Drawing Manga in a Romance Fantasy

Chapter 188

"Beware of old men."

This was a widely known saying in the world of mages.

There were many factors to consider when evaluating a mage's skill, but none were as universally accepted as the importance of mana capacity.

"Tower Master, it’s time for the meeting."
"Understood. Please go ahead; I’ll finish up here and join you shortly."
"Very well."

While innate mana capacity was crucial, the ability to accumulate and refine it over time was equally significant.

No matter how much mana one was born with, surpassing the passage of time was nearly impossible.

For this reason, many renowned mages were elderly, such as Yustaf, the continent’s greatest mage, known for his long white beard.

However, a new saying had recently taken hold in the mage community:

"Beware of the woman with red hair."

"The Tower Master Xenia is entering!"

At the announcement from a young mage preparing the meeting, the elder mages seated at the round table all rose to their feet.

"Please, everyone, take your seats. Shall we begin the meeting?"

The round table, where only mages of elder rank or higher were allowed to sit, was presided over by Xenia, who took the highest seat. At her words, the elders all returned to their seats.

"The first item on today’s agenda is a request from the Somerset Workshop regarding new technology development."
"What is the request?"
"They are developing a device shaped like a helmet to wear on one’s head. The goal is to create an experience that feels like being there in person."

Xenia skillfully led the discussion.

"I must step away to complete the final task of my life."

Years ago, Yustaf had handed over his position as headmaster of the Academy to Rupert and announced his retirement.

At the same time, he had recommended his disciple, Xenia, to fill the vacant position of Tower Master.

"She’s too young and lacks notable achievements. Making her Tower Master just because she’s Yustaf’s disciple is unacceptable!"

Naturally, there had been those who opposed the unprecedented appointment.

But—

"Is she a goddess?"

After demonstrating her abilities in front of everyone, Xenia was unanimously elected as Tower Master, making it clear why Yustaf had chosen her.

"The next topic concerns the allocation of the Tower’s budget for next year. Recently, the battle mages have been voicing dissatisfaction over the focus on research and development."
"Didn’t we already address this issue last time?"
"Yes, but it seems their dissatisfaction hasn’t been resolved."

The Mage Tower had recently become divided into two factions.

One was the battle mage faction, focused on studying magic for combat purposes. The other was the magitech faction, which concentrated on practical applications and the development of magical items, represented by Xenia herself.

Because of this, battle mages felt sidelined.

"Magic has always advanced for the purpose of domination!"

Believing that combat was the essence of magic, they were discontent with the academic and research-focused direction the Tower was taking.

"The future of the continent lies in culture, not war," Xenia declared.

Though she was well aware of the battle mages’ grievances, she had no intention of reverting the Tower to its old ways.

"Mages of the past pursued power for its own sake and committed countless wrongs."

The elders at the table nodded solemnly, recalling the disdainful nickname "Demon’s Pawns" that had once been given to mages.

"I would rather use magic to bring a moment of happiness to the weary than erase a mountain from the map."

And these were not empty words.

"Wow, a mage!"

The people of the Empire now welcomed mages instead of fearing them.

"Our Empire’s mages create fascinating items admired even by other nations!"
"That’s not all. The Mage Tower branches across the Empire help with difficult problems, and we’re grateful for that."

Driven by her desire to help people facing hardships like those she had experienced herself, Xenia initiated various charitable projects under the name of the Mage Tower.

As a result, mages were becoming a beloved profession within the Empire.

"Oh, regarding the preparations for your wedding next week, Tower Master..."
"How is ‘it’ coming along?"

Xenia’s sharp eyes narrowed at the mention of her upcoming wedding.

The mage overseeing the preparations responded with a resolute expression.
"It’s ready. With this, I’m certain our Mage Tower will be the highlight of the wedding."
"It must be. Under no circumstances can we lose to the Bluewell family—not even to the royal family!"
"Rest assured, Tower Master."

Not only Xenia but the elders around her fiercely agreed.

Bluewell.

The name had become the Mage Tower’s greatest rival.

*****

"We might need to slightly increase the thickness of the paper."

"Yes, to ensure the stability of the newly developed sound paper. At its current thickness, there are concerns about durability."

In the research lab on the second floor of the Somerset Workshop, a striking woman was engaged in an intense discussion with the artisans.

"Lord Rupert specifically requested that music be included in the new Beauty and the Beast project."
"We’ll make sure to improve it by the deadline."

At Amelia’s words, the artisans responded with enthusiasm.

Making sound come from storybooks was something Rupert had long dreamed of, but technological limitations had previously made it impossible.

However, under Amelia's leadership, the Somerset Workshop staff had finally found a breakthrough, creating a hopeful atmosphere filled with determination.

"This was the technology even Master Krune admitted defeat to."
"She’s not the head of the research lab for nothing."

The artisans marveled at Amelia's abilities.

Since joining the Somerset Workshop after graduating from the Academy, Amelia had fully demonstrated her exceptional talents.

"In terms of magical aptitude, Xenia might surpass her, but as a magitech engineer, Lady Amelia’s talent is unmatched."

Amelia, who had studied magitech with the sole goal of being helpful to Rupert, had advanced Somerset Workshop’s technology to new heights.

So much so that the Mage Tower regarded her Somerset Research Lab as their biggest competitor.

"How are the preparations coming along for that?"
"Ah, you mean the celebratory fireworks for the wedding. They're in the final stages."
"We absolutely cannot be outdone by the Mage Tower!"
"Understood!"

Around the time Xenia became the Tower Master, Amelia had assumed the position of head of the Somerset Workshop’s research lab.

Perhaps because of this, the Mage Tower and the Somerset Research Lab were keenly aware of each other, fostering a fierce rivalry.

Although the two institutions maintained a cooperative relationship, they competed relentlessly to develop even slightly superior technologies.

The upcoming wedding of Rupert was no exception.

"Hmm, my brother says the Imperial Knights have offered to perform the ceremonial guard for the wedding. As much as I appreciate the gesture, isn’t His Majesty going a bit overboard for his sister’s wedding?"

"Don’t trouble yourself over it; it’s beyond what you can manage."

The spark was ignited by a comment from Iolin.

The ceremonial guard of the Imperial Knights, a spectacle normally reserved for royal weddings, was a scene straight out of a fairy tale.

Inspired by this, both Amelia and Xenia declared they would prepare events to rival the grandeur of the ceremonial guard.

Amelia’s contribution was the celebratory fireworks.

"On the day of the wedding, the sky above the venue will be adorned with dazzling lights that leave everyone in awe!"

The rivalry among the three women—who had grown closer during frequent gatherings after Rupert’s elevation to honorary duke—had begun as a contest of pride.

Though they got along well, each was determined to be the one Rupert loved the most, and this subtle competition was their way of proving it.

*****

"Ayton, don’t make that face."
"I always wanted to serve Your Highness for life."
"I feel the same way, Ayton. Leaving this place and parting with you is bittersweet."

As Iolin packed her belongings, she comforted Ayton, her chief attendant, who looked as though he might burst into tears.

Preparing to move for next week’s wedding, Iolin couldn’t help but reflect on all that had happened.

"The ending of Snow White, I’m sure you’ve thought of one by now, haven’t you?"

It was here that she had first met Rupert.

"If you’d given it to me earlier, none of this would’ve happened."

And where she had been tricked by Edric, who had schemed to steal one of her prized possessions.

"What in the world is he up to?"

As memories of her absent younger brother resurfaced, Iolin resolved to give him a stern talking-to whenever he decided to show his face again.

"Jorge, are you absolutely sure you won’t regret this?"
"If not me, who else would serve Your Highness?"
"Fair enough."

Though Iolin was technically no longer royalty after her marriage, Alex had insisted that she take a guard with her.

However, knowing that following her would mean a life far removed from advancement or prestige, Iolin initially planned to refuse.

"Without me, who will give you objective feedback on your works in the future?"

Jorge, her shadow guard, had volunteered to follow her without hesitation.

"Do you remember?"
"Which memory, Your Highness?"
"The commotion we caused in the middle of the night trying to get that limited-edition manga."
"Of course. Honestly, I thought at the time that you were assigning me some monumental task and was trembling in anticipation."
"Well, it was a monumental task."
"Looking back now, I suppose it was."

As Iolin, Ayton, and Jorge reminisced about old times while packing, they couldn’t help but laugh and chat for a while.