Chapter 23: The Mages of the Mage Tower (1)

<Finally, we meet. I’ve been waiting for you for a long time.>  

Chloe’s memory of her first encounter with Isrion was faint.  

It was a day when an eight-year-old’s rampage set an entire mountain ablaze. As her consciousness slipped away, her collapsing body was gently lifted by a soft breeze. That was the last sensation she felt before she completely lost awareness.  

And when she opened her eyes a few days later, she found herself in the Mage Tower.  

<Oh, don’t be so wary. If I had intended to harm you, I would have done so already. …Ah, perhaps I shouldn’t have said that? Haha.>  

To young Chloe, Isrion seemed truly peculiar. His tone, which made it unclear whether he was joking or serious, was just a minor oddity. Even if she could accept his formal speech, the incomprehensible joy and affection that radiated from him were baffling.  

And all of it—directed at her, of all people.  

It was a strange experience—ticklish, frightening, embarrassing, and suspicious all at once.  

Her attempts to avoid him like a wary wild animal didn’t last long. The hunger she had endured for so long made it impossible to escape from an adult who offered unconditional kindness in a soft tone.  

Thus, Isrion became both Chloe’s teacher and her godfather.  

As if it had been predestined from the beginning.  

<Master, why do you treat me so specially?>  

Isrion was kind to everyone, but he was particularly indulgent toward her. Although he couldn’t always spare much personal time due to his busy schedule, he accommodated her in every possible way and fulfilled most of her requests.  

At first, she thought it was simply his nature, but she soon realized otherwise. He drew invisible lines that others could not cross, something she eventually noticed.  

This was especially evident in Lucas’s case. When Lucas caused a terrorist incident in the Empire’s capital and left the Mage Tower, Isrion dismissed it with just a single word of regret.  

Indifference. That word suited him perfectly. While he respected everyone equally, his attitude toward relationships was markedly detached. It was a common trait among mages, so it wasn’t hard to understand.  

But his demeanor toward Chloe and Riel was different.  

She couldn’t pinpoint exactly what was different, but there was always a peculiar affection in his gaze toward them.  

<Chloe, you are like a daughter to me. I have great expectations for you. So, grow up quickly, and…>  

Isrion never finished his sentences. He would simply smile softly, leaving her to guess that she would eventually assist him in his work once she matured.  

Perhaps he foresaw a future where she made significant contributions to the Mage Tower. Maybe that was why he cherished her.  

With that thought in mind, his enigmatic first words to her—claiming he had waited for her for a long time—made sense.  

<Master, you can see the future, right? Doesn’t that make life boring?>  

One day, she had asked him if knowing all the futures made life dull.  

Isrion’s voice, as he answered, carried a faint trace of laughter.  

<There is no such thing as a perfect future, Chloe. I can only see the most likely possibilities. So, the future is something we create ourselves.>  

<Ah…>  

<And the future I truly desire hasn’t come yet. Waiting for it and shaping it is plenty enjoyable. Haha.>  

<What kind of future do you want, Master?>  

Isrion didn’t give her a clear answer. Instead, as always, he simply smiled warmly and patted her head.  

<I’ll tell you when you’ve grown up.>  

“I’m all grown up now.” 

Chloe murmured absentmindedly. Hearing her own words, she repeated them silently in her mind.  

Now that I’m grown up, will he tell me?  

It wasn’t just about his ultimate goal. He always spoke cryptically, never revealing his intentions, making it impossible to understand why he had left her and Tehis alone.  

Her only guesses were that he needed Tehis for her growth or that his laissez-faire attitude encouraged her to experience everything.  

…And perhaps it was because he knew she would never leave the Mage Tower.  

She was half-convinced it was for those reasons. His fervor in fostering her growth left her little room to think otherwise.  

“Ha…”  

Chloe let out a deep sigh and ran her fingers through her hair. Even her throbbing head, a result of sleeplessness, was grating on her nerves.  

Logically, she knew what she had to do. Instead of speculating on her own, she needed to confront Isrion directly and have a long conversation.  

But it wasn’t as easy as it sounded. It wasn’t about whether he would make time for her.  

Fear.  

Yes, Chloe was afraid.  

Afraid of directly confirming the future she had vaguely felt was distant. Afraid that Isrion might be disappointed in her or stand in her way.  

Or worse, that she might realize he had truly used Tehis as a disposable pawn.  

This fear gripped the feet of a Senior Mage who otherwise feared nothing.  

It was an utterly unfamiliar sensation.  

“…”  

Chloe clutched the pendant around her neck. After pursing her lips tightly, she turned her gaze back to the letter.  

Her actions as she reread it from start to finish were slow. Even though she had already read it several times, every word felt new.  

She didn’t know what emotions her lover had felt as he wrote this letter. But there was one thing she could discern.  

Tehis had shown enough courage.  

So now, it was Chloe’s turn to act.  

***

“Welcome, Chloe.”

“Master.”

Chloe bowed her head lightly in greeting and sat across from Isrion. Though she had come unannounced, there was already a cup set out for her.

The tea, moderately warm, exuded a floral fragrance, but she didn’t spare it a glance. Instead, she fixed her gaze directly on her Master and asked,  

“What are you thinking?”  

“Oh my, is this an interrogation?”  

Isrion’s feigned reaction of hurt, as he lowered his shoulders, left Chloe stunned. Normally, she would have played along, but today was different.  

“You know why I’m here.”  

“Oh, Chloe. Just because I can see the future doesn’t mean it’s always clear.”  

“But you do know, don’t you?”  

“Hmm.”  

Isrion smiled faintly, leisurely adding spices to his tea.  

“Would you like to tell me yourself?”  

“…Tehis Escalante.”  

After a brief hesitation, she finally uttered her man’s name. The significance of those two words to a mage was undeniable, yet she couldn’t understand the sparkle in her Master’s eyes, as if he were observing a fascinating experiment.  

“You’re aware of my relationship with him, aren’t you?”  

“How have you defined your relationship with the Grand Duke?”  

The question, thrown back at her, made her head spin. Though he occasionally annoyed her, he had never been this infuriating before.  

“Does that even matter?”  

“Of course. The opinion of the person involved is the most important.”  

Pausing briefly, Isrion added in a gentle tone,  

“I am merely an observer.”  

“…”  

Chloe remained silent. She mulled over what to say several times before downing her tea in one gulp. The dryness in her throat disappeared as she drank, but she didn’t taste a thing.  

Clink. The empty cup was placed back on the table.  

“I’m dating him.”  

“Oh.”  

“It’s not because of the contract. I mean, we’re officially in a relationship.”  

“Oh.”  

“…What kind of reaction is that?”  

Chloe felt drained. Seeing Isrion’s face, as if he found this amusing, made her forget everything she had planned to say.  

He even seemed pleased. What was going on in the mind of this Grand Mage? She was genuinely curious.  

“Ah, this must be what it feels like to watch your daughter grow up. Haha.”  

Isrion chuckled as he took a sip of tea. Not only was he not opposing or disapproving, but he seemed to be thoroughly enjoying the conversation.  

This left Chloe confused. She had been certain he would object to her relationship with Tehis, but there wasn’t even a hint of disapproval, leaving her bewildered.  

‘Was I wrong about everything?’  

Perhaps he liked Tehis. Maybe this was his way of supporting their relationship.  

Just as hope began to rise, Isrion casually delivered a sharp blow.  

“You’ve worked hard all this time. A little romance to lighten the mood isn’t a bad idea.”  

“No.”  

Before she could think rationally, the words burst out of her mouth. Chloe, her face subtly contorted, stared at Isrion.  

“I’m not dating him just for fun.”  

“Then are you planning to marry him?”  

His tone remained calm, but the content of his words struck Chloe’s heart.  

Well, of course…  

Of course…  

“…That’s…”  

“No, Chloe. From where I stand, it looks like a fleeting romance.”  

She couldn’t respond. She genuinely liked Tehis, but if he were to propose to her now, she would undoubtedly refuse.  

After all, how long had they even been dating to start talking about marriage?  

One of the conditions for officially dating him had been to maintain the terms of their original contract: no marriage, just a relationship.  

Even though she had suggested it herself, the condition now felt strangely foreign.  

‘Why?’  

Chloe clenched her jaw. Her chest ached, but she couldn’t pinpoint the reason.  

In hindsight, Isrion was right. A fleeting romance. A relationship doomed to end.  

It had been predetermined from the beginning, so there was no reason to feel lost or sad. There was no need to question her Master’s intentions so aggressively.  

But.  

“No, Master.”  

Chloe clenched her fists. Her gaze, which had been wandering aimlessly around the teacup, now focused sharply on Isrion.  

The weight of the pendant around her neck felt heavier than ever.  

“I’m not seeing Tess just for amusement.”  

Perhaps that was how it started. She might have initially approached him with a light heart, thinking they would part ways eventually. At least, that was her mindset when they first made the contract.  

But after everything they had been through, their relationship had evolved into something more. She didn’t want to sever the bond they had formed. She had found new joy by his side.  

Even though she knew it would end someday, she had vaguely believed it was far off. She had even dared to hope for a happy ending.  

If not for Isrion’s presence, which forced her to confront the tragic conclusion looming before her.  

“Then why are you with him?”  

At Isrion’s question, Chloe felt her stomach churn. The simplest yet most difficult answer surfaced in her mind.  

It was a truth she could no longer deny.  

I…  

Chloe loved Tehis Escalante.  

“…Because I love him.”