CHAPTER 65: QUEST TOWER

The instructor didn’t cast any spell attack. Instead, with a wave of his wand, shadowy tentacles emerged from the ground beneath Derek and wrapped tightly around his limbs, completely immobilizing him.

’That’s new,’ Derek thought, baffled. It was his first time facing a mage with a shadow attribute.

He gritted his teeth and struggled to break free, but it was useless.

"Huh! No wand, no weapon. So you’re a cultivator. And a first-year student too. And you expect me to believe you were permitted to train here? Why? Is your father the king or something? What a load of crap!"

He waved his wand again, and another shadowy tentacle emerged, its tip morphing into the shape of a bat.

And then... thump!

The instructor smacked Derek on the back.

Derek was momentarily stunned — not because of the pain, but because of the instructor’s bizarre behavior.

’Who does something like that?!’ Derek wondered in disbelief.

But the instructor wasn’t done yet. The punishment continued, one smack after another.

"Are you ready to tell the truth or leave?" the instructor demanded.

Derek didn’t respond. He only focused on trying to break free, but the instructor was far too strong.

In the midst of the commotion, a third person arrived, and fortunately for Derek, it was Meridith.

The moment she saw the scene, her eyes widened in shock. "Sir! What are you doing?" she shouted.

The instructor turned his head toward her. "Oh, Meridith! Look what I found today — a sneaky rat sneaking around here and there. And after getting caught, he even had the nerve to say he got permission from the master to be here!" he said in an amused tone, as if it were the funniest thing in the world.

But Meridith didn’t laugh. Instead, her expression turned stiff.

The instructor noticed the change immediately. "What? Something wrong?" he asked.

"Well, sir... what that kid said is actually true. He really does have the master’s permission," she said firmly.

"W.. What? But why? Is he from the royal family?" The instructor’s tone shifted to one of disbelief. He hadn’t believed Derek, but he knew Meridith well, and if she said it was true, then it had to be.

Quickly, he waved his wand, and the shadowy tentacles withdrew into the ground.

"He isn’t from the royal family. And as for why the Housemaster permitted him... it would be better if you ask him personally," Meridith said, choosing not to explain everything in detail.

"I hope this isn’t some case of nepotism," the instructor muttered suspiciously.

"Sir, do you really think the Housemaster would ever favor nepotism?" Meridith replied calmly.

"Well, that..." The instructor stopped mid-sentence, clearly unable to find an argument. "Whatever. I’ll take my leave." With that, he turned around and left.

’Shouldn’t he at least apologize? If all instructors are like him, I’m not sure I even want to stay here,’ Derek thought bitterly.

Sensing his mood, Meridith smiled lightly. "Don’t take it too hard. I know his behavior was unpleasant, but you have to understand — what you’re receiving here is something unprecedented. No sane person would believe it easily. And the fact that you’re a cultivator makes it sound even more unbelievable."

"Yeah, I get it," Derek replied, though a trace of displeasure still lingered inside him.

Meridith chuckled and changed the subject. "You’re here pretty early. Already fallen in love with the place?"

"Is there even a way not to?" Derek said with a faint grin. "I wish I could bring my bedding here."

Though he was dissatisfied with how some people treated him, he couldn’t deny that the facilities here were exceptional — perfectly designed to enhance one’s cultivation.

"Well, that’s the academy for you," Meridith said proudly. "Have you explored the other places yet?"

"You mean the forest and the academic classes?" Derek asked.

"Yes, but is that all your guide showed you?"

"Is there more? I’ve already trained in one of the training chambers for students, as you know, so I didn’t mention that."

"I asked because I was wondering if you’ve visited the Golden Dragon’s Quest Tower."

"That tower is part of this academy?" Derek asked in surprise.

"Not exactly," Meridith explained. "But it’s located right next to our academy, and we hold a major advantage when it comes to participation. While outsiders are allotted only four days to attempt the tower — and that’s shared among countless people, we get the remaining three days exclusively. Even if you count every student and instructor, the total doesn’t exceed five hundred."

"Oh, that’s incredible. I had no idea about such details," Derek said, genuinely astonished. "Though I have heard about it, I actually don’t know what it’s for. Can you please tell me in detail?" Derek said.

"Why not? The Golden Dragon’s Quest Tower is a famous structure known for its trials," Meridith started to explain. "It’s composed of multiple floors, each one testing the challenger with increasingly difficult obstacles. Those who prove their strength can obtain weapons, treasures, or other valuable rewards. However, clearing a floor doesn’t automatically guarantee a reward, and not every level offers one. Only the highest floor successfully cleared by an individual grants a reward, and even then, only if the challenger is deemed worthy."

Derek listened intently. He knew about this tower from his past life. A few had managed to earn powerful weapons. Some obtained rare treasures or precious artifacts. But the number of people who had actually received rewards throughout the centuries could be counted on fingers. That alone showed how challenging it truly was. Yet countless people still took on the challenge — not for the rewards, but because it was one of the best ways to train. And, of course, the number of floors one cleared was something to boast about.

"It also has a ranking system," Meridith continued, "displaying the top two hundred participants based on their performances. The list includes names from both inside and outside the academy. Naturally, the ones from within are mostly the instructors."