Chapter 31: How a Mercenary Rests (3)
In a typical medieval fantasy world, there's often a structure called a Mage's Tower or a Magic Tower.
In <Cross Destiny>, that was the Sage’s Tower.
“The Sage’s Tower? But isn't that a place where only pure mages, and humans at that, can register?”
“You can turn into a human. And you're a druid, a pure mage. That should be enough to register.”
Moreover, there were many benefits to joining the Sage’s Tower.
With the goal of nurturing the mages of the empire, the Sage’s Tower provided a lot of welfare for the development of its registered mages.
It naturally offered basic provisions like Magic Books, introductions to organizations to join, and proof of identity, as well as various other privileges.
‘Come to think of it, Collie didn't have any of the exclusive magic provided by the Sage’s Tower.
Since he was trapped in the ruins all this time, there's no way he could have joined.’
Of course, Gerard wasn't a mage registered with the Sage’s Tower either, but his case was different.
The Sage’s Tower had a rule that it only accepted pure mages who had not learned skills other than magic, and Gerard, with his swordsman skills, couldn't join on this point.
“Hmm, if you put it that way, there's no reason not to go.”
An institution created by humans must be unfamiliar to Collie as well.
As expected, Collie beamed, not hiding his anticipation.
“Is there a Sage’s Tower near here?”
“……It's at the summit of this mountain. It's not far.”
Artier, who was checking the minimap, inwardly cheered at the unexpected fact.
It wasn't really strange. The Sage’s Tower was often established in quiet, sparsely populated places to aid the mages' research.
The vicinity of Pons, a quiet resort, would have been an optimal location for them.
“We just have to walk a little further. Let's go.”
“Understood.”
After climbing a low hill with no cleared path and pushing aside obscuring leaves, there was a massive tower whose top couldn't be seen above the mountain's peak.
A mysterious aura enveloped the area around the tower.
When Artier curiously stepped back out of the aura, the tower that had been visible just a moment ago completely vanished.
“It's a high-level illusion magic. I wouldn't even be able to imitate it.”
“Of course. It's magic cast over the entire tower, after all.”
Opening the tower's door and stepping inside, they found a surprisingly large number of people moving about in a spacious reception area.
As if by agreement, they were all wearing brown half-cloaks and stylish pointed hats.
“Is this your first time here?”
The two looked at a young mage approaching them from the opposite side.
“Our Sage’s Tower always welcomes the birth of a new mage. Do you wish to register?”
Artier looked at the name tag on his left chest.
It was neatly inscribed with the name Gon.
“We came with that in mind, but we'd like to look around a bit first.”
You couldn't just shout that you wanted to join the moment you arrived at the Sage’s Tower.
Each Sage’s Tower established in different regions had entirely different characteristics and tendencies.
For example, the southern region might have a strength in fire magic, while the northern region had a strength in ice magic.
If someone with an aptitude for ice magic joined the Sage’s Tower in the south, they might not be able to fully enjoy the benefits.
“Yes, of course. I will guide you.”
Gon rose from his seat and began to lead them into the tower's interior.
“Here at the Pons branch of our Sage’s Tower, we research methods to control various natural objects and communicate with them.”
Beyond the thin glass windows installed alongside the corridor, various animals and plants were moving about, and mages were observing them and recording something.
Sometimes they would sprinkle something that looked like a potion on the ground, which seemed to be a nutrient supplement.
“It is often said that mages who wield nature magic become powerless in places other than forests. But half of the empire's territory is made up of mountains. Besides, even if you leave those places, nature magic is not a school that is easily neutralized.”
“There are methods like carrying seeds or using magic to summon familiars.”
“That's right. If there are no plants or animals, you just have to make them. That's why nature mages are sometimes called summoners. Of course, we are not summoners. It can be a bit troublesome to be compared to that profession.”
At Gon's words, Artier and Collie looked at each other and smiled awkwardly.
“What's the difference with summoners?”
“The summoning school proceeds with a contract based on mutual agreement with a being that has a will. The summoned creature with its independent will and the contractor are strictly separate. However, the plants and animals dealt with in the nature school do not possess that level of self-awareness. So the caster must directly bestow will to control them.”
In short, it was the difference between automatic and manual.
“Contrary to what many people think, even animals known to have some level of intelligence cannot think and judge for themselves.”
“But don't they make judgments for survival in the wild?”
“That is closer to moving according to commands inputted from birth in the name of instinct. They neither question nor regret actions performed according to instinct. Because they don't feel that it's strange.”
“……Hmm.”
Something felt quite rigid.
Were animals and plants really just living robots?
But I decided to let it go for now.
This might be the law of this world, and even if a mere swordsman like myself were to raise a question, nothing would change.
“Returning to the main topic, the nature magic of our Pons branch boasts the best among all Sage’s Towers.”
Was it because it had been a long time since they had a visitor all the way up on this mountaintop?
Gon didn't hide his excited expression as he showed Artier and Collie around the Sage’s Tower.
He was even about to guide them to the bathroom, to the point that even Collie made a face as if to say, ‘Is this right?’
“Now, what do you think? Will you join our Sage’s Tower?”
After returning to the lobby, Gon asked, and Artier fell into thought.
‘Since Collie is a druid, it doesn't seem like a bad idea.’
Coincidentally, druids were also inseparably related to nature magic.
Besides, wasn't Collie a Spirit Creature, practically a son of nature?
“What do you think?”
“I think it's fine too!”
When Collie nodded, Gon looked at Artier with a bewildered expression.
“Uh…… Weren't you the one joining?”
What was this about? Could Gon not see my sword?
Artier tapped his waist and said.
“No. Is there a problem?”
“……Ah, no. It's just more surprising than I thought that our little friend is already a mage.”
He smiled belatedly, but it was obvious to anyone.
Indeed, he probably hadn't even thought that the young-looking Collie was a mage.
“But to join the Sage’s Tower, you must meet the joining conditions. First, at least two magic skills…….”
Flash!
[Collie uses a skill.]
[Camouflage Veil (Lv.1)]: Camouflages allies within range.
[Regeneration (Lv.1)]: Gradually regenerates the target's health and heals wounds.
As Collie's body disappeared and reappeared, with a refreshing energy swirling in his hand, Gon froze in utter shock.
“Such rapid successive casting……. At such a young age, how.”
“Is it not allowed?”
“Ah, no, you've passed the first condition. Now, let's see the next condition.”
Gon held out a transparent crystal orb to Collie.
“What is this?”
“Try channeling your mana into the orb.”
“Is this an orb to check for talent?”
“That's right.”
Collie placed his hand on the orb without hesitation.
Then, light filled the orb, and a blue liquid-like substance began to fill it, stopping when it was about halfway full.
“This is…… incredible? To have this much talent at this age.”
“Is it high?”
“Our little friend is still young, but his talent will grow until he becomes an adult. Considering that…… he might even have the talent of a Grand Magus.”
Artier, hearing Gon's murmur, smiled.
In any case, Collie was my summon.
There was no reason to remain still after hearing that my summon's potential was high.
“Now that both conditions have been confirmed, please fill this out and put a drop of your blood here. Welcome to our Sage’s Tower as a mage.”
A moment later, Collie received a nameplate engraved with a golden wolf, the robe worn by all the mages here, and a pointed hat.
On top of that, he was gifted a proper staff, and Collie, literally as excited as a child, brandished the staff repeatedly.
“This is really amazing! Just holding it makes me feel like the purity of my mana has deepened!”
“It was finished with the branch of a tree over 100 years old, the horn of a Honhorse, and the sap of a Manaflower. It's not an easy tool to obtain, so be careful. Even at our Sage’s Tower, you have to pay two gold coins to get another one.”
[Mana-Horse Tear Staff (Magic)]
Magic Attack: 5~20
Option: (Mana-Horse) Casting Speed 15% reduction
‘As expected, the price is no joke.’
If that were a sword or another cold weapon, 20 silver coins would have been enough to buy a tool with that level of options.
But because it was a magic tool, it was 10 times more expensive than a typical weapon.
‘He got a weapon, and they'll probably give him a new Magic Book soon. I'll be able to use Collie more strategically.’
Just as Artier was feeling satisfied and crossing his arms behind his back.
“Master should try it too.”
Collie came over and held out the crystal orb to Artier.
“Huh? Me too?”
“I recommend you try it. A mage's talent is often unknown until it's measured.”
Gon approached.
Seeing that he said nothing even though Collie was holding the crystal orb, it seemed he had given his permission in the first place.
“Using this crystal orb greatly circulates the user's mana. For those who haven't trained in magic much, it has the effect of temporarily boosting metabolism and permanently increasing physical abilities, albeit slightly.”
“If that's the case……”
Artier placed his hand on the crystal orb.
Gon's words about a permanent increase in physical abilities kept echoing in his head.
‘Does it give Bonus Stats or something? Even one would be great.’
Thump.
Soon, light entered the crystal orb, and a blue liquid began to surge and fill it.
Artier could feel a tiny fraction of his mana being sucked into the crystal orb.
And from the point the blue liquid filled 70% of the crystal orb, he sensed something was wrong.
“Uh, huh? Usually, it just ripples a bit and stops……”
Cold sweat began to bead on Gon's forehead, and Collie nodded his head as if he had expected it.
“I knew I wasn't mistaken.”
“Wait…… is this really okay?”
Crack…….
Just as I thought I heard an ominous sound.
Craaack!
The crystal orb exploded, and the entrance of the Sage’s Tower was filled with blue smoke.