Chapter 55: A Minor Incident at the Jewel Tower (1)

The spacious lobby bustled with many mages moving busily.

Some carried research materials or completed papers, others spoke via Communication Magic with unseen figures, and still others engaged in heated debates, paying no mind to the surrounding commotion.  

Amidst all this, no one paid any attention to the stranger who had suddenly entered the tower.  

‘That’s the group.’  

Only the senior mage, Professor Jolt Tagion, was the sole exception.  

‘Their attire is exactly the same as what Jeren sent. Well then, let’s see…!’  

The frame of the Monocle he wore began to faintly glow as it absorbed magical energy.

This magical tool visualized whether the target was a mage, a priest, or an ordinary civilian.

The image reflected in the Monocle’s lens was…  

‘Neither a mage nor a priest. They’re ordinary civilians.’  

Though unexpected, Jolt was neither surprised nor disappointed.

He did not trust his disciple Jeren completely, but he was not foolish enough to mistake fiction for fact.

Since Jeren reported that the boy used both Magic and Divine Art, that much had to be true.  

It was a result he had somewhat anticipated.

Magical power and divine energy repel each other strongly.

So, for one person to use both Magic and Divine Art simultaneously…  

‘They must possess an unknown force—neither magical power nor divine energy!’  

A sudden thrill surged through him.

If that hypothesis were true, and if they could analyze and harness the nature of that power, humans and Magic would achieve development far beyond anything seen before!  

‘No rash actions. It’s foolish to rush headlong just because the goal is within sight. We must plan carefully and proceed step by step.’  

A cold determination briefly flickered across Jolt’s face before vanishing in an instant.

After closing and opening his eyes once, he approached Zion’s group with a completely different gentle smile than before.  

“You must be visitors. Would you require some guidance?”  

[Been staring holes into us for a while now… so it’s come to this, huh.]  

Ignoring Frey’s teasing tone, Zion responded to the formal greeting from the elderly mage who had suddenly approached, using noble etiquette.

The old man’s eyes briefly betrayed surprise before it vanished.  

[Hmm? Wait a second… this old geezer… the magical power pattern is similar to that of the mage who was staring you down in the village. Are they family? Or… a priest relationship? Hmm, I think I’m starting to see the outline.] 

‘Magical power pattern? You can tell that too?’  

[Of course. Do you think I can’t see something like that with the Ma’an? What do you take me for?]  

‘My uncle.’  

[That’s right, you brat. I am your uncle, Naia’s older brother, and the strongest mage on Earth.]  

The mage who spotted Zion in the village took an interest in him for some reason, and this news was passed to the master, who then also showed interest for the same reasons.

Frey pieced the situation together with little difficulty.  

[But why did those guys suddenly take an interest in you, Zion? Did your helplessness make a big impression or something?]  

‘Maybe because they saw me use Magic and Divine Art at the same time?’

[Huh? Why’s that?] Yumin, who had been silent, interjected.

Zion fumbled through his long-held memories to answer.  

‘I don’t know the theory exactly, but I heard once at a royal banquet when I was young that it’s impossible for one person to use Magic and Divine Art simultaneously.’  

[…What, man?] Frey’s expression darkened.  

[Hey, you idiot… why are you telling me something this important only now?!]

‘It’s not really important.’  

[What do you mean not important?! What if you get noticed and useless flies start swarming around?]

And this was precisely that situation.  

‘But Uncle, if I had hidden either Magic or Divine Art yesterday to avoid attention, I wouldn’t have been able to save even half the people there.’  

Frey was momentarily speechless at the direct rebuttal.

In the end, he understood Zion’s true intentions.  

It’s one thing to accept not being able to save someone due to lack of strength or unfavorable circumstances.

That is cold but forgivable.

But to turn away when someone nearby needs help and you have the power to save them, that even Frey could not tolerate.  

‘Uncle, the reason I wanted to grow stronger was exactly for this kind of thing. You knew it and even told me so, didn’t you?’  

That was true.

Early in the journey, when Zion’s resemblance to Naia was astonishing, the advice to gain strength was meant to enable him to act on his own judgment anytime.  

[Damn it. Alright, I get it. I get it, but… ] 

There was just one regret.  

[Would it hurt to consult me even a little?]

The fact that Zion had made all those decisions entirely by himself, without relying on anyone else, was glaring.  

[Geez, is the old man sulking? You’re really just a big kid.]

[Quiet, Choi Yumin. I’m not sulking, it’s just… haah. Think whatever you want.]

[Wow… he must be really hurt.]

Yumin quietly moved away, huddling with Arcs and whispering something.

Frey frowned but pretended not to hear, glaring at Zion instead.  

‘Sorry, Uncle. Next time, I’ll be sure to consult you beforehand in situations like this.’  

Eventually, Zion offered an apology.

After a brief silence, Frey sighed and shook his head weakly, [It’s fine. No need to apologize. It’s not your fault. You’re right. If you have enough power, no matter how many flies buzz around you, you can ignore them and carry out your own will.] 

[That doesn’t mean you can be careless, though. The stronger you get, the harder it is to watch your own footing. You might trip over a pebble and fall in the most ridiculous way.]  

[I know, Crooks. I know Zion isn’t that kind of person. And if things go wrong, we can just step in, right?]  

[Hahaha. That seems a bit extreme, doesn’t it?]

[Extreme?]

[No, it’s nothing. I just mean that should be kept as a last resort.]

Listening to the conversation between the awakened ones, part of Zion’s consciousness also kept a careful eye on the elderly mage Jolt Tagion guiding them through the tower.

The mage still maintained a gentle and friendly demeanor.

He would likely not reveal his true nature immediately.

If he made a move, it would be when they were at their most relaxed.  

“This is the visitor-only lodging area. You are to live within this zone, but if you wish to leave, you must contact me by Communication Device. Also, never forget to wear the badge proving your visitor status. The tower holds countless secret magical arts, and without proper identification… you may face unpleasant consequences.”  

After briefly explaining the tower’s layout and visitor protocols, he finally led the group to their lodgings.  

“I would like to show you more, but I am also tied up with research duties. I’m sorry I cannot guide you further. If necessary, I can send my disciple to assist you.”  

[Decline it, Zion. Say you’re too tired from the long journey and brush it off.]

Following Frey’s advice, Zion refused, and to their surprise, Jolt withdrew cleanly.

After unpacking in their assigned rooms, the group cautiously gathered again in Zion’s room.

They needed to confirm their current situation and decide on their next actions.  

“There are no overt eyes watching us, but if they’re spying on us with Magic, we won’t be able to detect it either.”  

That was the conclusion Yuria and Soares came to after surveying the surroundings on the way to Zion’s room.

Zion himself had no confidence in piercing through secret surveillance magic in a tower filled with cunning mages.

But it wasn’t that they had no options.

The perfect candidate to help was right there with them.  

“Apocalypse.”  

Light filled the spacious room as Zion summoned Frey, then immediately began scanning the area.

His gaze soon settled on the luggage in the corner.  

“Zion, bring me the Communication Device you got from that old man earlier.”  

Obediently, Zion retrieved the Communication Device — a sixteen-faced polyhedron covered in intricate symbols — and handed it to Frey.

After a brief inspection, Frey scoffed, “It has eavesdropping magic on it. It records all voices and images around the device, encrypts the data, and sends it to the other Communication Device every hour.”  

After the quick explanation, Frey raised his index finger to the device.

Zion could tell Frey was using MP to cast some kind of magic but couldn’t grasp the details.

It was far too complex and precise for him.  

“If we remove the eavesdropping function, the other side will become suspicious… alright, this will do.”  

Frey quickly finished modifying the device and handed it back to Zion.

Zion examined it but couldn’t tell what had changed.

After all, he hadn’t even known it was bugged until Frey told him.  

“I slightly tampered with the eavesdropping magic’s structure. The moment they try to decrypt it, the content will be distorted into meaningless everyday chatter — things like ‘Breakfast was delicious this morning,’ ‘That outfit suits you, where’d you get it?’ or ‘Let’s go work out later.'”  

“You call that ‘slightly’ tampering with it?”  

“Of course. Should I act like it was hard and complain? ‘Ahhh! I’m exhausted! My nephew’s bossing me around!'”  

It wasn’t that.

Zion was simply overwhelmed by Frey’s mastery — casually describing the instant use of a complicated magic he couldn’t even imagine as ‘slightly tampered.’  

“I also placed a soundproof barrier around the room while I was at it. I’d like to add perception interference as well, but if anyone senses something weird, that might raise suspicions. Come over here and sit down, everyone. Let’s start the meeting.”  

Frey naturally took a seat at the four-person table in the center of the room and called the others over.

Zion sat in the remaining seat and asked,  “Uncle, will you be staying here?”  

“I’ll stay as long as it’s not a burden to you. Why? Is that uncomfortable?”  

“Ha, not at all. Having you here is reassuring.”  

Soares and Yuria also took their seats, and the four began the serious meeting about their course of action within the Jewel Tower.