Episode 8
Before long, the Mage Tower’s carriage had exited the capital.
As they gradually approached the western desert—land belonging to the Tower—the air grew hot and humid.
Inside the carriage, the warmth lulled Luru and Lala into sleep. Mielle quietly cast a cooling spell over the children lying on her lap, and a cool breeze began circulating through the carriage. After exchanging a look with Saek, she picked up the paper bird in front of her.
‘Strange… It’s been a while since I received a message bird.’
It had been a long time since her master sent one.
‘When was the last time? I think it was well before I left for this mission.’
Back then, Saed had been out on business, and she had used the magic bird to send messages to him externally.
‘But he’s at the Tower now, isn’t he? I’ll be arriving soon anyway, so why bother sending a message?’
Had something happened at the Tower?
But nothing serious ever happened when the Tower Master was present.
Then there was only one explanation—he had more work for her to do.
‘I was hoping for a proper rest after returning for the first time in a while.’
She had planned to arrive, wash up, eat, and relax. Maybe visit the Empire’s famous hot springs and relieve some accumulated fatigue.
But now there was another mission?
Mielle frowned with frustration.
Normally, wizards returning from a long mission were given a break before receiving new assignments.
At least a few days’ rest was standard practice.
She had always worked that way.
‘If he doesn’t like me, he could just say so.’
Mielle crumpled the paper in her hand and looked out the window.
Instead of lush trees, dried, withered ones filled her view.
They had entered the land of the Mage Tower.
‘Maybe I should just pretend I didn’t see it.’
As the Tower drew closer, her desire for rest intensified.
All she wanted was to soak in a hot bath, eat a filling meal, and collapse onto a soft bed.
That thought made the Tower feel less important.
‘Yeah. My rest comes first.’
In the end, Mielle decided to let Saek handle the mission report.
If he needed something done, he could go through Saek. She was half-serious about it.
“Ugh, it’s hot!”
“Let’s hurry inside!”
As they stepped out of the carriage, the desert heat wrapped around them.
Luru and Lala ran straight toward the Tower, with Jack following, carrying the jewel box.
Mielle paused to take in the Tower.
Seeing it after a long time, she felt sentimental. The Tower stood tall over the barren desert, its top seemingly endless. Outwardly, it still looked like the same dull, gray structure.
“Mielle! Hurry!”
“Mi-mi-elle!”
At the children’s call, Mielle moved. The Tower’s entrance was a massive wooden door.
Though made of simple wood, it was thick and towering—but the kids easily opened it.
Only Tower members could open the door, thanks to a detection spell.
“It’s cool!”
“Nothing beats the Tower!”
The moment she entered, cool air brushed her skin. Hard to believe this was built in a scorching desert.
After greeting Saek and the kids, Mielle headed down a hallway.
On either side of the circular corridor were magical transportation devices for moving between floors.
She immediately went to the residential floor where the wizards’ rooms were located.
Her room was at the farthest end.
“It’s been too long, dear bed!”
The moment she saw the fluffy bed, she dove onto it.
She lay there, not thinking of anything. The soft, plush feeling under her back melted away her fatigue.
Growl
Her stomach rumbled loudly.
Mielle eventually sat up, showered quickly, changed clothes, and left the room.
“Oh… Mielle!”
As she arrived at the dining floor via the transportation device, she was greeted warmly by an old man she hadn’t seen in a while.
It was Shulien, stroking his white beard and grinning.
“Shulien! It’s been so long.”
“Looks like you’re back from your mission.”
“Yes, I just got in.”
“Good, good. You’ve worked hard. Heading to eat?”
“Yes! I’m starving.”
“Let’s go together.”
As they walked to the dining hall, they chatted casually.
Mielle told him about the dangerous region in Saeguk she had visited during her mission.
Shulien shared that he’d been there a few times and talked about the local specialties and delicious dishes.
“Hearing about food makes me hungrier.”
“Exactly. Let’s ask Pook to use some extra love in today’s dishes.”
“I’d love that!”
They entered the dining hall. Since it wasn’t dinner time yet, it was empty.
They headed straight to the kitchen where the chef, Pook, was prepping meals.
“Mielle! Long time no see!”
“Pook! It’s been too long!”
Mielle immediately hugged him. He was one of the few people who brought her joy at the Tower.
He always cooked delicious food, and Mielle always enjoyed it—so Pook liked her in return.
“Pook, Mielle just got back. Use extra care. Oh, and bring me the leftover cherry beer.”
“Got it. Just wait a bit—I’ll whip something up quickly.”
Mielle smiled brightly and began setting the table.
After sipping the red beer Shulien brought her, she waited for Pook’s meal.
—
“And so, we completed the mission successfully. This is a special bonus from the client.”
Jack, explaining their two-month journey, handed the jewel box to the Tower Master.
But the Tower Master wasn’t even looking at it.
“Tower Master?”
“Hm? Oh, this is the payment?”
“Yes.”
Only then did Jade touch the box. When he opened it, the jewels sparkled intensely.
Anyone could tell they were worth a fortune.
‘The client was the crown prince, wasn’t he? He’s not the type to be this generous… Strange.’
Noticing Jade’s suspicion, Jack spoke again.
“He said it was because we completed the mission nearly a month earlier than expected. He told Mielle that directly.”
“…Mielle? So you didn’t meet with the crown prince?”
“No. I was having tea with Luru and Lala. Mielle went alone—it was enough with just her.”
Even so, the bonus was excessive.
‘Isn’t that a bit careless of the prince?’
What bothered Jade more was that Mielle had met the prince alone.
No way… Right?
‘Did something like this happen in my previous life?’
He couldn’t quite remember. He hadn’t paid Mielle much attention back then.
“So where is Mielle now?”
“Pardon?”
“Where is she?”
“I’m not sure. Probably in her room?”
“…What?”
Jade frowned.
He had sent her a message bird, yet she sent Jack to make the report?
Surely he hadn’t heard wrong.
“She’s probably resting after the long trip.”
“…Fine. Go.”
Jade dismissed Jack and leaned back in his chair. Surely she’d come after resting and cleaning up a bit.
Yes, just a little patience.
An hour passed. Nothing.
‘Maybe she’s still cleaning up.’
Two hours passed. Still nothing.
“Why isn’t she coming?”
Eventually, Jade got up. Tired of waiting, he decided to find her himself.
He knocked on her door—no response.
No presence inside either.
“Where is she?”
He searched the Tower, asking any wizards he met. None knew she had returned.
Then, passing near the dining hall, he smelled food—despite it not being dinner time.
He headed straight in.
Inside, two people were happily eating—Shulien and Mielle.
Pook had clearly gone all-out—the table was full.
“Oh? Tower Master? What brings you here…?” Pook was the first to notice Jade.
The other two looked up, startled.
“Tower Master!”
Mielle was mid-bite, her plate in hand, clearly unaware of Jade’s presence.
Shulien stood, but Jade waved him off and approached slowly.
Seeing her face—still youthful—something stirred in his heart. A strange feeling welled up.
He stared silently, unable to say a word.
Mielle, now panicking, began choking on her food.
‘Why is he here?! He never shows up—now I’m choking from surprise!’
But Jade, unaware of her inner turmoil, misread her expression.
‘She’s flustered seeing me… Must mean she likes me.’
Mielle gulped down water, calming herself.
Once composed, she spoke.
“Master, what brings you to the dining hall?”
Normally, she might have ignored him, but he had sent a message.
“I sent a message bird, and yet you didn’t come.”
So that was why he came…
But Mielle didn’t budge.
Right now, rest was more important.
“The message only said to return to the Tower. It didn’t say to report to you,” she replied coolly.
It sounded nearly confrontational.
Mielle hadn’t meant to sound so cold, but her fatigue got the best of her.
She was even prepared to fight with him, if that’s what it took to protect her break.
Shulien and Pook, watching the tense exchange, held their breath.
They knew the two didn’t get along well, but Mielle always completed her tasks diligently, so there’d never been real conflict.
But now—this was too bold.
They expected Jade to explode with anger.
Maybe even expel her from the Tower. Or worse…
They shared a nervous glance, ready to intervene.
But Jade’s response surprised them all.
“…You’re right.”
The three of them—except Jade—doubted their ears.
