Mastermind
Copyright© 2026 by FantasyTranslater
Chapter 49
Penia, the Vice-Tower master of the Blue Mage’s Tower, was a genius, but not many wizards liked her.
There were three reasons for this: first, she was incredibly rude; second, she was unbelievably rude; and third, she was insufferably rude.
Typically, wizards gathered around those who held higher ranks, regardless of their personalities, since what mattered most to them was the pursuit of knowledge, not individual character.
In other words, even if someone had an awful personality, wizards would still try to stay close to them to gain any amount of wisdom.
However, even such wizards couldn’t tolerate being near Penia.
She was a genius, but her arrogance was unbearable.
As a result, Penia’s presence always caused various disturbances within the society.
She openly disrespected anyone below the rank of tower master, making it impossible to avoid conflicts.
That’s why all the wizards referred to Penia as a “reckless troublemaker” and disliked her.
Milan, a wizard from the Green Mage’s Tower, who had just fought with her, was no exception.
He harbored deep resentment toward Penia.
To the extent that for the past seven years, he had been dreaming of subduing her with his magic and making her apologize for the constant insults she hurled at him.
Ever since he became a full-fledged wizard and could present theories at the society, she had tormented him.
So, Milan couldn’t comprehend the situation unfolding before him.
“How long has it been? ... Hmm, almost more than half a year, I suppose.”
“Y-yes, that’s right.”
“No need to be so formal. I think I told you last time that you could speak informally.”
“Should I ... speak informally?”
“Oh, now that I think about it, I did say to just do whatever feels comfortable. Do as you please.”
“...!”
Milan blinked in disbelief at Penia, who sighed in relief, clearly pleased that she could continue speaking formally.
‘Is this an illusion spell?’
Worried that he might have fallen victim to one of Penia’s malicious illusion spells, he even cast a dispel magic, but the situation before his eyes remained unchanged.
“Anyway, it’s nice to see you here.”
“I-It’s nice to see you too!”
The sight of Penia, who never even spoke politely unless someone was at least a tower master, now behaving like a docile puppy showing its belly, was shocking to everyone.
Even Milan’s master, standing nearby, had already cast a dispel spell more than five times, the shock was that intense.
But the surprises weren’t over yet.
“By the way, did something happen?”
“Oh, that...”
“Not that it’s my place to interfere, but shouldn’t wizards get along with each other?”
He wasn’t reprimanding anyone; it was just a casual remark.
But upon hearing it, Penia turned and looked straight at Milan.
“I’m sorry!”
She apologized.
“???”
Every wizard present had a stunned expression.
The notion that Penia, the notorious troublemaker who seemed incapable of apologies, would bow her head and apologize, felt too surreal to believe.
Even Milan, who had spent seven long years dreaming of this very moment, couldn’t react despite finally receiving the apology he’d yearned for.
“How ... how is this possible?”
Liyan, who stood beside Alon, was also utterly bewildered, staring in disbelief between Penia and Milan.
A little while later...
“Well then, I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Y-yes, sir...!”
Nodding eagerly at the man’s words, Penia scurried away like she was fleeing, and everyone’s gaze naturally shifted to one person: Count Palatio, the man who had not only tamed the wild troublemaker but seemed to handle her with ease.
“ ... She seems stiffer than last time,” Alon thought to himself as he watched Penia running off into the distance.
“Huh?”
Recalling that the nearby wizards and Liyan were staring at him, mouths agape, Alon couldn’t help but wonder.
‘Did I do something wrong?’
Feeling slightly embarrassed, he shifted his eyes, trying to gauge the situation.
After Penia darted away in haste...
Similarly, the wizards who were watching Alon realized that he was Count Palatio, and after expressing their mystified admiration they departed.
“ ... Penia is called a troublemaker?”
“Yes.”
“How curious.”
Alon tilted his head as he listened to Liyan talk about Penia.
‘I knew Penia was quite arrogant in the game ... but I didn’t realize she was notorious enough to be called a troublemaker by the other wizards ... Well, it wasn’t a crucial plot point, so it makes sense it didn’t come up.’
Thinking about how the protagonist would recruit Penia as a companion several years from now, usually after half the kingdom had been destroyed, he shrugged.
“Actually, I’m the one who should be asking. How is it that the troublemaker behaves so quietly in front of you, Count?”
At Liyan’s follow-up question, Alon fell silent for a moment.
Amusingly enough, even Alon didn’t really know why Penia acted the way she did around him.
But simply admitting he didn’t know seemed a bit awkward, so he was contemplating how to respond when Liyan’s voice brought his attention back.
“We’ve arrived.”
Looking ahead, he saw the structure before him.
“This is...”
“It’s the inter-floor transportation device.”
Before them stood a structure that reminded him of an elevator from his previous world.
“You said you wanted to visit the library on the 38th floor, right?”
Nodding as he recalled the request he had made before coming to the mage tower, Alon responded.
“Yes, can I go in now?”
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