Oscar froze. No, it would be more accurate to say he momentarily broke down.
The Deputy Tower Master tilted his head while observing Oscar's stiffened body and face.
"Oscar?"
"Y-Yes?"
"Are you alright? You don’t look well."
"No, it’s nothing. More importantly, what did you just say?"
"The Tower Master has returned. Two days ago."
It wasn’t a mistake.
He’d heard correctly.
‘Sasha.’
She had returned.
Suppressing the overwhelming urge to dash out of the room to see her, Oscar asked,
"Is it possible for me to meet her?"
"Of course. In fact, one of the reasons I suggested you stay for another day is because the Tower Master wants to see you. You two often discussed magic together, so it might also help with regaining your memories."
She wanted to see him.
This was unquestionably good news.
He had thought he would meet Lloyd first among his disciples, but this turn of events was even better.
‘If I meet Sasha first, I can ask her what happened to Lloyd and Gilly.’
While organizing his thoughts, the Deputy Tower Master spoke.
"There’s so much I want to ask you—about your time at Starlight Mountain, what magic you learned—but you seem quite fatigued. For now, go back to your room and rest."
"Thank you for your consideration."
Even after returning to his room, his excitement wouldn’t subside.
In fact, it only grew worse.
Whether he paced the room, sat on the sofa, or lay on the bed, his gaze kept drifting toward the ceiling.
‘Sasha is right above me.’
Sasha Maestro.
Just imagining how his youngest disciple might have grown brought a smile to his face.
Of course, the prospect of meeting her wasn’t all joy and anticipation.
There was fear too.
‘...She might hate me. Or worse, she might despise me.’
Meeting her meant facing truths he had tried to ignore until now.
Looking up at the ceiling, Oscar thought,
‘I’ll only know once I meet her. Only then.’
He would have to decide then—whether to reveal his identity to her or not.
The next day.
Sometime after lunch, a summons announcement was made.
The message was simple: Sasha was calling for him and wanted him to come to the Tower Master’s office.
Dressed in the most immaculately pressed white robe he had ever worn, Oscar made his way to the top floor of the White Tower, where the Tower Master’s office was located.
Swallowing hard, he knocked on the door, and a voice, clear as a canary’s song, came from within.
"Come in."
Just hearing her voice made his heart feel like it might explode.
Taking a deep breath, Oscar carefully opened the door with trembling hands.
The room was flooded with afternoon sunlight, and seated at the desk was a petite figure.
Sasha Maestro.
Oscar’s youngest disciple.
Looking at her, his eyes filled with emotion.
‘...She hasn’t grown much, has she?’
He had somewhat expected it.
She was a half-blood, born of a human and a fae.
Her physique was naturally much smaller than a human’s, though her lifespan would be much longer.
Though he understood this intellectually, his heart refused to stay calm.
He couldn’t help but wonder—had the Tower’s lack of resources deprived her of proper nutrition during her growth years?
Or had she been so overworked in her youth that she hadn’t gotten enough rest?
Such thoughts filled his mind, the worries of a mentor.
"Ah, Oscar, please have a seat. Let me finish reviewing this document first,"
Sasha said with a bright smile.
Her smile was more effective than any potion, healing him just by looking at it.
"...Yes."
Sitting on the sofa, Oscar silently watched her.
Dressed casually, she had something in her ears as she pored over documents with her striking red eyes, brimming with focus.
‘...Impressive. My youngest.’
How she had grown to efficiently handle the demanding duties of a Tower Master was beyond admirable.
He couldn’t help but smile, though he tried to suppress it.
"Ah, I’m done!"
A while later, Sasha stood up after organizing the documents and removing what she had in her ears.
She seemed to be just over 150 centimeters tall.
She snapped her fingers, and tea appeared on the table as if by magic.
"I heard the news while I was away. You had an accident so severe that you lost your memory?"
"Yes."
"If I had been in the Tower at the time, I would’ve scolded you thoroughly, but since it’s in the past, I won’t say more about it."
Her attempt to look stern and mature was so endearing that Oscar almost fainted.
Lowering his head to hide his smile, he apologized.
"I’m sorry."
"No, no. You don’t have to look so down..."
Flustered, Sasha waved her hands and quickly changed the subject.
"I heard you met the Sage of the Stars during your journey. Did you gain anything from the encounter?"
"Yes. I was fortunate to have some serendipitous experiences."
"...Wait a moment. You’re Level 4 now?"
Her crimson eyes widened like a startled deer.
And rightly so. Just three or four months ago, Oscar had only been a Level 1 mage.
‘His growth... It’s unbelievably fast.’
Typically, it would take an average of nine years for a Level 1 mage to reach Level 4.
Oscar’s progress was absurdly quick.
Granted, his circumstances weren’t typical—he had already reached the theoretical knowledge of an intermediate mage, but physical limitations had stalled his growth.
‘Even considering that, his pace is way too fast.’
She couldn’t help but worry about whether his mana circuits had stabilized properly.
Three or four months was too short a time for everything to settle.
Finally, Sasha cautiously spoke.
"Oscar, if you don’t mind, may I examine your body?"
"Of course."
Oscar nodded readily and extended one arm.
Sasha placed her hand on his wrist and closed her eyes.
Moments later, she opened them wide in surprise.
‘W-What is this...?’
Of the four magic circuits installed in Oscar’s body, three were already stabilized.
However, what astonished her wasn’t their stability but the design and craftsmanship of the circuits.
Beyond mere functionality, they were as beautiful as the works of a renowned artist.
She couldn’t help but briefly wish she had circuits like these.
“Hmm, they’re excellent. But remember, when trying to catch a dragon’s tail, you must approach slowly. If you’re impatient, you’re bound to make mistakes.”
[Translator - Night]
[Proofreader - Gun]
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
Letting go of his wrist with an awkward expression, Sasha asked,
“What kind of serendipity led to this?”
“...What?”
How many times could one be surprised in such a short span?
She asked again, her expression indicating she must have misheard.
“By the first master of the White Tower, do you mean Ado Vail?”
“Yes, that’s correct. Let me explain in detail...”
Oscar began recounting what had happened in Starlight Mountain.
Watching Sasha intently focus on his story with her ears pricked up brought back many memories.
‘Back then, too, whenever I talked about magic, her eyes would light up with interest.’
And whenever he paused, she always said the same thing.
“Tell me more. I want to hear everything.”
Oscar chuckled, unable to resist.
Though much time had passed, her demeanor was so identical to the Sasha he once knew.
“Hmm? Why are you laughing?”
“It’s nothing. I just recalled some nostalgic memories. Anyway, as I was saying...”
She marveled at the part where all his senses were completely sealed.
She looked sympathetic as he described enduring fear and pain while training for five months.
She shared his joy as he spoke about acquiring a sixth sense and mastery over spatial magic.
And when he recounted how Ado Vail acknowledged him as a disciple before departing, she shed big, heartfelt tears.
“Sniff... It’s so moving...”
Oscar smiled softly.
Sasha, the crybaby.
Even her second older brother, Gilliot, often teased her about how easily she cried.
‘The atmosphere is rather good.’
Oscar thought the flow wasn’t bad at all.
Sasha, aside from her grown-up body, was just as he remembered her.
‘With this girl...’
Would it be okay to reveal his true identity?
He was mulling over the idea when Sasha spoke.
“But if possible, don’t talk about spatial magic to others. It’s most effective when people don’t even know it exists.”
“Understood.”
“Also, I read a report recently... Ah, here it is.”
She pulled out a document and began to speak.
“I heard you’re heading to the western front regarding the potion business. It’s about a large-scale orc tribe subjugation, isn’t it?”
“Yes. The Red Tower requested our support. If this task goes well, we might secure regular potion supply deals with the military.”
“That’s... like a dream come true.”
Sasha smiled faintly.
Just a few months ago, before she left on a business trip, the White Tower’s future seemed uncertain.
Yet in her short absence, it had transformed.
‘And it’s all thanks to Oscar.’
Perhaps that’s why Sasha looked at the young magician before her with eyes full of pride.
She looked like she’d vouch for him immediately if needed.
“Oscar, you’ve become a intermediate-level magician, and as a support soldier, it shouldn’t be too dangerous. Still... just in case, could you tell me the name of the commander you’ll meet? I’d like to send a letter on your behalf.”
Oscar’s eyes sparkled briefly.
This was the perfect chance to gauge her feelings about Lloyd, Gilliot, and even himself.
“They call him the Mage of Ashes, Lloyd Schultz.”
Sasha froze.
Her hand, which had been searching for paper and pen, stopped abruptly.
Was it just his imagination, or did it feel like the warm sunlight filling the room had suddenly turned icy cold?
“I see.”
Her voice was firmer than ever.
But the most shocking thing was Sasha’s expression—one he’d never imagined she could make.
It was a cold, frosty look.
‘...This is.’
Oscar’s eyes quivered subtly.
Knowing Sasha as well as he did, he could tell what emotion she hid beneath that cold exterior.
It was nothing less than fiery, unyielding hatred.
In the chilling air, Oscar cautiously spoke.
“He’s your senior disciple, isn’t he? Trained under Oscar Sage alongside you...”
Sasha took a deep breath, straightened her posture, and said,
“Oscar, since you seem to have forgotten, let me remind you just once.”
Her icy gaze pierced him like an arrow.
“Never mention my senior or master or anyone associated with them in my presence. This is your only warning.”
“I’m tired. Please leave.”
Oscar hesitated but, in the end, left the room without another word.
[Translator - Night]
[Proofreader - Gun]

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