“What do you mean by that?” Ludwig asked.
“The Student Council would like to have a word with you, alone,” she said, “You’ll learn more about it once you’re there.”
“I don’t think I’m interested,” Ludwig shook his head.
“Just so you know,” she said, “Being a part of the Student Council allows you to have access to more facilities of the academy, the second and third Level of the Library, advanced magic and spells, and you also will have some authority over some of the students, usually all the council members are nobles, but this year we’re making an exception due to your remarkable performance at Rima.” She said.
“They basically want your fame for themselves,” Hoyo said.
“I still refuse, I’m doing better by myself,” Ludwig said.
But immediately a notification appeared in front of him.
[The Student Council of The Black Tower]
Join the student council and find out more about it.
This is a Multi Layer Quest, more subsequent quests will appear once you’re a part of the council.
Rewards will increase incrementally the more quests you clear.
“But…” Ludwig sighed, “I’ll think about it some more,” he said.
“Good,” the girl replied as she handed Ludwig a small card. “If you make up your mind, please follow the map behind this card, it will lead you right into the council hall.” She then turned and left.
“Damn, you’re really accepting that?” Hoyo said sighing.
“Why shouldn’t he, it’s a good opportunity to have stronger ties with nobility, Ludwig needs it to grow.”
Hoyo shook his head, “Nobility is very overrated, regardless you do you man. I’m not a hater, but just be careful, they tend to be very control-y,” he said.
“I’ll just check things out, if it’s not to my liking I’ll just dip out,” Ludwig shrugged,” Still, what are you guys doing here? I mean, it’s vacation time, there is no school right now,” Ludwig said.
“And go where mr genius?” Hoyo said, “We don’t have houses to go back to, remember, we’re commoners,”
Ludwig felt like he struck a nerve, for Hoyo who was a former nobleman he is now reduced to a commoner it must sting to be stuck here for the whole year.
“What about you Kassandra?” Ludwig asked.
“I don’t want to talk about it,” she said.
Ludwig realized that everyone had their own problems, so he didn’t push further.
“But what have you been doing? During your time at the tower,” Hoyo asked.
“Been working on some new type of magic we discovered, me and Master Van Dijk,” Ludwig said.
“Wait, that sounds interesting, new magic? Tell me, or if you tell me you’ll have to kill me?” Hoyo said backing away dramatically.
“Nothing like that, actually Master never said anything about keeping this knowledge to myself, regardless wanna learn about it?” Ludwig asked.
“I want!” Kassandra said hurriedly.
“Sure, it wouldn’t hurt,” Hoyo said.
“Let’s go to my room,” Ludwig said.
The three of them headed out for Ludwig’s room afterward, navigating through the almost endless corridors of the academy until they arrived to his own room.
“You have a personal room? I’m envious,” Kassandra said, “I have to share it with three other girls,” she sighed as she sat on Ludwig’s bed.
“Tell me about it, mine has sweaty snoring idiots that don’t even shower or clean up after themselves, it’s more a pigsty than a room,” he sighed.
“Sit down,” Ludwig said and pulled out a few pieces of paper, “And check this out,” he added.
***
“My head is killing me,” Hoyo said as he pushed the papers away, “How the hell are you even able to read this, most of this stuff sound like over glorified gibberish, can you even cast a spell using these formulae?”
Kassandra who had sweat dripping down her forehead seemed on the verge of falling unconscious, “I really can’t fully figure this out, but isn’t this too advanced for you?” she asked.
Ludwig smiled, he’s been there before, only he wasn’t allowed to fall unconscious and had to tide through all that, “I never said it was easy, but this basically allows you to use the same magic but in a more proficient and optimal way, Tibari was fond of research and although they’re long since gone, their advance in theory and magic research is pretty astounding and might be even more advanced than some of today’s magic,” Ludwig said as he raised his hand.
“This is fireball,” he said as he manifested [FireBall] this is using the normal Mana Transformation that almost anyone knows. But using the Tibari Mana Alteration method of channeling, you can remove much of the cost and still retain the same effect, or even a stronger one “Ludwig said as he summoned another fireball in his other hand, this one was burning brighter and stronger. “In an overdrawn battle, Using Tibarian mana alteration results in a less mana cost and better reserves, so don’t you want to learn it?” Ludwig asked.
“I do,” Kassandra said, “But although it’s optimal, the mental effort needed to use it is far more staggering. You need to have a strong mental fortitude to apply this to every spell, like, this is a tier one spell fireball, what would happen if you use it on something like a fire tornado or something even stronger? I know what’ll happen, my head will blow up,” she sighed and laid on her back on Ludwig’s bed. “I don’t know, it sounds good on paper, but the cost is too much,” she said.
Ludwig didn’t have their issues, he was an undead, mental fortitude and power was the least of his worries.
“Oh, by the way, Ludwig are you watching the Five Tower tournament?” Hoyo asked.
“The what now?” Ludwig asked.
“He doesn’t know,” Kassandra said.
“What’s going on?” Ludwig asked.
“Well, every end of school year, the five towers host a tournament. It’s a friendly spar that allows the students from every academy to battle each other. Lots of reward and prestige and all, it also allows students to get Crests,” Hoyo said.
“I have no idea what you’re talking about, what Crests?” Ludwig said.
“You really joined without knowing anything. But since we’re freshmen we don’t have access to crests right now, but a few lucky ones can obtain them if they join the tournament. Crests are a reward for doing research, dungeons, academy missions and contribution to their respective towers. Gathering enough crests allows one to join their respective tower after graduation,” Hoyo said.
“But I’m already the Tower Master’ disciple, why would I need them?” Ludwig asked.
“You do have a point there,” Hoyo said.
“It’s not just for the tower,” Kassandra said, “It’ll also allow you to do exchange studies, and visit other towers. And will let you have higher standing in society if you have the crests. Joining the tower via your master is completely different if you do it by crests. No one would have a bone to pick with you if you ‘earned’ your spot by getting the crests.” She said.
“So basically, a proof of ability, I see, it does sound nice. So, when is this tournament happening?” Ludwig asked.
“In a month or so. Why you plan on joining?” Hoyo grinned.
“Not really interested but it does sound nice, we could go and watch. I want to see the power level of the other towers.” Ludwig said.