Chapter 379: Magic Castle

As a guest of Belora, Ronin received an extraordinarily grand reception.

A red carpet, welcoming crowds, and musicians were all present.

As an old aristocracy with centuries of historical heritage, the Silva family gave Ronin a completely different impression.

Of course, the most striking difference lay in the architectural style of this castle.

Compared to other castles, even the Golden Feather Palace did not possess an elemental ambiance as dense as that of the Crystal Citadel.

The soaring mage tower seemed to symbolize Belora's achievements in magic, bestowing a sense of unattainable grandeur.

"Come, Ronin, this is the mage tower's magic elevator."

Franz stood upon an iron pavilion on the outer flank of the mage tower, gesturing toward Ronin. "Ride it, and we shall reach the seventh floor in no time."

Ronin stepped inside with curiosity.

Franz pressed a mechanical button beside them, and as magical power surged within, the entire elevator began to move.

Franz observed Ronin's curious, assessing gaze, a sense of satisfaction rising within his heart.

Many people wore this exact expression of a bumpkin seeing the world for the first time when they rode the elevator.

Ronin, however, was not shocked by the function of the machine; after all, he had ridden elevators every day before his transmigration.

What astounded him was the driving mechanism of this elevator, for there was no electricity here.

"Is this an invention of Master Belora?"

He looked on in disbelief as the elevator climbed neither hurriedly nor slowly, its speed remarkably smooth. "How is it done?"

"It is quite simple; beneath the ground is installed a massive wheel. When the wheel is activated, it retracts and releases the cables of the elevator, thus achieving its ascent and descent."

Franz introduced briefly, "Of inventions like this, my great-grandfather has crafted many."

For the first time, Ronin felt a sense of admiration for this Archmage.

It was not admiration for the man's power, but rather for his creativity.

He inquired humbly, "You say there is a massive wheel below, but I wonder how it is made to rotate?"

Franz was clearly well-versed regarding the elevator, and faced with Ronin's inquiry, he did not conceal the truth.

"The Breeze Spell, you know of it?"

As he spoke, he swiftly traced the magical runes of the Breeze Spell in the air, and a gentle wind soon stirred Ronin's silver hair.

"Great-grandfather took the magical runes of the eighth-tier magic, Gale Pressure, and modified the runes of the Breeze Spell, allowing the upgraded version to blow an even greater wind. Then he inscribed its formation within a sealed environment. When the wind blows out, there is only one passage leading to the outside world, and the wheel happens to sit right upon this passage."

Ronin understood.

It was precisely through this method that Belora manipulated the wind to drive the wheel, thereby achieving the rise and fall of the elevator.

As for the energy consumed, Ronin guessed it ought to be magic crystals.

Amidst these thoughts, the two had already arrived at the seventh floor.

Franz touched the button once more, and the elevator ground to a halt, though its position was not perfectly flush with the floor, showing that his control was somewhat lacking.

Or rather, this elevator lacked the function to stop at a designated floor automatically.

Though a bit crude, one had to admit its creativity and the impact it brought upon Ronin.

He looked back at the elevator, his thoughts branching out.

"If such a device were installed upon a ship, would it not allow the vessel to break free from the shackles of the wind?"

He thought of the steam engine.

In truth, whether it was the steam engine or this propulsion system invented by Belora, they shared many similarities.

Yet fabricating a steam engine required exceedingly high standards for airtightness and hardware strength.

With the current manufacturing level of the North Crow Fief, it could not be produced for the time being.

"I wonder how Master Belora solved the airtightness of this propulsion system?"

Ronin inquired.

Although it appeared that the requirements for airtightness here were relatively lower, it still shouldn't be leaking air from all sides.

How the wheel below was forged was also a question.

"Airtightness?"

Franz was somewhat perplexed. "Apologies, but this is the first time I have heard of such a term."

He could not help but study Ronin with a solemn gaze; this peer, who was younger than himself, seemed to behave differently from other nobles upon seeing the elevator for the first time. The man seemed to accept and comprehend the apparatus quite easily.

"I heard from my great-grandfather that you are both a Meteor Knight and an Archmage?"

Taking advantage of the fact that only the two of them were around, Franz finally could not resist asking.

Ronin gave a slow nod; since Belora had already spoken of it, it was not good for him to deny it.

"I have not revealed my true strength to the outside world, nor did I use my full power in the tournament at the Golden Feather Palace."

Having received an affirmative answer, Franz felt a complex mixture of emotions for a moment.

A few days ago, having lost the tournament, he did not truly feel in his heart that he was inferior to Ronin or Calada.

After all, he cultivated both magic and martial arts, dividing his energy into two paths.

If he had focused on only one direction, he even had the confidence to do better than Ronin and Calada.

But learning of Ronin's specific strength at this moment, he finally understood the meaning of the phrase to never be complacent at any time.

The gap between him and Ronin was simply too vast.

Not just him; even the Crown Prince, Garret, would pale into insignificance before Ronin.

An eighteen-year-old dual-class seventh-tier; when such talent was laid bare, no one could compare.

"You are truly incredible!"

Franz raised a thumb in admiration.

Ronin smiled and said, "It is nothing, just good fortune."

As they spoke, he followed Franz along the corridor and entered the grand hall on the seventh floor of the mage tower.

Yet as he left, he still cast a glance back at the elevator.

He intended to ask Belora for this technology; even if it meant sacrificing a few more dragon scales, he had to attempt to get his hands on it.

With it, it would be possible to construct ships powered by propellers.

Ronin was also contemplating the feasibility of the steam engine.

Unlike the elevator, the power of a steam engine originated from steam, from boiling water.

Setting aside technicalities like airtightness, as for the method of boiling water, could it be done by arranging pillars of flame to generate high temperatures to boil the water?

Ronin felt it was highly feasible.

After all, a pillar of flame did not possess the concussive force of spells like the Fireball or Exploding Flame; it brought only high heat, using fire to harm enemies.

"However, using magic crystals as raw material is simply too extravagant."

Ronin shook his head, quelling the scattered thoughts, and turned his gaze to the immediate surroundings.

The seventh-floor hall of the mage tower was vast, its shelves brimming with books.

"This is where our family keeps its magical tomes and combat techniques, somewhat akin to the Golden Feather Palace's library,"

Franz explained, "Everything from first to seventh tier is here."

"What about eighth and ninth tiers?" Ronin asked.

Franz pointed to the ceiling. "Eighth floor. But Grandfather set a magical array there; he'd have to take you."

Ronin nodded.

When Ronin arrived, he gave Berola a dragon scale, and she vanished into the lab; now, it was best not to disturb her.

However, he had instructed Ronin to first review the magic books and combat techniques below seventh tier, and for Franz to show him the family's and Magic Energy Guild's wares for selection.

"Then let's begin with seventh-tier wind and fire magic," (End of Chapter)