Return.

Prologue

Heathcliff: I'd heard stories about it, but it really is a big tower, isn't it...

Rustica: Indeed, I can't even see the end of it. I want to see with my own eyes how far it goes.

Akira: (I never thought another tower would appear here, too...)

While riding on Mithra's broom, I gaze towards the tower scraping the sky.

This mysterious tower had appeared within a mountainous area in Northern Country. 

After receiving this report, Mithra, Snow, Rustica, and Heathcliff came to investigate. 

Mithra: …

Akira: (Thanks to Mithra accompanying us, getting here was easy, but....)

The twins in their adult form had forced Mithra to participate, leading to his exceptionally sour mood. 

Snow: Hmm... I sense an intense magical power and ominous presence. As I thought, this must've been created by a "Seed of the Demonic Beast". 

Akira: Seed of the Demonic Beast...

[Flashback]

Snow and White: You wizards over there! Wait a moment～!

White: As you may know, the "Seed of the Demonic Beast" that we secretly ordered was lost in transit. 

Snow: It resembles a beautiful jewel, but was created from the claws and bones of an ancient, extinct magical creature.

White: In other words, ‘tis a highly valuable magical instrument.

White: When planted into the soil and blessed with magic, strange towers sprout from it overnight, just like a budding plant.

White: I'm sure the case we were just given has something to do with this Seed of the Demonic Beast. 

Snow and White: You must work together with the ancient demonic beast to proceed up the tower and restore the beast to its original form! 

Snow: I’ll be accompanying you this time. Everyone, let’s pretend as if we were a crew on a grand ship. 

[Present day]

Akira: You mean the magical device you and White were mentioning before.

Snow: Indeed. Originally, Seeds of the Demonic Beast were a magical tool to create training grounds for young wizards. 

Snow: I had ordered them for the Magic Manor before the Great Calamity, but I never expected them to disappear during transit... 

Snow: If the Great Calamity never happened, I would've used them to train our own young wizards. 

Mithra: I suppose destroying that tower will solve our problems. 《Arthi...》

Snow: You mustn’t! No, Mithra!

Snow: Seeds of the Demonic Beast are extremely valuable. If we miss out on this one, we have no idea when we can receive another. 

Snow: Instead of destroying it with force, we have to cooperate with the revived, ancient demonic beast to overcome the trials and break through the tower. 

Snow: Then the tower will disappear, and the demonic beast will return to its original form. 

Mithra: It sounds like a hassle...

Mithra rests his hand on his neck in a frustrated manner. I notice the crystal skull he uses as a magical tool floats gently by his face. 

Snow: Mithra!

Mithra: If you get in my way, I'll make that entire tower disappear. 

Heathcliff and Akira: ....Uuu.

Just as Heathcliff and I gulp at the tense atmosphere, a gentle voice rings out. 

Rustica: I heard that if the ancient demonic beast and the wizards cooperate to make it through the tower, the wizards will be blessed with great power. 

Rustica: While Mithra is already quite strong, I wonder how strong he can become by overcoming this tower's trials. 

Rustica: Maybe he can even gain enough strength to rival Master Oz, hm?

Mithra: Even without the help of separate magical devices, I'm sure to become the most powerful wizard eventually. 

Mithra: ...But, you may be right. What are your thoughts?

Snow: I cannot say for certain, but it wouldn't be impossible for you to become more powerful.

Snow: Joining forces with others is not something Northern Wizards excel at. By mastering this, there may be a change within you. 

Mithra: ...

Mithra silently extinguishes his magical tool. 

Heathcliff: Phew...

Nearby, Heathcliff pats his chest in relief. He's a delicate man. He must've been quite anxious in the tense air. 

Akira: (We should change the subject to something more relaxing, I think...!)

Akira: Looking back on it, the demonic beast was quite cute when we were with Rutile. 

Akira: He enjoyed swimming, and his stubby legs were quite charming...

Heathcliff: Oh, Rutile told me about that as well. He said it was friendly, kind, and they got along well like friends. 

Heathcliff: I hope the one inside this tower is also such a creature...

Rustica: I heard when entering the tower, your clothes transform into something more suited for training.

Rustica: While excited to meet the demonic beast, I'm also curious about seeing our new outfits.

Heathcliff and Akira: ...!

Rustica: Oh my, I seem to hear some cheerful voices. 

Snow: Hohoho. The trials await us in the tower, it seems. 

Mithra: Master Sage, please hold tight to my broom if you don't want to be swept away from where you sit. 

Akira: I-I understand! 

Just like the previous mission, we enter inside through a window-like hole in the bottom of the tower. 

Mithra: It is dark... 《Arthim》

Mithra casts his spell, and the area overflows with light. Before I can even react, our clothes transform into something unrecognizable. 

Rustica: Wow, everyone looks fantastic in their outfits. The contrast between the chic black and purple gives a very mature appearance, it suits everyone well. 

Akira: !

At that moment, I hear what sounds like a roar from the back of the room. Suddenly, an earth-shaking sound rattles my eardrums.

Mithra: ...

Heathcliff: Master Sage, stay behind me.

Mithra glares towards the distant sounds within the darkness, as if to assess them. 

Akira: Heath... Thank you very mu-- 

Akira: ... Eeek!

My strained voice accidentally escapes from behind Heathcliff.

Then, a creature I had only previously seen in fiction appears out from within the darkness.

The being before us has an enormous mouth with sharp fangs and light, blue eyes with a piercing presence. Bones protrude from its face and back resembling a suit of armor...

Mithra: 《Arthim》

The moment their eyes meet, without a second thought, Mithra and the beast collide with their combined power.

Snow: Mithra, halt from attacking! That is the ancient demonic beast!

Mithra: Ha? This one that attacked us out of thin air?

Mithra: Did you not say we should be cooperating with the demonic beast?

Snow: Indeed. But ‘tis quite good, isn't it? I'm sure that some of us can even get along with the most wild of beasts--

Snow: Kyaaー!?

Heathcliff: It attacked Master Snow, too!?

Akira: Oh, it's gone back to Mithra again! 

Rustica: ... Perhaps this ancient demonic beast is attracted to particularly powerful wizards. 

Snow: Mmm... If that is so, I shall be on edge the entire time I am within this tower. 

Mithra: Ha... You are quite stubborn. 《Arthim》

Heathcliff: ! The demonic beast has fallen...!

Mithra: Metus[1], I have shown you my superior power. You will obey my orders. 

Rustica: Metus? Is that the demonic beast's name?

Mithra: It could be. The name somehow came to me while we fought.

Akira: That's what Arthur and the others said as well. 

Rustica: Excellent. Mithra and the demonic beast must have connected their hearts.  

Snow: Hohoho. Such a tough beast to stand up so soon after such a heavy beating from Mithra. 

Mithra: ... Huh? You have some nerve.

Mithra: Come now, we need to get moving, Metus. 

Thus began our adventure with the mysterious tower that suddenly appeared, the ancient demonic beast, and the Master Sage's Wizards. 

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