William was about to speak when Matthew interrupted, "Hold on, let me guess."
He raised a hand to stop William and continued, "Let me see if I got this right. Tomorrow at seven in the morning, Miss Anna will just happen to 'run into' Bairon on that ship, won't she?"
"Although I've regained my shipyard, Margaret is still quite distressed. She wants to visit her aunt in Sail Town tomorrow morning and take a little vacation. Naturally, Anna will accompany her mother," William replied with a chuckle.
Matthew facepalmed.
Sail Town was a transit port that ships from Sailport to San Sorus had to dock at.
In other words, Anna and Bairon would be on the same ship.
"You truly are relentless," Matthew remarked, "But I believe Bairon hasn't even considered marriage yet."
William nodded in agreement, "I think the same. But we have to create opportunities to potentially lead them towards a better future."
Matthew curiously inquired, "Is this the secret behind the Jona family becoming the foremost family of Sailport?"
"Suppose so!" William replied, climbing into his carriage. "Farewell, Father Matthew!"
...
In the world of the Dark Tower, Bairon had arrived with the much-anticipated Level 4 mana core.
Yet, a profound stillness pervaded the air.
There were no cheers, no signs of jubilation.
Even the ever-lively Old John treated him as if he were no more than a wisp of smoke.
"So, none of you know how to craft spell equipment?" Bairon inquired, glancing at a sculpture and then shifting his gaze to the ethereal figure floating above.
At that moment, all the confidence with which Charlotte and Old John had spoken about Crafting Magus evaporated into nothingness.
It bewildered Bairon that these two eminent magi had such a shallow understanding of the promising profession of Crafting Magus.
Mastery over Mindergy, after all, was a fundamental requisite to become a Crafting Magus.
However, when it came to the actual process of creating spell equipment, both found themselves at a loss for words.
"I am a Battle Magus," Charlotte stated simply.
Old John chimed in with a suggestion, "I advise you to seek out a Crafting Magus outside to mentor you. Don't you have a savings of 6,800 gold coins? That should suffice to embark on a journey as an Apprentice Crafting Magus."
"It's 5,000 gold coins!" Bairon corrected.
The remaining 1,800 gold coins were set aside for Evelyn and were not to be touched, come what may.
"Perhaps consider finding a more affordable tutor," Charlotte suggested.
"We could ask Mr. William for a bit more; he seems rather generous," mused Old John.
Bairon retorted, "Didn't either of you befriend any Crafting Magi when you were younger?"
The two fell into a contemplative silence.
"Alright, I understand," Bairon said, a hint of resignation in his voice.
Consequently, the plan to use the Level 4 mana core to access the first layer of the Dark Tower, the "Crafting Illusion Realm", was put on hold.
Bairon then took out an egg, a walnut, and a carving knife.
While his ambitions to become a Crafting Magus might have paused, his training to control Mindergy could not.
Ever since Charlotte introduced Bairon to the fundamental laws of the magus world, his understanding of how a Battle Magus fights had deepened.
The three shards of ice that took down Lawrence were proof of that.
A standard Battle Magus wouldn't possess the ability to allow a spell creation to grow twice.
Of course, Bairon still lacked answers about making a Wind Blade return.
Charlotte had not demonstrated the Magic Circuit for the Wind Blade technique within that opened door.
But Bairon bore no grudges regarding this omission.
Once he learned to perceive his inner Magic Circuit, he believed he could teach himself.
...
The next day, as the first golden rays of dawn ascended from the horizon, they touched the pinnacle of Sailport's tallest structure, the Bloodline Clock.
The acting Chief Steward of the Magus Tower, the venerable Magus Harper, took up his post with vigor.
Numerous tasks awaited him, including investigating when Lawrence's consciousness had been overtaken by the Dark Magus.
Creating schedules for the magi guarding the relic gate at Shadeveil Mountains.
Preparing this month's wages for the magi.
And, according to the ledger, tallying the inventory within the treasury.
"Open the doors to the treasury!"
As Hapa climbed to the top floor of the Magus Tower with the ledger in hand and pushed the outer door open, he was met with the sight of a young girl and a magus in red robes.
The golden sunlight played upon her flaxen hair and emerald eyes.
"By the Son of the White Tower!"
Harper exclaimed, breaking into a cold sweat and hastily removing the key from his waist.
The sound of metal clinking was especially crisp in the serene dawn.
He inserted the key and turned it.
Stepping back a few paces, Hapa used Mindergy to chant a spell.
With a drawn-out creak, the doors to the treasury began to open slowly.
Ajani entered the treasury with Olga, giving the interior a casual glance.
The Magus Tower's treasury was where the most valuable items were stored, like various spell equipment, classified information, and copious amounts of gold and silver coins.
"Retrieve all the magus rings you've confiscated from the Dark Magus," Ajani commanded.
"Yes, sir!"
After searching for a moment, Harper located the box in a corner that contained the blood-stained magus rings.
"My Lord, all the rings from before last year were handed over to the White Tower. The ones from this year are right here," Harper said, bringing the box to Ajani.
"Are you certain these are all from this year?" Ajani peeked inside and exclaimed in astonishment.
There were nearly two hundred and fifty magus rings inside.
Before arriving in Sailport, Ajani had visited over a dozen Magus Towers.
Even in the tower with the highest count, there were just over a hundred rings, and that tower's Chief Steward was an Advanced Magus.
"Yes, they're all from this year," Harper confirmed.
"Very well, your job here is done. Leave," Ajani dismissed him with a wave.
"I'll wait for your instructions downstairs," Hapa replied, exiting the treasury.
Ajani began to pick up each magus ring, inspecting them meticulously.
Half an hour later...
"Uncle Olga, the magus rings here seem to be in order," Ajani said, rubbing her sore shoulders. It was an unladylike gesture, but no outsiders were present.
"The magus rings of the Magus Tower's magi also show no issues," Olga commented.
"Yes, we checked them yesterday," Ajani replied.
After Harper had presented himself to Ajani as the acting Chief Steward the previous day, she had instructed him to gather all the magi.
Even those guarding the gate at Shadeveil Mountains were called back for a thorough inspection of their magus rings.
"No, there's one person we haven't checked," Olga suddenly mentioned.
"You mean Bairon?" Ajani queried.
Olga nodded. "Yes, even for those magi who died in battle, we exhumed their graves for inspection. Yet, somehow, we overlooked Bairon."
"But Bairon isn't deceased," Ajani hesitated for a moment before adding, "Perhaps the item isn't in Sailport. Shadeveil Mountains is vast. The northernmost gate even lies to the far north. Who can truly say from which direction the artifact escaped the relic?"
With a calm expression, Olga remarked, "This mission is a part of your trials. I'm only here to offer advice."
"Alright, alright. Once I return to San Sorus, I'll find an opportunity to inspect Bairon's magus ring," Ajani said, clapping her hands together before placing the items back in their original places in the treasury.
Subsequently, Ajani descended the stairs accompanied by Olga.
Below, Harper, the elder magus, stood awaiting them.
Upon seeing Ajani, the wrinkles on his face seemed to tremble once again.
"You've had commendable achievements this year. Why haven't I heard of any commendations from the White Tower?" Ajani inquired casually.
For a Magus Tower overseen only by an Intermediate Magus, eliminating over two hundred Dark Magi in half a year was an accomplishment worthy of recognition from the White Tower.
Even that eccentric old man overseeing the White Tower might have personally penned an accolade.
Responding with a hint of embarrassment, Harper said, "Well, Son of White Tower, nearly two hundred of those magus rings were credited to Master Bairon. As you may know, Chief Steward...oh, I mean the traitor Rueel, always seemed to suppress Bairon."
"What?!" Ajani exclaimed, taken aback. Even Olga, the robed magus, showed a flicker of surprise in his eyes.
...
Sailport, at the harbor.
Seagulls soared overhead, occasionally perching on the masts.
Sailors hoisted the sails, welcoming the morning sun.
In the first-class cabin, Bairon sat by the window, carefully carving a walnut with his carving knife.
Evelyn was engrossed by the illustrations in her storybook while fiddling with the Elf Queen mask on the bed.
Knock, knock, knock...
The sound of knocking echoed.
Setting his work aside, Bairon approached the door, gently patting Evelyn's shoulder, "I'll get it..." As he opened the door, a stranger clad in sailor attire stood outside.
"May I speak with Mr. Stewart and Miss Stewart?" The sailor inquired.
"What can I help you with?" Bairon asked.
"Well, in gratitude for the distinguished guests boarding the White Gull, the captain has ordered a lavish luncheon to be prepared. He hopes you both will grace the dining hall with your presence," the sailor replied.