Far above the apprentice district, beyond the training halls, cultivation facilities, and research departments, lay the highest accessible level of the Crimson Tower.
Unlike the lower levels, where apprentices constantly moved between the tower's various districts, this part of the Crimson Tower remained almost unnaturally quiet.
Every corridor was guarded by multiple layers of security, while concealed mana formations remained active around the clock, silently monitoring every movement.
The few attendants permitted on this level carried themselves with disciplined composure, their footsteps measured, their voices kept deliberately low.At the end of the eastern corridor stood a pair of towering alloy doors.
As they parted soundlessly, they revealed a spacious private residence.The room was refined without appearing extravagant.
Soft lighting spread throughout the residence, complementing the polished furnishings and giving the room an atmosphere of quiet elegance.
Near the window sat the Tower Master.
A porcelain teapot rested on a small table beside him, accompanied by a single cup from which thin wisps of steam continued to rise.With practiced ease, he lifted the cup to his lips before taking an unhurried sip.His expression remained calm.
Standing several steps behind him was his attendant.
The man had served the Tower Master for many years and understood his habits well.Unless spoken to directly, he remained silent.The residence was filled only with the faint hum of the tower's environmental systems.
Then
A gentle notification tone disturbed the silence.The attendant lowered his gaze.
A translucent interface unfolded above his wrist interface, its crimson frame immediately distinguishing it from ordinary communications.His composed expression changed ever so slightly.
Without wasting a second, he reviewed the notification.A priority transmission.
Addressed directly to the Tower Master.The attendant raised his head.
"Tower Master."
The man seated by the window neither turned nor responded immediately.He simply waited.
"The Sorcerer Authority has transmitted a priority message to your account."
Receiving a slight nod of approval, the attendant extended his hand.The holographic interface hovering above his wrist dissolved into countless particles of light before reappearing above the Tower Master's own wrist interface.The Tower Master lowered his teacup onto the table.
Only then did he direct his attention toward the floating display.
His eyes calmly scanned the contents.
The room gradually fell silent once more.Several moments passed.Not a single word was spoken.Even the attendant remained perfectly still, understanding better than anyone that interrupting the Tower Master while he was reading an official transmission was unacceptable.
The Tower Master's gaze lingered on the final line of the report.A thoughtful look crossed his face.
"So..."
he murmured quietly.
"It has finally begun."
The attendant heard the words but wisely chose not to ask their meaning.The Tower Master slowly dismissed the interface with a casual wave of his hand.Although everyone within this Crimson Tower addressed him simply as the Tower Master, the title existed only within this branch.
In truth, he was one of the many Branch Masters responsible for overseeing a Crimson Tower branch under the authority of the organization's headquarters.For the Sorcerer Authority to bypass routine correspondence and transmit a priority mission directly to him...The matter was undoubtedly significant.
The Tower Master leaned back slightly in his chair before speaking once more.
"Bring Kenny."
The attendant bowed respectfully.
"Immediately, Tower Master."
Without another word, he turned and departed the residence.As the alloy doors closed behind him, silence once again settled over the room.The Tower Master reached for his teacup once more, his eyes drifting toward the countless lights illuminating the city below.
Whatever was about to unfold...The peaceful days within the Crimson Tower were coming to an end.Several moments later, the doors slid open again.Kenny stepped inside.
The attendant stopped at the entrance, bowed respectfully, and quietly withdrew, allowing the alloy doors to seal shut behind him.Kenny walked forward until he was several steps from the Tower Master before bowing.
"Tower Master."
The Tower Master acknowledged him with a slight nod.
"Kenny."
His voice remained calm.
"The Sorcerer Authority has issued a mission."
Kenny's expression grew more attentive.
The Tower Master was not a man who summoned people over ordinary matters. If he had personally called for him, then the mission was undoubtedly significant.
Without another word, the Tower Master raised his hand.The holographic mission file expanded between them.
"I've reviewed your record."
"You've completed every mission assigned to you since becoming an Elite Apprentice."
Kenny nodded.
"Yes, Tower Master."
The older man continued.
"According to the Authority's records..."
"you require only one more completed mission before qualifying for the Gold Insignia."
For the first time since entering the room, Kenny's eyes flickered.The Gold Insignia.
Every Elite Apprentice knew its significance.It wasn't merely a symbol of achievement.It represented trust.Capability.Recognition by the Sorcerer Authority itself.Very few Elite Apprentices ever reached that point.
The Tower Master looked directly at him.
"I'll ask you only once are you willing to accept this mission?"
Kenny remained silent for a moment before asking the question that mattered most.
"The mission rating?"
"Five point eight."
His brows drew together slightly. A five point eight meant it was dangerous so dangerous that even experienced sorcerer couldn't afford carelessness.He lifted his head again.
"And the reward?"
The Tower Master answered without hesitation.
"Two hundred thousand dollars."
The room fell quiet.Even Kenny couldn't hide the brief surprise in his eyes.Two hundred thousand.The Sorcerer Authority did not hand out rewards of that magnitude without reason.Such rewards were purchased with risk.
Often...With blood.
He lowered his gaze, weighing the offer in silence.The Tower Master made no attempt to interrupt his thoughts.Nearly a minute passed.Finally
"I'll take it."
The Tower Master gave a small nod, as though the answer was exactly what he had expected.
"However..."
Kenny continued.
"I have one condition."
"Go on."
"I want to choose my own team, I don't want robots, I want people who can think."
His tone remained respectful.
"I'd like permission to select them myself."
The Tower Master regarded him quietly.
After several moments, he gave a slight nod.
"Very well you'll choose your own team."
Relief flashed across Kenny's face.
"Thank you, Tower Master."
Kenny remained where he stood.The mission had been accepted.There was nothing left to discuss.
For several quiet moments, he simply stared at the holographic mission file suspended before him. Countless missions had come and gone over the years. Some had been straightforward. Others had pushed him to the very edge of death. Yet every time, somehow, he had managed to return.
This mission felt different.A mission rated five point eight.Two hundred thousand dollars.The Sorcerer Authority never offered rewards of that magnitude without expecting someone to die.His expression remained calm, but his thoughts drifted far beyond the walls of the Crimson Tower.
Home.
The faces of the people waiting for him surfaced one after another.They were accustomed to seeing him leave on missions. Every farewell was met with reassuring smiles and promises that he would be back before they knew it. He had always kept that promise.But promises meant little on the battlefield.Magic beasts did not care who was waiting for you.
Neither did enemy sorcerers.
For the first time since entering the room, Kenny allowed himself to consider the possibility that this mission might be his last.If he returned, life would continue as though nothing had happened.If he didn't...
There would be no final embrace.No last meal together.No chance to say the things that were better spoken face to face than written on paper.The only news his family would receive would come from the Sorcerer Authority a formal notification informing them that he had fallen in the line of duty.His belongings would be returned.His insignias would be catalogued.His name would be added to the list of those who had given their lives protecting humanity.
Then, eventually...Life would move on without him.Kenny closed his eyes for a brief moment. He had inner thoughts
"If that day ever comes... at least they won't be left wondering what I wanted to say."
With a quiet exhale, he reached into his storage ring.A sealed envelope appeared in his hand.It was simple.Unremarkable.
Yet it contained everything he hoped would never need to be read.
His final wishes.
The few words he could never bring himself to say unless death spoke first.
Without hesitation, he stepped forward and gently placed the envelope on the table beside the Tower Master's teacup.
No explanation was necessary.The Tower Master silently accepted it and placed it away for safekeeping.Kenny watched the drawer close before straightening his posture once more.
The weight in his heart remained.But so did his resolve.He had chosen this path long ago.If fate demanded his life, then so be it.Until that day arrived...He intended to keep returning home.
Neither man spoke after that.There was no need.Preparing a will before accepting a high-risk mission had become an unspoken custom among experienced sorcerers.No one considered it pessimistic.Only practical.
Kenny straightened and bowed.
"With your permission, Tower Master."
The Tower Master inclined his head.
"Go"
Kenny turned and strode toward the alloy doors.As they slid open, he stepped into the quiet corridor beyond.The doors closed behind him.The Tower Master remained where he was, his gaze drifting toward the drawer containing the envelope before returning to the city lights beyond the glass.For a long moment, he said nothing.Then he picked up his teacup once more.
"I hope,"
he murmured to himself
"you'll be asking for it back again."