Today, a visitor from the Floating Island arrived at my mansion.0

“Didn’t expect to see you down here on the continent,” I said.0

It was Astal, a name known throughout the Magical Realm and, among Addicts, the most renowned, holding the status of an elder even within the Floating Island. 0

The mages of the Mage Tower placed deep trust in his insight, for he was the leading analyst of magical theory and the one responsible for reviewing my own work, a respected figure of weight wherever magic was spoken of.0

“Yes, I have heard of the Personnel Committee,” Astal replied as he took a seat on the couch.0

Astal didn’t waste time on pleasantries because, true to the nature of an Addict, he had no interest in introductions or appearances—he was focused on what mattered most.0

“I’ve read Mage Epherene’s theory, but the Floating Island disapproves of research that undermines the dignity of magic and the enigma of mana.”0

“Has the mere mention of science become so provocative that even the Floating Island takes notice?” I inquired.0

“It was more than a mere mention of science,” Astal replied. “The Professor’s theory borrowed scientific characteristics from carbon and recreated them using magic. But this girl, Epherene, is trying to integrate magic and science, even using the term natural science—a phrase most unnatural to our discipline.”0

In the world I came from, natural science was a given—so obvious that no one thought to question it, but in this world it was a foreign concept where mana was the fundamental law of nature, not science, and while natural magic flourished, natural science was never welcomed.0

“It is contrary to the will of the Floating Island. I daresay the Purger’s eyes may have already fallen upon her.”0

“The Purger,” I replied, my brow tightening at the word.0

“Yes, the Personnel Committee under your direction issued its punishment...0