IRFVTS 27

Chapter 27

“Young Lady, I’ll go ahead and register you as a mage. Your registration card will be ready shortly.”

Meanwhile, Jerome was explaining the registration process to Elysia.

“Oh ho. So that means I can access the Mage Tower now?”

“Yes. A newly registered mage is granted privileges equivalent to an entry-level mage. You’ll have access to the central library and the mage-only dining hall.”

The two exited the testing room and headed toward the deputy tower master’s office. Jerome continued his explanation in a friendly tone as they walked. Elysia nodded and asked for confirmation.

“…So I’m being registered as an ordinary mage, right?”

“Yes? Ah, yes. Your attribute is illusion-type, but illusion magic isn’t considered dangerous, and your power levels didn’t trigger any alarms. So you’ll be registered as a regular mage.”

‘Phew, thank goodness.’

That was exactly what Elysia had been aiming for.

Being registered as a regular mage, not a “Specially Monitored Mage.”

In contrast to her hopes, what most people actually wanted was to be registered as a specially monitored mage. Those born with overwhelming mana or powerful magic were immediately classified as such.

‘But there are just too many restrictions.’

Specially Monitored Mages are placed under surveillance immediately. They’re prohibited from using magic outside the Mage Tower until they’ve properly learned how to control their mana. They’re also forced to wear magic-restraining artifacts. Until they complete training and swear allegiance to the Imperial Palace, even moving about freely is difficult.

Elysia, with her unusual attribute but low measured power, had luckily dodged those criteria.

‘Honestly, it works in my favor. Being too powerful or too special would be a pain.’

Wasn’t the perfect example of “too special” walking around this very place? The Tower Master!

‘The Tower Master can’t even show his face in public. Imagine how wary people must be of him…’

Elysia had no interest in such a life. Her plan was to hide her strength and gradually reveal it over time, while staying under the radar. Besides, she hadn’t unlocked that many skills yet.

Satisfied with her conclusions, Elysia smiled contentedly. Jerome continued his explanation.

“Young Lady, you’ll also be eligible for various minor benefits as a mage. If your research proposal is approved, you can even receive official funding and living stipends.”

The status of being a mage protected by the Mage Tower was quite special.

Having powers beyond that of ordinary people—just that alone changed how people looked at you.

“Hmm. This gives me a solid excuse to hole up in the tower.”

The Mage Tower actively encouraged magical research. When a mage shut themselves away in the tower under the pretense of research, even high-ranking nobles found it hard to summon them casually.

“So if I leave home, I can just sleep in the library, right? Hehe.”

Just then, they were passing by the central library. Elysia craned her neck to peek through the doors.

The library was much bigger than she’d expected. Tall windows stretched up to the high ceilings, letting in warm sunlight. Below them were plush velvet sofas and beautiful wooden shelves.

There was the comforting scent of paper, and magically lit candles adorned the walls.

“Wow… I really love it here.”

Even before her possession, Elysia had frequently visited bookstores and libraries out of boredom. She murmured with a proud look on her face.

“Father, if you ever kick me out, I shall devote myself to magical research in the library and become a magic-using mercenary who hunts monsters.”

“Oh… That’s quite the noble ambition.”

What she meant to say to her viewers via voice chat, she ended up saying aloud. Jerome, having overheard it, blinked blankly. Elysia seized the moment and asked brightly,

“What are the library’s hours?”

“It’s open 24/7, no breaks. Since everyone conducts all sorts of different research, we never know what book might be needed at what time. It’s always available for your use.”

“Oh, 24 hours a day, year-round! The Mage Tower is amazing!”

“Only seen that kind of setup at universities. What incredible benefits!”

At Elysia’s comment, the livestream chat blinked to life:

Isn’t that less of a “benefit” and more like…
A sign they’re worked to the bone? lololol
I can hear grad students crying from here…

As if on cue, a passing mage near Elysia had deep dark circles under their eyes. They muttered with a weary face,

“Ugh… I just wanna go home. But if I can finish this… maybe I’ll win the Hetalph Prize…? Though, what’s the point… I just wanna go home…”

The mage, eyes shining for a moment, then slumping again. Jerome shook his head with a sympathetic look.

“When that person first entered the tower, they were so excited, saying they’d research every type of magic. Practically lived in the library… Seems things aren’t going so well lately.”

“Oh ho, such dedication.”

“It’s thanks to people like them that magic advances. They haven’t won the Hetalph Prize yet, but they’ve still made impressive contributions. Honestly, no matter how much they whine, if there’s even a whiff of a new theory, they dash straight back to the library.”

“Ah…”

Sounds like workaholism to me.

As Elysia nodded thoughtfully, Jerome added with an excited expression,

“I never expected Lady Sempherion to show such interest in the library and magical research! You’re the first person I’ve seen ask about library hours right after entering the Mage Tower! And to consider moving out just to focus on research…!”

His expression grew more and more moved as he spoke. He must have misunderstood her earlier comment about living in the library. Jerome added with a look of admiration:

“If the first illusion mage devotes herself to research, you may leave a tremendous legacy in the magic world! Truly exciting news. The Mage Tower welcomes you at any time!”

Interest +20%!

Interest 50% → 70%!

Jerome now has high expectations for you, as both a brilliant researcher and the first illusion mage!

Her interest level spiked out of nowhere.

lololol
A high-quality test subject and brilliant grad student just walked in?!
No wonder he’s excited hahaha

It seemed that all the interest in Elysia since her illusion affinity was first revealed had just accumulated and burst all at once. Elysia mumbled awkwardly.

“No, I just wanted to know if I could sleep here. That’s all.”

She was just looking for a warm couch to crash on after running away from home. But apparently, that came off very positively. Jerome said seriously,

“If you plan to use the library, the Mage Tower’s doors will always be open to you. I’m certain the other mages would hold you in high regard and welcome you as a colleague if they knew this side of you.”

“Oh… okay. Thank you.”

“Please make full use of the Mage Tower.”

“Of course!”

Suddenly receiving warm hospitality, Elysia flashed a bright smile. She did plan to make good use of the tower—whether it was the 24-hour library, the dining hall, or the mage status itself.

“Hmm… Jerome’s interest is at 70%, and the crown prince’s is only 30%.”

Back home, Elysia glanced at the main quest window. The quest was to raise the interest of the two male leads to 50%.

But Jerome’s was 20% over, and the Crown Prince’s was 20% short!

So unbalanced…

If only that extra 20% from Jerome could’ve gone to the prince.

“No, seriously. The Crown Prince is so useless. I don’t even know what raised his interest level. How am I supposed to increase it when I don’t know what the trigger is?”

It had suddenly risen to 30% after their last conversation. Elysia frowned at the memory.

“Maybe if I start a rebellion… his interest will go up.”

Girl, no that’s too much! LOLOL
Stop with the rebellion thing hahaha

Among the flood of comments trying to stop her, some viewers offered advice:

Didn’t the Crown Prince say he was waiting for a letter…?
…Maybe try writing one?

“Hmm… yeah, he did say something like that.”

Elysia picked up a pen from her desk. But before it even touched the parchment, she let out a long sigh.

“Ugh, I’m so sorry, but I seriously don’t know what to write. And just thinking about his smug face makes it impossible to write anything nice.”

Pouting, she just doodled aimlessly on the parchment.

“What am I even supposed to say? ‘Why’d you throw sword energy at me? Were you trying to kill me or something…?’ Yeah, probably shouldn’t write that.”

She had left the scene acting all cool. It wouldn’t do to come off as petty.

“I’m a dignified and graceful noble lady who lets these things slide, obviously.”

Sis, you say you’re graceful, but you’ve got your feet up on the desk right now.
LOL is that noble etiquette now?
Are we sure you’re not holding a grudge? hahaha

As Elysia and her viewers bantered cheerfully, the mood suddenly shifted.

…Her vision turned red.

Warning! We recommend completing your main quest soon.
Warning! A sudden event has occurred in the quest.

With an ominous darkening of her screen, several warning messages popped up.

“What the…?”

Elysia frowned. The glitching visuals snapped back to normal with a new notification:

Ding!