40 Tower of Lore

"Milords, you are probably short on potions after such a long journey."

"Oh, not really." Ryan grinned as he summoned the pack of potions in his inventory. "See, we barely got to use any of them."

Seeing the pack of potions, Evie couldn't help but cover her mouth in surprise. "Sorry milords for doubting your strength."

"Damnit, Ryan." Leo couldn't help but shake his head. "Do you really need to boast about everything you do?"

"Well, maybe we don't need potions, but we definitely need to find a tailor," Shesmu said. His eyes then focused on Ryan, "Not only to let you complete your set, but also for us to get any sort of armor."

"If that's the case, your grace, then I shall guide milords to Ray, the tailor. He is the best around here."

"Oh, you're a regular around here?" Leo asked.

"Not really," Evie scratched her head awkwardly. "I have just been here for the past week. It is part of my training as an apprentice mage."

"Huh, I see. Interesting," Ryan responded.

Shesmu nodded at Evie. Seeing that the conversation between the two was finished, Ryan jumped in and asked her, "Hey Evie, can you tell me about the magic that you learn? I'm interested."

"Of course, milord. Right now, I have only learned the basics of fire magic. I still need to learn the other three elemental magic spells before becoming a true mage."

"Oh, I see," Leo responded. "So you have to learn all four magic types before becoming a true mage. But can't they just transfer that knowledge to you, like they did with us?"

At the mention of the knowledge transfer, Evie's eyes looked down at the ground and the tone of her voice became lower. "That's not something that can be done easily, milords. Normally, you can only transfer your knowledge to your direct student, and you can only have one at a time. It was with Aida's grace, aspect of love and life, that the people of this land could accommodate you of the golden generation, and teach you their skills."

"Huh, interesting," Ryan responded. "Seems like we really got it easy as compared to you guys."

"Not at all," Evie responded, her voice much higher than before. "Milords' generation is fated to do great things, and save this world! The viles that plagued this world for thousands of years, only you can save us!"

"Huh, so this is the lore of the game," Ryan murmured, getting a chuckle out of Shesmu. The latter looked at Evie and asked, "So, why do you think that only us can save you?"

"That was the prophecy made by the angels in their holy temples. Every man and woman throughout the Stal heard it in their dreams."

"Huh, so that's how everyone got to know about us. I see," responded Leo. Meanwhile, Ryan was scratching his chin, deep in thought. Suddenly, a look of realization dawned upon him.

"Hey Evie, can you tell me exactly what the voice in the dream said?"

"For certain, milord," She responded. "Aida, in her supreme beauty, came to my dreams in a place that could only be a vision of the heavens. She then told me with a grave voice that tough times were upon us, but that men and women from another world will come and help us through these tough times. Folk that looked like us, thought like us, and fought like us."

"Did she tell you that we were undying?" Ryan asked.

"Ah no, that's something the angels and their priests told us after."

"The same ones that told you we would be fighting against the viles in the name of justice, right?" His tone was more serious than before, confusing Evie.

"Yes, milord," She ended up responding.

Seeing the barrage of questions Ryan asked, Leo couldn't help but intervene, "Yo, Ryan. Where are you going with all of these questions?"

"Ah, nothing nothing," Ryan responded, his voice back to its normal tone.

Shesmu looked at Ryan and couldn't help but smile. He understood exactly what was going through his mind. Well, the politics in this world aren't obvious at first. But they will come into play soon enough.

With those thoughts still in his mind, Shesmu walked with his party mindlessly through the first floor of the tower. It was a marketplace, with merchants everywhere trying to sell their goods to players and indigenous alike.

"Huh, this place sure is lively," Ryan commented. "I know that the warriors and instructors are here to accommodate to us players, but what about the rest?"

"Oh, I just noticed that. You're right, Ryan. Is this tower used by normal people too?"

"You're right, milord," Evie responded to Ryan and Leo's musing. "The Tower of Might, or shall I say, the Towers of Might are a big part of our Stal culture. Since our founding father mandated that we live to become stronger, he made a pact with the aspects to create these towers. They are here to test our might, strength, wisdom, and intelligence. They are also the last trial for any apprentice before they become a true holder of their class."

"Ohh, that's interesting! So even the indigenous actually go through this tower. I wonder if we could party up and climb the tower together?" Ryan suggested.

"Ohh, that's a great idea, Ryan! Yeah, we should totally do that, Evie!"

Ryan and Leo's excitement made Evie blush. "It would be my utmost honor, milords. Unfortunately, I cannot join you right now. I need to finish my training as an apprentice first before challenging the Tower.

"Ah, that's a shame then," responded Leo.

Shesmu, on the other hand, didn't participate in the conversation. He just walked behind his friends smiling. However, his expression turned serious as his eyes landed on a portal in the middle of the first floor, right at the center of a plaza.

Pact with the aspects, huh. You really never cease to amaze me, Lavador.

Shesmu's trail of thought was soon cut off as they reached the tailor, at the guidance of Evie.

"Ehh, guys, aren't we forgetting something?" Leo asked. "The only gold we have is from beating the dungeon, don't we wanna sell our loot first?"

"Oh, you're right," Ryan responded.

"If milords wish to sell the materials you acquired from battle, the convenience shop might be your best choice."

"Thanks, Evie, can you show us the way, please?"

Evie smiled at Leo and responded, "Certainly, milord. This way, please."

The party made their way to the convenience shop where they sold most of their material for cheap. They made their way back to the tailor, where Ryan got his Silver Wolf King set done. Leo and Shesmu settled for leather armors and pants made from wolf fur and leather they bought from the merchant.

"Milords, his lordship Aldrien is about to make a speech. The tower is about to open."

"Hoo, now I'm excited!" Leo said, "We've been hearing about this tower for so long, it better have some exciting in it or I'll be very much disappointed."

"You're damn right, Leo. If it's just hacking and slashing, I'll rage quit immediately."

"Haha, I'm sure you're gonna have fun, milords. May your journey be safe."

Evie beamed a gracious smile towards Ryan before she turned and led the way. Ryan couldn't help but blush.

Seeing his friend turn red, Leo grinned from ear to ear. He nudged at Ryan while whispering, "Hey, if you want, I could be your wingman."

Ryan snapped back to reality with Leo's taunts, he pushed him away while saying, "Huh? Who do you think needs a wingman? I was just surprised, that's it!"

Leo laughed at his friend's misery before the party followed after Evie. They soon reached the far end of the bottom floor of the tower where a huge crowd of players awaited them.

"People of the golden generation, congratulations on making it this far. I'm sure that your journey through the forest of Beginning was full of danger, and that you came out stronger than when you entered."

Aldrien opened his speech with a booming voice, gathering everyone's attention on him.

"The first and second trials were mandatory, but this third and final one is not. You are free to continue on to the Stal capital without partaking in the tower of might. Those of you who choose to do so can go through the portal to my left."

He then pointed at a large structure behind him. Steps made of stone led way to a blue portal. The latter stood in the middle of a hexagon-shaped gigantic stone ring. It was decorated with magical runes, and glowing stones—much like ether stones but substantially bigger.

Contestants marched towards the portal one by one until only a fraction of them remained. As the players left, Aldrien looked at Shesmu's party and acknowledged them with a smile.

"I presume that those of you who are left want to take on the tower. Brave choice made by brave warriors, I'm sure that a bright future awaits you. Now, let me explain how the Tower of Might work. The tower is split into floors, with each one of them testing an aspect of your strength. The floors hold many monsters, traps, and puzzles. You need to make proof of strength, prudence, and wisdom if you want to pass through."

Aldrien's voice went lower as if he was telling a secret. "However, that's but one facet of the Tower of Might. The biggest enemy that you'll face in the trials is within you. Between all hundreds of contestants that you make, one of you is a monster in disguise."