Zatiel and Ezequiel made their way toward the most crowded section of the first floor—the area beneath the towering screens mounted along the wall.
The largest of these magical displays listed the available missions, each entry glowing faintly with a different hue to indicate difficulty and urgency. Another screen showed the courses and training programs offered by the tower, complete with fees, schedules, and the names of the Magi who taught them. The atmosphere here was busier than anywhere else in the hall; apprentices bustled between podiums and stalls, some looking eager, others grim.
Directly beneath the screens stood a row of crystal podiums, each one linked to the tower's central archive. An apprentice could place their hand on a podium and instantly receive detailed information about a mission—its requirements, location, potential dangers—and accept it on the spot.
According to the tower's rules, every newly registered apprentice was required to accept one mission immediately upon joining. Once completed, a mandatory rest period was enforced before the apprentice could take another. The length of this rest period depended on the mission's level of difficulty:
Rank 1 Apprentice missions: one month
Rank 2 missions: three months
Rank 3 missions: six months
Pseudo-Magus-level missions: one full year
It was an unspoken truth that these enforced breaks weren't for the apprentices' health—they were meant to keep dangerous, resource-rich zones from being overharvested too quickly.
Zatiel stepped up to an unoccupied podium and placed his palm on its smooth surface.
A.I. Chip, search for missions that involve gathering materials for crafting runes. Difficulty: Pseudo-Magus.
[Bip… Initiating search.]
His lips curved slightly. With our current strength, a Pseudo-Magus-level mission won't be a problem. If I choose carefully, I can collect the materials I need for rune crafting and enhance both my own power and little EZ's. Basic runes will do for now—they'll be useful, and the surplus can be sold for crystals.
The list appeared almost instantly in his mind's eye, each entry marked with its reward in magical crystals and merit points. After weighing the risks and noting which locations overlapped with known resource zones, he selected the mission best suited to his goals.
He then guided Ezequiel toward a nearby stall where magical equipment was displayed—rows of weapons, talismans, and trinkets under a shimmering protective barrier.
"Little EZ," Zatiel said, nodding toward the display, "choose something that fits you."
Ezequiel's last weapon had been destroyed before they reached the tower—unsurprising, since ordinary steel rarely survived long in battles involving magic. Here, however, even the most basic tools were forged with reinforced alloys or magical components.
Most of the items were modest: a necklace that boosted spirit force by a single point, goggles granting night vision, gloves that slightly enhanced grip.
Zatiel's own choice was a one-handed mitratium sword. The magical metal was renowned for both durability and conductivity—perfect for channeling energy without shattering under stress. It had no enhancements yet, but that was fine; he valued sturdiness over flash.
Ezequiel picked a short sword with a green crystal embedded in its hilt. On command, it could release paralytic poison along the blade's edge—enough to immobilize most Rank 3 magical creatures with a solid hit.
The purchases were deliberate and frugal. They still had limited funds, and both knew that personal skill and defensive spells mattered more than piling on extra gear.
Even so, the price was steep—Zatiel's sword alone cost 120 magical crystals. Combined with the 30 crystals he had given Richard earlier, his funds dropped to just 73 crystals.
Wealth vanishes fast, Zatiel thought, though he felt no real sting. Crystals were meant to be spent when they brought tangible gains.
"Little EZ," Zatiel said as they stepped aside from the stall, "I'll send the mission details to you now. This time, we'll work separately."
Ezequiel nodded without hesitation. Though it would be their first time apart since meeting, he had no need for constant supervision—he was perfectly capable of operating alone.
The mission data flowed into his mind.
Mission: Retrieve the brains of five harpies.Difficulty: Pseudo-Magus-level.
Harpies were dangerous magical creatures, roughly equal to Rank 3 Apprentices in strength, with the ability to fly and wield wind-based spells. Stronger variants could rival Pseudo-Magi, and some possessed consciousness-affecting magic capable of disorienting or outright controlling their prey.
Reward: 300 magical crystals + 10 merit points.Additional note: Map included, showing probable harpy nesting zones.
"The more brains you bring, the better," Zatiel instructed. "And bring me their claws as well."
Ezequiel didn't ask why. If Zatiel wanted something, there was always a reason.
Zatiel met his gaze, his expression turning serious. "Never overestimate yourself—or underestimate your enemy. The battlefield changes in an instant. If things turn bad, you retreat immediately. That's an order."
Ezequiel's eyes softened faintly at the concern in his master's tone. "Master… that man from before—Nick—he'll try to strike while we're on mission. Especially with us separated."
The tower's official rules forbade apprentices from killing each other. But unless there were witnesses or the victim was under the protection of someone influential, "disappearances" in the field often went uninvestigated.
"They'll try," Zatiel agreed calmly, "but don't worry. If they act as I expect, it'll work in our favor. I was going to teach you a new spell, but I see you've already begun refining the one I gave you—shaping it into something better suited to you. Focus on that."
"Yes, master. I think the spell can grow stronger, and I've started experimenting with new applications."
That was the Neo-Demon way: quality over quantity. With the Primordialis-Core, a single spell could evolve endlessly, each refinement embedding itself deeper into the body and mind.
Zatiel himself had planned to learn another combat spell to offset his lack of long-range attacks, but given the potential in his current arsenal, there was no need to divide his focus yet.
"We'll rest tonight," he decided. "Tomorrow, we start."
They made their way toward the portal leading to the second floor. As they passed the lion statue, Zatiel's gaze lingered.
A golem… Rank 1 Magus-level power at least. If I draw too much attention, this thing will be on me before I take two steps.
Without another glance, they stepped onto the platform. The world blurred, and a heartbeat later, they stood on the second floor.
Teleportation often left apprentices dizzy or nauseous, but their reinforced Neo-Demon bodies absorbed the shift with ease.
The second floor was quiet, lined with rectangular houses made of the same black, rune-infused stone as the tower's exterior. Each was modest in design but secure, with a private ward keyed to the occupant's crystal.
They located their assigned houses quickly. Using the guidebook crystal, each keyed their home's protective wards to allow entry.
Zatiel stepped inside and surveyed the interior. The first floor contained a bathroom, sleeping quarters, and a kitchen. The second floor held an experiment chamber stocked with alchemical equipment, shelves of basic reagents, and a separate practice room lined with reinforced walls.
On the floor of the practice room lay a carpet woven with calming enchantments—perfect for meditation or spellwork.
"Not bad," Zatiel murmured, dropping his bag in a corner. Comfortable, practical. Everything we need.
He climbed the stairs to the practice room and sat cross-legged on the carpet.
"My Abyss Aura is at ten points," he mused. "Pushing further will be difficult without high-concentration energy sources. But with this much, I can try it…"
The spell in mind was Abyssal Chains—one of his most powerful Rank 0 spells. Difficult to control, but devastating in both offense and defense.
A.I. Chip, display Abyssal Chains data. Circulate Abyss Aura for activation.
[Bip…]
Abyssal Chains: Manifests chains of abyssal energy, capable of attacking and restraining targets. Deals fire and negative energy damage, with high durability. Each chain requires individual mental control, taxing the user's consciousness.
Consumption: 2 Abyss Aura per minute.Damage: Up to 10 degrees physical damage + corrosion effect.Effective range: 20 meters.
He focused. Shadows thickened in the air beside him, condensing into the first chain—a length of burning, blackened metal tipped with an arrowhead. A second chain followed, then a third, and finally a fourth.
"I can control four," he noted, "and still move my body freely."
Each was like an extra limb, requiring precise mental commands. The strain was real, but manageable.
He directed them toward the far wall. The chains lashed out in unison, striking hard enough to leave deep gouges in the reinforced stone. Another command, and they shifted—twisting together into a defensive barrier before unraveling again.
"This will do," he murmured. "Let's push it."
The chains braided into a single massive length. He swung it in a crushing arc against the wall. The impact cracked the stone and left the surface melting under the combined force of fire and abyssal corrosion.
[Bip… Damage output: 19 degrees base + 4 degrees per second from elemental effects.]
Zatiel allowed the chains to dissolve back into the air, his expression satisfied.
"Excellent. More than enough for what's coming."
He rose, shutting down the experiment room's wards. "Tomorrow will be a long day."