“By going to the party together, we can become closer. Whether we like it or not, we have to live under the same roof for a while, so it’s much better to be on friendly terms than to be uncomfortable with each other.”

“…Is that the whole reason?”

“Well… I also personally want a younger sister.”

At my offhand remark, Deborah’s eyes flickered briefly and intensely.

Huh? What’s that about?

Before I could express my curiosity, Deborah quickly composed her expression.

She looked at me again with a haughty gaze and spoke in a cold voice.

“I just need to go once, right?”

“Yes, just once.”

“Alright, I’ll agree to the deal. But there’s one more condition.”

“What is it?”

“I couldn’t even take the exam during the regular recruitment because of Dad’s pressure. So honestly, I’m not confident I’ll be able to join even if I pay.”

Deborah looked down sullenly before looking back at me.

“They might not accept my donation at the Magic Tower. If you solve that issue too, I’ll go to any party with you without complaints.”

After contemplating the more challenging condition for a moment, I accepted it.

After all, completing the mission was important.

“Call.”

“…Call? What’s that?”

“It’s a word that means ‘good.'”

Deborah, who had been puzzled, nodded slightly as if she understood.

* * *

A week later.

I headed to the Magic Tower with the 600,000 gold I received from Deborah and my 400,000 gold, totaling 1 million gold.

“What exactly are you going to spend this money on?”

Carl, who accompanied me as a guard and porter, asked. I replied calmly.

“Bribery.”

“…What?”

“Corrupt hiring.”

That’s what I intended to use it for.

Carl, not understanding my words, furrowed his brow. I didn’t bother to explain further.

When we arrived at the Magic Tower with a determined mindset, a male mage, who seemed to be a low-ranking member, approached us.

“Hello. What brings you to the Magic Tower?”

“I’m Shailyn Sharofe. I’ve come to see the Tower Master.”

“Do you have an appointment?”

“No, I sent a letter, but there was no response, so I just came.”

I had even sent a magical courier at great expense, but it was ignored.

I felt that waiting any longer wouldn’t bring a reply, so I came to the Magic Tower without notice.

The man, seemingly accustomed to such situations, calmly directed us to the lobby sofa.

“Please wait here for a moment. I will inform the Tower Master of your visit, Miss Shailyn.”

“Yes, please tell him I have an earnest matter to discuss.”

“Understood.”

The man left with a smile. However, he did not return even after I emptied several cups of tea.

Unable to wait any longer, Carl spoke.

“Isn’t this their way of subtly telling us to leave?”

“No way. I must meet the Tower Master today.”

I didn’t want to come back and forth twice.

Moreover, I had a feeling that if I left today, I would have to return about ten more times.

Seeing my firm resolve, Carl sighed and rubbed his forehead.

“Do you think the Tower Master will meet us just because we wait patiently?”

“Then what should we do?”

“You have to make a strong impression. Make it seem like there will be trouble if they don’t meet you.”

It sounded like the kind of customer who demands to see the manager, but it seemed plausible, so I nodded.

“Then should I call out loudly until the Tower Master comes out?”

“That’s not enough.”

Carl took me outside. He told me to wait a moment and disappeared among the trees.

I aimlessly wandered around the Magic Tower, looking around.

‘How can I meet the Tower Master?’

While lost in such thoughts, a cat suddenly bumped into my leg.

It had glossy, faded yellow fur and sparkling teal eyes.

“Oh! Aren’t you that kitty from before?”

It was the tabby cat I had met in the alley of the bustling street.

Recognizing it immediately by its unusually beautiful eyes, I crouched down and petted its head with delight.

“Wow, I didn’t expect to meet you here. How have you been? How’s your injury?”

“Meow.”

The cat extended its front paw as if it understood my words.

My handkerchief was nowhere to be seen, but the injury had mostly healed.

“Oh, thank goodness. I was so worried about you.”

I felt uneasy for days after returning. I should have bought medicine and applied it.

I was concerned for quite a while, wondering what would happen if this little one was ignored on the streets because it was injured.

Fortunately, it seemed to be well-fed and in good condition.

‘Oh, could it have an owner at the Magic Tower?’

It was fluffy like a house cat, so it was possible it had an owner.

“Purr.”

As I rubbed its neck and belly, the cat purred contentedly.

While I was admiring its soft fur, I suddenly noticed something about the cat’s underside.

And then I realized.

“Huh? You’re a boy, not a girl?”

The cat suddenly got upset.

“Hiss!”

“Ah, kitty!”

It swatted my hand with its tail and dashed towards the Magic Tower.

I could only watch its nimble form disappear, my hand still reaching out into the empty air with a bewildered expression.

Why did it get offended…?

The vacant spot left by the suddenly departed kitten was filled by Carl.

“Master, what are you doing sitting there?”

He was carrying a small tree under his arm.

Wait, where did he chop down a tree?

“What is that?”

“A preparation for calling the Tower Master.”

“Uh…?”

Crack!

With his bare hands, Carl snapped the tree in half.

His forearms, revealed under his rolled-up sleeves, showed prominent muscles and veins.

I watched, entranced, as he worked. Was this some kind of arm muscle show?

If so, it was quite impressive.

A few minutes later, a short message appeared before my eyes.

Tower Master, come out

Carl had used the chopped wood to spell out the words on the ground.

“The Tower Master’s room is usually at the top. This should be visible from there.”

“Carl…”

I stared at the wood and Carl in disbelief.

“You’re really smart.”

I hadn’t thought of such a method of appeal.

My bondservant had a very innovative way of thinking.

“But since the Tower Master might get offended, let’s make it more polite.”

“Alright.”

Carl obediently added more wood to extend the message.

Tower Master, please come out

“Hmm, it still feels lacking… How about lighting it up like fireworks to make it stand out?”

“Not a bad idea.”

But before we could put on a small fireworks display for the Tower Master…

“There you are!”

The low-ranking mage hurriedly ran out from the Magic Tower.

“Sorry for the wait. The Tower Master has agreed to see you, Miss Shailyn. I’ll guide you.”

“Oh, yes!”

As I followed him, I thought it was a bit of a shame.

The fireworks would have been fun.

The man led us to the top floor of the Magic Tower.

“Tower Master, your guest has arrived.”

The mage, who announced our arrival, opened the door and bowed, signaling us to enter.

I cautiously stepped into the Tower Master’s room.

Even in the middle of the day, the room was slightly dim, with walls lined with books. Various books were scattered on the floor as well.

The desk in front of the right wall was cluttered with all sorts of miscellaneous items.

The most eye-catching feature was the spiral staircase in the middle of the room.

Wow, it’s my first time seeing stairs inside a room.

Curious about what was at the end of the stairs, I craned my neck, but a low voice resonated from above.

“Who are you?”

“Ah, are you the Tower Master? Hello, I’m Shailyn Sharofe.”

“…Chester.”

Even after introducing himself, the owner of the voice did not show himself.

I knew the Tower Master was a recluse who rarely appeared before others.

It was mentioned in the article about John Dudley’s dismissal.

But I wanted to speak face-to-face.

“Could we possibly have a conversation in person? I have something to discuss.”

“…You may speak as you are.”

“I wish to speak directly to the Tower Master.”

That way, I could properly deliver the donation for the special recruitment.

“Is it really not possible?”

“……”

The Tower Master remained silent for a long time.

Just as I was about to give up, I heard small footsteps on the stairs.

Despite the light, cat-like steps, the person who appeared was a tall man.

With ash-blonde hair covering his nape and upward-slanting eyes of bluish-green.

I gaped at the Tower Master, who exuded a sensitive and decadent aura.

‘Wow, blond?’