Chapter 603: The Changing Randa

Burke Post, the head of the Tower of Magic’s administration, was called the Administrative Leader, not the Chief.

That’s because the vast organization known as the Tower of Magic was operated by several Grand Masters rather than just one Chief. This was due to its origin as a federation.

The federation had united after splitting from the branches of traditional schools.

Because of this, the administration that coordinated the schools and handled the Tower of Magic’s affairs had less influence compared to the schools that made up the Tower.

The schools were the root of the Tower of Magic, while the administration merely supported them.

However, some things change with time. Although the administration was still small in size and stature, it didn’t lack real power.

Even though it was a supporting role, the administration managed the entire Tower of Magic and coordinated cooperation and conflicts between schools. This increased its authority and influence considerably.

It’s like how having many responsibilities strengthens your voice. As evidence, the administration gained the right to execute a substantial portion of the Tower’s budget. Although they couldn’t lead, they could shape public opinion.

And on rare occasions, the administration also had the power to establish new schools within the Tower of Magic.

This power naturally came from being an independent department not belonging to any school. An example of this is the Moirai School, which specializes in handling the World Tree.

Burke Post, who currently held the position of Administrative Leader, was quite proud of this.

By launching the Moirai School, which focuses on the World Tree, the Tower of Magic’s standing increased, and it showed everyone that the administration held significant power.

It was like killing two birds with one stone, a masterful move.

But despite all this, Burke Post now made a foolish sound.

“Huh?”

The foolish sound was unbefitting of a middle-aged man. Valuing his dignity, Burke ignored the sound he made and instead focused on the young man in front of him.

“What did you just say?”

“I’m thinking of establishing a school within the Tower of Magic that teaches dark magic. I’d like your opinion, sir.”

In front of Burke stood the young man, known as Dave Wright, a problem-solver in the T-District of Randa and an employee of the Tower, who also went by the name Xenon Bright.

He spoke clearly, as if Burke hadn’t heard him well. Burke laughed quietly to himself.

“Ha! Are you seriously asking me that?”

“Yes.”

Oliver nodded. The rumors were true; he was crazy.

“Why are you asking me such a thing?”

“Because I know the administration’s approval is needed to establish a new school. You, Burke Post, as the Administrative Leader, give the final approval. That’s why I’m asking you.”

Burke couldn’t respond to such an outrageous and crazy answer. However, it seemed he wasn’t joking.

“I think you might be mistaken. You need the consent of a Grand Master within the Tower to establish a new school.”

“I understand. But the administration is the one with the final approval, and I also understand that the administration can shape public opinion.”

Burke’s gaze at Oliver subtly changed.

“You know quite a bit.”

“I read the Tower’s rules and regulations on authority and power.”

“You must not have much else to do.”

“I read it because I thought it might be useful while working as a personal staff member for a professor. It’s a valuable opportunity for me, and it’s proving to be useful now. So, may I ask your opinion?”

“About what?”

“About establishing a school within the Tower of Magic that teaches dark magic and what you think about it.”

Though Burke tried to shift the topic several times, Oliver shamelessly asked again. Realizing he couldn’t dismiss the question, Burke raised his voice intentionally.

“Are you seriously asking me that?”

“Yes.”

“I’ve heard you’re not all there, but this is beyond expectations.”

“Is that so?”

“Let me tell you something you might not understand. The Tower of Magic’s administration exists to ensure the Tower’s safety and promote its interests. Although it’s often seen as a lesser organization by ambitious people, I take great pride in my position. The achievements of the Tower of Magic may belong to the schools, but it’s the administration that led to its prosperity.”

“I’m listening and I agree.”

“Then how could you bring such a ridiculous idea to me? You want dark magic to be made into a school in the Tower of Magic? …Though you’re just an employee, I agreed to meet with you because you’re a disciple of the Archive, but it seems that was clearly a mistake. I’ll overlook this mistake, so you may leave.”

Burke replied based on what he knew about Xenon from rumors and Dave’s reputation.

Much was said about him in the streets, with people praising or criticizing his involvement in noisy incidents. Despite this, overall, he was seen as a man who preferred dialogue over force and refrained from exploiting advantageous situations.

In other words, he was seen as a gentleman who didn’t resort to underhanded methods.

So, Burke showed his displeasure, expecting Oliver to back down since he wasn’t the type to persist in such a dirty manner. However, the response he received was unforeseen.

“May I correct a few things?”

“What?”

“From what I heard, there seem to be some mistakes. First, the reason you agreed to meet me was not because I’m the disciple of someone well-known. That may have played a part, but it’s more because of the efforts I’ve made in several situations at the Tower of Magic. Do you agree?”

Before Burke could answer, Oliver read his emotions and assumed his approval.

Burke felt a chill down his spine. Although he worked in the administration, Burke was still a highly accomplished wizard, enough to hold a high position within the Tower of Magic. Yet, this young man easily saw through his emotions.

“I helped save students in the Lake Village incident that was initiated by Theodore, with the help of Professor Kevin, Lieutenant General Philip, and Yareli. I also, alongside Professor Kevin and Yareli, fought against the forces of the Flesh Cook in Gallos for the Tower of Magic and retrieved Eve from outside of Randa. Additionally, I’ve published papers of interest to the Tower’s wizards.”

Though there were many other incidents, Oliver didn’t mention them. Since Burke couldn’t deny these, what Oliver mentioned was enough.

“So, I don’t think it’s just the influence of my teacher that allowed me to meet you. I believe I am deserving of an answer to my question.”

The room fell silent. After a moment, Burke spoke up.

“…Do you really think establishing a school for dark magic in the Tower of Magic is a reasonable question to ask?”

“I’m not asking you to make it official. I’m just asking for your opinion on whether it could be possible. Do you think it’s possible?”

“Most wizards wouldn’t agree.”

“So, there’s the possibility that some might. After all, there have been wizards who studied dark magic, even if they were few.”

“Do you think it’s reasonable to incorporate a practice that uses people as ingredients into the Tower of Magic’s studies?”

“But doesn’t magic use people as ingredients as well?”

Though Burke’s tone was sharp with pressure, Oliver didn’t back down.

Everyone knew it was an open secret that human experiments were conducted by the Tower of Magic. Some voices spoke out against it, but it was undeniable that it was ongoing.

Of course, those in the leadership of the Tower of Magic were fully aware of this and always prepared counterarguments. Yet, facing this young man, Burke found it hard to form words.

It wasn’t because Oliver was the disciple of the Archive or because he had recently become infamous enough to be called “the Finger.”

No matter how powerful Oliver might have been, Burke knew he wouldn’t threaten him here due to their positions, societal promises, and the rules they both adhered to.

However, Burke couldn’t speak. He had a feeling. He felt that simply brushing this off like he usually would or making some excuse wouldn’t end well. There was no direct evidence, but his instincts, honed over years in the administration, warned him that responding poorly would lead to trouble.

Burke adjusted his posture, switching from addressing Oliver as a petitioner to addressing him as a potential partner.

“Alright, enough of the wordplay. Let’s get to the point.”

Oliver nodded.

“Let’s not talk about concepts like good or evil, right or wrong, but rather, let’s have a practical and productive conversation. Do you truly think establishing a dark magic school in the Tower of Magic is possible?”

Of course, it wasn’t. Dark magic was just illegal, plain and simple, unlike established magic that had been legally recognized in society for a long time.

“But if it were possible, what then? If dark magic could be integrated and beneficial to the Tower, would you allow it? From the perspective of promoting the Tower’s interests?”

Oliver approached the conversation based on Burke’s logic. Burke felt trapped by the argument, but as a seasoned magician and servant of the Tower, he ignored the pressure and thought it over.

“…If it posed no issues and benefited the Tower, then it wouldn’t be impossible.”

“Sorry, but that’s a rather vague answer.”

“When you sit in this chair, you often have to give vague answers. It’s a position with heavy responsibilities, so you must answer carefully, even if it doesn’t seem manly.”

“Hmm, I see.”

Oliver nodded as if he had learned something new.

Seizing the moment, Burke asked.

“So why are you suddenly interested in the Tower? Have you always been?”

“Because I can get tax benefits.”

Burke tilted his head in confusion at the straightforward answer, but Oliver was sincere.

The reason Oliver wanted to establish a school within the Tower of Magic was for none other than the tax benefits.

One of Randa’s core industries was magic and its related businesses. Naturally, Randa provided significant tax benefits to the Tower of Magic and its affiliated institutions, to promote its magic industry. Oliver wanted to establish a school within the Tower to enjoy those benefits.

“Just for that?”

Burke muttered as if questioning his sincerity. While tax benefits were indeed an undeniable advantage in a wealthy city like Randa, it seemed like a paltry reason for a prominent fixer like Dave to join the Tower of Magic.

One might have expected higher aspirations like power or influence, but this was difficult to grasp.

“If I save on taxes, I can use that money for something else. Besides, I personally believe it’s better if dark magic comes out into the open.”

“For a dark magician?”

“Not just for dark magicians, but for others as well. If it’s forced into the shadows, it becomes more dangerous, which is a threat to everyone. It would be safer overall to put safety measures in place and integrate it into the light.”

“I understand what you’re saying, but you’re making a serious mistake. Wanting to bring dark magic to light just to incorporate it into the Tower is nonsense. To be integrated into the Tower, dark magic has to come into the light first. And that’s something the Tower can’t do.”

“I’m aware.”

“Then why are you asking? This is a pointless conversation.”

“No, it’s not pointless. I’ve just confirmed from this conversation with you that, provided there are no issues and the Tower benefits, dark magic could indeed be integrated into the Tower.”

Oliver confirmed this through Burke’s words and emotions, and Burke realized it too.

Oliver wasn’t just discussing some impossible scenario; this conversation was grounded in reality. Just when Burke was about to ask what he meant, Oliver stood up.

“Thank you for your time, Administrative Leader Burke. I’ll see you next time.”

“You plan on coming back?”

“Yes. I’ll return with a more realistic and productive topic.”

Oliver answered as he exited the office. A few days later, Randa’s back-alley rumors spread with some news.

There were reports that Dave, one of Randa’s most prominent problem-solvers, was driving out the remnants of the Flesh Cook and other dark magicians looking to fill the void left in Gallos.

Following these rumors, discussions in the Tower of Magic began regarding the establishment of the Bright School, a new faction made up of dark magicians.