Chapter 246: Gionis (1)
Despite Gionis’s shocking statement, the meeting concluded surprisingly quickly.
It was as if the person in charge of the position had already been decided; the other elders didn’t strongly object.
Having been granted full access to all Blaiver Tower facilities, Mauser, who had quickly exited the conference room, grumbled distastefully.
“He’s a rare proper sort among the youngsters these days. Far more reasonable a conversation than I expected.”
“Gionis Verbane. One of the Tower Master’s direct disciples residing in the Blaiver Tower Central Branch. He’s a supernova who reached the Archmage realm before turning seventy.”
Evelyn, having clearly done a good amount of research on the Blaiver Tower before coming here, didn’t hesitate to share information with Mauser.
“Good heavens, so he’s one of the few Level 7 wizards even among the elders?”
“With the tower’s strongest wizards called to the front lines due to conflicts near the Blaiver Tower Central Branch, they say he’s now the most skilled person within the tower. It’s understandable why there was no opposition from others.”
“Hmm, he’s certainly a bit different from the stuffy wizards I’ve seen so far. At this level, wouldn’t you say the Blaiver Tower has done its duty?”
“…Not necessarily.”
Evelyn said in a hushed voice.
“Three days won’t be nearly enough time to look through this entire massive magic tower.”
This colossal Blaiver Tower, situated in the middle of a lava lake, is easily the size of six or more multi-story buildings combined. Even excluding those who simply reside here to research and study magic as an academic discipline, centuries of archived ancient texts, data, and all sorts of equipment, artifacts, and research papers are piled up, occupying an enormous space.
“Moreover, that man, Gionis, didn’t say a single word about providing us with a proper guide.”
“It’s a measure clearly intended to manage external perceptions.”
Lennok said.
“Regardless, as long as they can show that the tower’s internal facilities have been fully opened to the delegations from both cities, they can restore the prestige of the tower operating normally.”
However, such active cooperation significantly reduced the possibility that the tower had succumbed to or been defeated by Pandemonium.
Contrary to Evelyn’s concerns, perhaps the Blaiver Tower had merely suffered significant damage in its conflict with Pandemonium?
Instead of immediately concluding, Lennok quietly closed his eyes and began to feel the flow of mana around him.
Even if he couldn’t immediately find traces of Pandemonium, Lennok had countless things he could do.
Now that Gionis had personally issued a facility permit for the tower.
He wouldn’t be a wizard if he couldn’t exploit this opportunity to its fullest.
First, as Evelyn suggested, the group decided to split up and focus on gathering information from locations they deemed important.
It would be highly inefficient for everyone to stick together to inspect this vast tower.
Considering that, it was wise to immediately divide the personnel, designate sections, and conduct intensive, comprehensive surveys there.
Mauser seemed to intend to move separately, if only to inquire about the whereabouts of his companions.
Among the places Lennok chose were the ancient document archives in the tower’s basement and the practical training grounds where the dojo was located.
It was a spacious area designed so that the tower’s wizards could consistently train without having to leave the tower.
“Many wizards have visited our tower over the years, but it’s been a long time since we’ve hosted a spellcaster who practices ice magic.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes. As it’s an opposing attribute in many ways, there are various inconveniences, from the journey here to staying in the tower. For example…”
The guide managing the training area naturally extended an arm towards the garden visible through the corridor window.
A massive lizard, easily over a meter long, flicked its tongue behind the glass.
Green flames shimmered and danced on the lizard’s back. It was clearly not an ordinary creature.
“That’s a salamander. It’s a magical beast that inhabits volcanic regions, characterized by its love for fire and aversion to cold. Usually, when they encounter spellcasters who practice ice magic, they become violent…”
The guide’s words stopped abruptly as he spoke.
The lizard, which had been staring intently at Lennok, suddenly pressed its head against the glass and began rubbing its cheek frantically.
Rub-rub-rub-rub.
“…”
A welcome as if encountering a long-lost hometown friend.
Both wizards were speechless at the lizard’s fervent display of affection.
“Ha, haha… It seems the wizard is very much to its liking. It’s not usually this friendly with just anyone.”
“Are you raising creatures like this in the training area?”
Lennok naturally diverted the topic with his question.
In fact, Lennok’s proficiency in thermal magic was likely much higher than his ice magic, so it was somewhat natural. There was no reason to reveal suspicion in a place like this.
“Ah, yes. The 3rd building, where the training area is located, is robustly built, equipped with various tools and creatures to gauge the wizards’ skill levels. Would you like to take a look around?”
According to the guide, there were so many fascinating objects inside the 3rd building that it was often showcased when presenting the tower’s scenery to outsiders.
Knots that varied in strength according to mana concentration, puzzles used to test mana manipulation abilities, paper that changed color according to mana sensitivity, and so on.
Various artifacts purely designed to stimulate practitioners’ challenging spirit and enhance their desire for self-improvement.
“The most representative item, for instance, is this one.”
The guide took out a transparent crystal from an antique display case and offered it to Lennok.
“If you hold it and infuse it with mana, it quantifies and displays the instantaneous output of mana.”
“I see.”
“Would you like to try it?”
Lennok instinctively reached out his hand, then suddenly came to his senses and shook his head.
“N-no, thank you.”
An inexplicable, strong sense of déjà vu stopped Lennok. He felt as if the moment he grasped that crystal, it would shatter.
Lennok, who had avoided a somehow familiar scenario with incredible intuition, gestured for the guide to go first, then subtly picked up an item from a shelf.
A mana sensitivity testing paper that changed color based on sensitivity. The higher the sensitivity, the more vibrant the colors that appeared.
Fortunately, it was a consumable, so one going missing probably wouldn’t be noticed.
He lightly held the paper and infused it with mana. Various colors instantly rose onto the paper, then began to frantically cover the entire sheet. Lennok silently gazed down at the paper, which had turned completely black from overlapping colors, and then subtly slipped it into his coat pocket.
Belatedly, the guide realized Lennok wasn’t following and turned his head.
“Is something wrong?”
“…Nothing at all.”
After that, Lennok continued to tour the 3rd building of the Blaiver Tower with the guide.
“This is a beacon that smooths the mana flow of thermal wizards…”
Fwoosh!
“Pressure glass that can withstand a certain degree of mana pressure…”
Smash!
“Pollen that can be sensitively felt depending on one’s mana sensitivity…”
“Cough!”
“…”
“…”
The wizard’s brows furrowed.
Lennok also coughed awkwardly, subtly averting his gaze.
Perhaps because it was a facility where magical knowledge and talent converged, Lennok’s unusual talent affected everything around him just by him passing by.
It would be troublesome to arouse suspicion here.
However, the guide’s expression soon softened, and he smiled brightly.
“Indeed, the world is vast, and skilled individuals are many. With such abilities, it’s only natural that you would come to inspect our tower directly.”
“…”
Well, he had somewhat expected it, but it was excessively naive. Should he call it ignorance of the world?
Though a subtle sense of superiority towards those ignorant of magic seemed to be ingrained, even considering that, he lacked the courage or cunning to be involved with a criminal organization.
At least among the wizards Lennok had confirmed in this vicinity, there were none who appeared to be in collusion with Pandemonium.
…Should he probe a little further?
Lennok feigned a cough and subtly began to prod.
“It seems you’re also interested in the world outside the tower.”
“Well… yes. Who wouldn’t be? Working in the tower, you really feel how long the days are. It’s been over 10 years since I entered the tower, so the outside scenery is now a blur to me.”
It was natural for those who, with innate magical talent, had come to this remote volcanic region by their own will, to occasionally have other thoughts.
Lennok casually acknowledged his words and began to tell him briefly about life in Vulcan.
The wizards were initially indifferent, but it was hard for them not to be interested in the bloody, brutal stories from the back alleys.
“Oh, my…”
“Hmph, to think such lawless scoundrels are running rampant. This truly won’t do.”
“It’s laughable that ignorant people who learned magic by peeking over shoulders are posing as wizards in the shadow of a megacity.”
By subtly praising the tower’s wizards and disparaging freelancers like Lennok, the atmosphere quickly became cordial.
Even if the tower’s wizards maintained a humble attitude on the surface, they fundamentally harbored a subtle disdain for mana users who hadn’t received proper training.
Lennok’s calm demeanor made the flattery that wizards of their level could easily secure a position in Vulcan right now feel even more realistic.
It was clearly a glib compliment, but precisely for that reason, it was all the more effective.
A boisterous atmosphere spread instantly.
The wizards who had gathered were now chattering among themselves, relaying various facts they had heard about city life.
Having successfully gathered the nearby wizards in an instant, Lennok naturally shifted the topic once the mood had ripened appropriately.
“Well, I suppose Lord Gionis would know these stories better than I. I’m just a wizard who scraped by in the city’s back alleys, but he, as the Tower Master’s direct disciple, must have traveled to many places.”
“Ah, that person…”
The wizards’ expressions turned slightly awkward at the mention of his name, but it wasn’t enough to spoil the lively mood they had already settled into.
Naturally, words about Gionis began to flow from the wizards’ perspective.
“His reputation is so good that they say he might soon become one of the Five-Pronged Flame Pillars. Not only is he the Tower Master’s direct disciple and never neglects his training, but he’s also very kind to other wizards.”
“Moreover, he’s the one who actively moved to deal with the ominous atmosphere caused by the recent increase in disappearances, instead of those old elders of the Senate…”
“Hey! My friend, watch your tongue!!”
It didn’t take long for a few young wizards, eagerly talking to join the conversation, to make a slip of the tongue.
But instead of dwelling on the mistake, Lennok casually turned his head and raised his mana again.
“The conversation has gone on too long. So, could I perhaps tour more of the Blaiver Tower’s proud facilities?”
Lennok smiled faintly at the wizards with their slightly awkward expressions.
“If there are no particular interferences, I’d like to witness the full power of the unique thermal magic today.”
Just as Lennok subtly initiated the conversation, aiming to naturally learn thermal magic from the wizards in the training area.
“If that’s what you wish, I shall be your opponent directly.”
A cold voice suddenly came from behind.
“…”
An icy, chilling voice. But the complete absence of hostility in its tone made the timbre even more memorable.
A tall man with shaggy hair and a monocle on his left eye stared intently this way.
Even in this hot place, wearing a thick reddish-brown coat, he strode casually over and looked down at the two.
An expression so transparent it seemed no blood could be drawn. His emotionless demeanor was largely unchanged from the voice Lennok had heard on his first day at the tower.
It wasn’t difficult to recognize who the opponent was.
The tower’s wizards bowed their heads in a rush, their faces clearly agitated.
“Lord Gionis…!”
“What brings you to the 3rd building…?”
“I heard that one of our guests is actively touring our tower.”
Indifferent eyes glinted from behind the monocle.
“It’s only natural for me to be interested in a wizard who personally broke through the Ignition Welcome Formation outside the tower.”
“…”
“Furthermore, if it’s an ice-type wizard, who normally has no reason to visit a volcanic region… Wouldn’t it be natural for my curiosity to be piqued?”
“Very well.”
Lennok also nodded without hesitation.
“If I can directly test my skills against a wizard who has completed their Archmage state, that alone would be valuable enough.”
Gionis Verbane. A direct disciple of the Tower Master, who had just reached the Archmage state and was dispatched to the Western Continent branch as a candidate for the tower’s Flame Pillar. Or so they said.
The tower’s wizards seemed to accept his presence to some extent, but to Lennok, there were more than one or two suspicious points.
What did it mean that he was the first to show his face like this, unlike the elders who were nowhere to be seen?
Lennok felt he might be able to infer traces of it from his magic.