Chapter 597: The Tower in the Frozen Lake
Third Person’s POV
As a result, the prestige of the Crystal Formation batch had reached an almost mythical level.
Every member was known, every member was respected, and every member was feared.
Rarely did new challengers appear.
Most students who secured a position within the elite batch managed to retain it until graduation, which happened after a duration of three years.
Therefore, the appearance of an unknown individual wearing the purple badge immediately created a massive uproar.
Whispers began spreading throughout the academy.
Students quietly exchanged looks and discussed Ethan’s identity among themselves.
Yet despite their curiosity, nobody dared approach him directly.
The prestige carried by that purple badge was deeply engraved in their minds.
However, the reactions of many female students differed greatly from those of the males.
While the boys focused on his status and strength, many girls found themselves captivated by his appearance.
Several stared openly, while others whispered excitedly among themselves.
Some even blushed as they were accustomed to seeing arrogant young masters from noble families strutting around the academy while shamelessly pursuing women.
Compared to them, Ethan’s calm demeanor and complete indifference to them made him appear infinitely more attractive.
His mysterious aura only amplified their fascination.
Despite receiving attention from every direction, Ethan’s expression never changed.
He did not wave or smile towards them in any show of acknowledgment.
He did not even glance toward the students observing him.
He simply walked forward beside Elis, who was known throughout the academy as the famous Vine Lady.
The moment Ethan disappeared from sight, numerous students immediately took out communication crystals.
Many boys and even several girls hurriedly transmitted messages to their friends, families, clans, and factions as the appearance of a completely unknown Crystal Formation student was simply too important to ignore.
Meanwhile, Ethan followed Elis through multiple pathways, courtyards, and corridors.
The academy grounds were vast, and students trained everywhere.
The sounds of sparring, spellcasting, and discussions occasionally drifted through the air.
Eventually, the two arrived at a large stone square.
The moment Ethan stepped into it, his attention was immediately drawn toward a single individual.
Standing in the center of the square was a tall and broad-shouldered man.
His face was expressionless, and his features were rough and weathered.
He stood completely still, resembling a stone statue rather than a living person.
At first glance, he appeared ordinary, as no aura or any magical presence could be felt from his body.
Yet the moment Ethan’s eyes landed on him, his instincts screamed a warning that this person was dangerous.
A terrifying sensation washed over him.
He could almost smell blood.
Of course, it was not real blood, but the lingering aura of countless battles, countless deaths, and countless lives extinguished by this man’s hands.
It was an invisible presence that ordinary people would never notice.
However, Ethan’s devilish soul that existed somewhere between the realm of the living and the realm of dead souls did.
Because of that unique nature, he could sense things that most mages could not.
And what he sensed from this man was enough to make even him become serious.
The tall and bulky man met Ethan’s gaze with the same indifferent expression that had been present on his face from the beginning.
His eyes calmly swept over Ethan from head to toe, but no visible reaction appeared on his stone-like face.
Apart from Ethan’s unusual appearance, long violet hair, and striking crimson eyes, he sensed nothing particularly extraordinary about him.
Naturally, the reason behind that was Ethan’s careful concealment.
Long ago, Nyx had taught him a secret art specifically designed to suppress and disguise his true strength.
Not only did it conceal fluctuations of mana, but it also hid the physical strength of his body refinement path, making him appear like an ordinary mage unless he actively revealed his capabilities.
As a result, the broad-shouldered man merely regarded him as an unusual-looking student who had somehow secured a position in the Crystal Formation batch through his background and connections and nothing more.
Maintaining that same emotionless expression, the man turned toward Elis and spoke in a calm voice.
"Miss Elis, you may leave now. As the Initiator Deacon, it is my responsibility to conduct his initiation ceremony from this point onward."
Elis nodded lightly, and outwardly, she showed no reaction.
However, before leaving, her voice suddenly sounded inside Ethan’s mind through a sound transmission.
"Be careful of this man. He is very dangerous and is known to be one of Headmaster Dominic’s most loyal followers.
According to Her Highness’s suggestions, you should try to establish a good relationship with him if possible."
Ethan listened silently without changing his expression.
As for whether he intended to follow Shixea’s plans or not, that was another matter entirely.
On the outside, Elis simply gave a polite nod before leaving the square without another word.
The Initiator Deacon waited until she had disappeared from sight before turning around.
Then he uttered only two words.
"Follow me."
Without hesitation, Ethan followed behind him.
The two walked through a series of stone hallways and long, shadowy corridors that seemed almost deserted.
The further they went, the quieter their surroundings became.
Eventually, after passing through several connected passages, Ethan suddenly found his vision opening up.
Before him stood a massive cylindrical blue tower situated in the center of a small frozen lake.
The sight was unexpectedly beautiful.
A narrow bridge stretched across the frozen surface of the lake, connecting the shore to the tower.
The structure itself appeared ancient and majestic.
Countless carvings decorated its walls, depicting moons, stars, magical runes, and scenes Ethan could not immediately identify.
Tall, dark windows lined the curved surface of the tower, giving it a mysterious and archaic appearance.
Snowflakes drifted gently from the sky, and the frozen lake reflected the pale light of the blurry sun.
Not a single person could be seen nearby.
After spending so much time walking through narrow corridors and enclosed pathways, suddenly emerging before such a peaceful scene made even Ethan pause momentarily.
