Chapter 242

Disregarding the astonished expressions of those around him, Lennok took his initial step forward.

'This kind of ice magic isn't bad either. The efficiency is a bit low, but...'

The ice magic ingrained within the conventional magical system Lennok had been practicing was primarily designed for environments with a readily available water source.

Consequently, it consumed a minimal amount of mana and possessed the capability to blanket a broad area, which led Lennok to employ it by initially introducing water and then forcibly shaping it into a platform.

However, this approach rendered it challenging to utilize in arid locations.

Hence, Lennok's visit to the executive vault was motivated by his quest to acquire knowledge from a wizard specializing in the ice element, who employed a distinct magical system.

Obtaining McQueen's Liberation Technique and the Primary System Diagram was an accomplishment unto itself.

Lennok's primary objective was to concurrently advance his training in both the heat and ice magic disciplines.

"Just wait a moment." he conveyed to his companions before replenishing his mana reserves.

Initiating ice magic from his repertoire, he enacted the [Circle of Frost].

As he took a measured step forward, a potent mana whirlwind stirred within Lennok.

The hierarchy's completion. Novel insights integrated into Lennok's magical arsenal started to transmute into tangible might.

Crackle...!!!

In an environment entirely devoid of moisture, ice shards inexplicably sprouted, enveloping the terrain in a frigid forest, countering the mounting heat as they ascended the mountain.

Only then did the agents fathom how Lennok could wield ice magic on such a grand scale.

"Did he freeze the mana itself solid...?!"

"It's impossible... To manipulate mana at the particle level like this...!"

Even for a wizard, materializing mana was one thing, but substituting moisture with mana was an extraordinary feat, unattainable without flawlessly emulating the attributes of water and ice.

It was a feat achievable only through innate talents or an extensive mastery of ice magic.

The agents swiftly turned their attention to Evelyn.

"So that's why you called the external consultant for this mission..."

"Team leader knew that Mr. Van was this proficient in ice magic!"

"Huh? Well... Yeah, something like that."

Leaving Evelyn's somewhat uneasy response in the background, Lennok retrieved a book from his coat once more.

'What should I do next...?'

In the absence of water, he decided to employ particles to substitute for moisture.

He already possessed an ample repertoire of mana manipulation skills.

What remained was rapidly grasping how others harnessed and applied the ice shards they conjured using their unique ice magic.

For this purpose, the knowledge contained within a single book would suffice.

"Hmm..."

While Lennok turned the book's pages with one hand, his fingers twitched, causing the widespread cold to part, creating a wide path.

Lava creatures, emerging upon detecting this anomaly, were deterred by the formidable and razor-sharp ice shards.

However, the ice pathway Lennok was extending abruptly halted and began melting rapidly at a specific point.

At that moment, Evelyn, who had been casually trailing Lennok, lit up with recognition.

"This is..."

She picked up a small pebble nearby and hurled it towards the location where the ice path was severed.

Sizzle!!

As soon as the pebble crossed a certain threshold in the air, it ignited and disintegrated, as though dissolving.

This phenomenon was unequivocally distinct from any natural occurrence they had encountered.

A barrier that incinerates all foreign objects entering a designated area. It was the power of the Magic Tower.

Observing the stones combust and dissolve into thin air, Lennok voiced his observations.

"It's unrealistic to think that all visitors to the Magic Tower go through such inconvenience."

"..."

"This situation itself proves that they find our visit unwelcome."

Lennok turned his gaze towards Evelyn.

"What should we do?"

After a brief contemplation, she composed herself and replied,

"I contacted them just before climbing up to the volcanic region. Still, such high-level security is being maintained, which means... they want us to break through on our own."

"..."

"Van, can you do it?"

Instead of responding immediately, Lennok contemplated for a moment before extending his hand forward.

His audacious gesture sent a subtle shiver through the other agents, but Lennok's hand, unaffected, breached the point where the ice path had been severed.

Whoosh!!

Instantaneously, his hand ignited and began to burn.

"Mr. Van!!"

"Just a moment."

Shielding his hand, he meticulously examined the flow of mana within the barrier.

The objective was to identify objects entering a specific zone and trigger their ignition through a long-distance spell.

The barrier's interior was more akin to a radar system, detecting and intercepting adversaries rather than being saturated with unbearable heat.

'Surprisingly simple principle. Then...'

"How is it?"

"I was thinking of smashing the entire barrier if necessary... But that won't be needed."

Lennok retracted his hand, gently shook his left sleeve, and conjured dozens of magazine cartridges stored using lightening and shrinking magic.

Bang!!

He ruptured the casings, extracting hundreds of bullets within, suspending them in his mana grasp, and then flung them beyond the barrier.

Ratatatatata!!!

As soon as they entered the barrier, the bullets ignited.

Lennok promptly elevated his mana levels and gestured with his hand.

Manipulation series creation magic.

[Mana Injection]

[Multiple Resonance: Dispersal]

Boom!!!

Under Lennok's precise control, hundreds of bullets detonated simultaneously, emanating a potent magical force.

A sequence of brilliant blue flashes illuminated the sky, unfolding like a sudden and unexpected fireworks display amidst the ashen and dusty atmosphere.

Only then did Lennok retract his hand and casually step across the point where the ice path had been severed.

"Let's go."

"...Is it over?"

"It's just a temporary confusion in the barrier's detection system. If it's a security barrier that detects and intercepts enemies, disrupting its detection should prevent follow-up attacks."

It was only now that the other agents comprehended Lennok's strategy and expressed their admiration.

"He's using flares to interfere with the barrier's detection. To do this on the spot without any equipment..."

"No, this would be impossible without fully interpreting the barrier's detection pattern and meticulously controlling the deployment timing. How did he...?"

"It won't last long. Let's move quickly."

At Lennok's command, the group ceased their conversation and proceeded with haste.

As they made their ascent up the volcano, the environment underwent a dramatic transformation.

Apart from the sweltering heat that made every breath a challenge, their vision was obscured by the acrid smoke billowing from below.

Nevertheless, Lennok couldn't help but marvel at the vista that unfolded from the very heart of the volcano's crater.

"Even for a heat-elemental Magic Tower, to set up in such an extreme location... Their audacity is commendable."

At the center of the mountain lay an immense lake of seething lava, its fiery crimson surface radiating intense heat.

Surrounding this molten cauldron were five towering structures that rose majestically.

Within the intricate spirals of these five towering edifices, molten lava flowed with an almost serene fluidity.

Rock bridges connected and supported each of these colossal structures.

Around the dark, stone-built Magic Tower, lava meandered in a spiral pattern, casting a faint glow.

Its distinctive appearance resembled light radiating between the threads of a screw.

The Blaiver Magic Tower wasn't merely situated within a volcanic region; it harnessed the volcano's molten lava as the primary source of power for the tower.

As the group proceeded toward the heart of the crater, they finally spotted an individual approaching them on the ground of the towering structure.

An elderly gentleman with a genial countenance, clad in a deep crimson robe, came into view.

He regarded the group with a warm smile.

The elderly man waved his hand excitedly and called out like a child.

"Evelyn!"

Evelyn adjusted her collar and proceeded toward the elderly man.

"Aintz, it's been a long time."

Aintz, the man in question, warmly shook hands with Evelyn, shared a light embrace, and then placed his hands on her shoulders.

"It's really been a long time! How is life in the city?"

"Thanks to your concern."

"The Marcia family keeps its lineage thanks to you. I'm ashamed to face my brother since my incompetent sibling can't take care of his daughter."

Evelyn responded with a faint smile, choosing not to say much.

Aintz then turned to the other members of the group with a serious demeanor and offered a slight bow.

"I am Aintz from the Blaiver Magic Tower's Empirical Theory Research Team 3."

This unexpected politeness deviated from the customary arrogance of Magic Tower mages.

As the other members of the group reciprocated with bowing heads, Aintz retrieved something and began distributing it.

"Everyone, please take one."

The objects in question were bright red bracelets crafted from paper. However, Lennok couldn't overlook the fact that they were imbued with some form of magic.

Aintz discreetly pointed to a similar item concealed on his wrist and offered a warm smile.

"This is something we give to every guest invited by the Magic Tower. Primarily, it serves as an identification for outsiders, a consumable made for our esteemed guests."

"A consumable means..."

"If you tear the bracelet longer, you'll be reverse-summoned outside the Magic Tower's barrier. If you feel something going wrong inside the Magic Tower, don't hesitate to use it."

A silence fell upon the group, struggling to grasp the significance of Aintz's words at that moment. Lennok was the first to break the silence.

"It seems you too, Aintz, is wearing the same bracelet."

Aintz turned to Lennok with a mildly surprised expression before offering a gentle smile.

"You are a wizard as well. And not just an ordinary one... but an exceptional one."

"..."

"That's correct. At this point, I am also essentially an outsider in this Magic Tower. Shall we go inside?"

With this, Aintz guided the group into the inner sanctum of the Magic Tower.

Upon reaching the rooftop of the Magic Tower, which corresponded to the head of a screw, they descended a narrow staircase, and suddenly, a pristine corridor with a refreshing breeze welcomed them.

Despite the prohibition on outsiders, the atmosphere within the Magic Tower didn't exude a sense of leisure.

Every room was brightly lit, and through the hallway's windows, one could catch glimpses of people in diverse attire and hues, moving about purposefully.

This environment piqued the curiosity of not only the other agents but also Lennok himself.

His first visit to a Magic Tower hadn't led him to anticipate such surroundings, but he had always harbored a fascination for how wizards congregated and conducted their research.

Aintz, who led the group, maintained a pleasant smile on his face as he walked with his hands clasped behind his back, yet he refrained from speaking.

"..."

While this might have appeared as a relaxed demeanor to others, Lennok discerned it as a transparent attempt to feign calm.

Lennok, who had worn a mask since his arrival in the great city, found it relatively easy to see through such facades.

Aintz did not seem well-versed in the art of deception.

Evelyn, too, seemed to sense that the Magic Tower's atmosphere was not as inviting as they might have hoped, and her expression subtly hardened.

The group rapidly traversed the Magic Tower's corridors and eventually arrived at a colossal iron door, marking the entrance to a spacious hallway adorned with an impressive chandelier.

In front of the door to a high-end conference room located on the Magic Tower's top floor, Aintz turned to face the group.

"The Elders will be waiting for you inside."

His countenance remained composed, but his lips displayed an unusual stiffness.

"Evelyn, I wish you good luck."

As the iron door swung open, Aintz retreated.

Once the group entered, the hefty door closed behind them, and the dimly lit conference room gradually illuminated.

"...There's no one here."

Mauser muttered under his breath as he observed the lengthy, ornately crafted table and neatly arranged chairs, all devoid of occupants.

However, instead of voicing any complaints, Evelyn quietly seated herself on a chair positioned before her.

Whoosh!

In that moment, flames of different colors ignited above the seats at the table.

"...!!!"

[A barrier was established to hinder your ascent to the volcanic region.]

As astonishment registered on the faces of the others, a resonant voice emanated from within the flames.

[That's quite a high-level interference. Did you tamper with it?]

"..."

The collective gaze of the group turned toward Lennok as the flickering flames naturally illuminated his countenance.

After a brief silence, a composed voice emanated from beyond the flames.

[It appears we neglected to deactivate the barrier in anticipation of your arrival. I apologize for this oversight.]

It was a rather bland apology, lacking any indication of a desire to rectify the situation.

Evelyn, maintaining her composure and sporting a tranquil expression, spoke up.

"It seems the Elders have no intention of personally welcoming us."

[.......]

"Having received official recognition from two cities, we are here in an official capacity. Do you have nothing to say about this matter?"

Finally, the flame on the far right danced, accompanied by a deliberate voice.

[Missile... We have heard of that name. Known to be the most complete inheritor of the Marcia family's archery secrets. It's welcome that a warrior of your caliber visits the Magic Tower, but unfortunately, the circumstances are not quite appropriate.]

The flames rippled, as though they were shifting their attention through the air.

[And with Master Mauser of the forge here as well... I apologize for not greeting you personally. It would be appreciated if Machina could overlook this incident.]

The tone was noticeably more respectful compared to their interaction with Evelyn, signifying their high esteem for the robust blacksmith. However, despite the courteous words, Mauser shook his head.

"I didn't travel this far just for such pleasantries."

[.......]

"Everyone is concerned about why the Blaiver Magic Tower has locked its doors after the conflict with the dark wizards. As you know, the Magic Tower you have established in the volcanic region of Claronis is one of the largest furnaces on the continent. If you, who were a core part of the western continent's steel industry, are reluctant to disclose recent events, who would want to work with you?"

Gone was the feigned naivety from their initial encounter; now only piercing eyes and a resolute voice remained.

He addressed the Elders atop the arrogant Magic Tower without a trace of hesitation.

Lennok then comprehended why Evelyn had endured various inconveniences and awaited the delegation from the city of machines. Without the involvement of someone directly connected to the steel industry, which was particularly sensitive to this issue, justifying an inspection of the Magic Tower would have been challenging.

"I won't demand that you resolve the issues and reopen the Magic Tower immediately."

Mauser's voice softened slightly.

"But at the very least, you must allow us to verify that the Magic Tower is operating smoothly and without any problems."

[What do you mean by that?]

"The Magic Tower needs to prove that it has emerged victorious from the conflict with the dark mages and is merely recuperating from its aftermath."

Mauser's gaze grew somber.

"I accepted this meeting under the assumption that you agreed to this condition."

[.......]

A tranquil silence ensued.

As if they were meticulously selecting their words, deliberating over what to say.

[Very well.]

The response emerged after a protracted pause, originating from the leftmost flame, in stark contrast to the previously speaking ones.

The voice possessed an icy demeanor, as cold as the fervently burning flame was hot. Polite in tone, yet chilling like ice gliding over a surface.

[Starting today, for the next three days, we will open all facilities of the Magic Tower to your inspection.]