<Chapter 32> Ropal Wizard Association
December 2, 2023
However, not even an hour after her arrival, Cordelia encountered her first obstacle.
‘How am I supposed to get in?’
Finding the Ropal Wizard Association hadn’t been difficult. She followed the path Baron had told her, and soon enough, a massive building came into view. The problem came afterward.
The main gate was firmly shut. Only a narrow side door remained open, and everyone entering through it had some kind of glowing ring on their arm.
Cordelia, seeing no one around, tried to push the door open herself. Unsurprisingly, it didn’t budge.
After lingering outside for some time, she stopped someone who was going in.
“Excuse me!”
“What is it?”
A man wearing a long black robe turned to her, clearly annoyed.
“I’m trying to get inside. How do I enter?”
He scanned her up and down, then waved her off.
“From the looks of you, you’re a traveler. This place isn’t open to just anyone.”
“I’m not here to sightsee. Um… how should I put this? I’m going to my master’s research lab.”
“Master? Are you a mage?”
“Oh, yes! That’s right.”
Cordelia nodded eagerly, brightening at the question. The man squinted at her suspiciously.
“Never seen your face before. Who’s your master?”
“Leonard Atilay.”
He burst out laughing before she even finished speaking—definitely not a kind laugh.
“Why are you laughing?”
“At least do your research before trying to scam someone. That man passed away over two months ago. Even if he weren’t dead, pretending to be his student of all people? That’s ridiculous.”
“It’s true! I really was taught by Leonard Atilay.”
“Hah! Hey, Catherine, come here. We’ve got someone claiming to be Atilay’s disciple.”
Clearly not believing her, the man began calling over his fellow mages, mocking Cordelia.
“What do I have to do to prove it to you?”
“That’s easy. If you really were Atilay’s disciple, show us his seal.”
“Seal? What’s that?”
“Hah! You’re claiming to be a mage’s disciple and you don’t even know what a seal is?”
There were now more than five spectators around her, all laughing and scoffing.
Cordelia panicked.
She vaguely remembered Baron mentioning something about a seal in passing, but she’d never received one.
Maybe he slipped it into my belongings? She frantically searched through her bag again, but all she had was an old key.
Seriously? If I needed a seal to get in, he should’ve told me. I’m being humiliated at the entrance now!
She was about to give up and return to the inn when—
“You said you’re Leo’s disciple?”
The voice came from behind, soft, clear, and unforgettable—like the dew of early morning.
It belonged to the man who had instantly recognized Roti as a magical beast.
“Oh? The guy from the inn—gasp.”
“L-Lord Elfenbaum.”
To her shock, it was Rosenblu Elfenbaum.
The mocking mages surrounding her quickly backed off in embarrassment upon seeing him.
Even from afar on horseback, he had seemed unreal. Up close, he looked even more so—like a living sculpture.
He looked down at Cordelia with cool blue eyes and asked,
“Can you take responsibility for what you just said?”
“Yes? Oh, yes. I’m certain.”
“Then I’ll help you. If you really are Leo’s disciple.”
“Help me how? Wait—”
Before she could finish, Rosenblu grabbed her arm without warning and muttered something under his breath. At the same time, light began to radiate from her body.
Cordelia immediately recognized the feeling. It was exactly like the moment Leonard had accepted her as his disciple.
Intricate geometric patterns began at her fingertips, spreading like spiderwebs across her entire body. The light slowly faded, and silence fell. No one dared to speak.
Except for Cordelia.
“So… does that mean I’m verified now? Can I go in?”
“My goodness! She’s real!”
“Catherine! Notify the elders immediately! Atilay’s disciple has appeared!”
“Dear heavens!”
People began shouting like mad and running off in all directions. Cordelia flinched at the frenzy. She’d expected surprise—but not this level of chaos.
“W-What’s going on?”
“It’s true. Leo actually left behind a disciple.”
“So you believe me now?”
“How could I not? You’re marked with Acheron.”
“Acheron?”
“It’s the name of the star Leo founded. Don’t tell me you didn’t know?”
“Never heard of it. Oh—but I do know he ran a star… what was it… Sei… Seri…”
“Seirius.”
“Yes, that’s it! Seirius. The highest one.”
Rosenblu completed the sentence for her, still wearing a baffled expression.
“You’re the sole heir to Leo’s school and you didn’t even know its name?”
“He never told me!”
“Well, fine. We’ve got time.”
He opened the door and entered with Cordelia naturally following beside him.
“What brings you to Ropal?”
“I, um, came to check on my master’s research lab.”
“Perfect timing. Maximilian just submitted a request to permanently close it. You might be able to stop him.”
He murmured, more to himself. Cordelia, who knew the backstory, didn’t ask further.
“Come. I’ll show you the way.”
“Um, but…”
“Yes?”
“Could you… let go of my hand?”
“Oh.”
It seemed he’d just realized he was still holding her wrist. He let go with a sweet smile.
Seeing that smile up close, Cordelia momentarily felt faint. He was stunningly handsome.
“Sorry. I was just surprised.”
“Ahem. It’s fine. Still, your reaction was much milder than theirs earlier.”
“That’s probably the normal response. I mean, Leo’s disciple…”
“Are you really that unaware? Eight years ago, Leo publicly declared he would never take a disciple.”
“Really?”
“You have no idea how many mages were disappointed. Leo wasn’t just respected—he was a living legend. Then suddenly, he’s dead, and now a disciple appears? Of course it’s shocking.”
“Was my master really that famous?”
Cordelia was honestly surprised. She always thought Leonard exaggerated a bit, but clearly he was far greater than she imagined.
“Hah. The fact that you don’t know is even more amazing. Ah, right—I haven’t introduced myself. I’m Rosenblu Elfenbaum. We met briefly at the inn.”
“Oh? You remembered?”
“Of course. I’ve never seen a magical beast like that before.”
“Well, Roti’s more like a dog than a magical beast, to be honest.”
“May I ask your name?”
“Oh, right! I’m Cordelia Abrams.”
She curtsied politely like a noblewoman.
“Abrams?”
“You probably haven’t heard of it. It’s a tiny estate in the countryside.”
“I see.”
“But may I ask you something as well?”
“Anything.”
“You seemed really familiar with my master—do you two know each other well?”
“Hmm. How do I put it… Not quite friends, but more than mere acquaintances.”
“Ah, I thought so.”
“You thought so?”
“I mean, there’s no way my master had friends. Especially someone as normal as you.”
“Pfft.”
Rosenblu burst into laughter in the middle of walking. His voice was as pleasant as expected, and Cordelia couldn’t help but think it sounded like a bell.
“Sorry. It’s just… You really are Leo’s disciple.”
“I told you I am!”
“Yes, I believe you now.”
He resumed walking with a gentle smile, and Cordelia followed.
The deeper they went, the more breathtaking the view became. The dome ceiling sparkled with what looked like jewels—so bright they seemed like they might fall at any moment.
“Wow.”
Cordelia stopped walking to gape. Rosenblu smiled and explained kindly.
“That’s called the Hall of Stars. It holds seventeen diamonds, each representing a different school of magic. It used to be sixteen, but Leo added a new star eight years ago.”
“What was my master like back then?”
“You don’t know?”
“Nope. I’ve only been with him for, uh… cough… oh.”
She stopped herself mid-sentence. Saying she’d only been his disciple for two months might raise suspicion.
“Two?”
“Uh, a year! That’s right. I met him about a year ago.”
“A year? That’s it?”
He looked disappointed for some reason. She didn’t know why meeting Leo a year ago would disappoint him, but she didn’t press.
“Then you must’ve just finished your apprenticeship and become a low-rank mage.”
“Exactly.”
“Hm. Well, even Leo couldn’t foresee everything.”
He muttered something she didn’t quite understand, and they continued walking past the Hall of Stars. Though it may have been her imagination, it felt like more and more people were gathering in their direction.
At first, she thought there might be an event, but the murmurs were clearly directed at Elfenbaum.
Cordelia whispered quietly,
“Lord Elfenbaum… you must be really famous here.”
“Me?”
“Yes. Everyone keeps staring.”
“I’m not so sure. I think they’re looking at you.”
“Me? But I just arrived today.”
“You’re marked with Acheron. And five mages witnessed it. By now, every mage in the association probably knows who your master is—elders and even the heads of all the Seirius branches.”
“Oh, really?”
News travels fast, Cordelia thought. She was surprised at how small the world of mages seemed.
And as if to prove Rosenblu’s point, an old man with a staff suddenly appeared.
With white hair and dressed exactly like a wizard out of a fairytale, he shoved his face right up to hers and asked:
“So you’re that rascal Atilay’s disciple?”
