Morpho curiously looked around the spacious lobby they were in, still staying on the shoulder, apprehensive of people standing guard near every visible entrance.
The place looked pristine but at the same time somewhat suffocating with its unnaturally spotless interior.
While most of the students stood rooted to the ground, excitedly observing every inch of the place, Professor Richard casually approached the desk, greeting the smiling receptionist.
Briefly exchanging a few words, he returned, in his hands now a bunch of cards with letters beautifully engraved on them.
"These are the keys to your rooms, take whichever you like." Richard showed his hand to everyone.
Cyril casually took one, it read '665' on it.
Immediately after, Myra energetically walked closer, taking the card with '666' on it.
"..." Rhamn sent a complaining gaze but didn't say anything otherwise.
"Alright, go to the sixth floor and follow the signs. I am sure you can handle this, you are no kids. Tomorrow at 9 am, gather at the auditorium on the same floor. That's all."
With this dismissive comment Richard quickly walked away, his speed betraying strong eagerness for knowledge hidden in here.
The students could only stare in confusion as his back disappeared behind one of the pristine white doors.
After a second of recovering, the students, who had never before been to the center, much less the Tower, started cautiously eyeing their fellow peers, hoping someone would take the first step.
All the while the receptionist only silently stood behind her desk wearing a polite smile.
"Shall we go? This place sure looks impressive," Cedric said while looking around, his words gathering everyone's hopeful gazes.
In the meantime, Rose slowly approached the desk.
"Excuse me, can we visit the archives?"
"The public archives are on the fourth floor, take a right as you exit the elevator, and you won't miss it."
With a thankful nod, Rose quickly went towards the doors Richard disappeared into and followed his example.
"I'll go to the archives as well," replied Cyril after a second, and followed after Rose.
"Me too," Myra followed after him.
Cedric opened his mouth, glanced at the smiling receptionist, and then at 3 leaving students.
"We can't waste this opportunity," he nodded after brief contemplation, beginning to move.
The other students looked at each other and echoed these words in their own way.
Everyone decided to visit the archives first.
...
Passing through the white corridors, Cyril soon arrived in a wide circular room with a distinct platform in the middle.
On it stood Rose, frustratingly fiddling with the stand in front of her.
Cyril, followed by all other students, walked closer.
"That's a terminal, just press the button where you want to go."
"I know! I was just... trying to see what spells make this possible." Rose stepped aside.
Without replying, Cyril pressed the illusory button with the number 4 on it.
Soon, with a familiar hum of magic, the platform shook and gradually began to rise up.
"This place is like a different world entirely! I've never seen so many advanced spells all acting at the same time," Bonzo spoke with excitement, observing the metal platform under his feet and the stand with illusory text on it.
"The Tower is built right on top of the biggest cluster of manaveins. With this immeasurable source of power nearby, it's easy for them to make all kinds of magical technology." Rose explained with her blue eyes shining.
The students patiently listened to her explanation, fatigue on their faces gradually replaced by excitement.
Not only that, magic is practically palpable in the air here. I feel stronger than ever.
Cyril mused to himself, listening to the energetic heartbeat of his body.
"Yeah, it feels really good~"
"The closer we got to the center, the more mana there was in the air. Oh, why is Ailanthus so far away?" She lamented with a dreamy expression.
...
Soon the platform stopped, and the students eagerly went through the wide double doors leading into more white corridors.
Following the receptionist's guidance, they soon reached the room marked 'Public Archives, 1.'
So that means there are more than one and that there are private archives? What could they be hiding there?
"One can imagine. It would've been fun to check them out, I think."
If we get the chance.
Jokingly replying to her in his head, Cyril opened the doors and walked in, the others doing the same shortly after.
What greeted them were rows upon rows of bookshelves, it looked very much like a library, only designed in a similar manner as the rest of the Tower.
The amount of white in this place is really overwhelming...
"This is the most important place in the whole Empire, why do they have to make it so boring? Ailanthus looks much better."
A familiar stand was placed before each row. A few people in white coats used some, manipulating the illusory interface with ease.
"Walk in front of these things and figure out the rest. If you wish to go to your rooms, just head back to the elevator and click on the number '6'"
Cyril's words serving as a signal, everyone quickly walked to unoccupied stands, eager to try this new thing out.
"What do you want to search for first?" Myra asked, not in a hurry to go anywhere.
"Something about magic creatures. I am curious about them."
Myra eyed Morpho quietly sitting on Cyril' shoulder and walked after him.
"I never knew you were so interested in keeping pets." She mumbled to herself.
...
On the stands themselves was displayed an index of available books. Cyril took his time browsing through them, pressing on the ones he found interesting.
'Ancient tomes of 154,' 'Magic Creatures: the end of humanity?'. 'Effects of Mana on the Body,' 'How to Live During Times of Terror in Peace.' All sorts of books went past his eyes, even some weird ones were mixed in.
They must have something that explains my state.
Myra stood at his side at first, but after a few minutes, she went to a neighboring stand, boredly scrolling through the selection.
"You know, she didn't look that surprised over anything here so far. Doesn't she claim to be from the village outside? Do they have something even more impressive out there?" Rhamn said with narrowed eyes.
We already figured out she is hiding something. No use dwelling on it for now.
"I just want us to be vigilant."
After he chose which books to take, Cyril pressed the big highlighted word 'Take Out,' and books from different shelves started to fly towards the stand's position.
Then Cyril walked away, trying to find an empty table. On the way he noticed his fellow students carrying a wide range of books.
One student, Regina, carried with her something that read, 'Magic to Help You Stay Unnoticed,' 'The Number One Assassin,' and 'The Secret of Speed.'
She quietly nodded to him on the way and sat on the table in the corner of the room.
"She is from class II, a very secretive person." Rhamn explained, feeling Cyril's curiosity.
Bonzo eagerly carried a huge stack of books, all of which in some way had the word 'poison' in them. His face carried some eager fanaticism as he quietly laughed to himself.
"This clown is also from class II."
Class I seems lacking in comparison...
"It would've been more fun with them around, definitely."
Finally Cyril found an unoccupied table and made himself comfortable. Soon he was joined by others.
Rose had a huge stack of books as well, all about different topics.
Myra chose a single book about Spellmaking, opening it with a reluctant face.
Morpho cautiously observed her surroundings and would occasionally join Cyril in reading.
Everyone was focused on their own things, and no one bothered each other.
Only Rhamn commented from time to time, disturbing the silence, but Cyril was used to that.
…
'Beware of Thyme's Parasites, once these tiny worms are inside of your body, they appear to your mind as wise old men or beautiful women to gain your trust and slowly absorb your mana and life.'
This was the description of an interesting creature he found in one of the books.
Cyril slowly turned his head to look at Rhamn sitting by his side.
In response, she only blinked her eyes with a confused expression.
"That's so rude! Don't call me a worm." After a brief delay, Rhamn puffed up her cheeks and turned away from him, feigning grievance.
Sorry about that.
He didn't actually believe she was a parasite. His state was too different from how the books described the worms' effects.
Still, mostly parasitic creatures need mana to survive. There is quite the variance on them too.
Rhamn listened to his thoughts with a slight frown but didn't say anything.
As for shapeshifting... a lot of magic creatures can do it, it turns out. I already found a fox, a bird, and an ethereal spirit, some books even claim the legendary dragons could change their forms.
He sighed and massaged his temple.
That doesn't fit my situation still.
"Let's not dwell on it. I told you we are unique! At least we found out about a lot of magic creatures. They are so cute!"
There was a glint in Rhamn's red eyes that sent a shiver down Cyril's spine for some reason.
Right, it also says magic creatures enjoy areas with high concentrations of mana.
Cyril switched topics to relax a little.
But if that's the case, there must be a lot of them in the Empire. Perhaps we only need to look, and we'll find some?
"That's such an interesting idea! I would love to see all kinds of magic creatures in person and find out how they work."
As if struck by something, she turned to Cyril and exclaimed, "Maybe we can get 'inspired' by them and adapt some of their biology for ourselves? That could be fun and very useful!"
You are really eager to use your abilities... Let's leave that for the future.
While the mental image of that wasn't too pleasant to look at, Cyril was slightly intrigued by her proposal.
...
In this way Cyril spent a few hours, going over book after book.
At some point he went out to take out other material as well, only to find nothing in the end.
I guess we can only go ask Nostro then.
Cyril leaned into the pure white chair, exhausted.
Out of curiosity, he glanced at how the others were doing.
Myra's book on Spellmaking was now closed, the bookmark inside placed at the very beginning.
Instead, she boredly flipped through page after page of some picture book she found. It depicted an action-packed story about a knight battling demons.
Morpho was sitting on her shoulder now, reading the story as well.
They have these kinds of books too?
Slightly amused, he glanced at Rose's great selection, going over the many books lying on her side of the table.
She is certainly studious.
Just as he was about to go back to his own things, a title caught his attention.
'Ancient Humans, Those Before the Empire'
"Are you done with this one?" Cyril asked Rose, who was writing something down in her notebook.
"Mmh?"
"Oh, take it. It wasn't what I needed."
With this, Rose lowered her head, no longer paying attention.
With a 'what if' mentality, Cyril opened the book.
Sitting at the side, Myra grew more and more engaged in whatever she was reading, though she would occasionally snap back to check the time display on the table, her gaze becoming briefly worried in these moments.