CHAPTER 265: THE MAGIC CANNON

The tower had thirteen floors.

Because of its structure, each floor became smaller toward the top and the thirteenth floor was a single large chamber, though it was big enough to contain several normal rooms.

There lived Mr. Vundo, the 76 year old a white haired and white bearded man known both as the ghost of the magic tower and one of the greatest magicians of his time.

The first floor was a large hall, containing meeting rooms, a cafeteria, offices, and other shared spaces.

However, in dark corners, boxes and crates that no one bothered to move often piled up.

It was easy to trip over them and fall.

Sometimes a magician could even be found collapsed halfway between their room and the exit, either exhausted or fainted on the way.

It was utter chaos.

Now, this fourth floor was Aaron’s alchemy laboratory, which also served as his living quarters.

Some magicians had families and lived elsewhere, they are just commuting here for work.

However, many lived inside the tower itself.

Most magicians, by nature, were obsessive researchers.

They are deeply devoted with their work, even to the point of being called eccentric.

Many of them were so absorbed in their studies and work that they missed the chance to marry and ended up single all their lives.

Mr. Vundo was the perfect example of that.

That was why people called this place "the magicians’ den" or "the sorcerers’ nest."

Aaron, however, at least had a separate house in the city, though it was said to be the place he used only for "fun," which, in another way, wasn’t exactly respectable either.

Reks is as someone who proudly called himself Aaron’s number one disciple.

He was an unremarkable magician with shoulder length blue hair and gray eyes

For him, nothing brought more joy than being able to work beside the person he admired and respected most. So, he supposed it was only natural that he would eventually become one of the tower’s residents too.

At that moment, Aaron was proudly showing the cylindrical magic device he had taken out to Mr. Vundo.

Meanwhile, Reks placed several small magic stones on the same table. It was red, blue, yellow, and other bright colors, all of them look sparkling beautifully.

These magic stones had been produced in a magic stone manufacturing workshop.

Nowadays, such production was carried out in towns all across the Kingdom of Rosaria.

The techniques had also been shared with their ally, the Kingdom of Dalmasca, where factories were now running smoothly as well.

The raw stones and magic sand used to make the magic stones were imported from Dalmasca.

In exchange, Rosaria exported agricultural products and crafted goods.

Thanks to this trade, the relations between Rosaria and Dalmasca were now very good.

It was Aaron who first noticed the potential of Dalmasca’s mineral resources.

As expected of the teacher whom Reks deeply admired.

Because Dalmasca had poor farmland and weak agricultural output, a trade agreement was made.

Rosaria would exchange food for Dalmasca’s ores.

Through this system, both countries supported each other and formed a balanced relationship.

It was hard to believe that these two nations had once gone to war whenever they met.

Now, thanks to the young King of Dalmasca who disliked conflict and focused on improving his country’s economy the situation had completely changed.

Rumor said that he was already being praised as a wise ruler.

The magic stones produced in both countries had become important export goods to other nations.

At the same time, the magic devices powered by those stones were also being sold abroad, bringing more wealth and prosperity to the Kingdom of Rosaria.

Reks often thought of how lucky he was to be born in such a thriving country and to take part in developing the magic tools that helped its growth.

"I got the idea," Aaron said, "when I saw Shiao Yi and Lord Dominic break through the ancient magic circle barrier using magic stones."

He picked up one of the stones and pushed it into the opening at the end of the cylinder.

"Shiao Yi worked with gunpowder," he continued, "but he never taught me how to make it. Still, this world has magic energy. So I built this tube to work using either magic stones as a power source or pure magic itself. I call it the Magic Cannon!"

After explaining, Aaron turned the cylinder toward the window without hesitation.

"W–wait, what? Sir, you’re not going to fire that here, are you?! Wait, seriously?!"

Before Reks could stop him, Aaron’s finger pulled the trigger.

BOOOOM!!!

GUUOOOON!!!

CRAAASH!!!

"Oh!"

"Ahhhh!!"

While Reks screamed in shock, Aaron and Mr. Vundo only smiled at each other, clearly delighted with the effects.

The blast had completely blown out the window, the window frame and even a large section of the wall around it.

From what had once been a closed room, they now had an open wide view of the outside.

The tall trees that had once stood nearby were shredded into pieces and the clear blue sky, swept by cold winds, could be seen perfectly.

Fortunately, since this was the fourth floor, the main building that was located a short distance away seemed to have avoided any damage.

However... in the far distance, near the royal palace, a faint line of smoke seemed to rise into the air.

But, surely, that had to be a coincidence.

Yes, that’s must be just an illusion.

Reks decided to believe it was nothing more than a trick of her eyes.

"This is quite interesting," said Mr. Vundo. "Let’s talk to the technical workshop about possible improvements and mass production. Aaron, you come with me."

"Huh? Wait, what about here? Who’s going to clean up this mess?"

But before Reks could finish, Aaron gave a cheerful "Of course!" and followed Mr. Vundo out of the room, leaving him behind.

"Wait! You’re leaving me to deal with this? You must be joking, aren’t you?! Oh, come on!"