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The Clock Tower—an ancient stone edifice, built entirely of rock.
Deep within its foundations lay a room steeped in antiquity, the oldest classroom in the Clock Tower.
The room was less than a hundred square ters, its chairs, decorations, and murals all breathing history.
This was only natural; the classroom’s layout hadn’t changed since its construction, and even the most fragile furnishings had been painstakingly preserved with magic.
To the mbers of the Clock Tower, this classroom held a special significance. Thus, it had been chosen as the location for the negotiations with the Holy Church.
At 9:40 AM, fourteen figures abruptly materialized within the ancient classroom.
The rulers of the Clock Tower, with the exception of the old Director who had been in seclusion for a thousand years, all twelve Lords were present.
Adding Peter, the representative from the Atlas Institute, and Gravera, the representative from the Wandering Sea, it could be said that the three major powers of the Mage’s Association were gathered here.
Leading the Clock Tower contingent were three elderly figures with snow-white hair.
Though aged, their upright posture and powerful auras suggested their bodies were likely countless tis stronger than those of mages in their pri.
Bartholoi, Trambelio, and Valualeta—these three elders were the forr heads of the Clock Tower’s three most prominent noble families.
After all, for negotiations as crucial as those with the Holy Church, one couldn’t very well send in a bunch of hot-headed youngsters barely thirty years old. Thus, of the Lords present, with the exception of Kayneth representing Lord El-lloi, every one of them counted their age in centuries.
Considering their resources, power, and magical prowess, these Lords were a cut above even Matou Zouken.
If Zouken could live for centuries, what of these Lords??
Since the eting wasn’t scheduled to begin for another twenty minutes, the assembled nobles began to converse with Peter and Gravera. It was an exceedingly rare occasion for the forr heads, long retired to imrse themselves in their magical research, to gather in one place.
Furthermore, with representatives from the esoteric Wandering Sea and Atlas Institute present, it was an event that could be described as a once-in-a-millennium occurrence.
Therefore, they had arrived early, to exchange benefits, discuss thaumaturgy, and, most importantly, to strategize their approach to the True Magic User.
———
"Nervous, Kayneth?" a red-haired noblewoman, bearing a striking resemblance to Sola-Ui, chuckled softly at Kayneth beside her.
"Your concern is appreciated, Director Sophia. As you know, my status and experience pale in comparison to those present—" Kayneth said, dabbing the fine beads of sweat on his forehead with a silk handkerchief, his expression tense as he addressed the red-haired woman.
Director Sophia, Kayneth’s companion, was Sola-Ui’s mother, the current head of the Sophia-Ri family, Lord of the Departnt of Spiritual Evocation, a power-hungry matriarch who had held her position for centuries.
Honestly, most of Kayneth’s stress was a direct result of Sophia’s presence.
The young Kayneth was exceptionally wary of this ruthless woman who wouldn’t hesitate to use her own husband and children as disposable pawns.
However, he couldn’t very well avoid her.
Kayneth had only had contact with Sophia; he was unacquainted with the other, older Lords. If he stumbled into a conversational minefield with them, it wouldn’t end well.
"Relax, Kayneth. Those present are all forr, or even pre-forr, Lords. Interacting with them will be greatly beneficial for your experience. Try to engage with them more," Sophia said, covering her mouth with a hand, a bewitching smile on her face.
"Thank you for the advice," Kayneth said, tucking away his handkerchief, his expression humble.
"I truly envy your Archibald family for producing a prodigy like you, Kayneth. My eldest son, you know, is still a good-for-nothing, hasn’t even found a suitable womb yet," Sophia said, pressing a hand to her forehead, feigning a headache.
Kayneth’s lip twitched.
He knew talking to Sophia was never a good idea. Here ca the marriage proposal again. This ti, she was probably angling for one of the Archibald daughters.
And currently, the only female mber of the Archibald family was his adopted sister. No, he had to refuse. Sending his adopted sister to the Sophia-Ri family was simply too great a loss.
"Oh my, Director Sophia. You know, I’m just as single as your eldest son," Kayneth said, his face a mask of sha.
"Oh? My, my, look at my mory. I do apologize, Kayneth. It seems Lord Bartholoi has urgent business with ." Sophia’s gaze flickered.
She rembered her daughter, who had dumped Kayneth and then cut off all contact after shacking up with Haru. She imdiately understood Kayneth’s refusal and, excusing herself, walked towards the elder Bartholoi at the front.
Ti trickled by as the nurous Lords conversed.
Tap! Tap! Tap!
Faint footsteps echoed from outside the classroom.
Though faint, to these mages, most of whom had magically enhanced their bodies, the sound was louder than thunder.
The still-conversing Lords abruptly fell silent.
Creak—!
The wooden classroom door was slowly pushed open.
Lorelei, dressed in a white suit, appeared in the Lords’ line of sight.
She then made an inviting gesture...
Haru, dressed in a simple, clean white priest’s cassock, t the gazes of the nurous Lords and stepped into the ancient classroom.
Upon seeing Haru’s figure, the twelve Lords, along with Peter and Gravera, either bowed or nodded slightly, speaking in unison.
"A pleasure to et you, Your Excellency, True Magic User." X13
Regardless of whether their relations were hostile, these mages all showed Haru the utmost respect—or rather, respect for a True Magic User at the pinnacle of thaumaturgy, a sign of deference from those who ca after.
Haru nodded slightly in return, then spoke calmly, "Well then, everyone, please be seated."
With that, Haru strode towards the long table in the center of the classroom and took the seat at its head.
The others nodded and proceeded to the table, taking seats to Haru’s left and right. Lorelei, however, stood behind the elder Bartholoi, her gaze fixed straight ahead.
"Ahem, shall I make the introductions, Your Excellency?" the Elder Bartholoi, seated to Haru’s right, asked in a low voice.
However, Haru completely ignored the elder Bartholoi’s question. He steepled his fingers, resting his chin on them, and addressed the empty chair directly opposite him with a calm expression. "Not coming out? You’ve been observing for quite so ti, haven’t you?"
"Oh my! I’ve been discovered, it seems." A mischievous, aged male voice suddenly echoed through the classroom.
His aged face was adorned with a silvery-white beard.
Though his appearance was old, the simple, well-worn black suit trousers he wore revealed an exceptionally robust physique, like that of a bodybuilder, exuding a sense of power.
When this figure appeared opposite Haru, all the mages present paled, a flicker of fear in their eyes. Clearly, they recognized the newcor.
"The Second True Magic User—Kischur Zelretch Schweinorg?"
Haru raised an eyebrow slightly, looking at the face that was identical to the portrait he had once seen, and spoke tentatively.
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