The Ivory Tower

"Huff."

I bolted upright, gasping for air. "A dream. It was just a dream."

I hadn't woken from my usual deep sleep or from the white void Chaos summoned. For once, I'd simply had a real dream.

Was Edwin's story yesterday that memorable?

I'd seen myself on the day I first fell to the third floor, fighting desperately to survive. I rubbed my face with both hands and let out a long sigh.

"I've made up my mind, so there's no point putting it off."

Once the decision was made, action had to follow swiftly. I washed quickly and gathered my gear. The Magic Tower stood between the 2nd and 3rd Districts, if I remembered correctly.

Would it be all right to show up wearing battered, unsightly armor?

What if some noble picks a fight over my appearance?

…Whatever. If an adventurer got criticized for his equipment in Labyrinth City, the critic would be the strange one.

Click.

"Hmm? It's still early. Judging by your face, you had a restless night."

I'd planned to grab breakfast outside, but that was clearly impossible. Rotten was already seated at the counter, newspaper spread open before him.

Good grief. Anyone would think he was a ghost.

"I had a dream for the first time in a while. You're up early yourself."

"Haha. Old men sleep less. So, heading out now?"

"Yes. I accepted a personal request, so I'm going to the Magic Tower. I don't know how long it'll take or what might come up, so I may have to stay out tonight."

"Is that so? Understood. I'll let Lumia know."

Rotten gestured toward a table. "In any case, eat before you go. A full stomach gives you strength no matter where you are."

I nodded and sat down. From the kitchen came the sounds of busy cooking.

"Here, eat before it gets cold."

A hearty soup loaded with meat and potatoes, a small loaf of rye bread, a boiled egg, and a glass of milk. I cleaned every plate, then left the inn.

"Remember what we talked about in the backyard yesterday. Keep your eyes forward and hold on to your confidence. Shoulders back! Chest out!"

"Haha. I'll keep it in mind. I'll be back."

Whether it was the meal or Rotten's kindness, I felt steady as I walked.

It took longer than expected. Somewhere between the 3rd and 2nd Districts. It was my first time traveling this far inside Labyrinth City.

"Insane…"

Stepping off the carriage, I could only stare in awe. The Magic Tower. No matter how far I craned my neck, I couldn't see the top. The colossal white spire, often called the Ivory Tower of Magic, soared into the sky, radiating overwhelming presence.

I'm going to break my neck at this rate. Stop staring and go inside. Where's the entrance?

After a quick look around, I spotted a massive gateway guarded by several armored sentries. Among them stood a man in full plate armor who looked like the captain. I kept my distance and observed him.

Wow. The people I was running into in the city just kept getting stronger. Vincent Jordic exuded an imposing presence like tempered steel, even while fully ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠armored. The fact that such a powerhouse worked as a gatekeeper spoke volumes about the Magic Tower's might.

Clank.

Crap. He's going to notice me.

The guard turned his head toward me, as if sensing something amiss despite the distance. I quickly looked away and joined the line heading into the tower, moving slowly until it was my turn.

"State your purpose for visiting. Non-Magic Tower mages require a temporary visitor pass, an official access permit, or a clear reason for entry. Otherwise, you will not be admitted."

Let's see. I had the confirmation letter from the guild in my bag.

"Here. This is proof that I accepted a personal request through the Adventurer's Guild. Please verify it."

The guard examined the document with meticulous care before speaking.

"Verification complete. This is your first visit. Please refrain from causing unnecessary disturbances inside the tower, or you may be forcibly removed by force. You may enter."

Every movement was precise, like a blade. I gave a slight nod and walked past him into the Magic Tower.

Thrum—

"Ugh. Is this the barrier I read about?"

I hadn't taken more than a few steps before a heavy, submerged sensation wrapped around my entire body. It was Belmosius's barrier—the one the archmage had poured his lifespan into, encircling the entire tower. I didn't understand how it worked, but it supposedly prevented anyone carrying the aura of an evil god from entering.

Good thing Ceres is a neutral god. At least I made it inside safely.

The interior of the Magic Tower was quiet. Even with people in the first-floor lobby, everyone maintained a restrained atmosphere. There didn't seem to be any need for lines or numbered tickets. I approached an empty desk and addressed the staff member.

"Excuse me. I'm here for a request. Could you tell me where I should go?"

"Y-yes, of course! One moment, please!"

"…?"

Why was he stuttering?

"Ahem. Yes! Please go ahead."

"I came to meet a mage from the Earth School named Heinz."

"May I have your ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠name?"

"Aren. It's Aren."

The staff member fiddled with a wide panel that looked like a magical device.

"Yes. Permission for 4th-rank mage Heinz has been confirmed. Please take the mana elevator on the side and say 'Ripiderium.'"

Hum.

The staff member cast a spell on a square tag hanging from a cord, like an ID badge, and handed it over.

"Place this against the small magic circle in the upper right corner while channeling your mana, and the elevator will stop at the appropriate floor. Do you have any other questions?"

So it's basically an elevator with buttons. Though it looks far more crude than the real thing. Magic really is something.

"Thank you. You're very kind. I'll be going now."

"W-wait! …He's gone. I should've at least asked which inn he's staying at."

I heard muttering behind me but ignored it and stepped into the elevator.

This is where I'm supposed to put it, right?

I channeled mana into the magic circle as instructed. The elevator began rising slowly. Slower than I expected. Nothing like modern ones, of course.

Whirrr. Ding!

I arrived at the 27th floor. There were several doors that looked like research labs, but I soon found the one with Heinz's name on it.

This was it. Heinz's personal laboratory.

Knock, knock.

After knocking, I waited. A familiar voice came from inside.

"It's open. Come in."

Click.

I opened the door to find Heinz, one of the four people I'd fought alongside on the first floor. He wore a neat brown uniform and had his hair neatly trimmed—quite different from his dungeon appearance. He looked every bit the scholar.

"I received the report. You said your name was Aren… hmm?"

"Oh! I was half-doubting it, but you're not just someone with the same name. It's really the Aren from back then. As you know, it's not exactly a rare name."

Heinz smiled warmly.

"The guild only sent basic personal details about the adventurer who accepted the request, so it was a bit ambiguous. This is good. If it's Aren, I can trust you."

"Haha. I was just as surprised when I heard the client was Heinz. The world feels both vast and small at the same time."

"Indeed. It's nice to see a comrade in an unexpected place."

I gladly shook the hand he extended.

"My apologies. I got carried away with joy. Please, have a seat."

I sat down and took in the room that had been hidden behind Heinz. Whether it was because this was the Earth School's floor or simply his personal taste, everything was colored in shades of brown and ochre. One wall was lined with bookshelves packed with thick tomes. Another held shelves displaying flasks filled with soil and various stones.

Clink.

After telling me to sit, he briefly left and returned with a tray of tea and cookies.

"Let's talk over some tea."

Slurp.

The tea is good. Come to think of it, I saw Victor and Leisia's status windows back then, but I never got to see Heinz's. He must be a noble.

While sipping the tea, I glanced at Heinz sideways.

Right. I shouldn't even mention anything related to social status.

"Ah, before we catch up, could I see the item you requested?"

"Of course. Ah, you know the condition of the core, right?"

"The guild passed along the requester's details along with the item's condition, so don't worry. You need a sample for research, so even a broken one should be fine."

Whew. If I hadn't known, I would've come all this way for nothing. I let out a sigh of relief inwardly ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠and took the golem core from my backpack.

"Oho! I'll pay you handsomely, so may I take a look?"

It shouldn't be a problem. I nodded.

"Hmm. Interesting. …Hah, what an advanced structure. Whoa! I've never seen this formula before, and the end is erased!"

Heinz's eyes were glued to the core as if he might fall into it.

"Let's see, if I weave this part like this and add a formula…?"

Crackle.

The broken golem core, its cross-section exposed, suddenly emitted a faint light and began sparking.

"That's enough. Aren, you brought something truly extraordinary."

"You seem even more pleased than I expected. Does that mean you got some results?"

"Hahaha! Of course I did. Normally in negotiations you're not supposed to reveal your hand or emotions first, but I've lost. There's no helping it."

Heinz cleared his throat, belatedly embarrassed, and continued.

"Ahem. I got a bit too excited, unlike myself. Before we discuss compensation, would you mind telling me how you obtained this? We can share some adventure stories while we're at it."

"Well, I don't mind, but it might take a while. Do you have time?"

"Hmm… I don't have any important appointments today anyway. After we talk and settle the payment, we can go watch my magic demonstration while we're at it."

I'm fine with seeing new magic. It might even help me open my eyes to something.

I agreed it was a good idea and began recounting the events of the expedition one by one—while keeping certain ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠things hidden, of course.

"…Someone visited? I didn't mishear just now, did I? There's no one around, so you can speak freely."

—That's right! The man named Aren that Lady Scarlet has been desperately longing for visited the Magic Tower just a moment ago.

Fwoosh!

"Are you sure?! Is it really him? You didn't mistake him for someone similar?"

—Yes. With those mysterious golden eyes, black hair, handsome features, and the characteristics of a low-floor adventurer, it would be stranger not to recognize him.

"Good… Thank you. I'll definitely repay you later."

—Definitely? I'm basically stuck on Lady Scarlet's side now. If the other tower lord candidates find out, I'll be in trouble!

Scarlet smiled softly.

"Even if I'm a hated daughter, I'm still my father's only child, and I have the talent everyone calls a genius along with the support that comes with it. It's obvious, isn't it? You don't seriously think I'll stay locked up forever, do you?"

—Of course not. That's why you secured allies before anyone else, isn't it?

"Hmph. If you understand, stop doubting and help me more diligently. So, where is Aren right now?"

—I asked the desk staff discreetly. He's currently chatting in the personal laboratory of a mage named Heinz from the Earth School.

When the voice from the small communication device fell silent, Scarlet's face twisted as if she'd had an unpleasant thought.

"Heinz? The name sounds androgynous. Don't tell me… it's not a woman, is it?"

—Y-your voice is a bit scary. It's a man. A man. And he's not homosexual either.

"Fine. I should hang up now. I'll contact you again, so rest up."

Click.

Amid the blazing flames, Scarlet whispered.

"Aah. I can't leave even if I die right now—what do I do—?"

Fwoosh—!

Then I'll have to send a substitute.