Encounter in Silence

The white city walls enveloped Starlight University at the heart of the small town. From the outside, only the numerous white towers within were visible—white towers being the most common structures in the university—which led commoner mages to call it White Tower University.

During the Month of Trekking in the Rose Month, students of Starlight University went out for their trials and explorations. Thus, the university was almost empty at this time—in fact, Starlight didn't have many students, with only about five hundred per grade, and even commoners with the slightest magical talent were accepted.

However, a small number of people remained in the university to manage its daily operations.

Today was Shirey's day.

"I've finished tending to the Shu Zhu Flowers in the garden, and next I'll be cleaning the teaching buildings," Shirey, with her curly brown hair and vacant expression, said as she walked along the path paved with white stones, heading forward. Floating beside her was a golden creature, its wings barely discernible, seemingly a magical creation.

After she spoke, the golden creature flapped its wings and quickly disappeared into the sky.

Shirey let out a soft breath. Before her now stood a massive plaza, at least three hundred muchi in radius, with a statue erected in the center. The statue depicted several faceless figures, some holding staffs, others wielding twin swords, all common in their flowing mage cloaks.

Shirey's gaze extended to the "Gray Wall" at the end of her line of sight. It was actually a colossal gate, devoid of any patterns, exuding an ancient, distant aura of deterrence, as if proving to the world that it wasn't a gate but a sleeping giant, or perhaps a god of war. This gate was forged from a single, unbroken stone block, a feat no one but a mage could believe possible.

Consequently, it was also rumored to have been built using a lost mountain from the Divine Language—so tall that when it fell, it could crush the nearest teaching building, making even the walls look short in comparison.

Beneath this gate, a person was but a speck of dust.

It was named the Giant's Gate.

It was the gateway to Starlight.

Shirey didn't know when this gate would open. On the wall beside the stone blocks that formed the Giant's Gate were two additional doors. The first, made of silver, could accommodate a hundred people. The second, made of bronze, could accommodate two. The former was only opened at the beginning of the semester and before trials, while the latter was used most frequently.

Shirey had never witnessed the Giant's Gate open.

"A message from the Principal," Shirey said, walking alone across the deserted plaza to the entrance, her tone devoid of emotion as she looked straight ahead.

It sounded like an incantation. As her words fell, the second door slowly opened.

The bronze door swung open silently.

Shirey paused for a moment, then slowly walked towards the front of the bronze door until she saw the person standing outside.

It was a girl, small in stature, with a pale face, yet she wore a wide mage's cloak, the hood almost entirely covering her face, revealing only a few strands of platinum-blonde hair. Her features appeared somewhat ordinary at first glance, and her eyes were the most common shade of brown.

"Fatenai Frayton?" Shirey asked.

"Hello," Fatenai replied softly.

"Shirey, I'll take you to where you need to go," Shirey told her.

"Thank you very much." The girl, whose appearance, expression, and tone all gave a cold impression, was unexpectedly polite. Shirey nodded and turned to lead the way.

As Fatenai stepped through the bronze door, it silently closed behind her.

The two exchanged no words during their journey, one leading, the other following. Even when they passed the statue, Fatenai merely glanced at it without asking further questions.

They continued through the plaza until they reached a building with a pointed, soaring design.

"Theoretically, the Month of Elements is the enrollment period. However, based on the Principal's recommendation, you are not suited for any position within Leizelt. Therefore, between the Month of Trekking and the Month of Elements, you will assist Professor Letta with her research—the academy will provide room and board, but no salary," Shirey said, turning to look down at Fatenai from the steps, calmly stating the arrangement.

"Alright, thank you," Fatenai replied just as calmly.

Leizelt was the name of the town outside Starlight University. Fatenai couldn't pinpoint its exact location, only knowing it was a town inhabited by countless commoner mages, with Starlight University at its very center.

Helise and Hubert were both undergoing their trials and had to continue with their research, even though they had parted ways. Forresten and Ed were elusive, as if escorting her here was the greatest act of mercy they could offer.

Thus, she followed the arrangement and came here alone.

There was nothing to complain about.

===========================

Each white tower of Starlight University had its owner, belonging to powerful mages. The one at the very center undoubtedly belonged to Forresten, currently recognized as the most powerful commoner mage.

However, the mage Fatenai was to assist did not reside in a white tower.

Fatenai walked through the long corridor of the teaching building. Although the facilities were somewhat old, their scale was immense, comparable to any noble building Fatenai had seen. The ceiling was composed of repeating intricate patterns, stretching from one end of the corridor to the other—constantly repeating these ancient, elegant, yet simple decorations. Without the map Shirey had given her, she might have gotten lost.

But this was merely one teaching building—Shirey had only given her a map of the teaching building, not the entire university.

"At the end of the sixth floor, by the Astrolabe... Alfie's Corner, at the end," Fatenai walked through the deserted corridor, ascending the spiral staircase. After walking for a long time, she felt a strange sense of dizziness. Although the teaching building was very tall, due to the considerable height of each floor, there were only six levels, making the climb feel exceptionally long.

Mages had their own fixed directional representations. Alfie's Corner was in the farthest east—in the eyes of mages, this was considered a forgotten corner.

Fatenai reached the top floor and clearly saw the clock at the end of the corridor. She silently walked towards the room in the east, her footsteps making no sound on the floor.

Bang—!

Fatenai flinched. The sudden explosion caused some dust to fall from the ceiling. "Isn't this a Potions professor?"

"What a bother..." A sigh came from the end of the corridor, and a woman emerged from the room. As she finished speaking, she noticed Fatenai and turned to look at her.

Fatenai also saw her at that moment. She was a red-haired woman, and the high-quality white shirt brought Fatenai's memories back to her time as a noble.

"Oh, you must be the little helper," the woman said, hands on her hips, tilting her head as she looked at Fatenai. "I'm Letta Uzild."

Fatenai's heart skipped a beat.