How the Cult Saves the World

Jenna Lewis. She was a renowned sorceress in HSAW. Her actual age exceeded 200 years, though her precise age remained a mystery.

In the original story, Jenna Lewis appeared as an old woman, which was why I hadn't recognized her immediately, even while standing face-to-face with her.

'Even her name is such a common one...'

Now that I knew her true identity, it was clear that the hair and eye color of Jenna Lewis in the original matched those of the young woman in front of me.

She had long, light green hair and mesmerizing golden eyes.

Looking more closely, her features resembled her depiction in the original---just much younger.

-Hoo, this child has quite a bit of magical power.

'Really?'

-Yes. Your grandmother was impressive, but this one surpasses her. And she's much older than she looks.

So Kyros really is a god, huh? He sees right through people.

I observed Jenna Lewis carefully as she chatted with my grandmother.

In truth, Jenna's appearances in the original story were relatively few. However, every time she showed up, she left a significant impact.

'Plus, she's...'

The Archmage that led the Magic Tower, a neutral organization unaffiliated with any religion.

Even when the Diego Church waged war and massacred countless people, while the Kyros Church struggled to stop them, or when human experiments under the Demon God ran rampant, the Magic Tower remained bystanders.

Because of this, their role in the story was minimal in the first half. However, the Archmage took center stage in the latter half when a large-scale war erupted.

Her reason for stepping in was straightforward: to prevent further unnecessary sacrifices caused by the Diego Church.

Of course, this didn't mean she sided with the Kyros Church---it was a temporary alliance to defeat a common enemy.

'But if I could make her a believer...'

Despite her limited appearances, Jenna Lewis played a critical role in defeating the Diego Church.

'Wasn't it the meteorite summoning spell?'

The Archmage's summoned meteorite, hurled straight into the Diego Church's headquarters, was powerful enough to completely obliterate their temple.

'If I could get her to help us... Everything I do from here on out would become so much easier.'

Although the odds were slim, convincing the Archmage to join the Kyros Church would be like securing an invaluable ally.

'But how on earth did Grandma become close with someone like her?'

They seemed more than just acquaintances---they appeared genuinely friendly.

"By the way, Jenna, what brings you here?"

"Ah, I suddenly had a craving for skewers. But I didn't expect to meet you here!"

Jenna laughed and hugged my grandmother again.

At first glance, her casual manner seemed almost disrespectful toward someone older, but my grandmother looked genuinely happy to see her long-lost friend.

"Oh, right. I forgot to mention something,"

Grandma said, glancing at me as I watched her and Jenna talk.

"Jenna is a mage. Although she looks about the same age as you, she's actually older than me, so don't feel awkward about her treating me comfortably."

"Oh, I see. Yes, I understand,"

I replied with a smile.

At first, I had been a bit surprised by Jenna's youthful appearance, but after learning who she was, it made sense.

Still---here was the Archmage, over 200 years old, yet she acted and spoke as if she were younger than me.

"I was curious about her second grandson after hearing about Sevenus. You're quite handsome---must take after Helena."

"Huh?"

"By the way, isn't he the sickly second child?"

"Yes, But he's much better now and has even started training with me."

"Oh, that's good! Now that I think about it, was it thanks to that cure discovered by the Kyros Church?"

As Jenna turned to me, her gaze sharpened slightly at the mention of the Kyros Church.

"That's right, Levi has since converted to the Kyros Church."

"Well, I understand...since they saved his life and all..."

Jenna's eyes locked on mine, and she strode toward me purposefully.

"You're a talent far too valuable to waste on religion,"

she said, her face suddenly much closer to mine.

Startled, I instinctively stepped back.

"You have more magical power than I expected. You would have been excellent as a mage."

"M-me?!"

"Yes."

Jenna replied, now speaking more casually as I'd gotten more comfortable with her even though she was formal with her introduction.

Of course, when she mentioned magical power, she was referring to the power I'd received from Kyros.

-Child, don't let yourself be fooled by shallow tricks or empty promises!

'Lord Kyros, what do you take me for? I'm not that gullible.'

Since the source of my power came from Kyros, the idea of becoming a mage was meaningless to me.

"What a shame."

"I always knew Levi had great potential, but I didn't think he'd be so desirable to you, Jenna,"

Grandma said, bursting into hearty laughter, clearly delighted to hear her grandson being praised.

Meanwhile, Jenna kept glancing at me with a regretful expression.

"I've sworn to serve Kyros for the rest of my life,"

I said with a smile.

At last, Jenna pouted slightly and turned her attention back to Grandma.

"Helena,"

she said suddenly, taking Grandma's hand.

"If you have some time, would you like to visit the Magic Tower with me?"

"The Magic Tower?"

"Yes. Recently, the alchemists there have developed a potion that helps with Mana Burn. It doesn't completely stop the loss of mana, but it does reduce it significantly."

I was taken aback by Jenna's words.

In the original story, there hadn't been much focus on the Magic Tower or mages, so I hadn't expected them to research Mana Burn at all.

'Now that I think about it, Mana Burn does affect some mages too.'

It made sense in a way. Magic power wasn't limited to knights; mages used it as well.

'But I didn't think they'd find any results.'

In the original, Mana Burn had remained an incurable condition until the very end. Even if this potion wasn't a complete cure, it was still a step forward.

'And that's something, isn't it?'

Anything that could improve my grandmother's condition, even slightly, was worth trying.

As I mulled over this, my grandmother's gaze turned to me. Then Jenna added hastily,

"Oh, of course, Revelof can come too. I would have originally invited only Helena, but since you're her grandson, I'll make an exception."

The Magic Tower isn't open to the general public. While someone like Grandma, who was personally acquainted with the Archmage, might have access, I wouldn't normally be allowed in. Thankfully, with Jenna's special permission, I had the chance to visit.

"Levi, will you come with me?"

"Yes, Grandma."

There was no way I was going to pass up this rare opportunity. I'd never even considered the possibility of visiting the Magic Tower since arriving in this world.

Even in the original story, the interior of the Magic Tower was never revealed. I had always been curious about it while playing the game, but I never thought I'd actually get to see it.

'Maybe I can visit Terdius's house afterward.'

In truth, Terdius's house wasn't somewhere I needed to visit urgently.

But the chance to see the Magic Tower? That was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

"Alright then, let's go."

I followed Jenna with Grandma. Jenna led the way, chattering animatedly as we went.

-Those two seem to get along really well.

'They do. I'm curious about how they became friends.'

Their relationship was so unexpected and surprising that I couldn't help but wonder how they had met.

The Archmage rarely attended noble gatherings, so it didn't seem likely that they met through high society.

'Could it have been...?'

Perhaps they met on the battlefield when Grandma was a Sword Master, or maybe it was a chance encounter in their youth.

As I speculated, the three of us reached what seemed to be a dead end.

'Huh?'

Just as I was questioning this, Jenna pulled a bundle out from her robes. She placed it on the ground, spreading it wide. It was large enough to fit a person.

"Alright, Revelof, just watch and follow what we do,"

Jenna said with a grin.

Then, without hesitation, she jumped into the bundle.

Whoosh-

She vanished in a flash of light.

"...Whoa,"

This---this was real magic!

I widened my eyes, staring at the bundle. No matter how hard I looked, there was no sign of Jenna anywhere.

"You look really surprised, Levi."

"Well, yes. It's...magic."

"Exactly. I didn't go into detail earlier, but...Jenna is the current Archmage,"

Grandma said with a playful wink before stepping toward the bundle.

Just like Jenna, she disappeared as soon as she entered.

-This looks like so much fun!

'I feel a little nervous.'

-Don't be afraid.

'It's not fear, just...unease.'

Swallowing hard, I approached the bundle. I never imagined I'd be teleporting like this.

'I guess I can think of it as a portal.'

Taking a deep breath to steady myself, I dashed into the bundle, just like the others before me.

'Phew---'

The sensation was dizzying, as if the ground beneath me had vanished and I was being sucked into some unknown place.

When I finally opened my eyes, I saw it.

"Whoa..."

The space before me was entirely unfamiliar. It was a large room filled with scattered experimental tools, and shelves overflowing with books.

The ceiling and walls shimmered like the night sky, filled with stars. Decorations and trinkets floated gently in the air.

"You've arrived safely, Revelof. Make yourself at home. This is my room,"

Jenna said without turning, busy tinkering with something at a nearby bench.

Following her instructions, I found a place to sit.

"You're here, Levi,"

Grandma said, walking over to me.

"Isn't it amazing?"

"Yes," I replied, as I glanced around.

Grandma laughed softly.

"Magic truly is incredible."

I couldn't agree more.

Sometimes, Zain or Troy mistook the power I used as magic, but it wasn't---it was the power of the system.

However, the magic in this world was the real deal, the kind of magic I had always dreamed of.

Here, brooms cleaned themselves, and teapots poured tea in midair.

For a moment, I felt like a child again, stepping into the magical world I had always imagined.

-This space is brimming with magical power!

Kyros's voice was filled with awe.

"Here, this is for you, Helena,"

Jenna said, returning from the lab bench with something in her hands. She handed Grandma a small beaker containing a green potion.

"Thank you, Jenna. As always."

"Of course I'd do it for you."

Jenna smiled and sat down across from her. Grandma downed the potion she handed her in one gulp.

"Hmm, you got a bit better at least,"

Jenna said, perhaps because she was estimating my grandmother's magical power.

"Really?"

"Yeah. That should stave off Mana Shock for a while."

Mana Shock. A dangerous symptom for those suffering from Mana Burn, where the body rapidly weakens due to its inability to handle mana consumption.

"Thank you, Jenna. I feel like the number of Mana Shocks has decreased thanks to you,"

It was a true blessing that Grandma had a friend like Jenna, an Archmage.

Mana Shock's frequency directly affected lifespan, and fewer shocks meant more time.

"I promise I'll make you better one day,"

Jenna said, her tone resolute as if making a promise to herself.@@novelbin@@

"You have to stay with me for a long time, Helena."

Grandma smiled warmly in response.

Watching the two of them, I couldn't hold back my curiosity any longer.

"Excuse me... How did you two become close?"