Chapter 28: Comrades in Arms

Patrick guessed that the council’s true intention was to send him to the Sun Sanctuary for a period of rigorous training. This remote place seemed favorable on the surface, but in reality it was more akin to exile. After some time, the council would extend an olive branch; if he accepted their offer, he would be transferred back to Silvermoon City from the Sun Sanctuary. If he refused, his fate would be sealed here. Yet the council had not anticipated that their decision suited Patrick perfectly.

The Sun Sanctuary had witnessed the succession of one chief mage after another, as the internal struggles among the elves continued unabated.

The scholars and Patrick descended to the second basement level, entering the warehouse. One scholar led Patrick to a corner and located a large arcane node. Arcane energy flowed through their hands, entering the node, and a three-dimensional projection resembling a mage’s tower appeared atop it. The projection was etched with fine magical patterns, and Patrick could sense the immense power contained within.

“Lord Patrick, this is the energy controller of the Sun Sanctuary. The control is now yours,” an engineer said.

Patrick focused, placing his hand upon the arcane node and imprinting his own mental sigil, setting it much like a password. The sigil appeared upon the arcane projection, and, through the intricate arrangement of his thoughts, he ensured no one else could seize control of the mage tower. Similarly, by means of this node, Patrick grew familiar with, understood, and ultimately claimed dominion over the tower.

The central control hub of the mage tower took form, coalesced from pure arcane power. Patrick absorbed it and inscribed it onto the control core provided by the scholars. The core was then installed in the chief mage’s office on the fifth floor, allowing Patrick to command the tower at any time.

The Sun Sanctuary officially belonged to him. The scholars and engineers began renovations to the tower according to Patrick’s specifications.

After obtaining full authority over the mage tower, Patrick’s first act was to send a magical letter to his family. First, he informed his father, Old Phil, and his mother, Ena, about his life in detail; second, he requested his father to dispatch an expert in herbalism to the camp in Sebwasa of the Life Forest, to assist Aurelia in establishing an herb cultivation area that would belong entirely to the Kabolon family.

Patrick also suggested the herbs to be planted: Sungrass, Golden Ginseng, Dreamleaf, Royal Bloodgrass, and Goldthorn—all ingredients frequently used in alchemy workshops, and their products were easy to sell.

The renovation and embellishment of the mage tower progressed swiftly. The scholars merely used arcane manipulation to merge and modify the internal walls. All the arcane patterns Patrick designed were etched throughout his office and residence, allowing him to easily channel and control the free-flowing arcane energy within the tower.

At the end of the restoration, Patrick instructed the engineers to engrave the Sun emblem above the main entrance with the ancient Salaris inscription “Tower of Daylight,” signifying the renaming of the Sun Sanctuary to the Tower of Daylight.

“The renovation and decoration of the Sun Sanctuary were a great success. The project is far ahead of schedule—everything is complete,” an engineer reported to Patrick. Having been away from Silvermoon City for so long, they all yearned for the life there.

The speed of the scholars astonished Patrick. Driven by their eagerness to finish early and return to Silvermoon City, they missed its wealth and opulence.

Patrick was very satisfied. Before the scholars returned to Silvermoon City, he hosted a banquet in the tower for all the engineers, as well as the two mages, Quellintis and Yanida.

“Thank you for your warm hospitality, Chief Patrick. Our work in the Ghostlands was flawlessly accomplished. I am Jonathan, scholar of Silvermoon City, from the engineering division under Chief Technician Talonikus. I look forward to our next collaboration.”

At the banquet, Jonathan and Patrick shared copious amounts of elven fruit wine. Jonathan confided that the council’s budget of eight hundred gold coins was quite generous. Although the engineers were reluctant to come to the Ghostlands, the compensation for their time at the Sun Sanctuary left them very satisfied. Jonathan, tipsy at the end, lamented the absence of elven women to alleviate his boredom—a pity, he said.

The next day, Patrick saw Jonathan and his team off. Patrick sat at the chief mage’s desk, perusing the book “On the Role of Fire Blast in the Troll Wars,” a volume from the Sun Sanctuary’s library. The collection was woefully sparse—less than fifteen percent of what it should be, a genuine disappointment.

The Tower of Daylight began to operate smoothly. Scholars had plated the outer walls and dome with an extra layer of gold, so that when the sun rose, its rays struck the tower and reflected dazzling, golden light, making the tower shine like the sun itself.

The Sun Sanctuary had always been the most vital hub of the front lines. With Patrick’s arrival, it regained its vigor. Having a mage stationed in the rear gave the ranger units suppressing the trolls at the front a sense of reassurance.

With Patrick’s arrival, merchants from Taquilin and the Andirlin estate came to the Sun Sanctuary. The presence of a mage ensured a degree of safety, and the many ranger units stationed here attracted businessmen. Among them were some of Patrick’s former comrades.

“Mage Edonis and Mage Candiris, what brings you two here?” Patrick asked in surprise.

“We heard the council’s news at the Eastern Sanctuary. To honor your contributions in the Battle of the Life Forest, the council has appointed you Chief Mage of the Sun Sanctuary. So Candiris and I came, hoping to learn arcane arts under your guidance,” Edonis said sincerely; both had journeyed from the Eastern Sanctuary to seek Patrick, hoping to become his followers.

“Your super magic—Arcane Particle—in the Life Forest astounded us. We believe you possess remarkable arcane skills and a precise path of study. It would be our honor to learn from you,” Candiris added, his expression deferential. Every elf pursues the arcane arts; every elven mage strives for higher mastery.

Patrick was delighted. “Welcome to you both.” He sorely needed capable hands; the vast Tower of Daylight had only himself, Yanida, and Quellintis. Aside from maintaining daily operations, they could do little else.

With Edonis and Candiris joining, the workload at the Tower of Daylight would ease, granting Patrick more time to devote himself to the study of arcane arts and the pursuit of higher mastery.