Senior, I've Come to Visit - Chapter 17

“I stepped back because it seemed like a lot of people were looking for you.”

“Sorry. You don’t like crowded places, so it must’ve been uncomfortable.”

“No, it’s fine. You’re really popular.”

“It’s just that I’ve known many of them since I was young. I’ll shake them off quickly now.”

He seemed pretty annoyed too.

As I walked, I recalled the things I’d heard earlier.

“Come on, come to the Safety Department.”

“Right, why’s a talent of the Safety Department stuck in the Research Department?”

“I’ll go someday.”

Was Nardi really going to the Safety Department someday, just like he said?

The Magic Tower was divided into three main divisions: the Safety Department, the Research Department, and the Healing Department. The Safety Department, just as the name implied, handled the kingdom’s security, including demonic beast subjugations, maintaining public order, and defending the borders. The Research Department studied the principles of magic and developed new magical tools and magic potions. The Healing Department, much like a hospital, specialized in magical healing.

The three divisions weren’t completely separate; they had a tightly connected cooperative relationship. Sometimes the Safety Department didn’t have enough manpower for subjugations, and since all wizards had to be prepared to participate in a subjugation or a war at any time, wizards from other departments also went on subjugations as part of training.

The Research Department collaborated with the Safety Department when developing magic tools for combat, and worked with the Healing Department when developing magic potions related to disease. The Healing Department had many wizards specialized in healing magic, and they treated wizards who were injured during subjugations.

All three divisions performed important roles, but naturally the Safety Department, which focused on subjugating demonic beasts, held the most power. It was essential for the kingdom’s safety and handled the most dangerous and grueling tasks.

The place where wizards of House Gracian traditionally went was also the Safety Department. Especially the heir: after graduating at the top of the Magic Academy, they would work in the Safety Department of the Magic Tower, and eventually become vice-chairman of the Wizards’ Association before becoming the chairman.

So when I’d heard Nardi was coming to the Research Department, I’d found it unexpected, but in the end, it seemed he really would go to the Safety Department someday.

“What are you thinking about so deeply?”

Nardi lowered his head a little and looked down at me as he asked.

“Are you going to the Safety Department someday?”

“Oh, yes… not right away, but unfortunately it looks like I will someday. I like the Research Department, but it’s not something I can choose.”

“I see.”

Not being able to choose… it was probably because he was the heir of House Gracian. Being born a high-ranking noble didn’t mean everything was easy, I thought for a moment.

It also made me think that maybe it’d be easier once we broke up.

After the relationship eventually ended, if we had to keep seeing each other’s faces, it would be uncomfortable, so I’d planned to transfer to another research team. But if Nardi went to the Safety Department, I wouldn’t need to move.

“Even if I go to the Safety Department, we’ll still see each other just fine. During subjugations I’ll be gone for days, but if it’s not subjugation season, I’ll be at the Magic Tower. There are plenty of days when we only do training. As you saw, I know a lot of people in the Safety Department, and everyone dates and marries without problems. They even raise kids just fine.”

Suddenly flustered, he explained himself. He probably thought that I was reluctant to date because he’d eventually go to the Safety Department.

“My father also dated and married my mother while he was in the Safety Department. I heard that when they’re not out on subjugations, it’s actually less busy than the Research Department. And you can take long vacations too.”

“Okay, I understand.”

I’d been thinking, Oh, then breaking up will be easy, and suddenly felt a little bad. Nardi seemed to be more serious about this quickly formed relationship than I’d thought.

“When we go to the lab, let’s take the outside route. It’ll be easier because of the beast transport.”

“Yeah, we should’ve come that way earlier too.”

He sounded a bit regretful.

Having too many connections is exhausting.

After that, Nardi quickly brushed off the people who greeted him or tried to talk to him. Naturally, his steps quickened, and once we arrived at the outdoor training grounds, we saw several huge demonic beasts.

“Sir Jurgen, it’s been a while.”

Nardi greeted the middle‑aged wizard who’d been waiting for us.

“It has been a while, Young Duke. Have you been well?”

“Of course. We’re at the Magic Tower, so feel free to speak comfortably.”

“I’m more comfortable using honorifics. You came together, I see.”

The man, who introduced himself as Jurgen Essenbach, looked at me. Standing between us, Nardi naturally introduced him.

“Senior, this is Sir Jurgen. He taught me magic when I was young.”

“Hello, I’m Eloise from the Research Department.”

“I’ve heard a lot about you. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

Jurgen used honorifics with me as well. Maybe because I’d come with Nardi?

He must’ve been closer to Nardi than the wizards we’d met earlier, because Nardi genuinely seemed happy to see him. Jurgen, his former magic teacher, looked at me calmly for a moment, then turned his gaze to the beasts. When I followed his eyes, I saw the demonic beasts wrapped tightly in layers of magical chains, howling and thrashing. One, two, three, four… eight in total.

“These are the ones we captured alive during subjugations. If you plan to experiment over a long period, you’ll need to supply livestock regularly as feed.”

“I understand. Thank you.”

It must’ve been difficult to capture them alive and transport them here, so after expressing proper gratitude, I spoke to Nardi,

“There are eight total, so let’s split them and move four each.”

“Yes, Senior. Then we’ll see you next time, Sir Jurgen.”

“I’ll see you next time. Please be careful on your way.”

I gave a silent nod and focused on the beasts. Splitting the eight in half, I cast transport magic on four of them.

Kueeeeeeeek-

The beasts grew even more enraged, letting out sharp cries as they thrashed violently. I added more magical chains to bind them even tighter before continuing the transport spell. Nardi followed my lead, strengthening the chains on the remaining four and transporting them.

Keeping a good distance behind the eight beasts, we walked while maintaining the spells. I watched their grotesque, horrific forms with a cold, expressionless gaze.

Grrrrrrrrr-

Kueeeeeeek!

The repeated roars stabbed at my eardrums, and I winced slightly. The terrible forms of the beasts and their piercing screams always reminded me of bad memories. I could feel Nardi glancing sideways at me.

“Are you scared of demonic beasts?”

“No, I’m not.”

They used to terrify me once, but not anymore. Back then I’d been young and weak, but now I was stronger than almost any demonic beast. Maybe not on Nardi’s level, but during my upper‑year Academy days and last year, I’d occasionally gone on subjugations and carried out my duties without issue. I’d never refused when assigned, even if I didn’t volunteer first.

“I just don’t like having to deal with demonic beasts. Who would?”

“There are plenty of wizards who enjoy subjugations. There’s a thrill to the hunt.”

“Really?”

I didn’t understand that at all.

“Do you enjoy it?”

“Hmm… I enjoy situations where I can freely use magic and focus completely on the target. What about you, Eloise?”

“Not really… I just hunt mechanically because it’s part of the job.”

“You’re gentle but responsible.”

“….”

I tore my gaze away from the beasts and glared up at Nardi, annoyed.

“I’m not gentle. Are you teasing me?”

“Of course not. I’m just telling you honestly how you seem to me.”

He chuckled softly, clearly amused. No matter how I looked at it, he was teasing me.

“I’m not fragile or anything. It’s just my disposition; research suits me best.”

“That’s right, Eloise, you fit the Research Department perfectly. You’re a genius in pharmaceutics.”

“I’m not a genius…!”

When I glared at Nardi, his laughter grew louder.

I’d thought he was just a polite, well‑mannered junior, but he had a surprisingly cheeky side. I snapped my head forward and fixed my eyes only on the demonic beasts ahead.