Great Teacher in a Defense Game

#5 Boundary-class Mage

“Now that I’ve been caught out, I suppose I should reintroduce myself. My name is Nordila. I am a Boundary-class mage, responsible for ice among the eight elements, and at the same time, the owner of the Frozen Spire.”

Enoch’s eyes widened just a touch.

Nordila, master of the Frozen Spire.

She was a high-ranking NPC character, a mage who represented the ice attribute.

An existence one absolutely had to meet in order to develop ice-related towers, units, or heroes.

A figurehead representing a single element.

That was Nordila.

‘A Boundary-class mage. I never expected to meet one so soon.’

In Eoin, the realms of a mage were broadly divided into five.

In order: Jester, Scroll, Domination, Essence, and Boundary.

These were humorously metaphorical ways to describe a mage’s skill.

A Jester-class mage was, as the name suggested, no better than a clown, possessing only parlor tricks.

A Scroll-class was as useful as a single, well-written tome.

Domination meant one had fully mastered a portion of a single elemental magic.

Essence meant one had reached the very root of their chosen elemental magic.

And finally, Boundary.

A Boundary-class mage walked a precarious tightrope between humanity and magic itself.

They were, in effect, magic in human form.

Their strength was continental, to say the least.

If they so desired, they could topple an entire nation in the blink of an eye.

Nordila was not simply a powerful mage, but a living embodiment of ice magic itself.

“Hmm…”

“Teacher…”

Enoch hummed thoughtfully as he organized his thoughts.

Lachryma, sensing the sudden shift in the mage’s demeanor, retreated a step, a nervous look on her face.

“Heh heh, oh dear, I feel needlessly apologetic. Was I too abrupt, perhaps?”

Nordila chuckled sheepishly.

It was exceptionally rare to find someone with both talent and the right qualifications, who also possessed good manners.

By some stroke of fortune, he’d stumbled upon someone who fulfilled both conditions.

If it had stopped there, all would have been well, but without realizing it, he’d revealed his true nature.

Enoch, regarding Nordilla, opened his mouth with respectful demeanor.

“I am in the presence of the Icepeak Magus Lord.”

“Enough with the formalities. I more or less gleaned what sort of person you are. Though I imagine you have something more pressing to ask?”

“Since you extend your favor, I shall follow your lead.”

Enoch maintained his composure and politely inquired.

“Then, first, I must ask. What business brings you to grace us with your presence here?”

” ‘Grace us.’ You gild my face, young man.”

“You are a Boundary-Class Magus. A position worthy of the utmost deference.”

“Enough. To answer your question, it is just as you overheard. My less-than-adequate students urgently summoned me. They claimed a foe had appeared whom they couldn’t even grasp with instruments. Hearing that piqued my curiosity, you see? So, I thought I’d come and take a look. Thanks to you, I’ve had quite the diverting experience.”

Nordilla said this with a hearty laugh. The word ‘diverting’ didn’t seem like an empty one.

“In any case, now that things have turned out this way, I’ll get straight to the point. There, Miss Lacrina?”

“A-ah, y-yes!”

Lacrina answered at attention, as if she was a soldier.

Nordilla wore a warm smile, as gentle as a grandfather’s.

“Firstly, you have already passed.”

“Passed?”

“Indeed. Your aptitude has stirred my curiosity. You are sufficiently suited to receive the knowledge of the Magus Tower. Come find me whenever you wish. I shall await you with great pleasure.”

“Ah… Thank you…”

Recognition from the pinnacle of humanity.

Lacrina bowed her head, a dazed look upon her face.

Nordilla, regarding her with grandfatherly fondness, then turned to Enoch, who stood beside her.

“That aside, did you already know that this child possesses a talent for the Ice element?”

“Roughly, about half of it.”

“Hmm, by what means? Had she already been tested at another Magus Tower?”

“No, it isn’t that. It was simply my intuition.”

“Intuition?”

“Yes. My heart told me so. I followed my burning heart and it led us to the icy tower. Isn’t that ironic?”

Nordeilla shook his head at Enoch’s words.

“You truly are a peculiar fellow. Summoning a noble lady for such a trifling reason?”

“There seems to be a misunderstanding. Lacrina is not of noble birth.”

“What? Surely my pupils…”

Nordeilla’s gaze shifted toward Lacrina. She shook her head, gesturing to herself, as if to say she wasn’t a noble.

“…Those witless clods. I told them time and again, observe their actions, not their attire.”

“They’re still young. Isn’t this the age when mistakes are a virtue?”

“One would think you were an old man yourself. In any case, apologies for the misunderstanding. I’ll scold my students later. After promoting them to scroll-scribes, they still haven’t shaken off their jester habits…”

Nordeilla grumbled briefly, then spoke again.

“It’s a sort of缘分 after all. If there’s anything you need, speak now. Consider it a gift to a polite young man.”

“I’m not sure. I feel as though I’ve already received the greatest gift. Nothing particular comes to mind.”

*Meeting you is a gift in itself.*

Enoch’s words, laced with such meaning, drew another hollow laugh from Nordeilla.

“You know how to please an old man. Damn it, is one gift not enough? It almost sounds like you’re trying to forge a bond with me.”

“Whether that’s true or not, I think it’s more advantageous for me to remain silent for now.”

“Enough. I concede.”

Nordeilla chuckled, then looked at Lacrina.

“Young maiden. You’ve met a very interesting person. Do you regard him as your master?”

“Ah… yes. For now, I’m calling him ‘Teacher’.”

“I see. Then don’t lose sight of that meaning. And remember this: when dealing with strangers, follow the dictates of reason; when dealing with family, follow the dictates of the heart.”

Nordeilla’s advice etched itself upon Lacrina’s ears.

*What exactly does that mean?*

A phrase pregnant with numerous interpretations, depending on how one took it.

Lacrina silently bowed her head, striving to decipher the magician’s words.

“Thank you for the counsel.”

“Yes, yes. Well, I’ll be off now-“

“A moment.”

Just as Nordeilla was about to leave, Enoch called out, stopping him in his tracks.

“Hm? Is there something else?”

“Please wait a moment. The introductions are not yet complete.”

“Introduce? But aren’t there only you and the girl present. Surely there’s nothing more to say?”

Nordilla inquired, a note of question in her tone.

Enoch shifted his gaze, indicating Lacrimna with a pointed finger.

“Nordilla-nim. It’s clear to your eyes, wouldn’t you agree, that the girl possesses the aptitude for ice magic? Or am I mistaken?”

“…Well, that is so. There’s no doubt she has the potential.”

“If that is the case, then your thought is flawed.”

“…Flawed? Mine?”

“Yes.”

Enoch stated definitively. His tone bordered on unwavering conviction.

Nordilla didn’t press, waiting a beat.

To ask useless questions before attempting independent thought was a foolish act.

The Ice Magic Tower Lord had no intention of emulating the behaviors of the common.

After a moment, Enoch continued, gesturing once more towards the Lacrimna, rigid with anticipation.

“Nordilla-nim. The girl present is not merely gifted with the potential for ice magic.”

“…Merely? A barb in your words. Meaning?”

“Yes. I believe the girl to be the singular magician to follow in your wake.”

“Hoh?”

This was unexpected. Nordilla’s eyes widened slightly.

“!!!”

Lacrimna, who had been quietly observing, was struck by a jolt that felt as though her breath had ceased.

Such words, uttered so suddenly. What could he possibly believe to be true?

“The singular magician to follow in my wake. You understand the weight of those words, do you?”

“Certainly. I am even convinced of it. You will be remembered as a magician of the Golden Age. And…”

Enoch fixed Lacrimna with a quiet, unwavering gaze.

A gaze that seemed to penetrate skin, bore into her very soul.

A gaze that appeared to pierce destiny itself.

Lacrimna involuntarily shuddered under the weight of it.

“…And, the girl will follow you and bear the Silver Age.”

Enoch’s gaze returned to Nordilla.

“That is, in rough terms, my meaning. Your singular successor. The next Ice Magic Tower Lord and boundary-class magician. I hope that the Tower Lord will keep this fact in mind going forward.”

“The Mad King of Light. Your student’s devotion is… considerable. But where is the proof of this faith?”

“Speaking like a true mage, indeed. The proof exists in two forms. First—”

Enoch raised two fingers, pointing them skyward as if at himself.

“First, one is time itself. Time will prove the truth of my words. And the other…”

Enoch’s finger brushed across his chest, a swift, drawing motion.

A gesture akin to unlocking a lock.

What purpose did this action serve?

Nordilla, who had been watching silently, perceived the change faster than anyone.

-Sliiiither.

‘This is… mana? No, rather…’

The Archmage’s eyes pierced the man, as if to see through him.

A being standing at the boundary between humanity and magic.

He measured the man before him, gauging his level.

‘Whatever it is, his aura does not waver. He already has it under perfect control.’

Dominion, then.

‘He also seems to know exactly what he wields.’

Essence, consequently.

‘And…’

The energy radiating from Enoch coalesced, eventually forming a shape.

It resembled a serpent, or perhaps a dragon, or even a giant.

At that moment, Nordilla’s gaze shifted to the timepiece on his wrist.

The strange sensation emanating from the man was gathering around it.

‘He dominates magic, understands its essence, and shapes it to his will. This is…’

A boundary, certainly.

Nordilla swallowed hard, belatedly.

The identity of the man before him.

He realized, too late, that he stood before a Boundary-class mage, just like himself.

“The other is this very person, myself.”

“……”

“Do you believe it now?”

Enoch’s voice resonated softly.

Nordila remained silent, Lacrina tilted her head, puzzled.

It was unavoidable.

What had just unfolded was in a realm beyond the criminal’s wildest perception.

Perhaps far in the future, but not now.

Lacrina couldn’t possibly grasp the situation at present.

“Hah.”

Eventually, it was Nordila who spoke first.

“I feel cheated. Just what are you, exactly? I haven’t been keeping up with the newspapers lately, but surely another Mage Tower hasn’t sprouted up in the last few days?”

“You flatter me.”

“Don’t stall, just tell me the truth. I’m dying of curiosity.”

Enoch shrugged, as if he had no choice.

“To be frank, I can only say that there’s a bit of… inflation involved. Unlike others, I’ve simply mixed luck with a few shortcuts.”

“Damn it, so you don’t want to talk.”

Nordila sighed, disheartened.

If she had her way, she’d badger him for days on end.

Sadly, there was nothing to negotiate with at the moment.

“Anyway, it’s been a pleasure. I’m walking away with a bundle of unexpected gifts today.”

Nordila said this, then pinched her thumb and middle finger together.

“Don’t forget. If you get the chance, be sure to visit the Mage Tower Headquarters. I’ll have some snacks ready and be waiting eagerly.”

The Tower Master said this, and snapped her fingers.

-Snap!

-Crack!

The magician’s entire body froze instantly.

Then, it turned to water and melted away in an instant.

“This is…!”

“Ice. We were talking to an avatar all along.”

“An avatar… all the way from the Mage Tower Headquarters?”

“Yes. That’s the level you have to be at to be called a boundary-class magician. For him, it’s easier than blowing his nose.”

Lacrina gapped, speechless.

From where the two stood, the Magus Tower headquarters was a daunting 3500 kilometers distant, give or take.

A journey of several days, even by carriage.

And yet, from such a remove, they commanded magic remotely?

Even to the point where it was indistinguishable from a living soul?

“It feels… like a dream, somehow.”

“If it’s a dream, then cease your slumbering. What transpired just now was undeniably reality. Especially for you.”

Enoch gently chastised, poking Lacrina’s cheek.

Perhaps an ordinary person could be excused, but Lacrina, who would one day inherit his mantle, gaining needless walls was undesirable.

“That aside… a peculiar feeling washes over me.”

Perhaps it was due to the brief loosening of the lock moments ago.

Something other than Nordilla had taken the bait scattered for them.

“Let us depart. It seems we have a guest.”

“A-ah, yes sir!”

Lacrina hurriedly followed in Enoch’s wake.

Enoch, walking ahead, hardened his resolve as he observed her.

‘It feels somewhat premature, but unavoidable. Facing people this time would not be too bad of a thing.’

The conclusion was swiftly reached. The man’s mouth opened automatically.

“Lacrina. Observe carefully what I am about to do.”

“…Yes? What do you mean?”

“What else could it be? Hunting, of course.”

Enoch briefly loosened his hand.

The timepiece on his wrist was already slackening.