Chapter 102: Tower Master

Chapter 102: The Tower Master

Gu Ze looked at Li Wei and asked, “Why have you suddenly decided to become a full mage?”

Li Wei spread his hands helplessly. “That old bastard Levitan wants me to bribe him, or else he’ll assign me to teach apprentice mages.”

“I don’t want to go, and I don’t want to spend money either.”

Gu Ze smiled slightly. “Actually, this isn’t such a bad thing—it could save you a lot of trouble.”

“Once your astonishing talent becomes known, mages will soon come looking for you, eager to take you as their disciple.”

Luo Ta warned, “Even though you’re not officially that high-ranking mage’s apprentice, you should still be cautious. If he takes offense at you choosing another master, it would be more loss than gain.”

Li Wei paused, momentarily stunned, then remembered mentioning something like that to Luo Ta before.

He hadn’t expected the man to remember.

The reason had been nothing but a casual lie spun from Luo Ta’s own words—and yet Luo Ta had believed it completely.

Li Wei glanced at Gu Ze.

Gu Ze spoke seriously, “Luo Ta has a point. You should think carefully.”

“It would be best if you could somehow ask your unseen master first.”

Li Wei met his gaze for a moment, then nodded. “Yes, I understand.”

He turned to Lilith. “Is this Lilith, the new mage at the tower?”

Gu Ze instantly caught on and nodded. “Ah, let me introduce her.”

“Lilith—an apex first-rank shadow mage.”

Li Wei suppressed a laugh. Apex first-rank?

He didn’t believe it for a second.

Smiling, he greeted her. “Hello, I’m Li Wei.”

Lilith stared at his outstretched hand, hesitated, then lightly brushed her fingers against his.

“This is our second meeting,” she said.

Li Wei replied, “Our encounter outside the dining hall last time—if I was in any way improper, please forgive me.”

Lilith looked at him. “Hmm.”

“Congratulations. I’m leaving now.”

She turned and walked away.

Li Wei watched her go, only relaxing once she had disappeared from sight.

Gu Ze studied him. “What? What exactly is going on between you two?”

Li Wei gave him a glance. “If there’s nothing else, I’ll take my leave.”

“Goodbye, Teacher Gu Ze, Mage Luo Ta.”

Li Wei left the testing hall.

Luo Ta watched him go, then turned to Gu Ze. “What’s the connection between Lilith and Li Wei?”

Gu Ze shook his head. “I don’t know.”

Luo Ta didn’t press further.

Back in his room, Li Wei waited a short while before a knock came at the door.

His Shadow Servant opened it and ushered Gu Ze inside.

Gu Ze showed no surprise at the creature—he’d seen it before.

Though he didn’t know what the Shadow Servant truly was, he assumed it must be one of Li Wei’s summoned beings or servants.

Everyone had secrets; he wouldn’t pry.

Gu Ze glanced around the room. “After becoming a full mage, you can move into the fifth level of the mage tower.”

Li Wei shook his head. “No thanks. I’d rather stay here for now.”

Gu Ze nodded. “Suit yourself. Full mages can live wherever they wish.”

“By the way,” he pressed, “what *is* your relationship with Lilith?”

Li Wei said flatly, “Nothing. We’re strangers.”

“But wasn’t she looking for you earlier?” Gu Ze asked, puzzled.

Li Wei replied, “Probably not me. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have failed to recognize me when we met.”

He had no intention of dragging Gu Ze into this mess.

Gu Ze nodded slowly. “Then perhaps I was mistaken.”

“Maybe she’s searching for someone else.”

Changing the subject, Gu Ze said, “Have you heard? They’ve unearthed a vein of mithril ore at the Kovada Mine.”

Li Wei frowned—the name sounded familiar.

After a moment, he remembered where he’d heard it.

The soldiers stationed in Dark Vale had mentioned that captured orcs were sent as slave miners to Kovada.

Soon, his thoughts focused on the mithril.

Mithril was the most crucial material for crafting magical equipment.

For mages, it was a treasure—never abundant enough.

Its affinity with magic energy was extraordinary, with minimal loss when conducting spells or elemental forces.

It was essential for creating high-tier magical artifacts and gear.

A small piece could fetch hundreds of gold coins.

Li Wei looked at Gu Ze, puzzled. “Kovada Mine belongs to the city lord. Even if they found mithril, what does it have to do with us?”

Gu Ze explained, “That’s precisely the point. Mithril deposits are usually surrounded by large quantities of quicksilver stone.”

“And quicksilver stone attracts a magical beast called iron-eating ants.”

“These ants have bodies as hard as metal and stone. Ordinary soldiers stand no chance against them.”

“A massive swarm has appeared at Kovada Mine. The city lord’s estate can’t handle them and has turned to the Adventurers’ Guild for help.”

Gu Ze smiled. “Fortunately, mages happen to be the natural predators of iron-eating ants.”

“Though their bodies resist blades and axes, their resistance to magic is weak. Spells can kill them easily.”

“Since the city issued the commission, many mages have taken up the task.”

Li Wei smiled knowingly. “They’re after the mithril ore?”

Gu Ze nodded. “Exactly.”

“High-tier magical gear is custom-made. To commission such an item, you need both materials and gold—mithril being the most critical.”

“I’m planning to go to Kovada Mine myself. See if I can get my hands on some mithril.”

"Are you going with us?" Gu Ze asked.

Li Wei pondered for a moment, then shook his head. "Never mind. I don't really desire any magical equipment right now, so I won't join the adventure."

He did want to go—but only alone.

With others around, he couldn't move freely or unleash his full strength.

Hearing this, Gu Ze nodded. "Alright."

After Gu Ze left, Li Wei remained in his room cultivating.

In the afternoon, he received a message from the magic steward, summoning him to the sixth floor of the mage tower.

"The sixth floor of the mage tower?"

Li Wei looked up. The tower stood no higher than seven stories.

He already knew what lay within the first through fifth floors.

But the sixth and seventh remained shrouded in mystery.

Arriving at the hall on the third floor, he passed through the golden gate.

Expecting to reach the fourth floor, he instead found himself directly on the sixth.

The sixth floor was an entirely open hall.

Eight white stone pillars surrounded the space, supporting both upper and lower levels, while beyond them stretched the open sky.

There was no path leading upward to the seventh floor.

Li Wei glanced around, then lowered his gaze to the red carpet beneath his feet.

Following it forward, he saw an old man seated at the center of the hall, his back turned.

"First meeting, I am Tower Master Torresta of Maple City's Mage Tower," the old man said without turning.

"Greetings, Tower Master," Li Wei replied with a bow.

It was the first time Li Wei had learned the Tower Master’s name.

Torresta—the sole archmage of Maple City.

Alan, having obtained the Rock Wyvern's core from Tanya, might soon become the city's second archmage.

Two chapters today; off to pay New Year visits.

(End of chapter)