She shook her head and impatiently asked, "Never mind that. What about the information regarding the First Trial?"
Gilgamel shrugged and said, "I really don't know what the First Trial entails. Senior Raiden only mentioned that I would need a reliable team to pass the trial. I tried asking Senior Raiden for more details, but as I mentioned, he was just pretending to be drunk and had no intention of divulging more information."
The First Trial is an intense and perilous event where the participants face serious risks, including paralysis and even death.
Based on the data he collected, nearly 10% of the participants have suffered these dire consequences. Given such alarming statistics, Gilgamel understood the gravity of this trial and made meticulous preparations well in advance.
Therefore, over the past three months, Gilgamel had done nothing but appraise other people, practice magic spells, and make other essential preparations. Fortunately, everything was ready except for forming a team.
While Gilgamesh was contemplating this, his attention was redirected by Mai, who suddenly assumed a seductive pose.
"What?"
"Gil, don't you think that having a beauty is essential for every team?" Mai blinked at Gilgamel several times, hoping he would notice her hint.
"..." Gilgamel was momentarily speechless before asking hesitantly, "Something wrong with your eyes, girl?"
Fed up, Mai snapped, "Something wrong with your brain! I'm saying you need a beauty like me in your team."
Gilgamel's face twitched slightly.
Could she be any more shameless than this?
***
The whereabouts of Owl's headquarters remained an enigma to outsiders, shrouded in secrecy by its members.
Many theories abounded regarding its location, with some believing it to be sited underground in Evernight City, while others speculated that the Owl concealed its base within an ordinary tavern. Whispers even circulated that the entirety of Evernight City functioned as the Owl's covert headquarters.
Regrettably, none of these speculations proved to be accurate.
As the duo navigated through the dimly lit alley, Gilgamel's eyes slowly adjusted to the darkness around him.
He whispered an ancient mantra, the syllables rolling off his tongue like an incantation. Suddenly, he and Dodo seemed to dissolve into the shadows, blending seamlessly with the blackness of the passage.
The darkness served as a mysterious portal leading to the realm of the Owl. Only individuals who knew the special chant could unlock and access it. Not even Dodo, the loyal pet of Gilgamel, could gain entry without Gilgamel's presence.
The headquarters of the Owl is often mistakenly believed to be located in Evernight City. In reality, Evernight City is actually part of the Owl's territory, not the other way around. Specifically, Evernight City is referred to as the Market Area by members of the Owl.
The Market Area, which is part of the Owl's domain, served as a hub for members to establish businesses, conduct transactions, and welcome non-affiliated wizards to join and contribute to the market's growth. Over time, it evolved into a bustling city with numerous buildings and a vibrant community of resident wizards.
It's important to note that these details were known only to Owl members. Unaffiliated wizards assumed that Evernight City was just like any other wizard city, where people could live, rent houses, open shops, and conduct business without realizing its unique connection to the Owl.
In an instant, Gilgamel and Dodo found themselves once again standing in front of the enormous two-swing gate, feeling the weight of its presence bearing down upon them.
The gate itself was a marvel to behold, constructed from mysterious and ancient steel that seemed to whisper of forgotten secrets. Its structure resembled a birdcage, each picket intricately wrapped in thick, twisting vines that seemed to pulsate with otherworldly energy. A veil of white steam enveloped the area, shrouding the view beyond the gate in an ethereal mist and casting an eerie, enigmatic atmosphere over the entire scene.
Perched upon the apex of the gate, a majestic white owl held court, its keen eyes fixed upon the two visitors with a cold and penetrating gaze.
This revered owl had been a constant presence since Gilgamel's first arrival at Owl, and rumours circulated that it had long held its vigil even before that. It seemed to serve as a silent sentinel, always perched atop the gate like a guardian of the mysteries that lay beyond.
When Gilgamel attempted to use his appraisal skill to discern the identity of the white owl, he quickly abandoned the attempt upon realizing the exorbitant price of mana crystals it would demand.
This realization brought a sobering awareness that the white owl was no ordinary creature, and tampering with it could carry unforeseen consequences.
It was not something he could mess with.
As the owl shut its eyes, the gate creaked open, beckoning Gilgamel and Dodo to step inside without hesitation.
As they entered the gate, the world unfolded into a scene of eerie beauty. A seemingly endless, winding road stretched out before them, leading toward a colossal castle shrouded in darkness and exuding a menacing aura. It bore a striking resemblance to the Demon King Castle depicted in the manga Gilgamel used to read in his previous life.
Above the castle, the sky loomed with an assembly of sombre clouds, occasionally punctuated by the ominous rumble of thunder.
When Gilgamel came here for the first time, he felt frightened and suspected he might be brought here as a sacrifice for a demon king.
The initial impression he had of this place was undeniably gloomy.
It felt as though he had crossed into an alternate dimension. The moon's luminescence still bathed the landscape, but its appearance had shifted, casting an unsettling crimson hue like a coagulated blood clot, further enhancing the disquieting atmosphere.
Again, he had attempted to identify it using his appraisal skills, but the horrific price he had to pay made him realize that nothing in Owl was simple.
Should he say 'as expected from the top wizard organization'?
Soon, a young man and a dog reached the castle.
The Castle of Owl stands as a testament to the architectural marvels of the Early Middle Ages. Its nine stories soar into the sky, supported by intricate magical enchantments woven into every stone. The interior is a labyrinth of complex staircases leading to towers and turrets that seem to defy gravity.
The Castle of Owl is a sprawling structure with nine floors above ground, in addition to a basement and a foreboding dungeon.
The first floor caters to members with levels 1-10, who are known as First Circle Wizards. This floor is a hub of magical activity, housing essential areas such as The Aurium, where the first-floor members intertwine, the Dormitory for rest and recuperation, the bustling Cafeteria, Learning Classes for learning general knowledge, a dedicated Training Field, the awe-inspiring Magic Arena, and the Teleporter Room, providing swift access to distant places.
The Aurium is a multi-functional space designed to welcome and serve the first-floor members, functioning as both a lobby and a reception room. In addition to its welcoming atmosphere, the Aurium also serves as a hub for communicating the organization's missions, making it a central gathering place for many members.
Upon entering The Aurium, Gilgamel was greeted by the sight of numerous members bustling about. Some were garbed in the familiar robes of the organization, while others sported distinctive and diverse ensembles.
While it was not mandatory for Owl members to don the official robe, Gilgamel took pleasure in wearing it, finding it to exude a sense of sophistication and grace. Even during his days as a noble, his attire had never quite matched the elegance of this uniform.
Furthermore, the garment boasted magical runes that not only functioned as lightweight armour but also ensured it remained spotless.
Though imbued with such magical allure, the uniform was not always embraced by all Owl members. Some hesitated to wear it, often owing to their affluent backgrounds, allowing them the luxury of flaunting more fashionable and higher-quality attire.
Gilgamel had no intention of stopping to greet the people he knew at The Aurium. He wanted to return to his room and rest for a few hours before starting his training routine.
Exiting the Aurium, Gilgamel ventured into a narrow, shadowy hallway.
The glowing enchantments embedded in the walls flickered to life one after another, casting an ethereal glow on his every footfall. Not a single noise permeated the air, save for the haunting echo of his own steps.
At the conclusion of the passage, Gilgamel crosses the threshold into the Teleporter Room.
As its name implied, this chamber housed the Anywhere Curtain, a wondrous magic item enabling castle inhabitants to transport themselves to any destination within its walls instantly.
The "Anywhere Curtain," created by the skilled craftsman Owl, was a wondrous invention that served as a magical mode of transportation, instantly whisking travellers away to their desired destination.
Gilgamel was not quite sure how the Anywhere Room worked, but he knew that this advanced and practical technology saved him the trouble of searching for his room in such a vast and intricate castle.
The Anywhere Curtain is a striking installation featuring twelve statues, each depicting unique faces and figures. These statues are arranged in a circular formation and symbolize the twelve leaders of the Owls organization from its inception to the present day.
Upon entering one of the Anywhere Curtains, Gilgamel promptly uttered, "Room No. 730."
In an instant, he found himself standing in front of a door with a nameplate "No. 730 - Gilgamel."
Without hesitation, Gilgamel opened the door and entered, with Dodo following behind.
The Dormitory room is a remarkable space with an open courtyard that is linked to a small house constructed entirely out of a special type of wood.
What sets this room apart is its ability to change from day to night, mirroring the actual time outside in Owl's territory. As it is currently nighttime, the sky inside the room is even naturally illuminated in night colours.
Upon entering Gilgamel's yard, one would encounter a breathtaking collection of exotic plants and precious elixirs. However, their splendour was obscured by the cloak of night.
As Gilgamel made his way onto the porch of his modest abode, a simple snap of his fingers ignited a mystical lamp, instantly illuminating the entire house.
Provided by the organization, the accommodation for the first-floor members was rather compact, featuring a single bedroom, a solitary bathroom, a cozy living room, and an intriguing laboratory space.
As soon as Gilgamel entered the room, he swiftly removed his clothing and prepared for the night.
After undressing, he indulged in a refreshing bath before slipping into comfortable pyjamas.
As the evening ritual continued, he indulged in a potion known as the Sweet Night Potion. This concoction was carefully crafted to promote restful sleep and enhance the complexion, ensuring a rejuvenated appearance upon waking.
With his nighttime routine complete, Gilgamel embraced the comfort of his bed, allowing himself to be carried away into a peaceful, undisturbed slumber.