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Chapter 3
Some people said this:
While Cecilia’s genius and achievements were undeniable, it was equally true that the number of her followers had doubled because of her distinctive appearance.
A proud and elegant face.
Smooth, flawless skin without the slightest blemish.
Eyes as clear and brilliantly blue as the finest aquamarine…
And, befitting an Archmage who wielded immense magical power, dazzling silver hair.
She possessed beauty that left no room for criticism.
“Cecil…”
One of the trainees finally gathered the courage to speak.
“Are you… really leaving?”
Cecilia tilted her head.
She had intended to leave quietly, yet the news had spread so quickly.
Who on earth had leaked it?
‘Whoever it was, they’re incredibly lucky.’
Cecilia was the type who always repaid what was done to her.
‘If I weren’t leaving immediately, I’d find them and magically tie their tongue.’
Thinking thoughts the trainees before her could never imagine, Cecilia smiled gently.
“Yes. It’s time for me to go.”
The surroundings erupted into chaos once again. This time, sobs and cries filled the air.
“You’re leaving us already, Cecil! Please stay just a few more years…”
“W-Waaah!”
“With your ability, you’d become the Tower Master before long! Honestly, even now, you’re probably stronger than Branto…”
That was when it happened.
A booming voice thundered through the hall.
“Well said!”
It was Branto, the master of the Guardian Tower.
Every trainee froze instantly.
Branto had celebrated his hundredth birthday not long ago, yet he still possessed the vigor of a young man.
His booming voice echoed throughout the entire Guardian Tower.
“So, you wish to become the master of this Guardian Tower, Cecil! Is that why you’re announcing your departure already? What a devious scheme. But time is merciless. It can’t be helped.”
Cecilia stared blankly at her master.
She wasn’t foolish.
On the contrary, she was smart enough to immediately understand what he was really thinking.
He wanted to dump every troublesome responsibility onto her so he could spend his days relaxing!
Just as expected…
“I shall hand this position over to you and retire peacefully in the southern region…”
“I don’t want it.”
Cecilia cut him off without hesitation.
“…You don’t?”
This time, it was Branto who was left speechless.
Though not for very long.
“Why?! Why would you refuse this glorious Guardian Tower? The magical tower that has existed longer than the history of Mejina itself!”
“There are plenty of reasons.”
Cecilia refused to back down.
“Training day and night without rest, never hearing a single piece of news from the outside world, and not even being able to let my family know whether I’m alive or dead… Is that any way for a person to live?”
Exactly six years ago, nineteen-year-old Cecilia Keres had learned of her fate.
She was destined to become the unwilling consort of the tyrant, Emperor Linek, and die a miserable death.
To escape that fate, she became the Duchess of Keres, but the Emperor used every means imaginable to make Cecilia his.
In the end, after signing the divorce papers, she fled the Emperor’s pursuit and knocked on the doors of the Guardian Tower.
She had thought she’d be lucky just to be accepted as a maid, so discovering she possessed talent for magic and could become a trainee had filled her with joy.
But that happiness didn’t last long.
‘You can’t leave until you become an Archmage? How is that supposed to make any sense?’
An ordinary trainee needed at least ten years of training to become an Archmage.
Fortunately, Cecilia had achieved it in only five years, but aside from finally earning the right to leave the tower, nothing had changed.
That wasn’t all.
Even an Archmage was completely cut off from the outside world while living in the Guardian Tower.
As a result, Cecilia had absolutely no idea what had happened in the world during the past five years.
New trainees occasionally arrived, but discussing anything about the outside world within the tower was strictly forbidden.
“It’s an outdated and cruel policy, Master.”
“That’s right!”
“As expected of Lady Cecil!”
The trainees burst into cheers, causing Branto’s face to turn red with anger.
“You are an Archmage raised by this Guardian Tower. If you leave, what exactly do you think you can accomplish?”
Branto continued without even taking a breath.
“If you walk out now, I’ll expel you from the tower! Even if you come back later crying and begging to return, I won’t accept you! Think very carefully, Cecil!”
Cecilia sneered inwardly.
It was true that people outside Mejina tended to fear magic.
But an Archmage was a completely different matter.
There would always be employers who recognized the value of her power and were willing to pay handsomely for it.
Most of the trainees who had entered the tower at a young age simply didn’t know that.
‘Things are completely different now. No matter who comes after me, I’ll just teach them a lesson with this power.’
She didn’t even need to worry about the tyrant hunting her anymore.
Ordinary knights would be blown away like autumn leaves with a mere wave of her hand.
“I’m never coming back! And don’t you dare call for me either! I’m completely sick of life in this tower!”
Branto’s face twisted miserably.
“I thought of you as my successor…! How many more years must this old, pitiful master continue working…?”
She had heard enough.
She sincerely respected her master, but that didn’t mean she intended to listen endlessly to complaints that would accomplish nothing.
And she certainly had no intention of inheriting the troublesome Guardian Tower.
There was only one solution.
‘I was planning to leave first and teleport afterward… but it can’t be helped.’
Cecilia looked directly at Branto.
“I’m sorry, Master. But you’ll still be healthy for another fifty years, won’t you? Good luck!”
Clear, sky-blue mana wrapped around Cecilia’s body as a teleportation magic circle appeared above her head.
“You’re teleporting from inside the tower?! You’ll destroy the entire place!”
Branto shouted in horror.
But it was already too late.
“…Ceciiiiiil!”
The capital of the Magic Kingdom, Mejina.
A woman appeared in the middle of the plaza in a brilliant flash of light, yet no one paid her any attention.
In Mejina, magic was simply an ordinary part of everyday life.
But for Cecilia, this was anything but ordinary.
‘Finally…!’
Cecilia cheered inwardly.
‘Now I can actually enjoy my life! I’ll find a wealthy employer, spend money however I want, and live in a grand mansion again without lifting a finger!’
However, her dreams were shattered in an instant.
The moment she looked up, countless wanted posters plastered all around the plaza caught her eye.
Each one bore the face of her younger self from five years ago.
[Cecilia Keres
Anyone who discovers her and fails to report immediately to the Imperial Palace will be executed on the spot.
Reward – 100,000,000 Crowa]
