Chapter 94: Foundations (2) -- End of Wish Tower Arc

Everything proceeded as Louis had intended. After lengthy discussions, the four towers reached the desired agreement that benefited all parties involved, with the Wish Tower gaining the most advantages.

The agreement encompassed three significant points:

Firstly, the Wish Tower would provide a solution to the overheating issue of the secondary auxiliary control incantation arrays to the Tower of Brilliance. In return, the Tower of Brilliance would credit the Wish Tower as a joint developer and share revenue from usage rights.

Secondly, Dawn, Dusk, and the Tower of Brilliance agreed to transfer a portion of their earnings from the tertiary auxiliary control incantation array’s usage rights to the Wish Tower. This was in exchange for exclusive access to Zenith Faction transformation materials and all associated secondary revenues derived from them.

Third, The Wish Tower will unveil its third auxiliary control incantation array one year from now, crediting the Tower of Brilliance as a joint developer.

After reaching this preliminary agreement, the four towers decided to discuss the detailed distribution ratios the next day before drafting the contract.

As everyone, exhausted by the series of shocking events, prepared to return to their accommodations:

“Wish Tower Master…”

The vice tower master of the Tower of Brilliance stopped Louis. Gone was his initial condescension due to Louis’s young age; he now regarded him with quiet admiration.

”…Thank you.”

“For what?” Louis tilted his head, puzzled by the unexpected gratitude.

Seeing Louis’s innocent confusion brought a subtle smile to the vice tower master’s face.

At moments like this, he seems just like any other child his age…

The vice tower master had realized from Louis’s presentation at the academic conference that the boy was no ordinary child, but today’s experience completely shattered his preconceived notions about what it meant to be a prodigy. Moreover, Louis’s negotiation skills were on par with those of the most influential figures on the Autumn Continent. In fact, once Louis took control of the conversation, he overwhelmed everyone present.

Despite not knowing how such a young individual could achieve this level of mastery, the vice tower master couldn’t help but acknowledge Louis’s exceptional abilities.

With sincerity, he said, “I am well aware that you could have disregarded us and independently announced the third-generation auxiliary control incantation array from the Wish Tower.”

His words accurately reflected the situation.

Louis, who led the negotiations, could have independently announced the Third Auxiliary Control Incantation Array. Instead, he gave them one year while naming the Tower of Brilliance as joint developers. Although all profits from the Third Auxiliary Control Incantation Array went to the Wish Tower, it allowed the Tower of Brilliance to continue its reputation. As the vice tower master, he was sufficiently grateful for this.

In response to his gratitude, Louis slightly bowed his head. “Only Master Ron treated me like a Tower Master despite my young age. I am just repaying that kindness.”

“Still, the consideration shown by the Wish Tower…I will not forget it. Also, I apologize for any rudeness earlier.”

“It’s fine.” Louis awkwardly scratched his cheek at the vice tower master’s apology, trying to avoid eye contact.

‘Indeed, I should be sorry.’

“I should be more apologetic. In fact, it wasn’t doubled but quadrupled.” Louis had deliberately informed them about only half the performance of the Third Auxiliary Control Incantation Array.

‘Isn’t it good to have one card up my sleeve for later?’

To hide his cunning smile, he bowed deeply and swiftly exited the room.

Ron sighed after witnessing everything unfold from start to finish.

“Ah… this is troublesome.”

“Master Tower?”

”…I don’t think I’ll take any disciples now.”

The vice tower master understood Ron’s gaze following Louis, knowing that encountering such an exceptional individual would make finding another suitable disciple incredibly challenging. Already known for being stringent in selecting a disciple, Ron’s standards soared impossibly high thanks to Louis.

After completing their grueling daily schedule, Louis and Dexter returned to their lodging.

“Phew…” Dexter let out a deep sigh from sheer exhaustion.

Louis grumbled as if displeased with his companion’s reaction. “I did all the work today, so why are you complaining, old man?”

“…No, Inseok, there’s nothing wrong with me; it’s you who is strange. We just completed a deal that will shake the entire continent! Feeling drained afterward is perfectly normal!”

“It’s just because you’re getting old.”

”…Yes, youth has its advantages.” Dexter muttered incredulously before asking, “By the way, what was up with earlier?”

“What do you mean?”

“The third auxiliary control incantation array…or whatever it was called.”

“…?”

“Honestly, couldn’t we have simply revealed it under the name of the Wish Tower instead?”

“Aha, you’re asking why I linked it to the brightest Fragment of Luminosity?”

“Yes, exactly.”

“Grandpa, think before you speak!”

“You cheeky brat… Anyway, so why did you do that?”

“Heh-heh. Did you know human perception is truly amusing?”

“How so?”

“Let’s say there are two clothes made from identical materials and designs. One was crafted by a renowned tailor at the royal palace, while the other was made by a rural woman. However, in reality, the garment made by the rural woman is superior in quality. Which item would people choose?”

“Well, obviously…” Dexter pondered for a moment before realization dawned on his face. He finally understood Louis’s reasoning behind including the Tower of Brilliance as a co-developer. Impressed, he responded with admiration:

“…you’re going to buy it from the Kingdom’s Foundation.”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“Ha-ha!” Dexter chuckled heartily, and Louis joined him with a grin.

The reason for listing the Tower of Brilliance as a co-developer was to leverage its brand value.

Sometimes, reputation guarantees quality.

People would have more confidence in the third-level control incantation array if it bore the name of the Tower of Brilliance rather than just the Wish Tower alone. After all, Ron Gremillion, who had developed the second-level control incantation, hailed from there.

As Dexter headed back to his lodging, chatting animatedly with Louis, his heart swelled with pride.

Even without me…the Wish Tower will continue to flourish.

Today, Louis had laid the foundation for the growth of the Wish Tower: securing funding for gear research, establishing connections with one of the most prominent towers on the Autumn Continent, and introducing a revolutionary material from the Zenith Faction. With these stepping stones, the Wish Tower was poised to flourish.

Thank you.

Louis, his late-in-life apprentice, was Dexter’s most precious treasure, beyond compare. The proud master reveled in having such a gifted disciple.

However, there was even better news awaiting him.

As Louis and Dexter approached their lodgings…

“T-Tower Master! P-Previous Tower Master!”

Erica hurriedly ran toward them, shouting loudly. She appeared frantic.

“Why so late?!”

Dexter frowned at Erica’s hurried approach and insistent demands.

“What’s with all this fuss?!”

“S-something terrible has happened!”

“Terrible? Did someone cause another mishap?!”

“N-no… I-isn’t this a big deal?” Erica appeared utterly confused.

“What exactly is going on?”

“T-the owners of Windnowe, Banggo, and Roxit Guilds have arrived.”

“Huh…? Windnowe, Banggo, and Roxit?!”

“Yes, sir!”

“The guild masters themselves?! Not just one but three of them?!”

“Yes, indeed!”

Quietly listening to their conversation, Louis interjected, “Who are Windnowe, Banggo, and Roxit?”

Dexter responded sternly, “They’re the top three guilds on the Autumn Continent.”

“Aha!” Nodding as if he finally understood, Louis turned to Erica with a puzzled expression. “Why did they come here?”

“He wishes to see you—no, the previous Tower Master…”

“And why is that?”

“He claims he wants to support the creation of the Transcendence Engine.”

“…?!” Dexter’s expression shifted dramatically at this news.

Louis chuckled at his reaction. “They have good taste. Congratulations.”

“…”

“They may not be as traditionalist as those mages, but they’re merchants who value practicality… And these aren’t just any merchants but representatives from one of the top three trading companies on the continent.”

Dexter’s eyes were filled with a whirlwind of emotions after hearing Louis’s words. He briefly closed them to compose himself, and when he opened them again, they blazed with determination.

“Let’s go; we shouldn’t keep our guest waiting.”

“You don’t need my assistance this time, right?”

“Ha-ha! You don’t have to do anything except watch me shine!”

With unwavering confidence, Dexter wore a broad smile as he strode forward.

The following week flew by quickly. As expected, Ron and the Tower of Brilliance won the top research award at the academic conference. However, behind the scenes, the Wish Tower secured favorable contracts with the Towers of Brilliance, Dawn, and Dusk. Additionally, Louis managed to secure full support for his Transcendence Engine project from the three largest trading companies on the Autumn Continent.

A minor incident occurred when Aiden and Logan, unable to take Louis as their disciple due to his rapid ascension to Tower Master, drowned their sorrows in alcohol all night long.

After completing their commitments at the academic conference, Louis’s group returned to the village where the Wish Tower was located. Upon arrival, the disciples scattered to their respective corners, treating the Wish Tower like their second home while indulging in their hermit-like tendencies.

In the meantime, Louis’s workshop, now converted to a blacksmith shop, echoed with the continuous sounds of Dragonfly maintenance work. After several days, on the night when silence finally returned from Louis’s workshop, Dexter sat in the living room of the Wish Tower, sipping his drink while gazing at the stars and moon outside the window.

”…Are you leaving?” Dexter muttered, thinking he was speaking only to himself.

However, a voice emerged from the darkness in response. “So, you noticed?”

“How could I not, given all the commotion you’ve been making?”

“Well, they do say old folks have sharp senses…”

“I saw the illustrated guide for the tertiary control incantation array left conveniently on your desk.”

“I’ve done enough even without me around,” Louis said with a bright smile under the moonlight.

Dexter gently probed him further. “Why do you want to leave?”

“There’s a reason I must go.”

“…You’ve accomplished quite a lot here. Aren’t you going to miss this place?”

“No, not at all.”

“How come?”

“It’s not like I’m abandoning everything. By leaving these behind, Grandpa, Victor, Douglas, Erica, and Floria will be able to achieve more. Honestly, if they can’t succeed with what I’ve provided so far…I’ll just dismantle it all when I return later.”

“Oh, you…you sly fox!” Dexter grumbled, but his eyes twinkled as he tossed something to Louis.

“Catch.”

Thud.

Louis caught something similar to the identification badge Aiden had shown him earlier.

“What’s this?”

“I realized I never gave you a badge symbolizing your position as Tower Master, heh-heh.”

“…Did you purposely withhold it from me?”

“Purposely?! Just wait till you get older; you’ll start forgetting things too, heh-heh.”

As Louis examined the badge representing the Tower Master of the Wish Tower, Dexter’s voice echoed around them.

“I believe you will return.”

“Honestly, I can’t guarantee when that might be.”

“The Tower Master position shall remain vacant for you. Whether it takes one hundred years, two hundred years, or even a thousand… As long as you promise to come back, I intend to keep the seat open indefinitely. Will you…make me that pledge?”

“…!” Dexter’s words took Louis by surprise, revealing that Dexter had likely surmised Louis wasn’t an ordinary human. That realization prompted his offer to keep the seat open for him indefinitely.

Louis nodded slightly. “Thank you.”

“Yes, we’ll keep everything as is until your return… Safe travels.” With those parting words, Dexter rose and headed back inside.

Smiling, Louis called after him, “I don’t need anything reserved, so don’t forget about it!”

Dexter responded gruffly from within.

“Shut up! If you’re leaving, then just get out already!”

With that final exchange, no more voices were heard.

Louis turned away with a smile spreading across his face.

That night, Louis’s party departed from the Wish Tower where they had resided for over three months. They headed west toward the summer continent… promising to return someday.

Translator Notes: I’ll retranslate chapters 95 to 142 using the latest model to ensure improved quality.