Ep. 333 The Great Tower Part 6 (Patreon)

Yui says "Ha ha ha, how was that? Was this joke better?"

"Gah! Don't do that!"

Yui says "Aw, I thought it was a good joke!"

Not wanting her to think she did something wrong I try to explain some of the horror movies based around A.I. Once she understands she laughs at me even more, maybe I should stop interacting with her so much. At this rate she is going to end up another woman that takes immense pleasure from tormenting me.

Yui says "Back to your original question. I am not sure how much help I can be right now, but when the demons invade I can help a lot."

"Oh, how so?"

Yui says "After they fled the mages did a lot of research into the demons and ways to fight them. As a result they made a number of weapons that specifically targeted demons. Those are all in the tower's armory, unfortunately I cannot open it until the demon invasion is confirmed."

"Well, it will still help a lot I'm sure. How does the demon invasion get confirmed? Do I need to lure them into attacking the tower?"

Yui says "Currently, yes. However, since we have time to prepare, it should be possible to increase my detection range."

"That sounds like a good idea, how do we do it?"

Yui says "Give me some time to research it. In the meantime you should probably get some sleep."

"Alright, I'll talk to you in the morning."

Yui says "Good night, Ash."

While it feels a little weird for her to wish me a good night I guess it is just a sign of her developing personality. I wonder how shocked the ancient mages would be if they suddenly reappeared and saw the changes to her. When I head to bed I find Asuna already asleep, in the dead center of the bed.

Luckily the bed is huge enough that I don't even take up half of it so I can climb in without disturbing her. Since Kechara has already gone to bed I again put a little power into Asuna's core and then put the rest into my own. With that done I put my head down, as soon as my head touches the pillow I am asleep.

When I wake up in the morning and remember how fast I fell asleep I can't help but suspect an enchantment. Examining the bed with my mana sense I find that not only is the bed enchanted but so are the sheets and pillows. The bed is enchanted with some form of healing spells, while the sheets have comfort, and the pillows have quick and deep slumber.

All in all it is actually a better bed than the one I have back at the inn, but if I take back some sheets and pillows they would be almost even. While I am at it I should ask for some quilts to add to Kechara's and Asuna's nests. Normally I wouldn't want to ask but I am fairly sure Yui will consider this a small matter just like the recipes.

From what I have seen so far I wouldn't be surprised if the tower's resources were nearly limitless. I can't even imagine how many resources and how much magic went into building this tower. It also must have taken a tremendous amount to move it, but I can understand the mages not being willing to leave it behind.

"Yui, what qualifications would someone need to become the inheritor of the tower?"

Yui says "To become the master of the tower one would need to become an archmage."

"Ah, sorry. What I meant was, what type of potential does a mage need to be able to achieve that status?"

Yui says "Are you thinking of trying to find a candidate for me?"

"Yes, exactly. It just seems a shame to me for this tower to remain empty and unused."

Yui says "While I don't hold out much hope from what you have told me, I can give you something."

Wondering what she means I am surprised when a pink sprite comes to me and offers me a rock. When I take the rock from the sprite it suddenly glows with a bright golden color. The brightness is almost enough to blind me and I even hear Yui make a sound of surprise.

"Yui, what is this?!"

Yui says "It is a magical tool that allows one to roughly guage a mage's potential. However, since you have no mana I have no idea why it is reacting to you."

"Maybe, it is because before I became a demon I had mana?"

Yuyi says "Negative, it measures your current status."

"Hm, well, to be honest I have been working on a theory that my sacred power is actually an upgraded form of mana."

Yui says "I have no information on that. According to my knowledge none of the mages ever encountered or studied sacred power."

"Okay, well what does this bright gold glow indicate?"

Yui says "The talent rock displays potential by color and brightness. Starting with blue as the lowest and gold as the highest, the level of the glow then indicates power potential. So from the reaction you have top level potential and power, you would be a good candidate to become an archmage. If you were a mage."

"So, I either need to find a way to regain my mana, or find a mage who has a similar response from this thing?"

Yui says "Affirmative."

"If I am right and sacred power is an upgraded form, what else would I need to qualify as an archmage? Just curious."

Yui says "To qualify as an archmage one must have over ten thousand mana, have mastered all four basic elements and one advanced element, and must be able to cast a level ten spell."

"So even if we counted sacred power as mana I would still have a long way to go to have ten thousand. As to the elements all I really am able to use currently is wind and a little lightning. I also have no idea what the levels for spells are. I guess it would be easier to find someone with potential."

Yui says "If you can find someone with potential you can send them here and I can train them."

"Would they have to climb the mountain to become a supplicant?"

Yui says "Those with potential to become mages wouldn't have to. Only someone seeking to become an archmage and claim the tower will have to take the trial. Also those who come to become mages can always attempt the trial after they have finished their training."

"Alright, when I leave I will endeavor to locate mages with potential. Speaking of, what are the other colors and what is the minimum to become a real mage?"

Yui says "The colors in order are blue, green, purple, orange, silver, and gold. The minimum to succeed and become a mage would be purple with a bright glow. Even then they will struggle to become a mage and if they succeed they will be on the weaker side."

"Okay, then I will look for orange and higher. What about to become a mage knight?"

Yui says "That is much easier, anyone green and up will have enough magic potential. However, they need to be physically capable as well. Speaking of, would you like to try the mage knight test?"