The Calone family mansion.
After her meeting with Merlin, Jane remained in her room, searching for something—anything—that might serve as a suitable gift for him.
"…I can't possibly give him my makeup."
"…And my entire wardrobe wouldn't suit him either."
Jane frowned in frustration as she looked over her treasured possessions. Though each item she owned was valuable, they were little more than frivolous luxuries—things unfit to be given to Merlin, and lacking any true meaning for him.
Nearby, a maid stood quietly at her side, wearing a puzzled expression.
"Miss, may I ask what you are looking for?" the maid asked respectfully.
"I'm looking for a valuable gift," Jane replied briefly, continuing to rummage through the drawers of her desk.
"A gift? If I may ask, who is it for, Miss?" the maid inquired.
"You don't need to know."
The maid froze for a moment, taken aback by Jane's curt response.
"My apologies for my insolence," she said quickly, placing a hand over her chest and bowing.
Hearing the apology, Jane immediately realized she had spoken too harshly to someone who had always treated her kindly.
"…Perhaps," Jane said after a pause, "do you have any suggestions for a gift suitable for a boy around fifteen years old?"
Caught off guard, the maid thought carefully.
"A boy… In my experience, boys tend to like things that are a little challenging—things that give them a sense of power," the maid replied.
Jane smiled faintly at the corner of her lips. The description fit her two older brothers perfectly.
From a young age, both had been trained by the Calone family to become Climbers. Power had always been their pursuit, their means of reaching ever higher floors of the Tower of Gods.
Her eldest brother, Oliver Calone, was especially notable—a prodigy among Climbers. At just twenty-three years old, he had already reached the fourth floor of the Tower of Gods. His strength had become a new pillar for the Calone family, marking him as the future head of the household.
Unlike Oliver, who possessed natural leadership qualities, her second brother, Nero Calone, was a Climber known for chaos. He preferred fighting alone, acting on impulse, and leaving turmoil in his wake on every floor he climbed.
While Nero walked his own destructive path, Oliver chose cooperation, forming an expedition group known as Wolf Hunger and becoming its leader.
As these thoughts crossed her mind, Jane suddenly realized something.
Merlin had not yet entered the academy. He might need preparation—just as her brothers had been trained by their father before entering theirs.
At that moment, an idea struck her.
"…I need to meet Father," Jane said softly.
She quickly tidied up the items she had scattered around the room and hurried toward her father's chambers.
The hallway of the Calone mansion was vast and immaculate. The polished floor reflected one's own image clearly, while luxurious vases lined the corridor and exquisite paintings adorned the walls.
Jane quickened her pace until she reached a door that stood apart from the rest.
It was made of finely carved wood, its intricate patterns flowing with deliberate precision. Jane carefully knocked twice.
"Father, it's me," she called.
"Come in, my child," came a dignified, weighty voice from beyond the door.
Jane slowly opened it and stepped inside.
Within the room stood a man with broad shoulders and a firm posture. His face bore the marks of age, yet his black hair remained mostly untouched—save for a single streak of white along the side. His sharp eyes focused on the papers atop his desk before shifting toward Jane through blue-black tinted glasses.
"What brings my beautiful daughter here?" he asked.
His authoritative voice echoed in Jane's ears. Though he was her father, the overwhelming presence he exuded could be felt by anyone who stood before the head of the Calone family.
Quinos Calone, Head of the Calone Family, Climber of the Seventh Floor.
"I wish to claim a promise," Jane said nervously, "as a daughter of the Calone family."
"Hmmm…" A low vibration escaped Quinos' lips.
"Jane, didn't you once say you had no interest in that?"
"You chose a different path from your brothers and decided to become a mage."
"I respected your choice," he continued, his voice growing heavier, "but now you wish to claim the Calone family's treasure? Have you become indecisive?"
Each word carried pressure, imbued with his authority. Disappointment seeped through his tone.
The Calone family's treasure was the Lightning Breakthrough Aura—a technique used to awaken Aura through brutal physical training. Jane had once declined it due to her frail constitution, choosing the path of magic instead.
Unlike conventional magic, Lightning Breakthrough Aura relied entirely on the body. It forged devastating destructive power through lightning-based force, requiring no Mana whatsoever. That was what made it the Calone family's signature technique—it could be used anytime, anywhere, regardless of one's condition.
"…No, Father," Jane said firmly. "I want it in a different form."
"???"
"I want the physical book—the manual. I want to study it," she said.
For generations, Lightning Breakthrough Aura had been taught orally. Few within the Calone family had ever cared for books; they preferred hands-on instruction over written manuals.
Jane was different.
As a mage, books were her foundation. Every principle of magic she had learned was recorded in text, making a written manual invaluable to her.
Hearing her request, Quinos paused.
"…To think that after so many generations, someone would ask for a written manual of Lightning Breakthrough Aura," he said, breaking into a smile.
His earlier disappointment vanished, replaced by pride.
"Very well," Quinos said warmly.
Jane blinked in surprise. Seeing her stern father smile so openly was rare.
"Come with me," Quinos said, rising from his seat and walking toward the place where the manual was kept.
Jane followed, unable to suppress her joy. Her father had granted her wish—and with it, she had found the perfect gift.