Chapter 65 Zora’s Tower Test
Chapter 65 Zora’s Tower Test
The place was buzzing with energy.
People from all races and walks of life crowded the place outside the big walls before the tower—elves, dwarves, halflings, catfolk, lizardmen. Each one carried an air of determination, prepared to prove themselves worthy of entry.
In front of the crowd stood a tall elf woman with striking blue hair and long robes that shimmered faintly with magical runes. With a wave of her hand, her voice echoed across the plaza, magically amplified.
“Greetings, applicants,” she said, her tone regal yet warm. “I am Lunara Vaelys, current master of Zora’s Tower. I welcome you all.”
The murmurs of the crowd quieted.
“Those among you who show true talent for magic will be granted admittance into our ranks. Here, we share knowledge, hone our craft, and shape the future of magic itself. Zora’s Tower holds one of the greatest libraries in the realm—ancient tomes, lost scrolls, and arcane texts gathered from across the world. Knowledge, quite literally, at your fingertips.”
Reika stood among the crowd, awe-struck by the majesty of it all.
Maybe… maybe I could even find a way home here, she thought, her eyes bright with hope. She had come expecting only to get stronger—or maybe get her hands on a magical item that could help her find her companions.
Then she overheard a conversation between two instructors standing off to the side.
“I wonder if Lady Vitka will make an appearance this year.”
Reika’s heart nearly stopped.
Lady Vitka…! Princess Agnes’ master!
Her breath caught in her throat, and a small, incredulous smile crept onto her face.
If she’s here… this could be it. This could be how we get back!
She clutched her hands tightly in front of her chest, her eyes shimmering with renewed determination.
I just have to pass the application trials.
Reika’s eyes widened as she stepped past the enchanted walls of the testing grounds. Inside was a vast, open space filled with glowing trees, levitating stones, and strange magical devices that shimmered with unknown power. Her curiosity sparked—if things were different, if she weren’t desperately trying to survive, find her companions, and return home, she could have spent forever here, learning everything.
Then she saw it.
The tower.
Massive, ancient, and pulsing with arcane energy. It radiated power with every stone and rune carved into its spiraling surface.
“Wow…” she whispered under her breath.
Soon, all the applicants were lined up before a stone arena. At its center stood a dome-shaped platform, protected by a translucent magical barrier. Inside was a humanoid dummy, armed with a sword and shield. A large crystal pulsed in the corner, connected to a strange device that powered the barrier—keeping the area sealed and safe for spellcasting.
Reika had chosen the elemental magic specialization.
The test was straightforward: cast a powerful elemental spell to demonstrate your strength and control.
One by one, applicants stepped forward, many wielding elegant staffs and ornate wands to amplify their power. Flames roared, water danced, and winds howled inside the barrier.
Reika didn’t have a staff. She didn’t want one. She’d always felt more connected to magic when she shaped it directly with her hands and fingers—more natural, more her.
My way is cooler anyway, she thought with a smirk.
Her turn came. Reika stepped into the barrier.
She took a deep breath and pressed her hands together, focusing. Small sparks began to crackle from the tips of her fingers. She moved them with practiced precision, weaving magic through the air as if threading energy itself. A ball of lightning began to form between her palms, crackling with raw power.
Her fingers continued to produce more sparks, feeding the growing sphere of energy.
No incantation.
Just focus.
She imagined a storm—a fierce, wild storm. She imagined destruction. She imagined the dragon. She saw Iryoku, wounded, facing it alone. She saw herself standing between them.
Protecting him.
She poured everything into the spell.
“Lightning Storm,” she whispered.
CRACK.
The air exploded.
A blinding flash lit up the arena. Thunder roared as the lightning burst outward, slamming into the humanoid dummy. The barrier trembled violently, its edges flickering like it might collapse. Sparks danced in the air, and for nearly a full minute, the crackling storm raged within.
And then—it stopped.
Silence.
Smoke curled from the center of the arena, where a scorched crater had replaced the polished stone floor. All the applicants stared, wide-eyed. Even the teachers exchanged glances.
Tower Master Lunara smiled faintly, the corners of her lips lifting.
“Interesting,” she murmured.
Reika stood in the center, panting slightly, small sparks still humming at her fingertips.
At the end of the day, Reika—alongside two other applicants—was granted entry into the magic tower itself.
They walked behind Lunara, their footsteps echoing softly through the marble halls.
“All three of you have been selected with the highest honors,” Lunara said as they ascended the wide staircase. “Elementalist, Enchanter, and Healer—you are the top candidates in your respective categories from today’s applicants.”
One of the new students paused as they passed a long corridor adorned with portraits. "Who’s that?" he asked, pointing at a towering painting at the end of the hall.
They all turned to look.
The walls were covered in portraits of mages from all walks of life—some noble, some strange, some in armor, others robed in flowing silks. Each bore an expression of pride, wisdom, or mystery.
Lunara stopped beside them, folding her hands behind her back.
“Those are the former masters of the tower,” she explained. “And at the top… that is the late Master Zora himself—the founder of this place. Thousands of years ago, he established this sanctuary of magic. He was a pioneer, one of the first to unlock and formalize the arcane arts.”
Reika looked up at the portrait of Zora. It depicted an elven man with a full golden beard and flowing golden hair, dressed in traditional arcane robes. His expression was calm yet commanding, and even through the painting, his presence seemed to radiate power.
They continued onward through the winding halls until each student was assigned their own private room.
Reika stepped into her room. It was simple but cozy—a bed and a desk.
She sat down on the bed and smiled faintly.
She lay back on the bed, her eyes beginning to close—until she suddenly sat up again. Reaching into her pocket, she pulled out a gemstone and examined it carefully.
“I wonder why it’s not working… I didn’t have time to ask the princess about it,” she sighed.
Next time... I hope we can use it together, she thought, as Iryoku’s face flashed in her mind.
Tears threatened to spill from her eyes.
And yet, here I am, doing anything except looking for you...
Please, wait just a little longer. I promise—I’ll come for you...
Her expression steadied, filled now with quiet determination.
Stepping out of the room, she began exploring the tower. As she wandered the halls, she spotted one of the instructors.
“Excuse me, professor—may I know where the library is?” she asked respectfully.
She arrived at the library—a vast collection of books and scrolls, both ancient and new. The air smelled of parchment, ink, and faint magic. Reika wandered between the towering shelves, scanning the titles: Healing Magic from the East... The Dark Stories of the First Era… Forbidden Love Between Different Spec...
“Are you looking for something in particular?”
Reika flinched slightly. It was Tower Master Lunara, standing nearby with a gentle smile.
“Ah, Master Lunara… yes. I’d like to learn about… beings transported to other realms.”
Lunara’s expression grew slightly more serious, her gaze sharpening with interest as she stepped closer. “Oh? Quite an unusual topic for a young magician like yourself.” Her voice lowered just a touch, and she tilted her head. “You said you were from where again? Forgive me, I’ve forgotten.”
She was now only a step away—taller than Reika by a head, and far more imposing up close, though her tone remained pleasant.
“Ah—yes, I hail from a small village in the Uruk Kingdom, near the capital,” Reika replied carefully.
“The Uruk Kingdom… despite its reputation for savagery, it has produced some remarkable mages,” Lunara said, her smile widening slightly. “First Lady Vitka… and now you, Student Reika.”
Reika offered a faint, uneasy smile. She couldn’t entirely deny the “savagery” part—at least by Earth’s standards. So far, she had seen some questionable things. Looking at the elf in front of her, she wondered if these long-lived races truly held higher values… or if their pride simply took a different form.
Maybe I can trust her.
“Is Lady Vitka currently at the tower?” she asked.
Lunara gently shook her head, her blue hair catching the library light. “Sadly, no. She’s always moving, always seeking. The last time I saw her was… ten years ago. Do you happen to know her?”
Reika raised her hands slightly. “Not really. Just stories—people speak of how knowledgeable and powerful she is.”
Lunara’s gaze lingered a moment longer than necessary. “That’s true. For a human with such a short lifespan to reach her level… it speaks volumes of her dedication. Her brilliance.”
She took another small step forward, then reached out and placed a hand gently on Reika’s shoulder. Her touch was light, but firm.
Lunara’s smile softened. “Even those of us blessed with long lifespans can only do so much with the time we’re given.”
She let her hand rest there just a moment longer before gesturing toward a nearby shelf. “Over there, you’ll find old legends of individuals transported to other realms. And on that side”—she pointed to another corner—“you’ll find texts on summoning magic. You may uncover something useful.”
She began to walk away, then paused and turned slightly, her voice low and smooth. “I would also recommend the collection on divine lore. Stories about the gods often contain truths about realms and how they connect.”
Her smile deepened, eyes narrowing slightly in a way that made Reika’s skin prickle.
“And when you have time,” she added, “I’d like to give you some private lessons… something a little more personal.”
Then she turned and drifted away into the aisles.
Reika stood still for a moment, her heart beating a little faster. A chill crept up the back of her neck.
She shook it off with a breath and quietly moved to the shelves, gathering a few books.