Sovereign of the Ashes

Berlina was a freshly promoted Rank One mage who lived on the 47th floor of the divine tower. Sein was not acquainted with her, but Eileen had grown quite close to her in recent years.

Unlike Sein, who tended to keep to himself and his research within the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, Eileen was more sociable and outgoing.

Mages were not inherently antisocial or solemn. Many enjoyed hosting balls or banquets due to their noble backgrounds.

Besides, only weirdos like Sein could immerse themselves in experiments all year round. Other mages often pursued hobbies or leisure activities after their working hour.

Influenced by Sein, Selina also spent most of her time in the laboratory. However, she maintained her own interests, such as cooking.

Sein’s reclusiveness occasionally exasperated his mentor, Lorianne.

She once advised him to engage more with the world outside and encouraged him to participate in the social gatherings hosted by other mages, stressing the importance of making the most of his youth.

She also warned him that he might look back with regret in the future for missing out on aspects of life beyond his research.

Generally, it was Rank One mages who frequently hosted social gatherings at the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.

It was uncommon for Rank Two mages to host such events, and there was virtually no record of Rank Three mages ever doing so.

As mages grew older and advanced in their careers, fewer things held their interest compared to the pursuit of eternal truths.

Reflecting on her youth, Lorianne recalled her playful and energetic self, which her seniors in the Verdant Flame Faction found endearing. It was no surprise that she was a favorite among her seniors in the faction.

Observing Sein, she could not fathom why she ended up mentoring someone whose disposition was markedly different from her former self.

Sein made no response to his mentor’s advice but instead asked, “How did you know I’m always in my lab?”

Sein was usually the one who visited Lorianne on the upper floors of the divine tower, and he recalled that she had never visited him in his laboratory. It puzzled him as to how Lorianne knew about his daily habits.

Caught off guard by Sein’s question, Lorianne momentarily faltered. Yet, as a seasoned Rank Four divine tower master, she recovered smoothly and cleared her throat.

“I’ve never really seen you leaving the tower, so you’re obviously in your lab all day,” she said.

“While pursuing truth is our ultimate goal of all spellcasters in the Magus World, I hope you find happiness and health along the way,” she added earnestly.

Lorianne’s concern highlighted her quality as a good mentor, which Sein recognized and valued.

Unbeknownst to Sein, Lorianne had actually developed a habit of observing him during her free time after conducting experiments, much like how one might observe crickets in their laboratory.

She had even accidentally caught an X-rated film starring her apprentice once.

For mages with a lifespan exceeding nine thousand years like her, finding true amusement outside the pursuit of truth was a rare occurrence.

Lorianne’s keen observations led her to realize Sein differed from typical Rank One mages. Aware of his past, she refrained from harsh criticism and offered advice instead.

She genuinely wished for Sein’s happiness and health beyond his research endeavors.

Recalling Lorianne’s advice, Sein found himself silently agreeing to Eileen’s invitation.

“I knew you wouldn’t come if I told you beforehand. This was the only way to get you to be my partner for the ball,” Eileen remarked.

“Come try on this suit. I had it tailored by the seamstress serving the ruling family of the Fran Dukedom, especially for you. The fabric is woven from the silk of the Masked Spider!” she explained while gesturing for Sein to come over.

Upon hearing her remarks, Sein’s movements became stiff.

The lavish evening suit looked no different than ordinary clothing to him.

From an alchemist’s perspective, making this evening suit with the silk of Masked Spider was nothing but a waste of rare magic materials!

If he were the tailor, he would have enhanced the suit’s protective features and possibly integrated a magic array or two.

While that might compromise its aesthetics, it could at least turn the suit into a piece of advanced magic equipment, unlike the evening suit before his eyes, which boasted only quick drying and adaptive fit abilities.

Sein’s appearance became undeniably more dashing and noble after putting on the evening suit.

Eileen put her arm around his. Dressed in her white gown, the two of them made a striking pair standing together.

Together, they made their way to Berlina’s residence on the 47th floor.

The spacious room had been transformed into a grand banquet hall by the newly promoted Rank One mage.

Apart from Sein and Eileen, over ten other mages had been invited to the ball today.

It would appear that Berlina, the newly promoted Rank One mage, was quite popular.

Sein also discovered through Eileen that Berlina was her distant relative, though both of them hailed from different families within two different human nations.

Upon their entrance, Sein and Eileen quickly became the focal point for most of the attendees.

Sein was not used to such occasions, unlike Eileen who was a social butterfly.

She enthusiastically introduced Sein to other mages of the Divine Tower, leveraging the ball as a prime networking opportunity. Among the guests, Berlina had managed to invite two Rank Two mages.

Most of the attendees were newly promoted Rank One mages. While some of them were recent additions to the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, the majority were promising academy mages.

Although Sein was initially unacquainted with them, polite conversations led to the exchange of crystal ball contacts.

Eileen leaned closer to Sein and asked, “Do you dislike social events like this?”

Throughout the ball, Eileen stayed close to Sein. Anyone with an observing eye could easily tell their connection based on their interactions and closeness.

Eileen’s question immediately caused Sein to fall into a contemplative silence.

He could tell that Eileen greatly enjoyed social events and balls. Although he did not detest the atmosphere, he simply was not accustomed to it.

In response to Sein’s thoughtful silence, Eileen followed up with another question. “What’s your happiest memory, aside from your research endeavors?”

Once again, her question caused Sein’s gaze to become distant and reflective.

His thoughts momentarily drifted back to the bleak and oppressive underground world from his past, a place that had once filled him with darkness and despair.

What was his happiest memory?

In his mind, Leena’s voice and face slowly became distinctly vivid.

Regardless of the activity or setting, the times he spent with Leena were probably his happiest.