The tension in the air dissolved at once.
In the ancient times of Glory, noble titles were not simply decorative ranks. They were proof of power. Only those who had reached the peak of strength were qualified to hold them. Tier 5 warriors and mages were considered too low to bear noble blood. A Baron's rank demanded at least Tier 6 strength, while a Viscount was only granted to those at Tier 7 and above. At the height of the Abyssal Invasion, noble titles were directly tied to combat power.
But as the years passed, after the war ended and peace settled over the world, greed had corroded the system. Nobles began to sell titles for gold. Honor was diminished, the true meaning of those ranks diluted. Now, in the age of players, even someone completing a series of quests could rise to Viscount, provided they collected enough honor points.
Still, within this illusion, the rules were different. The ancient criteria were in effect. And seeing the crest of a Viscount shining over Kaito's head, the guard did not hesitate. He could not measure Kaito's power. To him, a Viscount was someone leagues above his comprehension.
Kaito exhaled a breath he had been holding. His chest eased slightly. Even though the guide had told him this method would work, in his previous life he had never actually faced this scenario himself. He hadn't known if it would trigger properly. But now, as the guard saluted and stepped aside, he knew he had succeeded.
Behind him, Kaede, Nina, and Lucien followed. Their presence only reinforced Kaito's authority. In the ancient times of Glory, those born with magical talent were rarer than one in a thousand. To be a mage was to be born noble. By tradition, even apprentice mages at Tier 2 were granted lordship, and by Tier 6, they could claim titles above baron.
Though the three were only apprentices now, their aura of magic, combined with Kaito's Viscount title, painted the picture of a group of higher-ranking powerhouses. The guard didn't question it. Instead, he simply bowed lower and gestured for them to proceed.
"Activate the circle!" he ordered to his fellow mages.
Runes lit up across the ground as a large teleportation circle flared into life. Kaito and his party stepped onto the glowing platform, its blue-white lines wrapping them in shimmering arcs. The magic flared, and in an instant, they vanished.
The feeling of teleportation surged through Kaito's body. It wasn't the crude tearing sensation of the low-grade portals between novice villages and towns. Those had always carried discomfort, leaving players dizzy or nauseous. This was smooth, seamless, like slipping through water. In his previous life, high-level teleportation had become a daily occurrence. But now, standing here in this second life, it struck him anew. The sensation reminded him of what awaited at higher levels the ease of moving across the world like stepping through doors.
When the light cleared, Kaito and his group stood inside the mage tower.
The interior was vast, its ground floor bustling with activity. Robed mages hurried across the marble floor, their arms loaded with scrolls and crystal cores. Apprentices carried trays of reagents, rushing to prepare potions and charms. Spells were constantly being cast, layers of wards glowing over every doorway. The sound of arcane chants and hurried footsteps filled the air, blending into a rhythm of urgency.
The mage tower rose ten stories high. By ancient tradition, each additional floor was a measure of its master's strength. A six-story tower signified a Tier 3 mage. Only those of Tier 7 could command a tower of ten floors. And here, the height of the structure told Kaito the truth this place was overseen by a Tier 7 master.
The lowest three floors were always the foundation, carved with intricate runes to anchor the structure to the ley lines of the land. Above them, the higher floors were sanctums of power, each dedicated to different disciplines. Laboratories for alchemy, chambers for scrying, halls filled with summoning circles, each space alive with activity.
As Kaito looked around, the grandeur of it struck him. Even though this was an illusion, every detail was precise. The banners of human kingdoms hung from the walls. Arcane wards pulsed faintly across the ceilings. The smell of ink, parchment, and burning reagents lingered in the air.
He thought to himself, Even in illusion, this place is breathtaking. The resources needed to build such a tower could let an ordinary person live in luxury for ten lifetimes.
His team stood close behind, watching with quiet awe. Nina's eyes lingered on the glowing crystals that floated midair, Kaede tightened his grip on his staff, Lucien muttered under his breath about the density of mana in the room, and Mei Rin simply stared upward at the runed ceilings. Even Aika, normally calm, had a small glimmer of surprise in her gaze.
But Kaito didn't let himself be distracted. He knew the truth. This was all part of the Queen's illusion. The mage tower was not real, but a test. He had chosen the fastest path, the simplest method to end it by using his noble title to gain access.
If he had not possessed a Viscount's crest, they would have been forced to fight through countless enemies, to break the illusion by force. That path would have drained their energy, consumed their remaining potions, and left them battered before even facing the Queen again.
Before stepping forward, Kaito turned to his companions. His voice was calm but firm.
"When we move ahead, do not speak. Keep your heads lowered, and greet any mage you see."
They nodded quickly. Kaito knew why this was necessary. In the ancient times, mages and apprentices always observed a strict order of etiquette. Those of lower strength had to lower their heads and bow to higher-ranking ones as a sign of respect. It was not simply custom, but an unspoken law of survival. Even now, inside this illusion, that same order was in effect.
Kaito himself, with the Viscount crest still glowing faintly over his head, did not need to bow. His noble title marked him as someone of high standing. But those behind him Kaede, Nina, Lucien, Mei Rin, and Aika could not rely on titles. Their strengths were visible, their magical power still at apprentice levels. If they tried to walk with pride, they would draw unwanted attention. So they needed to remain low key, acting like respectful juniors following their lord.
Together, they moved quietly through the base of the mage tower. Their steps were steady, their gazes lowered, their movements careful. From time to time, robed mages hurried past, their hands glowing with spells or carrying crystals and scrolls. Whenever this happened, Kaito's companions lowered their heads and greeted them respectfully. The mages paid no mind, too focused on their tasks, and continued on their way.
Soon, the group reached the large teleportation circle in the center of the hall. The circle pulsed with runes and faint light, its surface wide enough to hold a dozen people. It acted like a lift, carrying mages to higher floors. As they arrived, five other mages scurried toward the circle, robes flapping as they rushed to answer their duties.
Kaito wasted no time. He quietly guided his team to the back of the teleportation circle, leaving space for the others to stand at the front. They blended in, drawing no attention.
The runes flared. Light shimmered. In the blink of an eye, they were carried upward.
When the light cleared, Kaito found himself and his team standing on the highest floor of the mage tower. Around them, rows of massive magic cannons were lined along the walls. Each cannon roared with arcane fire, launching glowing projectiles into the distance. Through the tall windows, they could see the battlefield below. Waves of Abyssal Demons poured out from the black gates, while the cannons fired again and again, raining destruction down upon them.
This was the heart of the tower's defenses.