Qi, as a magical beast, was fundamentally different from human mages like Kai—even with its calm temperament and ability to assist in low-tier magical experiments. It still retained the instincts of a beast, unable to seclude itself in a laboratory for months on end like Kai could.
Lately, Kai had taken to calling Qi "Xiao Qi" (Little Qi). After surviving life-or-death trials side by side, their bond had grown so close that the owl no longer hesitated at the affectionate nickname, soon growing accustomed to it.
"Goo... I flew to the woods south of the castle," Xiao Qi replied, tilting its head. "No more birds there this time of year."
The woods Xiao Qi mentioned lay south of the count's castle—Kai could barely make out its outline from the tower's top floor, but for the owl, the trip took only moments. While the woods held no powerful magical beasts or enchanted creatures, it was home to wild boars, leopards, and other large animals. Thorin, the count's younger son, had often led squires there for hunting in years past.
After fluttering through the window, Xiao Qi landed on a wooden table and lapped at a bowl of warm sweet soup. The recipe, a favorite post-meal treat of Count Grant's, had been modified by Kai specifically for the owl. Rich in calories and energy, it was far too heavy for mages like Kai—but perfect for knights like the count and magical beasts like Xiao Qi.
There was still no sign of Xiao Qi advancing to a Tier 1 magical beast. Without the two Regen Fruits Kai had fed it, its promotion might have been as uncertain as Zeratul's—the quasi-mage from the Feren family—with no telling when (or if) the opportunity would come.
This was the norm for magical beasts. Many that advanced to Tier 1, or even Tier 2 "transcendent beasts," did so without understanding why. They ate, slept, aged, and one day, their power simply surged. For magical beasts, advancement depended far more on bloodline than effort.
Beasts with powerful lineages often reached Tier 1 upon maturity and Tier 2 with time. While this effortless growth seemed enviable, their potential was tightly bound to their bloodline—and such power came with hidden flaws. There was no perfect creature in the world, as Kai had read in an old magical tome. Even dragons, apex beings, had weaknesses: low fertility, and a maturation period spanning centuries or millennia. By the time a young dragon grew into an adult, other magical beasts might have already climbed to Tier 1 through struggle.
After finishing half the soup, Xiao Qi looked up at Kai. "Have you decided? When will we leave?"
"In two months," Kai answered. "I'll tell Father once he returns."
Kai rarely called Count Grant "Father" in formal settings. But as departure neared, and with the count's genuine care winning him over, he had gradually accepted the man as family. Their destination, of course, was the Green Source Holy Tower.
Six months in Grant Territory had made Kai acutely aware of the challenges of pursuing arcane truth alone. There was no scholarly atmosphere, no library of elemental knowledge, and no access to the rare materials his experiments demanded. Money was not the issue—his high-quality mana crystals and the hundreds of magical coins from Modesto's inheritance would sustain him until Tier 1, or even Tier 2. But in a mortal realm like Grant Territory, wealth meant nothing if the resources simply didn't exist.
Worse, secluding himself was disastrous for an apprentice mage. Kai was far from mastering elemental knowledge on his own; his duty as an apprentice was to learn, absorb, and grow. The Green Source Holy Tower was the only place that could provide the environment he needed. To advance his magical path—and reach formal mage status someday—he had to step into a greater magical . He refused to end up like Domwal, who had waited until 120 to become a formal mage. He wanted to advance faster, to reach the Western Isles and find Lena sooner.
True to his letter, Count Grant returned to Grant Territory at dusk three days later, leading a contingent of light cavalry through the twilight. Thorin was with him—battle-hardened now, a shadow of the boy he'd been six months earlier.
The frontlines had changed Thorin visibly. Once, Kai had seen him as a naive "child," but now—after killing over a dozen Orc Empire soldiers—he carried the sharp edge of a warrior. A jagged scar on his neck, left by a mid-tier Orc squire, was a badge he wore without hesitation. While Lady Thea fussed over him, eyes glistening with tears, Thorin brushed off her concern. The "young eagle" Kai had once dismissed was finally spreading its wings.
As mother and son whispered about Thorin's experiences, Count Grant approached Kai. The moment he'd returned to the castle, Kai had told him of his plan to study at the Green Source Holy Tower.
"In two months?" the count asked, frowning. "Isn't that too soon? Stay until spring—"
"Pursuing truth waits for no one," Kai interrupted. "My research here is too slow, and there are resources I need that I can't find here. The Holy Tower is the only place I can grow quickly as a senior apprentice. I have to go."
The count sighed deeply, then nodded. "I respect your choice. Go, my son."
As they spoke, Kai's gaze flickered to Lady Thea and Thorin—and for a moment, he couldn't help but feel a twinge of envy.
Count Grant and Thorin stayed in the castle for only a week before returning to the front. The Orc Empire had launched a fierce winter offensive, and the frontlines needed the count's strength. Kai saw them off at the castle gates, watching as their horses vanished into the distance.
For the next two months, Kai returned to his research. While the winter snow was heavy, the temperatures remained mild—local farmers predicted a bountiful harvest the following year. Lycia's grain production was unmatched by neighboring realms; merchants from Sifa, the Orc Empire, and even distant kingdoms traveled there to trade for food.
Kai did no intensive experimentation in those final weeks. After countless trials and failures, he had finally made progress withEye of the Sun, successfully constructing its spell model in his mind. Instead, he focused on small alchemical experiments, re-annotating old magical texts, and reflecting on his studies. To his surprise, these quiet, reflective weeks yielded as much insight as his obsessive pursuit of high-tier magic.
Two months later, Kai left the castle where he'd lived for over half a year—leaving a letter for Count Grant. The night before his departure, the count's castle hosted a rare feast, organized by Lady Thea. Whether her warmth was genuine or not, she promised that the tower in the castle would always be his, and that she hoped he would return someday. Kai smiled, clinking his wine goblet against hers. "I will, my lady."
The next morning, Old John drove a grand carriage, carrying Kai northeast toward the Lycia Alliance border. The Green Source Holy Tower lay outside Lycia, requiring Kai to cross several human realms. He had tried to refuse Old John's company, but the old knight insisted it was the count's orders. In the end, Kai agreed to let Old John take him only as far as Lycia's border.
Lycia's plains were smooth and well-traveled. Even in winter, Old John's skillful driving got them to Gray Territory—the northeastern border of Lycia—in just a month and a half. Though it was still late winter, Gray Territory's temperatures rivaled Grant Territory's summer. Just south lay a vast range of active volcanoes, perpetually scorching and uninhabitable. Rumors spoke of powerful fire-aspected magical beasts there, and even sightings of dragons. The volcanoes held rich minerals and fire-element resources, but no noble had ever succeeded in exploiting them.
At Gray Territory, Old John prepared to return to Grant Territory. Before leaving, he asked if Kai wanted to take maids or servants with him, but Kai declined. Traveling with a retinue would only slow him down—and with his wealth, he could easily hire help once he reached the Holy Tower's domain. His spatial ring held over 300,000 gold coins (a gift from the count) and countless mana crystals; he could afford even non-human servants if he wished.
After bidding Old John farewell, Kai and Xiao Qi set off across the dead volcano range. According to Modesto's magical map and the information Kai had gathered in Grant Territory, the journey to the Green Source Holy Tower would take at least six months—even at their fastest pace.
"Walking is too slow," Kai muttered. Tier 1 mages traveled the Wizarding World via spatial portals or flight, but he had never masteredLevitation—a high-tier spell. Though he owned a tome with its spell model, he had prioritized more practical magic. Even if he had learned it, his apprentice-level mana would not sustain long flights.
His time at the Dark Magic Academy had trained him to value practicality and power above all.Levitationwas only useful for short ascents, with poor speed and endurance. By contrast,Eye of the Sun—the high-tier spell he'd spent half a year mastering—could threaten quasi-mages and quasi-knights. Its value far exceeded that ofLevitation.
"Xiao Qi, we'll need to hurry to reach the Holy Tower," Kai said.
"Goo?" the owl chirped in response.
It took over a month to cross the dead volcanoes. After that, Kai passed through the Kingdom of Gruni, the Duchy of Essex, the Macedonian Empire, and the Fite Alliance, finally arriving at the Kingdom of Malgeria. Here, he witnessed magic applied on a scale he had never seen before.
It was evening when he reached Gemstone Bay, on Malgeria's eastern coast. Crimson sunset painted the sea and sky in fiery hues, and above the waves, massive ships with enormous "wings" glided through the air. The turbo devices beneath these airships churned the waters of Gemstone Bay, sending ripples across the surface. In the distance, a blue whale—over a hundred meters long—leapt from the sea, drawing gasps from onlookers.
Kai stepped out of a magical carriage, tossing a Malgerian gold coin to the driver. Gazing at the glittering coastline, he murmured, "We're finally here. The Green Source Holy Tower."
Malgeria's mastery of magic far surpassed any realm Kai had visited. Magical carriages, flying messengers, and airships were common sights—clear signs of a civilization far more advanced than Lycia's. Even the capital and coastal cities used enchanted crystal lamps to light their main streets at night, infused with faint elemental energy. To an outsider like Kai, it was dazzling; to locals, it was ordinary.
The sea beyond Gemstone Bay was called the "Green Source Sea" by Malgerians. But according to Kai's magical map, it was actually the "Green Source Lake"—an inland body of water. The discrepancy revealed the gulf between ordinary humans and Tier 1 mages. To those with eternal life and godlike power, it was a mere lake; to mortals, it was an endless, mysterious ocean.
"I wonder if Malgeria's flying messengers can deliver letters to Lycia," Kai thought. "If so, I could write to Father. I should check how the war with the Orc Empire is going."
Flying messengers were Malgerian specialties—tamed, enchanted birds. Small but incredibly fast and enduring, they were reserved for nobles. While commoners weren't forbidden from using them, the cost—several, even a dozen, gold coins per letter—was far beyond their means. International delivery was even more expensive.
Notably, Malgerian gold coins were worth several times more than those of neighboring realms. Lycian coins, however, fetched a relatively good exchange rate. Upon arriving in Malgeria, Kai had exchanged most of his remaining Lycian gold for Malgerian coins, known locally as "Malcoins."
Malgeria bordered the Green Source Holy Tower. According to the magical map, the Holy Tower was hidden deep within the Green Source Lake, across Gemstone Bay. To reach it, Kai had three options: master flight to cross half the lake, find a water-aspected magical beast to guide him, or take a ship.
Ordinary ships could never reach the Holy Tower—even Gemstone Bay's most experienced fishermen knew nothing of its exact location. They could only warn of dangerous reefs and sightings of magical beasts or sea monsters. The Holy Tower was a sensitive topic in Malgeria, discussed only by elites and nobles.
For Kai, the safest choice was to take a ship. As he watched an airship vanish over the horizon, his eyes sparkled with anticipation.
As a senior apprentice mage, Kai had little trouble finding a dock and securing passage to the Holy Tower. The only surprise came when he learned the airships accepted no mortal gold—only mid-tier mana crystals, magical beast cores, or magical coins. One magical coin was enough for ten round trips.
The ticket seller, a young mid-tier apprentice with short blonde hair and freckles, couldn't have been older than twenty. Though Kai's robes were unassuming, the apprentice sensed something unusual about him. Even if Kai had no wealth, his status as a senior apprentice meant he could afford the fare.
To Kai's surprise, the apprentice—named Tom—was a student at the Green Source Holy Tower Academy. After paying with a mid-tier earth-aspected mana crystal, Tom clapped him on the shoulder, looking faintly amused.
"You should've used a magical coin—it's a better deal," Tom said. "But hey, using a crystal has its upside. It's not 招 season (recruitment season) right now, so you might've made this trip for nothing. Still, you can browse the Holy Tower's outer areas—apprentices and knights from all over come to trade there every year."
Tom wore a small emerald badge on his chest—the symbol of the Green Source Holy Tower. That a mid-tier apprentice would joke with a senior apprentice spoke volumes about the Academy's atmosphere, so different from the cutthroat Dark Magic Academy. Tom was simply outgoing, not disrespectful.
Politely stepping back from Tom's hand, Kai asked for more details about the Holy Tower while they waited for the airship to depart.
Tom, 19, had been at the Holy Tower for eight years. Like most Wizarding World Holy Towers, it recruited new students only once a decade. By tradition, Kai would have to wait two years for the next enrollment period. While the Holy Tower had no strict age limit, most students were between 7 and 15—young, with clean backgrounds and sufficient mental strength. Senior apprentices like Kai were rare, though not unheard of. Given Kai's age (still in his twenties) and talent, Tom believed he stood a good chance of being accepted in two years—hence his willingness to share information.