Chapter 636: Dawn Breaks

The Mage Tower.

In the Magic Academy, Cris Truth was instructing Lucy and Lily.

This pair of twin girls were magical talents identified by the Smoke Mission, and Liszt had specifically arranged for them to study at the Magic Academy. Living up to his expectations, the two quickly developed an affinity for magic, standing out among their peers.

They caught Cris’s attention and were officially accepted as magic apprentices.

Cris had even declared repeatedly: "Once they grow, they will become my successors, continuing my path to explore more truths!"

At that moment, a magic apprentice hurried over: "Dean Cris, the Lord has returned and is now at the Magic Academy. He requests your presence."

"The Lord is back already?" Cris was surprised. In previous years, the Expansion Decree hadn't even begun by this time, yet this year it had already concluded.

However, she didn’t hesitate, motioning for the twins to practice the fireball spell on their own.

She then hurried to the Mage Tower’s first-floor Magic Academy. As she descended the stairs, she saw a group inspecting the academy. Leading them, surrounded by attendants, was the tall, handsome young man—Viscount of Black Horse Island, Liszt Tulip—who made her feel safe, warm, and infatuated.

Though she had vowed to dedicate her life to truth, ordinary emotions still swayed her, making her involuntarily captivated and enchanted by Liszt.

"Viscount."

"Madam Dean."

A brief greeting was all that was needed.

Liszt directly stated his purpose: "This year's Expansion Decree has concluded. I captured three great magicians who couldn’t afford their ransom, so they agreed to serve me. I plan to assign them to the Mage Tower to work under your direction."

The three great magicians pulled their hoods lower.

Being captured was always awkward, especially since they would now have to answer to a great magician as young as her. They didn’t discriminate against women—just age. After all, each of the three was over forty, while Cris was only in her late twenties.

Cris glanced at the three great magicians and nodded. "I’ll assign them suitable tasks."

Liszt then turned to the three and warned them: "Your freedom will certainly be restricted. Leaving the Mage Tower grounds will require submitting an application. You are not to conduct any research outside the topics assigned by Cris without permission—though you may submit proposals for your own projects. Additionally, you will also be responsible for some teaching duties."

Liszt never fully trusted magicians, so he intended to enforce strict institutional management to guide them toward scholarly research.

This approach actually suited the temperament of magicians—those willing to dedicate themselves to truth inherently possessed a scientist’s mindset.

By providing them with comfortable living conditions, he believed these magicians would eventually adapt to the future he had arranged for them.

The Mage Tower had servants assigned to tend to them.

Their living quarters were quickly arranged.

Meanwhile, Liszt continued introducing others to Cris: "These five are my blood-bound servants. You may have heard of the legendary profession of vampires—they are vampires... Mary can assist you in managing the Mage Tower. Though they’ve been vampires for years, they’ve retained some of their magical knowledge."

"Lady Cris, it’s a pleasure to meet you. We should converse at length when time permits," Bloody Mary said warmly.

Cris nodded, though her response was cool.

These sudden arrivals—magicians and vampires—would take time for her to adjust to. Originally, she had been the only great magician in the Mage Tower, relied upon by all and free to act as she pleased. Now, not only were there three more great magicians, but also several vampires.

Especially the leading vampire, who gave her a strong sense of threat—supposedly here to assist in managing the Mage Tower, but who knew if she wasn’t actually here to seize power?

In truth,

Liszt did indeed have the idea of letting Bloody Mary take over some authority in the Mage Tower. It wasn’t just because her heart was in his possession, ensuring loyalty, but also because he believed Cris was better suited as a scholar than an administrator—she lacked the vampires’ cunning.

However, he did not truly understand Cris.

After a brief moment of uncertainty, Cris quickly began her "power play." In front of Liszt, she said, "Lord Viscount, I believe names like Bloody Mary and Scarlet Peggy are really out of place for the harmonious atmosphere of the Mage Tower. Calling them that in front of young apprentices is quite inappropriate."

Bloody Mary and the others immediately narrowed their eyes.

To propose renaming them to their faces was undoubtedly a show of authority.

Liszt couldn’t help but see Cris in a new light. Having long held a high position, he knew a thing or two about politics and naturally recognized that Cris was using the name change to establish authority.

He was pleased to see this. A politically savvy Cris would better balance the power dynamics within the Mage Tower. "You’ve got a point. Words like 'bloody,' 'blood,' and 'fangs' are indeed inappropriate. So, Mary, what do you think about changing your name?"

Bloody Mary smiled and replied, "Whatever you say, Lord."

"Then let it be so. Mages take 'Truth' as their surname, while vampires are united by their lineage... In the Black Knight family, you were bats lurking in the darkness. Here, you will see the light. How about 'Dawnbreak' for your surname?"

"Thank you, Lord, for giving us this new surname. From now on, I shall be Mary Dawnbreak." Bloody Mary said cheerfully.

She may not have actually liked the surname "Dawnbreak," but since it was granted by the Lord, it carried special significance.

Though Cris had asserted her authority through the name change, Mary also seized the opportunity to gain new trust—giving a surname was a sign of trust.

So, she turned and smiled at Cris. "Mary Dawnbreak greets Cris Truth once again."

Cris didn’t react. "Hey, Mary Dawnbreak."

...

The vampires went to sort out their rooms.

Liszt and Cris entered her workshop alone, where stacks of finished magic potions were piled up—all Cris’s hard work over the past month.

Starved of magic potions, Liszt urgently needed these to nourish his parched cells.

"You've worked hard, Cris."

"It is my duty."

After a moment of thought, Liszt spoke gently again, "The Mage Tower bears your name. Mary and the others are merely temporary residents here. Their skills are better suited for battlefield reconnaissance. Don’t overthink it. These mages need you to manage them well on my behalf."

"Lord Viscount, I understand your arrangements and am willing to dedicate myself to managing the Mage Tower for you."

"Good."