Legacy of the Dark Sage

\'Yeah,\' Kyran agreed. He had the same thoughts, especially back in Ogen when he realized how much higher-tiered potions and pills could sell. \'Are there any of this in the tower?\'

[Probably.]

\'...\'

[It\'s not like I know every treasure the Ancients kept in the tower! I hid inside, true, but back then, I could only stay in my dormant form and stay in one place. But then, even if I could shift into my true form, I could only explore the floor I was in.]

While Kyran harvested every medicinal herb he could find, Shaiha shared everything she knew about the Tower of the Ancients.

The tower itself was a work of art since it was built by the Ancients, who possessed advanced knowledge in every branch of Magic. Even if they removed the fact that the Ancients kept physical treasures in the tower, the experiences of the Ancients that could be felt on each floor could already be considered a great find.

Indeed, the saying that knowledge was wealth was true, especially when the knowledge came from the Ancients.

From Shaiha\'s explanation, Kyran more or less guessed that the tower was similar to the Tower of Tribulations, albeit they would not be teleported into different planes to complete their training and gain knowledge. Instead, it was up to them to receive their own enlightenment by observing the surroundings on each floor.

At this point, Kyran could only speculate how each person would receive that enlightenment.

Basically, each floor had a test of some sort that anyone who entered the tower would receive. The test did not have to be the same for each person, and there were likely no right or wrong answers. What was important was how each person faced the test and how fast they could comprehend the lesson behind it. Only then would they receive enlightenment and broaden their Magic knowledge.

After that, the path to the next floor would open for them.

Now, some mages might choose not to receive those enlightenments and instead focus on searching for the Ancients\' real treasures—their creations. This would likely be the case for each person who did not believe they could achieve enlightenment quickly.

Besides, the Ancients\' treasures were something they could take with them. Unlike with the test they received, if they failed to receive any enlightenment, then that was it.

Kyran said his thoughts aloud, even when Shaiha could already read what he was thinking. She agreed to most of his speculations but did add something that gave him a slight headache.

[The tower will be filled with representatives of different clans in the Higher Realm when the time arrives. Once inside, there will be no alliances and no rules that bind them. You have to be careful. Even if you go in with Leif and the others, they will be in disguise. They will also keep a low profile and will likely focus only on searching for treasures.]

Kyran did not respond. He already guessed as much. After all, Oceanus only mentioned letting Kyran keep any treasures he found in the tower.

\'The tower has opened several times now,\' he said, suddenly thinking of something. \'A lot of clans participate each time. Are there still treasures there?\'

Shaiha sighed.

[I know, right? But yes, that is just how advanced and... well... diligent the Ancients were when Magic was concerned. In fact, you received this aspect of them.]

\'...\'

Shaiha wore an incredulous look as she raised her brows.

[What? Ames already told you, right? That you possess the Ancient Body. How do you think you acquired it if the Ancients blood does not course through your veins?]

\'What? Now I also have Ancient blood? What other bloodlines do I have?\' Kyran asked. But rather than asking in curiosity, he sounded annoyed, even sarcastic.

[That\'s not it.]

Shaiha replied, rolling her eyes.

[Did you forget? The Human plane is one of the few pieces from the Land of the Ancients that fell to the Lower Realm. But besides that, the Human plane is special among the other pieces because it managed to preserve most of the Ancients\' knowledge and people.]

\'That\'s strange,\' Kyran replied with a frown. \'If what you are saying is right, shouldn\'t humans be far superior in terms of magic knowledge? Since there were survivors, who could pass it on to the next generation?\'

[Alas.]

Shaiha sighed and shook her head.

[Even I do not understand why humans of this time are weak. To think that there are only a handful of Arch Maguses in the Human plane, not to mention only a couple of Legendaries...]

\'The Lower Realm\'s rules don\'t exactly allow planes to have more than one Sage or Sovereign.\'

[That is what I do not understand as well. Then again, when I came to the Lower Realm, the only place I had ever been to was the Shaiha Temple. As for news from outside the Human plane, I managed to learn a few because, technically, the Lower Realm is a part of me.]

\'...\'

[Fine. Fine. I won\'t say anything more.]

\'Don\'t you think it is too late for that?\'

[What can I say? Besides, even if the Lower Realm is a part of me, it has already formed its consciousness and rules that I could not interfere with. This is precisely why the War of the Sovereigns needs to happen so that...]

\'...\'

Shaiha\'s voice trailed off after sensing Kyran\'s foul mood. She sighed once more before adding.

[Fine. We can talk about the rest once you get over your headache.]

\'Thank you.\'

Shaiha only snorted inelegantly in response.

Going back on what Kyran pointed out about how weak humans were, it was true that Shaiha found it strange. Moreover, she did not understand why humans could not make full use of all the magic laws available to them and only utilized a few.

In the first place, the Human plane\'s Magic Law was unrestricted. For this reason, any outsider could use their magic law, albeit their magic power was restricted because of the Sovereign\'s Cradle.

\'It is not that they are not making full use of them, but because they are not aware that they can use them,\' Kyran corrected her thoughts.

\'I\'ve been thinking about it as well,\' he admitted after sensing Shaiha\'s emotions. \'Thus far, I only have a few speculations about why humans\' mage levels are far lower compared to others—at least, overall.\'

He then thought of something and immediately corrected himself, \'Actually, besides having low magic levels, their magic power is also... weaker.\'

Kyran continued to check the plants around him before moving to another spot.

[Yes.]

Shaiha agreed, recalling how powerful a Grand Master Somulians were compared to a human Grand Master.

\'In any case, I know I\'ll know why eventually. But now...\' Kyran looked back to where the portal was before continuing, \'Looks like we\'ve got company.\'

[Hmm...]

Shaiha also sensed several presences entering the portal they had come through.

It seems they managed to enter the portal just fine.]

She added after recognizing one of the presences as Leif.

[Are we heading back now?]

Kyran took a breath, \'Honestly, I want to explore the tower alone. But I am powerless right now. Besides, all other representatives from the other clans will be present on the platform, right?\'

[That\'s correct.]

\'Then going off alone will not be a good idea.\'

[Hm.]

Shaiha agreed, nodding her head.

With that, Kyran returned to the portal and met with Leif and the others.

The moment Kyran arrived, his brow twitched involuntarily. This was because Leif and the other three with her did change their appearances.

They had dyed their hair black— like Kyran\'s. But apart from that, their eye colors were the same. Not to mention their faces and auras.

"Is this supposed to be your disguise?"

Leif smiled, "Don\'t worry. We are not done yet."

"... That\'s not what I meant..."

Truthfully speaking, Kyran did not understand why they had to change their hair color to black. They could have changed it to any other color; why black?

"I think your hair color is very nice," Leif replied with a sweet smile. "Besides, Alta saw you. If we want to keep up the act that you are from another clan, then we have to at least look like you."

Cove and Irving frowned at Leif\'s words but did not attempt to refute her.

"... right," Kyran replied, ignoring the glare that came from Cove and Irving.

"However, to ensure we mask our own auras without others noticing it is camouflage, we will need your help," Leif said, her expression turning solemn. "We will need to match our signatures as well... for this reason, we will need your—."

"Sorry, but rather than you four adjusting to my appearance," Kyran interrupted her upon realizing what she wanted from him. "Don\'t you think it\'s better to adjust mine? As you said, someone saw me. I really don\'t want any complications while we\'re here."

"Well... we did think of that first, but we didn\'t think you\'d agree," Leif admitted. "Then, whose blood do you need?"

"No one," Kyran replied. "Just give me a moment to make something."

"Adjustments?"

[Are you planning on using your mask? Didn\'t I warn you about how almost every mage here is an Array Saint?]

\'I know. But not everyone is an Alchemist, right?\'

Shaiha\'s eyes widened.

[You mean...]

Kyran smiled in response.