Chapter 255: Toral?

POV George Gill — MC

I was in my room, focused on my own affairs, when I heard a faint noise near the door.

I glanced over, and a white letter slid underneath it and came to a silent stop on the floor.

I frowned slightly. Someone had come looking for me. They had probably noticed that I was busy and, instead of knocking or interrupting me, had simply left a message.

I walked over and picked up the letter.

— Who could it be? Lina? Or someone else...?

I opened the paper curiously.

The moment I saw the signature, my expression changed.

Toral? That genuinely surprised me.

Among the acolytes of Arcangrove Tower, Toral was practically a lone wolf. As a five-star genius, he had his own pride and rarely interacted with other acolytes.

And now he had taken the initiative to contact me? Interesting. If he had come to me, then he probably had an important reason.

I thought for a few seconds. Then I raised a finger and began writing directly on the letter. The letter contained a small communication spell. It was a simple technique commonly used by acolytes within Arcangrove Tower. Its range was limited to the tower itself, but it was extremely convenient for private conversations.

My reply was sent. It didn’t take long for Toral to respond. Not long afterward, I was standing before him in one of the rooms of a restaurant. As soon as I entered, my eyes fell upon his body.

He looked darker than before. My gaze naturally dropped to the area where his arm had been lost. A small arm had begun to grow there. I couldn’t help but chuckle softly.

Apparently, the Nuplim Bone I had obtained really was working. I still didn’t know exactly what promise Toral had needed to make to Marcelina to obtain that thing.

But that wasn’t my problem. Toral was sitting in a white chair. He raised a wine glass toward me.

— I still haven’t thanked you for the Nuplim Bone.

His gesture was a little too casual. I pulled out a nearby chair and sat down. Completely ignoring the restaurant’s elegant decorations and refined aroma, I smiled.

— Actually, considering the information about advancing to an Official Mage that Professor Marcelina exchanged with me, I think I’m the one who should be thanking you.

Naturally, I didn’t know that Marcelina possessed information about advancing as a magic swordsman. Toral was the one who had revealed that to me. As for the reason... It was probably related to the fact that I had "accidentally" allowed Toral to discover that I possessed the Nuplim Bone.

In the end, we had both benefited. I had obtained information, while he had obtained something he desperately needed to regenerate his limb.

Toral seemed to relax a little.

— In any case, we’re acolytes who came from the same tower. It’s only reasonable that we help each other.

I responded with a few superficial words. But I soon realized that he hadn’t contacted me simply to exchange pleasantries. After I ordered a dish containing plenty of meat, Toral finally revealed his true objective.

— George, Professor Marcelina told me a long time ago that a large portion of the information she provided you was incomplete. There’s no way to rely solely on that information to advance to the Official Mage realm.

He paused briefly.

— You’re also planning to search for other remnants, aren’t you?

I intertwined my fingers. I had already thought about this. In fact, many Level 3 acolytes had the same idea.

As long as there was still time, everyone would try to seek out their own opportunities. They would explore ruins, search for the remains of Official Mages, or investigate ancient locations. Only when all these attempts failed and they realized that their most suitable period for advancement was coming to an end would they consider accepting the contracts offered by the Tower or the great families.

The conditions imposed by those organizations were simply too harsh.

— Of course.

I replied calmly.

— The conditions offered by the Tower and the mage families are terrible.

Toral smiled.

— As it happens, I have a lead on the remains of an Official Mage.

My gaze changed.

— What? A lead?

I was genuinely surprised. Toral was considered a criminal by the enemy towers. Everyone believed that he had killed Deilok, one of the geniuses of the enemy Tower, and he carried the hatred of an Official Mage upon himself.

Even so... He still intended to explore ruins?

— You really intend to search for them even after being threatened by an Official Mage?

Toral’s expression darkened.

— I’ll kill that old man sooner or later.

His voice carried a frightening coldness.

— And when that happens, I’ll turn his corpse into a specimen and keep it in my laboratory.

I blinked. Toral really didn’t seem willing to let the matter go. He took a deep breath before continuing.

— The power of Sus Tower is still formidable. Under the mediation of that Lord Mage, Black Bull Tower and Black Blood Tower wouldn’t dare seek revenge recklessly. At least not if they don’t want to be destroyed.

He tightened his grip around the glass.

— But this treaty only lasts twenty years.

My expression became serious.

— And during that entire period, you’ll live under threat?

— Exactly.

Toral nodded.

— My situation is extremely dangerous, which is why I need to find some way to guarantee my own survival.

I cut the meat with the knife the waiter had placed on the table. Then I ate and looked at Toral.

— Your only way out is to become a Mage, right?

— Exactly.

Toral’s expression changed. There was desire in his eyes.

— To face an Official Mage, you need to possess equivalent strength.

He slowly clenched his fingers.

— Once I become an Official Mage, why should I still fear retaliation from the enemy?

His logic was correct. The protection of the Tower and the professors was merely an external force. If that protection disappeared one day, everything would change. In the end... The strength that truly belonged to me was the only thing I could completely rely on.

I leaned back in my chair.

— I have two questions.

I looked directly at Toral.

— Where are the remains?

— And why me?

Toral took a deep breath.

He knew he couldn’t lure me in with vague promises alone.

— I can’t reveal the exact location.

My expression didn’t change.

— But I can tell you the general region.

He paused briefly.

— It’s near the Mundane Forest of the Distant Mountain.

The moment I heard those words... My eyelids twitched.

It was only for a fraction of a second. But I immediately remembered.

That place... It was a region I knew.

Fortunately, Toral didn’t notice my reaction.

— And why did you come to me?

...

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