The Imperial Supreme Research Institute before John was located in the "Ring of Truth" district of the imperial capital, an independent city within a city.
The overall complex was dominated by massive geometric structures, with extensive use of white marble, steel, and reinforced glass.
Yet the tops of the towering buildings did not feature the usual spires, but enormous energy-gathering crystals or observation domes.
Floating rune platforms could occasionally be seen in the air, carrying researchers and supplies between the various buildings.
The "Axis of Order," the core structure of the Central Tower, was the institute's main building. Its exterior took the form of a gigantic cylinder stretching hundreds of meters high, and it housed the office of Director Manny Copperfield as well as the core departments.
Around the Central Tower stood several enormous buildings in distinctly different styles: the "Living Myriad Gardens" for biological research, the "Elemental Furnace" for research into the four elemental magics, the "Monument of Ten Thousand Laws" for advanced magical theory derivation, and so on.
These buildings were connected by aerial corridors covered in glowing runes, forming a precise and intricate complex.
Viewed from above, the entire Imperial Supreme Research Institute resembled an elaborate anthill. Though somewhat chaotic, it possessed an indescribable beauty.
Looking at the institute before him, whose style differed greatly from that of the Empire, John quickly came back to his senses.
Without spending too much time admiring the splendid sight, he signaled to Bruno, who was still standing there in a daze, to take out the prepared calling card and hand it to the guards outside the Central Tower.
About ten minutes later, the guard who had gone to report returned with an institute academician. The researcher, who introduced himself as Jonathan Jost, led John into the Central Tower and operated