The next morning, Colin washed up, bought a wrap, and headed toward the Black Tower, eating as he went.

He stopped by a random Caster supply shop and bought some distilled spirits.

Since the bear gallbladder could only be used as a folk remedy, Colin wondered if he could infuse it in alcohol. ’In a way, that would count as a kind of "folk remedy" too,’ he thought.

After finishing his shopping, he asked a few passersby for directions and quickly found the Overseas Coffee Shop Morel had mentioned. 𝙧𝙚𝙚𝔀𝒆𝓫𝓷𝙤𝓿𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝙤𝓶

The little shop was tucked away in a corner on one of the streets surrounding the Black Tower. The storefront looked small and old. Only ten people could sit at the bar, and behind it stood two baristas.

Judging by their complexions, they must have come from somewhere far to the south.

"A cup of coffee."

"One Silver Coin, respected sir."

Colin sat at the bar and handed the coin to the barista.

After taking the coin, the southerner handed Colin a fist-sized cup. He then picked up a long-handled copper pot with a narrow spout, added water, coffee grounds, and powdered sugar, and set it over a charcoal fire to heat slowly.

Coffee-colored foam soon bubbled up in the copper pot.

The barista lifted the copper pot. Once the foam subsided, he continued to heat it.

When the foam rose a second time, he lifted the pot again, used a long-handled spoon to scoop the foam into Colin’s cup, and then poured in the coffee.

’I wonder what this kind of coffee tastes like,’ Colin mused. He had only ever had instant coffee before.

Just then, Morel’s voice came from behind him.

"You’re here early."

The Mage was still wearing the same robe as before, the creases from sleep still visible on his face. It was obvious he’d just woken up.

He sat down next to Colin, handed the barista a Silver Coin, and ordered a coffee for himself.

"I was free anyway." Colin glanced back at the clock tower. It was only half-past eight.

Morel yawned. "Well, we’ll have to wait a while then. Those Black Tower Mages are a punctual lot. They’re never late, but they’re never early either."

"Then why are you early?"

"I’m no proper Black Tower Mage, just a ’sword-and-club-swinging upstart’."

"Good, then I can enjoy this coffee in peace," Colin said.

Once the coffee had cooled a bit, he picked up the cup and took a sip.

The coffee was very rich, probably because it was brewed directly from the grounds.

He could feel some of the fine grounds on his tongue. After he swallowed, a faint sweetness from the powdered sugar lingered.

Just as Colin pursed his lips, planning to spit out the dregs, Morel’s voice cut in from his side. "Make sure you swallow the grounds. They’re good for you."

After swallowing the dregs, Colin asked, "Do you drink coffee often?"

"Don’t let my current state fool you. When I was just starting out, I worked much harder than you," Morel said.

"So you *are* aware of what a mess you look like," Colin said. "If you hadn’t mentioned the other day that the work came from Edwin, I would have turned it down. I had a feeling you’d get me killed."

"You’ve got a real nasty mouth on you," Morel retorted.

After a little while, the clock tower bells rang.

Just as the bells began to ring, an old man in a fiery red Magic Robe with a white handlebar mustache walked over, sat down beside Morel, and handed the barista a Silver Coin.

"I’ve told you many times, I prefer coffee shops with a bit more refinement. Can we please stop coming here?" the old man said to Morel with a sigh. "The coffee at the other place has cardamom and cinnamon. The flavor is far more complex."

"Forgive this cheapskate." Morel drained his third cup of coffee. "I don’t have the spare coin for refined coffee."

The old man snapped his fingers.

His tone grew serious. "Let’s get down to business."

"This is the one Edwin wanted you to meet."

"You know, Morel, the number of auditors the Black Tower accepts each year is limited. I can’t make any guarantees about the outcome."

Rune continued, emphasizing his point, "Every ounce of the Black Tower’s Power is reserved for cultivating talent and resisting our enemies. You, of all people, should know that."

"Save those reasons for Edwin," Morel said, waving a hand dismissively.

"I will."

With that, the Mage professor turned to Colin.

"Colin, correct?" the old man said. "I am Rune, the ’Red Robe,’ a professor from the School of Evocation."

"It’s an honor to meet you, Professor Rune." Colin nodded in greeting.

He noticed the baristas nearby had no reaction to their conversation—absolutely none at all.

Based on the topic of their conversation, Colin surmised that the Mage professor had likely cast some kind of Magic to influence those around them.

’He must have cast the Magic when he snapped his fingers, but there wasn’t any ripple in the Magic Net... or maybe I just didn’t feel it,’ Colin thought.

"Disregard the idle chat between the two of us just now. I want you to calm yourself, lest it affect your present state."

Rune’s gaze fell upon the Chest Armor Colin was wearing.

He asked, "You’ve specifically trained to cast while armored, correct?"

"Yes. At first, it was just because I was afraid of taking a stray arrow or something during an adventure," Colin said.

"Frankly, that wasn’t a very wise decision," Rune commented. "Casting in armor is far more difficult than Casting in a Magic Robe. It’s like wearing sandbags on a battlefield. For a beginner to attempt it is simply suicidal."

’If I hadn’t obtained that Specialty, I probably wouldn’t be doing this either.’

While thinking this, Colin replied, "I guess you could say I got lucky."

"I see. Now, cast your Magic on me. Use the spell you are most proficient with."

Colin glanced at Morel, but the other man gave no sign, apparently giving his silent consent.

’The Magic I’m most proficient with...’

Colin thought for a moment. If he had to name his most proficient Magic, it would undoubtedly be Flaming Arrow, which both he and his body’s previous owner had practiced countless times.

With that in mind, he raised his hand toward Rune and began to chant, starting the Casting process.

Yet, in the instant the Magic was about to complete, Rune snapped his fingers again.

In that moment, Colin felt his connection to the Magic Net sever instantly. The environment was suddenly void of any energy he could draw upon, just like it had been before he’d crossed over to this world.

’Is this the so-called Counterspell?’

Colin had read about it in books. It was a Tier Three Magic; any spell of that Magic Tier or lower would be instantly nullified, causing the Casting to fail.

The book’s description of this spell had also specifically mentioned the concept of "Rising Tier Spellcasting."

This meant a Tier One Magic could be cast with the Spiritual Power equivalent to a Tier Two Magic. Most spells, when cast using Rising Tier Spellcasting, gained enhanced effects, such as increased Damage or a larger area of effect.

The effect of Rising Tier Spellcasting on Counterspell was that it could nullify even High Tier Magic.

Just as Colin thought the Casting had failed and was processing the sensation of his Magic being interrupted, a searing Flame suddenly shot from his hand, flying straight toward Rune.