Chapter 6

A Former Ranker's Newbie Life - Chapter 5 (6/271)

5

Jeron, the second-largest city in the Altear Empire.

Dojin was walking through the heart of Jeron, a city famous for its magic.

Instead of the mace he received as a basic reward, a sleek longsword hung from his waist.

This sword was a separate gift from the Forest of Trials instructor, Kruger, who had practically thrust it upon him.

Kruger had passionately argued that Dojin was the most promising and talented person he had seen during his tenure as an instructor, insisting that Dojin must become a swordsman.

Grade: C

Wear Limit: None

A common iron sword issued to gatekeepers. Though not outstanding, it is of good quality.

Attack Power: 12

As Dojin walked, checking the better options than the tutorial rewards, a mysterious scene unfolded around him.

Carriages (魔車) moved by the power of mana, and magic golems bustled about to promote shops.

Turning his gaze slightly, the buildings of a civilization built by magic, not science, dazzled the eye.

First-time users stopped in various places, mesmerized by the sights.

Lost and wandering individuals were also not uncommon.

However, to Dojin, who had been a mage in his previous life, Jeron was a familiar place.

His confident strides through the city were a testament to this.

After navigating the market where necessary items were sold, Dojin arrived at the place for his class change.

The Eltomagia Imperial Magic Tower, towering in the center of Jeron.

The grandeur of this structure, which boasts a height unseen even on modern Earth, was overwhelming.

However, Dojin's destination was not this tower.

Eltomagia was a place where only those with the right to enter were allowed to approach.

Dojin turned his head from the towering tower and looked at a one-story building far in the corner.

Compared to the Eltomagia Magic Tower, this building looked pitifully small.

It was the Eltomagia Outpost Reception Office.

"...Come in."

Opening the creaking door and entering, a female mage sitting at the counter greeted him half-heartedly.

Whether it was a welcome or just a command to come in.

Her greeting, without even lifting her eyes from the paper she was reading, showed no sincerity whatsoever.

Indeed, this reception office, as evident from the effort put into the building, was a sieve set up outside to prevent random people from entering the tower.

The woman sitting there was likely one of the junior mages who took turns manning the post.

'This is why everyone flocks to the academy.'

In fact, users like Dojin, who change their class to a mage at the Imperial Magic Tower, had long become a rare sight.

Even if they presented the recommendation letter received at the gate, they would only be given the mandatory magic circuit and no further support.

In contrast, the Imperial Academy, which had become the hottest place for class changes, granted users the status of a student upon class change.

This allowed users to become magic students, attend basic lectures, and automatically acquire basic magic skills.

However, Eltomagia, which did not even accept them as a member, only allowed them to beg for a single magic skill book.

This outpost, one of the places for mage class changes, was desolate for this reason, five months into the LOST service.

No place for mage class changes treated users as poorly as this.

However, this was a misunderstanding due to the complete difference in the nature of the Academy and Eltomagia.

'Eltomagia is not a place that feeds you like the Academy.'

The Academy is fundamentally an institution created for education.

Thus, it systematically teaches basic magic.

Users can also stay and progress to intermediate and advanced courses if they wish.

However, Eltomagia had a completely different purpose.

This place is a group of mages pursuing truth.

It is not a place for nurturing talent but for selecting only the mages needed by Eltomagia.

'While it's much easier to change classes elsewhere, if you can find your own way, Eltomagia is incomparable.'

The Academy, which feeds you, is convenient.

But if you can find your own way, the returns here are much greater.

And Dojin was confident he could extract every advantage from the Imperial Magic Tower.

Knock knock.

Having finished his thoughts, Dojin lightly tapped the counter.

The female mage finally lifted her head slightly.

Her continued glances at the paper confirmed she was a proper mage.

Mages are, after all, eccentric by nature.

"What is it?"

What could it be? Obviously, he came for a class change.

Dojin, answering her internally, presented the 'recommendation letter' he received as a reward at the gate.

"Hmm."

The female mage, with a regretful air, put down the paper and checked the recommendation letter.

"Indeed, it's a mage recommendation letter, and the issuer is the Adventurer's Guild... 10th-class adventurer..."

Her gaze fixed on the word 'gate' as she quickly checked the items.

The fact that he came through the gate meant he was a Regenian, a hunter from another world who could come back to life after death and kill monsters.

The woman, who had been thinking of quickly finishing and sending him off, changed her mind.

If he was a Regenian who came through the gate, it would be right to give him some advice.

Out of the minimal sense of duty she had as a Reganian, the woman, who would not normally give advice, spoke.

"However, as someone affiliated with the Imperial Magic Tower, I should say... it would be better to change your class at the Academy."

While speaking, her hands rummaged through a bundle of processed magic stones for circuit opening.

She had developed the habit of doing something without wasting time.

"Eltomagia is not interested in anyone who cannot contribute to its magical development, regardless of whether they came through the gate or not. In contrast, the Academy will provide basic education and some support with this recommendation letter. Wouldn't that be better for you?"

The woman, who had given her advice after some thought, could not accept it.

Dojin had a clear reason for changing his class here.

"It's fine."

"...Well, I didn't expect you to listen to my advice. I'm a mage, but mages are stubborn."

Sighing, the woman extended her hand.

Dojin also extended his right hand.

"Have you heard of circuit opening?"

"At the gate."

The female mage placed a magic stone with a magic array engraved on it, selected by her, on Dojin's right hand, which gave a casual answer.

Then, muttering a spell, she crushed the magic stone with her thumb and index finger.

As the magic stone broke, the sharp mana released cut Dojin's hand.

A stinging pain. The small pain, which would not be alleviated unless specifically set, made the sensation of blood flowing vivid.

But it was only for a moment.

Soon, a cool sensation running through his hand replaced the pain.

"It's done."

The circuit, which would be used to store and activate a 1-star magic, was opened with a disheartening simplicity.

Dojin

Level: 8

Class: Mage

Strength: 7

Agility: 8

Health: 46

Intelligence: 6

The status window now had a class item added, and his occupation was displayed as a mage.

While checking the status window, the woman had already fixed her eyes on the paper.

To her, Dojin being a Regenian or not, her job was done here.

'Here it begins.'

But Dojin's business was just beginning.

Knock knock.

Attracting her attention again, Dojin asked with confidence.

"I heard that special recommendation targets receive additional benefits."

"Umm..."

The woman's frown deepened as she let out an ambiguous groan.

"Actually... I haven't heard anything. I'm not in charge here. But I can probably give you a basic magic skill book. There must be a reason you're here."

She pointed to the side.

A bookshelf densely packed with 1-star magic skill books was visible.

In fact, these were valuable items. They instantly imparted knowledge of magic upon use, creating a skill.

"How about, giving me one of those? They're not just printed text; they contain real magic. They're very expensive if you want to buy them."

"I don't need the skill book. Rather, I want to use the library."

"..."

The woman's movements stopped.

She looked at Dojin with a slightly cold gaze.

"What did you say...?"

"I said I want to use the library."

"There is no library in Eltomagia. Most books are privately kept by individual mages."

The woman, who had put on a lazy look again, was confronted by Dojin.

"The library I'm talking about is the Library of Ten Thousand Truths."

The Library of Ten Thousand Truths, also known as the Ten Thousand Truths Archive, is a treasure trove where Eltomagia stores its accumulated magical assets over a long period.

"...You're taking it too far. The library is a place where only 7-star, or in terms of color, Blue-level mages, are allowed limited access. For someone who has just become a mage like you, it's a forbidden area."

In the Imperial Magic Tower Eltomagia, the path to truth is symbolized by the colors of the rainbow, divided into red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet, and black.

And a mage who has reached 'Blue' in Eltomagia is at a level where it would not be strange to be the head of a peripheral tower.

For such individuals, the Library of Ten Thousand Truths, which only allows limited access, was not a place a newly minted mage could even approach.

From the perspective of a woman whose dream was to step into the Library of Ten Thousand Truths with her own feet after reaching the Blue level, feeling unpleasant was perhaps inevitable.

'Anyway, these fools keep talking about the Library of Ten Thousand Truths in cheap novels, so they get tangled up.'

Thud. The mage irritably flipped open the paper, lowering her gaze.

This gesture clearly meant she would ignore him completely from now on.

Even the slightest trace of kindness was gone.

But Dojin, undeterred by the cold attitude, pointed to the communication bracelet on her wrist and said confidently.

"Maybe it's because there's no proper manual. Ask someone who knows. The contract between Eltomagia and the Adventurer's Guild must specify that special recommendation targets receive 'one benefit.' This is clearly stated in the contract document personally written by the greatest person in Eltomagia."

"You really...!"

To mention even the only 'Black' in Eltomagia was beyond her.

The woman was not just surprised but angry.

Still, she could not immediately drive the man in front of her away because all those who came through the gate were special recommendation targets of the Adventurer's Guild.

The story of the Eltomagia tower head's connection with the Adventurer's Guild was so famous that it could be made into a fairy tale for children.

Perhaps because the name of such a prominent figure had come up, she could not make a quick judgment.

'If, by any chance, if what this person says is true... .'

A protest from the Adventurer's Guild might come. Then, the reprimand she would receive for asking a stupid question would be nothing compared to the trouble she would be in.

The mage, whose pupils wavered as she pondered, finally fiddled with her bracelet.

'Well, I'll just ask. If it's not true, it's his responsibility. And honestly... I'm curious if it's really true.'

The woman, having made up her mind, looked at Dojin.

"It's foolish, but I'll ask. But if it's a lie, you should be prepared. That person is not someone who can be spoken of lightly, even if you are a Regenian."

Dojin smiled faintly and nodded.

His expression showed no trace of anxiety.

No, it was filled with confidence.

Because.

The Greedy Chamber of Truth

Grade: Hidden

It is said that in extremely rare cases, outsiders can visit the Library of Ten Thousand Truths.

If you can find the method and visit the place, you might be able to glimpse the fragments of truth they have greedily collected.]

Objective: Enter the Ten Thousand Truths Archive without being an Eltomagia-affiliated mage

Reward: ???

This was because the message he had been waiting for appeared after their conversation.