At level 2, Void Storage could analyze items Yuto had acquired when he stored them, displaying the resulting information in a description window.

[Void Claw (Right).]

[Grade: E.]

[Evomon-exclusive equipment.]

[A gauntlet-type item worn on an Evomon’s right hand. Increases the wearer’s aether recovery rate and enhances attacks that use aether.]

[Its grade increases and additional abilities unlock as the bond with the partner deepens.]

[Collect all Void equipment to unlock an exclusive skill.]

Yuto smiled as he read the description of the gauntlet he had placed in Void Storage. He had been told he was not the only one who could grow stronger and earn rewards in this tower. Just as he had thought, the gauntlet was a reward prepared for Flokiro.

‘Since the Void created this tower, did it design the rewards too?’

The increased aether recovery rate was easy enough to understand, but the description alone did not explain exactly what enhancing attacks that used aether meant. Rather than dwell on it, Yuto took out the Void Claw and set it down in front of Flokiro.

“It is an item just for you, after all. Try it on.”

The gauntlet was enormous, having been worn on the monster’s right hand, but when Flokiro slipped his right hand inside, it miraculously shrank to fit him perfectly. His eyes gleamed as he raised it.

FWOOSH!

Purple markings appeared on the gauntlet. At the same time, Status Window messages appeared before Yuto and Flokiro.

[Void Claw has advanced from Grade E to Grade D.]

[Additional Void equipment is required to advance to Grade C.]

[Void Claw’s ability has been unlocked.]

[Void Blade imbues the Void Claw.]

“Oh...”

Flokiro’s eyes sparkled. He immediately raised the Void Claw over his head and poured aether into it.

FWOOSH!

Pitch-black claws extended from the gauntlet, just as they had when the monster used it earlier. As Flokiro concentrated, the black claws honed themselves to an even sharper edge. Void Blade, one of Yuto’s Void Skills, had imbued them. Flokiro swung the claws in wonder.

SHRACK!

Though it had been only a light swing, deep gouges appeared in the ground where the claws passed. This was the power of Void Blade, which cut through its targets regardless of their defenses.

“It burns through aether.”

After a few swings, Flokiro deactivated Void Blade.

SCRAAAPE!

Even without the blade, the claws remained plenty sharp and powerful. After slashing the ground a few more times, he conjured flames in his bare left hand.

The same bright red flames he always used flickered above his left palm. When he concentrated harder, darkness gradually began spreading through them.

Flokiro’s flames used aether as fuel.

FWOOSH!

The flames he hurled from his left hand swept across the floor. As an “enhanced” attack, they burned more fiercely than usual and did not immediately die out.

“I’m stronger...!”

Flokiro wagged his tail, his face radiant. Being able to keep pace with Yuto made him genuinely happy. Yuto smiled and stroked his head.

“It said collecting all the Void equipment would unlock an exclusive skill. We should find more equipment as we climb the tower.”

The description said its grade would rise and additional abilities would unlock as the bond with the partner deepened. But having already spent one lifetime together, Yuto and Flokiro shared a bond as deep as it could possibly be.

‘It isn’t a weak bond that’s keeping the equipment’s grade from rising.’

Once they acquired another piece of equipment, the gauntlet’s grade would rise immediately.

They had finished inspecting the new item, and all that remained in the clearing was a firmly shut door. With plenty of time left before dinner, Yuto and Flokiro opened it.

“Congratulations on clearing Floor 0.”

Beyond the door was a room resembling a dungeon’s waiting room. Seated on a plush sofa, Elun clapped with her usual disinterested expression.

“It took you about an hour. And Floor 0 is practically a tutorial.”

“Would we have gotten an extra reward for getting here faster?”

“No. But if you had considered how I felt waiting here, you would have hurried.”

As she spoke, Elun looked at Flokiro.

“The beast has acquired new claws. All of this is the Void’s mercy. Bow your head and give thanks to the Void.”

“Thank you.”

Innocent Flokiro obediently bowed his head and thanked the Void. Watching him with a self-important air, Elun nodded.

“The Void accepts your thanks. Yuto, why aren’t you bowing?”

“Thanks.”

“What an insolent attitude. The Void will be angered by your impiety.”

“Did the Void really say that?”

“The Void... No, it did not. I cannot hear its voice right now.”

Elun furrowed her brows and concentrated for a moment, then shook her head.

“The information that has come to you is the same as before. This tower is for you and the beast.”

“How many floors does the tower have?”

“I do not... know exactly. But this tower exists because you need it. The moment you no longer need it will be its end.”

The Tower of the Void existed to help Yuto grow. Floor 0 had rewarded them with an item for Flokiro, and there was a good chance rewards for Yuto awaited on the higher floors.

‘The moment I no longer need the tower... Does that mean when I’ve finished growing?’

He could not know for certain what the end of his growth meant, or where its ultimate destination lay. Even Elun, the Void’s agent, did not know its will in full.

“Once you leave this room, Floor 1 begins. That is where the tower truly starts.”

Elun pointed to the door on the opposite side.

“You may have cleared Floor 0 without difficulty, but things will be different from Floor 1 onward. Clearing it in an hour will be impossible.”

“I’m not planning to go in now.”

Yuto dropped onto an empty sofa.

“Honestly, I’m mentally exhausted.”

Going straight from the virtual space to the Tower of the Void had overworked his mind. Even dreams were grueling when they came in such an intense succession.

“I should head out and get some real sleep. I can leave, right?”

“If that is what you wish.”

The moment Elun gave permission, Yuto closed his eyes and thought of leaving the tower. That alone made his consciousness feel as though it were floating upward. His senses gradually faded, and true sleep came.

Yuto and Flokiro vanished from the room, but Elun remained instead of leaving immediately. Sitting on the sofa, she twisted a lock of hair around her finger and looked up at the ceiling.

“... O Void. What do you desire? For what purpose have you gone so far as to prepare this tower?”

Elun was the Void’s agent, but she did not know everything about it. The only information she received was what the Void permitted her to know.

“If there is something I must know and convey...”

Elun murmured, then shook her head.

An agent was only an agent. It was for the Void to decide when to express and convey its will. For Elun to request it herself would be overstepping her place.

“How unlike me.”

With a soft sigh, Elun closed her eyes.

* * *

6 p.m.

Though he had not set an alarm, Yuto’s eyes opened on their own. After stretching out on the sofa, he shook Flokiro awake beside him.

“Mmm...”

Flokiro smacked his lips, then opened his eyes wide. After gazing blankly at Yuto for a moment, he startled and raised his right hand.

“My gauntlet!”

He had definitely been wearing it in the Tower of the Void, but now his right hand was bare. Instead, something resembling an unfamiliar crest marked the fur on the back of his hand.

“Don’t tell me I can only use it inside the tower?”

“That can’t be right. There’s no point getting stronger only in our dreams.”

Yuto sounded a little flustered himself.

“Focus on the crest and pour aether into it.”

The voice came from across from them. Elun was rubbing her eyes, as though she had been asleep along with them.

FWOOSH!

When Flokiro poured aether into it as instructed, the crest shone and the gauntlet appeared. Beaming, he flexed his gauntleted fingers.

“Is it uncomfortable?”

“Not at all. It isn’t very heavy, either...”

When he withdrew his aether, the gauntlet turned back into a crest. Grinning, Flokiro spread his right hand for Yuto to see.

“I can just bring it out when we fight, right?”

“Don’t bring it out too often while we’re at the academy. There won’t be many fights that call for it anyway. Even if you do have to use the gauntlet, don’t use any Void Skills.”

“Got it.”

Chuckling, Flokiro summoned and dismissed the gauntlet several more times.

While he did that, Yuto got off the sofa and headed to the bathroom to get ready for dinner with Levian.

After a quick shower, he changed into his academy uniform. There was no need to wear it outside class, but even in his previous life, Yuto had favored his uniform during his time at the academy.

“Let’s get going.”

It was 6:40 p.m. Though they were early, Yuto, Flokiro, and Elun left the dormitory and headed to the meeting place.

“You’re early.”

Levian was already waiting for them. She, too, wore her uniform despite having no particular need to.

At Maria Academy, tie and scarf colors distinguished the students’ years. As a first-year, Yuto wore blue, while Levian, a second-year, wore red. She chuckled at his blue tie.

“Seeing you in uniform really brings home that you’re my junior. I trust you’re ready to address me as your senior?”

“Of course, my esteemed senior Levian.”

Yuto gave her a small bow with a smirk, making her laugh a little louder.

“Hearing you call me that feels so strange. Hmm, I’ll make a special exception and let you drop the ‘senior.’”

“Wasn’t that what you wanted, my esteemed senior Levian?”

“Please, please stop calling me that. And stop being so formal. It’s embarrassing.”

Levian let out a deep sigh and slapped his shoulder.

“I’m already worried about classes. Since I’m repeating the year... I’ll be in the same year as last year’s juniors, won’t I? They’re bound to feel awkward around me.”

“Weren’t you pretty well liked at the academy?”

“Of course I was, but that doesn’t mean I was an approachable, caring senior. I was actually very strict and intimidating. It feels odd saying this myself, but I was someone the younger students looked up to as well.”

Levian was not one to boast, so it was probably true. After all, she was the daughter of House Marigold, which could practically be called the owner of Merchant City.

Every student at Maria Academy was a noble, but even among nobles, there were differences in standing. On top of that, Levian was an outstanding student who had never lost her place at the top of the healing magic department. She would have been a well-known figure admired by her classmates as well as the younger students.

“Hello, Senior Levian!”

“Miss Levian! You really are back!”

And indeed she was. On their way to the communal dining hall a short distance from the dormitory, every student they encountered greeted Levian first.

They greeted her, but none approached. That was because of Yuto at her side. Every student at the academy had watched his aether projection during the unprecedented entrance exam, and everyone knew he had been the first to pass.

Impressive as that was, Yuto was a pauper. Before its supremacy of ability came Maria Academy’s underlying supremacy of class. Regardless of his abilities, the oh-so-distinguished upper-year nobles found his lowly status itself distasteful and kept their distance.

But they did not lose interest.

The high-and-mighty noble students rarely used the communal dining hall, but today a considerable number had gathered there to see Levian and the much-talked-about new student. They sat a short distance from Yuto and Levian’s group, stealing glances at their table.

“Yuto, are you all right?”

“I’m fine.”

Yuto picked up the menu, looking unconcerned.

“Leave them alone and they’ll lose interest on their own.”

As he spoke, Yuto lifted his eyes from the menu. He had sensed someone striding toward them.

“May I sit here?”

Aizen Carte.

Dressed in a first-year’s uniform, he pointed to an empty seat at the table as he asked.