**[Scene: Library - Late Night]**

  The last ancient tome snapped shut with a puff of dust. Every single one bore the same name:

  *"Authored by Ryn Num"*

  [Kael's Thoughts] *"Who in Chrono's name is Ryn Num? No biographies, no historical records - just these impossibly detailed texts scattered across millennia..."*

  My eyes burned from hours of searching. Though I could function without sleep, even this body needed rest. The bedroom offered no answers - just a narrow cot and empty cabinet, a far cry from the library's grandeur.

  **[Sleep Preparation]**

  I lay down, dividing my unconscious mind like a general deploying troops:

  1. **First Division:** True sleep

  2. **Second Division:** Cellular repair

  3. **Third Division:** Sensory alertness

  Meanwhile, my conscious mind waged endless war in dreamscapes - battling assassins in marble halls and Abyss creatures in burning libraries.

  ---

  **[Scene: Morning Encounter]**

  Dawn came without incident. On my way to Count Pera, a blur of white robes crashed into me.

  [Kael] *"Are you okay?"*

  The girl looked up, her holy vestments embroidered with silver sigils. She couldn't have been older than sixteen.

  [Clara] *"Y-yes! Sorry! I was running to see the library - it's my first time outside the church since Bishop Henry adopted me!"*

  Her eyes shone like a child's on Winterfest morning.

  [Kael] *"I'm Kael Aldenis. New here as well."*

  [Clara] *"Clara! So do you want to be my first friend!"*

  [Kael]*"Gladly! Clara, if you want to know more about the library, you can ask about the dawaf near the counter. He is very kind and friendly."

  [Clara] "Okay. I'll be off for now, since I have to attend something important. See you later, Kael."

  [Kael] "See you, Clara."

  We parted with promises to meet again at her Spade Tower residence.

  As her figure disappeared between the bookshelves, I turned my attention to the towering structure ahead. The middle tower where I resided**the Glorious Tower**stood proudly in the centre.

  The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.

  But it wasn't alone.

  - **Spade Tower (North)**: Designed for offensive operations.

  - **Heart Tower (East)**: Handled general affairs and intelligence gathering.

  - **Clover Tower (South)**: Specialized in scouting and infiltration.

  - **Diamond Tower (West)**: Focused on defense and protection.

  Each tower was governed by a **Tower Master**, residing on the seventh floor. And today... I was about to meet them all.

  ---

  **The Gathering of Legends**

  I quickened my pace, finally arriving at Count Pera's side.

  [Kael] "I've finally come. Sorry for the delay. I encountered some matters on my way."

  [Count Pera] "No matter. I've already sent letters to the other Tower Masters via carrier pigeon. We're to convene at the seventh floor of the Glorious Tower."

  The meeting room at the heart of the seventh floor was nothing short of **magnificent**. Gilded chandeliers cast a warm glow over the polished mahogany table, where matters of grave importance were decided.

  [Count Pera] "We should head there first and await their arrival."

  [Kael] "Understood, Your Grace."

  Yet, when we entered, **three figures were already seated**.

  [Kael] *(...How?)*

  [Count Pera] *[Noticing my surprise.]* "It hasn't even been a minute since I dispatched the pigeons."

  [Kael] "Do you know how they got here, Your Grace?"

  [Count Pera] *[Sighing.]* "They're always like this. I've stopped questioning it."

  My eyes narrowed. The Chrono energy radiating from these individuals was **overwhelming**each one was, at minimum, a **pinnacle Chrono Grandmaster**.

  Then, **another presence manifested**.

  [Unknown] "Apologies for the delay. You may begin the meeting now."

  A white-haired elder materialized as if stepping from the air itself. In his hand, he held a caneyet the cane **never touched the ground** as he walked. The sheer pressure of his aura made my instincts scream: *This man is dangerous.*

  ----

  **A Meeting of Impatience**

  [Count Pera] "Now that all of you are present, let us begin. The purpose of this assembly is to introduce my new advisor."

  He gestured toward me.

  [Count Pera] "I grant him authority **second only to yours**. Inform your subordinates to treat him with due respect."

  A gray-haired man leaned back, visibly bored.

  [Gray-Haired Man] "Whatever. May I leave? My schedule is packed."

  A blue-haired man shot him a glare.

  [Blue-Haired Man] "At least hear his introduction."

  A green-haired figure scoffed.

  [Green-Haired Man] "This isn't the first time Count Pera has called a meeting to introduce some new advisor or accountant. And yet**none of them last**. They either die or flee. Why waste breath?"

  A red-haired woman twirled a lock of hair around her finger, eyeing me with mild interest.

  [Red-Haired Woman] "Let's make this quick."

  Meanwhile, the white-haired elder had already dozed off.

  [Gray-Haired Man] "Gramps, stop sleeping in meetings! Do that at home!"

  [White-Haired Elder] *[Yawning.]* "My apologies... My eyelids grow heavy every time these gatherings occur..."

  [Blue-Haired Man] *[Dryly.]* "This marks the **twentieth meeting** Count Pera has called for the same reason. Anyone would be drowsy."

  The red-haired woman's lips curled slightly as her gaze lingered on me.

  [Red-Haired Woman] "I'll allow it this time... **He's somewhat handsome**, at least."

  Realizing their collective impatience, I cut straight to the point.

  [Kael] "Since everyone is occupied, I'll keep this brief. My name is **Kael Aldenis**. I am Count Pera's newly appointed advisor. I appreciate your cooperation during my tenure."

  The moment the words left my mouth**they vanished**. Not a single trace remained.

  [Kael] *(...What just happened?)*

  Turning to Count Pera, I voiced my confusion.

  [Kael] "I'm new here. Might you enlighten me as to who they were, Your Grace?"

  [Count Pera] "Certainly. The blue-haired man is **Darien Frostvein**. The red-haired woman is **Valtira Rhyza**. The green-haired one is **Corvin Duskblade**, and the sleeping elder is **Aldric Dawnseal**."

  He folded his arms.

  [Count Pera] "They are the reason Rayford City remains untouched by evil creatures. These Tower Masters slaughter any fiend that dares approach our walls. To the citizens, they are **heroes**beloved and revered."

  [Count Pera] "Now that the meeting is concluded, you may begin your duties as advisor. You're dismissed."

  [Kael] "Thank you for your time, Your Grace."

  As I stepped out, my mind raced.

  *These are the people I'll be dealing with from now on...*

  And something told me **surviving among them** would be far harder than I'd imagined.

  ---