The magic kingdom, Maigrema. Known to its wide diversity of magic applications on daily life and advanced complex mechanism equipment. All kinds of goods and scrolls are on the market which is considered as hard to find even in some countries.
The magic tower which garnered so many attention from back then. The only tower in the world where magic accumulates on its own without having any positive or negative properties which causes it to harmonize with the surroundings. Also said that anyone who pass a trial can train inside since the inside of the tower will boost the training of someone in a short time. The known main reason why the magic kingdom was created.
With their motto, "Wisdom is a must for all magic users". They have won many wars using great tactical decisions. And have repelled many natural disasters with advance technologies.
"Why are we walking when we can just use that car-thingy to fly, master?" (Melanie)
"I don't want my car to be shot down. We are in their capital right now, you know"
She sure fell in love with my car. A transportation that doesn't shake and have a nice wind at all times sure is addicting for the people here.
If they aren't mages, they'd be magic swordsman. Everyone here sure does revolve around the use of magic.
We went to a restaurant to eat. The three of us took a sit.
"Pick whatever you want!"
"Yes!" Nunu replied happily.
Each of us ordered something light and some sweets.
"I miss this feeling~!" Melanie said.
As we eat, three men with unusual clothes came in. The lively atmosphere in the shop disappeared. Everyone was quiet. The three men went closer to us.
"Will you please come with us" One of them said.
"You guys sure took your time" I replied.
I give the two a signal and stand up. We then followed the three.
"What do you mean by what you said, master?" (Nunu)
"A dragon, an evil spirit that is possessing a body, and an unidentified man that cannot be appraised. That kind of group is bound to attract attention. This is the magic kingdom after all. They already use a high level appraisal magic on us. It doesn't work on me though"
The additional perks of being a hero is that I can choose what information people can see. No matter how strong their analysis is.
We entered a building right next to the magic tower. After waiting for ten minutes a girl ask us to follow her to meet a higher up of the magic kingdom. They said to stay still.
They must be worried that we might cause a commotion.
"This is an order: No matter what do not speak unless I give my permission" I whispered to the two.
We then entered a room. Inside, another woman was sitting elegantly. An elf girl.
I can see in Melanie's face that she want to take over her body. Unfortunately I can't do that. Not only is she a higher up in this kingdom, her soul is also pure.
"Please sit down"
She said as she brushed on her hair lightly with her left hand.
"My name is Aubree. I am in charge for the security and defense of the capital. Which is why I would like to talk with you three in person"
"I am Alfred. For personal reasons, I would like to have an audience with the tower master" I said.
"And why would you want that?"
She raise her wand. Space in the room started to distort. Nunu was shock but the rest of us weren't.
Being coy now, are we.
"Phantom World: Space alteration"
Aubree shrugged. While the rest were terrified.
The distorted space return to normal. Her ability and mine basically cancelled each other out.
Ever since coming here, my aura became more refined and the capacity also increase drastically. With that, I am capable of using Phantom world with less problems compared to before. If it was me from back then before I entered this world, I wouldn't have even dared to do something as insane as this.
"I assure you that I do not have any intention of harming anyone. But I can't let you scare my little puppy now can I"
I pointed to Nunu.
I grinned.
"How did you do that without using any magic?" She ask.
Her poker face is still there which is commendable but I'll give her minus points for the decline in politeness of her speech.
"How I did that little stunt is not important. The fact that I hold no hostility and only want to talk is the more important subject here"
Of course they'd be afraid of me. As people who have pride of their knowledge towards magic, her advanced level magic was cancelled out with no trace of any spell or mana. Aura is not mana, so it is only natural for them not to notice or feel any of it.
She bit her lip, and open her mouth.
"I will ask her ladyship. Please stay here"
"Gladly!" I replied with a smile.
All of them left after glancing at each other.
After an hour, another beautiful woman appeared. She sat down in front of me.
"I will cut to the chase since I am very busy. I am the ruler of the magic kingdom, and the master of the magic tower, Guinevere Maigrema"
There she is, the tower master who hates apostles. Based on the information I have on her, she is also an apostle herself although I don't exactly why she hates other apostles, what I do know is that she have faith in the power of the Gods.
I remove my left glove and showed them the mark I received from the Master of the Souls.
"I am an apostle named Alfred"
"An apostle?!" She ask loudly.
She then emitted powerful mana outburst from all directions. Increasing gravity, warping space, and causing sparks of lightning all over. So this is the power of an arcane user. Multiple complicated spells in a whim, how horrifying.
Melanie protected Nunu.
"Phantom World: Anti-magic area"
Everything vanish.
I spread my aura which was imbued with the anti-magic attribute. Creating an area that temporarily negates magic. It has its own limits and restrictions making it hard to use.
I still haven't got the complete version of the anti-magic but it sure is convenient against arcane users.
"Demonic attribute is weak against holy attribute. Holy attribute is weak against arcane attribute. Arcane attribute is weak against anti-magic attribute. While Anti-magic is weak against demonic attribute. Keeping this four way relationship of all the attributes, I believe it would be foolish to do something like that here. Besides, with my mana pool, even with anti-magic, I am someone who hold no threat against someone as strong as you. So please, calm down" I nonchalantly said as I eat.
I released the effects of the anti-magic area. It's not like I can keep it up longer anyway.
"What is an apostle doing here?!" She ask furiously.
"A deal"
"A deal?"
"Yes. In exchange of valuable information on magic engineering. I want you to be in debt with me"
"HOW INSOLE-"
"STOP!!!"
Guinevere stop Aubree.
She turn to me.
"Why should I trust an apostle?"
"Do you trust the power of the Gods?"
Her eyes narrowed down. Thinking about my question very carefully.
"I do" She replied.
"Then..."
A paper appeared on top of the table.
"This is a skill of mine. A
She reluctantly reach out for the paper. She took her time reading it. She would sigh, glance over, and look at me from time to time while reading it.
"In summary; It says here that in exchange of information regarding magic engineering that we do not know of I will be in debt to you, correct? And that only Maigrema is the country allowed to possess the benefits this will bring"
"That is indeed correct!"
I smiled.
"And that the favor that I have to do in the near future or right now is any of the three:
1.) An alliance of the magic kingdom and the individual named Michael Santiago.
2.) To give the individual named Michael Santiago a high position in the magic kingdom which is on the same level as the tower master, Guinevere Maigrema.
3.) The 7% of what the kingdom of magic earns from the information given regarding the magic engineering, no matter what the application, will be given to the one named Michael Santiago.
And I can choose what to do, right? I only have to choose one?"
"Yes, you only have to choose one among the three options"
The tower master pulled out her wand, pointing it to me.
"If the information you give is something that we already know, you will die. Is what it states here"
Nunu started release blood lust. The others who are behind the tower master also readied their wands.
"Yes!"
My world's technology regarding magic is pretty advanced. Only descendants of other families can use it though. But that doesn't mean I don't know anything about it.
"Fine. I choose the third one"
She signed the contract.
"Now tell me what is this information that you are talking about that not even us know?"
She sure is glaring at me with disgust.
"Here. Is this enough?"
While reading, shock and astonishment can be seen from her face. Her crystal-like eyes shined.
"W-what are these so complex algorithm procedures?!"
"I would looove~ to explain it all to you. Alas! You are too busy, after all, the tower master have duties to take care of the kingdom and many, many more. I shall come back on later date. Ciao"
I stood up, wave my hand, and head for the door right in front of me.
"WAIT!"
I turn around.
"Aubree, cancel all of my plans today! Make sure that no one else will disturb me in the meantime!"
"Understood!"
I gestured Melanie and they also went out to go back to the inn. Now the only ones who are in the room is me and the tower master.
She raise her hand and did some weird hand signals. Mana gathered on her hands and a spell was invoke. She omitted the incantation of the spell.
"Now no one will be able to hear what we are talking about. Even dragons won't. Now, please explain to me how you possess such information."
"Sure. But, you need to tell me why you are so mad about other apostles despite being one"
She exhaled sharply.
"That's a given. When other apostles kills another, they gain the power of the apostle they killed. The only different thing is that there will be no restrictions. Unlike the original owner, if I were to kill you, I will inherit your power with nothing to restrict me. Which is why I was on edge when I heard you're an apostle. I thought you were here to kill me for my power"
"I see. I don't have such plans though"
I told her that I got those info about magic engineering when I found an ancient dungeon. She seem to believe me so I stop my explanation at that. I don't want her to know that I am a hero.
"What about your slaves then?"
"You knew they were my slaves?"
"Yes. I am the tower master after all. Even if it is faint, I can tell it is an extremely powerful enslavement"
"Don't worry. I consider the boy you saw earlier as my son. The other one is more like an asset to me if you get what I am saying. Now that we cleared all misunderstandings, I hope you won't try to kill me again"
"Of course not. Here. This is my family's crest. Using that you should be able to enter my tower whenever you want. You can only go up to floor three."
"That much is enough for me. Also, do send the money here in this address"
"The northern continent?"
"Yup!"
We shake our hands in agreement.
"From now on, please refer to me as Al" I said.
"Then, call me Gwen, from now on as well. It is hard to find a fellow apostle who won't attack you on sight you know"
We grew pretty friendly with each other after exchanging few stories of our own.
Boom!
The room shake aggressively. The barrier that Gwen put earlier is being destroyed.
I quickly gathered my aura to prepare myself for the worst.
"Phantom World"
The door open and a man burst in. His fist almost went straight to my face. I teleported myself behind the Gwen just before he hit me.
"YOU BASTARD!!!" Screamed by the man.
What did I do?!
A guy suddenly cursing at me for something I don't think I did. Is he perhaps the contracted dragon of the tower master?
"Stop! Troy, stop right now!"
Gwen stood up. They stared at each other, throwing daggers with their eyes. Using their mana to clash.
I feel quite nauseous from the mana concentration here.
Give me a break already. These guy are using their own mana, throwing it all over. Do they not know someone with little mana is here. I'm basically drowning here already.
The man seemed to have calmed down and took a sit beside the tower master. Still glaring at me. I slowly went back to my sit, avoiding the man who almost killed me.
The man made Gwen to stand up. The tower master stood up and took a sit at the man's lap. The man hugged Gwen from behind, burying his face to the lady's shoulder. Wrapping the tower master in his arms, tightly.
Exhibitionist? All that, for this?! I almost die just so that they can do that right in front of me?!
"I'm sorry but let me introduce him. This maniac over here who is hugging me is my contracted dragon and husband, Troy Maigrema. He is quite possessive and all. I guess he found out you were an apostle and went for the kill. I am sorry about that"
Sorry my ass, I almost died because of that?!
I frowned. Still on alert since the guy named, Troy, was still exuding an incredible amount of killing intent.
Gwen explain to her husband what happened, all the way from the beginning, as detailed as possible.
Troy took deep breaths and look at me.
Gulp.
"I'm sorry about what happened earlier"
He said as he stare at me with utter sadness.
Yeah, that ain't enough. If I didn't teleported on my own in time I'm good as dead already!
"I would like to have some compensation then"
Gwen who was kissing her pet dragon turn towards me.
"What kind?" Gwen ask.
"Is it okay to have a little match with you? I want to try what I can do against someone who is leagues above me. But, let's do that when we are both sure he won't kill me"
We both look at Troy.
"Don't worry, I won't do it again. A friend of my wife is also my friend" He said.
"I am okay with a match, but you sure that is all you want?"
"Hmmm. Can you also bring someone here? I want him to see this fight as experience that will make him grow more"
"Sure. I suppose it is someone in the Northern continent"
"Yes!"
"Follow me"
The man groaned, not wanting to let go of his wife. Five minutes later Gwen whispered something to him and he reluctantly let her go with teary eyes.
"Those puppy eyes are not gonna work on me"
He actually cried. Silently. As if he is used to being treated this way.
I followed the couple and end up in a room with a magic circle.
"Using this, I will summon the person you want to call from northern continent. I am assuming you only want one individual"
"Yes, that is correct"
"Please stand in front of me and hold my hands. Think of that person as hard as you can"
I hold her hands and think about Alfred just like she said. I guess her husband is going to kill me sooner or later. It's not like I want to touch her! So why does he look so annoyed?
The magic circle glowed and Alfred appeared.
Dumbfounded, I explain to him why he is here. And that he will return tomorrow.
"I will prepare the battle grounds so do prepare yourself. We will start after six hours. In the meantime, my husband will be accompanying you"
Troy flinched.
"What?! No! I am not goi-"
"If you don't, I assure you that you won't eat for the next week"
He flinched.
Troy once again cried.