Ethan was about to step out through the towering ebony doors of the Tower Master's chamber,
mind already plotting his next moves. His boots clicked against the dark marble floor, echoes
bouncing between the high pillars carved with runes.
But before he could cross the threshold, a voice cut the air, sharp and smooth like a blade sliding
from its sheath.
"Ethan."
He stopped in his tracks. A grin tugged at the corners of his lips. Heh… I know what's about to
come.
He turned around, hands slipping into his pockets as he faced the Tower Master. "Yes, Tower
Master?"
The Tower Master stood in the middle of the chamber, light from the hanging crystal lamps
flickering across her raven-black hair. She wore dark robes stitched with silver threads, and her
crimson eyes glowed faintly as if they held secrets of the abyss itself. She watched Ethan in
silence for a few seconds, measuring him.
"I want you to come with me," she finally said, each word deliberate and heavy with authority.
"Along with Seraphina Darkvale and Korrin Nightweaver. We're leaving for the Empire's capital
tomorrow. There's a meeting of the Mage Towers."
Ethan blinked once. Behind the Tower Master, two figures shifted into view from the shadows.
Seraphina—a tall woman cloaked in flowing silks the color of midnight, her violet hair cascading
down her shoulders, faint arcs of purple mana dancing between her fingers. Her eyes were cool,
aloof, and calculating, like she was always performing an equation in her mind.
Korrin—a broad-shouldered man with long black hair tied back into a high tail, arms folded across
his chest, a calm but deadly aura radiating off him. His gaze was sharp as a dagger's edge. Both
of them were 6th Circle Mages, legends even within the Dark Mage Tower.
Ethan raised a brow, amusement dancing in his eyes. "It'll be my honor, Tower Master… but why
me? I'm just the new guy."
The Tower Master tilted her chin slightly, a glimmer of amusement in her crimson eyes. "All the
mage towers bring their strongest new member. It's tradition—to show off the power of the next
generation. And among our Dark Mage Tower…"
She stepped forward, stopping a few inches in front of Ethan. He could feel the faint chill of her
mana pressing against his skin, like the icy breath of midnight wind.
"…among our Dark Mage Tower," she continued, voice low and certain, "you are the most
promising one I've seen in a decade. You're strong, reckless—but brilliant. And you've
accomplished feats no other newcomer ever has. So I'm choosing you. You'll represent us as the
Dark Mage Tower's new blood."
Ethan paused, letting her words sink in. His grin widened, but there was a flicker of something
else in his eyes—a mix of determination and the thrill of the challenge.
"Heh… so it's basically a 'who's the best rookie mage in the empire' contest, huh?"
Seraphina folded her arms and scoffed lightly. "Don't embarrass us, kid."
Korrin shot Ethan a brief smirk. "Or do. It'll be entertaining either way."
Ethan laughed under his breath. "Man… you people sure know how to load on the pressure."
The Tower Master narrowed her eyes. "It's not just a contest of power. Politics will be at play. Eyes
will be on you. Other towers will be looking to find weakness—or strength. Prove yourself, and the
Empire's nobles might look upon you favorably. Fail… and you'll stain our reputation."
Ethan scratched the back of his head, sighing. "Yeah, no pressure at all…"
But then his gaze sharpened. He drew himself upright and gave a short bow.
"Well… guess I've got no choice but to show them what the Dark Mage Tower's next generation
looks like."
A SYSTEM window flickered into existence beside him, letters appearing in crisp red text:
[Main Scenario Quest Initiated!]
[Attend the Great Mage Tower Summit in the Imperial Capital.]
[Objective: Become the strongest among all new tower representatives.]
[Rewards: Dominion Points, Unique Title, Influence with the Empire's Mage Council.]
Ethan's eyes glinted as he read it. "A main scenario, huh? Figures it'd drop now…"
The Tower Master waved a hand dismissively. "Rest tonight. Pack your gear. We leave at dawn."
Ethan turned on his heel and strode away from the chamber, the doors slowly closing behind him.
As he walked through the dim corridors of the Dark Mage Tower, his lips curled into a wicked grin.
"Empire's capital, huh? Let's see what kind of show we can put on…"