Chapter 24: The More I See Her, the More Curious She Makes Me
“Is everyone here?”
“Yes, they’re all waiting.”
Givnen, having dropped Riley off at the mansion, immediately returned to Horizon and headed for the Academy.
Thanks to having already ordered the Academy officials to assemble, all he needed to do was walk into the meeting hall.
Seven council members were gathered in the hall.
Also present was Rivne, a student of the Academy who had been pre-selected as a prospective council member at Horizon.
As Givnen entered the hall with Sak, all the council members—except for Rivne—stood abruptly to greet him. Only Rivne sat cross-legged, wearing a displeased expression, glaring at him.
What on earth is he plotting?
Rivne distrusted Givnen.
Why summon the council for this?
The council members were tense, trying to figure out Givnen’s intentions.
It made sense. The Academy was one of Horizon’s most independent institutions, and because Rivne was stationed there, Givnen, as the head of the Mana Tower, rarely interacted with the Academy.
Outside of approving final proposals after rounds of deliberation, there was little reason for Givnen to get involved. And he had never shown much interest in the Academy.
Their only brief interaction was during his inauguration reception as head of the Mana Tower.
In fact, this was essentially the first formal gathering since Givnen assumed his position.
It was an ordinary scene, yet everyone seemed awkwardly unfamiliar with each other.
“Long time no see, everyone.”
Givnen greeted them cheerfully. The council members responded respectfully.
“Please, have a seat.”
Once everyone had sat down, Givnen smiled and continued.
“I should have arranged a meeting like this sooner, but I’ve only now convened the council. How has everyone been?”
One by one, the council members replied and shared brief updates about their lives.
After these polite exchanges, Givnen got straight to the point.
“I don’t like long-winded talks or unnecessary chatter, so I’ll get right to it.”
All eyes were on him.
Then he dropped a bombshell.
“I would like to recommend a scholarship candidate and would like to request that they be given a chance to take the entrance exam.”
The council members exchanged glances, stunned. Some gawked with bulging eyes, others opened their mouths like fish.
Shortly after the initial shock, their confusion turned to outright displeasure.
“The examination period is already over. The exams have been completed. Are you asking us to assemble the professors just for one student?”
“What do you take us for to make such a request! Did you come all this way just to make an absurd demand?”
“I can’t understand this. I thought the head of the Mana Tower distinguished between public duty and private matters better than anyone.”
Givnen remained calm in the face of their anger, while Rivne, watching this unfold, turned bright red. Her fists trembled with a mixture of shame and rage. She seemed ready to burst at Givnen, but she only glared, suppressing her boiling anger.
“Anyway, no matter what, I absolutely cannot accept that proposal! Even if it were an order!”
“The scholarship recommendation system is an official program, and I myself entered Horizon as a teacher’s recommended student. What’s the problem? I’m not asking you to create a system that doesn’t exist.”
“There was plenty of debate about it at the time!”
“Then you should have abolished the system back then.”
“…That system has been under ongoing discussion for removal.”
“You were discussing it, not abolishing it.”
The council members exchanged uneasy looks.
In fact, the recommendation system had consistently produced outstanding students throughout the Academy’s history.
However, recently, issues of fairness had arisen, and some abuses had sparked internal conflicts. Since then, debates over whether to keep or abolish it had been ongoing.
“And besides, I’m only asking for an opportunity to take the exam, not immediate admission. Why get so upset?”
“…A recommendation from the head of the Mana Tower inevitably raises concerns about fairness.”
“Wasn’t the previous controversy over the recommendation system caused by Professor Magarov’s bribery incident? He tried to push someone unqualified into the Academy by bribing professors. I’m only asking for an opportunity to take the exam. This shouldn’t even be compared.”
“That bribery scandal only happened three years ago.”
“This matter is separate from that scandal. I am not forcing my recommendation into the Academy. I am merely requesting that the student be given a chance to take the exam.”
Givnen pressed the hesitant council members.
“A mage is a special talent under the supervision of the state. You say everyone should have equal opportunities, but what is the reality? The person I’m recommending was born a mage but has been neglected, left in a blind spot without any benefits.”
“….”
“Providing opportunities to those previously unreachable is also a matter of fairness and justice—principles this Academy, tasked with nurturing national talent, should uphold.”
Ahem.
“Grant the opportunity to take the exam. If they fail, then we can clearly deny admission. If they’re talented enough to pass, it would be our loss to miss out on them.”
The previously furious council members gradually lost their arguments under the young head of the Mana Tower’s eloquence.
It wasn’t like he was asking for immediate admission—just a chance to take the exam. Surely that couldn’t cause much trouble.
Of course, having the recommendation come from the Mana Tower’s head might complicate things, but other academies sometimes scouted promising young talents, so it wasn’t unprecedented.
The council deliberated briefly, and a decision was reached quickly.
“Granting the opportunity to take the exam seems acceptable.”
“Once approved, we will proceed with the necessary procedures. Sak will deliver the documents.”
“The exam schedule cannot be immediate. Professors are busy preparing for the semester. However, the general applicant exam period begins in one month. All professors will be present then, so we will prepare a special exam opportunity at that time.”
“Understood.”
Givnen rose, and the council meeting concluded.
For a session convened after such a long time, the matter was surprisingly trivial, leaving everyone slightly baffled.
As soon as Givnen left, the council members whispered among themselves.
“I can’t imagine what kind of talent could prompt the Mana Tower head to personally convene the council.”
“Originally, Duke Rianster’s student was already a certified prodigy, entering through the recommendation system without further verification. Could it be that he has a new pupil?”
“Ha, this young one already has a pupil? The Mana Tower’s pupil is practically the designated next head. Isn’t it too early in his tenure?”
“Well, the Mana Tower head has had pupils before.”
“Even so, he’s far too young—practically a baby…”
“Rivne, do you know anything?”
Rivne shook her head.
“How would I know what’s going on in that eccentric’s mind?”
Though they didn’t openly show it, the council members agreed internally.
The young head of the Mana Tower was unpredictable. He had always been unconventional, ever since his days as Duke Yun’s student.
Amid the uncertainty, one council member muttered softly:
“I’m curious to see just what kind of talent this is.”
“Was this planned from the start?”
“For what?”
“Sending Miss Riley to the Academy.”
“No.”
“You’re saying it wasn’t planned?”
“It was an impulsive decision.”
The council had been convened to conduct a magical ability test.
Horizon Academy was the only place where such a test could be conducted secretly, without the Magic Department knowing.
Given the council members’ resentment of the Magic Department’s control over mages, they were likely to overlook the legality of the procedure.
Givnen’s original plan was simply to test Riley’s magical ability, secretly register her with the Mage Association, and manage her to prevent magical overflow or runaway powers. He had no intention of educating her.
However, seeing Riley exploring the Academy, it was obvious she wanted to study.
“She wants to learn, it seems.”
“….”
“Since she’s here anyway, why not develop her into a talent worthy of Horizon? It’d be a shame to let such potential go to waste.”
“Excuse me? You really think that highly of her? I don’t see it at all…”
“Even if it’s not obvious, there must be something, otherwise her teacher wouldn’t have entrusted her so angrily.”
“….”
“I’m curious what powers she’s hiding. She can’t use magic yet, but once awakened, we’ll see what her teacher was so concerned about.”
She must have something.
Like a raw gemstone—it may seem ordinary until polished, but once refined, its true value shows.
Riley is a gemstone. From birth, she’s extraordinary.
“This actually works out well. I can’t just lock her in my mansion. Letting her roam in the courtyard under supervision works too.”
“…By the way, does Miss Riley have the talent to pass the Academy exam?”
“I don’t know.”
“…And yet you convened the council first?”
“I just have a feeling she’ll do well. Blood and genetics don’t lie. Once her powers are opened, we’ll see. There’s a suitable instructor available as well.”
“Could it be…?”
Givnen had already decided how she would be educated and who would be her instructor. A satisfied smile spread across his face.
“Fun, Riley Eadalin.”
The more I see her, the more curious she makes me.
It will be interesting to watch. Certainly.
Riley had never thought about what she wanted or what she should do.
While others explored their paths and moved toward their dreams, Riley only wondered how she could gain her family’s love.
She feared being left alone in the world, craving warmth and affection, clinging to love and attention.
She lived a life full of self-hatred, constantly questioning why she was hated. Thinking about a future or dreams was a luxury she could not afford.
And now, she’s at the Academy…
“Miss, Sak has arrived. Please come out.”
“…Already?”
Riley, prepared to go out, stepped outside. Sak lightly kissed the back of her hand.
“I’m here to escort you, Miss.”
“…Why are we going to Horizon all of a sudden?”
“There’s someone at Horizon capable of training you over the next month. Since I can’t leave, you have no choice but to go there.”
There was a month before the Horizon exam. During that time, Givnen found a teacher capable of helping Riley pass—a genius who had never missed being top of the class during their own Academy days.
It was a rare opportunity, but also intimidating. What if she was rejected outright?
Riley sighed as she climbed into the floating stone carriage.
How did it come to this?
She had admired students who studied at the Academy, but she had never wanted to attend herself. And now, a month before the exam, she would be trained by a legendary mage.
This is completely unreal.
Even after nearly a month here, it still felt like a dream.
“This is where you’ll enter.”
Sak led Riley to a place she had visited before—the Mana Storage, located in the Academy’s underground basement.
After Sak left, Riley entered the Mana Storage alone.
Previously, the room had been empty, but this time someone was there. From across the vast storage space, a small figure grew larger as she approached, eventually revealing a tall man.
“!”
Startled by his sudden appearance, Riley fell backward.
The man, looking like a beggar, reacted irritably as he looked at her.
“What are you?”
“…Excuse me?”
“Why did you sneak in here? Who are you?”
Hadn’t this been arranged in advance?
Riley, too stunned to get up, just stared at him. The man thumped his chest in frustration.
“Is your mouth just for decoration?”
“….”
“When someone asks, you answer. Who are you?”
The audacity of lecturing about manners while being rude himself was ridiculous, but Riley stood and introduced herself.
“I’m Riley Eadalin.”
“Who’s that?”
“…Excuse me?”
“I’ve never heard that name before.”
By now, Riley realized something had gone wrong—perhaps Sak was mistaken.
“Sak said the teacher would be here…”
“Sak? Ah, so this brat Givnen mentioned is you?”
“….”
The man scrutinized Riley and then, exasperated, grabbed his head.
“…Has that lunatic gone mad? Now he wants me to teach this snot-nosed kid?”
A dark cloud settled over Riley’s face.
What should she do?
It seemed her situation was doomed even before it began.
