Come to think of it, in romance fantasy novels, being the Tower Master is about the fourth most common job for male protagonists.

The first is a knight, the second is the crown prince, and the third is a grand duke or duke.

The reason the knight is first is that the second and third often wield swords and also serve as knights.

Of course, this is just my personal opinion.

Seeing the Tower Master with his striking looks, I suddenly wanted to move him up to first place.

“What do you want to say to me?”

He looked at me with a languid gaze and asked.

“You’re beautiful.”

“…Pardon?”

Oh no, that’s not what I meant.

My inner thoughts slipped out unintentionally.

“No, that’s not it, what I mean is. I’ve heard that your face is charming and that you’re skilled in magic, so I came to see you!”

“…What do you mean… charming…?”

The Tower Master looked at me with a very bewildered expression.

Oh, this mouth of mine.

I slapped my lips before I could finally articulate a coherent sentence.

“I came to see the most esteemed Tower Master, who possesses the greatest magical skills in the Empire.”

“…Ah, yes.”

The Tower Master nodded with an awkward expression. He didn’t seem to trust my belated explanation much.

I’ve messed up.

Fortunately, he didn’t kick us out.

“Please have a seat.”

As I sat on the antique sofa as he suggested, he used magic to float the teapot and pour tea.

Wow, I’m envious.

I wish I could use magic to fetch the remote control, pour water, and even have a bath without moving.

“So, what is the reason you came to see me?”

“Ah, I wanted to make a donation to the Magic Tower.”

“A donation… you say?”

I took a sip of tea and nodded vigorously.

“My cousin has loved magic since she was young. By the way, she respects the Tower Master very much. So I also want to help the Magic Tower.”

I nudged Carl to place the 1 million gold on the table.

But the Tower Master didn’t even glance at the money, only looking at me.

His jade-colored eyes were astonishingly mysterious.

“Is it really just a donation? Is there any other purpose?”

“…Well, actually, there is.”

When I confessed honestly, the Tower Master showed a moment of tension.

I quietly took a deep breath and spoke in the gentlest voice possible.

“I heard that if you donate more than 1 million gold to the Magic Tower, special recruitment is possible. Could my cousin also have that opportunity?”

“…Ah, so that’s your purpose.”

The Tower Master’s voice, muttering quietly, seemed to contain a mix of disappointment and relief.

He lowered his gaze and rubbed the back of his neck, appearing conflicted.

Was he taken aback by my sudden request for a deal?

I noticed his hand, which seemed to have a partially healed wound.

“Are you hurt?”

“…Ah, yes. It just happened somehow.”

“Are you alright?”

The Tower Master, who had been staring intently at me, nodded.

“Someone helped me, so I’m fine.”

“That’s a relief.”

“I met them by chance in an alley, and they willingly helped me.”

“Oh, you must have met a very kind person.”

It’s a shame. If I had been the one he met in the alley, I could have made a good impression and gained his favor.

Now, it felt a bit embarrassing to be asking for a corrupt recruitment.

“What is your cousin’s name?”

“Deborah Diart.”

As soon as he heard Deborah’s name, the Tower Master hesitated.

As expected, is he wary of the Duke’s family, just as Deborah said?

After a moment of hesitation, he spoke.

“A member of the Duke of Diart—”

“The Magic Tower!”

Before he could refuse, I raised my voice to persuade the Tower Master.

Looking at the slightly surprised expression of the Tower Master, I spoke directly.

“I heard that the Magic Tower is a place where equal opportunities are given to everyone. Status, age, none of it matters. All that matters is passion and talent for magic.”

“…….”

“But if someone has been unfairly deprived of their opportunity once, please take this donation and give them that chance back. They are truly desperate.”

Wow, did I just say something cool?

Could this be persuasive? I think I said something really impressive…

I subtly observed the Tower Master’s reaction. He seemed lost in thought.

Is that why there are sculptures modeled after thinking men?

His slightly lowered eyes and angled profile were quite artistic.

I was staring absentmindedly when Carl nudged me with his elbow, bringing me back to my senses.

“If you keep staring, you’ll start drooling.”

“Ah… ahem.”

I let out an embarrassed cough at my bondservant’s whisper, and finally, the Tower Master moved his lips.

“…Alright.”

Oh my god, did I persuade him?

Just as I was about to rejoice with a beaming smile, he spoke again.

“However, even with special recruitment, our Magic Tower requires an entrance exam. No matter how much is donated, if they didn’t pass the exam, their entry into the Magic Tower is not possible.”

“That’s fine. Just give her the opportunity to take the exam.”

It’s a bit disappointing that it’s not a free pass, but Deborah can handle this much on her own.

“Then please come to the Magic Tower next week. I will have everything prepared.”

“Yes. Thank you, Tower Master. Thank you so much.”

As I repeatedly expressed my gratitude with a bright smile, the Tower Master turned his head sharply as if he had seen something unpleasant.

…What is it, does he not like my smile?

I thought I should practice smiling later and stood up.

“I’ll come with Deborah next week. See you then.”

“Take care.”

As I politely bowed and left the office, I glanced back.

I intended to capture the Tower Master’s face one last time, but Carl suddenly blocked my view, so I failed.

After glancing back for me, he turned his head and gestured with his chin.

“Let’s go.”

“Tch, alright.”

Having achieved my modest goal, I left the Magic Tower with light steps.

* * *

Chester stood by the window, looking down outside.

Shailyn and Carl boarding the carriage looked as small as toys.

His gaze lingered on Shailyn.

‘As expected, she doesn’t recognize me at all.’

Of course, Chester didn’t expect Shailyn to recognize him.

But it was strangely disappointing.

He had been so nervous, worried she might recognize him, that he couldn’t even appear at first.

Shailyn had no idea how anxiously he descended the stairs.

‘Even when I give hints, she doesn’t catch on.’

…But maybe that’s a relief.

Chester glanced at his still-healing hand.

He regretted speaking impulsively and revealing himself.

Fortunately or unfortunately, Shailyn responded with an innocent reaction.

‘I was planning to stop accepting donation recruitments…’

Recently, as the Magic Tower’s finances stabilized, they had even expelled those who were already there.

Yet, he suddenly accepted a new donation recruit.

And it had to be someone from the Diart lineage.

Chester gathered his thoughts, thinking of Shailyn’s smiling face that lingered before him.

‘Yes, let’s think of it as repaying a favor…’

Even if the other party doesn’t know.

Suddenly, Carl’s face flashed in Chester’s mind.

‘Come to think of it, he seemed to recognize me.’

From the beginning, Carl was aware of Chester’s presence and was wary.

When Shailyn got into trouble in the plaza, when they coincidentally bumped into each other on the street afterward, and even today.

His gaze always found Chester accurately.

‘Is that why he’s cautious of me?’

In fact, their encounter on the way out of the Central Stock Exchange wasn’t by chance.

Wanting to meet Shailyn again, he wandered around the area where they had first met.

She didn’t know anything but her face, so it was the best he could do.

The handkerchief Shailyn had given him felt oddly heavy in his pocket, and he wanted to return it, hoping for a reunion.

Of course, when they brushed shoulders, he ended up saying nothing and just let her go.

But they met again like this.

As Shailyn’s carriage departed, Chester turned away and noticed something in his peripheral vision, causing him to pause.

Tower Master, come out

‘…Come out?’

Someone had cheekily written it on the ground using branches.

Chester, who had just noticed it, chuckled and drew the curtains.