WeTried Translations

Translator/Editor: Coughing Baby

Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried

Chapter 238

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The moment the members of the Zhu family entered, the banquet hall fell silent for a moment. In that silence, I observed them.

Including Hwaryeong, there were five of them. With Hongryeong included, the six of them were everyone competing for succession in this generation. Their faces resembled Hongryeong’s, making it abundantly clear that they shared the same blood.

I had looked into them a little during that time. After all, it would have been difficult for me to stay out of their competition. Not that I had intended to stay out of it in the first place.

Through that investigation, I learned that they were all quite accomplished mages. They might not have reached the fourth floor in fifteen years like Hongryeong, but each of them had quickly secured a place in the Trading Company.

The first of them had apparently established themselves in the Trading Company around a hundred years ago. Some had even reached the sixth floor over that long span of time.

Yet Hwaryeong was the only one among them who remained in Stalactite City. Like Hongryeong, the others had all left for different cities.

Someone had caused a major incident and been driven out, while someone else had failed to overcome the competition within the Trading Company and withdrawn. And it was not because they lacked ability.

They were mages from a great family, so naturally they possessed exceptional talent. Without interference, they could have continued growing steadily within the Trading Company.

That was why they interfered with each other. It must have been far easier to bring others down than to improve themselves.

They slowly crumbled amid their mutual malice. And after everyone else was gone, only Hwaryeong remained in Stalactite City.

I narrowed my eyes as I looked at Hwaryeong.

Hwaryeong had entered the university later than the others. Other than Hongryeong, she could be called the youngest. Yet she had survived in the city.

Perhaps even making the others leave had been Hwaryeong’s work. After all, they had begun to be driven out of the city one by one after she entered the university.

Still, there was no doubt that they all possessed powerful strength and influence. They had likely come here to assess Hongryeong, who had newly established himself.

“Whenever I see them gathered together like this, I get confused because their faces all look so alike. It makes me sick. This is why I didn’t want to come.”

Ailey, seated beside me, clicked her tongue lightly. There seemed to be a faint killing intent in her eyes as she examined Hongryeong’s siblings.

Then a whisper came from behind her.

“Is that so? What a shame. I wanted to speak with Miss Ailey as well.”

Ailey flinched and turned around. I did the same.

Miryeong was standing behind us. Wind-like magical power stirred faintly behind him.

Miryeong narrowed his sharp eyes into a smiling expression and patted Ailey’s shoulder. Her face stiffened, and she immediately rose to her feet.

She quickly left her seat and disappeared into the crowd.

The sight of Ailey’s retreating back made her intense desire not to speak with Miryeong quite clear. Miryeong gave a slight shrug and looked at Hongryeong.

“Just as the rumors say, it seems she does not care much for people from great families. That makes me even more curious. How did my grandson manage to bring that difficult friend into his circle?”

Miryeong studied Hongryeong from head to toe with curious eyes. Hongryeong gave him an inscrutable smile and held out his glass.

“I cannot simply sit back and take it. I intend to struggle like this, at least.”

Miryeong chuckled as he accepted the glass Hongryeong offered. He savored the wine lightly and smiled.

“Interesting. The previous generation was decided far too quickly, but this one will take a little longer. I’m looking forward to it. It seems it will be worth watching.”

Miryeong lightly patted Hongryeong’s shoulder, then continued as he looked at Ailey’s back.

“Miss Ailey will likely be a great help even after you leave the university. Be careful not to let your relationship sour. She may become your lifeline.”

“I will keep that in mind. Thank you for your advice, Grandfather.”

Hongryeong bowed his head slightly.

At the same time, I felt Miryeong’s gaze shift to those of us around Hongryeong.

His gaze first settled on Mira. He must have sensed something unusual from the magical power she gave off. Mira smiled lightly as she looped her arm through mine.

“Oh my, I already belong to someone, so there is nothing I can do for you no matter how you look at me.”

“To think such a fine treasure already has an owner. What a pity.”

Miryeong glanced at me. He looked somewhat uninterested. I probably did not seem special enough to catch his attention.

But I soon saw a hint of interest bloom in his eyes.

I lightly rubbed my wrist. Then I felt the trace of the contract connecting me to Miryeong before me.

He had clearly felt it too.

Miryeong moved his eyes slightly as if searching through his thoughts. Before long, he gave a small laugh and held out his hand to me.

“Ah, I remember now. You were Professor Irian’s servant, were you not? What was your name again? Right, was it Evron? It is truly good to see you again after so long.”

“It has been a long time.”

I took Miryeong’s hand and bowed deeply.

Had he not even remembered my name properly? It meant he had not cared much about me.

In the first place, it was remarkable enough that Miryeong remembered me at all. There was an immense gap between us.

As Miryeong said, if Professor Irian had not existed, he might have forgotten the contract itself.

Miryeong looked me over and chuckled.

“We met at the evaluation hall on the second floor, I believe. Yet judging from the magical power I feel, you have already surpassed the third floor. That is far faster than I expected. You have grown in a very interesting way.”

I felt magical power ripple from Miryeong.

It flowed swiftly toward me, clearly intending to force its way into my body and examine the structure of my magical power.

It was a force too powerful for me to refuse.

But it was blocked halfway through.

Mira, who had been leaning against me, raised a mist and swallowed all of Miryeong’s magical power.

“Hmm. Evron is my master. You should not touch him carelessly.”

Mira swirled the wine in her glass and smiled with her eyes. A trace of magical power shone in them.

Miryeong narrowed his eyes, withdrew his magical power, and shrugged.

“I merely wished to see how much he had accomplished. Please forgive my offense.”

Miryeong took a step back and glanced at me.

Then he continued with a small smile.

“To possess such an excellent treasure, it seems Professor Irian values you more than I thought, Mr. Evron.”

Seeing the interest in Miryeong’s eyes toward me grow stronger, I gave a slight bow.

Just as Miryeong was about to say more, Hongryeong smoothly stepped between us.

“Mr. Evron is also a partner who helps with my business. Let us move on now. Many others are waiting for you, Grandfather. I will show you the way.”

Hongryeong gestured around us with his eyes.

As he said, the people in the banquet hall were watching us. Miryeong and Hongryeong were the stars of the banquet, so it was only natural.

Miryeong looked back and forth between Hongryeong and me, then nodded.

With a faint smile, he followed Hongryeong away.

Hongryeong glanced back and met my eyes.

I gave him a slight bow. He had likely deliberately drawn Miryeong away from me. I needed to show my gratitude.

I narrowed my eyes as I watched Miryeong grow distant.

Miryeong had been the one to inscribe his name into my contract. That was why I had always kept my grudge against him deep in my heart.

But I still lacked the strength to show that resentment outwardly.

This time had been no different. I could not even overcome his casual probing magical power and had needed Mira’s help again.

“Thank you for your help.”

“Not at all. It is my duty. If anything, I find it quite enjoyable. If I deal with people like that, someday I will be able to escape the university.”

Mira chuckled softly and rested her head against my chest.

I quietly closed my eyes.

When would I finally be able to face Miryeong as an equal? I did not know.

But there was no need to be impatient.

Over the past fifteen years, I had grown quickly enough to keep up with the children of great families. If I continued striving without end, perhaps I would someday find an opening in Miryeong.

Was that not why I had involved myself in their struggle for power? If I made it through a crisis, an opportunity was bound to come.

As I gathered my thoughts, a familiar voice reached me.

“There is finally an opening. I was worried Grandfather would keep Mr. Evron to himself, so this is a relief.”

I opened my eyes slightly.

Hwaryeong stood before me. Wearing a splendid dress, she gestured to the seat Ailey had occupied earlier.

“Would it be all right if I sat here, if you do not mind?”

“Of course.”

I nodded.

Hwaryeong smiled softly and sat down. She took a glass from a servant passing nearby, then looked at me.

“It is very nice to see you again. I have occasionally heard about how you have been these past month. Stem Collector, was it? I think it is a nickname that suits you, Mr. Evron.”

I gave a small cough at Hwaryeong’s words.

Only a very small number of people in this city knew my nickname. I had not expected the rumor to reach even her.

The fact that she brought it up meant she had investigated my activities quite thoroughly.

I glanced at Hwaryeong. She met my eyes and smiled silently.

After drinking for a while, Hwaryeong held out her glass to me. I lightly clinked mine against it, and she slowly spoke.

“My younger brother must have helped you establish yourself here to this extent. I am deeply disappointed. To betray me, whom you have worked with all this time, and choose my younger brother instead.”

“...Betray you? What reason would I have to betray you, Miss Hwaryeong? I merely followed the People’s Council because I wanted to gain a profit. I did not know I would encounter Mr. Hongryeong here.”

I waved my hands and widened my eyes.

Hwaryeong took a sip of wine and laughed lightly. Then she shrugged and set down her glass.

“Hmm. If you say so, I suppose I will believe you. There is no evidence, after all.”

Hwaryeong narrowed her eyes.

She surely knew my words were a lie. She must have known that the People’s Council was already half in Hongryeong’s grasp.

So, since I was connected to the People’s Council, I could not help but be connected to Hongryeong as well.

Perhaps she had even figured out that my choice to side with the People’s Council had been made according to an agreement with Hongryeong.

But perhaps because it was already in the past, Hwaryeong did not bring it up. Instead, she merely watched Hongryeong speaking with others in the distance as though she found it amusing.

“Hongryeong. I never thought that child would grow so much before I knew it. It feels like only yesterday that he followed behind me everywhere as a child, and now he has even given me such a surprise gift. Then I should give my younger brother a gift too.”

Hwaryeong’s eyes held a mix of interest and pride toward Hongryeong. Outwardly, their relationship did not appear all that bad.

Yet unlike that outward appearance, the meaning behind Hwaryeong’s words felt rather chilling.

I lightly rubbed my chin.

A gift. She likely meant how Hongryeong had interfered with her before.

And she said she would repay him with something even greater.

I could not help feeling slightly tense. If she targeted Hongryeong here, it could affect me as well.

“A gift. I am sure Mr. Hongryeong will like it. Let me know if you need my help.”

The reason Hwaryeong had brought up such a topic before me could also be taken as a small warning.

A warning that if I participated in interfering with her again, she would give me a gift as well.

And I had no intention of taking on that sort of danger.

Both Hongryeong and Hwaryeong were good options for me. There was no need for me to choose one over the other.

If either of them could offer me greater profit, I would simply help that person.

I smiled lightly and sipped my wine.

Hwaryeong looked at Hongryeong with a faint smile. She had likely understood the meaning behind my words.

We listened to the music flowing through the banquet hall in silence for a while, then continued talking about everyday matters, such as the next lecture.

For this lecture, I had continued with the format of the previous one.

And once again, quite a few people had succeeded in gaining the power of treasures and leaving the tower.

Perhaps that was why the lecture reviews had been excellent as well. Most people gave scores close to full marks.

There was nothing to learn from our lecture, but the possibility of gaining power was wide open.

For mages who desired power, there could be no lecture more valuable than this.

Even if they did not pass, they had a chance to obtain power. Who would refuse that?

With this lecture successfully concluded as well, rumors about it spread to several cities. I could even overhear people speaking about it here in Icewall City.

Naturally, the price of the lecture had risen as well. The next lecture needed to cost more than this one.

As Hwaryeong and I continued discussing and adjusting the price, I saw a young man walking toward us.

He was one of Ugo’s elders, whom I had seen earlier.

I paused our conversation and looked at him.

“Forgive me for interrupting your conversation. I saw so many welcome faces gathered together that I could not help stopping by. Please excuse me for a moment.”

The young man standing before us smiled slightly and greeted Hwaryeong with his eyes.

Hwaryeong smiled in welcome and bowed her head to him.

“It has been a long time, Mr. Domitian.”

The young man called Domitian took an envelope from his robes and held it out to Hwaryeong.

The magical power wrapped around the envelope thoroughly protected what was inside.

“It has. I had been dealing with a troublesome matter, but receiving your letter made me feel a little better. This is my thanks.”

“Oh my, I was not expecting anything in return. Still, I will not refuse.”

Hwaryeong took it and examined what was inside.

She showed a satisfied expression and nodded slightly.

What could be inside to make her react like that? I had no idea.

After giving the envelope to Hwaryeong, Domitian’s gaze turned to me, who had been speaking with her.

He looked me over, smiled lightly, and held out his hand.

“I have heard much about you from Ugo. Very impressive.”

I took Domitian’s hand and gave a slightly awkward smile.

I could easily imagine what Ugo had told him. It could not have been anything good.

But Domitian did not say anything more about Ugo.

He shook my hand once, then shifted his gaze to those beside me.

His eyes soon stopped on Isabella.

“It has been a long time for you as well.”

[…Yes. It does seem to have been a long time.]

Isabella closed her eyes and wrote words in the air.

I glanced at Domitian.

His gaze seemed full of interest toward Isabella.

“Well, I have delivered what I came to deliver, so I should be on my way. I do not wish to intrude while young people are enjoying themselves.”

Domitian dusted off his hands and smiled lightly.

Then he turned and headed toward the group from Mookgeumgo.

After walking some distance, he paused and turned his head to look at Isabella.

“Isabella, I hope you remember that no matter how far you try to distance yourself, ties from the past are not easily severed. Until next time.”

Domitian gave a small wave and walked away again.

I could not help narrowing my eyes.

It seemed Domitian had come to check on Isabella.

I glanced at Isabella beside me.

Complicated emotions rippled in her eyes as she watched Domitian’s retreating back.

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