The Regret Novel Female Lead with Unbreakable Mentality Chapter 164 - Special Story 3. Archmage Giselle Goes to the Magic Tower

Special Story 3. Archmage Giselle Goes to the Magic Tower

 

“I think I’m still lacking.”

 

“…All of a sudden?”

 

As I spoke with my eyes gleaming while reading a book in the study, Vientin looked puzzled.

 

“Yes. Seeing the other mages in this book made me think that.”

 

Vientin looked at the cover of the book I was reading. “[The History of the Magic Tower and Genealogy of Archmages], huh. It’s a book worth researching.”

 

…I was going to say the book was boring. Then again, it’s definitely the kind of book Vientin would like.

 

I nodded absentmindedly. “Anyway, I think I need more training.”

 

“Training…”

 

“Yes. If I go somewhere far away to train, I’ll be able to do lots of research and have some fun too, right?”

 

[The History of the Magic Tower and Genealogy of Archmages] contained something like that. Countless archmages would go to new places to train and encounter fortuitous opportunities. Thanks to those opportunities, their abilities would develop considerably or something like that.

 

“Where are you thinking of going to train?”

 

“As it happens, I received a rather interesting invitation.” I pulled out an invitation that I had tucked into the book like a bookmark.

 

[We invite Archmage Giselle to the Magic Tower of the Desert.]

 

“The Magic Tower of the Desert?”

 

“Yes. It boasts the greatest authority among the various magic towers of the empire. But apparently, it has declined considerably these days.”

 

“Indeed. Furthermore, I understand it to be quite closed-off.” He unfolded the invitation with a puzzled expression.

 

I nodded. “They said they want to invite me as a professor.”

 

“A professor…”

 

“Yeah. I don’t really want to do that, though.”

 

At my sulky tone, the corners of his mouth rose.

 

“But this is where we get to the main point.”

 

“…Yes.”

 

“I looked into it a little. There used to be a research team at the Magic Tower of Desert studying time magic, and their research was quite interesting. But then, all of a sudden, the research was discontinued.”

 

“…So?”

 

“I want to bring those researchers into my laboratory.”

 

That was why I wanted to meet my father again. If possible, I also wanted to find a way to bring him back to life. I merely smiled serenely, hiding those feelings, but Vientin murmured in a low voice.

 

“Then I’ll go get them.”

 

“No.” I grinned and waved the invitation.

 

[Duchess Kalinos, we beg of you. With your magnificent power, please cleanse the Magic Tower of its deep-rooted corruption.]

 

“I hear that magic tower is rotten to the core, you know? Apparently, the competent people have all their achievements stolen from them. It seems even the tower master can’t do anything about it.”

 

“…Don’t approach them ever.” Vientin ground his teeth.

 

I only looked at him and smiled brightly. “Why? Wouldn’t it be fun?”

 

As though sensing the ominousness in my words, Vientin asked in a strange tone. “What… do you mean?”

 

“I should go there and clean up those pieces of trash who steal other people’s accomplishments and those wicked b*stards who bully weaker people, right? Then I’ll bring the time-travel researchers back as my spoils of war.”

 

“Wait, what on earth…”

 

At that moment, my true feelings suddenly slipped out of my mouth. “I’m so bored. I want to go there and have some fun.”

 

Of course, I enjoyed peaceful days spent talking with him. But lately, my life had been far too tranquil. In a word, I’m lacking in dopamine. I sighed and picked up the invitation.

 

“Hmm…”

 

Everyone around me seemed to know that I was a walking bomb, because they were crawling flat on the ground around me. On top of that, under the pretext of being the duchess, I couldn’t even cause a proper ruckus, leaving me frustrated. They even praised me when I took naps. This was too much. It’s nice, sure, but honestly it’s a bit burdensome. It makes me uncomfortable. Even so…

 

“Understood. Go ahead. There’s no way those guys would dare treat Giselle badly anyway.”

 

I offered my condolences to the people of the Magic Tower of the Desert, who had apparently been demoted to ‘those guys’ at some point, and thought. “Um, that’s a little problematic.”

 

“What?”

 

“I told you, I want to cause a ruckus.”

 

“…”

 

“Which means they need to treat me badly. That way, after being persecuted, I can dramatically reveal my identity and uncover evidence of corruption. Sounds fun, doesn’t it?”

 

Vientin stared at me seriously before quietly asking, “…Giselle, you’re very bored, aren’t you?”

 

“Honestly, yes.”

 

In an era where the trashy, regretful male leads had disappeared and peace had arrived, I was too bored.

 

“I’ve come up with a plan to contribute to reforming the magic tower.” I spoke seriously. “Want to hear about the concept I’m calling ‘The Archmage Who Hides Her Power’?”

 

* * *

Now then, you think I will simply visit the Magic Tower of the Desert? If I did that, there was a high chance everyone would fawn over me, calling me the great Archmage Giselle, Duchess Kalinos. I couldn’t stand that. So I decided to use a disguise magic tool, create a fake identity, and infiltrate the magic tower undercover.

 

“It’s dangerous. So, no.”

 

“I’m an archmage, you know?”

 

“It’s still dangerous. If some bad people bully you, you might even get hu…”

 

“…?”

 

“Not… that you’d actually get hurt. Still… I’ll be going now.”

 

“Oh, you’re running away because you have nothing to say.”

 

In truth, convincing my husband was a little difficult.

 

“So you really intend to leave for the Magic Tower of the Desert alone. And in disguise, at that.”

 

“Yes. I’m going to pretend to be a 1st-circle mage.”

 

“…”

 

“For about three months… would that be okay?”

 

“Three whole months… My hair will turn white in the meantime.”

 

“…If your hair turned white in just three months, that would be a sign of an illness.”

 

“…”

 

“…You should probably get that checked.”

 

Of course, at first, it felt like I was talking to a stone. We’re not getting anywhere. But was it from the moment I started moving about enthusiastically? From when I created my fake identity and disguised my appearance? Or from when I applied to the Magic Tower of Desert as a trainee mage and received notice that I had been accepted? At some point, Vientin became subtly more benevolent.

 

“Very well. I have no intention of restraining you, so go.”

 

“What?”

 

“You may go cause a ruckus. But if someone happens to bully you—”

 

“Do you really think I’ll be the one getting bullied?”

 

“Ah, I see. Anyway, once you’ve caused a complete ruckus, call me.”

 

“I was planning to contact Vientin the moment I caught the mastermind of the corruption.”

 

“Good. I’ll rush straight to the magic tower immediately.”

 

After ending the conversation with my husband on a positive note, I broke into a huge grin.

 

Great. Rotten magic tower, just you wait. I’m coming…!

 

* * *

And so, bag over my shoulder, I infiltrated the Magic Tower of the Desert in disguise. Here, my name wasn’t Giselle, but Isabella. My nickname was Bella. I stood in front of the magic tower’s entrance with a satisfied smile.

 

“Hello. My name is Bella, and I’m applying to become a mage of the magic tower this time.”

 

Alright, so this is the place where mages fight it out without ranks getting in the way, huh?

 

Right then, a group of 1st-circle mages who seemed to have been waiting by the door waved at me. Are they the ones? The corrupted ones?

 

“Ah, you’re the newcomer. Come this way.”

 

“Yes.”

 

Alright, my corrupt friends! Come at me! Go ahead and look down on me all you want! I even left behind my adorable husband who talks nonsense because of his separation anxiety…!

 

However…

 

“We prepared some delicious candy for the newcomer.”

 

Is this some kind of prank? I quickly checked the candy, but it was just real candy.

 

“Was it difficult getting here? Shall I carry your bag for you?” There didn’t seem to be even the slightest hint of malice in his kind smile.

 

What is this? Why are they so nice? I heard they were corrupt.

 

I narrowed my eyes slightly and followed them around the Magic Tower of the Desert. They were extremely kind to me and even carried themselves with dignity.

 

What is this? Is this turning back into a wholesome healing story again? Just what is this? Sure, healing stories are great and all, but I’m genuinely dying of boredom here. I’m naturally weak against nice people.

 

But then, it happened. After showing me around up to the third floor, the mages stopped at the landing of the staircase.

 

“1st-circle mages like us can only go up to here, the third floor. To be precise, up to this landing leading to the fourth floor.”

 

Just as I was beginning to feel a little guilty, I noticed something strange. “Really? But doesn’t this magic tower have ten floors?”

 

“Um, yes, but…”  

 

“Then why can we only go as far as the third floor?” I pointed to the pamphlet I had received. “Besides, the front room for presenting research results is on the fifth floor. Even 1st-circle mages must have research achievements.”

 

They hurriedly averted their gazes and said, “That, um, you see…”

 

It was at that moment. Clatter! Along with a loud commotion, a brazen voice came from the stairs above. Soon enough, three figures stepped down the stairs, sauntering with both hands shoved deep into their pockets.

 

“What is this? Aren’t these the 1st-circle maggots?”

 

It was the literal textbook entrance of villains.

 

My eyes flashed in an instant. Found you, my beloved. The exact kind of person I was looking for.