Bairon examined the sculpture, asking, "How can I enter the Infinity Battlefield again?"
So far, Bairon had unlocked two rooms on the first floor of the Dark Tower: the first on the left, known as the "Crafting Illusion Realm," and the second called the "Infinity Battlefield."
Earlier, his rapid leveling had caused his Mindergy to become unstable, floating in his mind like vapor.
Both Charlotte and Old John had advised him to halt his progress.
However, after contributing the Leaf of Rendil, the Dark Tower had resolved the issue for him.
Now, Bairon was keen to continue leveling up to better prepare for the magus academy's autumn admissions the next day.
"You may," Charlotte said, her tone serene.
With an inadvertent blink of her eyes, Bairon found the scenery around him shifting.
He transitioned from the world of the Dark Tower to the courtyard of a magus dueling arena.
Charlotte Isabella walked in from the outskirts of the courtyard, brandishing a spell sword.
Bairon held his breath and focused, for even within this illusory realm, a blade's sting could be quite unpleasant.
Without prelude or pleasantries, Charlotte Isabella, her golden locks neatly tied back, leapt skyward.
With a flick of her wrist, her spell sword traced a circle around her body.
A colossal Wind Blade descended from the heavens.
Responding quickly, Bairon cast a Flesh spell.
His limbs swelled instantly, and his muscular arms crossed above his head, bracing for impact.
...
Two hours later, the combat in the illusionary realm concluded.
Bairon lay on the steps, his expression a blend of exhaustion and exhilaration.
After two hours of intense training, he had successfully leveled up to an Intermediate 4th ring magus.
"I sense a different aura about you," Charlotte commented.
"What did you say?" Bairon looked momentarily confused before starting to inspect himself for any changes.
Two minutes later, he pulled out a money pouch.
Inside it were gold coins from the Montagne Empire era, exchanged from Seasoft.
Holding up one of the gold coins, he inquired, "Is it this?"
"Ancient imperial gold coins," Charlotte appraised.
Bairon took a closer look and shook his head. "I don't feel any fluctuations of Mindergy within it."
"Keep it safe; it will be useful later," Charlotte advised.
Although Charlotte didn't specify its utility, anything deemed "useful" by Isabella was bound to be significant.
Bairon hadn't expected that a small favor for Seasoft would yield such an unexpected windfall.
"Thank you, my lady," he said.
He returned the gold coin to the pouch and secured it with a drawstring, thinking he'd ask Seasoft later if she had any more of these imperial gold coins.
Before leaving, Bairon opened a box he used for experiments.
The gold coins, clothes, and books were intact, and the food had spoiled as expected.
Bairon closed the box once more and vanished from the realm of the Dark Tower.
...
The next morning.
Bairon knocked on the door of Room 204.
Evelyn answered.
"Tomorrow's the entrance exam, so I'm planning to visit the family that Mrs. Margaret Jona introduced us to. What are your plans?" Bairon inquired.
Although Greyscale isn't contagious, Evelyn's ashen face could still draw unpleasant stares.
She usually wore a veil when going out, but that would have to come off when visiting someone else's home.
Evelyn glanced back at Seasoft, who was still asleep on the bed. "She plans to buy something new today."
"Why didn't she buy it yesterday?" Bairon asked curiously.
Evelyn responded, "It's too expensive; she's been indecisive all night."
"Alright, then keep her company, and make sure she doesn't get swindled or lost," Bairon nodded in agreement.
With the entrance exams for the magus academy coming up tomorrow, he didn't need any complications from Seasoft at this time.
Next, Bairon handed a slip of paper to Evelyn.
It had Daniel Jona's home address written on it.
"I'll be visiting Mr. Jona this morning and then heading to the White Tower to handle my withdrawal from the spell guild. If it's convenient, you two can find me at either of these places," Bairon said.
Evelyn glanced at the slip of paper and tucked it into her pocket.
"Don't forget to take your medicine before you leave," Bairon added, before closing the door behind him.
He descended to the ground floor and hailed a carriage.
...
34 Kent Street.
A carriage came to a halt. Bairon stepped down and paid the driver his due.
Once the carriage had moved on, he surveyed the building before him.
Its pristine white façade revealed a four-story villa, complete with a 200-square-meter front courtyard.
Compared to the modest two-story house at 66 Maple Lane, this mansion was nothing short of opulent.
Add to that the mere three blocks that separated this dwelling from the city center, and the price of this property would undoubtedly be astronomical.
Clearly, the Jona family held a substantial position within San Sorus.
Contemplating this, Bairon approached the front gate.
A guard outside, spotting a young man clad in a gray magus robe, stepped forward to greet him.
"Good day, sir."
"I've come to visit Mr. Daniel Jona," Bairon presented a letter.
"Whose letter is this?" inquired the guard.
"Margaret Jona."
"Please wait a moment."
The guard took the letter and turned to go inside the villa, not even offering to usher Bairon in.
"Is it Margaret Jona who holds too little status, or is it the rank of a gray-robed magus that's too low?" Bairon pondered as he waited.
Minutes later, the guard reappeared and swung open the grand gates.
"Mr. Jona and his wife are expecting you in the drawing room," said a young maid trailing behind the guard.
Guided by the maid, Bairon entered the opulent chamber.
Inside, two figures stood.
One was a man around forty, adorned with a thick black beard and bearing some resemblance to William Jona, although much leaner.
Beside him was a woman in lavish attire, her beauty still quite prominent.
Yet, compared to Margaret, her demeanor was far more aloof.
"Greetings, Lord Stewart," the middle-aged man cheerfully introduced himself. "I am Daniel Jona, William's younger brother, and this is my wife, Catherine."
"Catherine, this is the Lord Stewart mentioned in Margaret's letter, one of the most promising young magi of the Provincial Alliance."
"Good day, Lord Stewart," Catherine inclined her knee ever so slightly, performing a formal curtsy.
"Good day, madam," Bairon replied, placing one hand across his chest and slightly bowing his head in the manner of Battle Magus etiquette.
Pleasantries exchanged, Daniel turned his attention back to his wife, his face tinged with irritation.
"Where is Emma? How many times have I told her that when important guests arrive, she should be present?"
"She's probably still getting ready upstairs," Catherine replied.
"You keep spoiling her; it will do her no good in the end," Daniel sighed, then quickly shifted his tone, "I apologize, Lord Stewart, for not better instructing my daughter."
"There's no need for apologies. I appreciate the welcome, but too much ceremony would leave me quite disoriented," Bairon assured them.
At this, Daniel laughed heartily. Catherine, too, permitted herself a subtle smile.
In truth, Bairon was not being polite.
He was unclear about what Margaret had conveyed in her letter, but he was very clear about the purpose of his visit.
A simple, courteous visit—that was the aim.
The fewer the people and the shorter the time involved, the better.
"Lord Stewart, Margaret mentioned in her letter that you've come to San Sorus facing some difficulties and hoped we could assist you," Daniel said, visibly more cheerful.
Margaret had not mentioned Evelyn's Greyscale in her letter.
Bairon smiled, "I'm planning to apply to the Magus Academy."
For some reason, as the words left his mouth, Bairon sensed a shift in the eyes of the Jona couple—a mixture of strangeness and a hint of disdain.
His brow furrowed subtly.
"Aren't you a member of the Magus Guild?" Daniel inquired, eyeing Bairon's gray magus robe.
The guild required all its members to wear such robes, at least within the realms where magus towers existed.
"I'm planning to leave the guild and apply to the academy," Bairon responded.
"Because of the rumor?" Daniel questioned.
"What rumor?" Bairon countered.
Catherine nudged her husband's shoulder and softly interjected, "Daniel, it must be a coincidence. He arrived by sailing ship; he's likely been at sea these past days, without the chance to hear such rumors."
"Oh, my apologies. I hadn't considered that," Daniel hastily apologized.
Then, he added, "Bairon, it may be quite difficult for you to gain admission to the Magus Academy this year."
"Why is that?" Bairon asked, his eyes widening with surprise.
"Because there are far too many prodigies who will also be applying," Daniel said, casting another glance at Bairon's gray magus robe before letting out a sigh.