Without realizing it, four years had passed since Locke ca to Aomar. It was the new year and his residence was livelier than ever today thanks to all the guests that ca to join the celebration. His classmates from the academy, friends and a few Faustian nobles were gathered here.
Through ti, everyone eventually learnt that Angelina was a Faustian princess. While their friends hadnt reacted strongly to it, Chris and Bob, the knights who joined them on many missions, felt incredibly envious of Locke. The general opinion was that the princess of a small kingdom was about the sa status as the daughter of a count in the empire. Regardless, Locke and the others were determined to make the start of the new year an occasion to be rembered.
For Locke, the new year ant that he was turning twenty-four; an age that was neither too old nor young. Angelina was turning twenty this year, which ant that marriage was sothing she should start to consider. If she wasnt headed for the Sanctum, she wouldve been planning to tell her family about Locke soon.
As for Kristin, she was turning eighteen this year; the once gullible girl had finally blood into adulthood. It wasnt appropriate for Locke to ruffle her head like a brat any longer.
Amidst the joyous cheers, everyone raised their glasses and gave a toast to new beginnings.
Suzzane, your brew is marvellous! praised Angelina.
Laffeys cooking is amazing as ever! Lia giggled.
But I still like Sister Lias congee better! Kristin gobbled down a bowlful, tossing her reputation as a lady to the back of her head.
Miss, please eat more! Laffey found it difficult to break away from her servant role.
You have so too! Glace swiftly picked up a piece of steak and placed it on Laffeys plate.
Locke noticed that the dynamics at ho had turned more pleasant after he beca a high-rank Knecht.
......
At the northeast of Missia, the Sanctum held a eting on Floor 436. It was attended by mbers of the higher brass. The Sanctums internal committee, which currently consisted of only ten level-three Magisters, was once again summoned by the black-robed elder.
Is Harrison coming today? A single ntal swipe was all the elder needed to assess who was present. This was an ability every Magister possessed.
Sigh, it sure is difficult to be a summoner. An old man with a grey long brimd hat blew his beard and chuckled.
Speak. Why are we gathered here? asked a peculiar Magister whose body was half flas and half ice. As soon as the question fell, all nine casters in the hall turned to look at the black-robed elder.
The black-robed elder tapped the end of his staff against the floor audibly. He languidly began, There are two things on the eting agenda today. First and foremost, ister Odis has begun to make his move.
Everyone was surprised. What followed next was utter joy, seen especially in the absolute thrill of the half ice half fire Magister. The polar opposites of solid ice and brazen flas on either side of his body had affected the surrounding concentration of elents. It was an impressive display of his powers.
Second, weve received news from ister Banam asking to dispatch so casters from the Sanctum to aid ister Odis efforts in conquering Botania. The black-robed elder continued.
No problem! Im in! the frost-fire Magister, Brandt, interrupted, volunteering himself impatiently.
Anyone else? They requested six level-three Magisters. The black-robed elder glanced over to the remaining eight.
Ill go, said one whose right arm had been replaced with the red claws of so creature.
Count in! An effeminate male Magister volunteered, his serpent tongue peeking out the slightest bit.
Ill join too. I'm lacking so materials nowadays, said a weird-slling one clad in a black robe.
The outco didnt surprise the black-robed elder. Most of the level-three Magisters that remained to guard the Sanctum were willing to accept the quest. There were many benefits that ca with conquering a new plane. The production of Botanian essence alone offered sufficient resources to prolong the glory of Zauberia.
Did ister Banam say anything else? asked an old female Magister whose face was wrinkled and pignted.
Well ister Banam ntioned that he might join the latter expeditions on Botania, added the black-robed elder. This seed to have comforted everyone present. The first attempts to conquer a new plane were always t with harshest resistance from the natives. Though it was just a minor plane, the level-three Magisters could find themselves in a pinch if they werent cautious enough.
Unexpected variables were ever-present threats in foreign planes. It wasnt uncommon for stronger invaders to find themselves defeated by seemingly inferior natives with strange abilities. After all, the plane was their turf. However, ister Banams possible involvent in the latter stages provided the assurance that everything was bound to proceed smoothly. The level-four Magister was capable of catastrophic destruction; sothing that those uncivilized low-level natives couldnt imagine. As a matter of fact, many level-four lifeforms were worshipped as deities on various planes.
How is it going with the two Centaurian gods? the old female Magister asked again.
The black-robed elders expression relaxed. Lately, it's said that one of them had been severely injured by ister Banam and ister Gaia.
Its quite impressive that the Centaurian gods managed to last that long!
Indeed. I believe the last planar war lasted four hundred years and started almost a millennium back.
With ister Banam, ister Gaia and ister Zachary, the fall of the Centaurian gods will happen in no ti.
Everyone in the hall felt comforted by the good news.
How long would it take to conquer Centauria? questioned one of the Magisters.
We cant be sure. Despite the black-robed elders expressed uncertainty, everyone already had their own thoughts regarding the matter. With one of the Centaurian deities injured, nothing could stop the onslaught of ister Banams army. Victory was expected in fifty years later at most.
What is the progress on our recruitnt of expatriate casters? The black-robed elder asked a younger Magister sitting beside.
Weve been recruiting since last year. All Magisters on missions at Missia, Dressa and Ingrid received our ssage and responded, replied the younger Magister.
Very well. The black-robed elder nodded. He asked again, Any word on the Hall of Knights?
It seems that ister Odis has issued an order to the high-rank Knechts," said a young Magister after a mont of hesitation. He got the news from his knight friend.
High-rank Knechts? The black-robed elder left his seat to stand by the window. From the top of the four-hundred-tre tall tower, the elder studied the Lehrlings who were shuffling about near the spherical buildings below.
Say, should we send out so younger Lehrlings as part of their training? asked the black-robed elder.
I think its best to ask ister Banam about that. There hadnt been anyone below level-one involved in the planar war before, replied the younger Magister with knitted brows.
What do you an by that? We're already sending Knechts there who aren't even Ritters!" The black-robed elder was referring to ister Odis order.
Plus, most of the slave soldiers are just about as strong as high-rank Knechts. The more the elder entertained the thought, the more plausible the unconventional idea sounded.
So Were sending out high-rank Lehrlings too? The young Magister sought confirmation.
Nope. The black-robed elder shook his head. Were sending out the mid-rank Lehrlings as well! We must not fall behind the Hall of Knights!
Indeed, in terms of destructive power alone, mid-rank Lehrlings were comparable to high-rank Knechts. This was why casters were stronger than knights of equivalent rank.
But... The younger Magister was at a loss for words. Didnt that an that theyd risk losing a huge number of the Sanctums young prospects to war? Could this actually be ister Banams true intention? The younger Magister felt like he was getting at sothing.
While the black-robed elder was unconventional, there were rarely any casters that were willing to break out of their moulds, especially elites that walked in the forefront of truth and righteousness. The black-robed elder had typically been one to stick to the books. Was his age getting to him? Why would he issue such a ridiculous order unless he had sufficient backing? The biggest influence here at the Sanctum would no doubt be its owner, ister Banam.
But truth to be told, if the junior prospects of the Sanctum were dispatched, they could minimize their losses in the event of an attack from the east coast. Plus, theyd get their hands on a highly lucrative Botania.
Eventually, the younger Magister was convinced. Hed wilfully ignore all possible threats that Lehrlings might face during war. After all, strength was a byproduct of constant exposure to hardship and death. Take the younger Magister as an example: though he looked young, he had lived for more than nine hundred years. While his age was considered young among level-three Magisters, it was also an indication that he had beco a Magister at a very young age. Typically, a Magisters appearance would freeze at the age they broke through. Younger looking Magisters implied bigger potential. But of course, this logic wasnt all that applicable to female Magisters who often modified their appearance in the pursuit of beauty.
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