Chapter 64 — Why We Must Ascend the Tower

1

For a character to take action, there’s always a crucial element.

In games, novels, and other media featuring characters, it’s a vital component.

Motivation, goals, dreams.

These are the forces that propel characters and drive events.

The game Manus immersed himself in during his previous life introduces this motivation quite late.

Right now.

From the moment this incident occurs.

That’s why he recalled people saying the initial entry barrier was quite steep.

‘This wasn’t supposed to happen yet-.’

After the end-of-month evaluation, it’s the children who enter the tower who discover the precursor to this event.

Entering the tower at this time was meant to trigger a special message saying [The number of demons is unusually low.]

Afterwards, climbing to the top would prompt [Further investigation needed.], compelling them to ascend two more times.

During that period, two people would vanish and events would unfold, but-.

He never imagined things would transpire so abruptly like this.

‘Is this the shift in the world line?’

Perhaps the system had been cautioning him all along.

That this isn’t the world he was familiar with.

To prepare meticulously.

“The same phenomenon would have occurred among the first-years. Let’s seek them out now.”

“-Alright.”

“We need only inform the Chairman about this matter.”

Alano nodded.

As the two traversed the corridor, their surroundings cleared.

Those they occasionally encountered hurriedly made way.

Mere second-years.

For students who had just shed their freshman status, they received an inordinate amount of deference.

This was also a catalyst for the rumors about the two to proliferate increasingly.

They took the mana-powered elevator down to where the first-years were located.

“Gasp-.”

“Excuse us.”

The students waiting for the elevator startled and parted to the sides.

Manus in front, Alano behind.

No one impeded the duo’s advance.

Thus they arrived at the first-year Class A.

“Huh-?”

“Seniors!”

The trio who had been conversing with anxious expressions spotted Manus and Alano and scurried out.

After confirming that Pearson dashed to Class B at Anais’s urging, Manus, his blue eyes gleaming, moved to a secluded spot.

“Senior, something dreadful has occurred-.”

“Se-Seniors! Everyone!”

As if class had concluded in Class B as well, Melanie came running breathlessly.

All the club members had assembled.

Kael’s pupils trembled finely.

The anxiety clearly manifesting made her resemble a drenched puppy.

Manus spoke.

There was something he needed to verify first.

“Is there a name that only you recall?”

“N-No one… no one remembers.”

“It’s the same for the second-years. Do you remember Lupera?”

Alano inquired in a quavering voice, and fortunately, the first-year friends nodded.

Everyone was enveloped in anxiety.

At times like this, it’s beneficial to share that apprehension.

Putting heads together can sometimes yield solutions-.

‘How should I proceed?’

Manus observed the children sharing their stories with wavering eyes.

The world line shifts.

Variables emerge.

Perhaps complacency had wrapped around him under the Caesar name.

That mustn’t be.

Not just himself, but these children need to evolve too.

Manus once again recalled the contents of the letter the system initially presented him.

“The tower. It must be the influence of Ziggurat.”

“The tower?”

“Indeed. There are two clues: that only we remember, and that it transpired overnight.”

Originally, this deduction should have been reached by Kael and Alano.

He boldly eliminated the circuitous process and presented the answer directly.

To resolve this incident, one requires power.

This time too, a formidable boss awaits.

Moreover, it’s an opportunity to amass a wealth of mana stones and also marks the introduction of the ‘equipment’ concept.

From now on, the era of intensive cultivation commences.

“-That’s right. The fact that only we remember could be linked to the tower.”

“Is the problem originating within the tower?”

“Why would the tower, which had been dormant until now…”

Questions and hypotheses.

All these intertwined to generate confusion.

There must be numerous aspects they’re curious about and wish to investigate.

The answer invariably lay within the tower.

More victims will surface in the future.

Rescuing them was the imperative action they needed to undertake now.

“Since it occurred outside the tower, there’s a high probability something has emerged from the tower. Perhaps… demons might have escaped.”

“If that’s true-.”

“Locating them would be the primary objective, wouldn’t it?”

The concern intensified.

The conversation concluded there.

The bell for the next class resonated.

“Let’s convene in earnest after classes conclude. Everyone, remain attentive in class.”

“-Okay.”

“It’s, it’s reassuring that we can ponder this together.”

Melanie remarked with a timid smile.

Everyone nodded with faint smiles.

Having companions during challenging times.

That was what Manus cherished most about this world.

As everyone dispersed, Manus turned back momentarily.

A place where no one lingered.

However, Manus discerned the warmth remaining there.

‘Is it time for awakening?’

The timing aligns perfectly.

Manus suppressed his thoughts and pressed on.

2

Lately, he’s been plagued by peculiar dreams.

Guillermo was suffering from sleep deprivation and insomnia.

It might have begun since encountering Manus and receiving an indirect apology from him.

Or was it?

Was it after undertaking the survival evaluation?

Due to nightmares and insomnia whose onset he couldn’t even pinpoint, his concentration was gradually waning.

Since mages are well-versed in alleviating fatigue, he had been frequenting the Golden Serpent faction for the past few days.

‘They’re always together.’

Those engaged in serious discourse.

He observed the first-year prodigies gathered, including Manus.

It was purely by chance.

“-Lupera… remember…”

‘Lupera?’

Certainly a mage of commoner origin.

Known to be quite an adept student.

But what about him?

Curiosity flickered briefly, but he soon dismissed it.

He decided to seek out a professor for a potion.

It felt truly pitiful that mental issues couldn’t be circumvented despite manipulating mana and possessing a robust physique.

“I don’t know why that name keeps nagging at me.”

He muttered meaningless words as he hurried back to the Deer faction for the next class.

Lupera.

Lupera.

Who was he again?

Why did people mention his name?

Confusion enveloped Guillermo’s mind.

No, surely, someone-.

“…Why am I dwelling on this?”

He shook his head and moved to procure the potion.

Lupera?

He had never encountered such a name before.

Guillermo’s perplexed expression had already reverted to his usual stoic demeanor.

And so, the name Lupera faded from the world.

Only those who had entered the tower retained the memory.

Time flowed on in an incident no one was cognizant of.

3

When an incident occurs, countermeasures must be devised.

It’s natural to struggle with focus during class.

What was it that we learned today?

Even after all classes had concluded, Kael buried her head on the desk and sighed.

At this rate, she felt she couldn’t keep pace with not just Manus, but other second-years as well.

Am I performing adequately?

‘The end-of-month evaluation… can I excel?’

Somehow, she lost confidence.

She might not aspire for first place, but she didn’t want to drop out of Class A.

For her, the gazes of others had always been practically inconsequential.

But after entering Class A, everything transformed.

People’s scrutiny.

The exclamations that erupted every time she cast magic.

And even participating in extraordinary events.

“Kael. Are you alright?”

“Huh? Yeah-.”

She barely raised her head at Anais’s words.

The reason she could withstand this crushing pressure was probably because she had friends who inquired about her well-being like this.

The kind-hearted Anais cupped Kael’s cheeks and turned her face this way and that.

Kael’s eyes captured Anais’s red pupils, deeply tinged with concern.

Observing her like this, a smile unconsciously emerged.

“Your complexion seems off, should I cast a spell on you?”

“No-. I’m truly fine.”

“That’s a relief then. Let’s hurry. The seniors will be waiting.”

Kael nodded and stood up.

She remembered that while the end-of-month evaluation was crucial, there was a more pressing issue that needed resolution.

As if comprehending her sentiments, Anais and Pearson chattered away.

“Really, do you recall what we learned today? My head’s already pounding because of the end-of-month evaluation.”

“Me too-. It’s dreadful, I can’t concentrate.”

“How about you, Kael? Were you able to follow the lesson?”

Pearson inquired, and Kael hesitated momentarily on how to respond before shaking her head.

Their classmate, Freya Emerson.

A friend from Class B like Melanie, renowned for her excellent skills in exploration and support.

Everyone had begun to exist, forgetting her name.

All the memories of laughing, studying, and quarreling together were dissipating.

It defied logic.

[You should cherish even the most painful memories.]

Someone’s words resonated in her mind.

One grows by constantly recalling even painful memories.

Those who’ve experienced regret don’t reiterate the same mistakes.

Vowing to restore everyone to their original state, Kael proceeded towards the club room.

There was also a figure she hadn’t encountered in a while.

The Chairman, with his immaculate and composed appearance, giving the impression he could embrace everyone.

“Everyone has arrived. Please, make yourselves comfortable. I heard the account from Alano.”

“You must be fatigued from attending classes. Please partake in some refreshments while we converse.”

There was another presence in the club room.

The head maid Aden, with black short hair that suited her impeccably.

The first-year students blinked at the teacups placed before them with a clatter.

They had convened to discuss a matter of grave importance, and it was something that shouldn’t be divulged to outsiders.

Especially since it was the head maid, who was most exposed to rumors and gossip.

The Chairman emitted a hearty laugh upon observing the students’ eyes.

Then he addressed Manus, who was already seated.

“You haven’t informed them yet?”

“There was no necessity.”

“Ho ho, well… That’s fine. It seems like an opportune moment to broach the subject now.”

Manus nodded silently.

Aden would prove an invaluable assistant.

While she might not be a match inside the tower, no one could rival her in investigations outside.

As everyone was perplexed, Manus spoke.

His words soon astonished all the students.

“Aden has also been chosen. She will aid us outside the tower.”

“That’s correct. I-.”

Swoosh-.

Her figure vanished, enveloped in shadows.

Aden materialized behind the first-years.

Her eerie voice resonated like the temptation of a grim reaper.

“I’m someone who can safeguard you all discreetly.”

“…”

They had forgotten.

That mages aren’t the sole movers of the world, and that there exist many truly formidable individuals in this realm.

–TL Notes–
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