Published at 18th of July 2026 8:02 am

Chapter 1854: Sapphire Tower

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The Sapphire Tower was the greatest center of arcane learning in Davos, and arguably one of the finest magic academies on the West Coast.

Located in the prestigious Lords’ Borough, it was among the city’s most recognizable landmarks.

The academy occupied a sprawling campus of lecture halls, libraries, laboratories, training grounds, and student dormitories. Yet all of these were overshadowed by the structure from which the institution drew its name.

At the heart of the campus stood Sapphire Tower itself.

The Magus tower rose high above the surrounding buildings, its sapphire-colored exterior gleaming beautifully beneath the moonlight. It was one of the tallest structures in Davos, visible from nearly every district of the city.

For generations, aspiring Magi journeyed from across the West Coast to study within the halls of this famous academy. To be accepted into the Sapphire Tower was a great honor, while graduating from it was a mark of distinction throughout the Free City Alliance and beyond.

In one of the offices within the lecture halls, two elderly men were engaged in an animated discussion.

One of them was none other than Esmond Greene, who had come to the academy shortly after returning to the city.

The other was his old friend, Channing Oakley, a respected history professor at the Sapphire Tower. His silver hair was disheveled, his spectacles sat crooked on his nose, and his eyes shone with the curiosity of a scholar who had just discovered something fascinating.

"This is the one, Channing!" Esmond paced around the office. "I’m telling you this is the one!"

Channing Oakley remained quiet as he studied the map his friend had just brought.

It was an old map that led to... nowhere.

And that was precisely what made it so interesting.

Ancient tomes and travel journals lay scattered across the desk. The common thread between those books and Esmond’s map was that they all spoke of the mist.

The mysterious mist.

"Goodness arcana, we were right," Channing murmured in a daze. "It really is the mist."

Esmond’s eyes gleamed with zeal. "Of course, it is! I have dedicated my life to uncovering the mysteries of the mist. And now, my friend, I believe I have finally done it!"

He stepped closer to the table and slammed his palm on the map. "This will lead us to it!"

Rationality prevailed over Channing, and he shook his head after a long moment of deliberation.

"But this is too risky," he said grimly. "We are no longer the young adventurers we used to be."

"We don’t have to do it ourselves!" Esmond said passionately. "That’s the benefit of having a lot of money!"

After retiring as an adventurer, Esmond devoted himself to two things. First, searching for clues related to the mysterious mist, and second, exploring ancient ruins.

He funded numerous bands of young adventurers, financing their expeditions in exchange for a share of whatever they discovered. Over the years, he sold countless artifacts and treasures recovered from those ruins and amassed considerable wealth.

Much of his wealth had been built by investing in promising young Magi and Paladins.

"I’ve already found the map that will lead us to the evershifting mist," he continued. "And I’ve discovered the method to enter that place. Now all I need is to put together a band of heroes."

Esmond’s eyes then sharpened. "And I already have one person in mind, and he is an exceptional fighter. There are also a few others that I’ve had my eyes on."

Channing fell silent. There was something that still gnawed at his conscience.

"But you said the vampires were after this map too," he murmured. "Then that means... that place is likely related to their kind."

"So what?" Esmond blurted out. "Does that mean I should give up? Never! I will never give up on her!"

Channing’s expression turned downcast.

Even after all these years, you still can’t forget her...

Many years ago, when they were young, the two friends had formed a party and traveled the West Coast in search of riches and adventure.

Esmond’s lover had also been a member of that party.

Then, in an unexpected turn of events, they encountered the mysterious mist. She was swallowed by the mist and never seen again.

From that day onward, Esmond dedicated the rest of his life to finding her.

He was so madly in love with her that he refused to entertain the possibility that she might be dead, despite the many years that had passed.

Love had a habit of making people do foolish things.

But was it right for Esmond to endanger the lives of young adventurers in his pursuit of a woman who had been missing for so many years? For a woman who might not even be alive?

"If you’ve already decided, then..." Channing took a deep breath before continuing.

"This party you are going to assemble, we must be honest with them. We must tell them about all the risks involved. We cannot mislead them into this."

"Of course!" Esmond said matter-of-factly. "I will offer a reward large enough to attract them. They can decide for themselves whether they want to join this expedition. Besides..."

He paused for a moment, his eyes gleaming with a calculative light.

"So many people have vanished into that mist over the years. Even the vampires are after it. The mysterious place that it leads to... I’m sure it is filled with riches."

Channing couldn’t help but shake his head. "You sound like a merchant."

His expression turned solemn, and he added:

"Based on my research and the new information that you’ve brought, the method to reach that place has become evident. To enter it willingly, we must first find the mysterious gypsies who are said to travel freely through the mist."

"Find the mist, find the gypsies. Find the gypsies, enter the mist," Esmond said with a confident smile.

Channing took a deep breath and nodded.

"Very well, I’ll begin working on the finer details of the expedition so our band of adventurers is better equipped with all the information they need."

"I agree." Esmond nodded. "I’ll send a few men to scout the location marked on the map in advance."

"And what of this young man you mentioned?" Channing asked. "The one who escorted you here. You are certain you wish to involve him in this expedition?"

"Yes, of course!" Esmond said without hesitation.

Recalling the raven-haired youth with the streak of bone-white hair, he murmured:

"I must convince him to join the expedition into the mysterious mist!"

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