Inside the Black Crystal Tower, it appeared very tidy. The entire floor was a massive library. Various books of differing thickness were neatly placed on the shelves, with a faint fragrance of peculiar preservatives wafting through the air; several separate tables and chairs were carved from the rare woods of the Underworld, whose long-term use had made their surfaces exceptionally smooth. Nearly a single-arm’s diameter and half a person’s height, the book tubes were filled with scrolls, lazily leaning to one side, each carefully tied with fine strings, spotlessly clean, evidently benefiting from a dust-removal effect here. A particular rack filled with candles stood in the room. Dark Elves’ vision, having little capacity for observing minimal temperature changes, required lighting a candle to read these scrolls unless special fluorescent ink was used upon them.
"The Black Crystal Tower mainly functions as a library and research lab, with few people around. Lynch, as you know, mages are a rare breed, hehe." Noticing no objections from the mage regarding his address, Aulos continued, "During normal times, it’s pretty empty here—no one lives, nor comes by often. But from the third floor upwards, strong barriers exist, only known to the Dark Elf Matriarch or the elder mages here, so don’t go up there."
"Additionally, living quarters aren’t here but in the row of houses outside the tower. Lynch, it should be easy for you to find a place to rest there." Aulos smiled at Lynch, revealing white teeth that, coupled with the Dark Elf’s dark skin, appeared quite jarring, imparting an eerie feeling.
With that said, he retreated outside, leaving the mage alone here. Lynch surveyed the items around, using the Eye of Insight to inspect every nook and cranny, ensuring no one was observing him, then began ascending to the higher floors. ᴛʜɪs ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ɪs ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ʙʏ novel{f}ire.net
The most astonishing aspect of the Black Crystal Tower was its construction method. Somehow, no trace of stacking, mortise-tenon joints, clasps, or adhesives could be seen; the entire tower was seamlessly integrated, leaving no gaps to be found, even at the stair-ground junctions, which fit flawlessly. Lynch climbed the stairs, running his hands over the walls, feeling no bumps whatsoever, the cylindrical inner walls as smooth as mirrors. Lynch entertained a notion that the tower might be entirely carved from a single immense black rock.
The second floor of the tower was divided into several rooms, with fluorescent Dark Elf Language on the doors reading: "Conjuration Laboratory," "Summoning Room," "Workshop," and "Meditation Hall." All doors were closed, with no one inside. However, judging from the number of chairs placed at the portals, the tower must have hosted many mages in its history, requiring them even to queue to access these rooms. Nonetheless, all the rest chairs now lay vacant, with only Lynch remaining in the tower.
"On the third floor and above, there are magic barriers." Lynch picked up his magic wand, casting several protective spells on himself, specifically against necromancy, spiritual control, and elemental effects. He cautiously continued his ascent.
"Hmm! Here’s a Fireball Technique trap. Quite a formidable Killing Spell right off the bat. I wonder what’s next." Lynch pondered momentarily, deciding to ignore the trap, deftly bypassing the spell’s range, and continued forward.
"An anti-gravity spell?" Lynch’s Eye of Insight clearly revealed the normally invisible Magic Array text on the ground. He studied it for a while and discerned the nature of the spell. "An ascending gravity area? What’s it for?"
Looking up, the mage saw the sharp Blade Formation on the ceiling, rows of pointed spikes painted black, blending into the background unnoticeably unless deliberately sought. The spike tips weren’t straight but curved slightly like fishhooks. Lynch shivered involuntarily at the sight of what loomed overhead.
The remaining traps on the stairs were quite simple, which Lynch dismantled with ease.
On the third floor, Lynch could already move freely without any obstacle hindering or harming him. However, looking around, he saw nothing.