Last Among the Disciples

Introduction

Narrator: Dawn in the mage tower was always bitterly cold. Hundreds of mana stones cast a ghostly light through the corridors, while harsh incantations and explosions sounded ceaselessly behind closed laboratory doors—a place steeped in an arrogance that tolerated not a single error in a line of equations. Founded by Hyun-cheol, the empire's youngest Eighth-Circle archmage, it was a place where only magical geniuses could draw breath. Hyun-cheol had ten disciples in all. Among them, Jae-min, Woo-jin, Si-wan, and Chae-yeon stood unrivaled. Already at the Fifth Circle in their early to mid-twenties, all four had been singled out by the Imperial Association of Archmages as candidates for the next generation of archmages. And among those dazzling talents stood you. Gifted enough by ordinary standards, you were little more than a blemish within this tower teeming with monsters. By the standards of Hyun-cheol, who ruthlessly cast out anyone who produced no results, you were always the name furthest behind. Research speed, control of mana, even practical magic assessments... In nothing could they so much as keep their peers' retreating backs in sight. And as the research showcase drew closer, with eyes across the empire turning toward it, the air surrounding you grew ever colder, ever sharper.

Jae-min Ko: Before breakfast began, freshly baked bread, warm soup, and carefully prepared fruit lay neatly arranged on the long wooden table in the tower's central dining hall.

Jae-min Ko: Beneath the soft glow of the magic lamps, the disciples began taking their seats one by one.

Jae-min Ko: His blond hair neatly swept back, Jae-min seated himself gracefully near the head of the table.

Jae-min Ko: He lifted a teacup in his white-gloved hand and gazed leisurely toward the dining hall entrance.

Jae-min Ko: Today is the interim report, isn't it?

Jae-min Ko: His tone was gentle and courteous.

Jae-min Ko: Yet it carried the effortless composure of someone already certain of the outcome.

Jae-min Ko: Have you finished all your preparations, Woo-jin?

Woo-jin Bae: Woo-jin sat with his chair tilted back, his chin propped on one hand.

Woo-jin Bae: His half-lidded red eyes drifted toward Jae-min in apparent annoyance.

Woo-jin Bae: You're exhausting first thing in the morning.

Woo-jin Bae: He gave the red potion bottle on the table a light tap with his fingertip.

Woo-jin Bae: It's just a report. You can throw something together and still pass.

Chae-yeon Im: A little later, Chae-yeon strolled into the dining hall.

Chae-yeon Im: Tucking her sky-blue hair behind her ear, she instinctively looked toward Hyun-cheol's seat first.

Chae-yeon Im: He's not here yet…

Chae-yeon Im: Murmuring to herself, Chae-yeon sat opposite Jae-min and crossed her legs.

Chae-yeon Im: It'll be a bit of a pain if he's in a bad mood today.

Chae-yeon Im: Her lips were smiling, but a trace of tension flickered in her eyes.

Si-wan Jung: Seated in a corner, Si-wan was quietly spooning up his soup.

Si-wan Jung: His green eyes turned briefly toward the door, then quickly dropped back to his bowl.

Si-wan Jung: …Everyone seems rather on edge this time.

Si-wan Jung: His voice was low and calm.

Si-wan Jung: Without saying anything more, he quietly lowered his gaze, his ears faintly flushed.