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Temperance: Coordination, Cooperation, Management, and Adaptation.

In the dim hallway, I rested on a pile of squid remains, watching that Snow kneel down to collect the adamantine cores—really, I should come up with something other than just "that Snow" to call him.

I'd thought of asking his name a few times, but even if he had any intention of replying, I lacked the courage to reveal my own identity first, making me give up every time. And now the tip of my tail had started to itch again.

"I should be heading back. Otherwise, the others will worry." I stood, confirming that I could easily extend my consciousness and navigate the domain. "You're not planning to keep it all to yourself, are you?" I joked, but the Snow's response was a baring of his canines in a grin that made my mouth twitch. "Half. No more," he shrugged. I optimistically took it as agreement.

I found Ariadne's thread on the ground, relieved that the engravings were still clear.

"Anyway," I said, bowing slightly after moving to stand beside him. "Thank you for your help; otherwise, I might've been stuck here a long time." If he hadn’t taken the tower's pressure off me with his domain, I had no idea how long I’d have needed to rest to regain the strength to return.

The Snow didn’t respond to my gratitude, so I turned, preparing to follow Ariadne's thread back out. Just as I lifted my foot, I sensed a small, light object tossed my way from the edge of my domain.

Compact and featherweight, encased in a thin, high-polymer film.

I reached out along its predicted trajectory, catching a small, silver-wrapped ration bar.

"Oh," I recognized it as a compressed ration, something some tower climbers carried, given how energy-intensive maintaining extended consciousness was. "Thanks."

I called out to the Snow's back, but he just waved a hand dismissively and continued digging through the squid remains, using his serrated dagger to pry out adamantine cores.

I wasn’t particularly hungry, and the main gate was only two floors away, so I slipped the ration into my pocket, following Ariadne’s thread toward the exit and pondering what the recent events might have revealed about the tower.

First, the tower’s "height" probably couldn’t be measured merely by counting the floors crossed. It made sense upon reflection since the altimeter was originally designed to assess domain strength.

Also, while it’s unclear what happens when multiple complete adamantine weapons are present, a complete adamantine weapon can stabilize the tower's manifested appearance.

So, did meeting that Snow indicate that we entered overlapping structures? Or was it some effect of Tel’aran’rhiod influencing the physical plane?

I slipped my hand into my pocket, gripping the ration bar.

Maybe I should find a few trustworthy sources to consult?

After all, information about the tower isn’t something that can usually be bought, no matter how many points you have. But after dealing with the Alchemy faction, I’ve started forming some ideas.

Ideas that maybe I’ve gained a more profound insight into the nature of transactions.

The ring-shaped archway at the tower side had several stone steps of the same material, giving footing to those attempting to cross.

Having traveled the route many times, I didn’t waste time hesitating, stepping through the archway’s twisted mirror-like membrane to return to the Academy.

"Richter!" Tanaka senpai looked greatly relieved when he saw me. "Are you alright?" The Thomson's gazelle walked up the slope, looking me up and down with a flickering gaze.

"Not a scratch." I reassured him, not wanting him to feel guilty. Honestly, if they'd stayed, they would’ve just been in the way. "And you? Any trouble leaving?"

"A junior slipped on the stairs, but nothing major," Tanaka senpai said, then joined me in explaining the latest developments to Mr. Cape, who handled the contract closure and Tanaka senpai’s extra overtime fees.

After parting with the Thomson's gazelle, I headed to the cafeteria, determined to quickly satisfy my basic needs, complete my tasks with maximum efficiency, and then take a direct route back to the loving embrace of my bed.

So I ordered an energy gel at the cafeteria terminal—a foil-wrapped gel that contains all the calories and nutrients for one meal. It’s popular among cadets looking to save time or point, though long-term use can harm the digestive system, leading to mucus membrane damage and reduced gastrointestinal motility.

"Vanguard's members were rushing around the halls frantically," a familiar deep voice said beside me as a tall figure approached. "Anyone not in the know might think you did something spectacular in the tower."

"Please, no more rumors." I sighed, realizing I'd subconsciously folded my arms across my chest. "We only climbed two flights, and then we were suddenly in the fiftieth, facing a swarm of squids." I briefly explained the situation, and the Altai Wapiti listened while ordering at the terminal. "By the way, did you know that a complete adamantine weapon can stabilize the tower’s appearance?"

"Oh, I’ve heard similar rumors," Kotetsu senpai mused, tapping his chin. "Generally, they say that a complete adamantine weapon is the true key to the tower, able to unlock specific areas. Meanwhile, the 'keys' the Academy provides are closer to hacking tools, allowing access to random locations in an unstable state."

"So what happens if there are two or more complete adamantine weapons at once?" I pictured two keys trying to fit into a single lock.

"There are so few holders of complete adamantine weapons that I haven’t heard of such a case," he replied.

"Hasn’t anyone been curious enough to try it?" I asked, but he just shrugged. I had to accept that not everyone is willing to risk “horrific accidents” for the sake of knowledge. "And what about floor height jumping like that? Even if the tower's structure changes, it should follow certain rules, right?"

"I don't know," the Altai Wapiti shook his head lightly. "All I can say is that the domain strengthens the higher the floor, but the specifics are unclear."

"Hm…" I couldn’t hide my disappointment, hoping for at least some insight or a theory. "Thanks. I’ll ask around more."

"You faced the fiftieth-floor squid swarm alone and came out unscathed." Kotetsu senpai finished his order and reattached the terminal to his arm. "How did you manage that?"

"Technically, I wasn’t ‘alone.’" I patted the hilt of Gray Snow, who pulsed back with a steady resonance. "I picked a narrow hallway to funnel the squids, then used resonance for a sweeping strike, mowing them down in one go."

"That must’ve been quite a haul," Altai Wapiti remarked. "Did you count how many there were?"

"A little over thirty, but I didn’t count exactly." I tilted my head, realizing it might've been good to keep track. But that Snow wouldn't cheat me; he could handle a horde alone without resorting to tricks.

"Complete adamantine weapons…" Kotetsu senpai murmured, glancing at my longsword.

"Do you always use the Academy-issued ones?" I knew that most climbers rented weapons crafted by Master Tartarus, the primary source of adamantine weaponry for tower climbers.

"The Federation has a few within the Academy, and I'm on the authorized list." His tone turned almost muttering as he eyed the energy gel in my hand. "But I can never get used to them."

I knew Kotetsu senpai, like other herbivores, always climbed the tower in teams, so his records weren’t particularly notable for floor height.

"If you could forge one, what style would you choose?" I pictured a few blade types steeped in Federation traditions but held back from assuming.

"Dreaming about such impractical things is pointless. I nearly failed the Basics of Dominate—Smithing." His tone turned irritated, making me instinctively lower my ears and snout, looking down. "When I applied to the beginner course this year, Master Tartarus even hinted I should reconsider."

After a moment, perhaps realizing his tone, he sighed and resumed.

"And you?" He gestured to Gray Snow. "Why choose a longsword?"

"Mainly because it fits well—the length and flexibility match my needs and style." I twisted off the gel cap and took a long sip. "In hindsight, maybe some sense of identity drew me to it," I joked, earning no reaction from Kotetsu senpai. Gray Snow, however, pulsed with a steady rhythm.

"What did the fiftieth floor look like?" Kotetsu senpai asked, and I described the environment, particularly the gray-striped wall patterns. He listened intently, occasionally checking his order status on the terminal.

"Oh, time to go." I disposed of the empty package, bidding Kotetsu senpai farewell. "I need some rest; today was exhausting."

"Hey," he called out as I paused, tilting my head and folding down my right ear. "Did you look at the material I sent you?"

"Yeah," I scratched my now-warm ear, trying to respond vaguely. "Just…some parts I don’t fully…uh, understand." Talking about this here felt odd, even if no one else could understand our topic.

"Then perhaps we could find some time for a proper ‘explanation,’" Altai Wapiti tilted his head, giving me a sidelong glance. "After all, we do need to go over the finer details if you're agreeable," he added finally.

"Uh..." I was pretty sure no one was paying attention to us—after all, I’d just checked the area—but I still couldn’t stop the flush of heat rising to my ears. "Sure."

"All right, then." With that, Altai Wapiti went to retrieve his meal, while I tried my best to head toward the kitchen sliding door without looking as if I were escaping.