The Innocent Mage's Spellbinding Nights - Chapter 32
The fortune-teller gave a relatively precise time frame, but the negative connotation of ‘However—’ troubled Irina. She swallowed nervously, waiting for the rest of his words.
“Around that time, many changes will occur, and things will become more chaotic.”
“What?”
“If you seek to gain emotions, you will lose power. If you seek to gain power, you will have to forsake your emotions. It would be wise to choose carefully.”
Irina felt as if her breath had been taken away. It wasn’t just a vague statement—it directly pinpointed her vulnerability.
‘Did he say this knowing I’m the White Tower Master?’
She had extended her outing by using fortune-telling as an excuse, but now she felt as if cold water had been poured over her, dragging her back to reality. Her face turned visibly pale.
Thud.
With a rough movement, Hesed placed a silver coin on the table and spoke up.
“You have a dangerously binary way of thinking, both you and the deity you claim to serve. There is no reason why emotions and power cannot coexist, unlike life and death.”
He spoke sharply and then gently patted Irina’s shoulder.
“Let’s go, Senior.”
“…Okay.”
This time, Irina did not hesitate. As they turned to leave, a low voice followed them.
“Everything is according to the will of the deity.”
The fortune-teller’s words remained unpleasant till the end.
*
“Right. Do you find that woman who possesses a power similar to mine but radiates brilliant light to your liking, my God?”
Alone in the tent, the fortune-teller murmured while gazing at the crystal ball, which was emitting a sinister light.
The two were unaware, but their visit was not a coincidence. Using one of the shamanistic techniques of the ‘San’ tribe, only those with a vulnerable heart could perceive the stall’s presence.
It had been over half a year since the man who had caused great trouble in the East had secretly arrived in the West. Compared to other regions of the continent, the West had well-developed strange techniques and shamanistic practices unique to each tribe, in addition to swordsmanship and magic.
Thus, it was convenient for the former leader of the dark sorcerers to disguise himself and blend in.
“Affinity with nature and mana are not entirely incompatible like oil and water…”
However, it was still a tricky power to wield in both hands.
The woman he had just encountered had been lucky to be born with that rare talent and had learned to handle it in a nurturing environment.
“That’s why the former White Tower Master, that old fox, chose her as his successor.”
The man licked his lips as if parched, murmuring to himself.
In truth, he was originally from the West. Born as a child of the now presumed extinct San tribe, he was the tragic figure kidnapped along with his sister by a group of dark sorcerers due to their unwanted powers.
Despite having similar powers, the man and Irina stood on opposite sides. He was the leader of the dark sorcerers, a shadowy figure in this world, while she was one of the four respected and loved Tower Masters of the continent.
The twisted shadow inevitably longed for and hated the light.
“Of course, I know it’s not time to make a move yet.”
He needed to wait a bit longer. Until the perfect opportunity, as foretold by Tumor, the god of dark magic and anger, and whispered by his instincts, arrived.
“I’m relieved that all the noisy squawking ones are dead. I can certainly wait.”
He had lost more than two-thirds of his forces fighting Hisran, the Red Tower Master, in the South. And in the East, he had lost all his remaining comrades fighting Siord, the Blue Tower Master, leaving him alone.
Yet, his face did not look sorrowful or weary. On the contrary, he seemed as joyful as someone whose long-cherished wish had come true.
“Now that the last customer has come, my work as a fortune-teller is done. Time to focus on other matters.”
The man laughed softly, put on a black robe, and left the tent carrying the crystal ball. Tonight, the crystal ball would again revel in the sweet taste of blood.
***
‘If you seek to gain emotions, you will lose power. If you seek to gain power, you will have to forsake your emotions. It would be wise to choose carefully.’
The outing, which had been pleasant until then, ended in a mess due to the fortune-teller’s curse-like words. However, the day itself ended differently.
‘I trust and respect my senior’s unwavering kindness more than anyone else. Because I was saved by that steadfast kindness.’
Hesed had whispered these words, kissing her forehead after they returned to the White Tower. His gentle words and his tender gestures helped Irina push away the negative feelings and fall asleep in a comforting mood.
Unfortunately, her peace did not last long.
*
“Molton said he saw the Tower Master and Vice Tower Master on a date in the downtown area yesterday.”
“What? Those two? Their relationship wasn’t great not too long ago, right?”
“How can you be so oblivious? The mood between them has changed recently.”
According to Oscar—
“The Vice Tower Master brings a carefully prepared lunch to the Tower Master every lunchtime and eats with her.”
“Really? Are they dating?”
“Well, there’s suspicion but no confirmation yet.”
“But if it’s true, Irene and Celsia would be seriously upset. Everyone knows they’re head over heels with the Vice Tower Master.”
