????Adam was taken aback. "Uh… what?"
"You heard ," Edwin replied with an extrely solemn look. "You're coming with
to the Tower of Daybreak."
Adam's lips twitched, wondering what had suddenly gotten into Edwin to say such things. He gulped hesitantly and said, "But, my lord, I can't confirm that at the mont."
"Why not?" Erwin asked with a slight frown. "Also, why haven't you already declared your acceptance into the Tower in the last two years?"
He paused for a mont before adding, "You do know that I was the one to have personally signed off on the recomndation letters sent to you, Edward, and Lisa, yes?"
Adam was stunned. This was news to him. "You signed them personally?"
Edwin nodded. "It was a given that you and Edward would be given preference when applying—"
He suddenly paused when he realized that his apprentice, Biden was looking at him strangely. Thus, he glared at the youth.
"Don't look at
like that, you rascal! You have benefited from nepotism too."
Biden hurriedly lowered his head, mumbling to himself. "But I didn't say anything…"
"As I was saying." Edwin looked back at Adam and continued, "You, Edward, and Lisa have greatly distinguished yourselves in the war and the Academy. Thus, I deed you perfect candidates to join the Tower."
Adam remained silent. He didn't know what to say.
"But you, Adam," Edwin added, "have truly exceeded all my expectations. Not only did you beco a Mana Liquefaction Magus at the age of twenty, but it seems that you also have a deep understanding of the Way."
Edwin's conversation with Adam a little while ago truly surprised him. The way the youth spoke about the philosophy of the Way made him realize that his understanding of it wasn't on a superficial level.
Not many budding Magi knew that the analytical approach to magic wasn't the only important aspect they had to explore.
There was also the spiritual aspect.
Living in harmony with the mana and understanding one's place in the world.
This was the Way.
As a Rank 3 Magus, Edwin naturally knew of this. However, he had never expected Adam to have grasped the profundities of the Way at such a young age.
Understanding the philosophy of the Way would undoubtedly help Adam in his path as a Magus.
Realizing this, Edwin had already decided to bring the youth back to the Tower with him. He believed that the organization was sure to reach even greater heights if they nurtured the youth.
"I had always been confused regarding this matter," Edwin began, "your aptitude was only B-grade, but despite that, you were able to advance to Rank 2 so quickly."
He paused for a mont before adding with great certainty, "No matter what kind of fortuitous opportunity you encountered, it is very unlikely for it to boost your advancent speed to such great levels.
"But now I have finally understood why you were able to beco a Mana Liquefaction Magus at just twenty years of age.
"It was because you have grasped the deep wisdom contained in the Way!"
Adam was truly astounded that Edwin was able to glean so much information just from chatting with him for a few minutes.
It was indeed as the old man had said.
Adam's rapid advancent in ranks was mostly because of his understanding of the Way that he had absorbed from the mories of the experts.
His significant expansion of his mana reserves thanks to Val also played a role but not as much as his deep understanding of this profound philosophy.
The essence of this philosophy was to live in harmony with the Way, which is the fundantal nature of the universe.
Magi who studied the Way would learn to attune themselves to the world and the mana that perated it.
By understanding and aligning themselves with the natural flow of mana, they would be able to harness the power of the elents more effectively and efficiently than through analytical research alone.
After all, understanding the Way gives one deeper insight into the nature of magic!
However, this only ca with experience.
It couldn't be learned.
It couldn't be taught.
It could only be perceived.
That is why Edwin was so shocked that Adam had managed to do it at such a young age. Generally, Magi would take hundreds of years just to scratch the surface of this philosophy.
If he could convince Adam to join the Tower of Daybreak, then the organization would attain even greater heights of prosperity.
He deeply looked at Adam and stated, "Whatever you ask for, the Tower will provide. Money, rare magical ingredients, artifacts, you na it."
Adam's fists involuntarily tightened. To say that he wasn't tempted would be a lie.
Edwin acutely noticed this. His lips curled up into a smirk and he added. "I will waive off your admission fee, as well as the fee that you will have to pay every decade.
"I will also make it so that you are given your personal laboratory with a fixed amount of herbs and ingredients delivered to you every month for your Herbalism experints."
The man's eyes glowed with confidence. "So, Adam, what do you say?"
Biden, who was sitting by the side, was utterly dumbfounded. He glanced at his Teacher and then at Adam, wondering if the forr was recruiting a prospective student or a faculty mber.
Adam's lips opened and closed several tis. His heart bled profusely as he thought of all the money and resources he could have in the palm of his hands.
All he needed to say was yes.
In the end, he gritted his teeth and shook his head.
"Forgive , Lord Edwin, but I must refuse."
"Why?" Edwin frowned. He couldn't help but ask, "Is what I'm offering you too little?"
"No, it's not that." Adam hurriedly waved his hand. "I have already given my word to the old man, uh, I an, my Teacher, Magus Berger. So, I must respectfully refuse your offer."
Edwin's eyes narrowed and he entered into deep thought. "But as far as I know, Berger has never been part of any major organization. He's always been a lone Magus."
Adam lowered his head. Clearly, he didn't want to speak much about it.
Edwin deeply glanced at the youth, not knowing why he would refuse such an offer.
"Even when comparing amongst the other three major institutes of arcane studies, otherwise known as the Four Pillars of the Empire, the Tower of Daybreak is still the greatest. Do you still not want to co?"
However, Adam was uncompromising.
After all, from what he'd heard from Berger, no matter how great an organization the Tower of Daybreak was, it would still never hold a candle to the Twilight Brotherhood!
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