Barton

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Barton
Alias(es)	Old Barton; Mr. Barton; Teacher Barton
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Magic Association; White Tower Society 7 8
Occupation/Role	Magic Association gatekeeper; veteran mage; former magic teacher of Elaine Frey 7 14
First Appearance	Chapter 7

Background / History

Barton was transferred from Roan City to Colin Town, where he works for the Magic Association. He is a member of the White Tower Society and supports its goal of developing practical magic for ordinary people, including magical items usable by non-spellcasters. He strongly opposes a proposed law restricting the sale of magic items to common civilians, believing it would obstruct civilian magic research. 8 22 44

He taught Elaine Frey general magic courses during her childhood and remains one of her most trusted authority figures. Although Elaine was intimidated by him as a child, Barton considers her his favorite student. 7 8

Barton is a veteran mage who entered that level many years ago. His specialized branch is Abjuration Mage, giving him extensive knowledge of defensive, support, and barrier magic. 14

Appearance

Barton is an elderly, broad and stout man with a round face, short beard, and mustache. Despite his age, he is energetic and expressive. 7 8 48

• Wears a plain white mage robe associated with the White Tower Society. 8
• Has an ancient bronze or copper magic ring on his right thumb. 7 13
• Sometimes uses a monocle containing magical patterns for appraisal. 20
• His face and beard visibly tense when angered, especially over threats to his students or the White Tower's interests. 8 23

Personality

Barton is warm, boisterous, and protective toward promising younger mages. He readily offers Lynn assistance, magical guidance, and rewards, while taking visible pride in Lynn's talent. 8 14 26 50

His kindness is paired with a stern, demanding teaching style. He scolds Seth for neglecting research assignments and worries that Lynn's eagerness to challenge stronger opponents could cause an emotionally damaging setback. 23 24

Barton is politically alert and territorial about talent. He intends to recruit Lynn for the White Tower Society after he becomes an Initiate Mage, repeatedly clashes with Adolph over Lynn's future, and reacts guardedly when other Mage Towers show interest in him. 23 26 48

Abilities & Skills

Abjuration Magic

Barton is a veteran Abjuration Mage skilled in defensive and support spells, particularly barriers. 14

• Can improve low-ring spells through deeper understanding rather than abandoning them after advancement. 14
• Can alter a spell's casting method; he uses a concealed formula rather than the normal chant for Shield Spell. 14
• Applied an upgraded Shield Spell to Lynn that could withstand three fatal attacks at the third ring or below. 14
• His Ring-Ascended Shield Spell was strong enough to endure a powerful blow from an undead creature, though the impact activated it. 38

Restraint and Threat Response

Barton responds decisively to magical corruption and violent threats.

• Immobilized the corrupted Gray with a powerful restraint spell believed to exceed ordinary second-circle [Hold Person]. 13
• Identified Gray's condition as connected to the Corruption Cult and a Soul-Eating Worm. 13 14
• Administered a sleeping potion and had Magic Association personnel take Gray away for interrogation. 13 14
• Investigated the suspicious Whispering Forest commission by ordering Lumi to identify who supplied its lead and recruited Gray. 7

Mana Charging and Appraisal

Barton possesses practical support and investigative expertise.

• Restored Elaine's mana with a mana-charging spell, allowing her to heal her Mana-Sucking Monster injury. 7
• Examined Lynn's Fate Potion with an upgraded appraisal method, determining that it contained complex and deeply hidden power even he could not fully identify. 19
• Advised Lynn to drink the potion before its power dissipated and monitored him during the process. 20

Magical Knowledge and Instruction

Barton has extensive experience with spell customization, magical combat, and spellbook-based learning.

• Explained spell upgrades and the increasing complexity of magical laws and control at higher rings. 14
• Provided Lynn with the second-ring spellbook for [Day and Night Obscurity] after rewarding his work against the Corruption Cult. 43 45
• Previously used the spell at night to deceive an Ogre into believing it had been exposed to sunlight, causing it to petrify after the creature had first been given Wisdom potions. 45
• Offered to personally conduct Lynn's Initiate Mage assessment once he mastered the spell. 45

Equipment / Items

• Thumb ring — Ancient bronze/copper magic ring used in spellcasting. 7 13
• Monocle — A magic item with embedded patterns, used to inspect the Fate Potion without requiring mana infusion. 20
• Spellbook: Day and Night Obscurity — A personally annotated spellbook later given to Lynn. 45

Relationships

• Elaine Frey — Former childhood magic student and Barton's favorite pupil; he remains concerned for her safety and encourages Lynn to support her growth. 7 8 14
• Lynn Lowell — Protégé and prospective White Tower recruit. Barton aids his advancement, entrusts him with investigating the Corruption Cult, and intends to assess him as an Initiate Mage. 14 23 45
• Seth — Student specializing in magic weapons and melee combat. Barton is frequently exasperated by Seth's reckless training habits but remains invested in his development. 24
• Adolph — Blue Tower mage and colleague who repeatedly competes with Barton for influence over Lynn's future. 22 23 26
• Lumi — Magic Association staff member whom Barton dispatches for investigations and transport duties. 7 14
• Gray — Orc adventurer corrupted through the Corruption Cult's influence; Barton restrains and interrogates him. 13 19

Story Role / Major Arcs

Whispering Forest Aftermath

When Lynn and Elaine arrive at the Magic Association after the Whispering Forest ambush, Barton recognizes Elaine, hears Lynn's report, and immediately begins investigating the mission's suspicious origins. He restores Elaine's mana so she can treat her injury. 7

After learning that Lynn saved Elaine, Barton offers to help him apply for the entry-level mage assessment and becomes interested in his unusual magical ability. 8

Gray's Corruption and the Corruption Cult

Barton intervenes when the corrupted Gray attacks Lynn, restrains the orc, identifies the Corruption Cult's involvement, and arranges Gray's interrogation. 13

He then commissions Lynn to protect Elaine and investigate the Corruption Cult, rewarding him in advance with an upgraded Shield Spell and teaching him about spell upgrades. 14

Lynn's Mentor and White Tower Advocate

Barton guides Lynn toward practical combat training in the Golden Tower and introduces him to Seth. He worries over Lynn's decision to challenge higher-ranked mages, but his confidence in Lynn rises sharply after Lynn defeats Seth through sustained magical firepower. 22 23 26

He competes openly with Adolph over Lynn's recruitment, hoping to bring Lynn into the White Tower Society after Lynn reaches Initiate Mage status. 23 27

Corruption Cult Mission Reward

After Lynn returns from the Whispering Forest with crucial information about Rigel's mutation and the wider threat, Barton judges that Lynn has exceeded the original mission's expectations. He rewards him with a requested second-ring spellbook despite preferring that Lynn choose defensive magic. 43

Barton later gives Lynn the spellbook for [Day and Night Obscurity] and promises to oversee his Initiate Mage assessment after he learns it. 45