Tiya’s Smooth Regression Life Chapter 19
After a long while, the sobbing buried beneath the blankets finally began to subside.
<Are you done crying?>
No sooner had the words left Winter’s mouth than a bright red face popped out from the gap in the blankets.
Drenched in tears and snot, her face swollen like a goldfish, Tiya insisted stubbornly.
“Northerners, sniff, don’t cry. This… this is just snot.”
<You certainly have an answer for everything.>
The wet imprints of Tiya’s eyes, nose, and mouth were stamped clearly onto the pillowcase.
Soon, Tiya wiggled her way out from under the blankets and declared her resolve with a determined look in her eyes.
“Winter, I’m going to become stronger than I am now.”
Tiya added one more line to the very top of the “Save the Family” plan in her head.
☆ Save Our Family
- Prevent the epidemic.
- Eliminate the hidden villain.
- Gather allies.
She had to protect her family before the fall of House Vladizev. To do that, she needed many things.
“I need power, money, and military strength! Tons of it! I’d even sell my soul for it!”
Winter was quite pleased by these words, which sounded exactly like a corrupt power broker, but unfortunately, one thing was lacking.
<You’ll also need your front teeth.>
“They’re growing back bit by bit, though.”
Tiya opened her mouth wide and proudly showed Winter her teeth.
True to her word, a tiny white nub, no bigger than a grain of rice, was peeking out.
It seemed she would soon be a corrupt power broker with a full set of front teeth.
Nodding with satisfaction, Winter spoke in an exaggerated tone.
<To commemorate the return of your front teeth, I shall tell you how to gain power equal to nobility without the bloodline, inherit the legacy of the Golden Mountain, and obtain subordinates with the strength of a hundred men.>
I knew Winter would have the answer!
Tiya’s eyes sparkled like a crow discovering treasure as she leaned toward Winter.
“What is it? What is it?”
<Become the Lord of the Magic Tower. Since you’ve become a mage anyway, shouldn’t you aim for the top?>
Lord of the Magic Tower. The North was not known for its magical prominence, but Tiya knew the reputation well enough.
While there were as many magic schools in the Empire as there were stars, only three had built up enough prestige and wealth to establish a Tower.
Winter spread her fingers and explained one by one.
<First, the Morning Star Tower, blessed by Annix, the Star of Creation.>
A school of magic that gave life to inanimate objects, its creations were called golems.
<Second, the Veilstar Tower, blessed by Anaxia, the Star of Destruction.>
It would not be an exaggeration to say that all offensive magic originated here.
<Finally, the Anchorstar Tower, blessed by Artes, the Star of Protection, a school that uses magic specialized in guarding.>
These were the three very constellations that had bestowed their blessings upon Tiya.
To Tiya, who had essentially been born with a silver spoon—or rather, a star-studded one—Winter asked.
<Of the three Magic Towers, which one do you like best?>
Tiya couldn’t answer readily. She was like a child rolling her eyes, not knowing which flavor to pick from a handful of candies.
<Well, I’m not telling you to decide right this second. You can choose after learning basic magic—>
“Wait, do I have to pick just one?”
<What?>
“The three stars chose me. So I want to repay them, too. Can’t I just be the Master of all of them? Huh?”
<Well, of course…>
Winter trailed off.
‘Indeed, there’s no rule against it.’
Actually, it was less a matter of law and more a matter of possibility.
Usually, it took a lifetime just to master one school. But to be the master of three towers?
No ordinary mage would even dare consider it.
‘But if it’s this child… and if it’s “that method,” it’s not impossible.’
Winter, reviewing the plan, tested Tiya’s resolve.
<Are you ready? You’ll have to survive at least three near-death trials.>
Tiya laughed boldly.
“So you’re saying I just have to survive facing death three times?”
<I like your spirit.>
“Good. Then let’s go to the magic tower right now!”
She was about to prepare to go out when Winter interrupted.
<No, you mustn’t move openly. You need to watch out for the Vladizev family’s enemies.>
The words ‘Vladizev family’s enemies’ immediately caught Tiya’s attention.
“Marquis Montes! …He has the Imperial Family as his backing. House Vladizev is no different from royalty in the North, but due to the closed environment, they cannot exert great influence outside. Therefore, a supporter is needed to move in the capital on behalf of House Vladizhev while keeping Marquis Montes in check!”
Reciting word for word what Winter had taught her over a month ago, Tiya caused Winter to click her tongue.
<Sometimes I can’t tell if this child is dumb or brilliant.>
“Hehe, thanks for the compliment.”
Seeing her like this, she was definitely stupid.
<Anyway, it’s best to keep your trump card hidden. So, let’s keep the fact that you’re a mage a secret for the time being.>
“Then where do I learn magic? I have to grow my magic skills as quickly as possible to become a Magic Tower Master.”
Winter clicked her tongue at Tiya, who looked puzzled.
<The most important skill for a mage is logical thinking, and you’re still this dense? Don’t you get it yet?>
“Get what?”
Tiya blinked innocently, pretending not to know anything, and Winter sighed.
<I’ll give you a hint. How did I distinguish meteorites at the market stall? How did I know so much about magic? Finally, who was it that taught you levitation magic?>
Memories of past events flashed through Tiya’s mind.
Come to think of it, there had been more than a few suspicious things!
Tiya’s mouth slowly fell open, and a gasp of admiration broke out.
“Winter, you have a best friend who’s a mage!”
There’s no such thing as a friend, Winter thought.
Clicking her tongue, Winter said,
<I am a mage.>
“…?”
Tiya spun around Winter, examining her profile, back, and front from every angle.
The dashing uniform of the Vladizev Knights.
A long sword sheathed at her waist.
A trained body impossible to hide even under the snug uniform.
Even standing on her hands, she was unmistakably a Northern knight.
“Whhaaaat?!”
A mage!
Tiya’s eyes widened, and Winter bit the edge of her glove to remove it, showing the back of her left hand.
As she channeled mana, a sigil of creation appeared on her hand.
“But Winter, you’re the Northern Grand Duke!”
<Yes. But there is no rule stating the head of House Vladizhev must be a spirit mage.>
Finally, she gripped the hilt of her sword and pulled it out; instead of a sharp blade, a blunt magic staff revealed itself.
<There’s a reason I was called a “defective product.” The head of a prestigious swordsmanship family that commands spirits being a mage—is there any greater laughingstock? Anyway…>
Swish.
Swinging the staff like a fencing sword, mana fragments scattered along its path like a shower of light.
<Don’t worry about your magic training. I’ll cram all the basics of magic into that little head of yours.>
Tiya was captivated by the elegant yet disciplined movements rather than the sparkling remnants of mana.
Soon, as if requesting a handshake, Winter extended the tip of her staff toward Tiya.
<In Northern style, Sir Vladizev.>
Striking the tips of each other’s blades. That was the greeting shared between master and disciple in the North.
Tiya’s eyes sparkled as she quickly picked up a poker and tapped its tip against Winter’s staff, shouting,
“Yes, Master!”
It felt as though she could hear the clear clang of clashing blades within her chest.
“Just you wait. I’ll become the Empire’s greatest mage and make you proud, Master!”
Her ambition soared to the skies, and her confidence pierced the cosmos.
But Tiya’s momentum was short-lived and soon ran aground.
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