100 Rewards of the Tower
Just a few days had passed, and Adrias Cromwell, who had shattered numerous records and titles in such a short time, was finally emerging from the Modras Tower.
"He's out!"
"Adrias Cromwell, please share your thoughts on this moment!"
"Adrias Cromwell, why did you hide your incredible skill until now?"
A flurry of camera flashes erupted, and Adrias walked out with a slightly weary demeanor. Journalists crowded around him, vying for his attention.
"Can you say a few words?"
"What does it feel like to be the first to conquer the Modras Tower?"
Whish―!
At that moment, a gust of wind swept through, blocking the path of the journalists.
Closing their eyes and stepping back, the journalists opened them again to find a massive figure standing before them.
In a dazzling white suit, laden with expensive rings on both hands.
With his blonde hair gleaming, the man's fierce smile surveyed the journalists.
"You should follow the order. It seems manners are lacking."
Mynus Mohaim.
He was the head of the Mohaim family, one of the Four Pillars of the Empire. He possessed abilities that weren't inferior to his family's reputation.
Beside him stood a vibrant and healthy-looking woman, gazing intensely at Adrias.
"Hello?"
Greta's greeting was met by Adrias' expression of 'What's going on here?'
"Hello, this is our first meeting."
Finally breaking the silence, Adrias nodded.
Mynus, who had been dealing with the journalists, turned around and looked at Adrias.
Then, suddenly, he spoke.
"How do you find her?"
Faced with Mynus' relentless questioning, Adrias looked at the Mohaim siblings for a moment. Mynus' intention behind the question about Greta's impression of their first meeting wasn't clear.
"She's my sister. Of course, you know who I am, right?"
"Yes, Your Highness Mynus."
Adrias nodded at Mynus' confident words.
He had expected this, but the situation was more tiring than he'd thought.
However, even in this situation, Adrias knew he had to make the most of it.
"More importantly, how's my sister?"
"She's beautiful."
Adrias' response to Mynus' question was met with a small smile from Greta.
The intention behind the question was unclear, but it wasn't an empty statement.
In reality, Greta was indeed a beauty with a fit figure and a lovely feline-like face.
Mynus smiled in response to Adrias' answer.
"Alright, then..."
"Just a moment!"
A high-pitched voice interrupted Mynus' words.
The sudden interruption furrowed Mynus' brow.
However, the interrupter didn't care in the slightest as they stepped forward.
"Lord Cromwell, it's a pleasure to meet you. I'm Michaela Rodren."
It was the appearance of Princess Michaela Rodren, the third princess of the Rodren Empire.
But that wasn't the end of it.
"I'm the Fourth Prince, Odell Rodren! It's an honor to personally meet the invaluable Lord Cromwell!"
It was a counterattack from the princess and the prince who had anticipated Mynus' intentions.
However, Mynus was not someone to let them off easily.
"Princess Michaela, Prince Odell. I think it would be more courteous to follow the order, but..."
Thick veins protruded from his forehead in an almost alarming manner.
Looking at Mynus' intense demeanor, Prince Odell took a step back, swallowing his saliva. But Michaela wasn't deterred.
"Someone who looks like they just woke up should step up to the plate with all their might. After all, the person who will succeed Lord Cromwell should be capable, don't you think?"
"If you were capable, you would have found out and come sooner. How about you take a step back for now?"
The tense exchange ignited like sparks, and journalists began snapping photos.
However, whether they fought verbally or physically, they were soon overwhelmed by the crowd pushing in from behind.
"I am Howard Dane from the Woodward marquess!"
"I am Bachtman, a high-ranking mage from the Horizon Moon Tower!"
"I am..."
As they surged forward, the situation became chaotic.
There were also Academy students around, so it was complete pandemonium.
Adrias felt like the situation was becoming somewhat problematic and was swept along by the tumultuous tide.
His initial plan had been to line up several people, increasing the value of his body as if in an auction. But the repercussions were greater than he had thought.
"For now, I understand why you all came. I'll listen to each of you, and then I'll consider it. So, everyone, please calm down."
Amid the chaotic turmoil, Adrias spoke to organize the situation. The chaos subsided a bit as he put his thoughts into words. Adrias carefully approached the Mohaim siblings, who were originally intended to be the first in line.
Although this might seem like he was ignoring the imperial children, as someone who had no intention of getting close to the royal family from the beginning, it was a natural action.
"Your Highness Mohaim, I'm glad that you have taken an interest in me. Was the statement I just made uncomfortable for you?"
"No, on the contrary. It worked out well. It means don't talk nonsense, just get to the point, right? Anyway, the Mohaim family hopes to have you as our subordinate. If you join us, not only will we protect you from all enemies, but we'll also give you a portion of our territory."
"In return for certain conditions, I assume?"
"Nothing is thicker than blood, as they say. You must marry my sister."
Adrias had already suspected to some extent from the fact that Mynus had brought Greta with him. But the people around were taken aback.
"Ugh!"
"If Greta Mohaim's marriage is arranged, the Mohaim family will soon bloom."
"No, even so, seriously! He're giving his own sister to someone who can do nothing if he his demoted from being a count?"
Chaos erupted once again as people voiced their opinions.
Seeing this turmoil, Adrias simply bowed his head.
"I appreciate the fact that you hold me in such regard."
"Indeed. Since it's an important matter, I don't expect an immediate answer. Listen to the other proposals as well, and take your time to decide. However, apart from that, why don't we have a meal together later?"
"It would be an honor, Your Highness."
Mynus seemed relaxed.
He was evidently proud of his proposal, but Adrias' thoughts were different.
'It's a bit burdensome.'
While others might have groveled and accepted such a proposal with a bow, Adrias, still possessing the mindset of Kim Jin-hwan, accepted the proposition of a contract marriage as if it were a business deal. He wanted to put off the option of marriage for now, as his own happiness was paramount.
"Now, is it my turn?"
Next was Princess Michaela, who faced Mynus confidently.
She had long, wavy hair that had been dyed a rich shade of burgundy, and her hair was so voluminous that it almost seemed excessive.
Adrias suppressed the desire to take a breather as he observed the long line of people behind her.
'Just a little longer...'
.
.
.
.
The Adrias scouting incident in front of the Modras Tower ended more quickly than he had anticipated.
As Deos, the headmaster, and Bart Alben watched for a moment, and as they judged that the important figures were done, they dispersed the crowd.
"This is the Academy."
"Scouting proposals are prohibited for students."
Since most of the significant individuals, such as the Mohaim Duke and the imperial children, and high-ranking individuals had already left, Deos and Bahat's orders were quite straightforward.
As a result, when Adrias left, he was followed by someone who had secretly tailed him.
'I won't let you slip away.'
It was none other than Vivianne Velocan.
Recently, due to the bet between Dianne and Adrias, Vivianne's unease had been growing. The Duke of Mohaim's recent statement had dealt a blow to her self-esteem.
Thinking that she might lose Adrias if things continued like this, Vivianne had been trailing him tirelessly without even knowing where he was heading.
Adrias arrived at his private research room.
Seeing Adrias enter his research room, Vivianne couldn't help but smile wryly.
'He just came out of Modras Tower.'
And he still didn't take a break, but kept working on research?
With caution, Vivianne approached the room where Adrias had entered.
And just as she pressed her ear against the door...
Suddenly.
"Hmm?"
As the door swung open, Vivianne, who had been listening at the door, naturally ended up leaning into Adrias.
"Vivianne?"
"Ah, ah..."
Vivian's face turned beet red, and she hastily stepped back, stuttering.
In the midst of trying to figure out how to explain this situation, Adrias spoke first.
"Long time no see."
It was the first time Adrias and Vivianne had faced each other directly since the Black Magic Potion incident, following the few times Adrias had visited her after she had fainted.
It had been quite some time since then, so Adrias' words of "long time" were met with Vivianne nodding her head, her face still recalling that past event.
"Yeah. I saw it on the screen."
"The Modras Tower?"
"Congratulations on reaching the 30th floor."
Seeing Vivianne's still-flushed face, Adrias, who had been a bit tense, let out a subtle cough while surreptitiously observing her complexion.
"Um, Vivianne, I found something interesting in the tower."
"Something interesting?"
Adrias fished something out from within his pocket.
It was a small earring with a white gem.
"An earring?"
"Yes, I'll give this to you, Vivianne."
In response to this unexpected gift, Vivianne blinked her eyes and looked at Adrias with a perplexed expression.
"Why, why me? Why would you..."
"Well, why not? It's a token of appreciation for your help so far and also a gesture for us to continue getting along."
The earring had been found at the spot where the spectral presence of Modras had vanished.
Truth be told, while he phrased it this way, Adrias had been thinking of giving it to Vivianne right after he had seen its effects.
[Silver Elixir]
[Clears the wearer's mind.]
[Increased fatigue recovery effect during rest while worn.]
It was a pretty good item, but Adrias hadn't been after the earring itself, but rather the first effect—clearing the wearer's mind. He thought that this first effect might help stabilize Vivianne's uncertain future.
"Just a little something for all your troubles."
Even though it had recently changed, Adrias still remembered how uneasy Vivianne had been about her future. He thought that even now, the first effect of clearing her mind might be beneficial.
Back during the Black Magic Potion incident, if it weren't for Vivianne accepting his request and not left for the Knight Department, Chris and Serena might have died. Moreover, considering all the help he had received from her so far, the gift might actually have been too little.
Originally, his main interest was the "Key to Greed," and he hadn't really had any major desire for the earring itself.
His gift, which had intricate calculations underlying it, was totally unexpected for Vivianne.
'Adrias is giving me a gift.'
As she received the earring from Adrias, Vivianne momentarily forgot to speak. She simply stared at him with a dazed expression, then carefully placed the earring on her earlobe.
"How does it look?"
"It looks pretty. Vivianne is naturally beautiful, so anything suits her."
Perhaps due to the unexpected gift and praise, Vivianne's face turned even redder. She didn't know what to do and ended up disappearing.
Seeing Vivianne suddenly flee, Adrias looked at her retreating figure with a bewildered expression.
"What's going on?"
There was clearly the effect of clearing the wearer's mind.
Seeing Vivianne running away, Adrias doubted whether the effect was actually taking place.
Still uncertain about what was going on in Vivianne's mind, Adrias returned to his study and finally checked the reward he had been looking forward to in his personal space.
[Would you like to check the achievement rewards?]
The reward felt even greater since he hadn't expected it at all. It was like finding a forgotten emergency fund in his pocket.
'But it's a much greater reward than that.'
Without hesitation, Adrias accepted the achievement reward.
[Random attribute will be given.]
[You have acquired the attribute 'Enhancement (Unique).']
"A unique attribute?"
