Taking a deep breath, I gazed at the front door.
The firmly closed entrance was beautifully adorned with the magic circle I had painstakingly restored over several days.
Beyond this door were two hundred mages.
Their magical energy was palpable even from where I stood.
Resolving myself, I opened the door.
Instantly, countless eyes turned toward me.
Smiling brightly, I bowed to them.
“Welcome. You’ve arrived at Professor Irien’s tower.”
The sensation of two hundred mages simultaneously extending their magic toward me was overwhelming.
The moment they saw me, they began probing me with various spells.
Thankfully, the tower’s magic deflected all their attempts.
I had anticipated this and made sure not to step even a foot outside the tower.
If I had, they would have seized me and stripped me of all secrets.
“Long time no see, Evron,” came a familiar voice.
Looking up, I saw someone approaching.
It was Hong Ryeong.
He still wore a neat, friendly smile.
I returned his smile and greeted him.
“Yes, it’s been a while since the entrance ceremony. How have you been?”
The others’ gazes shifted to Hong Ryeong.
However, unlike the probing magic they aimed at me earlier, their energy remained subdued.
While I might have appeared weak, Hong Ryeong clearly radiated powerful magical energy.
“I’ve been well. So, what you said back then was true—that you were taught by the professor.”
He chuckled awkwardly, scratching his head while scanning the situation.
‘Is he trying to flaunt our connection?’ I wondered.
It wasn’t a bad move.
The intense attention directed at me had lessened.
“So, what should we do next?” someone asked.
“I’ll guide you. Please follow the dolls’ instructions,” I said, subtly channeling magic to summon the dolls waiting inside the tower.
The dolls emerged, organizing the group into lines and gently guiding them into the tower.
The crowd moved smoothly, following the flow set by the dolls.
***
Once they were gathered in the central hall on the first floor, I bowed and smiled.
“As mentioned in the course plan we provided, you will have the opportunity to attend lectures here over the next five years.”
The group began to look around slowly.
The furniture, hastily prepared, had absorbed the tower’s magic over the past month, giving it a respectable appearance.
It was a relief.
“This is the first floor, the common area. You may come here anytime during the next five years to spend time or rest if you happen to pass by. If you’re curious about anything, feel free to explore with your magic.”
At my suggestion, the participants began emitting magic to examine their surroundings.
I had left all the rooms open for visibility, allowing them to explore freely.
Even though I lived here, I could admit that just having access to this floor was a significant privilege.
Towers were typically the focal points where all the mountain’s magic converged.
Training here would yield far greater results than elsewhere.
“There are many dolls roaming the tower. If you need assistance or have questions, you can speak to any doll nearby. They will respond to your requests.”
I waited patiently for them to retract their magic.
Eventually, all eyes turned to me once more.
Smiling, I began leading them again.
***
“The lecture room is on the second floor. Please be careful not to enter other rooms. While the doors won’t open, you might accidentally fall into a spatial rift.”
That last part was a joke, as the professor had fixed everything.
Still, the students’ expressions turned rigid.
‘Guess they didn’t find it funny,’ I thought.
We ascended the stairs to the central hall on the second floor and stopped in front of the theoretical lecture room.
“This is the lecture room. Floors beyond the second are off-limits outside of class hours, so please be mindful of this.”
I opened the door, gesturing toward the shimmering veil inside.
A doll slipped through, and after inspecting the doorway, the students began entering one by one.
Once the last person was inside, I followed.
The room featured a semicircular tiered structure centered around a single podium, with seats extending along the walls.
The students found their places and settled in.
Hong Ryeong sat in the back row, at the center.
Several people gathered around him, chatting.
I gave a wry smile.
‘Hmm, even after narrowing it down, I missed something.’
There seemed to be about five key individuals in that group.
Their graceful demeanor suggested they came from prominent families.
Around thirty people clustered around them.
That was more than I had anticipated.
Upon closer inspection, I noticed a distinct line within the group.
An awkward atmosphere existed between the central five and the rest.
‘Did they hire other students?’ I speculated. It was a guess, but likely the truth.
A lapse in judgment on my part.
I hadn’t expected so many to rally through extra incentives.
They probably knew who had been accepted into the lecture beforehand and had organized themselves accordingly.
Given the “treasure hunt” nature of the program, having more people would indeed be advantageous.
Their setup made it clear they were focused on acquiring the treasures.
Not that they would get past the professor’s traps.
Scanning the rest of the group, I saw that many sat scattered.
Their solitary positioning made it easy to spot those forming alliances.
One cluster appeared to be swordsmen.
True to their nature, they clung together, chattering even though this was likely their first meeting.
Among them, one face felt oddly familiar—a woman with long black hair and a somewhat vacant expression.
‘Have I met her before?’ I wondered, searching my memory but coming up empty.
She tilted her head in confusion, mirroring my puzzlement.
Judging from her bewildered look, she couldn’t place me either.
Avoiding her gaze, I turned away.
***
Another group was composed of mages with distinct individual traits.
There were about ten of them.
Though they radiated strong magical energy, they lacked the unity of the other factions.
They seemed at ease with each other, suggesting prior acquaintanceship.
Thus, three main groups emerged.
The rest of the students sat scattered, seemingly unaffiliated.
While I hadn’t foreseen factions like the noble group forming, my efforts to separate them had partially succeeded.
‘Hmm, this was still within my expectations,’ I thought, glancing at the doll standing beside me.
The doll retrieved a pocket watch from its chest and displayed the time—exactly 3 o’clock.
It was time for the lecture.
Clapping my hands, I drew the attention of the numerous mages.
The room soon fell silent.
“Welcome, everyone. We will be spending the next five years together. Take a good look at the person sitting next to you. Who knows? That person might become your ally or your enemy during this course.”
I smiled as I spoke, intending to lighten the mood with a joke.
Unfortunately, it seemed I had failed again, as the atmosphere grew even heavier.
Waving my hands apologetically, I quickly added, “Just kidding, just kidding. Let’s move on to the lecture. While some of you might have already researched this, let me tell you something remarkable. Professor Irien, our host, has never opened a lecture in over a millennium.”
Most of the students looked shocked.
It appeared only a few, particularly among the larger factions, had prior knowledge of this fact.
“During that time, the professor roamed the continent, gathering treasures. These treasures are now slumbering peacefully in this tower. This course, ‘The Treasure Hunt,’ will introduce you to these treasures and give you the opportunity to claim them.”
The students’ eyes began to sparkle.
To further pique their interest, I added, “From what I’ve seen, most of these treasures possess immeasurable value.”
‘Like that cursed eye,’ I thought, shuddering at the memory.
No one here could have survived seeing it unscathed.
A sly smile crept across my face at the thought, but I quickly adjusted my expression.
“For the next five years, one treasure will be revealed every three months. Out of the two hundred of you, only one person will have the chance to claim it. You may cooperate or compete, as long as you follow the rules.”
I snapped my fingers, and the doll responded by pulling out a thick stack of papers.
Other dolls distributed the sheets among the students.
Watching them examine the documents, I continued, “The material you’ve received provides a brief introduction to the treasure we’ll reveal today. Since it’s the first day, we’ve prepared a relatively straightforward item. I’m sure you’re curious. Today’s treasure is….”
I infused the wall behind me with magic, activating a magic circle that conjured an illusion.
It revealed a small, pitch-black box emanating a mysterious aura.
I held the illusion up for the students to see.
“A box that devours space. It consumes space itself. But don’t misunderstand—it’s not simply a box enchanted with spatial magic.”
I projected text into the air, mirroring what was written on their handouts.
“Does anyone recall the large-scale disappearance in Orin, the empire’s foremost trading city, six hundred years ago? Thousands of commoners and hundreds of mages vanished in an incident that remains unexplained—a true legend.”
I displayed a reconstructed vision of the event, showing entire sections of the city disappearing.
No one knew what had happened, leaving only fragmented stories of the event.
Even I had heard the tale a few times.
“Professor Irien happened to be passing through the area and personally investigated the incident. The truth she uncovered led her to this treasure. Its effects are detailed in your handouts. Please take a look.”
The sound of rustling paper filled the room.
I read the description aloud to ensure everyone understood.
“This box consumes any enclosed space, no matter its size. The tragedy in Orin occurred because an unknown mage sealed part of the city with magic, awakening the box, which devoured the entire area. If you can tame this treasure, you’ll gain control over the space it consumes.”
I displayed a vivid illusion of the sixth floor of the tower being swallowed, showing the twisted walls and the suffocating pressure.
The image conveyed the memory I had vividly stored away.
“You could store a workshop or a stronghold—or, as shown here, trap enemies within. It’s an exceptional tool for both defense and offense.”
The students’ eyes burned with desire.
Their magical energy filled the room, creating an intense heat.
I gave a bitter smile.
‘This box is the same one that devoured the sixth floor. The professor had to rip out an entire section of the wall to reseal it. Rebuilding that area was exhausting.’
“Each of you will have only one chance. This opportunity cannot be transferred or stolen. Once every three months, you will have one day to claim a treasure.”
I looked around the room with a smile.
“Shall we begin?”
***
The students sprang to their feet, excitement surging through the room.
The dolls efficiently guided them toward the staircase, their magical energy rippling in anticipation of the treasure hunt.
Watching them prepare for battle, I smirked inwardly.
‘Most of them won’t even get close to the treasure. I’ll simply reap the leftovers while they struggle. A perfect chance to rack up points.’
Leaving the lecture room, I headed for the stairs.
At the base, I pressed the button for the sixth floor.
The magical staircase shimmered, reconfiguring itself.
“This staircase is layered with overlapping spaces. Be precise when entering a floor. Pressing two buttons or lifting your hand mid-selection could trap you between dimensions. Proceed carefully.”
I’d discovered this through experiments, sending several dolls into the void during my tests.
“When you arrive on the sixth floor, the treasure hunt will begin. The floor will remain open for 24 hours. Stay safe and good luck.”
At my words, the mages unleashed their energy and ascended the stairs swiftly.
Two hundred figures disappeared in an instant.
Standing alone at the base, I rubbed my chin.
‘Despite my nerves, everything flowed smoothly. I even prepared a script in case I forgot what to say. Lucky I didn’t need it.’
‘Well, time to join in.’ Patting my well-packed spatial pouch, I stepped onto the staircase, ready for what lay ahead.