The world is terribly dark.

Even when the sun is up, it's not day, and even when the moon is up, it's not night. If you're living a dark life, day and night are equally pitch black.

What is the joy of life, why was I born into this world, what should I do from now on, is the world really filled only with suffering...

Instead.

To survive, you must be wary of your neighbors, and if you don't want to be sold to some strange perverted nobleman or madman, you must kill your family, and if you're not cruel, you'll die, and they say the one who gets hurt is the fool...

I didn't learn what I should have learned, and I learned what I shouldn't have.

"Selvia was born with such beautiful hair."

"This should be a great help to our family. We might even get gold coins for it."

"I'll sell you to a good place. If you become an adopted daughter in a noble house, wouldn't your life blossom? Even if the nights are a bit painful, what a happy life it would be!"

These were the words Selvia heard from her father and mother.

In her childhood, she didn't understand what was wrong with these sentences. That's how she was raised in her hometown. Family, neighbors, friends—everyone thought that way.

Since parents worked hard to give birth to and raise children, it was natural for children to be sold to repay them. They had to repay the kindness of being raised, even with their bodies.

If you couldn't meet your quota, you would go hungry, so if you couldn't have and raise children for some reason, you had to steal and sell someone else's child.

And if you didn't want to be sold to others, you had no choice but to become the seller...

Children gathered at the edge of the village, talking.

"My dad has a big scar on his face that he got while killing his own father. Dad has been eyeing me... I might have to kill him before I'm sold outside."

"I... I'm just going to be sold. I'll meet my real mom and dad there and live happily. I don't want to stay at home anymore..."

"Your mom looks at you a lot, Selvia. I think she's planning to steal and secretly sell you. I'll let you know... Selvia, you should tell me what your brother is trying to do too, okay?"

These aren't words that should come from a child's mouth. But no one recognized the strangeness. This village was a kind of farm, isolated from the outside world and designed as a "continuous supply of living sacrifices."

In the early days of the village, illusion magic had an influence. It lowered the morality of the villagers and instilled a cattle-like passivity. But now, after considerable time has passed, even magic is no longer necessary.

The long-standing evil practice has become a firmly established culture. Now it won't be shaken by external stimuli. They have sincerely learned and come to believe in it.

This is the dark side of a village that seems to live soundly and ordinarily.

Selvia's hometown, Sanjebi Village, was insane.

Everyone lives with their mind's eye closed. Not a single person sings about the blue sky, the chirping of birds, or the happiness of life. The world is terribly dark.

But she didn't know it was dark. Because she didn't know what brightness was.

So, that's why.

"Your name is Selvia? Nice to meet you. My name is ▒▒▒..."

That boy was more special than anyone else.

Selvia's sun, who showed her a brilliant life shining with five colors.

......

After looking at the sun with your eyes, an afterimage remains even when you close them. The brighter the light, the more this happens. That must be why.

Even when I close my eyes, the boy's image flickers on my retina. Why the scene of meeting him again repeats over and over in my dreams.

Rustle. I wipe my eyes.

Even now, as I get up from under the blanket in the Red Tower dormitory. The reason that afterimage swims with tears in the darkness beneath my eyelids.

It's because he was so bright.

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

Beep beep beep beep.

Beep-!

I strike the head of the phoenix-shaped alarm-magic-clock to end the noise.

Despite the Academy's temporary break causing her schedule to float, Selvia had no intention of wasting time.

With a spirit of self-improvement, she would hone herself and gain recognition from the Red Tower Master to become a direct disciple. And then.

She would use the "wish token" that the Red Tower Master gives to disciples to ask for help finding her childhood friend.

Every time she worked hard, the time until their reunion shortened. So where was there time to rest?

Fortunately, Selvia had talent.

Though not destined to be a great magician who would reach the extreme limits of magic, she was evaluated as someone who could definitely grow enough to make her name known across the continent.

She was already a 2-Star genius who had achieved "Tuning" and "Comprehension."

She had an excellent sense for catching and manipulating the flow of mana, and her improvisation and coping skills built through experience were also excellent. Thanks to a certain mad magician who had given her all sorts of worldly experiences, she now found tentacles rather cute.

The only thing she lacked was the amount of mana.

This too had grown significantly due to the Academy's power of "unconditional growth." Whether she had achieved "Fullness" or not would require testing.

Maybe... she could aim for becoming the Red Tower Master's disciple.

"No, I can do it."

Selvia clenched her fist and left the room.

The Red Tower is hot and stuffy. Since flame magic is researched everywhere, the temperature inevitably rises. It's said that in the past, the Red Tower had masses of heat stroke patients.

But as time passed and magic developed, after a chain spontaneous combustion accident occurred in the Red Tower and three or four magicians were roasted to a crisp (thanks to priests, money was spent but no one died).

They thought, 'If we want to increase firepower further, we need to improve the tower structure first.' So they called in architectural experts and rebuilt the tower.

Open-style to allow heat to escape.

Large windows are opened in every corner of the tower. Corridors and rooms are designed to be more like terraces, and while privacy might be somewhat compromised, they became safer from accidents.

It's a bit annoying when people passing by the tower peek in, but even those tourists soon leave their spots due to the heat blasting out like from a blacksmith's forge.

In addition, they promote an annual magician exchange with the Blue Tower.

The stated reason was to promote friendship and research cooperation between the two towers, but in reality, they just needed human coolers. And the Blue Tower needed human heaters.

The exchange-magicians from the Blue Tower receive support to conduct research freely in the Red Tower, cooling the tower's heat with their coldness.

Selvia's first meeting with "Baek-seol," whom she considers a one-sided rival, also began because of this system.

"...Phew."

Selvia walked while flapping a hand fan. Checking the thermometer, it was 36 degrees, slightly higher than usual. This could be interpreted in one of two ways. Either the Red Tower Master had activated "The Sun," or today's research by the magicians was particularly passionate.

Most likely the latter. There was evidence for this judgment. Because.

"From now on, you are the 'Flame Funeral Director.' Even the wicked aren't sinful merely for being born, so that their souls may be freed from all corruption... burn them with sincere and warm flames."

"Yes, yes...! I shall burn not to kill people, but to save them. My flame will be warm, and reverent in silence. I will follow the words of the Flame Funeral Bishop."

"No. Don't follow my words, but conduct your own funeral. Tears, anger, lament, prayer—all are excellent funerals. Just don't forget the great purpose of commemorating the living... and walk the main road spreading your own will."

"Thank you, Funeral Bishop, thank you...!!"

A man with black hair and red eyes, like a crow.

That bastard.

No, that bishop, no, that professor... has brought a new wind to the Red Tower.

The Red Tower's basic direction aims to enhance the firepower of flame magic. Ultimately, their final aspiration was to create an eternal flame like the sun in the sky to obtain infinite energy.

So most magicians who enter the Red Tower pursue only stronger firepower. There were some oddballs who pursued destructive power or researched plant growth, but they weren't mainstream.

But ever since that precious professor arrived...

"I made these flower-patterned fireworks!"

"Oh, how pretty. You deliberately smudged this part of the magic circle, right? To give the feeling of flower petals drifting softly."

"Huh, how did you know, Newbie?"

"I can tell at a glance. Shall we try something more fun? When magic circles collide, efficiency goes to hell, but the effect becomes incredibly beautiful. So like this..."

It should be called a side-grade.

The number of magicians pursuing development directions completely unrelated to firepower enhancement has increased. Quite a lot, actually. In fact, they were still multiplying.

"...Tch."

Watching them somehow irritated her.

It wasn't her business what useless research they were doing, and it didn't particularly affect Selvia. The tower's temperature had risen a few degrees, but that would happen with any research.

Was it her inner drive for self-improvement that couldn't forgive laziness, making her angry at what looked like mindless play? Or...

"Wow, it's really pretty. Wow...!! I'm going to show this to my friends, Newbie!"

"Bring back a Merona!"

"I don't know what that is!"

Was it because they were laughing so happily and having so much fun?

I could have fun too.

If I had someone compatible by my side. If that kind-hearted boy with well-suited black hair were by my side, I could research all day with a smile.

No. Don't waver. Selvia steeled herself. Didn't her childhood friend also say this?

That you must move forward no matter the situation.

She had not the slightest intention of straying from her path.

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

In the center of the first floor of the Red Tower is a large bulletin board. The magicians of the Red Tower call this board "The Gate of Advancement." Or "The Gate of Despair."

Because completing the tasks posted on the bulletin board can make you a disciple of the Red Tower Master.

The tasks of "The Gate of Advancement" are divided into three categories: Theory, Practical, and Inspiration.

Theory. When you significantly improve the theoretical aspects of magic to increase efficiency, create new magic, or identify previously undiscovered formulas.

"If this magic circle overlaps well, the power might increase by 1.35 times."

Inspiration. When you present a concept that no one has thought of before. Or when you provide a positive influence that can accelerate the research of the Red Tower.

"I think flame magic would really suit area-of-effect skills, senior. If we mix magical fire with physical fire, I think it'll work. It's a hit."

Practical. When you prove your skills by defeating famous monsters or eliminating enemies of the Red Tower.

"If I could somehow solve the mana problem, I might be able to go toe-to-toe with a basilisk..."

"......"

Usually, it's difficult to achieve even one task. Of course. If it were easy, anyone could become a disciple of the Red Tower Master. That's why it's called "The Gate of Despair," and many magicians lament their lack of talent.

But this professor bastard is doing all three. Hiding his professor title, sneaking into the Red Tower pretending to be a newbie, and showing off his talent to his heart's content!

It's a bit infuriating.

With heat rising to her head, Selvia delivered a one-inch punch to the side of the Mad Magician who was excitedly babbling theory to another magician.

Thud-!

"Ugh...!! W-why so suddenly?!"

"What are you doing? What on earth are you doing here?"

"I already explained. I was torn into 30 pieces..."

"Please say something that makes sense?!"

The Mad Magician smacked his lips with an embarrassed expression. Then, after carefully observing Selvia's expression, he suddenly interjected.

"Have you been eating well lately?"

"...What?"

"No, you just seem particularly irritable lately. This tower is hot all year round... I was thinking you might try tomatoes or grapefruit. They contain a good fairy called vitamin C..."

Thump.

Selvia froze with her eyes wide open.

The Mad Magician kept babbling on in front of her, but she couldn't hear him. The word that had just passed filled her mind.

What did he just say?

Vitamin C.

Truly, not even slightly, no one... no one knew such a strange word. When she asked Professor Alejandro at the Academy, when she asked her senior at the Red Tower if they knew it.

They said they didn't know.

Only one person had ever mentioned that word. Her childhood friend.

The Mad Magician's words overlapped with her childhood friend's words echoing from the past.

'Eating a balanced diet is important, Selvia. There are small fairies called nutrients in the food we eat, and it's good for your health to supplement deficient parts harmoniously. I'll give you a list—'

"There's something called a complete food. Of course, I'm not saying eating just that will work out well, but eggs and tomatoes..."

"...I've been eating them. Tomatoes."

"Huh?"

The Mad Magician's expression said, how do you know that?

Selvia felt the same. How does the professor know this mysterious word that only the boy and I knew?

It's confusing. Does the professor have a friend like my childhood friend? Actually, was he closer than I thought...?

Black hair, red eyes. Or maybe. Perhaps—

Could this suspicious, frivolous, and occasionally unhinged professor possibly be—my childhood friend from my memories—

"If you're eating tomatoes well, maybe it's not a nutrition problem but simply stress building up. Or sugar? Should we go get something sweet?"

"—That's absolutely impossible!"

"......"

Selvia shouted and ran away from the scene. Her head felt like it was going to explode. No way, it can't be. It's impossible.

If that were the case... it would mean he didn't recognize me.

And the Mad Magician, left alone, muttered timidly with a wounded heart.

"...You didn't have to reject it that strongly..."

It was summer.