Tower hierarchy

There were more than 300 apprentices in the [Citadel], the exact number unknown to all besides a couple of acolytes with high authority within the tower.

Yet, there was only one magus, Tower Master Rutherford, who rarely made appearances.

Such a huge number of apprentices was bound to have consequences on the social structure of the tower. Factions eventually formed around the three advanced rank acolytes in the tower: [Librarian Jess], in charge of the [Truth Order] and representing the tower's authority, [Fire King John], in charge of the [Crimson Clan] and [Steel Demon Gale], in charge of the [Magical Craftsman Guild].

All three advanced acolytes walked a different path, and all shined brighter than any other acolyte in the tower. They were advanced rank acolytes, and knew more than a dozen spells, and possessed enough strength to take on several intermediate rank acolytes on their own, not to mention beginner rank acolytes like Greem.

The Truth Order was a simple organization that relied on the authority granted by Magus Rutherford and offered administrative jobs and unique missions. The reason why it was supported by Magus Rutherford was pretty simple: Expand the knowledge stored within the library of the [Citadel]. Its core members would organize ruin explorations and many experiments, with librarian Jess being at the forefront of this research.

The Crimson Clan was different. Fire King John Fireheart, its leader, was a very powerful fire elemental acolyte who came from the Fireheart Magus Household, sent in the tower to build connections and improve his knowledge. The Crimson Clan was a close circle composed of John's supporters, mainly fire elemental acolytes. Some came from his family, others joined for the benefits he provided, in exchange for their loyalty.

Last but not least, the Magical Craftsman Guild, led by the mechanical path genius [Steel Demon Gale], was an organization meant for profits and craftsmen. Alchemists, blacksmiths, apothecarists, and mechanical engineers would join this organization for protection and knowledge. There, the acolytes would be able to fully focus on their crafts and develop their skills.

Greem could only sigh upon thinking about these three major organisations. None of them suited him. Although they all provided benefits, they were very selective. Without craftsman skills, he could not join the Magical Craftsman Guild. With his talent, John Fireheart would never consider him as a potential supporter. And as a body refinement acolyte, the Truth Order would provide him with too little benefits.

Of course, there were many secondary factions in the tower, but the profits they gave was very small in comparison to the three major factions in the tower, and they often limited their members' freedom. There were stories of nobles creating factions, only to bring all its members in a lost war, causing dozens of apprentices to return either injured, or not return at all. Ever since that day, the apprentices always felt dubious about joining secondary factions.

Some of them were pretty good though, like the [Sky Eagle Mercenaries], the [White Witch Sisterhood], or the [Lizard Clan]. They gave moderately high freedom to its members, and provided big rewards to those who joined. But they, too, were very selective, especially in terms of 'talent'.

Because of his low grade talent, Greem was looked down upon by most of those 'big shots'.

And it was only natural to do so.

Talent was equivalent to potential.

With low grade talent, Greem's natural limit was the beginner rank realm.

With medium grade talent, one would be able to reach the intermediate rank realm.

With high grade talent, then the advanced rank realm would be within grasp.

Of course, there were stories of low grade talents becoming magus, but this was highly unlikely and most of them only managed to do so by relying on a staggering amount of resources and elixirs raising their magical force.

*Caw*

*Caw*

Greem was still in his chamber, in the lower floor of the Citadel.

He had opened the window in order to get fresh air, but little did he expect a Scavenger Crow to stare at him. Its piercing caws filled the air. Its blood red eyes fixated on Greem, the crow seemed to have targetted him, making him feel uneasy and uncomfortable

Scavenger Crows were magical creatures, although they would rarely attack humans. Still, they would often be spotted around human corpses, scavenging their corpses and eat everything but the bones, hence their ominous names.

However, Greem knew that the crow was not here to scavenge a corpse. For the matter, it was not a wild scavenger crow, but one that had been tamed.

Coming closer, Greem noticed that there was a small piece of goat paper attached to its neck. Opening it, Greem smiled.

It seems like he had gotten an order.