As they entered the corridor, another staircase descended deeper underground. The staircase was long and gently sloped, bending sharply at a right angle midway. The ceiling was high enough that, like the chamber and hallway before it, it felt more like the interior of a castle than something underground.

—Yeah... I think I’m starting to see it now...

As Ian leisurely descended the stairs alongside Roben, Yog’s voice echoed in his mind.

—Why not give me a chance, friend? I think I might be able to get my hands on the binding spells controlling those crude slaves.

It sounded like idle curiosity, but Ian’s eyes twitched slightly.

Is that possible?

Masked slave soldiers were walking on either side of the group, following him, holding the weapons taken from Ian and Miguel.

Of course, he had no intention of testing that idea at the moment. They had only just entered the magic tower.

"You’re not asking anything," Roben spoke then as they walked.

When Ian turned to him, the man curled his bearded lips into a faint smile. "I thought you’d have plenty of questions."

"I was taught that speaking in detail about the magic tower is forbidden, Lord Roben," Ian answered quietly.

Roben’s smile deepened slightly. "So it seems you weren’t taught that the rule doesn’t apply inside."

"No."

"We’re currently heading toward the lower level."

"Then the deepest place must be the highest level," Ian replied.

Roben nodded without losing his smile. "You’re quick to grasp things. As you may have noticed, the binding spells do not function here either. They’re permitted from the antechamber we just passed, so make sure you don’t forget that in the future."

"I will keep that in mind, Lord Roben."

"You’d do better to call me Mentor. It may still be early, but... you’ve at least met the minimum requirements."

"Yes, Mentor." At Ian’s respectful response, Roben stroked his beard and let out a small cough.

Like most spellcasters, he clearly enjoyed flaunting his intellectual superiority and receiving deference.

Enjoy it while you can.

For Ian, that worked out just fine. There was no harm in flattering the man for a while, at least until he obtained everything he needed.

"The lower level originally referred to the quarters where attendants, servants, and apprentices like you stayed," Roben added as they approached the corner.

Ian glanced at him and asked, "Originally?"

"There aren’t as many apprentices anymore."

Roben glanced briefly back at the masked slaves behind them, the corners of his mouth curling upward.

"And the attendants and servants have been reborn as far more efficient beings."

"I see."

Disgusting bastard.

Adding the thought silently, Ian continued without showing it, "Then I’ll be staying on the lower level?"

"Normally, yes. But if that were the case, you’d have to stay separated from your slaves until your qualification review is complete. I assume you have no intention of that."

"Of course not, Mentor."

As expected, Roben gave a small scoff and turned the corner.

"Then I’ll take you to the middle level instead. You’ll be staying in what used to be the slaves’ quarters. It won’t be very comfortable..."

He looked at Ian meaningfully.

"But since I’m making an exception for your convenience, you’ll have to tolerate that much."

"I will, Senior."

"Still, compared to whatever laboratory you were using before, it might feel luxurious."

Roben sneered as he extended one arm forward.

"This is the magic tower, after all."

Ian naturally followed his gesture and looked ahead.

As the staircase ended, the view beneath the curved ceiling opened up.

Feigning mild surprise, Ian parted his lips slightly and took in the scene beyond.

Beyond the stairs stretched another path, this one open with no ceiling.

—Hmm, it’s fairly impressive in its own way.

Unlike before, the floor and even the walls on either side were smooth gray-white stone, as though carved from marble. Square buildings of the same stone extended beyond the walls on both sides.

There was a faint musty smell in the air, but it wasn’t damp. In fact, it was even moderately bright and pleasantly cool.

"You look so stunned you can’t even speak." Roben’s voice followed lazily, tinged with amusement. "I understand. You probably didn’t expect to see such a grand space."

Not at all.

Compared to the ruins of ancient giants, the underground stronghold of the Black Land, or even a dragon’s nest, the interior of the magic tower hardly impressed Ian. If anything, the place looked like a clumsy imitation of a dragon’s lair.

"It’s beyond anything I imagined." Contrary to his true thoughts, Ian let out a quiet exclamation.

Roben stroked his beard with clear satisfaction. "What, did you think we lived huddled together in some gloomy little burrow like your research den?"

"I imagined something more like a comfortable cave."

"A common prejudice. But as you can see, we are not like that."

With that, Roben stepped out through the entrance and continued along the path at a leisurely pace.

"We already endure the immense hardship of pursuing incomprehensible truths. There’s no reason to suffer additional discomfort, wouldn’t you agree?"

"Indeed. Very wise."

"But the other towers are exactly as you imagined. I’m sure the Red Tower is the worst of them. Those fools are probably down in some cavern, playing with fire like savages and cackling to themselves."

Roben snorted in mockery and looked back at Ian.

"Now you must realize how fortunate you are, Apprentice Mage Ivan."

"Then the lake is above us?" Ian asked instead of answering.

About ten meters overhead, the semicircular ceiling revealed the exposed, carved-away rock layers of the earth. Spell circuits shimmered densely across its surface.

"Of course. What, are you worried it might collapse and drown us all?" Roben asked casually.

When Ian simply pressed his lips together instead of replying, Roben laughed airily and continued, "Stop worrying about such foolish things. The magic tower was built with the help of dwarves and dragons."

"Dragons?" Ian asked back, feigning surprise.

Clearly pleased with the reaction, Roben stroked his beard again and nodded. "Yes. Contrary to popular belief, it hasn’t even been a few centuries since the dragons left the continent."

Roben glanced around the marble-covered street. "According to the records, it was a Truesilver Dragon named Beharis who helped build it. In that sense, this tower itself is practically a dragon’s relic."

"Huh..." Letting out another impressed sound, Ian carefully looked around again.

He finally understood how the tower had been able to maintain teleportation routes as far as Larmut.

No need to worry about the Mantra circuits failing here.

Still, it was clear the Truesilver Dragon hadn’t exactly put its full effort into helping these people.

Ian had already seen firsthand what a dragon’s nest looked like when a dragon built it in earnest.

Though this had only been a single layer, compared to that, this place was modest—perhaps only a few thousand square feet at most.

"The tower is sustained by the spells and Mantra circuits left behind by the sages of old. The only thing that could likely bring it down is the Platinum Dragon. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝐰𝚎𝕓𝐧𝚘𝘃𝗲𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝕞

At Roben’s words, Ian bowed his head politely. "Thank you for the explanation, Mentor."

Inwardly, however, he clicked his tongue.

It seemed unlikely that he could seize control of the Mantra circuits as easily as before. No quest window had appeared, and the circuits engraved on him hadn’t resonated either.

Of course, there had to be other ways. After all, these gray spellcasters, who certainly didn’t have Mantra circuits carved into their bodies, were using them just fine.

"You’ve already gotten used to the title. For someone from the outside, you adapt quickly," Roben added in a satisfied tone.

Suppressing a scoff, Ian stared toward the far end of the road, where what appeared to be a central plaza spread out before them.

"Do the other seniors mostly live on higher levels?"

There were a few masked slaves and several mages in sight, but the presence he could feel was surprisingly sparse.

"Most of them do. But these days, some voluntarily remain on the lower levels to avoid the bustle. Many have returned to the tower after all. The situation in the Central has taken a troubling turn," Roben answered calmly.

"Something has happened in the Central?" Ian asked as though he knew nothing.

Just as I thought.

Roben shook his head with a faint sigh. "You must have been buried deep in the frontier if you haven’t heard. Well, you’ll find out soon enough. It’s not immediately important, is it?"

"Yes, Mentor."

"In any case, living quarters are usually assigned according to one’s achievements. Of course, that doesn’t refer only to one’s mastery of spells." Roben glanced back at Ian with a meaningful look that matched his tone.

Without breaking eye contact, Ian replied, "So it can also change depending on one’s research results."

"Just as quick to understand as I thought."

"Will I be assigned a personal laboratory immediately after the evaluation?"

"To jump straight to that, quite an ambition." Roben let out a chuckle and stroked his beard as he turned his gaze away.

They had entered the central plaza. At the intersection of two roads, spellcasters stood here and there with their slave attendants, all watching them.

—They all look the same, as if someone stamped them out of four identical molds. This is getting boring...

Yog whispered again. Just as they had agreed beforehand, it was clearly eyeing the surroundings to relay the situation to Mev and Thesaya.

Looks like Larmut’s been funding them quite generously.

He swept his gaze across the spellcasters. Their appearances were all as neat and refined as Roben’s. Even the slaves accompanying them carried expensive parchment scrolls.

"I understand the sentiment..." Roben said quietly at last, crossing the plaza and turning left at the fork.

When he looked back at Ian, his gaze was heavy with meaning. "Have patience, Apprentice Mage Ivan. Everything has its order, doesn’t it?"

"Yes. I’ll remember that, Mentor." Ian nodded readily.

Roben chuckled and looked ahead. "So you’ve already learned advanced spells?"

"Yes."

"Matthias wouldn’t have taught you that much personally. You must have studied them on your own from his research."

At the peculiar tone, Ian raised the head he had slightly lowered and replied, "Would that be a problem?"

"Well, like many things, it depends on one’s perspective," Roben answered softly.

It was typical spellcaster phrasing, but Ian immediately grasped the implication hidden in the vague words.

"I realize I haven’t asked something important yet. What procedure will my evaluation follow?"

"Normally, it ends once your master verifies it. But in your case, several elders will convene and decide."

"Since you oversaw my entrance examination, I assume you’ll be part of that as well, Mentor."

"Of course. After all, I know the most about you so far." Roben replied casually.

He didn’t even look at Ian, instead staring toward another passage carved into the wall further ahead. That, too, was surely deliberate.

"If you were to assist me, Mentor... then perhaps this could all be resolved without trouble."

Even though he could clearly see the man’s intentions, Ian willingly said exactly what Roben wanted to hear.

After all, if he won this man over, it might provide a shortcut straight down to the deeper levels of the tower.

"Well, now. I’m not sure why I should go that far for you."

Despite his words, Roben curled the corner of his lips slightly and shrugged.

"It’s true that I find you interesting, but I believe I’ve already shown you enough goodwill."

"Of course. But if you were to help me, I might be able to help you as well, Mentor." Ian said quietly, his tone suggestive.

The very next moment, Roben glanced at him with cold eyes. "That’s quite an arrogant thing to say. What possible help could someone like you offer me?"

Ian’s eyes twitched.

Roben stared at him for a moment before looking away again and speaking under his breath. "Though I suppose there are times when something you once considered trivial proves unexpectedly useful."

Ian suppressed another laugh.

Roben was clearly itching for Matthias’s research. More than anything, he wanted Ian to hand it over willingly.

"Well, it’ll be more than just useful," Ian replied, as if rewarding the man’s efforts.

Roben glanced at him briefly and let out a chuckle. "I prefer clearer words. Just as the truth itself demands."

Ian glanced around for a moment as if hesitating, then lowered his voice further. "When my research is completed, you will be the first to conquer time itself, Mentor."

"Oh?" Roben let out a low exclamation as he turned into a passage leading into the wall. He had clearly just heard the words he wanted most.

Beyond the short corridor, another staircase curved downward in a gentle slope. Despite being called a tower, it clearly didn’t resemble a tower at all.

"If that’s something you’re saying just to get yourself out of trouble, you’ll regret it deeply. Can you take responsibility for those words?" Roben said quietly as he stepped onto the stairs.

Walking beside him, Ian answered without the slightest change in expression. "Yes, Mentor."

After a brief silence, Roben said in a solemn tone, "In that case, you’ll be going to the upper level. And you and I will become much closer associates."

Ian glanced at the man’s repulsive profile and added, "However, I have no intention of taking you as my master. Until the research is complete, I will not share its contents either."

Roben nodded as if he had expected that. "Being mentor and mentee, as we are now, should be enough. Besides, I have no desire to become the sort of scoundrel who steals a junior’s research."

So you plan to take the results once they’re finished.

Even so, he nodded calmly. "In that case, I welcome it as well, Mentor."

"Now it feels like we’re finally beginning to understand one another, Ivan." Roben finally smiled. It was obvious he couldn’t even imagine that every word had been a lie.

"Since we’re already talking, may I ask a few more questions?" Roben asked in a noticeably softer tone as they continued down the stairs.

Ian nodded without hesitation. "Go ahead."

"The slaves you brought with you—they’re test subjects, aren’t they? No need to look so surprised. It’s the obvious conclusion."

Roben waved his hand casually at Ian’s gaze, almost jokingly, before tilting his head toward the group behind them.

"What I’m curious about is how you captured the fairy. That couldn’t have been easy."

Ian’s eyes naturally turned back.

Miguel was descending the stairs with his mouth shut tight, Moro following close behind him. Then came the masked slaves, and behind them Nasser and Mev with their eyes covered. And finally, Thesaya.

She had shrunk in on herself, making her already thin frame look even smaller.

—Watch your expression, Pointy-Ears.

Ian didn’t miss the way her ear twitched slightly beneath her silver hair. The slight twitch at the corner of her mouth wasn’t due to fear. She was barely holding back laughter. And clearly, it wasn’t just because she had been mentioned.

"I didn’t capture her alone."

This had been one of the questions she had expected as well.

Turning back to Roben, Ian repeated the story Thesaya had fabricated.

"At first, I had Sir Palmer’s help."

"You mean the escaped beastfolk..." A smile spread across Roben’s lips immediately. "I imagine he was quite delighted to hand the fairy over, hoping she would suffer terribly."

"That’s correct. In the early stages, she was extremely dangerous and rebellious. But after several experiments together, she became quite cooperative, as you can see." Ian nodded with a faint smile.

"Yes... I suspect there’s more to it than that, but I won’t press further. That answer is sufficient." Roben nodded thoughtfully, glancing toward Miguel behind them. More precisely, at Yog coiled around his neck.

He had probably already realized that the creature wasn’t an ordinary familiar. Of course, that reaction was exactly what Ian had intended.

"In any case, it seems that in the end, enduring pain is necessary to conquer time," Roben added.

When Ian looked at him, Roben stroked his beard smugly and smiled. "A simple deduction. After all, you provided plenty of clues just now."

"Your insight is truly remarkable," Ian replied in a subdued voice. He was becoming quite comfortable playing the role of a spellcaster now.

Roben’s steps down the staircase grew even more leisurely. "That’s nothing. Since we’re on the topic, may I offer a piece of advice?"

"Of course, Mentor."

"A test subject feeling pain or fear is of no help to research."

Ian’s eyes twitched slightly as he looked at Roben.

A peculiar smile flickered across Roben’s lips. "Then again, that research was only completed after Matthias left the Tower. So it’s only natural that you wouldn’t know. Hmm..."

Ian didn’t break the silence that followed. He simply continued descending the stairs beside Roben at a steady pace. He had a feeling the man might soon say something worth hearing.

After a moment, Roben finally spoke again.

"Yes. If you wish, I could help you with that part."