WeTried Translations

Translator/Editor: Coughing Baby

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◈ Surviving in the Magic Academy

Chapter 116

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I slowly looked Mauro over. The first things that caught my eye were his white hair, neatly tied back and hanging down his back, and the beard on his chin, gone just as white.

He looked elegant and immaculate, as if he had taken a single step outside the world. The monocle perched on his wrinkled face only strengthened that impression.

And that same man stroked his beard, gave a light wink, and joked. It was a very casual gesture, one that did not suit his solemn face at all. Somehow, that made the atmosphere much lighter.

“Your adopted son, you mean?”

I asked Mauro. The man who had introduced himself as Koite and Mauro did not seem to resemble each other in the slightest. But once I heard he was adopted, they did start to feel strangely alike.

Mauro looked at me and gave a warm smile. Then he nodded lightly. Seeing that smile, I naturally understood that what he had said was true. The way the two of them smiled was very similar.

“This is a bit of an old story. It was around the time my body changed into this after a small accident. That was already, let’s see, two hundred years ago.”

Mauro gazed into the air as if recalling the past. His unfocused eyes seemed to rummage through old memories for a moment. Then he stroked his beard and continued.

“At the time, I could not give up on my puppets. So I set out to find someone who could inherit my puppetry. After wandering the continent, I discovered Koite. He was a child overflowing with talent. He was truly adorable back then....”

And now he had grown so plump. Mauro clicked his tongue softly and shook his head. At that, Koite’s round appearance naturally surfaced in my mind. And I could not help feeling a little jealous of him.

Koite was currently staying on the sixth floor, or so I had heard. That meant he had reached the completed tree realm. He had learned magic over the two hundred years since meeting Mauro, passed into the university, and climbed to the sixth floor. That was far too short.

I quietly counted my own age. I was nearing ninety now. Yet I was only on the second floor. There were still far too many steps left for me to climb. I felt the urge to head to the next floor as quickly as he had.

But even the path to the third floor was still hazy. I had only just begun to get a feel for it. Because of that, I instinctively knew I still had a long way to go.

I took a small, deep breath and pressed down my impatience. I only had to move slowly and steadily. What was the point of being jealous of others? If I rushed ahead, I would only end up taking the longer way around.

When I thought about it, what did I lack compared to him? It had not even been ten years since I came to the university. Yet I had already encountered many opportunities.

Managing the tower itself could be called a fortunate encounter. Through it, I had become able to secure points steadily. It had also become a foundation for my growth.

And the only reason I had gained such an opportunity was Professor Irian. I felt even more grateful to her as I recalled her brilliantly shining, august face.

“Somehow, your expression has become lewd.”

Mira said that while lightly tapping my cheek. I snapped back to my senses. Seeing us, Mauro burst into loud laughter.

“Well, that fellow probably did not give you that with bad intentions. He handles puppets like the rest of us, after all. I thoroughly taught him Madam’s mindset from a young age.”

Saying that, he lightly scratched his head. After smacking his lips a little, he continued.

“Though perhaps I taught him too well, because he did go a little astray. As you saw, that fellow devotes all his strength to earning points. He says he wants our association’s influence, and the influence of puppeteers, to spread a little farther. It seems he has many complaints about the current state of our association.”

Mauro said that and looked around. I followed his gaze. At the end of it were puppeteers quietly chatting among themselves. Each of them was half-draped over their own puppet, wriggling about.

“I do not think it is a bad direction. Many associations in other cities have tried to expand that way. The reason this place became like this is largely my fault as association head.”

Mauro said that with a slightly bitter smile. I shook my head at his words. I actually preferred this simple atmosphere. That purity that did not feel like a mage’s.

Seeing me, Mauro let out another hearty chuckle. He nodded lightly and said,

“Well, it would not be a bad idea for you to visit that fellow’s shop once.”

I blinked quietly. That was something I had never expected. With an uneasy expression, I lightly rubbed the business card in my hand. I felt the steady flow of magical power forming the letters along my fingertips.

I remembered the way Koite had greedily looked at Mira. His shop was supposed to be a kind of entertainment business. Mira had said his eyes were similar to mine. That was something I needed to reflect on a little.

Perhaps sensing my hesitation, Mauro lightly patted my shoulder. When I met his eyes, his wrinkled face folded into a small smile.

“Do not worry. It is probably not the sort of place you are thinking of. Mm... of course, it does do that sort of thing too.”

“Oh my, is that so? I was certain it was nothing but a shop that sold puppet bodies.”

Mira tilted her head slightly. A puzzled look appeared on her face. I felt the same. I had honestly assumed that was exactly what it was. Seeing us, Mauro stroked his beard.

“You will understand as soon as you go. That fellow has arranged his shop in a very strange way. As he said, if your lady joins the place, she may bring in a great many points.”

Of course, I know you will not do that. Mauro added that and winked again. His words stirred my curiosity. So I quietly opened my mouth.

“Is there something special about it?”

“Hmm... you only need to think carefully about its name. I will leave the rest for your enjoyment. If I say too much, it will not be fun. You should have some fun there too.”

Mauro answered with a slightly lewd smile at the corner of his mouth. Then he kneaded the air with both hands. It was an extremely blatant motion. At that, Mira leaned against me and smiled brightly.

“Oh my, would Evron really do that? He does not react even when I cling to him like this.”

Mira lightly poked my side. Seeing us, Mauro let out a hearty laugh.

“Hoho, is that so? You are quite the wooden fellow. It seems your love for puppets has not ripened enough yet.”

“Exactly. I am always waiting.”

Mira placed a hand on her chest and looked at me with sparkling eyes. Then she laughed lightly and met Mauro’s gaze.

The two of them smiled at each other like that. Somehow, whenever these two gathered, the conversation always seemed to turn toward me.

“Ahem, but I have never heard that name before. I thought I had wandered through the lower floors of the city fairly thoroughly.”

I lightly cleared my throat and changed the subject. At those words, Mauro scratched his head for a moment, then leaned on his cane.

“It is located on the 7th floor, so that would be why. You would have had a hard time hearing about it in the lower floors.”

The 7th floor. Hearing that naturally brought a bitter smile to my face. The auction house was there. What had happened there came to mind on its own. So did the mirror bugs bound to them.

I felt sorry for those who could no longer think, and could no longer grow. I quietly placed a hand on my chest. I felt the Moon floating beyond it. One day, a chance would come to free them from those restraints.

Then they would be able to sink into nothing but love inside this Moon. The Moon was a refuge I had created while thinking of them. That was the only thing I could do for them.

Somehow, the number seven felt a little incompatible with me. In the tower and in the city both. Accidents had happened on the 7th floor in both places.

“If it is there, then it makes sense that I would not know.”

I nodded to Mauro. Just as it had been when I visited before, the 7th floor was the boundary dividing the lower floors and upper floors. For me right now, it was far too distant. It was also a place I had set as a goal to climb back to one day.

I quietly fiddled with the business card. To think that opportunity would come this quickly.

Well, it might be fine to spend some points and visit for a day or two. I could handle that much for entry. When I glanced to the side, Mira was smiling brightly. She seemed interested in the place too.

“Then, as you wish, shall we end this story here? That fellow likely would not enjoy me saying too much when he is not present.”

Mauro said that while lightly tapping his cane. I nodded. Mauro smiled and sat down in the chair beside me.

“Now then, I will speak briefly about the general assembly. I have something to ask of you.”

A request. Was there really something Mauro would ask me for? I looked at Mauro with a little curiosity. He leaned his cane against the table and continued.

“The general assembly has a grand name, but it is not very different from this gathering. You can think of it as simply having more people. All the association members from each city gather in one place. Only puppeteers, at that.”

Mauro stroked his beard. Similar to this gathering, was it? I glanced around. I saw puppeteers in shabby clothes sitting here and there in the corners. Was it filled with people like this?

“This appearance is our association’s special trait. We are a gathering of those who fully accept Professor’s teachings. The other cities are probably a little different. Seeing those differences is part of the fun.”

Mauro read my thoughts and said that. Then he lightly patted my shoulder and gave a deep smile.

“Participation is voluntary, but unless there is a major reason, most people attend. So I would like to make one request of you.”

“A request, you say?”

“That is right. I will prepare generous compensation. Even if you fail, I will not say much.”

For some reason, I felt a sense of deja vu. Tiena had asked me for something in this way too. It was a way of speaking that reduced the listener’s burden. When I quietly nodded, Mauro raised his thumb.

“You have chosen well. Then I will tell you the request. When the general assembly opens, puppeteers on the fourth floor and below gather and show off the puppets they have made. You might call it a kind of puppet competition. I would like you to win it.”

Saying that, Mauro crossed his arms. With a slightly sulky expression, he clicked his tongue.

“The fellows from the other cities keep laughing at us, saying no decent newcomer has joined. So this time, we should show them the talent of our newly joined Evron. I believe you can do it.”

“If it is the fourth floor, is Amelia not there too?”

Saying that, I glanced at Amelia. She was sitting at the far end of the table, lightly sniffling while hugging her puppet. I could see her gaze lingering on the “gifts” piled in front of us.

“Oh my, to think you are making that face. If you need them, I can return them anytime.”

Mira said that to Amelia with a mischievous smile. Amelia flinched in surprise, then quickly shook her head. Seeing her, Mira’s smile deepened.

“My goodness, how cute. Unlike Evron, she is very satisfying to handle.”

Mauro slightly shook his head as he watched that. Then he looked at Amelia with a somewhat awkward expression.

“As you can see, she is too... puppeteer-like. Whenever she enters a competition, she always gives up quickly.”

“I am only on the second floor myself....”

Could I really do something Amelia, who had reached the fourth floor, could not? When I said that with a little sense of inferiority, Mauro stared at me. Then he burst into a hearty laugh and patted my shoulder.

“Hoho, you really are something. What meaning does realm have when handling puppets? You saw everyone admiring this lady beside you. You have talent. Talent for making puppets. I will guarantee that.”

Mauro said that and smiled with his eyes. At those words, a slight emotion rose in my chest. To think he would affirm my puppetry this much. I had not thought of myself as talented, so I had not expected to receive recognition from someone else like this.

That I had talent. This was the second time I had heard that since coming to the university. The first had been Professor Heisen. He said I had talent for handling shadows. Mauro was the second person after him.

I bowed my head to him. Since there was someone placing expectations on me, I needed to answer them. I would definitely win. Definitely. With my eyes shining, I made that firm resolution in my heart.

Mauro helped me straighten back up. Then he continued with a bright expression.

“There is no need to feel too burdened. The competition is not the only thing held at the general assembly. There will be many things that amaze you. Madam puts up many prizes, after all. That is also why everyone attends the general assembly.”

Madam. He must mean Tiena. Her face naturally came to mind. Mauro seemed the same, because he smiled and stroked his beard.

“I am always grateful to Madam. She holds the general assembly like this, and even gathers individual puppeteers in one place.”

Mauro said that with a faint smile. Somehow, the only person he was grateful to was Tiena. Professor On did not appear in the conversation at all.

I quietly thought of Professor On. That numb face. I could only nod. Well, if it was Professor On, the professor probably would not care about this at all. That was what made Professor On a true puppeteer.

“Mm... I would like to explain more, but it seems I should get going. That fellow is calling me. If you have anything you are curious about later, come find me anytime.”

Mauro said that and lightly cleared his throat. At the end of his gaze, I saw Dagon. He was staring intently at Mauro from behind those thick glasses.

I could see a steady flow of magical power rippling from him. That magical power connected like a thread and clung to Mauro. It seemed he had called Mauro with that. I quietly nodded.

“Yes, then take care on your way.”

“You work hard too.”

Just as Mauro stood up and tried to take a step, Mira quietly blocked his path. Then she let out a mischievous laugh and pointed at the table. At the end of her finger was a tall pile of gifts.

“Oh my, are you trying to leave just like that? Everyone else expressed their welcome so generously.”

Mauro met Mira’s gaze and burst into laughter. Then he scratched his head and leaned on his cane. He gave me an awkward smile.

“Oh dear, I was trying to leave quickly before I got caught like this. I really cannot beat this lady.”

“Caught, you say? I only brought it up in case you had forgotten anything.”

The two of them laughed cheerfully at each other like that. Soon, Mauro took a lump of stone from his breast pocket. I felt bizarre magical power flowing from it. It was the Lantern Core he had obtained from Dagon earlier.

Mauro lightly placed it on the table. Seeing that, I blinked.

“This is....”

“I received it intending to give it to you anyway. It is far too precious for a body like mine to use. I think you will use it better than I would.”

It was a little too much to receive as a welcoming gift. The moment I opened my mouth, Mauro quickly waved his hand. When I paused, Mauro tapped the ground with his cane and continued.

“Think of it as an advance payment for the request. Then I will trust you.”

Mauro left just like that. Mira grabbed the Lantern Core and quietly breathed out mist. Then the bizarre magical power dwelling within it tangled with the mist and created a strange resonance.

“Hmm, I did not think he would simply give us something like this. Mauro must really like Evron.”

With a satisfied expression, Mira put it into her chest. It was an extremely natural movement. Mira smoothly let my gaze slide past and smiled.

“Then shall we get moving too?”

Mira said that and shifted her gaze elsewhere. I naturally followed her gaze. There, I saw the people I had seen earlier huddled together and whispering. The ones who had not come to us.

I lightly smacked my lips. Then should we try receiving “welcoming gifts” from them too, like Mauro? They would hand over gifts with very happy hearts too. Yes, of course. Were the puppeteers here not all full of love?

Ohoho, Mira and I laughed together and rose from our seats. If they did not come to us, we could go to them. Slowly, and with very light steps, we moved toward them.

Time passed like that, and people began leaving one by one. The first to disappear was Mauro. Once he, the center of the gathering, disappeared, the others left as well. After everyone had left, the gathering naturally came to an end too.

Since the gathering had ended, we had to return as well. There was no need to stop by the city again, so we would head to the tower. And so we made our way back.

This gathering had been quite satisfying. I had learned about the association, come to know many people, and received gifts too. It made me think I might attend again next year.

I lightly fiddled with the card in my chest. I had also grown curious about this place called Dream Theater that Koite was running.

I slowly looked over the things Mira had torn from the turtle’s back... no, the things they had handed over as a welcome. Of course, none of them was incredibly expensive on its own. Though the story changed a little if they were all gathered together.

“They have a nice scent. Just selling these would bring in quite a few points.”

Mira said with a smile. She was right. Each item was only worth a few thousand points or so, but with this many piled up, they easily surpassed a hundred thousand points.

That did not mean a few thousand points was little. It meant they were things that were not burdensome from their perspective. As she said, selling these would earn a lot of points.

Of course, I had no intention of selling them. I smiled bitterly at that. I would use all of them on puppets. Since they were gifts given by puppeteers, they were very useful things for me.

I looked back at myself, already wondering how I should use them. Thinking about it, I was not in a position to criticize them for being puppeteer-like.

If I had not been staying in Professor’s tower, and therefore had not been steadily supplied with points, I might have become like them too. No, I definitely would have.

Mira held out her hand to me. She was probably asking for the spatial pouch so she could store them. When I handed over the pouch, Mira put the items inside it. As she returned it to me, she spoke.

“By the way, we came to a gathering, and now we have another place to go.”

“You mean the general assembly?”

“Yes. That is why I feel very rewarded. To think Evron would start wandering around outside like this. I am truly moved.”

Sniffle, sniffle. She pretended to cry. I smiled bitterly at that playful gesture. Then I lightly nodded.

“It is thanks to you, Mira.”

When I said that, Mira stopped joking and approached me. Sitting beside me, she leaned against my arm. Then a gentle smile appeared on her face.

“Hehe, I am thankful even if they are only words. So, which puppet will Evron take for the request? A puppet competition. It sounds very fun.”

Saying that, Mira lightly placed a hand on her chest. Then she looked at me with both eyes sparkling. The meaning of the gesture reached me on its own.

“If it is not you, Mira, what puppet would I take?”

When I said that, Mira lightly poked my side and let out a satisfied laugh. It seemed I had not given the wrong answer.

The road to the tower continued very smoothly like that. Watching magical beasts being crushed under the turtle’s feet, I nodded. And when we reached the end of it, I felt a star rising inside my chest. The tower had drawn close.

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