Chapter 141 - 016: Re-entering the Tower

Chapter 141: 016: Re-entering the Tower

A few days later, Lynch’s official entry into the Tower finally arrived.

Early in the morning, Lynch rose from his bed, donned the standard cloak of a Netta Apprentice, and pinned the apprentice badge to his chest before heading to the Shadow Tower.

At last, I’m here!

Standing beneath the Tower and gazing up at the ancient structure looming under the shadow, Lynch felt a myriad of emotions. The last time he was here was years ago. For an ordinary apprentice, stepping foot here was already a pinnacle dream realized.

“You can do this!”

Silently encouraging himself, Lynch ascended the aged stone steps, moving step by step toward the ancient rune-covered door.

Before the door stood the stone statue guards that still remained motionless as always. When Lynch approached, he could distinctly feel two majestic gazes falling upon him, though unlike last time, their stance did not seem as rigorously defensive.

Books fluttering about in mid-air, intricate constellation diagrams, scattered scrolls, and peculiar ornaments—all exuding an air of mystery.

He drew in a deep breath.

It was as if even the air filling his lungs was imbued with the taste of the elements.

“Tap, tap, tap!”

In that moment, the sound of footsteps echoed clearly through the spacious hall.

To Lynch’s surprise, the figure walking not far away was someone familiar.

Hurriedly stepping forward, he called out, “Wizard Leonard!”

The figure in front wasn’t anyone else—it was Leonard, the one who had once awarded him the Warrior Feather as an apprentice… Except now, Leonard should be addressed as Wizard Leonard. Not long ago, Leonard had successfully ascended to wizard status, and the news had already spread throughout the Tower.

Leonard turned his head, noticing Lynch in the distance. He waved him over immediately.

Lynch approached and bowed in respect, saying, “It’s an honor to see you here.”

Leonard smiled, “It’s you!”

Pausing for a moment, he gave an approving remark, “I’ve heard your story. It’s truly impressive that you’ve achieved such accomplishments within just two or three short years. Indeed, the Judges’ eye for talent did not fail.”

Lynch said, “It was just luck.”

Leonard replied, “Luck is often determined by one’s own efforts. Without your determination and hard work, such good fortune wouldn’t have come your way. You’re remarkable.”

Lynch, feeling a bit embarrassed by the praise, replied, “Thank you.”

After a brief pause, he added with a touch of flattery, “Also, congratulations on successfully ascending to wizard status.”

Oddly enough, Leonard didn’t seem particularly thrilled about the achievement. Lynch even detected an expression of regret and melancholy on his face?

Leonard sighed, “Yes… But it couldn’t be helped… There were some issues with my cultivation that left me no choice but to ascend.”

Confused, Lynch thought—what? Ascending to wizard status as if it were some sort of compulsion?

Leonard continued vaguely, “I missed out… The future of this land can only rest in your hands now. Keep pushing forward.”

The future? What did that even mean?

Leonard noticed the perplexity written across Lynch’s face but didn’t elaborate further. Instead, he shook his head and remarked ambiguously, “You’ll understand in a few years. For now, it’s not the time for this news to be revealed.”

With that, he ended the conversation and shifted topics, asking, “Are you here to report to your mentor? Who is your mentor? I can guide you there.”

Lynch nodded, “Yes, my mentor is Wizard Somda.”

Leonard paused, “Somda, is it?”

He nodded, commenting, “An erudite scholar. Don’t let certain criticisms or negative opinions about him cloud your judgment. Perhaps there are areas where he could improve, but every mentor has their own life and priorities—they can’t always address everything perfectly. Mutual understanding is key.”

“A mentor’s role in an apprentice’s Wizard’s Road is merely to serve as a guide. How far you can go, and where you’ll ultimately end up, largely depends on yourself as the apprentice.”

Lynch responded earnestly, “I’ll bear your words in mind.”

Leonard nodded, “Let’s go. I’ll take you there.”

Stepping onto the Jumping Stone Plate, Lynch’s vision blurred for a moment before he quickly arrived at an unfamiliar corridor.

Leonard pointed ahead, “This is as far as I’ll take you. Continue following this corridor straight ahead. After passing through a garden, you’ll come to a rather unique corridor—it’ll appear somewhat old. At the end of that corridor is your mentor, Wizard Somda’s laboratory.”

Lynch nodded, “Got it. Thank you.”

Leonard clapped him on the shoulder, “You’re welcome. Hurry up now; Wizard Somda is very particular about time. Punctuality is the most basic and essential trait for his apprentices.”

Parting with Leonard, Lynch quickly headed in the direction he was instructed.

The last time he entered the Tower, he had only stepped into Leonard’s office, which didn’t fully convey the Tower’s true interior. This time, however, he was able to truly experience the magical essence of the Tower’s landscapes.

First, there was the spatial depth.

The interior dimensions of the Tower far surpassed what its exterior suggested—it was countless times more expansive than it appeared. While the exterior looked like merely a single tower, inside was an entirely different world, a realm impressive enough to be considered its own universe.

Walking through it, Lynch first passed by a corridor, which eventually led him to a garden. Within the garden lay pools, pavilions, and even a small wood that resembled a classic estate.

These were merely the public areas of the Tower. Lynch had heard that the environments within wizards’ true laboratories were even more extraordinary—rumors spoke of laboratories that opened into forests, snow mountains, seas, or even entirely other worlds.

Lynch wasn’t sure if these rumors were true, but based on what he had seen so far, the Tower was undeniably immense.

After traversing the garden, Lynch came upon a corridor area.

Among the dozen or so corridors, Lynch immediately spotted the one he was looking for with a single characteristic.

Old.

It was extraordinarily old, appearing as though it had withstood endless tides of time.

The corridor’s walls were lightly coated with dust, their paint cracked and yellowed. An indescribable aura of antiquity exuded from the weathered surfaces.

Faded portraits hung on the walls, their subjects’ faces barely recognizable. A worn-out carpet lay on the ground, its color long drained, leaving irregular gray patches. Brass wall lamps mounted along the corridor appeared dim and lifeless.

Lynch couldn’t help but wonder aloud, “What happened here?”

It seemed unlikely that the Tower would skimp on facilities for its wizards. Considering that this corridor’s design matched the adjacent ones, it was clear they were constructed as part of the same project.

Yet, while the surrounding corridors remained well-maintained, this particular one seemed like it had endured centuries of erosion.

“I guess I’ll just go in and see for myself.”

Checking the time, Lynch realized it was late and decided to stop dwelling on the matter, venturing forward.

“Hmm?”

Just as he stepped onto the corridor, Lynch’s pace faltered. He glanced around, startled.

For a fleeting instant upon entering, he felt something peculiar—though whatever it was remained elusive to pinpoint.

After attempting to perceive further but finding no clues, Lynch dismissed the thought and continued on.

Perhaps it was merely a momentary illusion.

The corridor felt paradoxical—both endlessly long and fleetingly short. Had Lynch walked through it for ages, or merely a moment?

Regardless, he soon arrived at the corridor’s end.

At its terminal, a half-ajar wooden door stood quietly. Its paint had peeled away, revealing a mottled wooden texture, and small beams of dim yellow light seeped through its cracks, like dawn’s first light or the lingering glow of dusk.

“Drip, drip!”

The sharp sound of dripping water resonated from within—the sound of time trickling past.

Taking a step forward, Lynch rapped on the door.

“Knock, knock, knock!”

“Creak~!”—a sound of decay.

The door slowly swung open…

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