reveal everything, but he had the feeling of
wanting to confess everything to Veronica. She had the hot emotions as a
mixed red dragon, but she was also one of the tower masters who guarded
Meltor. Veronica was mature enough to deal with it.

His vigilance almost collapsed as Veronica’s voice entered Theodore’s
ears, “I know everything, so don’t worry.”

“That…”

At that moment, the magma bubbling inside her leaked out. “-Where is
the fish I should kill?”

An eerie atmosphere burst out from Veronica’s body. The innate aversion
of the red clan toward the blue clan was stepping on the male called
Theodore. If it wasn’t for the sake of their relationship, Veronica
would’ve immediately flown away to kill Aquilo.

‘No, there is no way I can tell her.’ Thanks to that, Theodore barely
regained his rational thinking.

He absolutely couldn’t let Veronica and Aquilo meet. If he brought
Aquilo here, there would be a life-and-death struggle. Aquilo wasn’t
his enemy, but neither were they in a mutually beneficial relationship.

As Theo hesitated to answer, the light of salvation appeared.

“Stop it, Red Tower Master.”

It was Sylvia. She ran forward and used her white staff to separate the
two people. Then she stood in front of Theodore and stared straight at
Veronica as she said, “You are burdening Theo right now.”

“…Hah?” Veronica uttered. This was different from when she talked
to Theodore. Veronica didn’t calm down. Instead, her atmosphere became
even harsher. “Young girl, why are you getting in between me and the
kid?”

“I’m his friend.”

“Friend?”

“Yes, friend. The best.”

Veronica smiled strangely at Sylvia’s words and said, “Yes, you are
the kid’s ‘friend?’ I understand.”

This time, Sylvia’s expression stiffened. It was an explicitly mocking
taunt. Theodore, the eye of the storm, didn’t know it, but the two
women had already become rivals. They competed with their positions, as
well as advantages and disadvantages. Unlike men who just hit each other,
this was the beginning of the nerve war called the ‘catfight.’

“Does Tower Master know anything about Theo?”

“What…?!”

“You are just the tower master.”

For the first time, Veronica’s face before had a blank expression
before her harsh atmosphere returned. She was used to fighting with fists
or magic, so this was a first for her.

Maybe it was due to the retorts, but the argument between the rivals, who
were fighting over Theodore, became more heated. This was the moment when
the dangerous catfight was about to start.

However, the two women’s fight stopped shortly before that.

“Veronica! Theodore! Sylvia! Are you in there?”

It was because a person’s voice rang from outside the doors of
Pentarium. As Theodore hurried to reply, a man entered and rushed before
the two people. ‘Didn’t this happen last time?’

Veronica thought the same thing as her voice filled with annoyance,
“Why are you calling me when I’ve just returned?!”

“Hiik!” The Dragon Fear in Veronica’s voice made the knees of the
magician weaken. She was an 8th Circle magician and had dragon’s blood,
which created an ominous presence.

However, the more surprising thing was the response of the Magic Society
magician. His legs quivered, but he still delivered the news to the three
people in a trembling voice, “H-His Majesty called all of you…!”

“Me and the kid?”

“S-Sylvia as well!”

Veronica and Theodore were understandable. There were many reasons why
they might be called. After going beyond the wall of the 7th Circle, the
magician was a pillar which supported the nation as well as a symbol of
strength which was comparable to an elite army.

However, why was Sylvia summoned as well? The three people couldn’t
guess why and exchanged glances.

‘Phew, I’m saved thanks to His Majesty.’

In any case, Theodore narrowly escaped.

* * *

Kwaang! The door opened roughly. Who would dare do such a thing in
Meltor’s royal palace? Even the empire’s Seven Swords wouldn’t dare
do such a thing. However, no one yelled at the culprit.

Veronica’s eyes were burning brightly as she kicked open the door!

“Your Majesty!”She roared.

As Theodore and Sylvia stayed back, Veronica snapped at Kurt on the
throne, “Do you think I can travel like Orta? I flew all the way here!
If I work without resting, of course I will be exhausted! In addition,
what is this? Why is the chairman of the Magic Society here?”

“Hmm, it has been a while,” the chairman of the Magic Society greeted.

“It has been a long time since you left the central tower,” Veronica
stated.

It was as Veronica said. The chairman of the Magic Society was different
from the other tower masters.

The magic towers played an active part in the administration of the
kingdom, and the chairman was a caretaker who always stayed in Meltor. He
was an old magician who would help if war broke out, but otherwise, he
put his own research first.

The chairman frequently didn’t show up for big meetings, so today must
be unusual if he was present.

“Now, let’s sit down and talk.”Kurt declared.

“…I will listen.”

Kurt smiled bitterly as Veronica sat down. Once the three people who had
entered sat down at the round table, Kurt rose from his throne. He said,
“I would like to express my gratitude to you who have gathered in the
middle of your busy day. I’ll skip all the small chatter and let you
know that the reason I’ve brought you in is to talk about the Magic
Contest.”

“Magic Contest… Already?”

“It is a bit sooner this year.”

The event was held once a year in the Meltor Kingdom, and it was
literally the greatest attraction in the North. It was a matter which had
a great impact on the whole kingdom, so the king gathered all the top
magicians in the kingdom to discuss it in advance.

However, the discussion about the Magic Contest was held periodically
once a year, so there was no need to summon everyone. Kurt focused on the
group and revealed the reason, “The Magic Contest this year will be
more special than any other year.”

The same questioning gaze appeared in the eyes of all the magicians. The
king continued, “I was contacted just last night. An ambassador from
Elvenheim will come to announce our alliance at this year’s Magic
Society.”

“A-Ambassador from Elvenheim!”

“Announcing the alliance?!”

The others asked with disbelief and confusion, making Kurt nod with a
gentle expression before continuing.

“Of course. They don’t need to come to Meltor if they have no
intention of announcing it. The present partnership would be enough.
Doesn’t it seem like the North is going to turn upside down?”

“…Fascinating.”

“Huhaha! There is no time to rest in my old age!”

White Tower Master Orta touched his chin, while Blue Tower Master
Blundell laughed and pounded the table.

Until now, Meltor was the only kingdom remaining undefeated by the vast
territory, population, and armies of the Andras Empire. Every so often,
they fought back when a great magician emerged, but the roots of the
empire’s pillars were never broken.

However, that story was only when both sides were fighting 1:1.

The alliance with Elvenheim and the emergence of a new master, who had
killed one of the empire’s Seven Swords, meant that Meltor’s power
had climbed to a point where they could compete with Andras.

The war which had lasted for hundreds, maybe thousands of years might be
approaching its end.

“In fact, this discussion occurred last year, but it wasn’t accepted
because the main party wasn’t there. It is Theodore Miller, not Meltor,
that Elvenheim thinks of as their savior.”

Theodore bowed his head. “I’m ashamed.”

“No, there is no need to apologize. You returned with even more profit.
You took down one of the empire’s Seven Swords and gave this kingdom
another master. This meeting isn’t only to discuss Elvenheim’s
delegation.” Kurt III paused for a moment before making a gesture.

The servant, standing silently behind the throne, approached Theodore
with a box. It contained a symbol representing the Meltor royal family.
The box was made of precious wood, and an unbelievable amount of magic
power spilled from the seal on the box.

Theodore took it, and Kurt continued speaking, “Once the ambassadors
from Elvenheim arrive, it will be hard for you to show any kind of
credibility if you remain as a magician with no rank. So, I want to give
you a worthy position as your personal reward.”

Kurt’s words weren’t wrong. As a 7th Circle magician, there was no
one more senior than Theodore except for the tower masters and the
chairman of the Magic Society. How could such a person be left without a
title? It would clearly be a waste in such a situation.

“Open it.”

Theodore opened the latches of the box in accordance with Kurt’s
instructions.

Slide. The lid of the wooden box slowly opened, revealing its contents.

It was a suit of clothes. There weren’t enough decorations on the
clothes for them to be robes, and it was too luxurious to be a combat
suit. It was like shadows had been weaved together in order to make these
clothes.

Theodore looked at the clothing and murmured, “…This?”

The gold pattern embroidered on the heart area was in the shape of an
owl, the symbol of Meltor’s tower masters. Theodore understood the
meaning and looked surprised.

Then Kurt started to explain, “In anticipation of the war with the
Andras Empire, I proposed the formation of a magic division consisting of
the next tower master candidates. I got consent from all the tower
masters except for Veronica, and the majority of state administrators
have approved it.”

Theodore’s eyes widened as he grasped the situation, and Kurt nodded.

He clapped a few times before making an edict, “I will make you the
head of the magic division, ‘Quattro.’”