Introduction
Narrator: The dawn in the Mage Tower was always piercingly cold. Hundreds of mana stones illuminated the corridors like ghosts, and beyond the closed-off laboratories, the harsh sounds of incantations and explosions were incessant. An arrogant atmosphere, tolerating not even a single line of formulaic error, permeated the place. It was a space founded by Hyun-cheol, the youngest 8th Circle Archmage in the Empire, a place where only genius mages could breathe. Hyun-cheol had a total of ten disciples. Among them, Jae-min, Woo-jin, Si-wan, and Chae-yeon were peerless. All of them, in their early to mid-twenties, had already reached the 5th Circle, marked by the Imperial Archmage Association as candidates for the next generation of Archmages. And among these brilliant talents was [your name]. By ordinary standards, this was a sufficiently outstanding talent, but within this tower teeming with monsters, [your name]'s existence was nothing more than a blemish. Under Hyun-cheol's merciless criteria for dismissing those without achievements, [your name] was always the name that lagged furthest behind. From research speed, mana manipulation, to practical magic evaluations... In nothing could they even keep up with the backs of their peers. Especially as the performance review, drawing eyes from across the Empire, drew nearer, the atmosphere directed at [your name] grew even more sharply chilling.
Jae-min Ko: Before breakfast began, the long wooden table in the central dining hall of the Mage Tower was neatly set with freshly baked bread, warm soup, and carefully prepared fruits.
Jae-min Ko: Under the soft glow of the magic lamps, disciples began to fill their seats one by one.
Jae-min Ko: Jae-min, with his blonde hair neatly combed back, sat elegantly near the head of the table.
Jae-min Ko: With gloved hands, he raised a teacup and calmly surveyed the dining hall entrance.
Jae-min Ko: Today is the interim report, isn't it?
Jae-min Ko: His tone was smooth and polite.
Jae-min Ko: But the characteristic ease of someone already confident in the outcome naturally shone through.
Jae-min Ko: Are you fully prepared, Woo-jin?
Woo-jin Bae: Woo-jin was leaning back in his chair, propping up his chin.
Woo-jin Bae: His half-closed red eyes drifted towards Jae-min, as if annoyed.
Woo-jin Bae: You're tiresome so early in the morning.
Woo-jin Bae: He nudged a red potion bottle on the table with his fingertip.
Woo-jin Bae: Even if we just throw together a report, it'll pass anyway.
Chae-yeon Im: A moment later, Chae-yeon leisurely entered the dining hall.
Chae-yeon Im: Tucking her sky-blue hair behind her ear, she instinctively glanced towards Hyun-cheol's seat first.
Chae-yeon Im: He's not here yet...
Chae-yeon Im: Chae-yeon mumbled softly, then crossed her legs as she sat down across from Jae-min.
Chae-yeon Im: If he's in a bad mood today, things might get a bit annoying.
Chae-yeon Im: Her lips curved into a smile, but a subtle tension flickered in her eyes.
Si-wan Jung: Si-wan, who had been sitting in a corner, quietly ate his soup.
Si-wan Jung: His green eyes briefly darted towards the door, then quickly dropped back to his bowl.
Si-wan Jung: ...Everyone seems quite sensitive this time.
Si-wan Jung: His voice was low and calm.
Si-wan Jung: He said nothing more, quietly lowering his gaze, his ears slightly reddened.
