Chapter 37: Rostia Magic Tower (3)

The air was different.

It was the perfect way to describe the fourth floor we had finally reached.

The concentration of mana in the air had grown significantly denser.

So dense that anyone with even the slightest sensitivity to mana would have no trouble noticing it.

“Hoho, I can tell just by looking at your faces.”

The gatekeeper glanced at both me and Avelin and said with a pleased smile.

“Up to the third floor, things may have seemed a bit ordinary. But starting from the fourth, I dare say it’s a truly great space.”

“Is it really that different?” I asked.

“Yes. As I mentioned, from the fourth floor onward, it’s not for average members. Only recognized talents and outstanding magicians are permitted to stay here. And it’s a place designed to allow them to focus entirely on researching and honing their magic, without any interruptions. Even at this very moment, there may be research happening that could rewrite the very order of the world.”

The gatekeeper’s tone was filled with pride as he spoke.

“In fact, it’s highly unusual for outsiders to be allowed onto the fourth floor of the tower. It’s one of the most important and secretive areas of the entire structure. A single mistake could lead to the leakage of crucial magical knowledge.”

“That does make sense. Usually, when someone wants to meet with those from the upper floors, an appointment must be arranged in advance, and those individuals would come down to meet them. The fact that you’re taking us up here means this is quite the exceptional treatment.”

“It’s because you gave me your word. That you’d just take a brief look around. And besides...”

The gatekeeper’s expression darkened slightly.

“Didn’t you just have a conversation about preparing your sword?”

“Ah, you heard that? I apologize if we caused any concern.”

“No, it’s fine. After all, that’s precisely why I brought you two here in the first place. But please, I ask that you act with caution.”

The gatekeeper gave a small bow.

“If anything happens to stir trouble, someone like me—just a humble gatekeeper—won’t have the authority to protect you. And it could even impact your relationship with the Order.”

“Of course. I understand completely. I promise—I won’t draw my sword unless I’m absolutely sure.”

“Hoho, I know neither of you are the type to act rashly. But still, I appreciate the promise...”

“Gatekeeper.”

A new voice cut in—one filled with quiet authority.

A wary tone aimed directly at us.

“Are those the guests? The ones from outside?”

“Yes, Ixion-nim,” the gatekeeper replied, bowing deeply.

Ixion.

One of only five high-ranking mages in the entire Rostia Magic Tower.

“I heard the lower floors were noisy because of some visitors. But this is unexpected. For you to bring guests all the way to the fourth floor must mean they hold considerable value. However...”

Ixion narrowed his eyes at us, casting sharp, assessing glances.

Then he scoffed lightly through his nose.

“Hmph. I don’t see it. I can’t tell whether these two are worth such consideration.”

“These two are Kayron and Avelin. They come from the Order, and I vouch for their value.”

“Hoh? You’re vouching for them? Just who are they that you would go that far?”

“I can’t disclose the full reason yet. But I assure you, bringing them to the upper floor is for a very important purpose. And if it turns out they’re not worthy, we’ll send them back immediately.”

“Very well. Since you say so, I’ll let it go—for now. But if those two bring disorder or confusion to the upper floors, you’ll find it hard to escape responsibility.”

“Of course, Ixion-nim. You don’t need to worry.”

“Hmph…!”

With a flick of his head, Ixion turned and walked away.

He had risen to great heights at a young age, and with that came an arrogance that made him a bit insufferable.

In my past life, when the Order had once requested aid, he was the first magician to enthusiastically reject us.

Of course, that was in my previous life—and hasn’t happened in this one. Not yet.

“Kayron? What’s wrong? You’ve got your fists clenched. Is that magician a demon or something?”

“No. It’s not him. It’s… just a personal issue.”

“A personal issue? You know him?”

“…Let’s just say I know him a little.”

Thinking of him as one of the people responsible for the Order’s downfall made my blood boil.

But one thing was clear.

The fourth floor… this place was steeped in a thick demonic energy.

So thick it lingered in the very air, like it had been here for a long, long time.

After Ixion had left, I lowered my voice and turned to the gatekeeper.

“Gatekeeper.”

“Yes, Kayron-nim. What is it?”

“That way…”

I pointed with my finger in a specific direction.

As if following a scent, it was the direction where the demonic energy seemed to thicken, little by little.

“It’s coming from right over there.”

“Eh? How could that be? That area is where the promising apprentices reside.”

“Promising apprentices…!”

A demon hiding among the recognized talents?

It sounded entirely plausible.

Commander Balthazar was a human who had made a pact with a demon, but in the past, people like Razen and Sophia had blended into the Order from more subtle, less noticeable positions.

Being somewhat in the spotlight—but not too much—was the perfect cover for concealing one’s true identity while operating under the radar.

“Let’s go.”

“Yes, if a demon is over there, we should go. But please be cautious. Not many people here at the Tower, including Ixion-nim, will be happy to see visitors like yourselves wandering freely.”

“I’ve already taken that into account. But I can’t just sit back and let a demon carry out its dark schemes while hiding here for who knows how long.”

Avelin and I followed the gatekeeper carefully, each step taken with measured caution.

Several members of the Magic Tower passed us along the way, casting suspicious and uneasy glances, but the gatekeeper skillfully smoothed over the mood each time with calm excuses.

And the closer we got—the thicker the demonic energy became.

But then…

“Ah, as much as I understand the urgency, this area is… problematic,” the gatekeeper said, clearly troubled.

“What do you mean? You brought us all the way to the upper floors—why not here?”

“It’s not that you absolutely can’t go… it’s just complicated. This area is…”

His face turned pale.

“It’s where the female apprentices stay. By principle, men aren’t allowed to enter. Even the Tower’s master, the Archmage, has agreed not to set foot here without permission.”

“Ah…”

Of all places, it had to be one with such a troublesome rule.

A restricted zone—even the Archmage avoided it.

And with even the gatekeeper hesitating like this, there was no way an outsider like me, or even Avelin, could barge in.

“This is unfortunate. I can go in since I’m a woman, but if you, Kayron, can’t come in, it’s meaningless.”

“That’s the problem. The energy is coming directly from inside…”

“I’m sorry, but it truly can’t be helped. This rule has existed since the Tower was first founded.”

If I managed to reveal a demon inside, I could argue that my entry wasn’t improper—but that would only be justifiable after the fact.

And I hadn’t come here to tarnish the Order’s image. So… I had to let it go.

Besides…

I turned my head away from the female apprentices’ quarters and looked elsewhere.

Because I could faintly sense the demonic presence from another direction too.

It seemed the Tower didn’t harbor just one demon.

“Rather than focusing on a problem we can’t solve right now, let’s deal with another one. Truth is, I’m sensing demonic energy from one other place.”

“You mean… there are two demons in our Tower?”

“It’s hard to say for sure. I can feel it from both directions, yes, but…”

I hadn’t been sensing demonic energy for very long yet.

I wasn’t confident in my instincts enough to say anything for certain.

But there was one thing that struck me as strange—the energy coming from both directions felt eerily similar.

“Ugh… My head’s starting to hurt. Where’s the other direction? I’ll guide you.”

The gatekeeper’s face had turned even darker, but he still moved forward with determined steps. He couldn’t accept the idea of a demon existing within the very Tower he belonged to.

The direction we headed?

The fifth floor.

Since we had agreed not to cause a stir among the upper-floor residents, Avelin and I chose not to linger on the fourth floor and immediately moved on.

But the more steps we took… the more severe things felt.

“What’s wrong, Kayron?”

“…It’s bad. I’ve only felt an energy this thick once before.”

“When was that…?”

“Just once.”

That one time was when I met Commander Balthazar.

A chilling sense of dread crept over me—what if the demon here was as powerful as he was?

But even so…

“Get your sword ready, Avelin. This might not be an easy fight.”

Still—I had no choice but to move forward.

-- The End OF The Chapter --

 

[TL: Join Patreon to support the translation and to read up to 10 chapters ahead of the release: https://www.patreon.com/taylor007 

 

Join our Discord server for regular updates and have fun with other community members: https://discord.com/invite/SqWtJpPtm9 ]