RMA 39

chapter 39

The meal preparations in the Mage Tower were quite simple.

Rachel tidied her things briefly and quietly stepped outside.

Adapting to an unfamiliar place was always difficult, but if it was for her young master, she had to adjust wherever she was.

As she cautiously headed toward Lawrence’s room, her eyes met someone’s.

It was a person with a very fierce and intimidating gaze.

He wore tight clothing, and his muscles were impressive.

“Whoa—!”
“Eek!?”

The rough voice of the man startled Rachel. She had never encountered someone like this in Montemer, and her body trembled.

But then came a surprisingly kind and gentle voice.

“Aren’t you the youngest master’s maid? Nice to meet you! I’m heading to the kitchen to prepare the meal—would you like to come along and get a tour of the Mage Tower as well?”

“Huh? Ah? Ah—! Yes, yes!”

Rachel, after a moment of stunned silence, nodded eagerly.

She was curious about the tower’s meals and the quality of the ingredients. After all, these were the foods her young master would eat. Naturally, she had to pay attention.

“Then, shall we go?”
“Please take care of me.”
“Oh, I’m Dylan. I’m of commoner origin, but I came here because I can handle mana fairly well.”
“I see. I’m Rachel. I serve Young Master Lawrence.”

Dylan began showing Rachel around, explaining the tower’s layout, where things were located, and how the meals and schedule worked.

Rachel took out a notepad and diligently wrote everything down. She had learned that observing and recording habits as a maid was fundamental.

When they arrived at the dining area, Rachel was shocked by the ingredients piled in one corner.

“Ah, no… what is all this!?”
“What do you mean? Chicken breast, of course! There’s no better ingredient for building muscle!”
“Ugh, the fishy smell… do they only eat this? What about other things?”
“We have rice and vegetables too.”

Rachel examined the ingredients and spices.

Salt and pepper.

Amazingly, that was all the Mage Tower had in terms of seasoning.

You’re going to feed this to the young master—!?

“Ha…”
“Why, what’s the matter?”
“Excuse me, what’s for dinner tonight?”
“Chicken breast salad.”

Hearing that, Rachel rolled up her sleeves.

She felt a strong urge to rescue her young master from this “chicken breast hell.” At only eleven years old, he needed tasty, nutritious food. Eating only this would stunt his growth!

“How many people are there in total?”
“Uh… forty-six, I think?”
“Good. I’ll handle dinner tonight.”
“Eh!?”

[Assassin’s Movement]

“Move quickly. There’s no time.”

Swish—.

Rachel began moving silently and swiftly, like an assassin.

Dylan was dumbfounded by her sudden skill.

‘As expected of a Montemer maid, incredible force.’

He had worried a little that she might not adapt here, but it was needless. She had already adapted admirably to the Mage Tower.

#2

Meanwhile, Lawrence had stepped outside the tower to get an overall view.

By his side was the tower master, Iron Hanma.

“So you intend to repair this crumbling tower?”
“Yes.”
“Do you think you can manage it?”
“I need to check the material storage first.”

Lawrence could see what was needed and how to proceed. This was truly a long-term project, requiring consistent work for about a year.

Hanma quietly observed Lawrence.

‘I wonder what his true identity is. Not just an ordinary mage?’

He had many questions, but now was the time to observe and build a deep connection. Hanma decided to show Lawrence the material storage and even a few magic books.

As they walked, Lawrence asked his first question.

“I’ve been meaning to ask—why choose the Iron Mage Tower?”
“Iron and meat. And I thought I’d find what I was looking for here.”
“Ha, that’s a satisfactory answer.”
“Do you know why this tower was built?”

Hanma nodded.

The tower was established by Icaller, the founder of iron magic and the first battle mage to create his own school. Lawrence listened, intrigued, and began learning the “official” history of the tower.

Soon, they arrived at the rear material storage.

“This area stores materials for making [apparatus]. Use whatever you need.”
“Understood.”
“I’ll also share the upcoming schedule at tonight’s dinner. Though they are your seniors, the age difference is notable, so don’t worry too much.”

Lawrence bowed politely as the tower master left. Alone, he could finally inspect the storage. The scent of iron filled the air.

He began to notice some remarkable items. Today, as always, miracles appeared.

[Icaller’s Weathered Scale]
[Engraving: Icaller’s Training Method]
[Icaller’s Training Method: Artifacts made from this scale grant enhanced effects to those training iron magic.]
[When used by an artificer: Increases dragon scale strength.]
[Grade: 3rd Circle]

“Wow…”

These scattered materials were Icaller’s scales? The scales had weathered over centuries.

If trained with these, one could become stronger.

Another discovery: materials for restoring the tower. At first glance, they were simple stones, but in reality, extraordinary materials.

[Dragon Rare Fragment]
[Engraving: Magical Building]
[Magical Building: Restores buildings using the same method as Dragon Rare.]
[Fully restored: Grants special powers to the building.]
[Grade: ???]

Lawrence decided to attend dinner first. But he wondered—what was Rachel doing right now? He didn’t know what position she would reach in this tower.

#3

“What… what is all this?”
“Sir! No, Master of the Tower! We’ve witnessed a miracle!”
“This… was really cooked from chicken breast?”
“Yes! She did it!”

Ahem—.

Rachel stood proudly in front of steaming chicken breast steaks. She had used real magic, transforming dry, bland chicken into something delicious.

The tower master tasted her creation and felt a strange sense of awe. The previously dry, fishy chicken was gone.

“Phew… that’s the limit for now. I’ll request beef and pork from the family too.”
“Ooooh—!!”
“You truly are a blessed talent! How can we repay this favor?”
“Hehe…”

Trainees returned from training, freshly cleaned and sweating slightly. Rachel bowed to them.

“Hello! I’m Rachel, joining Lawrence Young Master here. I will take responsibility for your meals from now on!”
“Ohh—.”
“Shouldn’t Rachel be given an elder position?!”
“Yes! Such delicious chicken breast!”

If this isn’t magic, what is? Her skills, honed by always providing the best meat to Lawrence, shone here.

Just as Rachel’s pride soared, Lawrence entered the dining hall.

“So you were here first?”
“Young Master! I have a request!”

Rachel boldly spoke up.

“I’d like to request support from the main family. Similar to last time, I’d like ingredients… would that be possible?”
“Hmm, well, there’s no reason it can’t be done…”
“Perhaps the lady will provide support like last time?”
“I doubt it. The tower master is here—he wouldn’t allow such a thing.”

The mages listened quietly. The tower was always underfunded. Materials were scarce, iron had to be bought, and allocated funds were insufficient.

Thus, they primarily ate cheap chicken breast. But now, a young master from Montemer, one of the Empire’s pillars, had arrived!

“I’ll research further and ensure a perfect steak!”
“Really?”
“Yes!”
“Then I must help too. From now on, we will accept Montemer’s [personal requests]. This should justify it.”

A personal request was a direct commission from the tower master, usually for difficult tasks. The Iron Mage Tower never asked the family for help before due to pride—but now, the master had made an exception.

Lawrence shook his head at the sight. These people were truly obsessed with iron and meat—but he liked that.

“Very well. I’ll draft the request letter. Master, please assist.”
“Agreed!”
“Oooooo—! Beef! Pork!”
“Hehe, I’ll cook them deliciously.”

Rachel was appointed head chef of the tower that day. There had been no head chef anyway.

During the joyful meal, the tower master mentioned the most important schedule.

“Since we have new arrivals, we’ll go out for the first time in a while.”
“Finally, someone to go out with!”
“Yes, indeed.”
“The spring Mage Tower competition, right?”

Lawrence interjected appropriately. The tower master nodded.

“Only those under fifteen may enter. There, we will declare the true revival of the Battle Mages!”
“Oooooo—!”
“And then! The knight cadets will come to observe!”
“We cannot lose!”

These mages… Lawrence felt like he was among people similar to himself.

‘This is going to be fun.’

And at that moment, he realized why he must participate in the competition. A message flashed in his mind.