On the southernmost edge of the vast continent.

In the warm land of Brissi, where winter never comes, stood the Magic Tower, a sacred place of magic.

The towering Mage Tower reached high into the sky, and below it stretched a circular village of mages.

This land of magic, free from conflict and war, was the ideal place everyone dreamed of.

As always, the peaceful night settled in and the Magic Tower emitted a soft, tranquil glow.

At the top of the tower, the best place to gaze at the stars that filled the night sky, stood the tower master.

Aster, who had been admiring the sparkling starlight outside the window, pulled the curtains wide open to see the stars more clearly.

“The stars are so beautiful tonight. I wish you could see them too.”

He whispered to himself, then turned from the window back into the room.

In the spacious, charmingly decorated room, a woman with the same golden hair as his lay peacefully asleep on the large bed.

Her gleaming golden hair and stunning face, a perfect reflection of his own.

Two years ago, his twin sister, Faelin Magicos, had been involved in a tragic accident.

Aster turned to Seoden, who had just finished examining Faelin

Unlike Aster, who was skilled in offensive and natural magic, Seoden was a master magician with a strong aptitude for healing and research.

Seoden’s healing abilities were so remarkable that they could be compared to the ancient power of the divine.

“How is she?”

Seoden replied with a heavy expression.

“She’s the same as ever. No worse… but no better either.”

At Seoden’s words, Aster looked over at the sleeping Faelin.

Two years ago, Faelin had fallen from her horse.

The horse had been running at full speed and the force of the fall had been tremendous. She had suffered a severe head injury and all the doctors and healers had given up on her.

They had told Aster that there was no hope for Faelin.

At that moment, Aster cast a sleep spell on her.

The spell stopped all her bodily functions and sent her into a deep slumber.

It was the only way to temporarily stop the bleeding in her head and allow it to heal.

But this sleep spell was an ancient one, a 9th Circle spell that even the most skilled mages couldn’t cast without caution.

Aster had cast the spell, risking his life for Faelin.

Fortunately, the spell worked and Faelin fell into a deep sleep.

Her treatment continued for the next two years. Although the treatment was successful, Faelin never regained consciousness.

Was this a side effect of the spell, or did she just not want to wake up?

“He wouldn’t leave me for another woman. I trust him. He’s the one I love, the one I’d give anything for. Please let me go.”

If only I hadn’t let you go that day, would you have been safe?

He cautiously approached the bed and sat quietly by her side.

Gently stroking his sleeping sister’s head, he softly called out her childhood name.

“Rariette.”

His sister had always preferred Rariette, the name her grandmother had given her, to her official name, Faelin.

Perhaps it was because it carried her grandmother’s warmth and affection.

Faelin hadn’t received the same love from her parents because she hadn’t been given the attention he had.

He had taken so much from her.

Even though they were twins, he had shown remarkable talent from an early age, while Faelin had been ordinary.

By the time he noticed, it was too late.

Faelin, yearning for love, had already fallen into a misguided romance.

In the end, he failed to protect his sister.

They say twins share a soul, but I never gave you anything.

If I had the chance, I would give you everything I have.

I would make you shine, not just in my shadow, but all over the world.

I couldn’t see the pain you would endure, so used to the attention and love of others.

No, I turned away because it was easier.

“I’m sorry, Rariette.”

Aster laid his hand gently on Rariette’s forehead.

A warm light emanated from his hand and flowed into her.

It was a soothing spell that calmed both her body and her mind.

It was one of the few healing spells he knew, though he was no healer.

He hoped she would find peace, even in her dreams.

As he gazed silently at Faelin, a sudden surge of powerful magic rippled through Aster’s heart.

“Ugh…!”

The backlash of the protective magic he had cast shattered and struck him.

“Master of the Tower?”

Seoden, startled by Aster clutching his chest and bending over, quickly approached in alarm.

It was the Blante Lady’s pocket watch that had broken his protection.

What’s going on?

He had cast the spell in the hope that it would never break.

Who among the continent’s mages could possibly break the spell of the greatest living mage?

Unless it was an ancient mage…

“Could it be?”

Aster raised his head, his expression hard and tense.

“Master of the Tower, are you all right? What’s happening… is something wrong? Let me check on you.”

Seoden quickly reached for Aster.

But before his hand could touch Aster’s chest, it was caught by him.

“…Master of the Tower?”

Seeing the unusual expression on Aster’s face, Seoden felt a sudden, unsettling sense of dread.

“Seoden.”

“Yes?”

Aster locked eyes with Seoden and gripped his hand tightly.

“We have to go somewhere.”

“Wait, no, ah!”

Before Seoden could react, Aster’s magic enveloped him.

At that moment, Seoden was transported by Aster’s spell.

* * *

“Master of the Tower, I have found it. The Tower Master’s magic.”

Seoden frowned and added,

“But… I sense another magic, one stronger than the Tower Master’s.”

Seoden’s face grew tense, but Aster replied nonchalantly.

“Great, you found it. Where is it?”

Aster spoke as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.

Seoden, thinking that maybe Aster hadn’t heard him, repeated himself.

“Master of the Tower… I’m telling you, I sense magic stronger than yours! Didn’t you hear me?”

“I heard you. I’m not old enough to have my ears blocked.”

Aster’s calm reply made Seoden’s face tighten with frustration.

“I don’t think you’re hearing me right—there’s magic stronger than yours, and you’re making jokes? This isn’t the time for that! I’m telling you there’s magic stronger than yours, and it’s down there in the sea! I have no idea what it is, and you’re planning to jump in just like that?”

“I’m fine.”

“I’m not okay! If something happens to the Master of the Tower, what am I supposed to do? What will happen to our Tower, to this world? Even though I’m tired of the Master’s bad temper and often imagine him tripping and breaking his nose while walking, I really don’t want him to get hurt.”

“Were you just pretending to be worried while you insulted me?”

When Aster raised an eyebrow, Seoden cleared his throat and pretended not to notice.

“Forget what I just said. Anyway, this is too dangerous. First we have to find out what magic is in it…”

“It’s the pocket watch.”

Aster interrupted Seoden sharply. Seoden hesitated and tilted his head slightly, not immediately understanding Aster’s answer.

Then, for a brief moment, a look of realisation crossed Seoden’s face.

“The pocket watch…? Could it be… that ancient magic…?”

“Yes. It’s manifesting. Right now, down in this sea.”

Seoden’s mouth fell open. The manifestation of the old magic. It was an extraordinary event that would leave a lasting mark on the history of magic.

“But… at that time, the magic circle was sealed so tightly that no one could ever use it or release it…”

Aster grabbed Seoden’s shoulder and called his name with an unusually grave expression.

“Seoden.”

“Yes…?”

“I understand you’re full of questions, but there are only two things I can tell you right now. The magic circle has been activated and I need to find out why.”

“Why…?”

“That’s why we have to go to the place you found. And what do you think we have to do here?”

Seoden, seeing the familiar, authoritative look in Aster’s eyes, straightened and wiped the uncertainty from his face.

With a serious expression, Seoden replied.

“Right here, below us.”

Seoden pointed to the rough sea below them.

Aster’s eyes followed Seoden’s finger as it pointed downward.

“Down here…”

He trailed off, giving Aster a strange look. Seoden, watching him quietly, spoke carefully.

“Master of the Tower, I understand that the ancient magic circle is important, but… the waves are too strong now. It would be best to wait until they calm down a bit…”

He said this because he was afraid that Aster would jump straight into the waves without stopping. And as Seoden had expected, Aster replied.

“Then we might be too late.”

Aster said as he took off his cloak and prepared to plunge into the sea.

Master of the Tower… Seoden’s worried voice rang out, but Aster felt uneasy.

If the ancient magic circle had been triggered by the Blante Lady, delay could be dangerous.

He had no way of knowing how long the ancient magic would protect her in the depths of the sea.

Of course, it might turn out that the activation of the magic circle had nothing to do with the Blante Lady, but…