Chapter 30 – In Search of the Second Legacy
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#1
Iron Tower Master Iron Hanma.
A mage who places a high emphasis on physical abilities, a true eccentric among eccentrics.
An old man who trains and researches to carry on the legacy of the ancient Battle Mage.
His gaze toward Lawrence became peculiar.
‘Ohhh, look at this one!’
Is this truly the body of an eleven-year-old child?
To someone who didn’t know better, he might have looked like a teenager going through puberty.
Lawrence’s physique was that perfect, brimming with talent.
Hiss—
Let’s see.
‘Has there been a mage with such a body in recent times?’
The Iron Magic Tower is a rather old magic tower, but it hasn’t recruited a new member in quite a while.
The tower’s philosophy is that a mage must cultivate their mind, energy, and body equally.
Naturally, modern mages couldn’t endure such rigor and focused solely on casting more powerful spells.
Why?
Because mages are protected by knights and soldiers anyway.
Perhaps for that reason, the youngest recruit in the Iron Tower this year was forty years old.
<When will we finally get new recruits!?>
The image of someone crying out desperately once a year came to mind.
Poor guy.
Maybe that’s why the Tower Master couldn’t help but covet Lawrence.
If someone like him were to join the Iron Tower…
“As expected, you’re here, Tower Master.”
“Hmm? You knew I’d be here?”
Startled by Lawrence’s words, Hanma asked.
After all, he had come here with only one person’s recommendation…
His gaze became more curious as he looked at Lawrence.
“Could it be…”
“Ah, isn’t that the Iron Tower Master?”
“Ah… Duchess, it’s been a long time.”
As Hanma was about to say something, a voice interjected at just the right moment.
It was none other than Medeia, the matron of Montemer.
Her expression was one of surprise, as the Iron Tower Master had previously expressed no intention of attending the selection test.
Meanwhile, Lawrence gave a slight bow and disappeared into the Tower of Wisdom.
The Tower Master wanted to stop him, but he couldn’t ignore Medeia smiling right in front of him, so he had to swallow his regret.
He had wanted to talk a little more…
“I didn’t seek you out since I thought you wouldn’t attend, but it’s surprising to meet you like this.”
“Haha, staying cooped up in my room felt unbearable, so I thought I’d broaden my narrow perspective.”
“You should have informed me in advance. I would have visited you…”
“No need. How could I trouble someone as esteemed as you…? You wouldn’t dare suggest I’m unqualified, would you?”
The Tower Master’s question carried a subtle edge.
Medeia, too, didn’t show her true emotions and simply shook her head.
“Of course not. I’ll arrange a separate seat for you, so please wait for a moment.”
“No need to worry about this old man. Apart from being sturdy, there’s nothing special about me. Haha!”
With a gentle smile, Medeia instructed her attendants to prepare a seat for the Tower Master.
“Quickly, prepare a place for the Tower Master.”
“Yes, Madam.”
The maids moved swiftly.
Medeia excused herself, saying she had other matters to attend to, and left gracefully.
‘Why is the Iron Tower Master involved with that Lawrence?’
Could they have secretly made contact?
Had he already read all her moves…?
‘He’s as cunning as his mother.’
At least the fact that it was the Iron Tower brought some relief.
The Iron Tower is located in the outskirts and is a rather insignificant place.
And its level of magic?
It’s evaluated to be far inferior to the Seven-Colored Magic Towers.
Magic that emphasizes sheer destructive power but is impossible to hit with.
And what about its range?
The essence of magic lies in delivering high-powered attacks from afar.
On the other hand, their magic had an exceptionally short range.
Thinking of the maid standing near Lawrence, Medeia sneered.
“Hah, no matter what escape route he prepares, it’ll just lead to a sewer. Besides… that girl is still by his side.”
Throwing oneself into a grave.
That maid must undoubtedly be Rachel, who was brainwashed by Ikel.
Ikel had reported his success and regularly reported Lawrence’s movements.
So far, not a single false report had been made.
‘Struggle all you want. When you emerge from the Magic Tower, the world will already be hell for you.’
She was confident.
Two years of foundational education.
In that time, she would prepare to erase Lawrence from this family completely.
#2
The Tower of Wisdom.
The place where all of Montemer’s knowledge and wisdom converge.
Located above the Seven-Colored Magic Towers, it was a hub of research where forgotten techniques were unearthed and new magical systems were studied.
Lawrence looked at the interior of the tower and clenched his fist tightly.
‘In my previous life, this was my goal…’
For researchers, it was like a dream come true, but progress on artifact-related research had been non-existent.
As a result, the tower gradually diminished in size, and in the end, he lived as a prisoner on the Empire’s outskirts.
Looking back, it was inevitable.
Artifacts were objects that only dragons could create.
‘So many things were unfair.’
It was a moment that made him acutely aware of how bitterly unjust his previous life had been.
Even though the researchers bustling around looked no different from his past self, the harsh discrimination and contempt he had endured flooded back.
“…Young Master?”
“Let’s go.”
“…”
Rachel looked at Lawrence, who was gazing at the tower’s scenery for a long time, with concern.
Occasionally, it seemed as though he bore immense pain.
It was strange.
What kind of deep pain could an eleven-year-old child possibly carry…?
‘But, what happened yesterday…’
Rachel recalled what she had experienced the night before when sharp voices rang out.
It was the maids who served the other young masters and ladies.
“Oh my, isn’t that Rachel?”
“It’s been a while, dear.”
“Ah, hello. It’s been a while.”
They greeted Lawrence with a slight nod before quickly stating their business.
Their attitude was so rude that it showed no trace of courtesy.
Was it their arrogance stemming from the belief that their masters held a higher position?
Their behaviour toward Lawrence and Rachel was equally impolite.
“Young Master, maids aren’t allowed inside during the Selection Trial. We’ll take good care of Rachel.”
“That’s right~. Instead of risking punishment, wouldn’t it be better for her to learn from us?”
“Rachel, go on.”
Unexpectedly, Lawrence let her go without saying much.
Rachel also nodded in response.
Lawrence then looked not at Rachel but at the maids, speaking calmly.
“Be careful.”
“There won’t be any problems, Young Master.”
“For your sake, I hope not.”
The maids only bowed their heads without saying anything.
They were maids from the Montemer family, serving figures like Loras, who had already completed the basic education of the Magic Tower.
Perhaps they had all come to evaluate his magic skills.
He wouldn’t see their faces again until after the written test.
Lawrence watched as Rachel disappeared along with the maids.
Were they planning to discipline her?
But, we’ll see who ends up disciplining whom…
He chuckled to himself and stepped inside for the written test.
Inside, the heirs of other families, representatives of the Magic Towers, and key figures of Montemer had already gathered.
“Lawrence Montemer, are you here to participate in this Selection Trial?”
“Yes.”
The Selection Trial was open to any mage who had completed the Evaluation Test at the age of eleven.
Even his immediate elder brother, Loras, had completed the basic education at the Blue Magic Tower right after turning eleven through the Selection Trial.
Now, only Lawrence remained in Montemer.
All eyes turned toward him.
Rumours had already spread widely that he had gained the favour of Lancel Gaudi, known as the Ruler of the North.
Lawrence took his designated seat, raised his head, and looked at the representatives of the Magic Towers.
‘Quite a crowd. This is something I never experienced in my previous life.’
The Tower Masters of the Seven-Colored Magic Towers.
Even the Tower Masters who had built their own independent domains were here.
It was a grand sight to see the representatives of Magic Towers that governed the Empire, the continent, and even the world gathered in one place.
The mana they exuded was enough to fill the entire space.
‘Come to think of it, I heard about this.’
<Once you enter the Selection Trial, neither knights nor mages can fully use their powers. Do you know why?>
The words of a talkative assassin resurfaced in his memory.
Though he wasn’t sure what kind of information the Venoman Family handled, seeing it with his own eyes made him understand why he had said so.
<It’s because the mana of the Tower Masters disrupts concentration. Even in extreme situations, mages and knights must maintain focus. That’s why many end up sweating buckets during the written test.>
The assassin had rambled as if he had uncovered some great secret.
Lawrence remembered nodding while carving a magic circle, pretending to listen.
He could clearly see the mana moving as if it intended to crush the candidates for the Selection Trial.
They probably thought they were applying pressure, but to Lawrence, it was pointless.
‘Even under this level of pressure…’
‘Why was the young master of Montemer excluded?’
‘Is this part of the scheme to suppress illegitimate children? How pitiful.’
To the Tower Masters, Lawrence appeared as a peculiar and pitiable young master.
Even before the Selection Trial had started, some sort of deal had already been struck.
It was a transaction involving Medeia.
<Lawrence Montemer must not be admitted into the Magic Tower.>
<I guarantee the Montemer family’s full support. Even the family head will permit it.>
The terms were quite exceptional for merely keeping one illegitimate child out of the Magic Tower.
Seeing him sitting there so composed, it became clear why she had gone to such lengths to block his path.
The trial hadn’t even begun, yet they were already halfway to winning.
‘A child like him is an illegitimate son and despised by the Montemer matron?’
‘The claim that he has no Mana Core—was it just a rumour?’
‘Perhaps he awakened a unique ability. That would explain things.’
If that were true, the situation would indeed take a turn.
The Tower Masters, their eyes gleaming, began to scrutinize Lawrence carefully.
Meanwhile, Lawrence, the person in question, was simply marveling at the sight of the diverse mana dancing around.
The minds of the Tower Masters began working quickly.
‘Wait, we just need to keep him out of the Magic Tower, right? There’s no prohibition against forming personal connections.’
‘Hmm, what should we do? This is dangerous… truly dangerous.’
Ultimately, skill was paramount.
Even if he had a unique ability, and even if he was a Montemer, the world of mages was a place where only ability could ensure survival.
Test papers to assess their fundamental knowledge were distributed.
“You have two hours. I suggest you refrain from any dishonest behaviour. The eyes of the Tower Masters are sharper than anyone’s…”
The candidates nodded and began solving the problems using the knowledge they had.
Lawrence, too, picked up his pen and examined the questions.
‘Easier than I expected.’
To reiterate, Lawrence’s original profession was that of a researcher.
In other words, his true specialty was in written tests.
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