Chapter 606: The Red Book

Tower of Magic Administration.

As the name suggests, it’s the department responsible for the administration of this giant organization.

It was the first independent department in the Tower of Magic, not belonging to any specific faction. Its role was to support each faction so they could focus on their tasks.

The administration handled ambiguous and trivial tasks, represented the Tower’s interests during peaceful times, and connected isolated or hostile factions. It took on countless responsibilities.

To put it simply and directly, the administration was the Tower’s steward—or more crudely, the lackeys.

Even they couldn’t deny this. It was true, after all. So, the wizards assigned to this department were often in a complicated position.

This doesn’t mean they lacked skills. Considering the administration’s responsibilities, placing incompetent people there wasn’t an option.

It just meant that while they were competent, they weren’t exceptional. They didn’t have any outstanding background either.

On a scale of 10, they’d score around 7 or 8—replaceable.

So, despite its growing authority, the administration was in a tricky position when it came to leading anything.

For example, although they had the authority to summon the leadership of each faction during emergencies, they rarely used it.

However, this also meant that when the administration did exercise its power, the factions would follow. It signified a situation serious enough to warrant attention.

That’s why, at the odd hour of 4 PM, influential figures from the Tower visited this administrative tower.

The first to arrive were the Archmasters of the Elemental Faction. Agni, Skadi, Gaia, Enlil, and Mjolnir from the subfactions.

Although the Elemental Faction had lost some of its former glory, it was still the largest and oldest faction. It couldn’t be ignored when discussing influence within the Tower.

The second to visit was the Pure Magic Faction.

Though not as large as the Elemental Faction, the Pure Magic Faction also had a long history and substantial power. Especially since it was controlled by the Roer Family, who played a crucial role in the Kingdom’s military.

The third to arrive was the Moirai School.

Despite being small and new, they couldn’t be ignored due to their focus on the most relevant studies of the time, such as the World Tree. Particularly now that they had secured Eve.

Lastly, the Spatial Faction arrived.

Like the Moirai School, the Spatial Faction had recently risen to prominence. Their potential alone made them highly influential within the Tower.

Normally, the Life School would have been present too, but they couldn’t attend as they were still dealing with the aftermath of Lake Village.

‘That’s probably why the major wizards left.’

Burke Post, the head of the administrative tower, thought this as he sat in the meeting room.

Having passed the age of forty and nearing fifty, he was struck by the truth of how unpredictable life could be.

It hadn’t been that long ago, though time had passed, that they discussed the fate of Dave Wright, or rather, Xenon Bright in this very room. Now, they were discussing an entirely different issue.

“Hmm… It seems no one else is coming. Shall we begin?”

One of the Archmasters broke the silence, and another chimed in agreement.

“Yes… What do you want to discuss regarding Dave… Xenon?”

The people summoned by Burke were curious. Although they’d been briefed about Xenon Bright being the topic, the details were still unclear.

But it wasn’t to tease their curiosity. It was to prevent confusion.

“He wants to establish a Dark Magic faction.”

“What?!“

Immediately, the reaction was like this.

“Are you serious?”

“Create a faction?”

“Do they not understand what that means?”

“Is this really why you called us?”

Most of them responded with disbelief, finding it impossible or at least unthinkable.

Their reaction was understandable. Creating a legitimate faction wasn’t something to be taken lightly.

It was as if a mercenary leader wanted to form a military, or an entrepreneur decided to build a factory. However, it was closer to establishing a new country.

It wasn’t just about money and power. It required high-level recognition and legitimacy from existing powers, something more delicate and sophisticated.

That’s why, throughout the long history of the magical world, new factions rarely appeared.

This wasn’t a matter of individuals but of the times.

Unless it was in an era when magic was still being established or when rapid advancements were made, it was almost impossible for a new faction to emerge. Some centuries passed without any new factions.

But that wasn’t the only problem.

“It’s unheard of for one person to establish a faction.”

Even in such times, a faction hadn’t just appeared out of nowhere due to one person’s will.

Most factions were formed slowly, often after a group of wizards gathered and established the direction of their magical studies, selected a leader, and gradually built their influence.

It was like laying the foundation, placing cornerstones, and then raising the pillars to construct a building.

No matter how powerful and renowned someone was, establishing a faction on their own had virtually never happened, except for in a few extreme legends.

Even the great Archmagus Archive hadn’t created his own faction. At most, he combined or split existing ones like Merlin did.

Yet here was a Dark Mage claiming he wanted to establish a faction, and it was being spoken of by none other than the administrative tower’s leader.

Naturally, the factions’ leaders reacted with skepticism and disdain.

“That’s nonsense.”

“It’s not even worth discussing.”

“You didn’t summon us just for this, did you?“

The Elemental Faction, which had the longest history, firmly dismissed it, while the Spatial Faction, one of the most prominent, showed outright displeasure. The other factions weren’t much different.

The only ones relatively quiet were the Roer Family’s Archmaster from the Pure Magic Faction and Albert Hunt from the Moirai School.

‘The Roer Family head has ties with Xenon, and the Moirai School also has connections with him.’

Burke reflected on the information the administration had gathered. Xenon had already planted seeds of influence within the Tower of Magic.

“Are you seriously considering this, Mr. Post?”

One of the wizards, who had been quietly expressing displeasure, suddenly questioned Burke, who had remained silent until now. It wasn’t so much a question as it was an accusation, and that annoyed him.

“I agree it sounds absurd. It’s not something we can discuss rationally.”

He let out a sigh of relief.

“But if it’s already happening, there’s no reason not to discuss it.”

“What do you mean by that?”

One of the wizards glared.

“Exactly what I said.”

Burke dropped the formal tone to respond to that insolence.

“The reason you were summoned is because of Xenon, isn’t it?”

“We were summoned because it’s the administration’s authority.”

“But you arrived on time because of Xenon.”

Burke checked his watch, and the wizards couldn’t deny it.

Though they acted indifferent, the real reason they had promptly responded to the administration’s summons was Xenon.

Outside the Tower, he was active as Dave, the problem solver. Inside, as Xenon, he had played key roles in several significant events. The biggest reason was—

—“He’s Archive Merlin’s disciple.”

Someone countered.

“What’s that got to do with it? He’s also an experiment subject, like Kevin. Besides, doesn’t Archive show little interest in the affairs of the Tower or the world? Even his other disciple, Kevin, doesn’t get special treatment despite being mistreated in the Tower.”

“I hear Kevin can now handle spirits of all elements.”

Flinch.

“While seeing the Red Ones’ traits helped, Archive might have had a hand in that too. And do you really think Archive hasn’t been watching Kevin’s back? If Archive hadn’t helped, Kevin wouldn’t have gotten into the Tower or survived.”

“But creating a faction is completely different, isn’t it?”

“I agree. Even for Archive, it wouldn’t be easy. Honestly, it’s not about difficulty; it’s that he chooses not to.”

“What are you implying…?”

“What I’m saying is, if the conditions are right, Archive might help.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“You all seem out of the loop. Have you not heard the rumors about Gallos?”

“You mean about Xenon helping the Holy Knights take down the Dark Mage menace?”

“Precisely. He’s assisting the Holy Knights in subduing the Dark Mages. The key point here isn’t the Dark Mages—it’s the Holy Knights.”

“And why is that?”

“I hear the high-ranking priest commanding the Holy Knights has made a suggestion to the church—to recognize certain trustworthy Dark Mages under the church’s banner and put them in charge of hunting down other Dark Mages. It’s like using rats to catch other rats.”

“Is that true?”

“Do you think I’d lie? A high-ranking priest’s proposal is usually received positively—it’s part of the job. That means there’s a good chance Xenon will gain the Pater Church’s recognition. I don’t need to explain why.”

Silence answered him with agreement. Though some might see Tower wizards as rigid due to their pride, they weren’t actual fools.

These wizards could read the currents of the times and kept their ears open to the outside world.

This was why they knew about Xenon’s activities—they knew he had redeveloped X-District, worked with the Holy Knights in the New Continent, found the Flesh Cook’s Legacy, and helped Archive defeat a sea monster in the Sea of Oblivion.

Perhaps that was why they wanted to restrain Xenon. If they loosened the shackles of discrimination on someone as talented as him, who knew what he might do within the Tower.

“If he gets the Pater Church’s approval to create a faction, can we just ignore him?”

“Of course, we should! He’s a Dark Mage, isn’t he? Is he trying to claim Dark Magic as a legitimate form of magic?”

“He could very well do that. We could ignore him, but what if Merlin intervenes? Even after Merlin’s involvement, could we still ignore him? You’ve all heard stories about Merlin, haven’t you?”

Another silence filled the room. The current Merlin might seem like a harmless old man, but slightly older wizards knew that wasn’t his true nature.

In his youth, Merlin was more fanatical about eugenics than Theodore, and his belligerence was legendary.

When it seemed the Elemental Faction was declining, he invited all the Grandmasters of the various factions and challenged them. By force, he unified them into the current Elemental Faction, earning the title of a mad conqueror.

Naturally, wizards whose ranks had dropped a level bore grudges, but none dared to show them. That was Merlin, and that’s why everyone was cautious about him.

Before being Archive, Merlin was a force to be reckoned with by himself. You never knew when that madman might return.

With reality laid bare, the representative wizards of each faction sighed.

“So, what are you proposing?”

“Don’t be so quick to say no. Go back and seriously discuss this. If you’re going to oppose it, come up with a solid logical argument. If that’s not possible, then at least find a way to contain it. If you immediately say no, Archive might get involved.”

A collective sigh echoed in the hall.

“I have a question. Where do you stand, Mr. Post? You seemed to know about this beforehand.”

“To answer the last question first, yes, I knew. But I dismissed it as nonsense and forgot about it until now when I had to address it.”

“I see. And what about your stance on the matter?”

“I’m on the same side as you.”

“······.”

“Whatever benefits the Tower is right, especially considering I’m the head of the administration. That’s why I called you here.”

Burke was sincere.

Having worked for the administration until now, Burke genuinely considered the Tower’s interests, not being ashamed of the work he’d spent his life on, and that’s why he summoned the wizards before him.

To pave the way for Xenon Bright’s request to establish a faction. Announcing it here would inevitably spread the rumor across the Tower, revealing who supported and opposed it and why.

If Xenon truly had the potential to form a faction, they could respond accordingly.

Thump, thump, thump.

Burke felt his heartbeat faster as he watched the Archmasters’ confused expressions.

He couldn’t imagine what kind of changes this exceptional figure, Xenon, who had dealings with the Pater Church despite being a Dark Mage, would bring to the Tower.

Nor could he imagine how the administration, the Tower’s servants, would change in response.

The only certainty was that the impact would be even greater than the creation of the Moirai School.

Although he was at the age when he should be thinking of a peaceful retirement, Burke suddenly found it not unpleasant to be involved in something like this in his later years.

It was truly fascinating. That a young man could wield such power. Burke wondered what that young man was doing at this moment.

“Revolution! Revolution!!”

“Make the ruling class tremble before the revolution!”

“Unite! You have nothing to lose but your chains! You have a world to win!!”

“Labor! Alienation! Exploitation!”

“Grrrrr!!”

The Childs and the Greedy Bag shouted at the X-District Redevelopment Union’s meeting.

A heavy silence fell over the hall. Joe, in a suit, respectfully handed Oliver a labor pacification baton, the FRP-105.

Unconsciously, Oliver accepted the FRP-105 as he asked.

“What’s going on, Childs, Greedy Bag?”