"What's your impression of magic?"
"Using powerful fireballs to bombard the grass into white ground? Using magic to delude people's hearts to deceive the world and pursue power? Using tricks that are similar to street acrobatics to win the cheers and admiration of stupid nobles? Using mysteries that seem extremely powerful to others to decorate your own status and appearance? Or is it the laughable pleasure and satisfaction of annihilating your enemies in battle after battle? "
Thales lowered his head as if he was deep in thought.
However, his heart was already trembling.
'Magic.
'Magic?
'What exactly is magic …'
"You know, a long time ago, I always felt that wizards were people with great power. They could casually throw a fireball," the prince said with a sigh, a little absent-minded. "Or they could hide in the tower and not go out, researching a spell that could destroy the world, or they could be the kind of old pedants who persistently pursued the truth … But now you're telling me …"
Asda leaned against the back of his chair again and snorted coldly.
"Indeed, the magic system of Soul Tower is the greatest heresy in the history of magic. In the beginning, it was not recognized by other wizards at all. They ridiculed us as' storytellers', and we retorted that they were merely 'tricksters'.
"For example, the Alchemy Tower stubbornly believed that magic was a deep study of the relationship between humans and nature, and that the latter's resources were kept for their own use. It was not strange for them to have this kind of thinking. After all, the Alchemy Tower, known as the 'Tower of War', rose during the war between humans and ancient orcs. It started with killing and practicality, and relied on survival and victory. It was very similar to the kind of wizards who throw fireballs and specialize in researching spells.
"But we are different." The Mystic's tone was full of seriousness and caution. "In the end, the Soul Tower's ideals shocked the entire history of magic. Even the ascetics and alchemists were deeply affected."
Thales furrowed his brows. "You mean …"
"If magic can't provide some meaning to the world, give some possibilities to the future, and give some value to humans besides satisfying our own desires for food and clothing …" Asda turned his head and narrowed his eyes. His expression was calm, but it was very stressful.
"Then what is the point of us putting in so much effort to gather mages, summarizing and calculating, researching, passing down the seeds and concepts of magic one after another, and constantly seeking to improve amidst doubts and criticism?"
Asda's expression was still very stiff, but Thales inexplicably felt that there was a deeper layer of emotion hidden behind his face. "If magic is merely a slave to its users, a tool for self-interest and a capital for flaunting their status, a cloak for winning dignity and the capital for fulfilling their desires, an excuse for wizards to stand aloof from the world and boast about their transcendence, then what is the difference between the existence of wizards and the nobles who fight for power and profit, the farmers and hunters who only seek food and clothing, the warriors who kill enemies and perform meritorious deeds on the battlefield, the merchants and craftsmen who only seek profit, and the hermits who pretend to be profound?"
"Then, as mages, what's the need for us to pursue truth and correctness? What's the purpose?"
"To survive? To live a better life? In order to live a better life? To live for others to see? To become smarter and stronger, and then let countless people who are weaker and stupider than you lie on the ground, marvel at your achievements, and worship your status? "
"No, Thales." Asda slowly enunciated his words. "That is definitely not a wizard. At least, it is not a wizard that we acknowledge. Instead, it is just a moth that writes the word 'magic' on the only fig leaf it has."
Thales pondered over his words and could not help but be entranced. "Is this also part of the Mystic's curriculum?"
Asda nodded solemnly. "Of course, and it's extremely important.
"Don't let the existing framework imprison you, Thales. Let your thoughts run wild."
Thales stared at him blankly.
The Mystic sighed slowly. Thales had almost forgotten that he could still breathe. "Do you remember what I said? In Soul Tower, in the philosophy of the Seat of Ten Thousand Laws, magic is a choice, not a monotonous tool or method. Being a wizard is a form of recognition, not a tacky status or identity.
"And this was my choice and my recognition back then." Asda looked straight into Thales' eyes. "It is also my magic."
Asda fell silent.
But Thales was immersed in the shocking conversation and could not return to his senses for a long time.
"Mister Sakern, what kind of place is Soul Tower?" he asked dreamily.
Asda paused for a moment.
Three seconds later, the Mystic slowly clenched his fists.
"Soul Tower," Asda said very slowly. His voice was deep, as though there was a layer of sandpaper behind his throat. "Wizards' holy land, apprentices' hope, and magic's future. Countless thoughts and ideals collide fiercely there.
"What we believe to be the truth is polished in lectures and discussions. Countless like-minded peers are moving forward step by step in debates."
"Every day is a new day, because there are always new things waiting for you. There are always new people in the future, because old things are always left behind, and old people are always left behind …"
At that moment, Asda seemed to have remembered something. He stopped talking and looked down at the chessboard.
It was as if he had violated some taboo.
His face darkened, and the blue light in his eyes gradually disappeared.
Thales noticed his teacher's expression and abnormality. He wisely stopped asking.
Everyone had their own story.
But not everyone was willing to talk.
'Moreover …'
"Hearing you say that, I really want to see it with my own eyes." Thales sighed. "It seems that Soul Tower is a very great and beautiful place."
Asda suddenly raised his head.
"Of course not." This time, the Mystic's tone was exceptionally cold. "Even Soul Tower has its own filth, darkness, ugliness, and compromises.
"At the end of the day, wizards are just humans.
"Remember, Thales. An organization, a place, a group, as long as it is made up of humans." The Mystic stared at Thales. "Then it will never be that beautiful.
"Just like the vortex you are in, this game."
The prince raised his eyebrows, a little embarrassed. "Huh?"
But Asda ignored him. He only turned his head to look outside the room.
"Perhaps this is the limit of humans."
Thales swore that he heard the Mystic let out a barely noticeable sigh after the last word.
Under the setting sun, the Mystic's face was still handsome, but there were some lines that were usually not there.
It was as if the artist had added a few more strokes.
"Class dismissed."
Asda looked at the setting sun and said softly.
In the next second, before Thales could even show his astonishment, the Mystic's figure faded away.
"Haih." Thales looked at the empty seat and the chessboard that was once again checkmated. He sighed helplessly. "This again."
Thus, Thales ended his day of playing chess outside once again. Accompanied by Justin, Wya, and the others, he prepared for his return trip in low spirits.
He had gained enough surprises today.
Perhaps he should not add any more burdens on himself. In view of the treachery in Dragon Clouds City …
'Hmm?'
Thales raised his head curiously and looked at the commotion in front of him.
"What's going on?" The former Deputy Commander of the White Blade Guards, Lord Justin walked past the prince and looked at the situation in front of him with uncontrollable anger.
At the entrance of the chess room, dozens of warriors from the Archduchess' Guards coldly pressed down on their weapons. They were in a tense confrontation with dozens of unfamiliar soldiers who came from the alley next door.
Those soldiers were obviously not from Dragon Clouds City. They were murderous and did not show any signs of weakness.
Behind them was a brownish-black enclosed carriage.
Wya and Ralf looked at each other, not understanding what was going on.
Thales furrowed his brows and saw the leader of the unfamiliar soldiers clearly. It was a female warrior with a buzz cut and a round face.
"Prince Thales, I represent Black Sand Region and send you an invitation for a meeting." The current Deputy Commander of the White Blade Guards, Lady Kroesch Mirk waved her arm at the carriage behind her, which was guarded by the Black Sand Region soldiers, and said coldly, "Viscount Kentvida is in the carriage.
"Viscount Kentvida is in the carriage. He invites you to move into the carriage and give him a few minutes to talk."
Thales was slightly stunned.
'What …'
"A meeting? Now? "
Doubt and vigilance rose in Thales' heart. "What does Kentvida want to say to me?"
"I don't know," Kroesch said softly, a cold glint shone in her eyes. "That is your judgment."
At this moment, Viscount Kentvida's voice came from the direction of the carriage from afar.
"I promise, Your Highness, if you miss this carriage, you will regret it in the future.
Believe me, this is very important. "
Thales felt a chill in his heart.
'Regret it? Very important? '
"Why do we have to get into the carriage?" Thales narrowed his eyes and said warily, "We can go upstairs or find another place."
"Why in the carriage?"
"Look around you." Kroesch glanced at the Archduchess' Guards with an unpleasant gaze. "In Dragon Clouds City, is there any private place within a ten-meter radius of you?"
Justin, who was in charge of protecting Thales, tensed up.
Thales stared at Kroesch in bewilderment, then at the carriage behind her.
'Strange.
Black Sand Region … wants to talk to me.
At this time?
'Hell, why isn't Putray here?'
"Impossible!" The vigilant Lord Justin immediately rejected the other party. "If you want to see the prince, you can —"
"We have had enough of Dragon Clouds City's blockade." Kroesch did not back down. She no longer paid attention to her predecessor. "Your Highness, this is the closest we have been to you in a month. Believe me, we just want to talk to you."
Thales, who had countless thoughts flashing through his mind, was about to speak, but Justin beat him to it.
"Kroesch, I still remember what you looked like when you were a child." Lord Justin took a step forward, his expression becoming more and more unpleasant. "I have a good relationship with your father, and I'm also very happy that you became a White Blade Guard, so …
"Don't force me to do it."
Behind him, Thales sucked in a deep breath.
'If that's the case …'
"Then you'd better do it now, Uncle Justin," Kroesch shouted coldly. "Or let the prince decide for himself — he's a guest, not a prisoner!"
Justin's expression turned cold. He was about to draw his weapon, and the Archduchess' Guards around him also prepared to attack with hostile expressions.
At this moment …
"Lord Justin!"
Under everyone's watchful eyes, the prince took a light step forward.
Thales raised his hand and pressed down on Justin's shoulder.
'At this time?'
The prince stared at Black Sand Region's carriage, his thoughts whirling.
'At a time when Eckstedt and the Alliance of Freedom had a delicate relationship.
'At a time when the news from the City of Faraway Prayers was unknown.
'At a time when Dragon Clouds City was in a dilemma.
'The people from Black Sand Region want to talk to me, a powerless, awkward prince of an enemy kingdom?
'It's too suspicious.'
Thales shook his head and said to Justin, "This is Dragon Clouds City, and they are the king's special envoys. It's unwise to have a pointless conflict — and you know what kind of situation we're in."
Justin frowned fiercely. "But you know, they are, after all, Black Sand Region —"
Wya could not help but say, "With all due respect, Your Highness, your safety —"
"Listen to me!" Thales turned his head and looked at his own people.
"The archduchess needs new information to face the king. There's no doubt that this is a chance to see what they have in mind for Dragon Clouds City," he said to the frowning Justin, "for Dragon Clouds City."
Justin's words were stuck in his throat.
"And she's right — I'm a guest."
"Wya, the carriage is here, and I won't disappear into thin air." Thales smiled at his attendant.
Justin and Wya glanced at each other. They both felt uneasy.
The prince calmly turned to Kroesch and looked at the soldiers behind her. "Besides, the people of Black Sand Region will guarantee my safety, right?"
Kroesch nodded and pressed her hand against her right chest. She said respectfully, "I swear on my life and the king's honor.
"You will get off the carriage safely in a few minutes."
Thales glanced at Justin and Wya, who were still doubtful, and shrugged.
Ralf, on the other hand, nodded at him.
"Inform the leader and the count." In the end, Lord Justin nodded hesitantly, but at the same time, he cautiously ordered his subordinates, "Make sure they know about this as soon as possible."
"Do you know how important you are, Your Highness?" Wya stared at the carriage with an unpleasant expression. "It's just like what the Star Killer said, you always create problems for us."
The prince smiled.
"This is why I need you, Wya, and you, Midira."
He gently pushed aside the two personal guards in front of him. Accompanied by Wya and Ralf, he walked into Black Sand Region's battle formation.
The displeased attendant and the Phantom Wind Follower were stopped in front of the carriage.
Thales threw the book in his hand to Wya and strode forward alone.
'No matter what Black Sand Region wants to tell you, Thales …
'You must be calm and cautious.
'You've experienced Lampard's prowess and witnessed Kentvida's cunning.
'You must be careful when you face your greatest enemy.'
In the next second, Thales, whose heart was as calm as the surface of a lake, opened the carriage door and boarded the unlit carriage.
In the carriage, Kentvida's silhouette sat quietly in the darkness. The clothes on his body could be vaguely seen.
"I keep feeling that this is your revenge for me refusing to talk to you alone on the road back then." Thales closed the carriage door and exhaled. He sat opposite Kentvida. "Viscount Kentvida …"
But the prince immediately shuddered!
'That's not Kentvida.
'That's …'
"Long time no see, Thales." The man gently lifted his gaze from the saber between his knees.
"Are you old enough to drink?"
'That's …
'How dare they …'
At that moment, Thales' mind was almost completely blank.
In the carriage, the master of Black Sand Region, Eckstedt's thirty-sixth common-elected king, Chapman Lampard, opened his cold eyes in the deep darkness.
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