Chapter 24 : Magic Tower City (1)

It’s been a few days since I left the black forest.

I originally planned to stay a few more days, but it couldn’t be helped.

Beatrice’s gaze wasn’t normal.

At first, I didn’t notice, but from the evening, something felt… dangerous, I guess.

Sigh, I just helped her a bit, so why is she so obsessed?

I rode in the carriage, walked, and walked again.

Because I chose a detour to avoid being followed, the journey took twice as long as usual.

And finally, we arrived at the magic tower city Arcana.

“Was this the kind of place it was…”

Spire-like towers, seemingly made of crystal, pierced the sky.

The magic power emanating from the spires bathed the entire city in a soft glow.

A magic train passed overhead.

With a hum of sound, it followed the rails suspended in the air.

At the end of the rails, a magical elevator carried passengers in vertical rows.

It was a scene where fantasy and modern civilization blended exquisitely.

Somehow, a part of my heart ached.

“Ah…”

My steps stopped in front of an automatic shop.

Cool drinks visible through the display window.

There were many magical drinks whose names I didn’t even know.

“I miss Pepsi Zero…”

I picked up a bottle. “Magical Carbonated Drink.”

It seemed to have carbonation, but it was strange.

As I took my first sip, a weird taste brushed my tongue.

Is this carbonation made from magic stones? It tasted nothing like the modern ones.

“Yeah, it’s not the same.”

I put the bottle down, barely having drunk half of it.

Even the convenience of this city was just a degraded version.

Suddenly, the academy caught my eye.

The giant spire in the center of the city.

I shouldn’t stay here for too long. It’s the perfect place to be spotted by trackers.

“Let’s just gather information in Arcana and leave immediately.”

In the heart of the magic tower city Arcana stood the Ether Academy.

A crystal tower pierced through the clouds and stabbed the dawn sky.

That was the continent’s top educational institution and research center.

Magic circles surrounded the crystal tower, floating in the sky.

Glowing Ether crystals sparkled like stars, drifting through the air.

It was a level beyond what I had seen in games.

“Maybe there might be a clue about dimensional teleportation magic here.”

…

Arcana Archives. A collection of magic books that contained all the knowledge of the continent.

Since I couldn’t use the Dragon Tribe’s Great Library, this was the best option.

As I approached the entrance, magical detectors responded simultaneously.

Blue beams scanned my body as if examining me.

[Warning: Abnormal magic pattern detected]
[Attention: High-energy magic traces found]
[Risk level: Unidentified]

A mechanical voice rang out.

I had disguised myself as an ordinary adventurer, but I was immediately detected.

If Nia were here, she might have been able to sneak in… but I’m alone now.

“Guess there’s no choice.”

I headed toward the main entrance. This time, I’ll go honestly.

“Hello. May I use the Arcana Archives?”

The receptionist looked at me with a suspicious gaze.

Pale skin, purple eyes. It was a sign of the city’s unique magic addiction.

“Access to the Arcana Archives is under the authority of the headmaster.”

“Oh, I see.”

That tone, it’s too familiar. A bureaucrat who pushes inconvenient tasks to their superior.

“I see.”

I nodded meekly. If you deal with these bureaucrats harshly from the start, things just get complicated.

The receptionist’s cold gaze scanned me up and down.

It was as if she were saying, Don’t waste your time here, just go back.

Sigh, in situations like this, you usually have to show an ID or a recommendation letter.

It’s not easy, huh. But I can’t just leave like this.

“Is that so? But I’m not really anything special…”

I trailed off for a moment. Timing is crucial.

“I’m a hero…”

“Excuse me? Did you say you’re a hero?”

Oh, the reaction is good. Now I just need to land the final blow.

I summoned the holy sword.

Instantly, an emergency sound rang from the nearby detectors.

The receptionist’s previously haughty attitude changed 180 degrees.

She hurriedly manipulated the magic stone on the desk.

It seemed like she was sending something.

The title of “hero,” it feels pretty good to use it in situations like this.

“Wait a moment. Yes, a hero is here. They want to access the Arcana Archives… Yes? Oh, okay! Understood.”

Her eyes widened as she read the letters reflected in the magic crystal.

“The headmaster wants to meet you personally. I will guide you.”

A sense of foreboding ran down my spine.

The crystal elevator quietly ascended.

The city below gradually became smaller beyond the transparent walls.

“Indeed, it’s different at the top of the magic tower.”

“Yes! Our Ether Academy…”

The staff member started boasting.

I nodded appropriately, listening with only half my attention.

I miss Aris’s library.

Compared to the Dragon Tribe’s Great Library, this place felt underwhelming.

Well, comparing it to knowledge accumulated over thousands of years might be disrespectful.

“The headmaster is on the highest floor. To avoid disturbing their research, they stay alone above the clouds. Meeting outsiders is a rare event.”

We entered the crystal tower. The interior was even grander.

Hundreds of magical lights illuminated the area, and wizards hurriedly passed by.

“This way.”

I climbed up the staircase made of crystal.

The magic circles engraved on the walls glowed faintly.

Above my head, Ether crystals slowly rotated.

When the door to the headmaster’s office opened, cold air rushed in.

Thousands of magical formulas glowed along the pure white marble walls.

Complicated magic circles were layered in the air, with Ether crystals floating like they were dancing between them.

“Excuse me.”

Inside the room, a woman sat at a desk surrounded by magical formulas.

Her sky-blue hair fluttered gently.

“You must be the hero.”

Lucy Crystal. The headmaster of Ether Academy and the master of the magic tower.

Without even raising her head, she fiddled with the magical formulas in the air.

“Yes, hello. I’m…”

“I know. You’re Hero Haru, right?”

She finally looked up. Her cold sky-blue eyes scanned me.

“You said you wanted to see the Arcana Archives?”

“Yes, I’m curious about dimensional teleportation magic.”

“Interesting.”

Lucy stood up. At her gesture, the magical circles in the air began to move like they were dancing.

“I see the hero is interested in dimensional travel.”

There was a slight trace of interest in her voice.

“Did you major in magical engineering by any chance?”

“Ah… well…”

“What do you think about Ether flow? What about the vibration frequency of the dimensional gaps?”

For a moment, my mind went blank. I didn’t understand a word.

“I see.”

Lucy’s gaze lost interest.

“It was nice meeting you.”

She sat back down and waved her hand. It was a gesture of “please leave.”

“Wait!”

I hurriedly spoke.

“I want to receive the honorary magic tower member qualification.”

Lucy’s hand stopped.

“Ha.”

A cold laugh escaped from her lips.

“Let’s start with something simple.

What shape does Ether’s basic wave take?”

“That is…”

“What’s the resonance frequency? The magic amplification factor?”

I couldn’t answer a single question.

“You dare to want to become a magic tower member when you don’t even know this basic stuff?”

Lucy shook her head in disdain.

“Hero, I don’t want to waste any more of my time. Please leave.”

With her gesture, the door opened.

“Then, how about taking a test?”

I didn’t realize it, but a provocative tone slipped out of my mouth.

Lucy’s sky-blue eyes gleamed coldly.

“Are you asking me to take the honorary magic tower member test?”

“Yes. Please evaluate me based on my abilities. You say I lack theory? Let me show you the practical side.”

Lucy smirked.

With a wave of her hand, the magical circle in the air moved like it was dancing again.

“Alright. Solve my magical puzzle. Only five people have managed to solve it so far.”

Thousands of magical formulas intertwined in the air, forming a huge cube.

Glowing Ether crystals orbited it.

Ah, this.

A smile crept up at the corner of my mouth.

The hidden quest from the original game. The puzzle that had tormented so many players.

“Let’s begin.”

Before Lucy’s words even finished, my hand moved.

Three times to the left, two times up, and one diagonal move…

“What?”

Lucy’s eyes widened. It seemed like she couldn’t keep up with my movements.

“Done.”

3 minutes and 12 seconds. Less than half the time of the previous record.

“How…”

Lucy looked at me with suspicion.

“How did you solve this without even knowing basic magical engineering?”

Her voice was tinged with annoyance.

“It was just luck, right? Fine, let’s see if you can pass the next test.”

Lucy opened the drawer of the desk.

“The core of a Lava Lava, an ancient spirit stone, the wings of a moonlight fairy…”

As she listed them, a sneer formed at the corner of her mouth.

“Just bringing one of these will…”

“Here it is.”

I took out all three items from my bag and placed them on the desk.

“…What?”

Lucy’s expression froze.

“Then… the Blessed Sun Dew, the Sage’s Crystal, and the Powder of the Natural Butterfly Wings…”

“Yes, here they are.”

Lucy’s mouth fell open.

“This is… this must be an illusion. Yes, it definitely is…”

“I also have the Primordial Ether Stone.”

“Wait, that’s… no way! That’s only in legends…”

When I took out the last item, Lucy jumped up from her seat.

Her sky-blue eyes shook, as if she couldn’t believe it.

“How did you…?”

I smiled and spoke.

“Now, will you give me the magic tower member qualification?”

“There’s still one more thing.”

Lucy pulled out the last card.

The glint of competition sparkled in her sky-blue eyes.

“Find the clue to an ancient spell that’s been practiced. This will be impossible.”

I smirked.

“How about the ‘Rune of Amplification’?”

Lucy froze.

It’s the core of how wizards handle magic. The key phrase is, “When the Ether’s vibration stops, the thread of time will unravel.” This is from ancient times…

“How did you…?”

Her mouth opened in disbelief.

“When casting the spell, you must twist the flow of magic in a spiral, turning it three and a half times clockwise…”

“Wait, wait a second!”

Lucy’s fingertips cut through the air.

A translucent magic circle appeared and began recording every word I said.

Her eyes were glowing. Her usual indifferent expression was gone, replaced by the manic excitement of a scholar.

The magic circle spun rapidly, continuing to record. Lucy’s voice trembled with excitement.

“Do you know any other runes? For example, the ‘Rune of Eternity’…?”

“Ah, that one? In the flow of infinite time, eternity is but a momentary stillness…”

Lucy’s eyes widened even more.

The speed of the magic circle’s rotation increased.

“This is… this is really… impossible. That rune was practiced a thousand years ago…”

Her face flushed with excitement, as if she had found the project of her lifetime.

“Yes. Even if it’s suspicious, a rule is a rule…”

No matter how much she tried to play it cool now, her face was already flushed with excitement.

I could even see her fingertips trembling slightly.

“I’ll grant you the honorary magic tower member qualification.”

With her gesture, a seal appeared in the air.

“However,”

Lucy’s eyes changed.

They became sharp, like a predator that had found its prey.

“I have a spot open in my research team…”

Ah, that look is dangerous.

“In order to see the Arcana Archives, you need experience and an evaluation. It takes a lot of time…”

She took a step closer.

“But if you become my lead researcher, you could skip those procedures…”

This is dangerous. That look is definitely dangerous.

“I’m sorry, but…”

I shook my head.

“I’m hoping for a position as the combat instructor of the academy. Temporarily.”

“What?”

Lucy’s eyes widened.

“You’re turning down the top position in the academy and choosing to be a combat instructor?”

“I’m good at fighting.”

And most importantly… because that look is terrifying.

“Sigh…”

Lucy sighed.

“With your knowledge, you could revolutionize magical engineering…”

“I’ll pass. Please just let me teach combat.”

Lucy’s expression subtly twisted.

It was clear she felt like she had missed something.

“Alright. But if you change your mind…”

“I will never change my mind.”

I cut her off firmly.

Becoming the disciple of a genius magician obsessed with research… no, that’s absolutely not going to happen.

Me as a lead researcher? That’s the worst choice.

I’ll just stay as an ordinary combat instructor, check out the Arcana Archives, and run away.