The Extra's Rise

Chapter 158 Tower of Magic Conference (4)

I stepped forward, the weight of the moment settling over me like a cloak. The judges, who had been ruthless in their critiques thus far, watched with a mix of expectation and skepticism. The presentation console flickered to life as I placed my hand on it, revealing the title of my re

I nodded.

The lead judge, who had torn apart every other presentation, finally spoke, her voice composed but filled with weight. "Your research has changed the fundamental understanding of necromantic construction."

Then she sighed, rubbing her temples. "As much as I hate to say it, we're going to have to forward this directly to the senior research panel."

A ripple of shock passed through the hall.

This was unprecedented.

My submission had skipped past the junior section entirely.

I had bypassed the intended level and been pushed up to the main research discussion.

The lead judge let out a slow breath, before giving the final verdict.

"Accepted. Without question."

Applause erupted.

I exhaled slowly, letting the weight of that moment sink in.

Cecilia leaned in, whispering just loud enough for me to hear. "Damn, Nightingale. You really do love ruining expectations, don't you?"

I just smiled, stepping down from the podium, my mind still processing everything.

"Well done, Arthur," Professor Gravemore said, his voice carrying a rare note of pride. "As expected, your research is exceptional. The Tower of Magic will be desperate to get their hands on it. After all, it allows them to propel necromantic research forward—maybe even close the gap with the Ebony Tower of the Western Continent."

I nodded, but deep down, my heart was pounding.

The problem wasn't the success.

It was how I'd achieved it.

I had no memory of the moment I figured out the new tri-binding method. The recollection was simply gone, as if it had been plucked from my mind. And it wasn't just that.

I had done more than refine an existing process.

I had changed the fundamental nature of the Source itself.

I had somehow elevated the Basilisk's soul—an impossible feat—turning my Lich into an Ancient Undead, a true sentient being rather than just an advanced construct. A feat that should have been impossible. A feat that had only ever existed in theory.

Only Professor Gravemore and I knew this.

And even he didn't understand how I had done it.

I exhaled slowly, keeping my expression neutral as I turned to Cecilia.

"Cecilia," I whispered, my tone accusatory.

She smirked, already knowing where I was going with this. "What?"

"Did you have to bully the other students like this?" I asked, voice flat.

Her smirk widened. "Absolutely."

I sighed. "You stacked the judges, didn't you?"

"What do you mean?" she said, tilting her head, playing innocent.

I narrowed my eyes. "You used your influence to get the harshest, most cutthroat panel possible."

"Of course I did," she said, laughing. "Did you see their faces when their research got shredded? It was hilarious."

I groaned. "You're unbelievable."

"And," she continued, completely ignoring me, "now that your research was deemed worthy, it was automatically submitted to the senior conference because of the stacked judge panel."

That made me pause.

Cecilia's smirk deepened. "You know who oversees the senior conference?"

I didn't answer, but my mind was already racing.

"The Tower Master," Cecilia revealed, her voice dripping with satisfaction. "The strongest spellcaster in the world. Archmage Charlotte Alaric."

I gulped.

Archmage Charlotte Alaric. The pinnacle of human spellcasting. Rank 3 in the world. The woman who had rewritten half of the modern magical theories that we studied today.

The Tower Master herself would now be reading my work.

Cecilia stepped closer, her expression turning serious. "This is important for you, Arthur," she said quietly. "She may not be a necromancer or a dark mage, but she still has interest in those fields. And what you've done here? It changes things. Not just for you. For the entire field of necromancy."

I didn't respond immediately, my thoughts churning.

Because she was right.

This was far bigger than just an academic exercise.

This was exposure. This was a direct invitation into the eyes of the most powerful mages in the world.

And, more importantly—

Cecilia's voice dropped lower, her smile fading. "You realize what this means, don't you?"

I met her gaze.

"In the future," she said, her crimson eyes gleaming, "even the Ebony Tower and the West will be after your research."

I clenched my jaw.

She was right.