Book Eater

Chapter 180: Eye of the Storm (4)

Quattro symbolized the four magic towers. It was a division made up of the Tower Master candidates! Theo was now the head of a unit which would field the next generation of the kingdom’s leaders, except for the king.

Theo rose from his seat and accepted the appointment. “I will do my best, despite still being immature.”

“I look forward to your work in the future, Captain Theo,” Kurt III nodded solemnly.

Theo sat down again. However, he was now a different man than the one who had risen just a few moments ago. Although he still hadn’t developed his own Sorcery, his abilities, accomplishments, and 7th Circle were clearly too much for him to stay as a Prime. Theo was already qualified to sit at the same table as a Tower Master.

Making him the head of Quattro was a suitable reward.

“It is decided,” Kurt III said. He allowed the light applause for a moment and declared, “From now on, we will raise the authority of Prime Theo to the same level as the other Tower Masters. He will be guaranteed the right to participate in important meetings, and he can spend a portion of the budget allocated to the magic towers. He will also have free entry to the Zero Library. Are there any objections?”

““.......””

“Tower Master Veronica.”

After the crowd’s silent affirmation, Kurt turned to the still silent Veronica, who glared at him.

However, Kurt was accustomed to her bad temper and didn’t shrink back as he asked, “It has already been implicitly agreed, but do you accept Prime Theo as the next Red Tower Master and agree with this decision? If you disagree, we can think about other solutions.”

“No.” Veronica lounged back, disregarding the ambiguity of her reply. She looked strangely at the box in Theo’s hands and nodded. “I’m in favor of it. He is qualified and deserving of that type of treatment.

“Okay, then it’s a unanimous decision.” An expression of satisfaction filled Kurt’s face, and he looked to the side. “Chamberlain, send them in.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.” The chamberlain bowed and opened a small door in the corner. It was designed so the door could only be opened from the inside. The door wouldn’t have opened if Theo or the Tower Masters had objected.

Two magicians walked in. The first was a brown haired man in white robes, while a blonde haired girl in yellow robes followed him in. They were from the White and Yellow Towers.

Surprisingly, the patterns on their robes indicated that they were a Prime and a Superior. The male Prime seemed to be in his early thirties, while the girl, who looked the same age as Sylvia, was already a Superior.

“I will introduce you to your colleagues, Captain Theo.”

As Theo expected, Kurt III introduced the two people as members of Quattro. That meant...

“This is the Tower Master candidate for the White Tower, Prime William. This lady is the Yellow Tower candidate, Superior Para.”

I knew it.

Theo examined the two of them. Since they had come from the White Tower and Yellow Tower, there was only one tower left.

Unsurprisingly, Kurt pointed to Sylvia. “As you know well, Blue Tower Master Blundell’s disciple, Superior Sylvia, was named as the next Tower Master. Unless she refuses, the four of you will work together as part of Quattro.”

Sylvia had just reunited with Theo, so she wasn’t about to refuse to work together with him now. One second after Kurt’s introduction, she responded with prompt politeness, “Superior Sylvia! I will follow Your Majesty’s words!”

Sylvia’s voice was so loud that Kurt couldn’t help stuttering, “Y-Yes, I heard you.”

He looked at Sylvia with a smile before wooden boxes were also distributed to the other three Quattro members. Just like Theo’s, these boxes contained black uniforms. However, there was no owl pattern on it. It meant that only Theo was treated as equal to the other Tower Masters.

In any case, the leader of Quattro was Theo.

Hrmm, both of their skills seem fine.

They were indeed the magicians who could succeed the current Tower Masters.

William was an elite magician who was already at the 6th Circle, and whereas Para was only at the 5th Circle, he couldn’t feel much magic power overflowing from her. It was proof that her magic power control was very good.

Theo scrutinized them carefully. Soon his gaze turned back to Para.

... Eh?

There was no doubt that she was a beauty. She was smaller than Sylvia, but it would be hard for any man to turn their eyes away from her in ten years. She had ochre-like skin, hair that looked like gold dust, and eyes that shone like rubies.

However, Theo felt uncomfortable as he saw her reddish eyes. At that moment, the expressionless Para smiled thinly.

She placed a slender index finger to her lips and secretly whispered, “Shh.”

Kurt thought that the four people needed time to get used to this and changed the topic.

“Captain Theo.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“The remainder of your reward will be given by the Yellow Tower Master. I don’t know what’s going on, but he wants to meet with you.”

“... I will follow Your Majesty’s words.”

He didn’t know why the Yellow Tower Master had asked to meet him, but clearly there was no point in asking the king. Theo bowed his head and complied with the king’s command.

Kurt stretched as he leaned forward. “Now, let’s continue the planning of this year’s Magic Contest. The Tower Masters will each be responsible for their own areas, as it is every year. This time, there will be a lot of work to create a living space for the delegation from Elvenheim.”

“Yes, Your Majesty!”

Prior to starting the full-fledged discussion, Kurt spoke to the Quattro members, “Quattro, you can leave now. Captain Theo, you can participate in this meeting if you want. What do you want to do?”

“I...”

Theo now had the right to participate in important meetings. If he wanted to, he could raise an agenda or refuse someone’s suggestion about Meltor’s largest event, the Annual Magic Contest. Being able to participate in the meeting established him as one of the main powers of Meltor.

Theo made his decision and opened his mouth.

***

In the end, Theo didn’t participate in the meeting. The other three members of his division walked out of the room with him and down the path towards the magic towers.

“Wah, you really left. Is that okay, Captain?” The brown haired William in the white robe asked Theo. William was interested in why Theo had left the meeting about the Annual Magic Contest without hesitation.

“It doesn’t matter. I didn’t come to the magic towers for power, so it will be fine,” Theo affirmed.

“Ah, that’s what I like to hear!” It seemed like William admired Theo. “Yes, this is a magician! It isn’t about money or power! Quiet princess of the Blue Tower, what do you think?”

“Huh? Ah, yes,” Sylvia replied, distracted.

“Keh! Both of you are younger and more talented than me. My belly is a bit sore with envy, but you will be a good leader and colleague. Interesting.” William kept chattering for a few minutes.

They separated at the crossroads that led to their respective magic towers. William left first, while Sylvia also had to head in the opposite direction of Theo. However, she hesitated.

Theo guessed the reason. “Sylvia, are we going to act together from now on?”

“Yes...”

“I promise not to disappear, and I’ll see you again later in the evening.”

“Yes, I understand.” Sylvia looked back at him a few times before eventually leaving for the Blue Tower.

... Then from here on out.

Only Theo and Para remained at the crossroads, and the atmosphere grew tense. In fact, Theo wasn’t interested in the Annual Magic Contest. However, he was wary of Para’s existence.

Theo didn’t know what the source of his discomfort was. He had encountered many strong people before, but his intuition told him that Para’s true identity was unimaginable!

In the unnatural silence, Theo opened his mouth first, “Why did you ask for me, Tower Master?”

He didn’t doubt it. Theo trusted his intuition, which had saved his life many times. The image of the girl which made him feel uncomfortable... Her real identity was the Yellow Tower Master. Theo didn’t know if the other tower masters knew, but Theo was certain.

“Hoh.” However, Para didn’t seem confused by the sudden inquiry. In fact, she almost seemed impressed. “It seems you’ve changed a lot in the time I haven’t seen you? It is a difficult growth rate to maintain, even if you are the owner of a grimoire. Is this the glutton of the Seven Sins, Gluttony?”

Theo froze. “-What?!”

It was shocking.

Pak!

Theo lost his soul for a moment, but he quickly leaped back as reason returned to him. His seven Circles revolved as he prepared to attack the opponent. The fear which tickled the back of his neck was different from anything he had felt before.

All his secrets had been exposed to the light. This was dangerous, but how did the other person know about Gluttony’s existence? The identity of the other person didn’t matter to Theo anymore.

Should I kill him?

Even in the Magic Society, which collected knowledge, grimoires were rare. Theo expected the masters of grimoires to be hunted and captured. Just like the case of the Miller Barony, there were many cases where grimoires adversely affected the world.

Of course, Theo didn’t know what would happen, but he wasn’t reckless enough to gamble everything on it. However, there was someone who shouted before him.

- ... You!

It was Gluttony’s deep voice. It sounded more furious than Theo had ever heard it. Gluttony’s hatred and resentment exploded toward the unknown girl.

- You dare to break the taboo?!

Then Para nodded and bowed. “What taboo are you talking about?”

- Don’t you dare keep pretending!

Gluttony’s roar rang out in the crossroads.

- Alchemy grimoire, Paragranum! An existence that violates its own nature and functions!