The soul and the body are often compared to the contents and the vessel that holds them.
The soul is the essence of existence. The body is the vessel that contains it, the anchor that holds it, and the puppet that allows it to move.
Most life forms are made of both soul and body.
However, there are exceptions. There are spirits or ghosts that act without a body. There are races like elementals or fairies that take on bodies made of magic.
"To be precise, the body is like an empty shell without a soul."
But for humans, both the soul and body are essential.
When the soul is wounded, the body is affected. When the body dies, the soul, trapped in its vessel, also disappears.
Death, a body without a soul... that means it's already a dead corpse.
"...."
Before, Professor Riana had asked me, "Are you even human?" Now, the Tower Master is telling me, "You were found as a dead corpse long ago..."
It’s really complicated. I couldn’t help but let the complexity show on my face for a moment.
"...I didn’t mean anything malicious. I was only stating the facts... and it wasn’t a corpse."
Seeing my expression, the Tower Master hurriedly added more words, slightly flustered.
[How is a body without a soul still alive...?]
"The body was different. The soul had left, but the body remained alive, and strictly speaking, the soul still existed, but it was in another world."
[Another world?]
Another world...
The term "another world" stood out to me, making me reflexively ask.
"The soul of that body was in another... a similar, but not changed by the Great Cataclysm world."
[Wait, that soul... is it...]
The Tower Master's words stopped suddenly. Her gaze fell on me, studying my expression.
"...As you might have guessed, that soul was yours, Lee Ha-yul."
[What... what are you talking about...?]
Before I knew it, disbelief filled my face. I couldn't hide my confusion.
[A body and a soul existing in different worlds... What is... what does that even mean?]
"We haven't fully figured out the reason. But... we cautiously speculate that it might be due to a clash of races."
[Race?]
"Have you perhaps realized your race?"
Race... The word lingered on my lips.
[Do you mean... I’m some sort of fairy?]
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"If you haven’t realized it yet, I’d rather leave that matter unsaid."
[What? Is it some kind of restriction?]
"There are some restrictions, but there are also personal views on the matter."
The Tower Master shook her head slightly, then continued.
"The trait of being a race is a unique aspect. For example, fairies are inherently highly attuned to magic and elements, and this is considered a racial trait."
[Yeah.]
"You, Lee Ha-yul, have yet to recognize your race. If I were to force that revelation, it could disrupt the changes triggered by that recognition."
[Hmm...]
A question mark popped up over my head.
‘Recognizing my race? I’ve figured out that I’m like a fairy, but am I actually a real fairy? Is there more to it than that?’
I had come to solve one mystery, only to find even more questions emerging.
As I observed the Tower Master with a strange feeling, she slightly bowed her head, almost apologetically.
‘Tch...’
I wasn’t sure if she was truly apologizing or if she just didn’t want to meet my eyes.
The prediction of her emotions through my observational powers was still a form of analysis. I could be wrong.
[Yes, I understand.]
I didn’t really get it. Restrictions, recognition... what was all this?
But, I figured it wasn’t something that could be explained all at once.
"Yes, I understand."
The Tower Master nodded and elegantly took a sip of water before speaking again.
"As I mentioned earlier, we found a way to locate you, the Savior, and we were certain about it."
[Did you really believe you could stop the invasion just with me? What did you see in me?]
"It’s potential."
[Potential?]
Just with that? To think they were convinced that I could stop an entire invasion based on that?
"‘Just’ potential? I wouldn’t call it just that. The moment we observed your body, the observation Master, who found it, screamed when they realized the vast, immeasurable potential contained in it. I remember it clearly."
They found a way, and when they felt the pressure, the Observation Tower Master was jumping around, shouting with excitement.
"The game was designed so that the player could become anything. The potential you hold, the one you possess, is unparalleled. If you wish, you can become anything."
[Ah... I see.]
"This world is indeed an unfair one."
The Tower Master, who had experienced this unfair world firsthand, muttered those words.
"A single powerful entity can crush countless weaker ones, and such unfairness is common."
It wasn’t rare for a high-level monster to ruin an entire country. Countries with small territories often fall easily, and even former great powers couldn’t avoid such fates.
"The invading Tower Masters were like that. They had been Tower Masters for far longer than us, conquering countless worlds and building immense power. That accumulated power was something we couldn’t match with our current strength."
But...
The Tower Master’s gaze turned towards me.
Her white eyes, filled with complex emotions, focused on me.
"However, if there is a being stronger than them, with the right support, we believed we could certainly stop them."
[You think I can grow stronger than those Tower Masters? Based on my potential?]
"Yes, that’s correct."
[That sounds strange.]
[Even if I have potential, isn’t drawing it out a completely different issue?]
"That’s why we built Siyoram."
‘Huh?’
Siyoram, the training facility built by the Growth Tower Master.
"It was made solely for you, the Savior."
[For me...?]
"The goal was to nurture a hero who could support the world. That was the stated purpose. Every year, countless students enter. But the true purpose, the core purpose, was for your growth."
Only for me... That statement felt surreal.
"Siyoram is safe. No matter what incidents happen in the outside world, we’ve made sure it can fend off any threats, and you can focus solely on your growth. Even if the incarnations of Tower Masters and their armies invade, we’ll be able to fend them off."
A cradle, a place that symbolizes safety, especially for one who is treated like a gem.
"And we also built the Association."
The Association, built by the Adjustment Tower Master and the Space Tower Master—a world peace organization.
"The Association manages the safety of the world and has set up systems to help you deal with any overwhelming threats during your growth."
The Association connects people, space, and power.
They actively track down notorious criminals, work with nearby forces to hunt powerful monsters, and mediate conflicts between factions.
"The Observation Tower is still watching the dangerous Magical Realms and occasionally identifying extreme threats."
The Observation Tower Master had created the Observation Tower, which now monitors the world’s dungeons, dangerous monsters, and magic realms. Thanks to the Observation Tower, casualties from dungeon rampages have decreased exponentially.
"As the Tower Master of Knowledge, I plan to inform you of everything, assist your growth, and prevent any unforeseen circumstances. That’s why we built this floating island above Siyoram, and the magic that might have been insufficient in the past is now being spread widely through the Magic Circle."
[So, the floating island and the Magic Circle... Magic Circle?]
I was listening to the explanation, but my shoulders tensed.
The Magic Circle.
The most powerful and credible group of magicians in this world. When I read magic materials, I use those from the Magic Circle.
The founder of the Magic Circle was known to have gone into hiding long ago...
"Yes, I am the founder of the Magic Circle. The identity and appearance are false, but I led the establishment."
The person who was supposed to have hidden away long ago was now bowing in front of me.
[I see...]
I nodded in confusion.
My head was still aching. Some questions were resolved, but I was still lost in the chaos.
"...What I wanted to say is this."
The Tower Master looked at me, her white eyes filled with a subtle mixture of concern and tension.
"We have prepared many things for you, the Savior, including things we have not yet shared."
[Yes, I appreciate all of it.]
"Therefore, there is no need for you to leave Siyoram before graduation and risk exposing yourself to danger."
Her words sent a cold chill through me. I froze for a moment.
[Player Correction System: Favorability]
Lee Ha-yul → Ariel Segnis Ternovcia
●●●○○○○○○○ (32/100)
“Tower Master” “Complexity” “Confusion” “Suspicion” “Gratitude” “Resentment” “Is she crazy?”
▽Change▽
Lee Ha-yul → Ariel Segnis Ternovcia
●●●○○○○○○○ (32▷33)
“Tower Master” “Magic Circle Leader” “Complexity” “Confusion” “Suspicion” “Gratitude” “Normal?”
The Tower Master’s final words hit me hard.
The suggestion that I should stay in Siyoram, not risk leaving or facing danger, made my body tense.
I wasn’t sure if it was a warning or a precaution. Either way, it left me with a strange feeling of being trapped.
I had no doubt that they were trying to protect me, but the question was, from what?
What exactly were they hiding from me? Or was I just meant to stay within their controlled environment until the right moment?
The deeper I delved into this world, the more questions arose, and the less I felt like I understood my place in it.
I tried to stay composed, nodding as I processed the information.
[Yes, I understand, and I appreciate everything you've done.]
“Thank you, Savior.”
The Tower Master gave me a respectful nod, but her white eyes seemed to betray a hint of unease. Maybe she was just trying to protect me—or maybe there was something more to all of this.