CHAPTER 568: CHAPTER 565: STARGAZING AREA

"This is the academy’s Astral Observation Area, and it’s usually quite crowded in the evenings..."

Ronald Adler and Sinovia walked in the Astral Observation Area of Barrier Mountain.

The scenery here was indeed as beautiful as Sinovia had described earlier.

The night’s mountain peak snow, the north wind blowing from afar, the fake yet unique starry sky— all these elements combined to present an aura of natural tranquility and beauty.

Just walking on this path, Ronald felt his suppressed emotions ease somewhat.

However, just like Sinovia had said,

despite the beautiful scenery, there were hardly any people here tonight.

On the corridor built along the mountain, aside from them, there were barely any other figures in sight. They continued along the winding mountain path when two towering towers emerged before Ronald.

"Oh?"

Ronald raised an eyebrow.

He had already witnessed the organizational system of the Barrier Mountain Academy.

In this ’kingdom’ ruled by wizards, only the central location of a discipline had the right to establish its own magic tower.

But the two towers before him were different.

The magic fluctuations that used to surround the towers had long dissipated, and Ronald couldn’t even sense any sign of life within. The quiet towers standing watch over each other, as if they had been intentionally abandoned in the wilderness.

This was Barrier Mountain!

Even the most down-and-out, fringe disciplines...

wouldn’t lack for someone to watch over at night, right?

So, as one would expect, Ronald raised his questions:

"Sinovia, these two towers...?"

Sinovia wasn’t surprised by Ronald’s puzzled tone and started explaining simply and straightforwardly:

"Drake, you just arrived at Barrier Mountain and are not familiar with the situation here."

"In fact, nine years ago, this Astral Observation Area was still the base of the Astrology discipline, but after the new Astrology Tower Master completely took control of the original texts..."

Her once decisive answer turned hesitant.

After reminiscing in place for a few seconds, Sinovia continued:

"The incident happened before I joined the academy; it’s a story I heard a long time ago. The current Astrology Tower Master is a very strong and aggressive wizard. After taking office, she began a purge against the opposition within her school. The magic towers inherited by the observation area were also abandoned here at that time."

"Years later, these two abandoned towers were stripped clean of their value by several Great Wizards and were left here as discarded buildings."

"..."

Ronald nodded in thanks and began inquiring, following Sinovia’s narrative:

"Sinovia, do you know anything about this new Astrology Tower Master?"

"The new Tower Master..."

Sinovia appeared somewhat hesitant.

But since Ronald had broached the topic, Sinovia didn’t delve deeper but resumed walking after a few seconds. As she began to stroll again, she simultaneously explained to Ronald:

"Since I’ve been at the academy, the Astrology discipline doesn’t seem very active and usually doesn’t participate actively in the academy’s magic discussions. That Tower Master... I remember her name is Catherine. We hardly hear of her doing anything in the academy."

"..."

"If you want to know about my deeds, why not just ask me directly?"

Ronald had been planning to continue his conversation with Sinovia.

However, before he could speak, a figure leaning against the roadside emerged from the darkness and picked up where Sinovia left off.

Fiery red hair, an aggressively charismatic smile, confident and mocking eyes—

The person waiting here was none other than the Astrology Tower Master they had been discussing.

——Catherine.

"..."

Ronald silently looked at the Catherine standing before him.

And at his side, Sinovia, a member of the Barrier Mountain, also recognized the identity of the red-haired girl in front of Carter.

Instinctively taking a step back, Sinovia’s voice trembled as she began to speak,

"Tower... Tower Master..."

"That’s right, little one," Catherine said to Sinovia with her usual smile. Taking two steps towards the shocked Sinovia, who stood frozen, Catherine brushed aside the hair from the girl’s face and spoke in a tone that brooked no refusal,

"It’s getting late, go back and rest."

"This man is not someone you should be dealing with."

"..."

Caught between the advice of the Tower Master and the company of a handsome, promising young man, Sinovia promptly yielded. She nodded apologetically to Ronald and turned to run back the way she came.

Ronald watched as Sinovia jogged away.

He understood her choice, yet something still felt strange.

"What’s the matter... Can’t bear to part with the girl you fancy?" At this moment, Catherine walked up to Ronald and spoke enticingly, "If you chase after her now, you might still catch up."

Of course, Ronald couldn’t possibly do as Catherine suggested.

He turned and looked at the smiling red-haired girl before him and calmly began,

"Tower Master, your visit here tonight must be for some matter, right?"

Ronald had confirmed that morning that Catherine was staying in the tower of the Astronomy department.

Considering the distance between the towers and the significance of this abandoned tower, it was clear that Catherine hadn’t come here simply to take a walk without a reason.

The only reason that could bring the Astrology Tower Master to this place...

It had to be because of Ronald, the Great Wizard new to the Astronomy department.

Ronald’s guess was correct.

Upon hearing his question, Catherine also smiled, raising her eyebrows:

"If not to find you, then who?"

"You told me when you left during the day to come early the next morning, yet here you are, strolling in this lovers’ sanctuary with the girl that same evening. If I didn’t come to drive a wedge between you, how could you possibly make it early tomorrow?"

"..."

Ronald scratched his head.

There was some truth in Catherine’s words.

But now was not the time to dwell on that matter.

Just before, Sinovia had mentioned that the Astronomy department had no major movements lately, and the frequency of exchanges with the Barrier Mountain wizards was very low.

For such Catherine to break the rules,

the urgency implied by her instructions during the day and her personal appearance at night to interrupt him spoke volumes.

Thus, Ronald straightened the collar of his wizard’s robe.

He stood up straight and asked Catherine earnestly,

"So, Tower Master, what is the matter that brings you to find me so late?"

"..."

Looking at the solemn Ronald, Catherine laughed.

Then the person in charge of the Astrology department answered very calmly:

"Of course, it’s to continue moving forward."

"My dear outsider—Mr. Ronald Adler."