Chapter 199: Chapter 198: The Towering Black Tower
"Let’s go read at the Great Dome in the Divine Hall of the Deity of Knowledge."
"I’m going too."
"Uh... sure, I guess," Colin said with a nod.
’It feels a bit strange,’ he thought, ’but we went through a life-or-death situation together. It’s not a big deal to let her tag along.’
After they had walked a short distance, Ale asked tentatively, "Can I join your team?"
’Is this really happening?’ Colin thought. ’What a stroke of luck.’ He’d just been wondering how to bring up the topic of her joining them.
"Why do you want to join our team?" The moment the words left his mouth, Colin felt he’d said the wrong thing.
He quickly added, "I don’t mean you’re not welcome. I’m just curious."
"Not welcome?"
Ale quickly dropped the question and answered seriously, "Because you told me about Silent last time. I’ve already used Magic to ask my mother, and she thinks it could be a clue. That’s why I feel joining your team would be a good choice."
Colin swallowed. "Then this Ora Kaim business... is it serious?"
"To be honest, I don’t know," Ale said. "That’s why I decided to start my investigation with you."
Colin replied, "That’s fine, but we’ll have to run it by Kase when he gets back. We can finalize the loot distribution system then. For now, we already owe you one free mission."
To be honest, after witnessing the reanimation of the Skeletons from the Ancient Empire, Colin had been quite concerned about this Ora Kaim business. Having a trustworthy Elf expert around would be a good thing.
’If something really does happen, it’ll be easier to investigate.’
"That would be perfect," Ale said.
Her expression didn’t change, but Colin could still sense that she seemed to have breathed a sigh of relief.
In any case, having another person on the team was definitely a good thing.
-----------------
「The next day.」
Colin woke up, yawned, and walked to the washroom to get ready for the day.
After selling their loot yesterday, he and Ale had spent the entire day holed up in the Great Dome. Aside from meals, they spent nearly all their time reading and organizing notes.
Ale spent most of her time reading history books, trying to find any trace of Ora Kaim. Whenever she had a spare moment, however, she would also help Colin copy his notes.
’Her efficiency is way higher than Orelia’s, I have to admit.’
At the very least, the stack of paper they’d used yesterday was much thicker than his previous efforts.
’Speaking of which,’ Colin thought, ’today’s the day I’m supposed to go to the Black Tower and see about those classes.’
After finishing up, he grabbed his Spellbook and weapon and headed downstairs.
Just as he reached the second floor, Ale’s door creaked open.
"What are you doing today?"
"I’m going to the Black Tower to sort out my classes. It seems like it’s something only I can do," Colin said.
"Oh, okay." Ale nodded and shut her door.
’Is she going to follow me everywhere now?’ Colin grumbled to himself.
He left the apartment, bought a wrap at the docks, and started walking toward the conspicuous Black Tower, eating as he went.
He followed the stone-paved avenue.
The closer he got to the Black Tower, the more robed Mages he saw. Most wore sky-blue robes, with a few in Black Robes.
They all walked at a leisurely pace; only a few seemed to be in a rush.
If the city hadn’t banned the casual use of Teleportation Magic, Colin figured he wouldn’t see any of these Mages on the streets.
He passed through a few more streets.
Colin arrived at the base of the Black Tower.
A high wall separated the tower from the surrounding area.
There were a few coffee shops here. He could see several robed Mages leisurely sipping their coffee, a couple of whom were holding a newspaper called the *Thousand Masts City Big Mouth*.
Colin walked a full circle around the Black Tower but saw no sign of a gate or entrance.
’I’ll probably have to wait for my contact to show up before I can get in...’
’On that note, Sela and those students who gave me food during the Yule Festival must take classes here too. I wonder how they get in every day.’
As he pondered this, Colin stood outside the wall, gazing up at the Black Tower.
The sun shone on the Black Tower from behind him, but there was no reflection on its surface. All light seemed to be devoured by the towering structure. The tower’s windows were also pure black, making it impossible to see inside.
Several Magic Runes floated in mid-air, slowly revolving around the Black Tower.
Now, Colin could actually see the fluctuations of the Magic Net around the Magic Runes. It was clear they were imbued with some kind of powerful Magic.
Colin looked back at the clock tower in the distance.
It was almost nine o’clock. Just as he was thinking this and about to take a step, a familiar-sounding voice came from behind him.
"Colin? Is that right?"
"That’s me."
Colin replied, turning around.
A middle-aged man in a gray robe stood behind him. He had a handlebar mustache and short hair... ’Isn’t that the lieutenant I met during my interview?’
’So that’s what Edwin was talking about the other day.’
"Long time no see, Lieutenant."
The man cleared his throat a couple of times. "Don’t call me Lieutenant anymore. I’m Morel the Grey Staff. You can just call me Morel."
"Alright, Morel."
"And don’t give me that look, kid," Morel said, then asked tentatively, "I know our first meeting wasn’t very pleasant. I’d like to apologize."
Colin had been fine until he brought it up. Now he felt a fresh wave of annoyance.
He crossed his arms. "I was angry because you insulted my friend for no reason."
"Then I apologize again. I’ve never been good at dealing with people." Morel waved his hand dismissively. "Have you had breakfast? We could go grab a bite first."
"I’ve eaten."
"Then come with me. Let’s take a look at the lecture halls, teaching materials, and all that." Morel’s expression grew even more awkward. With that, he turned and started walking toward the Black Tower.
DANG! DANG! DANG!
Just then, the tolling of bells echoed from the distant clock tower.
The Mages nearby, who had been leisurely drinking coffee or strolling about, all started to converge, walking toward the smooth, gateless wall.
Colin had intended to follow the flow of people to see where the gate was.
However, everyone simply walked straight toward the Black Tower without changing direction. Morel, who was in front of him, was already about to walk right into the wall.
’Must be some kind of automatic Teleportation Magic,’ Colin thought.
’I wonder what it’s like inside the Black Tower. I bet the inside is much larger than the outside, just like the Divine Hall of the Deity of Knowledge. And the Mages inside are probably...’
Wait.
Colin’s gaze suddenly snapped into focus, as if he’d just woken from a daze.
A wave of dizziness washed over him.
But curiosity quickly overpowered the dizziness, and Colin couldn’t help but look around.
He was standing on a marble floor. Before him stood a giant, five-meter-tall steel statue of a knight in full Plate Armor, holding a Great Sword.
"Not bad, right?"
Morel’s voice reached his ears.
