I Have a Task Log

Chapter 201: Chapter 200: The Start of the Course

「Less than an hour later.」

"Alright, I’ve told you how to use the teaching aids and the procedure for entering and exiting the Black Tower," Morel said, reaching into his pouch and pulling out a thick book. "This is the textbook you’ll be using. Just give it a look when the time comes."

Taking the textbook, Colin glanced at the small pit behind them. "That must be the place for ’practical combat training,’ right? Will there be Blights?"

"You won’t have to worry about that. The Black Tower hires Adventurers to escort the monsters and set up the area. All you have to do is show up for class," Morel added. "If there’s nothing else, I’m heading out."

"Okay. You probably have a class to teach too, right?"

"Nope. I just want to go out for a rich Sanderling espresso." With that, the Mage yawned and sauntered out of the classroom.

Colin was left speechless by his languid attitude.

’Is this the retired life of a Gray Squad member? It’s way too cushy.’

’Then again, if he was in the same squad as Edwin, could a guy like him also be a Legendary Mage? He doesn’t really seem like one.’

As he mulled this over, Colin walked out of the classroom and into the hallway.

He walked silently down the endless, spacious corridor.

The interior of the Black Tower was entirely controlled by magic. The rooms and wooden doors had no fixed locations; you only had to think of your destination while walking down the corridor to find the right door.

After walking a short distance, Colin saw a wooden door with a sign that read ’Main Hall’.

’This must be the exit.’

He pushed open the wooden door and, sure enough, found himself back in the chamber with the Floating Stone Disc. He waited for the disc to rise up and carry him to the room with the Steel Giant Statue. From there, Colin headed back toward the spot where he had first teleported in.

Once he was ready, he walked toward the wall full of alcoves.

By the time he came to his senses, Colin was already standing on the street outside the Black Tower’s walls.

He looked back at the Black Tower behind him.

’The things these Mages cook up are really strange. I wonder how the Mages and apprentices who live inside go about their daily lives.’

Colin went out for lunch, then returned home to grab some paper and a pen before heading to the Great Dome to read.

Of course, besides reading, he also had to prepare his lessons based on the textbook. It would be terrible if a student asked a question in class that he couldn’t answer.

Although it was a bit of a hassle, compared to doing missions in the wilderness, this job was considerably easier.

At least he didn’t have to worry about losing his life.

On his way to the Divine Hall’s main chamber, Colin spotted a familiar figure.

He walked over and greeted her. "Good afternoon, Sela."

"Oh, Colin." Sela sighed, looking a little tired. "Has work been going well for you lately?"

"It’s been going pretty well for me."

"Things have been a bit annoying on my end," Sela complained in a low voice. "It’s my turn to be on duty again today. What bad luck. And now the Black Tower has scheduled new classes for us, which means more exams. Morninglord above..."

"Well, hang in there," Colin said with a smile.

Having fought all sorts of monsters, it was hard for him to truly empathize with Sela’s complaints, but seeing the normally serious Mage Apprentice muttering was still rather amusing.

After the two exchanged a few more pleasantries, Colin walked into the library inside the Divine Hall.

As soon as he walked through the main doors, he saw Ale sitting near the entrance, flipping through a book.

Colin walked over, glanced at the thickness of the book in front of her, and asked, "New book?"

"That’s right. The history of the Elven Nations during the Third Age," Ale said. "There are too few records of Ora Kaim these days, so I can only slowly hunt for clues in other histories. I have to at least figure out the origin of [Silent]." ƒrēewebnoѵёl.cσm

Her attitude made Colin’s relaxed mood grow tense again.

He couldn’t quite say why he was tense.

’Was it because [Silent] came from the era of Ora Kaim? Was it because of the Elves’ remembered hatred for Ora Kaim? Or was it because he had personally experienced that feeling of the world ending when Ora Kaim attacked?’

Colin asked, "Ale, how far do you think this whole thing with the Ora Kaim Empire will go?"

"I don’t know." Ale shook her head, her smooth hair shimmering with golden light. "But the more unknown something is, the more necessary it is to investigate. We have to be fully prepared before disaster strikes."

"I see."

Colin went to the shelves, found the book he planned to read for the day, and brought it back to the table. He started reading and taking notes.

The two of them studied silently at the same table, each focused on their own work. If one of them had a question, they would quietly ask the other for help.

One was knowledgeable but lacked common sense, while the other had common sense but was lacking in knowledge. They complemented each other perfectly, and studying together allowed them to easily resolve each other’s questions.

Time passed, and the view outside the window was gradually dyed orange by the setting sun.

Colin rubbed his eyes, closed the book on magic, and opened an ancient-looking history book. He read about the various disasters recorded within and the reactions of different kingdoms and factions.

As he read, he suddenly asked, "If there really were a doomsday, where would be safe?"

"That would depend on many factors."

Ale replied while keeping her eyes on her page. "To date, Thousand Masts City has weathered many major disasters. It has the most comprehensive defense system in the entire Northern Lands. For the past several hundred years, no monster has been able to breach its gates."

She turned a page. "But if it were a world-ending catastrophe, then you could only rely on your own strength. At that point, nowhere in this world would be absolutely safe."

"That’s true."

As he replied, Colin took a deep breath, shook off the strange sense of anxiety, and focused his attention back on the page before him.

For the next few days, Colin continued to spend his days with Ale in the Great Dome’s library. He would occasionally go to the Dwarves’ area to practice his swordsmanship and check on a "tormented" Orelia.

In the blink of an eye, it was time for his lecture.

That morning, Colin, fully armed and with his textbook in hand, entered the Black Tower.

’Chimera 506, Chimera 506...’

Just as he was muttering the room number to himself and walking forward, looking at the door signs, the door nearest to him suddenly opened.

"...Morninglord above, why did they add another class? We’re not going to end up failing, are we?!"

Immediately after, a figure wearing gold-rimmed glasses and a sky-blue robe appeared before him.

The figure turned their head, revealing a small face that was at once gentle and serious.

"Colin?"

"Good morning, Sela," Colin greeted her with a smile.