It started today.
The day the Tower Master and the Wizards of the Magic Tower began residing in Duke Blair's Palace!
The reason was the implementation of the advertisement printed on the last page of the newly published “Safety Rules for the Duke’s Haunted Mansion.”
And so—
Thank you for coming from all this way!
كنت أنتظر أمام دائرة النقل الآني في القصر – التي كانت مشبعة بالسحر بالفعل – وأرحب بحماس بالسحرة وهم يصلون واحداً تلو الآخر.
The last to arrive was the Tower Master himself, whom I had not seen for a long time.
“It's been a long time, Tower Master! I'm sorry I made you come all this way.”
“No need to apologize. In fact, we wizards in the tower have recently become very interested in comic books. It’s… a thing. Hohoho.”
The Tower Master looked noticeably brighter, perhaps due to the improvement in the condition of the Magic Tower.
He praised the comic strips endlessly, and seemed greatly impressed by the grandeur of the palace.
“What a wonderful thing to see Blair’s famous ducal palace in real life...!”
Well, I was technically kidnapped and brought here, but I was also flabbergasted when I first saw him.
Since Blair's ducal palace had to withstand the rigors of northern weather and strong waves, it was sturdily built and was not particularly known for its extravagance.
But thanks to the quality of every material used, the palace exuded an elegant and majestic atmosphere.
No, it would be more accurate to say that it resembles a royal palace rather than just a palatial estate.
"You and the wizards will be staying in one of the annexes. The palace has several of them, and one of them is currently used by artists who create comics."
"Oh, how interesting. This means we might meet the people who make the comics...but hasn't that upset Duke Blair?"
The Tower Master looked a little worried because the Duke didn't come to greet them.
In fact, he was supposed to join me in welcoming the guests, but because there were signs of a strong wave early that morning, he had to leave with the riders for the outskirts.
They said that the huge waves have been increasing recently...
I shook my head, trying to suppress my growing anxiety.
“His Highness wished to greet you personally as well, but he had to leave to deal with the monsters.”
“Hmm… I thought this season would be relatively quiet, but it seems like things are starting to get really annoying.”
“Yes. …Since the comic business has become closely linked to the livelihood of the people of Blair District, His Highness has insisted that all guests be treated with the utmost care and that the staff be especially attentive.”
Although I technically used my wish as the 'Ear of the Magic Tower' to make it happen.
In an attempt to change the mood, I deliberately bragged a little, but the thought that I no longer had any desires left touched my heart.
However, I did not regret using it. I couldn't have found a better solution.
This is how I deal with bad fakes, you filthy scammers.
The authenticity seals that wizards imbued worked like holographic stickers – but they were stronger.
Since it was purely magical in nature, it could not be erased or manipulated.
I congratulate myself on this idea.
But even after the solution was found, asking the magicians for cooperation was a separate matter. In the end, I had no choice but to use my wish.
“But now that I think about it, it wasn't a waste of time at all.”
This was a business I started, and it was my responsibility to manage it.
Finally, the Tower Master stopped in front of the room prepared for him. He smiled kindly and said:
“By the way, I would like to thank you. Thanks to your idea, the wizards in the tower have learned a lot.”
"Excuse me? What exactly did you learn from me...?"
“The idea of a Magic Tower-certified mark of authenticity that only our magicians can produce… is beyond us. Even though we have the potential, we never thought of using it in this way.”
I understood what he meant.
When I asked if there was a trademark that could only be printed by the wizards of the tower—something that could not be forged or tampered with—every wizard in the room looked astonished.
Not that the magic itself was difficult, on the contrary, it was very simple. They never thought of using it this way.
“We wizards in the tower have a burning desire to create new things. But ironically, we rarely know what to create.”
“……”
“If we had a goal – something to create – we could develop the right magic formulas and get to work right away... But lack of creativity is disastrous for us.”
This makes sense.
Perhaps that is why even companies have separate departments for planning products and developing their own technologies.
I nodded in understanding, sympathetic to the challenges faced by the Tower Master and the other wizards.
“But aren’t there still a lot of orders arriving at the tower?”
“Haha, they rarely ask us to make something as creative as you. Most of them just want us to reproduce existing things.”
Well, I live a modern life in the 21st century – naturally our standards are different.
“You apologized for summoning us from far away, but all the wizards who came on this mission are happy to be here. I just wanted to let you know. Hohoho.”
Yes!
At that moment, an inspiring idea flashed through my mind like lightning.
That was—
Beam projector!
Well, technically, it wasn't a new idea – I actually thought of it when I was bedridden recently.
At that time, I wasn't allowed to read comic books, and I was dying of boredom.
And let's be honest – humans are not meant to survive on one type of food (or content).
Especially me, someone who is used to browsing endless content in Korea!
What I need is a beam projector. A magic box full of fun videos that I can watch anytime!
Finally, I sent an emergency call to Bonita, who was writhing in boredom on her sickbed.
“Should I ask Your Highness? Perhaps he will call for a circus or theater group.”
“This is not good...”
"Huh? Why not?!"
“Because food and accommodation expenses are already expensive, this will increase the costs even more...!”
However, I really liked Bonita's idea.
I couldn't afford to act on it – it's too expensive.
But what if we had witches?
Then everything changes.
At first, I thought of a television, but it was too big and heavy for the current technology of this world.
What about a beam projector?
“Recording and viewing video? This is very easy using magic.”
In fact, magic-based “photo gems” and “video gems” often produced better than 4K quality.
The problem was that they were expensive – a far cry from mass production.
Ironically, the ultra-high-definition picture quality was to their disadvantage.
When using photos or videos, even pores and blemishes are captured in excruciating detail.
Without any sort of filter or editing function, nobility and royalty preferred portraits – where the artist could be “encouraged” to paint them more beautifully.
anyway!
If we already have photo bricks and video bricks, can't we develop them into a beamformer?
If so, I could really survive 100 days locked inside, eating nothing but garlic and wormwood!
It would be better if it was portable.
"Tower Master! One moment please!"
“Hmm?”
I stopped him when he was about to enter his room.
“I have something I want to tell you. There is something I would really like to make – something very interesting that I think you will find exciting.”
How about we have a little chat?