"What is that... Light?"
Felix pulled the rein to stop Hermes from speeding. He raised his chin to follow where Lilian York was pointing. A brilliant white glow shone through the window of the highest peek of the Black Tower. The eerie and dangerous Tower no longer seemed to be uninvited after all thanks to that ray.
"It's the same... Magic that Sir Magician used to bring His Majesty's memory back. It's... The World Tree."
"How does it work?"
"I am not sure, but let's ask the mages of the Tower."
"They won't attack us, will they?"
"Perhaps Royal Guards and Imperial Magicians have different rules. But either way," he squeezed Lilian's hand, "I promise that no harm will come to you as long as I'm alive."
Felix tied Hermes to a nearby shade instead of bringing him to the Tower ground with them, leaving enough apples and water for his steed.
As they would expect, the mages didn't seem to mind their presence. Felix's eyes landed on the cloaked figures running around nonstop. Some of them were existing at the entrance, some carrying what seemed to be Mana potions in their arms.
Felix raised his hand to the air. "May we have an audience with Sir Magician?"
Felix's inquiry stopped everyone from doing their things and all the attention was brought upon him.
There was a young boy who split past the crowd and walked toward the Knight and the maid. He was no more than fifteen years of age from how he looked. Felix thought the boy was merely curious about the situation as well.
"What is that you seek?" The boy asked, surprising both adults with how stern he sounded.
The Knight knelt down so their eyes would meet at a proper level. "May I speak... To one of your elders? You seem a tad too young to address the issue to." Felix asked mindfully, but his eyes averted for any people who would be slightly older than this particular young man.
Then he heard snickers.
"Oi! Quiet you all and get back to work!!" The same young man shouted and just like that, all the mages went back to their business.
The young man turned to Felix and Lilian and scowled at them, "Have some manner of whom you speak to! I am Gabriel, the High Elder of the Black Tower, you fool!"
Felix and Lilian exchanged a look. Then Lilian nodded at him subtly, asking Felix to keep on asking the proclaimed High Elder.
"Aren't you a little... Young to be the High Elder?"
Gabriel summoned a stick and hit the Knight on the head. "You insolent child! I am over two hundred years old. This is just me conservating my Mana because I was helping Master set up the ritual."
He then stomped his cane to the ground and a mana flow seeped through it. "You children answer my questions from earlier or I will have you teleported to where you come from!"
Felix lowered his head. "My name is Felix Robane, a Royal Knight of Obelia and I have brought Lilian York, Her Highness' godmother for a visit."
"This isn't a hospital where we allow strangers to go in and out whenever they want."
"But we are no stranger. Sir Magician knows us too."
"Master knows lots of people but that doesn't mean he remembers any of them. And he won't let anyone except the Emperor see Her Highness," said Gabriel. "He also told me to be very cautious of a... White guard dog in the form of human..."
