Endless Debt Chapter 1135: Prologue: The Door

Ascending through profound passageways, adorned with a succession of arches, Hill observed as radiant light gradually descended from above, banishing the deep gloom and pervasive chill.

A glance upward revealed Hill's presence within a magnificent Central Courtyard. This typically symmetrical space was encircled by four corridors, each supporting lofty arched ceilings and projecting upper floors.

The architectural style bore its characteristic slender, sinuous, and embellished aesthetics. Rows of elevated arched supports lined the corridors, crafting an intricate arcade. Beneath these, long expanses of windows, decorated with wrought iron flora, stained glass, and ornamental details, presented a uniquely artistic facade.

The resonance of countless footsteps emanated from every direction as numerous apprentices, much like Hill, converged upon the Central Courtyard. Their movements amplified and echoed repeatedly within the peculiar acoustics of the corridors.

Many of the younger apprentices would hesitate at the turns, disoriented by the building's complex layout. Hill initially experienced the same, necessitating his departure from home much earlier each day to preemptively navigate the maze and avoid becoming lost.

Hill pressed onward. Apart from the scholarly figures engaged in their work, a multitude of laborers were actively engaged, diligently executing updates to the structure according to schematics provided by the scholars.

It remained a mystery what kind of edifice the Grand Tutor envisioned. Ever since Hill was accepted as his apprentice several years prior and arrived at this location, the building had been in a perpetual state of reconstruction. Its magnitude had steadily grown over time, featuring intricately interwoven corridors and densely packed, concealed dwellings.

Each morning upon awakening, subtle alterations to the building's configuration would greet him. At times, Hill harbored the peculiar sensation that the structure possessed a semblance of life, akin to an arcane Alchemy Matrix.

Hmm... This indeed sounds peculiar, yet considering the Grand Tutor's exceptional abilities, it is not entirely beyond the realm of possibility.

Hill recalled the Grand Tutor's pronouncement: regardless of how he refined the building's structural design, its expansion was ultimately confined by spatial limitations. Consequently, he intended to implement multiple Curved Path Gates in the ensuing days, thereby transforming the edifice into a dynamic, living labyrinth.

This ambitious undertaking did not signify the culmination; according to the Grand Tutor's grand design, the building was destined for continuous expansion until it evolved into a colossal city capable of housing all the scholars.

While the notion bordered on the fantastical, Hill had grown quite accustomed to such pronouncements.

After all...

Hill traversed the final, imposing gateway, and a blinding golden luminescence flooded his vision, as if he had stepped into a realm meticulously forged from pure gold, with golden radiance pervading every surface.

Following a fleeting moment of disorientation, Hill's sight gradually sharpened. The apprentices commonly referred to this place as the Golden Palace. While not constructed entirely of gold, its surfaces were coated in layers of a brilliantly shimmering, Canyin-hued Alchemy Matrix, which appeared to ignite with luminescence when the entire structure was in operation.

The illumination within the Golden Palace subtly receded, revealing a vast hall replete with scrolls, manuscripts, and an array of experimental apparatus. Clusters of scholars were intently occupied; some immersed in the perusal of ancient texts, others imparting knowledge to students, and still others engrossed in conducting intricate experiments.

The atmosphere was permeated with the distinct aroma of various chemical compounds. Several scholars, positioned near elongated tables, expertly manipulated oddly colored gases, employing burners to ignite them, thereby probing the intrinsic composition and fundamental nature of these volatile substances.

Upon a different table, a scholar was meticulously engaged in an anatomical dissection, carefully extracting organs for precise observation and in-depth study. Nearby, a dedicated student diligently recorded the experimental findings, actively mastering the methodologies for applying such acquired knowledge to the fields of medicine and biology.

An array of maps and charts, suspended on the surrounding walls, provided nascent insights into the modern disciplines underpinning the scholars' research endeavors, encompassing fields such as astronomy, mathematics, and anthropology. Each cataloged discipline served to illustrate the established frontiers and distinct realms of knowledge, fostering within the scholars an appreciation for the profound importance and intricate complexity of their chosen areas of exploration.

Hill proceeded forward, navigating through successive layers of stringent security checks, and descended into the profound, spiraling corridors that led to the subterranean depths of the Golden Palace. It was there, bathed in an ethereal blue luminescence, that he encountered his Grand Tutor.

"Grand Tutor."

Hill offered a respectful salutation to the preoccupied figure, whose back was turned to him. The Grand Tutor remained unresponsive, appearing thoroughly absorbed in his research. Hill, accustomed to this behavior, proceeded directly to his designated workspace and resumed his ongoing investigations.

A few minutes elapsed, and then two individuals entered the chamber in succession. They too were apprentices under the Grand Tutor and, moreover, were Hill's close companions.

"You've arrived early today, Hill."

The man approached Hill's side, placing a hand on his shoulder. His countenance, somewhat shadowed, was alight with cheerful smiles. "What's this? Didn't get lost on your way this time?"

Hill momentarily ceased his current activity, a subtle wave of resigned emotion surfacing on his features.

At that precise juncture, another figure drew near. Gentle hands clasped Hill's cheeks from behind, manipulating them upward and downward, contorting his face into a series of amusingly peculiar expressions.

Amidst the ensuing laughter, Hill looked upward, his gaze meeting a pair of captivatingly beautiful eyes gazing down upon him.

A brief pause, Hill then extricated himself from the woman’s hold, his countenance reverting to its former state of helplessness and cold indifference.

"I genuinely envy the two of you..." Hill shifted his stance, glancing back towards his companions. "You two are always together, aren't you?"

"You're just overly solitary, junior." Suzi playfully ruffled Hill's hair with her hand.

From the side, Saqin observed his junior with a smile. Everyone seemed to adore Hill. Since the day the Grand Tutor welcomed him into their fold, Hill had exhibited an exceptionally potent talent. The Grand Tutor had even remarked that Hill's future accomplishments might very well eclipse all others... even his own.