Chapter 42

Chapter 42
## Chapter 42: Never Mind The Heir, I’ll Focus On Healing

“Oh…”

Lion stood outside the Magic Tower, fully appreciating its immense scale.

It was a soaring spire piercing the heavens, reminiscent of Babel.

Every single brick was shielded by a faint, glowing ward, highlighting its prestige.

Calling it the ultimate aspiration of every spellcaster was no exaggeration at all!

And inside…

Flutter! Flap!

Documents magically folded into paper birds fluttered toward their respective owners, while mages rushed across every floor, immersed in nonstop labor.

“Yes. This is Mage Shelt from the Magic Tower Administration.”

“Can you make certain that issue is resolved by today?”

“Ah, the supervising mage is currently away from his desk.”

“Oh, would it be alright for me to review it and reach back out to you?”

“…”

A realm of dreams?

It certainly did not look like one.

Lion felt a familiar sensation trigger a splitting headache.

Did this not mirror the daily grind at the corporation he worked for prior to his transmigration?

‘Strictly speaking, the Magic Tower functions just like a massive corporate office for mages.’

Even so, did it genuinely have to be this identical?

Buried memories he had desperately tried to erase came rushing back.

Exhausted from client sales, he used to handle unending phone calls and emails with a hollow expression.

‘Ugh, I never want to experience that again.’

Since that life was behind him, he decided to locate Hoffman without delay.

In any event, very few individuals within this towering structure would pay him any mind.

At most, he was recognized simply as Rikschel’s older brother and the prospective heir, or regarded as ‘that frail young master who frequently visits for medical evaluations.’

True to thought, nobody around him spared him a glance.

Everyone was entirely consumed by their own frantic daily routines.

Regardless, he had two primary objectives today.

‘To reinforce the perception that Rikschel remains the rightful heir of Asteri, while simultaneously conveying that my health has completely recovered.’

If nothing else, both goals needed to be accomplished now.

Since he did not plan on commuting to the Magic Tower daily, concluding everything in a single trip was ideal.

To achieve that…

*Swish.*

Lion glanced down at the array of glass vials stashed inside his leather pouch.

『Training Aid Drink』

‘This is what I brewed.’

If he merely walked in empty-handed and declared, “Please look after my younger brother!”, would the desk workers—no, the mages—even bat an eye?

They would likely offer a superficial, “Ah, yes~ Of course,” and immediately cast the request aside.

What if he offered them a practical incentive?

Office workers are simpler than most assume.

Once provided with sustenance, they instantly categorize you as an ally!

Naturally, offering raw meat might raise suspicions, but minor consumables like energy tonics were typically welcomed openly and without hesitation.

“Shall we get started, then?”

Lion balled his hand into a fist and intercepted a passing mage.

“Excuse me…”

“Aargh! I am so sorry! I promise I’ll submit the research notes by today, so just grant me— Huh?”

The young man, whose messy bangs fell right past his eyes down to his nose, shrieked before blinking at Lion in utter confusion.

‘He looks like a junior researcher.’

Youthful, inexperienced, and visibly crushed by workload stress, he fit the exact profile of an office employee.

Moreover, his expression mirrored…

‘A fresh recruit who hasn’t left the building in days.’

…The haunting memories flared up again, sending a sharp twinge through Lion’s chest, but he forced himself to endure.

In truth, the more exhausted the other person appeared, the more advantageous the opportunity became.

Lion adopted his warmest, most courteous tone.

“Pardon me, but on which floor can I find Hoffman Asteri?”

“Pardon? Ah, Mage Hoffman’s quarters are… usually on the top floor.”

“I see! Thank you. Oh, please accept this.”

Timing his move perfectly, Lion extracted a vial from his bag.

“This is…”

“It’s a homemade tonic. Excellent for combating fatigue. Feel free to drink it whenever you have a moment.”

“Oh.”

The junior employee’s—no, the mage’s—eyes lit up instantly at the mention of fatigue relief.

…What on earth are they forcing these spellcasters to endure inside the Magic Tower?

Then again, massive organizations often foster heavy cultures of voluntary overtime, so this likely fell into that category.

“Thank you for the beverage. Then…”

The rookie mage offered a polite farewell and attempted to step past.

To be precise, he was on the verge of walking away.

‘Wait, how could he possibly not recognize Mage Hoffman’s location offhand?’

That realization suddenly struck him.

Hoffman Asteri.

My tutor stands among the most formidable authorities within the Magic Tower.

His prowess in healing magic is unrivaled across the Empire, and though his lineage stems from a collateral branch, he carries the Asteri name.

Beyond that, he serves as the personal physician to young master Lion Asteri.

‘Ah! Could he be a brand-new arrival? Finally, a newcomer capable of handling the administrative load…’

Just as that fleeting wave of optimism crossed his mind.

“Huh?”

The rookie’s fatigued brain finally pieced together the overlooked details.

What marks the unmistakable emblem of the Asteri household?

Distinctive purple eyes.

And the young man who had just addressed him?

Striking purple eyes.

Hoffman acts as the personal doctor for Lion Asteri.

Then, who exactly was standing before him?

“Gasp!”

The newcomer abruptly spun around and sprinted back.

“Wait a moment! Please, excuse me!”

“Hm?”

Curious as to why the man had dashed back, Lion watched as the rookie gasped for air and shouted in disbelief.

“Are you—could you possibly be Lion Asteri?!”

His voice echoed sharply through the expansive hall, causing nearby mages to pause their tasks and look down from various balconies.

“He hasn’t visited in quite a while, but he finally returned?”

“I heard he was chronically ill, yet his complexion looks remarkably healthy.”

Naturally, the bustling workspace grew quiet as murmurs rippled across the floors.

Several high-ranking mages even looked prepared to leap down immediately.

That is, assuming Lion hadn’t raised a hand to signal them to remain calm.

…Right. Such was the extent of the Asteri family’s pervasive influence.

In reality, the genuine anomaly was that this particular newcomer had failed to recognize him immediately.

“…”

Well, no matter. This outcome worked to his benefit.

Lion flashed a bright grin and lifted his pouch.

“Enjoy the drinks and get back to work!”

—

As Lion anticipated, the specialty tonics generated an overwhelmingly positive reaction.

Drawn by the prestige of the Asteri name, those who sampled the elixir found their eyes widening in astonishment before eagerly spreading the word to their colleagues.

“Come grab one before they run out!”

“They might all be gone if you wait!”

“This works infinitely better than coffee or black tea!”

It genuinely felt as though operational efficiency had spiked, exactly as Lion had predicted.

Above all else…

‘The young master who was always on the verge of collapse…’

‘It appears the rumors regarding his recovery are completely true.’

Veterans of the Magic Tower knew all too well how frail Lion Asteri had historically been.

Though they had rarely interacted directly, witnessing the delicate child who once constantly fainted grow into a capable young man handing out refreshments brought a collective sense of relief.

‘Well, I suppose it’s a positive development.’

While some might naturally harbor caution toward high-born nobility, the atmosphere remained remarkably warm and welcoming.

Consequently, Lion continued his rounds until every single person had received a tonic.

However…

‘Why is he still trailing behind me?’

The rookie mage who had shouted so frantically earlier was currently shadowing him, sweating nervously.

“Is there something else you wish to discuss?”

The moment Lion addressed him, the young man panicked.

“I am terribly sorry! My deepest apologies! I am not usually someone prone to such foolish oversights!”

Bowing deeply at a ninety-degree angle, the junior mage offered repeated apologies.

He insisted it was an honest mistake born of exhaustion.

“Think nothing of it.”

Whether revealed all at once or discovered gradually, his identity was bound to come to light anyway.

The Asteri Magic Family and the Magic Tower were inextricably linked—or rather, they operated practically as a single entity.

‘The ultimate talent incubator of the Asteri lineage.’

That was the true nature of the Magic Tower.

Its official registry named it ‘The First Magic Tower under the Grand Duchy of Asteri’.

This legacy traced back to the founding deeds of the very first Asteri patriarch.

The original Asteri constructed the tower to shelter gifted individuals regardless of social standing, nationality, or heritage.

The most exceptional among them were recruited directly into the Asteri household, while others secured stable positions in state magical institutions, ensuring lifelong security.

Known colloquially as the Spire of Opportunity.

That remained the proud moniker of the Magic Tower.

Naturally, the Asteri name commanded profound respect among spellcasters everywhere.

Attempting to conceal one’s distinct purple eyes within such an institution was akin to closing one’s eyes and shouting in broad daylight.

There was zero purpose in hiding it.

In fact… wasn’t this outcome vastly superior?

‘Cultivating a approachable reputation is always advantageous.’

It was an asset that even immense wealth alone could not easily purchase.

Though unexpected, the rookie had ultimately paved the way for a smooth interaction.

…Though he likely wouldn’t believe it if voiced aloud.

Lion cleared his throat softly and spoke.

“If you don’t mind, would you be willing to give me a brief tour of the facilities?”

“Y-yes?”

“My health prevented me from exploring much of the tower during past visits.”

“Ah! Of course! Leave everything to me!”

Sensing an unspoken forgiveness, the young mage let out a massive sigh of relief and eagerly assumed the role of guide.

Despite fears that his junior status might hinder him, he navigated the complex architecture with surprising proficiency.

“Let us begin with this section!”

The interior of the Magic Tower boasted state-of-the-art amenities.

It mirrored the headquarters of a premier multinational enterprise.

First, the specialized medical sector.

This required little explanation, as medical check-ups were the primary reason Lion frequented the tower.

Second, the recreational zones.

Sunlit picnic spaces were arranged alongside magical trees bearing vibrant fruits, complete with floating swings designed to relieve mental fatigue.

And that was merely the beginning.

There were specialized habitats for familiar spirits, alongside a dedicated childcare center supporting the families of resident mages!

‘It still feels like a demanding workplace…’

Yet it truly felt like a spellcaster’s paradise.

As Lion toured the levels, he distributed the remaining tonics to staff members who had missed out earlier.

By the time his handcrafted supply was completely exhausted…

“Now, only the executive top floor remains. That is where Mage Hoffman resides. I’ve only been permitted up there a handful of times, so I remain quite nervous,”

The rookie mumbled, looking noticeably more at ease than before.

At last, they reached the apex.

‘Naturally, it functions much like a executive suite or board room.’

Under the circumstances, the junior mage’s lingering anxiety was entirely understandable.

“Shall—shall we proceed?”

“Yes. Let us go.”

Lion stepped onto the high-speed transit platform bound for the upper levels.

Whoosh!

The platform surged upward at an astonishing velocity.

“This lift utilizes acceleration enchantments combined with levitation arrays… Whew. Looking downward from here is quite terrifying.”

“Indeed.”

Unlike modern elevators, peering through the reinforced structural framework provided a dizzying view of the vast interior shrinking below.

Perhaps this mirrored the sensation of riding the earliest experimental elevators in history.

However…

Whoosh!

The transport platform continued its relentless ascent without slowing.

The individuals on the lower floors had long since vanished into tiny dots.

The altitude was truly breathtaking.

Anyone with even a mild fear of heights would struggle to function up here.

The lift finally came to a halt after pushing far beyond standard altitudes.

Before Lion stretched an immense panoramic window framing a sea of rolling clouds.

It opened out into an endless sky, resembling a vast, tranquil ocean of white.

“O-over this way.”

The junior mage whispered in a hushed, reverent tone.