The plaza around the Tower of Growth was bustling with people.
Cadets, preparing themselves nervously ahead of entering the tower. Professors and staff, conducting final checks while guiding the cadets.
Today was the day for the first tower entry of the 122nd class of Siyarham.
“Are we really going to be okay...? It’s hard to feel at ease.”
[“Senior... In the Tower of Growth, even if you want to make a mistake, it’s hard to do so...”]
“I know that.”
Lee Jiyeon, arms crossed, let out a soft sigh. She acknowledged the words, but her expression didn’t convey that she truly understood.
Her eyes, filled with worry, occasionally lit up with slight relief, but then her lips would pout again... It was a bit uncomfortable to see such worry.
Lee Jiyeon’s distrust persisted all the way until the morning of the day.
She was so worried that she even left her spot in the third-year lineup to hover around .
...Her actions caused so curious expressions from the people watching from a distance.
They were familiar faces. Third-year cadets, friends of Lee Jiyeon whom I had t during the last evaluation period.
Seeing their odd expressions, I rolled my eyes and casually asked.
[“Aren’t you going to stay with your friends?”]
“It’s fine. We’re in the sa year, so we’ll end up talking for hours in the tower anyway.”
Lee Jiyeon shrugged nonchalantly. Even though the gazes around us were gathering, she didn’t seem to care.
Her casual deanor made my expression shift slightly.
A personality trait that had long hindered Lee Jiyeon’s growth.
Since I t her last year in China, I had worried about how to help her in her fragile state...
But I did nothing, and in the blink of an eye, she overca it herself.
The unmistakable confidence radiating from her now was proof of it. Her firm yet relaxed deanor suited the word “Taesan” perfectly.
“Jiyeon unnie, aren’t you worrying too much about Hayeul? Don’t you worry about us?”
“That’s right. We’re also entering the tower as second-years, and you’re not worried about us!”
Yunhwa and Baek Arin, who had been nearby, chid in.
Yunhwa, placing her arm around my shoulder, muttered in mild dissatisfaction, while Baek Arin playfully tugged at my winged cloak.
Lee Jiyeon blinked, looking from one to the other.
“You two will be fine without my worries.”
[“What about ?”]
“Junior... You’re a concern, regardless of your abilities.”
[“There’s no way I’m a concern!”]
“Hmm…”
Lee Jiyeon’s voice trailed off as she rolled her eyes. She exchanged glances with Yunhwa and Baek Arin, and they all nodded in agreent.
“…Hayeul is the type who can’t be relied on in situations like this.”
“Isn’t it strange to rely on him in the first place?”
“Right? Didn’t I tell you I wasn’t over-worrying?”
[....]
Their synchronized answers made my expression sour. I turned my head slightly, and my eyes t Elia’s in the back.
Elia blinked and smiled gently.
“Are you okay, dear? Even though it’s the tower, let’s make sure to stay safe and behave?”
“…Yeah.”
She didn’t seem particularly confident either…
“…I’ll leave the student in your hands inside the tower.”
“Yeah. Don’t worry. I’ll take good care of them.”
I turned my head back forward.
Soon, my teacher and Professor Riana, having finished their checks, were holding onto Yunhwa and Baek Arin while giving their instructions.
[....]
No matter where I turned my head, there was no trust in this direction.
Of course, I couldn’t complain. The circumstances were understandable, and I had kept my mouth shut, resolving things on my own—so I had no right to complain.
If I were to grumble in an ungrateful manner? The punishnt I had barely escaped last ti would surely catch up with , and I’d have to deal with it again...
“Information has been relayed in advance, but just to cover any mistakes, I’ll provide so final instructions as your grade supervisor.”
After receiving the loving concern, the professor stepped up to the podium.
“…We’ll really begin now. Junior, make sure to stay safe and do well.”
[“Thank you.”]
[“Senior Lee Jiyeon, make sure to do well, too!”]
With a soft smile, Lee Jiyeon returned to the third-year lineup.
“This year’s second-year tower entry topic is ‘manifestation.’ The setting is from about 130 years ago, during the ti of chaos. Specifically, it’s the frontlines of the African magic fields.”
The professor who stood at the podium was Albert Caniazel, the professor in charge of the second-year class, now overseeing the Tower of Growth.
“There’s really no need to explain much. During that era, the African region was even more tumultuous and dangerous than it is now.”
The stiff tone of the professor’s voice made the second-year cadets tense up.
130 years ago. It was before Siyarham had even been established. The ti of chaos was in full swing, and the place in question was the magic field in Africa, which is virtually unique even today.
“The tower entry will last for five days. However, unlike before, the ti inside the tower will be compressed, and the cadets will experience more than fifteen days within.”
“Ti compression... The tower really does have so fascinating features.”
“That’s right.”
Elia whispered quietly, fiddling with my hand. I nodded slightly in response.
The tower wasn’t just about its power; it had many embedded functions. The manifestation technique I used was also one of its functions.
‘The actual duration is five days, but the perceived ti is around fifteen.’
Even with minimal estimation, the stay would be three tis longer.
Though it ant they’d suffer more, on the flip side, it also ant that they would have more ti to receive the tower’s blessing for growth.
The more hardship they experienced, the greater their growth would be.
“Compared to past tower entries, this one will involve even more hardship. That’s the background and the timing. However, I’m confident that the valuable results will far outweigh the suffering.”
Professor Albert surveyed the second-year cadets.
His appearance suggested he was already elderly. He wasn’t soone from the great upheaval era, but he was a superhuman who had lived through the chaotic tis.
Experiencing the battlefield of that era without any danger was an opportunity no one else could have.
If you are reading this translation anywhere other than Novelight or SilkRoadTL, it has been stolen.
“…After enduring the hardships and experiencing the past, you’ll undergo various forms of growth. Then, the second-years will begin their entry after the first-year cadets.”
The explanation concluded.
Around the sa ti, the first-year cadets, having finished their announcents, began their entry into the Tower of Growth.
The second-years were next. With entry ti fast approaching, most cadets were busy calming their nerves.
“Hey, the one at the front is the top student, right?”
“Yup, it’s Lee Hayeul from the first-year class.”
The first-year cadet to enter was from the Ipchun class. All eyes were on the cadet leading the charge.
The green hair braided over one shoulder, the faint, clear aura of the wind—it was Ihayul.
At that mont.
Ihayul, who had been walking without minding the gazes around, suddenly turned his attention toward my direction.
Despite the distance, his green eyes locked onto mine.
Then, those eyes softened gently, and Ihayul waved his hand.
Whooo…
A light breeze gently brushed past as Ihayul sent a faint signal toward .
The presence of the breeze was extrely subtle, not carrying any aggression, but it reached my ear.
“Hayeul, don’t push yourself. Do well and co back.”
The voice clearly echoed in my mind. It wasn’t a telepathic transmission—it was the kind of transmission that a wind gust would carry.
‘But why the concern again... sigh.’
“You, too, Hayeul. Work hard and co back safely.”
I swallowed my irritation and responded with a slight telepathic ssage. Ihayul’s smile brightened in response.
Behind Ihayul, Daera Saer, emitting a sharper, more intense aura, stood.
Whooosh!
Ignoring the gazes around her, Daera Saer waved the artificial arm I had created. I smiled wryly and sent her a telepathic response.
“Saer, I’ll be rooting for you.”
Heh! Daera Saer jumped in surprise from afar. She was evidently not used to telepathic transmissions.
“…Hayeul.”
“Yes?”
With a smile on my face, I tilted my head at the absurdity of the situation, as a hand reached over my head.
It was a warm hand, Elia’s hand.
I looked up and t Elia’s eyes. Her eyes narrowed slightly. I blinked.
“Yes, Elia. What is it?”
“I saw you greeting the first-year top student earlier... Do you know him?”
“Hmm? Know him... Oh.”
Tilting my head, I suddenly recalled sothing and let out a sigh.
I realized I hadn’t explained about Ihayul.
“Yes, we were at the sa orphanage... There’s a bit of a backstory there.”
“What? Where do these things keep popping up from?”
“Yup, yup, well...”
I was pinched on the cheek awkwardly.
After briefly feeling the warmth of my cheek, the turn ca, and I stood at the entrance of the tower.
Unlike the dungeon, there wasn’t any whirling vortex. The pitch-black darkness resembled a still, night sea.
Though it felt ominous, there was no hesitation. I held my breath and stepped into the entrance.
Thud.
With a jolt, my feet hit the ground after a brief mont of dizziness. Having prepared for it, I didn’t stumble.
The presence around gradually grew clearer, and I imdiately activated my observational senses.
‘Just as the notice stated.’
I was in so massive building.
An ivory-colored temple. I had been summoned to its vast center. The presence was gathered a bit farther ahead.
These weren’t ordinary people. All were superhumans, having honed their bodies and magic.
Their auras were no ordinary ones. Each one wasn’t just average; they were experts, honed to sharpness.
Whoooosh!
Behind , cadets began to appear one after another.
Yunhwa, Baek Arin, Elia, and other cadets.
Everyone was feeling the dizziness typical of teleportation, but upon seeing the superhumans a bit farther away, they imdiately entered a defensive stance.
However, there wasn’t an excessive level of vigilance. They had already been briefed.
“…It’s a pleasure to et the heroes of the tower.”
Thud.
A person from the front line of the superhumans stepped forward.
“I’m Sierra Scariar, the temporary commander of the third defense line.”
Her voice was crisp and clear, as if cut by a blade.
In response, Baek Arin, who had been maintaining a defensive stance next to , widened her eyes.
It wasn’t just Baek Arin. Yunhwa and Elia, too. Emotions flickered on the faces of most of the cadets.
I approached as the representative and shook hands with the woman, Sierra, observing her.
Her gait was light, yet her long legs were always prepared to close the distance at any ti.
Short black hair, dark eyes, and a long sword slung at her waist.
‘Sierra.’
It was our first ti eting.
But I wasn’t hearing her na for the first ti.
Sierra Scariar.
She was the na of the current tower’s master.
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