Father, I Won’t Do Anything

He began formulating his next stratagem – code-named ‘Mikael is a Kind and Gentle Man, Even to the Magic Tower’s Newest Recruits.’

This approach stemmed from Hilvenzia’s suggestion that displaying kindness even towards the most insignificant individuals might pique Jaina’s interest.

The new magicians, whom Mikael had previously disregarded regardless of their transgressions or accomplishments… If befriending them could diminish his distance from Jaina, he would gladly endure any indignity.

“I will impart the Magic Tower’s code of conduct to you all. Listen carefully.”

Standing upon the lectern, Mikael assumed an imperious stance. The new recruits trembled apprehensively before his imposing presence.

“F-For the great Mikael himself to personally…”

“Does that displease you?”

“H-Heavens, no! I’m simply overwhelmed with honor!”

Ordinarily, Mikael would have sternly admonished – or rather, thinly veiled his bullying as such – any magicians daring to exhibit such meekness. However, with Jaina present to assist in the recruits’ orientation, he could only sigh and lower his tone begrudgingly.

“Indeed, for one as eminent as myself to stoop to such lengths, you had best appreciate the privilege.”

Try as he might to feign geniality, Mikael’s innate arrogance seeped through, his voice growing increasingly gruff.

“So none of you had better need me to repeat myself, understood?”

“…”

“I will be observing whether you prove worthy of remaining in the Magic Tower.”

As a menacing glint flickered in Mikael’s blue eyes, the recruits froze, trembling uncontrollably.

“Now, I will explain the Magic Tower’s rules. But first, a crucial principle you must engrave into your very souls.”

Mikael gestured for Jaina to join him on the lectern.

Though perplexed, she ascended the steps at his beckoning.

“This is Jaina Bellafanian. As her surname implies, she is my cousin.”

‘So what is his point…?’

‘How does his cousin relate to the Magic Tower’s rules…?’

The bewildered recruits exchanged baffled glances as an uneasy silence fell.

“Haha, I see.”

Fortunately, one scrawny magician stepped forward with an ingratiating chuckle, attempting to curry favor.

“What a blessing it is for the Magic Tower to be graced by a magician as beautiful as Lady Jaina. Where I hail from was utterly dismal in comparison…”

However, in his eagerness to appease Mikael, he committed a grave blunder.

“What did this fool just utter?”

Mikael swiftly closed the distance before abruptly seizing the man by his collar.

“Kuhek!”

“Who are you to lewdly comment upon a woman’s appearance within these sacred halls?”

“Kkhek, kkhek. I meant no disrespect…”

“No disrespect? Oh, if assessing one’s looks qualifies as ‘no disrespect,’ then does ill intent justify murder?”

Even as the man’s face purpled, Mikael remained utterly unfazed.

“Br-Brother Mikael, enough!”

“Enough, you say? This wretch has been utterly impertinent.”

“Even so, you mustn’t kill him!”

Only after Jaina’s repeated pleas did Mikael finally release the man.

“As punishment, this cretin will clean the dungeons for a year. Did you not all sign a waiver absolving the Magic Tower of liability should you mistake? The Tower’s prisoners can be quite… unruly. Let’s see how long this insolent fool endures.”

Dadadang!

As their comrade abruptly hit the floor, the remaining recruits paled visibly.

“Well? Did none of you learn anything from witnessing that?”

“…”

“Did you not learn, or are you dismissing my words?”

“N-No, that’s not it at all.”

With an irritated scowl, Mikael singled out another recruit nearby.

“You, speak up.”

“A-A magician must focus solely on the study of magic. There is no time to assess others’ appearances when we should be mastering additional spells.”

“Hmm, so not all the new recruits are utterly rotten, it seems.”

At those words, the recruits heaved collective sighs of relief.

Had that magician not provided the answer Mikael desired, they could have suffered a similar fate – the mere thought made their heads spin.

“However, you overlooked one truly crucial matter.”

Gulp.

With taut, apprehensive expressions, the recruits swallowed hard.

These individuals, who had consistently topped their classes from childhood through the academy, now felt utterly diminished before Mikael’s presence.

“Listen well, for I will state this only once – what you must engrave as your foremost priority while residing at the Magic Tower.”

As the tense recruits fixated upon Mikael, he uttered something entirely unexpected.

“Jaina Bellafanian. She is the Magic Tower’s utmost priority.”

One recruit, taken aback, couldn’t help but interject.

“B-But is the Tower Lord not the highest priority here…?”

“That’s a good question.”

Fortunately, Mikael didn’t retaliate for the perceived impudence. Instead, he raised his chin proudly as he responded.

“Ordinarily, the Tower Lord would indeed be the prime concern. However, the Tower Lord himself has deemed Jaina the foremost priority.”

“Huhuek!”

“Th-That cannot be…?”

Folding his arms sternly, Mikael’s gaze sharpened menacingly.

“Therefore, don’t provoke Jaina’s ire. Prioritize her well-being above all else. Never forget – the Magic Tower operates solely due to Jaina’s existence. Consider yourselves living to serve Jaina.”

“…”

“Jaina Bellafanian, standing here, is the Magic Tower’s utmost priority. Do you understand?”

As Mikael delivered his impassioned diatribe, Jaina gradually inched away from him.

“If anything happens to Jaina, it will mean your demise. Not just from me, but from the Tower Lord himself. And… Eh? Jaina?”

Finally noticing her departure, Mikael cried out in a panic.

“Jaina! Why are you over there? These foolish imbeciles might fail to remember you, so remain by my side while I drill it into each of their skulls!”

Yet despite Mikael’s protests, Jaina swiftly exited the lecture hall without a backwards glance.

Abandoning the dumbfounded recruits, Mikael hastily pursued her.

“Brother Mikael.”

“Yes?”

Mikael beamed radiantly when Jaina addressed him, akin to an eager puppy heeding its master’s call.

‘Could she have been touched by my devoted efforts on her behalf? At this rate, she may even revert to the familiar ‘Big brother’…’

However, his blissful fantasy shattered instantaneously.

“I’m utterly embarrassed.”

Pooh.

Rather than a metaphorical treat, Mikael found himself skewered by Jaina’s cutting candor.

“Please, don’t follow me. I want to be alone for now.”

Frozen in place, Mikael gazed numbly in the direction Jaina had departed.

‘But… why?’

Yet no one could readily provide the answers he sought. A chilling breeze seemed to envelop Mikael, prompting him to shudder.

‘I only desired to grow closer to Jaina…’

The warmth he had felt mere moments ago rapidly dissipated from his heart, leaving an icy sting that proved utterly unbearable.

* * *

Rumors swiftly spread throughout the Magic Tower of Mikael’s uncharacteristically sullen demeanor as he moped about aimlessly.

“What could have upset that crazy dog so much?”

“Did the Tower Lord severely reprimand him, perhaps?”

“Even so, this seems rather excessive…”

The tower’s residents debated the cause of Mikael’s peculiar behavior, swiftly arriving at a consensus.

“Well, it must undoubtedly involve Lady Jaina.”

As they surmised, Jaina was indeed the root of Mikael’s despondency.

For days on end, he had sequestered himself within his quarters, refusing to emerge.

While Mikael frequently skipped meals in the past, this sudden change after Jaina’s arrival alarmed both her and Hilvenzia.

“It seems Brother Mikael has been avoiding me lately…”

Hilvenzia forced an awkward chuckle as she surreptitiously wiped away beads of cold sweat.

‘I only intended to foist some menial tasks upon him as a prank, yet this outcome…’

In truth, overseeing the annual ‘Orphanage Children’s Visit’ and ‘New Recruit Orientation’ ranked among the Magic Tower magicians’ most loathed chores.

With no volunteers forthcoming, Hilvenzia had resorted to subterfuge, manipulating Mikael into participating.

Yet for him to evade even Jaina – that had been an entirely unforeseen consequence.

“Hilvenzia, I think it’s because of me.”

“Hmm?”

“You see, I told Brother Mikael that he embarrassed me…”

Initially intending to exploit Mikael for her own amusement, Hilvenzia now felt a profound sense of responsibility upon realizing her mischief had affected Jaina as well.

“It’s all my fault. Because of me, Brother Mikael is…”

“No, the fault lies with me.”

“What?”

With a weary sigh, Hilvenzia explained why Mikael had behaved so uncharacteristically.

“It seems Mikael grew concerned that you were overly formal with him alone.”

“That couldn’t be… Though I did address Brother Mikael differently, it held no particular significance.”

“Then Mikael must have misunderstood. In that case, perhaps you should approach him first?”

With a resolute expression, Jaina nodded in agreement.