Estimated read time: 12 min
[This story is entirely fictional and has no relation to real events.]
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It had been a week since Alex arrived in the capital. During this time, he had learned everything he needed to know about this world from Maria. Just a year ago, he didn't belong to this world. He didn't even have the name Alex. He was just an ordinary human from Earth, who had been forcibly drawn into the Tower. Ever since, his life had completely changed. Alex could never have imagined that world traveling was even possible, yet all the events he experienced forced him to believe it.
Alex's mind was now flooded with questions. The mysteries of the Tower and the reasons behind their manifestation before humans puzzled him endlessly. No matter how powerful his ring was, it couldn't answer these questions. He couldn't even imagine how many other magical items might exist within the Tower. He knew he had to enter the Tower soon. Only there could he find the answers he sought.
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The Tower of Gluttony had strict rules for entry. Interestingly, the Tower itself did not create these rules. Thousands of years ago, the royal families of the four Empires had established them. Together, the four Empires had built an academy with the purpose of educating the elite. Access to the Tower was granted exclusively to them. Since then, the academy had taken over all rights to allow entry into the Tower. As a result, anyone wishing to enter had to join the academy or gain its permission.
Alex knew that in order to enter the Tower, he would first have to enroll in the academy. Furthermore, most high-ranking jobs in this world also required academy admission. The system was somewhat like the educational progression on Earth: school, college, university, and finally, the pursuit of a good career. Alex found similar rules applied here.
Yet, Alex missed his world dearly. The unfamiliar surroundings were not easy to accept. Though he considered Elmond and Maria as family, his heart longed for Earth. Even as his mind spoke of returning, his body refused to leave this world. No matter how much he researched, he still could not understand how he had entered another body. So many things remained unknown, mysteries he had yet to unravel.
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"Kajol's black hair floated in the air, her eyes devoid of any affection or warmth. She seemed like living ice. A splatter of blood on her fair face made her resemble a professional killer. Suddenly, she drove a small sword straight into Alex's back. Poison coursed through his body. Alex could not move. He stared into those cold eyes, tears streaming down his face. By now, all his friends were dead. In a hoarse voice, he cried out,
—>> Why… why did you do this? All those promises, all that love—was it all a lie?
The girl, with her cold demeanor, wiped the blood off her sword from the body lying beneath her. She didn't speak. Another boy followed her silently. Alex screamed again,
—>> Why… why did you do this to me?
At his shout, the girl turned back, her gaze still cold and unfeeling.
—>> Blame no one but yourself… for being weak.
Without another word, she vanished into the unknown."*
Alex jumped awake, drenched in sweat. The dream was not just an illusion—it was a vivid replay of his past experiences.
He noticed dark energy radiating from his body, but it dissipated quickly. Softly, Alex muttered,
—>> Yes… the fault was mine for being weak. But that mistake will never happen again. I promise I will not set foot on Earth until I become truly strong.
He rose and stood once more on the balcony. In the moonlight, he reflected on his past errors. He knew he had to grow stronger; he could not allow reality to repeat itself. To prevent such outcomes, he needed power that would leave everyone speechless.
—>> Yes… the power hidden behind this Tower… I need it.
A small smile formed on Alex's lips as he spoke.
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Tower of Sloth
On the first floor, three girls entered a dungeon. A massive Skeleton Army emerged before them. A Japanese girl named Hina slashed through them with her katana. A red wave of energy, called Sword Aura, radiated from her weapon. It was so powerful that thousands of skeletons fell with a single slash, leaving nothing but bones.
Among the three, one girl stepped forward, with Hina and an American girl, Mary, following her. Suddenly, Mary spoke in English,
—>> Mira, why did you suddenly bring us here?
The girl in front, a Bangladeshi named Mira, turned back coldly and said,
—>> I did not bring you here. You both chose to follow me. If you have no business, I suggest you leave me be.
—>> That's not fair. After a year of deep friendship, you still refuse to talk properly to us?
Mary's voice carried sadness. Mira replied coldly,
—>> I have no need for friends. I prefer to be alone.
—>> No, I know that's not really your heart. No matter how cold you seem, there's still softness within you.
Mira didn't respond, continuing forward until she reached a spot that stirred old memories. Hina asked,
—>> I've never seen your eyes like this in the past year. Is this place so important?
—>> Hina, when have you ever seen me open my eyes?
Mary teased Hina, who always kept her eyes closed. After a long silence, Mira finally spoke,
—>> I lost something very precious here in my life. Even if it returned, I could never truly reclaim it.
—>> What did you lose… something that brings tears to your eyes?
Mira did not realize her own tears had fallen. Hina and Mary noticed, shocked to see Mira cry for the first time. Though their friendship was a year old, they had known little about her heart. The ice-like girl, always emotionless, was finally melting under warmth.
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(As Mira)
Choosing the second path that day was a mistake I still cannot understand. Now, there's nothing I can do but wait for you, Hriday. I cannot know where you are or how you are. If your words are false, I will never forgive myself. No matter how much hatred you harbor for me, I want you to return to me. I will wait for you my whole life.
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Agnolenia
This cannot be called a magical world. Magic barely exists here. It is not a fantasy world; no magical, mystical, or legendary creatures reside here. Magic had limited use, and its true application had been forgotten a thousand years ago. Since the Tower of Gluttony arose, magic had gained significance, though its origins remained unknown. No one knew who controlled the Tower or why it granted such power.
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Mefas Academy
Today marked the first day of the academic year. Every year, new students were granted admission opportunities. Invitation letters were sent to royals and nobles. Entry for royals and nobles was determined solely by energy tests. Commoners, however, had to undergo separate tests, often failing in large numbers.
High-ranking students, passing the energy test, were assigned to one of three classes: E, D, or C. Commoners underwent the energy test first, followed by a written exam. 95% of commoners failed due to lack of early access to knowledge. Those who passed were placed in the lowest class, F.
Alex absorbed all the academy rules while sitting in the principal's office. He had never imagined receiving a direct letter from the Mefas principal. Today, academy tests were ongoing, divided into two parts: one for elites and one for commoners. Yet Alex was exempted from all tests, surprising Maria.
—>> Principal, are you saying Alex doesn't need to take any tests? Even commoners usually require at least the energy test.
Elmond, excited, asked,
—>> So he can enter the academy without a test?
The principal smiled knowingly.
—>> Alex is already enrolled. He doesn't need to participate in any tests.
Maria raised doubts,
—>> Even commoners rarely receive such privileges. Why should our son have this advantage?
The principal explained that one of his daughters had been impressed seeing Alex assist a commoner in the capital. Through her, he became aware of Alex's situation.
Elmond proposed,
—>> Then let him take the energy test. Since we have the invitation letter, no objections should remain, right?
—>> No, even if it's through the backdoor, it's a matter of honor, Elmond replied proudly.
The principal snapped his fingers, and a large energy stone floated down from a shelf. This high-level energy stone could absorb unlimited energy and detect various energy types. By using this, he planned to measure Alex's demonic energy.
Maria had anticipated this. The energy stone turned blue instead of black, revealing Alex as a Mana user, not an Aura or Pran user. While Elmond had hoped for Alex to be an Aura user for sword practice, he was slightly disappointed. The principal, though surprised, knew he would get another opportunity later, as Alex remained in the academy.
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To Be Continued