Chapter 515: Another Day, Another Deal.
Within the top floor of the Institute’s magic tower, silence prevailed. Roland stood there, contemplating a tantalizing offer. She knew one of his deepest, darkest secrets, but for now, it seemed she wouldn’t reveal it. Surprisingly, the thought of his father discovering his true identity no longer bothered him as much as it once had, thanks largely to his growing strength and independence.
This all began with the appearance of a strange, temporary knight assigned as his shadow, one that tried to kill him. He had assumed one of his siblings or their mothers was behind it but he never suspected his father. By this point, he had already risen above his siblings and their mothers; they likely couldn’t oppose him, and few assassins would dare take on someone of his status. The greater concern was the awkwardness of explaining everything and the possibility that his father might try to forcefully reclaim him or even appeal to the Valerian Duke for assistance.
Roland wasn’t certain of his father’s exact standing within the military hierarchy. As a Lord Marshal, his father commanded a large number of troops, and although he belonged to the royalist faction, that didn’t mean his voice would be dismissed by their opposition. In times of crisis, factions from the same kingdom often found common ground. The Duke, enticed by the prospect of indebting a potential Tier 4 class holder, would likely grant such a favor.
“Your library, you say?”
Roland asked, his curiosity piqued despite his reservations.
“What sort of knowledge does it contain?”
Yavenna’s smile widened, a hint of pride gleaming in her violet eyes.
“It houses ancient texts, rare spell tomes, and research that spans centuries. You’ll find information on runic magic, enchantments, and even some forbidden arts that aren’t available to the general faculty. It’s a treasure trove for any mage seeking deeper understanding.”
He could tell she was exaggerating to some extent, but he couldn’t underestimate the hidden knowledge stored in that library. After all, it was a book from there that had enabled him to finally construct the runic prosthetic. He knew that knowledge was power, and he hadn’t even fully explored the Institute’s main library yet. Roland wasn’t ready to abandon this place as there was still so much he wanted to accomplish here. The Institute also served as an excellent teleportation hub, and he intended to investigate each of the elemental towers and their tower spirits to strengthen his own.