Free Web NovelChapter 144: Chapter 143: Authority Upgrade
"I’m back."
Ian took a deep breath. The familiar Magic Concentration in the air caused a slight ripple in his Sea of Spirit.
Gaga perched on his shoulder, its heterochromatic eyes curiously surveying the surroundings.
"A lot of people are watching us, Ian."
Indeed.
The gazes of many nearby Wizards, both overt and subtle, fell upon him.
A strange Level One Wizard, his robes old but his aura condensed.
With a peculiar-looking Raven Summoned Demon perched on his shoulder, the pair stood out among the returning group.
"Ignore them." Ian pulled his hood tighter and walked toward the registration office.
Malena had already left to report back to Alevia.
Ian needed to complete his initial check-in first.
The registration office was on the east side of the reception platform, an arched building constructed from Moonlight Stones.
A line of moderate length had formed before its doors, mostly comprised of the Wizards who had just returned.
When it was Ian’s turn, the person in charge of registration was a middle-aged Female Witch.
Her deep blue robes were embroidered with three Silver Stars, signifying she was at the Level One Late Stage.
She looked up at Ian, her gaze lingering for a moment on Gaga, who was on his shoulder.
"Name, Apprentice identification number before leaving the tower, and the time and place of your promotion."
"Ian Marcus, Apprentice ID number ***. I left the tower to travel about two years ago and was promoted to Level One three months ago."
Ian’s voice was calm as he handed over his old Apprentice badge.
The Female Witch took the badge, tapped her fingertip on it, and a faint glimmer of light sank into it.
Ian’s file information immediately appeared on the Crystal Plate in front of her.
"Ian Marcus. Middle Level aptitude, Light Attribute Affinity, evaluated as an ordinary Apprentice upon leaving the tower."
As she read the file aloud, undisguised shock flashed in her eyes.
’Two years... to advance from a Middle Level Apprentice to Level One... That speed...’
Hearing this, several other Wizards waiting to register also cast glances his way.
To go from an Apprentice to an Official Wizard in two years—such a pace was exceptionally brilliant in the entire history of Shadow Moon.
More importantly, he had left the tower to "travel," rather than being promoted under the High Tower’s protection.
This meant the battles and life-or-death trials he had experienced were likely far beyond the ordinary.
"Promotion verification. This is just a formality, please don’t mind."
The Female Witch’s attitude changed completely. She took out a transparent crystal sphere the size of a fist.
"Please place your hand on it and release a wisp of Spiritual Power."
Ian did as he was told.
He pressed his palm against the sphere and injected a wisp of vaporized Spiritual Power.
VMM!
Fine points of starlight immediately appeared inside the sphere, like a miniature starry sky, their light stable and condensed.
"Vaporization quality... upper-middle grade. Very good."
The Female Witch noted it down and looked up at Ian.
"The characteristics of your Spiritual Power are somewhat unusual. Do you need me to make a note of it?"
"No need. It’s a result of my personal Cultivation." Ian withdrew his hand.
The Female Witch nodded and didn’t ask any more questions.
She took a brand-new badge from under the counter.
It had a deep blue background, with a Silver Moon encircling a single star at its center. Intricate authorization Runes flowed along its edges.
The single star represented Ian’s strength at the Level One Initial Stage.
"Your Level One Wizard permissions have been activated. You can enter the public areas on floors one through three, borrow from the knowledge base of Tier One and below, receive a standard monthly resource allowance, and accept Tier One missions..."
She handed the badge to Ian. "The specific details will be sent to your temporary residence via a guidance Crystal shortly.
Also, you need to choose whether to join a department or register as an Independent Wizard."
"I’ll choose to register as an independent for now." Ian accepted the badge.
Joining a department meant more resources, but it also came with corresponding duties and factional entanglements.
He had just returned and needed to get a lay of the land first.
"Very well." The Female Witch finished her notes and took out a silver key. " fгeewebnovёl.com
This is for your temporary residence in the Outer Tower District. You must complete your application for a formal residence or confirm it within seven days."
"Understood."
Ian put away the key and turned to leave the registration office.
He had only taken a few steps when he heard hushed discussions behind him:
"Registering as an independent... Looks like someone who doesn’t want to be tied down."
"Promoted in two years and survived the Demon Hunting war. He must have some tricks up his sleeve."
"I heard from the returning Wizards that he ranked tenth on the Eastern contribution list. His Merit Points are terrifying..."
Ian didn’t look back and headed straight for the Outer Tower District.
The Outer Tower District was adjacent to the Apprentice Area, but their environments were worlds apart.
The Apprentice Area was a cluster of dense stone houses and training grounds, noisy and crowded.
The Outer Tower District, however, consisted of individual, small, deep-blue buildings nestled within the Moonlight Forest.
Each building had its own independent Protective Runes and a Meditation Room.
Following the directions on the key, Ian arrived at his assigned temporary residence.
It was a small, two-story building. Basic silencing and Protective Runes were inscribed on the outer walls, and there was a small private courtyard in front.
Pushing the door open, he found a living room, a study, and an Alchemy station on the first floor. The second floor held a bedroom and a Meditation Room.
The Meditation Room was equipped with a basic Energy Gathering Array. While it couldn’t compare to the Cultivation Rooms in the Inner Tower District, it was more than enough for a Level One Wizard.
Gaga flew into the living room and circled the spacious area once.
"Ian, are we going to live here from now on?"
"For now." Ian walked to the window and gazed at the towering main tower in the distance.
"Once I’ve settled my family’s affairs and resolved some old grudges, we might move to a better place."
He did a quick setup of the room, laying down his own warning Runes, then took out the guidance Crystal.
He infused it with Spiritual Power, and a Light Curtain unfolded, listing the permissions and obligations of a Level One Wizard:
Free access to the Outer Tower District and floors one through three of the main tower (some areas require additional application). Access to the knowledge base of Tier One and below (knowledge of Tier One and above requires signing a contract).
Monthly allowance: 100 standard Magic Stones, various portions of basic materials, 50 Contribution Points.
Eligible to apply for a private Laboratory or Alchemy Workshop (requires Contribution Points for exchange).
Eligible to accept Tier One missions, with rewards in Contribution Points or resources.
Qualified to apply for guidance from a department mentor (requires passing an assessment).
Obligations:
Must complete at least one Tier One mission annually, or submit an equivalent amount of Contribution Points.
Must respond when drafted by the High Tower (e.g., for a Demon Hunting war).
Forbidden from leaking the High Tower’s core knowledge and from betraying the faction.
"Contribution Points..." Ian noticed this new term.
After inquiring with the guidance Crystal, he learned that Contribution Points were the internal currency used for exchanges within the High Tower.
They could be used to exchange for knowledge, materials, time in a Cultivation Room, and so on.
Methods of acquisition included completing missions, submitting Rare Materials, and research achievements.
’Looks like I need to start earning Contribution Points as soon as possible,’ Ian mused.
His Meditation Method, *Starry Sky Festival*, could be cultivated up to Level Three, so he didn’t need to worry about that for now.
High Tier Witchcraft Models, Rare Materials... all of them required a large amount of Contribution Points.
As he was pondering this, a knock came from the door.
Ian swept the area with his Spiritual Power. It was Malena.
When he opened the door, she was holding a deep blue letter, a smile on her face. "My mentor asked me to deliver this."
Ian took the letter and opened it.
It was a handwritten letter from Alevia, the script cool and powerful:
"Ian Marcus:
I have witnessed your Talent and temperament.
According to the High Tower’s rules, a Promoter returning from their travels requires a recommendation from a department-level mentor to be fully integrated into the system.
I am willing to be your recommender. In three days, bring this letter and come see me at the office of the Deputy Head of Magic Potion Science.
P.S. The Magic Potion Department has several openings in its research projects recently. If you are interested, you may consider joining.
The resource allowances and Contribution Point rewards far exceed those of being an independent... Alevia Xingyu"
Attached to the end of the letter was a Moonlight Badge. It was cool to the touch and served as the credential for the recommendation.
