Chapter 45 – Mission from the Magic Tower
The duel ended in an instant.
Whoaaa—.
A low murmur of awe spread through the training grounds below, voicing the mages' collective astonishment.
A 4th Circle mage. And not just any ordinary one, but a battle mage—one that elemental mages absolutely refused to face one-on-one. Lawrence had triumphed over him in raw power, speed, and even experience. His victory looked nothing short of the return of a guardian deity.
"It's so ridiculous I can't even speak."
"Brother Isaac, did you go easy on him? Even so... "
"You crazy? With the Tower Master watching everything, how could I hold back?"
"Even so... "
Isaac snorted at his doubting juniors.
That kid was a monster.
For a normal mage, casting drew mana through their mana roads, and the better the mage, the more mana they could pull out faster. But the magic Lawrence used was on another level entirely. No precursors, no mana fluctuations, not even chants or focus required. Just a twitch of his lips, and the spell manifested. Isaac shook his head in disbelief.
"Curious? Go take a hit yourself. He's in a whole different league."
"Ahem... In that case, I'll give it a shot!"
Another volunteer raised his hand—and moments later, he too was sent flying by a massive iron hammer to the gut.
BOOM!
Iron Hammer
"Kuugh—!"
"Man, this spell hits just right."
"Haha! Told you. Personally, there's no better magic for cracking someone in thick plate armor."
Two wins in a row. At that point, the senior mages' eyes began to gleam.
"I'm next!"
"Very well. Come on in."
Lawrence was gradually getting the hang of battle mage combat styles.
The Tower Master watched his mages with a pleased smile. Then, out of nowhere, he declared:
"Losers to the youngest get extra weight, extra sets, and one more climb."
"......"
Whoosh—. Flames of fighting spirit suddenly ignited in their eyes.
In the end, Lawrence exhausted his artifacts' capacity and even burned through spares just to keep up.
Still, he'd earned his rewards faithfully.
Dragon Body grows.
Hatchling: 63%
Training in the Dragon Lair further enhances physical abilities.
Not only did his Dragon Body grow, but his practical experience soared too. He'd learned their combat styles, mana flows, and even mid-range chanting under pressure—and absorbed it all.
This is fun.
The thrill pumped out addictive dopamine.
"Whoa—I wonder if I could ever be like you, Young Master?"
Rachel, watching with sparkling eyes, asked.
Lawrence nodded as he quenched his thirst after the duels.
"Not quite on my level, but you could become an outstanding assassin. So train hard. Grill the meat well too."
"Hehe, got it!"
"Enviable, guhmun. So envious~."
Dillon—the "second youngest," meaning second from the bottom—plopped down with a grumble, gazing at Lawrence with genuine envy.
If he weren't a mage, they might never have crossed paths. Unlike Dillon, a talented commoner, Lawrence was direct lineage from a terrifying noble house. Sure, rumors said he lacked mana roads, but weren't those obsolete now?
Lawrence eyed Dillon quietly before tossing out a line.
"Keep at it, and fortune will come."
"Haha, you're young, Young Master—you don't know the world yet, do you?"
"Who knows. I've been through a few things myself. Ever been the dead weight among geniuses?"
"......"
Dillon had no comeback. Among commoners, he was a genius—the village threw a feast when he entered the tower.
Lawrence stood, dropping a meaningful remark.
"Work hard. Who knows? I might make you Archmage Dillon."
"Haha......"
What nonsense. Dillon chuckled at the unrealistic words.
Forty years old. Too jaded for miracles.
But those faint words sparked unwitting hope.
"Young Master, really for Dillon too...?"
"Who knows."
"I... believe it... "
Even the maid buys that nonsense. So naive. Dillon shook off the negative thoughts.
"Dillon! Hurry up! Time for training!"
"Yes sir!"
Lawrence might be here, but Dillon was still treated like the baby.
#2
This was the Red Tower.
Freya received letters from Montemer and the Imperial Palace.
With the Red Tower Master absent, checking them first fell to her.
The contents were straightforward: investigate and subjugate Alzeras before spring.
She'd likely join as captain of the Phoenix Mage Corps.
Carrying the letters to the Tower Master's office, she began to brood.
Princess Loria, Young Lord Lawrence... Phoenix Mage Corps and Red Tower... Alzeras...
Lately, this issue ruined her magic research.
What was Duchess Media's scheme? Why risk a 5th Circle mage like her to endanger Princess Loria?
"Hm. No answers."
She sighed softly, shaking her head.
Fine, Lawrence—whatever. Even she couldn't love a child from another woman.
But why Loria...?
Did Loria have some backstory too? Enough for hypnosis on her?
At least Media hadn't harmed the Red Tower or Freya herself.
I had no ties. Always out on external missions.
So, only one conclusion: subjugating Alzeras was Media erasing traces?
Freya pondered in the office.
She missed the door opening amid her focus.
The Red Tower Master found her deep in thought.
"Lady Freya, what has you so absorbed?"
"Ah, Tower Master. My apologies. Letters from Montemer and the Imperials. Seems we'll subjugate House Alzeras."
"Ah... So it's come to that."
House Alzeras held vast territory—a major operation.
Regrettably, Red Tower's promising youth wouldn't join; he was busy south.
"Wonder how the Blue Tower will respond."
"Because of Lady Piaje?"
"Yes. One year Blue, one year Red... "
"Princess Loria graduated from Red Tower too. What if we call her back?"
The Red Tower Master nodded slowly.
Loria was promising. With luck, not Montemer head, but a branch house or even Tower Master.
No reason not to build ties.
And Freya was due for promotion.
"Agreed. I'll add it to the reply. Let's prepare. This op is less tower rivalry, more competing with the academy cadets."
"Understood."
After the exchange, Freya thought: Time to investigate Loria matters.
If it happens again... She's practically my disciple. So...
Her eyes turned icy.
#3
Lawrence finished training and did repairs as usual.
Dillon and seniors helped move stuff—they loved skipping penalties.
Recovery Rate: 61%
"Good work."
"Good work! Hey, fix the underground training room next, and we can use it."
"Yeah. Underground next?"
"Underground training room?"
He'd heard Iron Tower had a basement. Tower Master never mentioned it—news to him.
"Yeah. Mostly abandoned now. No monsters, luckily."
"What's inside?"
"Eh, just trash?"
"Hm......"
Lawrence's curiosity piqued. Basement...
Artifacts needed recharging first—he'd check later.
His gut said it'd be packed with amazing materials.
A little excitement's fine.
Diverse stuff meant more power for him.
Back in his room, he dumped artifacts and started re-engraving magic circles.
"Extracts are running low though... "
Iron magic could endlessly regenerate circles—easy fix.
But Haste, Strength, and basics needed extracts. Stuck in the tower, consumption outpaced recharge.
Iron magic's efficient but narrow range, low utility. Better to mix spells...
Hence the basement interest.
Needed spellbooks or stable supplies soon.
As Lawrence pondered, a knock: rap rap.
"Tower Master. Got a moment?"
"Yes. Come in."
He stowed artifacts in subspace and opened the door. Tower Master held a letter.
"Orders from the Palace and your home."
"What kind?"
"Subjugate House Alzeras. Investigate the shadows behind it."
"Oh......"
Finally starting.
Lawrence recalled his past life: merciless smash, nothing suspicious.
But he couldn't sit idle.
"Can I join?"
"Of course. That's why I'm here."
"Chance for merits, scout rivals."
And sweep up tons of new materials. Knight houses overflowed with spare armor, weapons.
His smile deepened.
"Exactly. What say you? Observe? Great experience."
"Sounds perfect. Just what I wanted."
Might score good stuff.
This was a very good hunch.