The Magical City Fiorenza

“Waaaaa…!”

After parting with Carlo and the others, Jonah let out an exclamation of wonder as he glanced around at the stalls lining the main avenue.

This place, Fiorenza, is one of the foremost magical cities in the western nations. If you want to study every kind of magic from all times and places, there is no better place than here.

Therefore, many shops, including the stalls on this avenue, sell items related to magic.

Spellbooks, magical implements, materials that serve as mediums for magic, and so on.

It was natural that Jonah, a practitioner of ancient magic, was fascinated by them, but there was something that excited him even more.

It was.

“Amazing…!”

A huge tower standing tall in the center of the city.

It was the symbol of Fiorenza and the very reason it was called a magical city.

――The Mage Tower.

No one knows when it was built or who constructed it, but inside that tower are all the documents, facilities, and materials needed for magical research, and spellcasters from around the world knock on the Mage Tower’s gates with their aspirations.

Above all.

‘Somewhere in that tower is the legend I’m searching for.’

Jonah had come to Fiorenza to see the legend of “the Undying King of the Dark Underground Labyrinth,” as recorded in a book compiling legends from across the world.

According to the legend, deep within the underground labyrinth that connects to the Mage Tower standing in Fiorenza, that Undying King still reigns.

The Undying King is said to know all the laws of this world and will tell any visitor the correct answer to whatever question they ask.

However――in exchange for that person’s life.

It was a legend that might make one flinch automatically, but Jonah was not afraid.

Of course he did not take his less-than-a-year remaining life lightly. No—he understood the value of life more than anyone.

Still, Jonah had resolved when he set out that he would chase the legend recorded in the treasure.

So he couldn’t afford to flinch now.

“Um, excuse me.”

Jonah entered one of the stalls and called out.

“Oh, welcome.”

“Um… I want to get inside that tower, but how can I do that?”

“Hm? Could it be that you’re a spellcaster, lad?”

The plump female shopkeeper, who had been tidying goods, turned around and repeated Jonah’s question.

“Actually, yes. And I really want to get into that tower…”

“Well, isn’t that something! Only a handful of people become spellcasters, you know.”

“Eh, ehe…”

Jonah blushed and smiled gratefully at the shopkeeper’s praise.

Still, the shopkeeper’s amazement suggested that a small boy like Jonah aiming for the Mage Tower was unusual.

“But you see…”

“Is something the matter?”

“You need to take an exam to enter that tower. If you don’t pass, you won’t get permission to enter the Mage Tower.”

According to the shopkeeper, spellcasters from around the world flock to the Mage Tower year-round and repeatedly fail the exams.

Those spellcasters settle in the town to prepare for the next exam, and before long the streets become overflowing with people aiming for the Mage Tower.

“It sounds terribly difficult, so even if you have talent, lad, it might be tough.”

“I-is that so…”

After hearing the shopkeeper’s story, Jonah became even more interested in the Mage Tower.

That said, he couldn’t just show his ancient magic so freely.

In this world, people acknowledge that ancient magic once existed, but they do not accept that anyone now uses it.

Above all.

‘Carlo told me not to use it recklessly, too.’

He had a promise with the man who was like a brother to him, a bond formed in the Kingdom of Benedia.

“Well, the exams are held every month, so if you fail once or twice, you’ll pass eventually as long as you don’t give up.”

“Ah, ahaha…”

The shopkeeper smiled sympathetically and patted Jonah on the back.

Unfortunately Jonah didn’t have much time left, so all he could do was give a wry smile.

Then.

“Nuhoho, have the items I requested arrived?”

A middle-aged man entered the shop and asked the shopkeeper that question.

The man wore a silk hat, round spectacles, and a distinctive Kaiser mustache; he was tall and thin, dressed in a black tailcoat and draped in a cloak.

“Oh, Mr. Tommaso. Unfortunately it hasn’t arrived yet. You came asking just yesterday, didn’t you?”

“Oh dear, I just couldn’t wait.”

The shopkeeper answered in an exasperated voice, and the man—Tommaso—smiled wryly and scratched his head.

Jonah stared intently at this affable, somehow endearing man.

“Oh? Are you a customer of this shop?”

“Ah… um, my name is Jonah.”

Jonah bowed politely and gave his name to Tommaso, who looked at him curiously.

“How polite. My name is Tommaso Rossi,” he said.

Tommaso placed his silk hat against his chest and returned the bow with elegance.

“Ah yes, Tommaso here may look like this, but he’s a spellcaster and a researcher of that Mage Tower. A bit of an oddball, though.”

“Humph, that last remark was unnecessary.”

Tommaso shot a look that said he had something to say at the teasing addition from the shopkeeper.

But more than that, Jonah was—

“Um—! Are you affiliated with the Mage Tower?”

“Nuhoho, yes I am…. Although I’m nothing more than a humble researcher.”

“Waaaaaa…!”

Jonah gazed at Tommaso, who shyly stroked his Kaiser mustache, with eyes full of admiration.

Having just been told by the shopkeeper how narrow the gate to the Mage Tower was, Jonah could not hide his excitement at seeing someone directly connected to it.

“Actually, this lad is a spellcaster too and wants to enter the Mage Tower. I was just talking with him a bit ago.”

“Hoho! For a boy of this age to be a spellcaster—Jonah, you have a promising future!”

“Ah… ehe…”

Tommaso leaned closer and looked at Jonah’s face with interest. Jonah couldn’t help but blush.

“If that’s the case, Jonah, would you like to come with me to see what the Mage Tower is like?”

“Eh…?”

At Tommaso’s unexpected offer, Jonah’s eyes lit up.

“Th-that, is that really okay?”

“Of course. Since you’re a spellcaster, Jonah, you may enter the Mage Tower as my assistant. From there you can challenge the exam.”

“Ah, thank you!”

Jonah bowed vigorously and expressed his gratitude.

He hadn’t expected to find a way into the Mage Tower so quickly, and he couldn’t contain his happiness.

“Well then, shall we be off?”

“Yes!”

And so Jonah left the shop together with Tommaso.

“Hmm… Is this man really all right? He seems a bit odd.”

“…But he’s not a bad person. I’m sure of it.”

The skeptical voice Jonah heard was that of the shopkeeper.

She said whatever she pleased, but it was fortunate that only Jonah could hear her.

“…? Is something the matter?”

“N-no! It’s nothing!”

When Tommaso turned back and asked curiously, Jonah hurriedly shook his head.