Let’s Manage the Tower

Book 4: Volume 2 Chapter 3, First Activation

Translator: Kazumi

Editor: Silavin

Kousuke observed Luka’s mounting excitement and decided that some preparations were in order before proceeding. He began gathering the necessary members for what was to come.

He instructed Towa to serve as messenger, asking her to summon Luka’s mother, Sylvia. Meanwhile, Kousuke contacted Shrein and Collete, who were currently managing the control rooms of each Tower. Haku, having noticed Luka’s animated state in the relaxation space, approached to investigate the commotion.

Once everyone had assembled, Kousuke granted Luka permission to activate his magic circle.

The group now gathered in a specialized room on the Management Floor, one protected by an exceptionally robust barrier. Originally constructed for occasions when Kousuke developed potentially explosive magical tools, the room had remained largely unused until now. While he had never found opportunity to create such dangerous implements, Kousuke had been satisfied to test the limits of his barrier construction capabilities.

Upon first seeing the completed protective chamber, Shrein had been so astounded that she asked, “Are you planning to develop a magical tool powerful enough to destroy an entire country?”

Fortunately, the room had never been required for its intended purpose.

The assembled observers positioned themselves along the side of the room, watching Luka with varying degrees of anticipation and concern.

“So?” Shrein inquired with barely concealed certainty. “If you’ve taken the trouble to summon us all here, surely something major is about to occur?”

Kousuke responded with a knowing grin. “Well, yes. I suppose you’ll simply have to wait and see.”

“How intriguing. I look forward to it,” Shrein replied with evident amusement.

Sylvia placed her right hand against her cheek and released a weary sigh. “What has that child done this time?”

“This time?” Collete questioned. “Has he caused trouble before?”

“Yeah. Though nothing particularly serious occurred on the last time.” Sylvia confirmed, her expression shifting to one of maternal concern.

Observing her worried countenance, Kousuke offered reassurance with a gentle smile. “Everything will be fine. That magic circle poses no risk of losing control.”

While Sylvia appeared relieved by his words, she remained puzzled. “Then why did you request us to be here?”

“Ah, well,” Kousuke replied with deliberate ambiguity, “I believe you’ll need to witness the results before knowing.”

Sylvia nodded uncertainly at his cryptic response, clearly unsure what to expect.

Undeterred by the scrutinizing gazes of his audience, Luka began his preparations to activate the magic circle. His apparent indifference to the attention likely stemmed from years of experience attracting notice as a Half-Brother of the Razequa Amamiya Royal Family.

Unlike Kousuke, who possessed the remarkable ability to conjure magic circles from thin air, Luka required a magic circle inscribed on specially prepared paper. However, this represented the extent of his material needs. He had dreamed of activating this particular magic circle for so long that he had drawn it countless times, ensuring absolute accuracy in every line and symbol. This magic circle held special significance for him as the first he had ever created entirely from his own design and understanding.

Luka began tracing the magic circle on the paper while chanting the required incantation, slowly channeling power into the formation. The paper circle began to glow in response, and a corresponding larger magic circle materialized in the air, following the path of the emerging light.

While this process might appear laborious compared to Kousuke’s more direct methods, this represented the standard approach to magic circle activation. In fact, Luka’s technique was quite streamlined. His ability to accomplish the activation with such efficiency reflected the high regard his instructors held for his magical aptitude.

With each verse of his incantation, the magic circle in Luka’s hands glowed more intensely, while intricate patterns formed within the airborne circle. At the culminating moment, the entire formation flashed brilliantly before vanishing completely, leaving only Luka’s triumphant voice echoing through the chamber: “I did it!”

However, immediately following his declaration of success, Luka released an indescribable cry of shock and collapsed to the Floor. Something tumbled from his grasp, rolling across the room’s surface.

“Luka!” Haku exclaimed in alarm, moving instinctively toward her fallen friend, but Kousuke intervened.

“Kouhi,” he said in a remarkably calm tone, “would you please check him to make sure he hasn’t sustained any injuries to the head?”

“Understood,” Kouhi replied, approaching Luka without hesitation.

Haku prepared to protest, but upon observing that Sylvia, like Kousuke, showed no signs of panic, she remained silent. The realization dawned on her that she alone was concerned, while the others clearly understood the reason for Luka’s collapse.

Following Kousuke’s instructions, Kouhi conducted a thorough examination before nodding reassuringly. “There appears to be no significant problem. He doesn’t seem to have struck his head with any force.”

“Great. That’s what I expected.” Kousuke confirmed with satisfaction.

Haku turned to Kousuke with confusion evident in her expression. “Father, why did Luka suddenly collapse?”

This question revealed Haku’s fundamental misunderstanding of the situation, likely due to her nature and the vast mana reserves  that came with it. Meanwhile, the other observers had begun to comprehend the implications of Kousuke’s earlier cryptic comments about Luka’s magic circle.

“Hmm, well then,” Kousuke mused, “Towa, would you explain the situation to Haku?”

“Me?” Towa responded with surprise, having been quietly observing until this moment. After recovering from her initial shock, she began her explanation. “Well, he collapsed due to magical power depletion.”

“Magical power depletion?” Haku repeated, tilting her head in bewilderment.

Her confusion was understandable given her immense mana reserves . Haku had not anticipated that the magic circle’s activation would prove so taxing. Her perspective, however, differed dramatically from that of ordinary people, who would have recognized the situation immediately.

Unfortunately, the present company did not entirely consist of individuals with conventional magical sensibilities, which explained the varied reactions.

While Kouhi continued monitoring Luka’s condition, Shrein retrieved the object that had fallen from the young man’s hand.

“I see,” Shrein observed, “it’s ice.”

The item he held was a cube of ice, approximately five centimeters on each side. Luka’s magic circle had been designed for creating ice. Despite holding it directly, Shrein showed no discomfort from the cold, her hand protected by magical enhancement.

“Well,” Shrein commented with an expression of mixed amusement and recognition, “I suppose one could say he truly is Kousuke’s Son.”

“Indeed,” Sylvia agreed with a knowing nod.

“But,” Kousuke interjected hastily, “I should point out that he’s also Sylvia’s Son.”

His protest was met with pointed looks from the women present, and even Kousuke understood their perspective.

“Okay, sure.” he conceded finally, looking away with resignation. “I guess that you’re all right.”