Chapter 73

“People usually think that the Tower of Covenant is something you climb upward.”

Fel said.

“But that’s not true. In terms of feeling, it’s not a tower but rather a flat plain. What separates one floor from another isn’t height, but a terrifying time barrier called the event horizon.”

“Event horizon?”

“Yes… a place where time doesn’t flow. A line that can never be crossed or returned from. If you get close to the event horizon, you can see beings permanently fixed there, caught for eternity. When you have some free time, it might be good to visit and see it.”

Fel glanced at my face and continued.

“Are you surprised? Well… it truly is a bizarre place. The shock would be several times greater if you saw it directly. Ancient beings from who knows when, frozen with expressions as if they might move at any moment… it’s really…”

Yes, I was surprised.

So much so that I wondered if this wasn’t a translation—the term and meaning were completely identical to Earth’s terminology.

Event Horizon. The boundary created by a black hole, the point from which light cannot return.

Even the description was similar, wasn’t it? Earth scientists also calculated that time stops near a black hole. They concluded that watching someone cross beyond a black hole would be impossible to observe fully.

“That’s why we need ‘stairs.’ We call that place ‘Ganda’s Stairs of the 3rd Floor.’ It’s an ancient relic pioneered by a mage named Ganda long ago. Through there, we can safely move to the next floor.”

Where Fel pointed, there stood a massive building piercing through the clouds. A rectangular structure so large and tall it resembled a natural wonder. The exterior walls, seemingly made of mixed rock and metal, looked ancient yet unbreakably solid. The indented and protruding surfaces were as fluid and natural as a cliff with waterfalls cascading down. Occasionally, sparkles like jewels flowed along the walls.

‘This must have been built by gods.’

A magnificent structure that could only lead to such a conclusion. Between its crevices, buildings constructed by later humans parasitized the structure. The lower part of ‘Ganda’s Stairs’ formed a tunnel that narrowed as you went inside, filled chaotically with small buildings. At the upper level, a few large, majestic buildings resembling temples built on enormous cliffs peeked out.

I said stupidly.

“I… I thought that was the Tower of Covenant.”

I’d thought this despite already being inside the Tower of Covenant. That’s how overwhelming the building was.

Fel smiled bitterly.

“That’s understandable. You’re from the wilderness. If you’ve never visited a city before, that place would probably be even more shocking. And well… if your idea of the Tower of Covenant was a place swarming with mages and filled with wondrous artifacts, then that stair region truly is the real Tower of Covenant. It’s where mages gather to live. But… it will likely be very different from what you expected.”

With a somewhat self-deprecating expression, Fel jerked his chin.

“Anyway, Solas Magic School is at the top of that building.”

The top of such a tall building—it seemed sublime and distant.

Monggu, suffering from bruises and muscle pain as aftereffects of training, asked.

“T-the top? Do we w-walk up there?”

Fel burst into laughter.

+ – + – +

A shattered world.

The Tower of Covenant connecting it all.

Humanity’s final bastion.

The home of magic.

Yuria, Monggu, and I had trained fiercely with the resolution to climb to the summit of the Tower of Covenant. But the first sight we encountered at Ganda’s Stairs on the 3rd floor was… completely different from what we’d expected.

“Friends? Why so serious? Want to play together?”

The madman, completely drunk in broad daylight, was remarkably a 3rd Circle mage. Though wearing a soft white shirt with an elegant coat, he had completely removed his lower garments and was dangling his genitals as he approached us.

“Ignore them~ Most aren’t even mages, right? Don’t associate with these beggars. Play with me.”

The woman trying to stop him wasn’t in her right mind either. Contrary to him, she had thrown off her upper garments and appeared with numerous balloons tied to her head.

“Oh? Now that I look, they’re beggars! Not a single pretty one worth playing with? What’s this? Why did you even come here?”

The male mage glared at us as if his excitement had completely died down.

“Look at this. You’ve even upset my thing! You idiots~ Get out of the tower and stay where you belong, hee hee.”

The man tapped his enraged crotch, then embraced the balloon-headed woman while cackling madly, and disappeared somewhere.

The Jack Caravan people showed signs of indignation at his arrogant attitude, but Fel merely shook his head and hurried us along.

I thought this was wise too. There were too many such lunatics to confront each one, and they were all 3rd Circle mages or higher. Accomplished mages had gone mad, drinking, eating, shouting, humping, and causing all sorts of chaos.

I felt dizzy in this pandemonium I’d never imagined.

“Damn… it’s even worse than last time?”

Fel quietly cursed.

“What… is this?”

Yuria’s voice was a mixture of disappointment and anger boiling over.

Fel answered embarrassedly.

“The lower part of Ganda’s Stairs is where newly admitted mages to the Tower of Covenant reside. Perhaps as a reaction to their previous ascetic lives pursuing magic… this place is always filled with madness. Everyone seems desperate to become trash. Even mages who claim to have spent considerable time in the Tower of Covenant come down here under the pretext of socializing to enjoy themselves and relieve stress. Pathetic humans…”

Fel, who spoke in an old-fashioned manner despite being only twenty-five, clearly disliked this place with his serious and aristocratic attitude.

“Let’s go up quickly.”

Fel hastened his steps and guided us to the upper part of the stairs.

The building was so large that I wondered how long it would take to reach the top, but following the main road, we discovered a gate with rippling blue light at its end.

Our altitude increased dramatically each time we crossed a gate.

Whoosh—

A wind that had blown fiercely from the distant horizon still seemed to be clearing away the remaining commotion.

It became more secluded as we ascended.

Clean, orderly streets and splendid buildings came into view, with mages elegantly sipping tea at outdoor tables or chatting while showing off their fancy fashion.

If the lower section was debauchery, the middle section was luxury and leisure.

An uncomfortable feeling tickled my chest.

The fierce life in the wilderness. That was all I knew of the world. But now, seeing the debauchery and leisure of the Tower of Covenant… I felt almost sad.

Suddenly, Fel spoke in a bitter voice.

“There aren’t many mages following the Academy’s spirit anymore. Most are content to live comfortably, pursuing pleasure. It’s as if everyone has forgotten the approaching doom. Ganda, who pioneered this place, was a founding member of the Academy. So this region used to have strong Academy influence… but despite that, it has come to this.”

The Academy was a group of mages with the mission of ending calamities and saving humanity.

The original mage organization and great heroes’ descendants who preserved humanity on this land.

But after continued defeats and frustrations, the original ideals faded, and the mages scattered. Fel sighed that the Academy, once singular and most powerful, had now become just one faction among many.

“But we haven’t given up yet.”

Fel said this while burning with determination.

For some reason, my heart warmed at the sight. The name “Academy” felt like an overwhelming hope.

…That’s how it was.

Until we climbed to the top of Ganda’s Stairs, admired the ancient stone walls of Solas Magic School, passed by mages passionately training in magic, crossed the cloister, exchanged greetings with the school principal in a sunny reception room, and spoke with the young, insufferable mage sitting cross-legged next to the principal.

“Hoho, indeed. So you came from the wilderness? Reaching 3rd Circle on your own is a remarkable talent. Are you thinking of enrolling in the magic school? You’ve come to the right place. For someone like you… second-year admission would be possible.”

The principal spoke with a smile, and four Circles were clearly visible on his chest.

With a smile, he explained that the magic school’s curriculum was divided into first year for 2nd Circle mages and second and third years for 3rd Circle mages.

But I shook my head.

“No. I have no intention of enrolling in the school.”

The principal’s eyebrows twitched.

“Then?”

“I’d like to know what Academy sponsorship entails.”

Hearing my answer, the principal sank into the sofa and laughed heartily.

The young mage beside him, Lytol, who had been indifferent until now, suddenly became serious.

“Sponsorship? Do you think this is some children’s game?”

His age was twenty-two. I learned this when I introduced myself as fourteen years old, and he whistled, saying, “Eight years younger than me at 3rd Circle? And from the wilderness? You must be crazy, wanting to die.”

Lytol was younger than Fel, but four distinct Circles were already visible on his chest. He seemed to be on equal terms with the principal, indicating his considerable rank as a mage.

When I gave no answer and just stared at him, he continued to lash out.

“Kid, let me give you some advice as your senior. You seem arrogant because you reached 3rd Circle at a young age, but you’ll get hurt badly that way. In the Tower of Covenant, 3rd Circle means nothing. Instead of acting cocky with your shabby wilderness magic and getting yourself killed, graduate from school properly first.”

Fel’s expression hardened.

“Mage Lytol. Your words are too harsh.”

But Lytol instead embarrassed Fel.

“Mage Fel. You’re also a problem. I know you’re a somewhat experienced 3rd Circle mage who graduated from magic school… but don’t you understand? This brat is going to die like this.”

He mixed informal and formal speech while belittling Fel.

Finding this unpleasant, I muttered as if to myself, “For a mage, he speaks quite carelessly.”

He’d lose at least some magical power if his judgment proved wrong.

“What? I speak carelessly?”

Hearing my words, Lytol twisted the corner of his lips.

“Fine. Then let me ask you. Brat. Tell me the three conditions that cause mana catastrophe.”

There was no way I could answer. I had never learned such knowledge anywhere.

Lytol asked again with a “just as I thought” expression.

“Then tell me the incantations and magical power operations that maximize each of the six attributes of magic.”

I kept my mouth shut.

Are there six attributes of magic? Fire, wind, ice… is that what he means?

Lytol coldly retorted.

“The six attributes of magic are enhancement, manifestation, visualization, insight, combination, and special attributes. Fire and wind are merely lower attributes belonging to the manifestation category!”

He glared at me.

“You still think you don’t need to enter magic school? Do you believe you can receive Academy sponsorship without even knowing such basic knowledge? Do you take the Academy so lightly? Don’t be delusional. We are warriors fighting on the front lines against calamities. The learning here is more rigorous and intense than any other mage organization. If you’re coming with such a rotten mindset, leave immediately. We don’t need someone like you.”

He suddenly flared up in anger by himself.

The situation felt somehow familiar. When I was young and talked about colors in magical power and such things, Teacher Sena would look at me exactly like that. With contemptuous eyes.

“Aren’t your words too harsh? To a young mage who has come seeking the Academy.”

The principal intervened to stop Lytol, but he coldly shook his head.

“No. I’m doing this for his sake. Even if he’s young, he’s still a mage. He should know his place properly. Look here, kid. Do you know what this is?”

Lytol pulled out a crystal orb about half the size of a fist from his chest. The crystal orb was vibrating with a yellow tinge.

“This is an aggro measuring device. Think of it as similar to the obsidian at crossroads. I’ve measured your aggro, and look at this. It’s bright yellow, right? This means your aggro is even stronger than mine, and I’m past the mid-point of 4th Circle. You’re a bomb right now. No faction would accept such a risk! They’d rather recruit other mages than bear the cost of managing your risk! The Academy is taking you in despite this. You should be on your knees begging to be admitted to the magic school! And yet what? You want sponsorship? Please understand your position.”

Lytol’s words were harsh, but their content seemed accurate, as the principal subtly nodded.

Fel’s face hardened as he observed the situation.

I quietly asked.

“Is my condition that serious?”

Lytol answered immediately.

“Very. Your aggro will increase exponentially from now on. Calamities will find you soon. Nobody wants to work with a ticking time bomb like you. You should focus on resting and lowering your aggro for a few years.”

Hearing it stated so definitively made me realize the gravity of my situation more than when Fel had warned me.

My condition really is dangerous.

I was actually quite taken aback by the sudden barrage of insults, but at least I learned something I didn’t know before.

Nodding, I said.

“Well, I understand for now. But you people… aren’t the highest-ranking ones here, are you?”

“What?”

Lytol’s face contorted.

“I am the principal of this school, you know?”

The principal asked with narrowed eyebrows.

I calmly continued.

“But there must be someone higher, right? A 6th Circle mage. Please call that person. It’s quite frustrating talking to people without real authority.”

“What nonsense are you—”

The principal’s face hardened as he feigned ignorance, but I had clearly seen it on my way here. An old man with white hair sitting on the school roof, observing the sun. There were definitely six Circles vigorously writhing on his chest.

Being unexpectedly insulted was something that happened before I could even run a [Simulation]. But what would happen next, I had already confirmed.

I stood up abruptly.

Opening the window with a clatter, I said

“If you don’t want to, I’ll call him myself.”

“As if someone like you could summon him—”

I casually ignored Lytol’s hostile glare.

I reached my hand out the window and vigorously moved my Circle.