When he heard the word "Magic Tower," he imagined a single large tower standing alone.
And indeed, that was the case. However, according to Vivian, the real Magic Tower was actually behind the massive structure.
"Well, the Magic Tower is more of a symbolic building now. Honestly speaking, it's quite inefficient, don't you think?"
Walking ahead, Vivian continued explaining calmly, as if he was some sort of tour guide.
"If you go behind the Magic Tower, there's actually a lot more to see than you might expect. Ah, and lately, they've been selling meat and fish infused with special scents using magic. They taste quite good—worth trying at least once."
Vivian's voice was filled with strong pride as he continued speaking.
He seemed very proud to be both a mage and affiliated with the Magic Tower.
Mages were obsessed with magical supremacy and the belief that talent was everything. They likely saw themselves as truly blessed beings.
"So why was something like the mana core stolen from the Magic Tower?"
At Isaac's calm question, Vivian momentarily stopped in his tracks.
He glanced around, then lowered his voice as he replied.
"That's exactly why this has become such a mess. We really don't know. I heard it just vanished—just like that."
"…"
"Sigh… It was a treasure passed down from the first Tower Master. It held nearly a hundred years' worth of stored mana."
"And you let it get stolen just like that?"
"…You seem unusually sharp-tongued today."
When the flustered Vivian cautiously asked, Isaac coughed and avoided answering.
Sharen, who had been playing a game where she only stepped on white stones, answered in his place.
"Isaac is training right now! He's practicing speaking rudely."
"Training… to speak rudely?"
"Yep! That's why he told me last time to stop stuffing my face with sweets!"
"…"
So she remembered that, huh. I'll have to apologize later.
"Ha… this is why I can't understand those muscle-brained types…"
Vivian, unable to comprehend such a training method from a mage's point of view, let it go with a sigh.
He probably figured he wouldn't understand even if he tried.
"In any case, that's why the mages in the tower are so sensitive right now. Especially toward outsiders, so I ask for your understanding."
"I don't understand. We're clearly guests, after all."
"…This really is because of the training, right?"
"Where exactly was the mana core located?"
The Grandmaster asked the muttering Vivian.
"U-um, it was at the top of the tower. Why do you ask?"
"I worry that they may have taken it."
Vivian, who had also once visited the Abyss Realm, turned pale the moment they were mentioned.
Clenching his fist, he declared with resolve.
"This time, I won't just trail behind powerlessly. As someone with ability, I'll achieve results worthy of it."
The helplessness he had felt in the mana-less Abyss must've been deeply shocking.
While listening to Vivian's vow, Isaac continued to dwell in thought.
'The Transcendents stole the mana core?'
When he'd heard the Grandmaster and the Mu-myeong talk, Isaac had considered that possibility.
The ten half-bloods who had lived in crimson valley…
The reason for their training was because the Transcendents wanted to manipulate mana themselves.
Even Helik, who mimicked Arandel Helmut's crimson aura, and the others…
The Transcendents had shown great interest and desire for mana.
'But is that really possible?'
The Transcendents weren't as free as before.
Though they had weakened the northern region and deployed a significant portion of their forces up north, the outcome hadn't been entirely in their favor.
'Would they even have the leeway to target the Magic Tower?'
Even if they did, how would they steal the mana core without the mages noticing?
While questions continued to swirl in his mind, Isaac followed Vivian and arrived behind the Magic Tower.
"Woooow…"
Sharen let out an admiring sigh.
What lay behind the Mage Tower was completely different from what she had imagined.
It wasn't just a simple area with a few connected buildings.
Behind the massive Mage Tower stretched a large, sloping path. Inside what looked like a giant hollow jar, buildings were densely packed together.
Although the structures were intertwined without any uniform layout, there were still clearly defined functional zones within them.
A towering crystal spire reaching toward the sky, a domed glass greenhouse glowing faintly, and magical constructs operating ceaselessly.
At this point, there was no choice but to admit it.
"…It's worthy of being called superior."
Damien murmured to himself, but everyone silently agreed.
They said the Mage Tower was like a city of its own—turns out that wasn't an exaggeration after all.
"Well, most people are surprised at first. No one expects something like this hidden behind the Mage Tower."
Vivian shrugged proudly.
Even as they descended the sloping path, he continued explaining.
"There's a reason the city is shaped like a hollow bowl. In case of war, a ceiling of magical energy forms above it to block enemy invasions."
After sharing various bits of information, the group finally arrived at the tallest of the crystal spires.
They passed by a few mages who gave sharp glances, but thanks to Vivian's presence, there were no major incidents.
Inside the crystal spire, they were greeted by a man larger than expected.
In terms of age, he seemed to be around the same as Arandel or Uldren.
Although not quite as bulky as them, just judging from his appearance, he looked even stronger than Isaac.
Unkempt beard, greasy hair swept back without being brushed, a cigarette in his mouth—
As soon as he saw them, his eyes widened. Then, with a wave of his hand, the cigarette went out as he approached.
"Hmm? Ah, visitors, I see? Name's Regant. Current master of the Mage Tower."
Even before Vivian could introduce him, Regant introduced himself.
"I am Baron Isaac Logan. An honor to meet the master of the Mage Tower."
"You've come during a complicated time. Must've been rough."
He greeted him with a friendly handshake, but Regant didn't seem particularly interested in Isaac.
Instead, he quickly ended the greeting and turned his gaze toward the two women.
"Who is it? Who's the one under the spell of Sorcery?"
Regant's eyes sparkled with anticipation at the thought of studying a new form of magic, an excitement that didn't match his age or build.
Mu-myeong stepped forward and raised her hand.
"That would be me. I'll cooperate for now since I'm technically a captive. But if your demands get unreasonable, I won't hesitate to wreck the place."
Doing things by instinct—that's how it's done.
With a gesture that said watch and learn from your master, Isaac could feel a headache forming as he responded.
"Uh… she says that, but she'll cooperate. So no need to worry too much."
"Haha! As long as she's willing to cooperate, that's all I care about! A branch of magic other than what we know—will you explain about this sorcery of yours?"
"Bring out some booze. Then I'll start unraveling it for you."
With brazen attitude, she gave Isaac a thumbs up.
This is how it's done, my student.
'…Maybe I should've just not brought her.'
Isaac briefly wondered, but Regant turned out to be quite the jovial type.
In fact, he seemed to enjoy the boldness of Mu-myeong, thumping his chest in approval.
"Ah, splendid! Magic always goes best with booze and smoke. I'll have them brought right away! Mind if I invite some other mages?"
As Regant and Mu-myeong continued their conversation,
Vivian awkwardly scratched his cheek and stepped closer.
"I'll guide the rest of you to your lodgings."
As they left the crystal tower and walked toward their accommodations—
"Hey, you got anything sweet around here?"
"D-Did you just call me 'hey'? Ahem… Yes, we do have sweet stuff. But even if you're from Helmut, please try to show a little manners—"
"I'm in the middle of training too!"
"..."
Vivian gave Sharen a suspicious look.
"Hey, Pipsqueak, the booze mages' drink—is it bland? I kinda wanna check out a tavern."
"W-Wait, Pipsqueak?!"
"Guess I'm training too."
Damien's cheeky remark made Vivian look at Isaac with an exasperated expression. His eyes were clearly asking for help, but Isaac's attention was elsewhere—focused on a circular structure.
A crowd of mages had gathered there, clutching their staffs and engaging in what seemed to be a heated discussion.
"What's going on over there?"
Even the Grandmaster pricked up her ears with curiosity as she asked.
"Ah, that's the Combat Training Hall. Mages of the Tower must always be prepared for battle."
"..."
"..."
The Grandmaster and Isaac fell silent at the same time. The Grand Master had already dismissed the mages' combat skills after seeing how poorly they handled distance earlier.
But Isaac had actually witnessed it himself—how utterly helpless the mages of the Tower were in real combat.
"It's like a training ground and sparring arena for mages. Although, it's a bit different from yours."
Vivian grinned smugly, puffing his chest with pride, as if eager to prove a point.
"Inside, special magic is used so that no one gets hurt, even during intense sparring."
"Oh? No injuries?"
The Grandmaster wagged her tail with interest. Isaac was also intrigued.
"Even if your head gets chopped off?"
"...You're really in training, huh. Yes, even if your head gets chopped off. The system inside works in such a way that—"
That was all Isaac needed to hear.
He justified what he was about to do by telling himself it was to shake the mages out of their arrogance, especially after watching what Mu-myeong had done earlier. With that, he started walking over.
"A fight! It's a fight!"
"Hmph, don't go too hard."
Sharen and the Grandmaster immediately sensed his intent and hurried after him, fired up.
"W-What?! A f-fight?! Wait a moment!"
"Haha! Hey man, hang out with me instead."
Damien intercepted the flustered Vivian, keeping him from chasing after them.
As Isaac approached, the mages turned to stare at him.
"Who's that? An outsider?"
"Why would they bring in an outsider at a time like this?"
"Look at his face. Ugh. Did he use magic to disguise himself or something?"
"Wow, he's crazy handsome."
As murmurs filled the air, Isaac politely asked,
"Excuse me, is this a performance stage?"
"A performance stage? What nonsense are you talking about?"
"This is a live combat lecture hall. Mages cast real spells here. It's dangerous."
Hearing that, Isaac smiled and nodded.
"Ah, then I'm in the right place."
A tense silence followed.
The mages, with their sharp minds, didn't need to think twice to understand what he meant.
He was mocking them—saying their combat looked like a show.
Their eyes flared with anger as they all turned their burning gazes on him.