chapter 5
“Ahh, you had your hair tied so nicely.”
Nivellia brushed dirt off her clothes with her tiny hands and said indifferently,
“It’s fine. No one cares.”
“I tied it, so I care.”
As Dether felt a slight sense of defeat, Solace approached the mages guarding the entrance of the Mage Tower.
The tower was enormous—so wide at the base that its curves were hard to grasp. Two mages stood in front.
With their sturdy builds and neat uniforms, they looked more like knights.
“……”
Nivellia quietly hid behind Solace.
He patted her reassuringly.
“It’s okay. They’re mages—they don’t carry swords.”
“Okay.”
Solace greeted them.
“Hello. We’re here on our grandmother’s errand.”
Dether showed a round gold emblem.
The guards stepped aside.
“Go inside and enter the 13th door.”
Inside—
“Snow…!”
“Snow!”
Snow fell gently from a cloudy ceiling.
The interior looked like an ice palace.
Mages glided around on bladed shoes or built eerie snowmen.
Each had purple-black buttons for eyes.
Dether tapped the icy floor.
“It’s not slippery.”
“Don’t lick it, Nini!”
Too late—Nivellia tried licking the floor.
Dether quickly picked her up.
“…It tastes bad.”
“Of course it does. People walk here.”
Solace sighed.
“You can’t take your eyes off her.”
“Still, she’s always entertaining.”
At the 13th door—
“What’s this?”
“The elevator.”
“I want to press it!”
“Use your finger, not your tongue.”
Ding—
The doors opened.
Inside was a small room.
“It’s smaller than a bathroom.”
They entered.
As the doors closed, they felt themselves rise.
“A little weird…”
Soon, the doors opened again.
At the top—
The air smelled like old wood.
Books filled the space.
“Excuse me…”
Solace called out.
“Tower Master, are you here?”
“Over here.”
A young-looking man appeared.
Long purple hair. Tired black eyes.
“Ah, Deiamor brats.”
This was the Tower Master, Magia.
“Hello, sir.”
“You’re Solace, right? The miracle of your family.”
“…You know me?”
“Of course. You didn’t take after your grandparents.”
He handed him candy.
“Eat this—it changes flavor every minute.”
“Thank you.”
Magia then looked at Nivellia.
“…You look exactly like your grandmother.”
“Hi!”
“Say hello properly.”
“I won’t!”
“Fine. Just grow up healthy.”
“Cat, are you hurt?”
“I licked ice and it tasted bad.”
“…You licked the floor?”
Solace quickly got to the point.
“We came with a letter.”
Magia read it.
“…A pink deer-horn mushroom. Rare.”
“It’s also being offered to the information guild.”
Magia scoffed.
“That woman Della has grown bold.”
At that—
Nivellia’s expression hardened.
“Grandma said she’ll sell to the highest bidder.”
“I see. A bidding war.”
“I’ll send my reply.”
As they turned to leave—
Smack!
Nivellia slapped Magia’s butt.
“Hey—?!”
“You bad guy!”
“NI NI!”
Before anyone could react—
She even raised her middle finger.
“YOU BRAT!”
The elevator closed.
Inside—
Solace was furious.
“You can’t hit people!”
“But he insulted her!”
“Who?”
“Della is pretty and kind!”
“…You know her?”
“She’s my subordinate! I protect her!”
“…She’s grandma’s age.”
“Still.”
They visited the information guild and returned home.
Muniel laughed loudly after hearing everything.
“You slapped the Tower Master?”
Nivellia proudly gave a thumbs up.
But then—
Muniel’s face turned serious.
“Nivellia.”
“Yes…?”
“Should you hit people?”
“Yes!”
“……”
“…No?”
“And the finger?”
“…Yes…”
“…Where did you learn that?”
Muniel paused.
“…Was it me?”
