Leaving the Tower: Mantra Mine
Mage Tower. The one social venue for mages, the Buoyant Garden. Skilled mages exchanged pleasantries.
"Have you all filled out your applications?"
A thirst for exploring the unknown. For the mages of the Mage Tower, the world outside was an object of curiosity. They'd ignored it until now because even the possibility of leaving the tower had seemed remote.
"Ah! I mean the leaving-the-tower applications, of course."
Leaving the tower was now possible. It finally made sense why the senior mages had been absent so often lately. They must have been holding meetings about it.
Answers poured in response to the question.
"Of course I did. The problem was picking a date..."
"How about we share our dates just among ourselves?"
"...Is that okay?"
"What's the harm? At least we won't overlap!"
"True. We have to, right? To boost our chances even a little?"
But filling out the application wasn't straightforward from the start. Stating a reason for leaving was easy enough—they'd written plenty of those inside the tower. The issue was the date.
"They said any application not matching the handler's schedule gets rejected outright."
That was right. Leaving-the-tower dates had to align with the handler's availability. The problem? The handler hadn't announced their schedule.
"It's not like we're guessing on a test."
As they eyed each other's applications, someone let out a sigh.
"...Honestly, I'm starting to wonder if I even need to go."
"Because of the handler, right?"
"Everyone thinks the same. Don't they?"
And who was this handler for leaving the tower? None other than Joint Chief Mage Lee Hoyeol.
Realizing her slip, the skilled mage hurriedly added, "Of course, I think he's amazing. How many mages do you suppose filled out these applications? Just reviewing them must be an enormous task. But... even so, entering a rift alone with Chief Lee Hoyeol..."
It was an incredibly daunting prospect. They all knew his reputation from the rumors.
Soon, eyes turned to Cley Odia.
"Right, Cley has experience, doesn't she?"
"...Me? Experience?"
"Why so surprised? You had a one-on-one talk with Chief Lee Hoyeol during the pre-academy review. I heard mages were running out of the Topaz Hall in tears—not just one or two. What was it like for you?"
...What was it like? Swirl, swirl—Cley stirred her teacup with a teaspoon. Then, with effort, she spoke.
"...I was fine."
"What?!!"
"Well, better than I expected!"
Cley vowed to herself. Even if other skilled mages shunned Lee Hoyeol and trembled at his name!
She, at least, couldn't show that attitude. She hadn't forgotten what he'd said.
"A rather intriguing approach."
"No leaps or issues in the logic or process, so results are all that's needed."
"Pursue your research with confidence."
He was the one who'd recognized the potential in her research on elixir herb cultivation. Cley's vague response drew nods from the skilled mages. They exchanged meaningful glances.
"Ah, so that's why..."
They pointed to the date on Cley's application.
"You picked such a tight deadline, Cley?"
"Huh? I just thought better to strike while the iron's hot..."
"Figures—Cley's face matters more than her personality, huh?"
"...What? What the hell does that mean?!"
"Ow! Cley, that's a side pinch?!"
Cley reacted intensely whether happy or sad, making her fun to tease. For that fun alone, they hoped her application went through.
"Even so, the seniors' departures must take priority over ours, right?"
That wasn't just what the skilled mages thought. Even the seniors quietly assumed the same.
Senior flame mage Bensy William.
"Perfect. No overlaps with other seniors' schedules."
Bensy recalled the leaving-the-tower application he'd submitted. Simple purpose. Tightest possible date. His real goal was something else.
"How the hell did he subdue that monster, the Fire Dragon?"
What Bensy wanted to know was what had happened inside the rift. Even with Senior Senios's sacrifice, ice and flame magic were polar opposites.
Chief Lee Hoyeol must have done something there too.
Bensy wanted to hear the story from Lee Hoyeol himself. Awkward going into a rift alone with him? After teaming up with Matis Din Karl, what was there to fear?
"...Of course, I'm a bit worried."
Memories of traveling with Matis surfaced. He hadn't said a word...
But to hear the full story, he'd endure. Of course, Bensy's worries were unfounded.
Application REJECTED
Letters appeared on the parchment out of nowhere. Bensy's eyes widened as he checked it.
"...R-Rejected? Me?!"
His submitted leaving-the-tower application had been returned.
At the same time, Bellie Yusia was once again impressed.
"Senior Mage Bellie! My leaving-the-tower application got approved!"
Cley had submitted on the same day as Bensy William—yet hers passed while his didn't. Bellie recalled Marcelo's words.
"...Chief Lee Hoyeol also added that the applicant's rank won't factor into his decisions."
Who knew he meant it? Well, even Elder Mage Senios had formally requested and received permission from Chief Lee Hoyeol.
Bellie smiled faintly.
"Perfect timing, Cley."
That said... now seniors, skilled mages, and apprentices alike would compete even more fiercely for departures.
In that light, she needed to prepare early too. Bellie subtly continued.
"To pass those strict criteria, how did you... Wait, Cley. Mind sharing just with me how you filled out your application?"
*
The weight of being chief was sinking in. What kind of job had so damn much work? But I couldn't complain.
It's all self-inflicted from my loose lips.
All departures would align with my schedule. To take responsibility for my words.
I handled the increased chief duties. Of course, I hadn't blabbered pointlessly. Everything had a give and take.
I recalled the update details.
Recommended level as high as 550.
New rifts updated alongside Muon. Their recommended levels rivaled [Predator's Swamp].
Thinking back on [Predator's Swamp]...
If not for those three guilds at the end...
I wouldn't have just sprouted the World Tree seed—I might've been trampled by monsters. At merely level 377.
Soloing a 550 rift without Natural Enemy Relationship is still too much...
The levels were still burdensome. But I wasn't alone anymore.
Right—I had full authority over departures.
Couldn't be more reliable...!
Meaning I could enter rifts with Mage Tower mages. Ever since first entering the tower, hadn't I dreamed of this day?
But dreams and reality had gaps. Greed would have me approve most applications and clear rifts with hordes of mages.
Instead, I followed strict procedures and rejected many.
I set down one particularly half-hearted application.
"Still hasn't learned. Senior Mage Bensy William."
Put "fostering camaraderie" as the purpose, and I'd approve it right up, I would!
Yes, per procedure, only one approval so far.
[Cley Odia]
Purpose: Collecting elixir herbs needed for research. Just like I'd gathered winter sage. Rifts allowed herb gathering.
A perfectly reasonable goal. Plus, I highly rated Cley's "Elixir Herb Cultivation Methods".
Even one skilled mage is a solid ally.
Thinking that way, it even felt fortunate. Imagine if Bensy tagged along.
...No monsters left, probably.
Senior mages who'd cleared a dozen rifts in a flash. I'd indirectly witnessed their power.
Definitely fortunate. Nearly got my scraps incinerated.
This is why people must live fair and square by the rules. Self-praise aside.
The rift entry was tomorrow. I opened a book.
Having witnessed the landscape...
To me, to Grandfell, it meant a new goal.
Of course, as always.
Flip—I pored over magic tomes like routine.
Clink—I brewed and consumed elixir herb tea.
But the meaning behind those actions was different now. At least I knew it myself.
Until now, mere flailing to stay afloat.
Effect: Intelligence rises by 1 point.
Now, it was flailing to move forward.
...
"Whoa. So this is a rift."
Cley pulled her robe hood low and gasped in admiration. She'd been amazed nonstop since earlier. Giant buildings, people in strange clothes—everything was new to her.
But it was too early for that.
The inside is on another level.
A landscape blending reality and the Arcana Continent. Cley flinched visibly upon entering the rift.
"...This is intense."
Skyscrapers mixed with mineshafts. The scene wasn't pristine. Buildings protruded like stalactites in a massive cave.
Even I'd never seen such a bizarre rift... No Natural Enemy Relationship triggered, so demons wanted no part of it either.
Of course, I couldn't show that. I spoke calmly.
"Mantra Mine. Do you know the threats inside?"
"Ah! I've heard the name. Thought it was a normal mine at first, but it's not—that's all I know. Not the threats..."
"Memorize them."
I listed the threats—the monsters in [Mantra Mine - Sector 1]. I'd gleaned it from update details.
Unaware of that, Cley nodded gravely.
"...All tricky threats."
Fair response. Every monster here had the [Ghost] attribute. That's why the mine was abandoned.
Physical attacks barely worked on [Ghost] monsters.
Magic or buffs needed to take them down.
But the mine wasn't worth the effort to mine anyway. Not important—magic handled it fine.
More than that.
I summoned the nymph as planned. I'd memorized the process from contracting her.
Soon, she materialized in midair.
"Per our contract, I answer your call."
...Gasp. I heard a muffled sound of shock. Only Marcelo knew I'd contracted a spirit.
Unexpected for Cley, sure. But that shocked?
The tower has spirit magic, after all.
But that thought proved wrong. Even I flinched inwardly.
...What? The nymph's appearance was even more radiant. Not just looks...
The {Nature} aura she exuded was distinctly stronger.
Impressive—had my pride influenced her? The nymph hid nothing.
She continued politely.
"The World Tree's influence brought some changes to me."
...World Tree! Right, I'd grown it with her power. I'd gotten rewards for sprouting it—natural she'd get some too.
A bit surprised, but I didn't show it.
"A natural change, then."
"As expected, you anticipated it."
No, not until I saw. But I couldn't argue—I was overrated.
I asked the nymph,
"Did you witness my arrangements?"
"Of course. I have much to report on that."
"Very well. We'll start with that story, slowly."
The Goddess Church's movements on the Arcana Continent. I had questions, but procedure first.
I received her report. And flinched.
...That much was happening on the Arcana Continent?
...
Chief Lee Hoyeol contracted a spirit? And summoning works in rifts? He knew all along?
Cley hadn't imagined it. Spirits were visible and contractable only by a tiny fraction of mages.
A adventurer like Chief Lee Hoyeol summoning one was shocking.
"...Gasp!"
But what truly stunned Cley to cover her mouth was different. As a proper Mage Tower skilled mage,
Even a contracted spirit...
She'd seen spirits before. Her healing faction colleagues', and Senior Mage Payan Lot's Fire Drake.
But what was this spirit?
The aura feels different!
Not about size or power. Cley was healing faction—no spirit expertise—but
How to put it... on another plane from any I've seen?
Refined, elegant. Her poise flawless, as if her rank shone through.
Bigger shock than first seeing the Fire Drake. Cley cautiously guessed,
High spirit? Or higher?
Shake, shake—No way higher than high spirits. Payan's Fire Drake was one.
But her guess crumbled soon. From Lee Hoyeol and the nymph's talk.
...W-World Tree?
Arrangements? What...?
And not enough—dwarves too?!
How could they discuss such monumental things with straight faces?
Clearly, both were far grander than she'd thought!