This Time, To The Believed Path
The Invitation to a Genius Magic Inventor

Three days before Leana's return to Grandall, Adde and Leana or now Dean and Rein are watching the magic tower.

More precisely they were looking for a single crack in order to find their target.

Thanks to Adde's persistence, in less than two weeks he had mastered most of the shadow technique though it was not perfect.

Really, Leana couldn't stop to stick the word genius on Adde's back. Even on his first mission right now, Dean didn't look nervous.

“Are you sure this will work?”

“I myself have never tested it, but if the story is true then we should be able to enter.”

“You realize that those words did not help this situation at all, Rein?”

“Whispering.”

Their target is a genius magician named Alscan. He was the inventor of various innovative magic tools that the shadowy members of Grand Duke Volfelance used in carrying out their missions.

Alscan himself was known to exist by the Grand Duke of Volfelance when he became one of the few witches who attended the delegation event to be held three years from now.

At that time Grand Duke Volfelance got information that Alscan made various discoveries but could not be removed because the magic tower did not acknowledge the discovery.

Using his position, Grand Duke Volfelance sends a letter to hire Alscan as his personal magician.

Although Alscan is not recognized by colleagues and elders in the magic tower for always being involved in making magic tools, his ability in traditional magic has been certified high.

This means that Alscan's power as a witch can be recognized very well. Therefore Alscan can be easily released by the magic tower to work with Grand Duke Volfelance.

In time as a shadow, Rein does not always meet with Alscan but because sometimes the magic tool needs to do routine maintenance so he must bring the tool to Alscan's place who does not want to get out of his work lab.

While waiting, sometimes the two talk and share stories. One of the stories is about a crack from the protector lining the magic tower.

The crack occurred because there was an incident where a large magic explosion occurred in one of the practice rooms.

But until the next few years no one knows about the crack except Alscan who sometimes use the room to secretly make magic tools.

The location of the crack is right in the window of the room that allows a person to get out and in without being caught by the sensors of the protective magic as long as they do not touch the protective layer that still lines the outside on the frame window.

Alscan did not repair and did not report the crack and only hid it in the hope that the crack could help him in the future.

“The window located in the middle of the magic tower, has a different color than other windows, and there is a line of cracks around the window.”.

“Ah, meet, is there.”

Dean pointed at two o'clock from where they were. Different from other windows that look faded no matter how they sharpen their eyes, the window that is only closed with the curtain looks very clear.

Dean and Rein had to move and climb up a taller tree just below the window to reach it.

But even after they moved, they were still unable to reach the height of the window.

The shadow technique of ‘light jump’ may be able to bring it up there but Dean is still not able to fully perform the technique.

“What do you think, Dean?”

“It looks like I can only jump half of our current position, unless there is someone pushing me from the bottom to give me more power or pull me from the top so I can climb.”

Pulling or pushing Dean. What is the best solution for them.

“If I pull you up from the top, I need a stick that is strong enough and long and attach a rope at the end so you can climb without touching the tower wall.”

“Means the only way is for you to give me extra power so that my jump can get to that window.”

Rein and Dean nodded simultaneously. It seems they have no other choice.

“Alright I will sustain you so be prepared.”

Rein began to prepare the strength of his hand so that it could support and give Dean an additional boost.

Thanks to their rigorous training, Rein managed to get almost half of his stamina and strength back so he was able to perform their current actions.

“Before starting, do you remember what to do when meeting someone?”

“Make them unconscious or shut them up, right? I understand.”

Preparing for his position, Dean immediately jumped up and landed one leg in Rein's hands.

Along with Dean who used the ‘light jump’ technique, Rein gave Dean an additional boost that jumped towards their destination window.

Arriving at the window, Dean immediately grabbed the inside of the window and pulled his body into the room. Seeing Dean successfully enter the tower, Rein followed. As he neared the window…

PRAGHS!

A voice sounded from that space.

Rein immediately entered and put away the curtains that blocked his view. He found Dean silencing the mouth of a witch. Seeing Dean wanting to unconscious the witch, Rein immediately stopped him.

“Wait! Stop!”

Because if someone comes along then their plan will fail. Rein opened his mouth and made a friendly gesture.

“Ekhm, first listen to us first. We are not bad people.”

The witch glared at Rein as if she did not want to be tricked. It was truly a fortune that they were able to find their target directly without entering the magic tower deeper.

“Hmmph! Hmmph!”

“Ah, we are here to meet you, if you promise not to run away and make a fuss then we will release you.”

When the witch nodded quickly. Rein looked at Dean and he let go of his embrace of the witch.

In order to convince his target that they were not enemies, Rein opened the hood of his robe and the surprised Dean saw his rash action just hit his forehead and let out a sigh of resignation.

The witch carefully kept her distance but did nothing suspicious other than waiting for words from them. Rein immediately continued.

“First of all if I may be sure, are you really a tower witch named Alscan?”

“I, yes, right..” He replied with hesitation.

“No need to be vigilant. Introduce me is Rein. I was sent to deliver a message from my master to you.”

“Message... for me?”

“Master I want to hire you as his personal magician.”

Alscan was shocked to hear this. Dean who wanted to speak up stopped because Rein looked at him and shook his head.

Minimizing others to know the characteristics of shadow members even from sound is one of the principles of shadow. Dean just frowned at the signal.

With his body trembling slightly, Alscan opened his mouth.

“Ke, why should I.. I never show myself out to be known by others..”.

“I can't go deeper for now, but I can assure you that my master needs your strength and knowledge.”

Rein glanced at the magic items near those scattered on the floor and Alscan widened his eyes.

“Cannot...!”

“If you want to be free to do your project and have further questions, you can just directly ask my master.”

Rein took out an envelope containing a letter from under his cloak and gave it to Alscan.

“Alphiella..?”

“My master will introduce himself through the letter. If you are done, please burn the letter.”

Alscan nodded and kept the letter inside his waist bag.

“Master I plan to send a request letter and recommendation for your work to the magic tower in the next few days. Please decide your choice when the letter arrives.”

Rein hinted at their departure to Dean and the two walked towards the window. Seeing that Alscan immediately stopped them.

“T-Wait first!”

Rein and Dean stopped and turned to hear Alscan's call.

“S-I have to take the final exam of the higher-ups in a week. J-If possible, can the letter be sent one month from now when the results of my exam come out?”

Rein simply nodded and the two immediately left Alscan alone.

***

“One month from now, huh..”.

“At that time you already have to be in Grandall to welcome the marquis who just returned from his mission.”

Rein and Dean were on their way home on horseback talking about Alscan.

One month from now Rein will be at the Grandall residence and welcome the return of the Forde Grandall. This meeting is a sign of the beginning and determinant of his fate ahead.

‘I cannot go back to Wordlock and to gain power over Alphiella I must be part of Grandall.’

Even though his plan had gone smoothly until this point, he could not stop worrying about the possibility that it could happen.

Will his plan be alright considering his actions after he realizes in his third life this looks very unreasonable and arbitrary?

Dean frowned seeing Rein lethargic at the thought of something and continued to sigh.

“I'll take care of Alphiella representing you, so no need to worry. Just give me the command you want.” Said Dean trying to calm Rein down.

“Dean..”

Somehow imagining that now Leana will rely on Adde in carrying out his plan, he felt it tickled his pride and he became a little upset.