Methodology - End

Opulent halls of white marble, spaced with invisible scriptures that contained calculations that could end the city. Yet above that all was the tower, contained within a bubble and maintained by the wit and power of those beings.

People at the top of the world, with power rivaling the very gods. And even then… even then they could not push forward, no more than the founders before them could.

It was a waste, for all of their power, for all the influence and knowledge they held. Used for only the preservation.

And as I walked through these halls, gaining the eye of those still there. Their gazes filled with blood just as their coats were.

Our teacher, the chaperone, he took us under his wing. Snarling at those that got too close, or who had ideas for us.

"Welcome. Please head to the back for registration."

It was routine, the clerk knew our teacher and the protocol for this. After all it was a long held tradition.

One that I had never thought that I could be a part of. Absently I sip at the drink I held. Made using numerous fused substances.

A concoction to increase the flow of mana within my body. It was pure, I had made sure of it. After all, I couldn't allow any contaminants within my body. I scoffed as those eager, mostly those below the hundredth position, clambered about the front.

Bothering the clerk and asking question after question. About things that could have been found with a tad bit of research. 

Obviously that was beyond them though.

"State your full name and place your hand over this orb. As many have been asking, this orb," She points to the orb, allowing the first student to take his place before it.

"Allows us to measure the flow of mana within the human body, then using that information it compiles the density and core to determine your unique signature. And that will be used for identification."

With a flick the orb started to glow. A brilliant blue that brightened the whole room.

"Ren Hall"

With that the orb whirled for a moment before it spat out a card. One that the clerk took before handing it to Ren.

Again and again people placed their hand over the orb. Each of them getting their own identification and lining up behind the orb as to get out of the way.

Finally though it was my turn.

"Inari"

"No last name?" The clerk asked.

I shook my head. It was probably unusual, after all the only way that would happen was if your own family had forsaken you. Forbidden from using the family name.

"Alright." 

The orb whirled once again before it spat out my identification.

I took a quick look at it before it was swiped and looked over. The clerk hummed in affirmation before giving it to me.

Then it was Emilia's turn. She stated her full name, Emilia Auguste. Of the Auguste family. 

I smiled and took her hand in mine, leading her out of the crowd and towards the edge where we separated. Even if the comfort within each other was much more.

Still, I just waited, letting the last of the identifications be printed. It had already been over an hour and sooner or later we would have to leave.

"Mr. Calloway?" I asked, drawing the attention of the teacher.

"Is it alright if Emilia and I depart, we already have transport ready."

He nodded before turning back to the others. I nodded to Emilia and with that we both left. Through the same halls, through the same gazes.

Yet some of them were gone, and others were just there, yet their gazes were distant.

Some had lost limbs, others were sitting and waiting against the door, waiting for someone that wouldn't come back.

It was the cruel reality of this tower. Of all the towers. As unlike dungeons, these were not easy, at every turn death creeped. Like an old friend, always waiting.

And it would be the same for us, for Emilia and I. It was why I wanted to leave so much. There was something that I needed to do.

I had been neglecting it, even with the fusion I had done earlier, creating liquids to help my growth.

That was not the extend of my fusion. I could be doing so much more, but fear of discovery, monetary means, every single obstacle had weighed heavily upon my mind.

Yet no more, even if it meant going broke, exposing myself. Whatever, I had the chance, and I was not going to waste it creating only elixirs. 

I was going to make myself a weapon. Something based on the same principles that I had just found.

I looked to my side, my head falling into her side. That smile as she directed the taxi to carry us to our destination.

"Emilia…" I called, there was no reason to drag this further. I trust her, no more than that, it was something I couldn't explain, a deeper sense of intimacy, greater than I had ever felt.

Like all my secrets were safe within her, and all of hers within me.

…

…

…

"Truly interesting" I muttered out, flinging the dirt between my nails away. All while watching the reaction of this stone.

I had been walking through store after store, boredly searching for anything of interest, when something caught my eye.

Filled almost completely with the essence of the earth. It was possible, unlikely, but possible.

Still, it was a valuable test subject and so I grabbed it, along with a dozen other mana stones. But this one was special for some reason.

And that's what I wanted to find out. Naturally occurring mana stones come from monsters or are mined through the earth.

Of course the mined ones are so rare and limited that those can be completely disregarded. After all that wasn't my subject of research.

However it did provide something truly interesting. The way that mana reacts when placed under foreign substances.

Those taken from the earth would go dormant and hide themselves, almost like some sort of prey, and those from monsters would lash out and try to attack the foreign substance.

Yet this rock, it was neither of them, and yes it was a rock. Just holding so much mana within its confines.

It did neither of that, it actually assimilated the mana. Truly fascinating. That was why I had to know the origin of it, and for that I needed to know who sold it, and why.

Maybe then… maybe then my masterpiece could be completed.