When I returned to the Purple Tower, Tower Master Yuna was fidgeting nervously.

To be more specific, she was fidgeting with a strangely flushed face, one hand gripping the hem of her skirt and pressing it down while keeping her thighs pressed together, moving very cautiously, and looking at me with wide eyes.

As she tried to pull down her already short skirt, the waistband was caught halfway on her pelvis rather than her waist. Because of this, a glimpse of her pale skin showed between her skirt and top.

I cast a self-lust suppression spell on myself once more. Thanks to that, I could remain composed.

"Why are you being so awkward?"

"I, um, thought it might suit me..."

"...What?"

"Ah, it's nothing! How was your... hometown visit?"

"Oh, well. It was okay, I guess."

I confirmed that just as my family environment wasn't good in my previous life, it wasn't any better this time either. And more importantly, there was the human trafficking accusation against the Purple Tower.

Ping Valez had explained that the possibility of the entire Purple Tower being a human trafficking ring was extremely low. The first reason was that if such large-scale operations were happening, the Imperial Defense Bureau would have obtained intelligence about it.

The second reason was that we weren't dark mages, so why would we need people? Though honestly, about 70% of the research conducted in the Purple Tower did require human subjects. Like research on converting happiness into pain.

The evidence Ping Valez presented didn't completely erase my suspicions. The only certainty was that nothing was certain.

And when in doubt, just ask.

Grumbling behind someone's back only leads to misunderstandings that become a mess. I threw a direct question at the fidgeting Tower Master.

"Tower Master. You're hiding something from me, aren't you?"

"N-no, I'm not!"

Even if she had admitted it, she couldn't have looked more like someone hiding something. Her face showed she had so many guilty secrets she didn't know which one to confess first. I sat on the office sofa and patted my knee.

Since the Tower Master had lately been hanging off some part of my body like a sloth whenever she was bored, I prepared a spot for her, assuming she'd do the same this time.

"Let's sit down and talk. You and me."

"R-right now I'm a little bit... I-I'll just stand here!"

"......"

It's always awkward when grown men and women get too close. That's true, but I still felt a bit disappointed. Wouldn't you feel an autumn chill in your heart if a puppy that always begged you to play suddenly said "I won't play with you" and walked away?

And this wasn't even an animal, but a person. Beyond emptiness, I felt anxious. What is it? Did I do something wrong? Is she upset that I went to my hometown alone with Ping Valez?

My thoughts multiplied.

No, stay calm. I just need to ask questions one by one. The Tower Master isn't like my ex-girlfriend who would play twenty questions with "guess why I'm upset." If I take it step by step, my one-sided misunderstanding will be cleared up.

There are two things I want to confirm: the human trafficking allegations against the Purple Tower, and how the Tower Master sees me.

It was definitely me who chose the Purple Tower. I remember making that choice. I liked Tower Master Yuna. I felt a clear sense of family affection from her. But how does she think of me?

The difference in status is obvious. I'm a commoner's child, and she's born of nobility. The difference in rank is also clear. She's a great mage who has achieved Sublimation, and I'm a novice mage who hasn't even managed Ascension.

In fact, it wouldn't be strange if she thought of me as a pet or a toy. Thinking about it that way, many things make sense. Like the aggressive skinship that makes me wonder if she doesn't see me as a man.

Then it's natural for her to hide things from me.

The only kindness a weak person can receive is pity, which can be withdrawn at any time.

It was the same in this life too. A child from a poor village who farmed potatoes was sold off by his own father because he had nothing.

I was afraid.

I've spent a whole decade—ten years—with the Tower Master. The courage to ask her directly comes from the trust built over those years. Stay calm. We've been together long enough, and I... I think we're close to each other.

Don't get caught up in negative thoughts alone. Endlessly doubting by myself isn't like me. The chances of reaching the truth that way are low. I need to ask. Human trafficking, how she thinks of me, purchases, my father who sold me, Moon Village, but, ex-girlfriend, family...

As my head spun and short-circuited, my mouth moved on its own.

"Are you regularly purchasing other men?"

"...?!"

"No, what I want to ask is, do you like me, Tower Master?"

"...??!!!!"

"I mean, are you collecting people without my knowledge...?"

"...!!!!!!!!!"

===============================================================

I'm receiving emergency head pats.

Seeing me babbling nonsense with my eyes rolling back, the Tower Master declared a yellow alert for mental confusion and told me to lie down, offering her lap as a pillow. I promptly did so.

I had lain down facing her stomach and thighs, but the unusually sensitive Tower Master gently stammered that she would "kill me if I didn't turn my head the other way right now." So I had no choice but to face outward.

The Tower Master's hand stroked my hair. She would carefully caress it, then playfully tie it up suddenly—that was so like her. My hair became a palm tree before returning to normal.

It felt ticklish. And a bit embarrassing too.

Completely absorbed in playing with my hair, the Tower Master hummed a tune as she braided it. I wondered what was happening to my hairstyle.

Thinking I should break this slightly awkward and hesitant atmosphere, I opened my mouth.

"Can I touch your calf?"

"What kind of ambiguous request is that...?!"

"They say negotiations should start with big demands."

"Just how trivial was your actual request going to be..."

Since she seemed to allow it surprisingly, I kneaded the back of her calf. It wasn't for any particular reason—just that touching something squishy makes you feel good, right? Like slime.

"......"

"...Hey!"

When I tickled her by gently stroking the fine hairs, a Yuna-punch lightly hit my head. So I switched to massage mode.

Since she stayed still, she must have liked this. When I slightly turned my head to check, the Tower Master was half-closing her eyes while staring straight ahead. Fluffy cloud-like things floated around her.

After watching cautiously for a while, I calmly told her about what happened in my hometown village. Then I mentioned my suspicion that the Purple Tower might be a human trafficking ring. It was practically the same as asking her directly if she was involved in human trafficking.

If the Tower Master really was a human trafficker, this would be extremely dangerous. Would you get shot for asking a mafioso to their face if they're a criminal? But I wanted to say it, so I did.

As I opened up, I realized what I was most worried about.

I didn't want to be abandoned.

I liked this life. I liked the Tower Master who embraced me even when I acted a bit crazy. Even if she were an evil dark mage who captured people alive for sacrifices, I wanted to try persuading her or being persuaded.

So please, if only we could continue fooling around together like this in some way—

"Erelelele."

"AAAAARGH!!"

In the midst of my sentimental mood, I screamed in terror at the sudden reverse ear-tickling. When something tentacle-like suddenly entered my ear canal, I thought the Tower Master had finally revealed her true colors and was going to turn my brain into canned food.

I know. This should have been a grateful event...!

It should have been a sweet moment, even if not romantic, but my double-layered lust suppression spell had an unintended side effect. With lust removed, all that remained was horror. It was truly terrifying.

Seeing my pale face trembling in fear, the Tower Master also trembled.

She seemed deeply hurt that her attempt to cheer me up had received a thriller-like response. I stuttered, experiencing brain freeze. Where should I even begin to explain this?

"W-why do you hate it so much...?! I-I did it because your expression looked strange."

"No, that's not it. I, I have a lust suppression spell cast on me..."

"You had such a thing cast... No wonder!"

"Tower Master, wait, wait a moment. That's a really bad idea, don't break the spell...!"

Snap.

With a light wave of her hand, the Tower Master completely shattered my lust suppression spell. Memories flashed through my mind like a panorama: riding piggyback, sleeping together, bathing together, the curves of her body that I had clearly sensed with all five senses—

"Ah."

"...Y-you're having a nosebleed!"

"Urgh."

"T-tissue, where are the tissues...?!"

With 30% exaggeration, I thought I was going to die from excessive bleeding.

===============================================================

Is it a Purple Tower tradition for serious atmospheres to be completely destroyed?

After cleaning up and brewing a hot cup of herbal tea, we sat facing each other at the table. To create a dignified conversation between cultured individuals. Elegantly.

I cast the lust suppression spell again. Now that I knew two layers caused side effects, I only used one.

Slurp.

"The tea is quite fragrant, mademoiselle."

"T-the tea tastes good, um... m-mister?"

"You haven't even tasted it yet."

"...It's what we always drink!"

Slurrrp.

After blowing on it and taking a sip, the Tower Master said:

"It's not that I have nothing to hide. But what I'm hiding is only what's better for you not to know."

"So you admit the Purple Tower's human trafficking allegations?"

"...That's not it. At least since I became Tower Master, I've banned buying slaves for experiments. I'll investigate the village and the Purple Tower. If someone really is collecting humans, that person will become a cactus."

I couldn't imagine how she planned to turn a person into a cactus, which was terrifying.

I could see heavy emotions slowly swirling in the Tower Master's eyes. She "extremely" disliked the buying and selling of people.

I felt relieved. So the Purple Tower isn't a den of human trafficking. I vigorously erased item 2 from the whiteboard in my head. I'm glad. Now only item 1 remains.

1. Someone in the Purple Tower / or someone impersonating them is steadily receiving human supplies.

"If the culprit is here, who in the Purple Tower do you think it might be?"

"...I don't want to suspect rashly. They're all family. Instead of targeting and investigating someone specific, I'm going to set a trap. There's also the possibility of impersonation."

"What if you get backstabbed and hurt?"

"I'm strong, so I'll be fine...! I'll win...!"

The words were filled with such confidence that it was kind of cool. Just how strong must she be to declare victory without hesitation? If that's the case, I can entrust the Tower's matters to the Tower Master and rest easy.

"Then for the second agenda."

"Yes?"

"You have some idea about what's wrong with my head, right?"

"...Wasn't your head always strange?"

"Seeing you dodge the question, is it something I shouldn't know?"

"Yes."

She was resolute. However, what flashed in the Tower Master's eyes was a sparkle like a morning star. As I stared at her, the Tower Master slowly blinked like a cat. Roughly translated into cat language, it means we're buddies.

Is she asking me to trust her?

Hmm.

I did trust her.

But in return, I playfully asked:

"Will you save me even if I'm not doing anything?"

"Yes, I'll save you."

"But why?"

"Because you're the first friend I made..."

"......"

"Before you came, people in the Purple Tower were afraid of me. They saw me as... something more distant than a fellow human. We were in the same tower, but we only did research separately. I didn't try to approach them either."

"You were cute when we first met too."

"Yes, thanks to you. Being able to joke around with each other, talk to each other, it's all because of you."

"But I only remember doing research."

"Yes, that research. Collecting data for sessions, telling everyone you meet 'Sad Story Masterpieces,' scanning physical data and handing out 'One Wish Coupons'..."

"It was hard to get those back. I had a headache making excuses when Scarface Senior wanted to switch bodies with me."

"Are you changing the subject because you're embarrassed?"

"...Yes."

...Friends, huh.

Yuna says it's thanks to me, but strictly speaking, I'm the one who received help. Even now, I'm just receiving help.

I've already completed the simulation that was my long-cherished wish. Now I just need to maintain it and gradually upgrade it while enjoying my hobby, TRPG.

There was so much I wanted to show. The charm of TRPG is that you can enjoy a world on a game board. With the simulation, it's possible to do even more. Showing the sea to those who've never seen it, showing family to those without one.

If someone dreams of being a hero, let them become one; if they dream of being a knight, give them a strong body; if they want love, give them a lover; if they want struggle, give them a worthy opponent.

It would be perfect if I could slowly persuade the princes and princesses to obtain a Dragon Heart. With nearly infinite power, I could open a "server" that operates semi-permanently, like in game fantasy novels. I could even create a completely open world.

But these things are as good as accomplished already.

So the goal column in my life was empty.

Even if I can't repay kindness tenfold, I wanted to return at least what I've received. To Yuna who was looking at me. I wanted to be of some help to her.

I wrote this thought in my heart, in a place high enough never to be submerged.

I'm going to the Academy soon. I'll be separated from the Tower Master for a while.

I briefly wondered what I could do there to help the Tower Master. And then I realized. What a mage needs is more budget. And budget increases when the Tower's popularity rises.

"...You're not thinking something strange, are you?"

I need to entice Academy students with viral illusion magic.

And it would be good to create wonderful school memories too. My head is full of events that would be fun to happen at the Academy. The Tower of Trials, hidden pieces, raising fantasy pets similar to Tamagotchi, and martial arts manuals suspicious to the point of suspicion.

===============================================================

"Your Highness."

"Next, I'll explain the power dynamics within the Academy. There are two major factions. The Gold Faction and the Rose Emblem Faction. The Gold Faction's core figure is the Gold Tower Master's top disciple, and it's based on the overwhelming wealth of the Gold Tower—"

"Your Highness."

"The Rose Emblem Faction, also known as the Noble Faction, is an anti-Gold organization centered around the only daughter of Princess Baek-ryeom. Though lacking in wealth, they've united the Academy with their unique leadership and open-mindedness—"

"Your Highness...!!"

"Stop interrupting the flow, Mad Magician. What is it?"

The 2nd Prince Irid looked down at me with his legs crossed and an annoyed expression. Even though I'm clearly taller than him when sitting, how can he look down on me? Is this some imperial secret technique?

I put on an expression of genuine curiosity and said:

"Why do I need to hear all this?"

"Because you need to understand the Academy's power structure so you can cause trouble selectively."

No, that's not enough. What I was imagining was the curiosity of a seven-year-old boy. The endless barrage of "Why?" that continues until curiosity is satisfied!

I steeled myself and fired away with "why."

"Why?"

"Because you need to cause trouble selectively to fulfill your duties as an Academy professor without getting fired."

"Why?"

"So you can use your abilities to enhance the combat power of all Academy students and supplement their practical experience."

"Why?"

"Strengthening the Academy's forces will boost the Empire's national power while simultaneously establishing and solidifying your position within the Academy."

"Why?"

"A solid position at the Academy enables long-term employment, which you need to carefully identify and catch the dark mage spies who have infiltrated."

"Why... no, seriously, why that?"

"Because I ordered it."

"Ah."

No wonder the conditions seemed so good—he wasn't sending me to the Academy for fun.