37 Magnitude Tower I

On the Day of Retribution, several towers appeared on each continent.

People believed—Or more like, it had become common knowledge that those towers were the place for Resonant to receive and upgrade their abilities.

Because of that, whenever something big befell the Earth, it would take time to clear it. Resonants needed to upgrade their Resonance once the requirement had been fulfilled. If not, they couldn't become stronger.

Also, the Progress Point wouldn't stack unless it came from Boss Monster.

This problematic and complicated way of upgrading or advancing a Resonance was one of the reasons why many people died during the Exploration Era.

Monsters were overwhelming in number. Meanwhile, Gateway were only a few and far from each other.

Resonants died because they couldn't level up. Stronger monsters lurked around.

Unless they had mental fortitude and good physical technique, they could live long enough until they returned to the real world.

Let's return to talking about the tower...

To this day, six towers have been discovered by the Resonants.

They were located on different continents.

Europe, America, Asia, Africa, Australia, and the Land of Mystic.

A while ago, Noir had reached his maximum Progress Point. He needed to take a trial in the second tower to advance to the Disciple class and gain new progress.

The second tower was located in Oberios. That tower was also known as "Magnitude Tower" by the system.

Initially, Noir had no plan to rush things, especially about advancement, because it would be troublesome.

But the dream last night had made him want to take the test as soon as possible.

He was still curious about who the six people in his dream were. No matter how hard he tried to recall, he couldn't remember them.

But, despite not knowing the people, he remembered the event in the dream clearly, even though it was slightly different from what he experienced.

'Did I accidentally remove my memory of them?'

Noir didn't know. But he knew the problem wouldn't be solved even though that was the case.

'That blonde said she's always watching me. If only I could meet her...'

But was it possible?

As far as he knew, he was the only person who survived the extinction of Earthium. Since that blonde was from the same world as him...

...there goes the hope.

Noir shook his head.

Putting on earbuds, he walked to the lobby.

Most people used the teleportation in Warp Dock to travel between cities.

However, Noir was different. The luxury apartment where he stayed provided a Flash Dock for people who rented a room. It was exclusively for them.

Actually, it wasn't that apartment only. Other apartments similar to that one also had Flash Dock.

Arriving at the lobby, Noir strode toward the unused Flash, chose his destination, and stepped onto it.

In an instant, he found himself in Oberios Warp Dock.

Letting out a whistle, Noir appreciated the technology of this world. No matter how many times he used them, he was always glad he could experience the things that didn't exist in his old world.

He would never get bored.

Since the first time he learned about the technology in this world, he had set another plan... or maybe the ultimate goal of his life this time.

That time, rather than saving the world. Rather than bringing the guilt with him again, Noir decided it was best to just have a realistic goal now.

He wasn't sure if 'creating a human' was realistic in this world. However, considering how magic and supernatural events existed, maybe it was?

'If not that, I'd be satisfied with building a bot.'

Smiling, Noir walked out of the Warp Dock.

Looking around the streets, Noir spotted a tall structure that pierced the clouds.

The tower couldn't be used as a measurement tool, but it could be used for a direction, though, he wouldn't need it. It was faster to just stop a taxi or something.

Noir got into the taxi parked around the Warp Dock.

"Hoho. Good day, young man! Where are you going?"

Noir loosened his jacket.

The difference in temperature between Oberios and Haven Liberty was like the Sahara and Antarctica.

Maybe it was because Oberios had beaches and shores. So, the City Lord thought it was a good idea to implement artificial seasons in his city.

'Thinking of it. It's summer now. Why doesn't the academy have a holiday...'

Sighing, Noir responded to the driver.

"Take me to the Plaza."

30 minutes later...

Noir arrived at the Plaza.

It was crowded by people, of course. City Plazas were always crowded.

As he was about to open the car door, the driver's question stopped him.

"Say, are you an academy student?"

"Yes, I am. Why?"

"Oh, nothing. Just enjoy your skipping-school holiday."

Smirking, Noir got out of the car.

The Plaza was full of things. People, entertainment, artists, etc.

But it was not his plan to have a holiday after successfully skipping school.

Noir walked as he looked around. He already had a place in mind, and that was the building that stood at the center of the Plaza.

The Awakening Tower.

Staring at the tower, Noir wondered how he could get in without anyone noticing.

Unlike the Exordium Tower or the Tower of Beginning, Magnitude Tower was left open in public space as if intentionally.

The placement would make it easier for people to notice a Resonant had entered the tower to get their Resonance upgraded.

'I hate this kind of showing-off culture.'

Oberios was known as a city with a unique regional culture. That was to not hide one's greatness. In other words, showing off.

People like Noir, who deliberately hid his power would find this culture was a joke.

Well, even back in his ordinary human's day, he didn't like to show off either even though he was well-versed in almost everything thanks to the false warning about the apocalypse.

'Hmm...'

Noir looked around, waiting for an opportunity.

At that moment, the world felt like it was running in slow time.

He observed everything around him. He waited for an opportunity to open the path for him.

Then, a moment later, he found that timing.

In the blink of an eye, when no eyes noticed him, Noir dashed with enhanced speed, entering the tower.

After he entered, what was left was the loud bang of the door.

"What?"

"What happened?"

"Did someone just enter the tower?"

"Who? Who is it? Does anyone see who entered the tower?"

"No... It was too fast..."