Chapter 6 : Time Skip & Tower of Heaven ?

Five years have passed since Ryota escaped from the laboratory.

During this period, he chose to stay outside of guilds and live a solitary life, operating in the shadows. He had no interest in socializing, keeping a distance from others. He accepted quests here and there to make a living, but he didn't consider himself a hero. Well, he did it for his own interests.

Over these years, he has become an enigmatic individual, slowly gaining a reputation in the world of mages. Rumors say he is ruthless towards his enemies and leaves destruction in his wake. Honestly, he didn't care.

Ryota honed his skills during these five years, relentlessly training in various fields. He improved his mastery of his powers and became incredibly skilled at fighting using his abilities. His tough and resilient skin provided exceptional defense, and he developed unique combat techniques based on his strength and speed.

Without shame, he could say that his physical prowess had become monstrous. In every physical aspect, he was inhuman. Not that he was one anyway.

His body, although belonging to a teenager, exuded strength and robustness. He had grown taller, reaching a height of 170 centimeters (5'6"), making him taller than average for his age. His body was solidly built, with well-defined muscles and an athletic appearance.

Ryota possessed a harmonious muscular constitution, granting him impressive strength without giving the impression of heaviness. His muscles were well-developed, bearing witness to the years of intensive training he endured. His back was broad and sturdy, demonstrating undeniable power.

Ryota's tough and resistant skin served as a constant reminder of his power. It had a slight tan color and an almost scaly texture. Mysterious tribal markings, resembling tattoos, adorned certain parts of his body, adding to his mysterious allure.

Ryota's hair is black and slightly messy, giving him a wild appearance. They reach his shoulders, framing his angular face and adding to his dark charm. Not to mention his two bison-like horns, one of which had finally grown back. His intense and piercing blue eyes seem to carry wisdom and determination beyond his young age. Ryota's gaze reflects both the solitude he has endured and the unwavering strength that drives him.

Ryota's reputation reaches the ears of those who dare to oppose his peace and harmony. Although he doesn't involve himself in guild affairs and official conflicts, he has become known as someone who can be called upon for dangerous or complex tasks. Rumors of his exploits spread, and some whisper that he is unbeatable.

In the shadows, Ryota continues to monitor the events unfolding in this world. He keeps a vigilant eye on emerging threats and the movements of powerful mages. While he doesn't directly engage, he occasionally intervenes subtly to prevent major catastrophes.

Ryota's solitary years have shaped his character. After all these years, he still hasn't been able to find the identity of the person who ran the laboratory. Speaking of which, when he returned one day to destroy it, the laboratory was already in ruins. Someone had been there before him.

However, despite his solitary life, unexpected encounters occur from time to time. He sometimes meets wandering mages or people in distress who recognize him for his past exploits. Although he doesn't form attachments with them, these brief interactions reveal a glimmer of humanity in him. For him, only money and dark guilds mattered. He didn't do it for the innocent.

Something had intrigued him recently; he had overheard criminals in underground bars talking about something called the Tower of Paradise. He had never heard of it, even with all the information he had gathered over the years.

Naturally, through very friendly means, he managed to extract information from a slave trader whom he confronted outside the bar. He wanted to know more, so being a civilized man, well, he beat him to death until he revealed the location and details. He thought it was justified.

A tower that could resurrect anyone, with the goal of bringing back Zeref, the legendary dark mage. To build this tower, they needed manpower. What better than slaves captured in subsequently devastated villages ?

Knowing this, he was currently heading towards the location of this "tower." Just a "friendly" visit in his own way, so to speak. He wasn't afraid; he had confidence in his power.

Although he was on a boat to avoid surprises, he believed that his dragon form would be reserved for worthy opponents. It was his trump card, and he didn't plan to reveal it to everyone.

Honestly, he didn't care about the slaves or others. He believed he might find information there about the person who ran the laboratory. It was just a gut feeling, nothing more.

Perhaps he would destroy the Tower along the way if he deemed it worthwhile. He wasn't a heartless monster either, leaving without doing anything. Besides, he had experienced that for a while, so he had some empathy.

The sea breeze caressed his face as he gazed at the horizon from his small boat. He could feel the excitement building within him as he approached the mysterious Tower of Paradise.

The information he had extorted from the criminal was valuable. He knew that the Tower of Paradise was located on a remote island, far from prying eyes. That was where the slaves were captured and forced to work for the construction of the tower, with the goal of bringing Zeref back to life.

Ryota was fueled by a slight curiosity. Who was behind all this ? Who wanted to resurrect Zeref, and why ? They

were just unanswered questions; he didn't need to know. It didn't concern him to a certain extent.

Ryota watched the Tower grow larger as he approached, unable to help but be impressed. The Tower was immense. Had such a thing eluded the Magic Council?

The Magic Council essentially manages all guild affairs while maintaining order in the realm of magic. He didn't like them, to be honest; it would make him uncomfortable to be under the control of such a government.

Even though he himself was quite strong, he knew very well that there were mages even stronger than him. Many, in fact. He wouldn't dare to be arrogant; he still had a long way to go.

Without much thought, Ryota had now landed on the small island containing the grand Tower. It was time to get acquainted with these guys; everything would go just fine.