Spirit Tomb Albion

Days passed, and soon the time approached the Eastern Spring Festival.

Moreover, Li Mo's eighteenth birthday was also fast approaching, which always made him inexplicably excited.

Eighteen years old, sweet romance could start anytime!

Although at Clock Tower, besides knowing Touko, who was his age, he really couldn't think of anyone else to spend it with...

Unaware that Li Mo, lost in fantasies of impending adulthood, was about to be caught in a storm stirred up by two Monarchs.

Labyrinthos.

This was the deep underground of Clock Tower, the burial place of a great Fallen Dragon, and the largest source of curse-material for Clock Tower.

Clock Tower had another name for it: Spirit Tomb Albion.

Here, Magus could always obtain things they never expected, such as the remains of Phantasmal Species, or mysterious wreckage that seemed to have survived from the Divine Era.

Of course, fate was fair, and opportunities often came with risks.

Not only were there the remains of Phantasmal Species, but countless living Phantasmal Species also resided here, and even the highest-tier hunters existed. If someone who entered encountered these, then...

There was no need to run; it was better to think about how to die more handsomely.

Of course, human desires were always endless. Even though Spirit Tomb Albion was already so dangerous, it still couldn't stop those greedy for profit. Even now, people were still digging deeper within it.

And in the deeper reaches of Labyrinthos, in a room inaccessible even to ordinary high-ranking Magus, discussions that sounded like human voices echoed through the surrounding caves.

"Then it's settled. Regarding the recently excavated Hydra, I, Bartholomello, need another point percent," the speaker's voice became increasingly aggressive, her invasiveness like a dragon's breath pressing down on the others. While she spoke, the others remained silent.

Upon closer inspection, with brown hair and a white trench coat, wasn't this the eldest daughter of the Bartholomew Family, and also the current Monarch of Clock Tower, Monarch Bartholomew Lorelei?

Seeing no one answer, Lorelei nodded in satisfaction and said, "Then, regarding the twelfth department, the Modern Magecraft Department, does anyone have any objections?"

"I do not agree to the establishment of the twelfth department. Clock Tower has never had a new department in its thousand-year history. If it is truly established now, who will be its head?

Will it be you, Bartholomello? Or have you asked which Monarch is willing to take the position?"

The speaker had a white beard and hair, with long white hair falling casually. This was the Monarch of the Spirit Evocation Department, Luphreus Nazelie Ulifis.

"Seconded. Such a department lacks any convincing power, and it's not even clear what it would teach. There's no need to establish it," said a robust middle-aged man with a wild expression from a corner of the room.

"Hmph! Everyone knows your three families are in cahoots. Gaiusling, are you saying this because someone instructed you to?

Mystery is becoming increasingly hidden, and the development of modern society is constantly oppressing our space to survive as Magus. If we continue to sit idly by like this, it's uncertain whether Clock Tower will even exist in the future!"

Opposite the Monarch of the Animal Department, Gaiusling, an angry voice rang out.

Of course, if Li Mo were here, he would definitely recognize this as McDaniel Tramberio Elot, the Monarch of the entire Basic Department, Mystic Code, who had blocked his transfer application for two months.

McDaniel stood up directly, glared at Gaiusling and Lorelei in the room, and said, "The times are changing so rapidly now, why are you all still not awake?

Family lineage is the foundation of a Magus, that is correct.

But is it truly useful to cling to past glory and study the Magecraft passed down by our ancestors every day? Will it truly allow us to reach the Root?"

McDaniel seemed to have exhausted all the strength within his body. After saying this, he slumped down, shook his head, looked around at everyone helplessly, and sighed, "Is there really any need to wait any longer? You know, I, the dignified Monarch of Mystic Code, feel my sensitivity to mystery weakening day by day.

Unless we find new paths, the longer we delay, the smaller our chances of reaching the Root become."

Everyone was silent. After a long while, someone stood up to speak, it was the Monarch of the Curse Department, Jigumare.

Gigilmal first shook his head, gave McDaniel an apologetic look, and then said, "I think McDaniel is very right. The longer we wait, the smaller our chances of reaching the Root.

However, establishing a new department is not a small matter. What would it teach? Who would be its head? Which Monarch would be willing to give up their current department and transfer there?

This is not just a matter for our Clock Tower; it concerns the operation of the entire Mage Association.

It's difficult, but it is still necessary to do it.

Therefore, I suggest we retain this resolution and let everyone make a decision when the time is ripe."

Everyone pondered. After a long time, someone spoke up in agreement with the suggestion.

"Agreed," the speaker was Brishisan. He tilted his head and then looked at the other Monarchs present.

"Seconded."

"Concur..." Voices came one after another, causing Jigilmal to nod and sit down with satisfaction.

Although McDaniel's eyes still held dissatisfaction, seeing that everyone had agreed, he finally accepted the proposal and sat down helplessly.

Lorelei also seemed unsurprised by the outcome. She tugged at the bow tie at her chest, looked up at everyone, and said, "Then this Grand Role Resolution concludes here. Please remember your duties. If you have any opinions, we can discuss them next time. Now, meeting adjourned!"

"Wait!"

As the Monarchs were about to rise, a voice filled with arrogance suddenly rang out, causing their movements to halt.

Lorelei slammed the Grimoire she was carrying onto the table and looked displeased at one of the Monarchs, "Kayneth, do you have any dissatisfaction with our decision?"

Everyone also looked at Kayneth, their gazes filled with amusement and mockery.

Just a Monarch in name only, standing up now was merely a clown!

Facing everyone's gaze, Kayneth harbored hidden resentment, but his expression remained unchanged. Instead, he looked at Brishisan.

"Monarch Brishisan, you brought back a disciple named Li Mo half a year ago, correct?"

Brishisan was taken aback. Why were they suddenly talking about Li Mo?

Brishisan nodded, then stared coldly at Kayneth without speaking.

Seeing Brishisan's silence, Kayneth chuckled and looked at him playfully. "Forgive my presumption, but may I inquire about your disciple's number of Magic Circuits? When your disciple first arrived at the Clock Tower half a year ago, I met him. But when I encountered him again recently, the magical energy within him had already far surpassed mine. I heard you've never taken on a disciple before, so naturally, I became curious."

Half a year at the Clock Tower and his magical energy already surpasses that of a Monarch?

The Monarchs present stirred inwardly, but no one spoke rashly. Instead, they all looked to Brishisan, waiting to see how he would answer.

Brishisan's expression soured. While he didn't want to reveal the truth, he knew that after Kayneth's mention, some Monarchs would undoubtedly investigate on their own later.

"Fifty-six," Brishisan said, his lips moving slightly as he uttered the number he had prepared. It's better to hold back a little. Perhaps if I say this, other Monarchs won't bother verifying it themselves?

Fifty-six!

A wave of astonishment swept through the room. Everyone present stared at Brishisan with disbelief, then with fervent intensity, as if trying to see through his face.

"Stop looking at me like that, and don't even think about some kind of sealed designation. I won't agree! I, Brishisan, have no children. Li Mo is now my adopted son. I'm telling you all, if any of you dare to lay a hand on him, I'll use the full might of the Department of Lore to fight you to the death!"

Brishisan roared, shedding his usual kind demeanor. He glared fiercely at the others. The fervent heat in their eyes gradually subsided, replaced by contemplation forced by Brishisan's outburst.

That was terrifying. He actually threatened to fight us with the Department of Lore's resources.

Putting aside whether those fifty-six Magic Circuits were worth risking their lives for, Brishisan had just declared Li Mo his adopted son. Who would dare to attack a fellow member of the Clock Tower and still remain in this place afterward? The authority passed down through generations by the Dean was not something they could casually provoke. Furthermore, talent was still just talent. Was it truly worth abandoning the comfortable life at the Clock Tower to become a fugitive Magus hiding from place to place, all for the talent represented by fifty-six Magic Circuits?

"Uninteresting," Lorelei said calmly. She rose gracefully and left the room.

"There's no need to worry about anyone targeting your disciple. My Magus corps are not to be trifled with."