Just as the atmosphere was beginning to slide toward a regional bickering match, the President smiled and cut everyone off.
"Alright, if this young man truly wants to join our Northern Magic Mutual Aid Association, then according to the rules, he just needs to apply for a legal caster ID from the Empire's officials first."
"After all, the current situation for us mages is as it is..." Her tone carried a hint of helplessness, but she quickly smiled at Ansu again. "If you can get that application approved, everything will be fine. The association welcomes young people like you!"
"Thank you, President," Ansu said quickly.
"Just call me Brenda," the President introduced herself, her gaze slowly sweeping across the hall with a touch of sentiment in her voice. "Speaking of which, it's been a long time since a newcomer joined. At last year's gathering, we could still fill four tables."
Vera, who had been quietly listening, couldn't help but be surprised.
In just one year, had this mutual aid association lost nearly half its members?
The current attrition rate for mages was simply too exaggerated...
Hearing that there might be a new member, the mages at the two tables began to whisper among themselves.
"Is this kid really a mage? Not just some apprentice?"
The gazes directed at Ansu shifted from initial neglect and disdain to a curious, measuring scrutiny.
"So young? This is interesting..."
The President's judgment of character had always been sharp. The association hadn't seen a newcomer in so long, yet she had personally extended an invitation, which meant this young man's talent must be extraordinary.
Of course, among the curious looks, there was naturally a hint of suspicion.
The middle-aged mage wearing glasses pushed up his frames and suddenly spoke, his tone like he was interrogating him for his life story.
"If you want to join, you can register with me first. Your name, address, family relations, which magic school you specialize in, and where you obtained your magic inheritance?"
Ansu was well-prepared for this and calmly provided the cover story he had thought of in advance.
Once some members realized Ansu was a junior mage, they couldn't help but start advising him. "Young man, magic isn't some beautiful thing... magic only brings madness and destruction. I can see you haven't delved too deep yet; it's still not too late to stay away..."
"Better that than involving your family and friends. By the time you regret it, it'll be too late..."
Ansu and Vera exchanged a look, thinking that these people... didn't seem as radical as they had at first. At least they were quite friendly toward their own kind.
Of course, this didn't stop Ansu's suspicion that these people were likely the Northern black mages who helped the Squirrel Party design the explosive devices.
Eventually, the mages' conversation circled back to the original, heavy question.
"Kid, you said just now... that the magic pollution problem can really be solved?"
"I only said that the possibility exists," Ansu nodded, not making any absolute promises.
Although the research led by him and Celia had only just begun, he did hold high hopes for it.
Because he had already accomplished the most critical first step—that miraculous amulet was currently in Celia's hands. At least from an application standpoint, this was indeed a viable path.
Ansu's confidence stemmed from two major advantages.
One was himself, holding the system, and the other was the collection of ancient texts in the treasure vault.
While analyzing that spiritual amulet, Celia had discovered that its internal structure subtly echoed certain ancient runes. This proved that a systematic exploration of this issue had existed as early as the previous era.
This was precisely why Ansu had her stationed in the treasure vault to consult the records at any time; their current research felt very much like archaeological science.
Of course, there was no need to say so much to this group of potential suspects.
Ansu simply threw out the hook of a possible solution to spark a discussion and get closer to everyone.
"I believe it can be solved too!" Vera had always supported Ansu unconditionally. In her heart, her brother was omnipotent.
She chimed in with a bright smile, trying to help lighten the mood. "Applying for a caster ID through those Imperial bureaucrats would be far too slow. Why don't my brother and I come here often starting tomorrow to exchange ideas with everyone? My brother has actually done some real research into this~ Oh, by the way, do any of you know Professor Duncan?"
"Duncan?" the spectacled mage asked instinctively. "The magitech scholar who recently published several explosive papers, the professor from the Benalu Royal Academy?"
"Yes, yes! That's him! Though he's no longer at the Royal Academy." Vera looked at Ansu, her tone carrying a bit of pride. "Such a brilliant scholar has quite a special relationship with my brother~"
It was more than just special... her brother was currently the benefactor of Professor Duncan's team, the real boss.
"Oh, is that so?" President Brenda also showed a look of surprise. She looked Ansu over again, the expectation in her eyes growing stronger. "Could it be... that Professor Duncan is also working on this subject?"
"Mhm." Ansu gave his sister an appreciative look before taking over the conversation. "As far as I know, a mysterious big shot is currently funding a group of top scholars, including Professor Duncan and various masters of the magic world, to launch another assault on the magic pollution problem. So this time..."
He smiled and said, "Perhaps it really can be solved. Maybe magic can truly be saved?"
The table was suddenly filled with hushed, excited discussions.
The news this young man brought was explosive. At the very least, the magic world hadn't heard such heartening news in a long time...
However, in the midst of this commotion—
A cold, emotionless female voice suddenly drifted from a corner of the tavern, like a bucket of ice water being poured over them.
"It's hopeless."
"Once corruption begins, it is an irreversible process. Because the essence of magic is an attempt to peer into the noisy and maddening truth of the world, it is fundamentally unsolvable."
Everyone turned to look.
Ansu stared at the speaker. She sat alone in the shadows, wearing a dark green travel cloak with the hood pulled low, revealing only a gracefully lined, fair chin and a few stray strands of blonde hair.
A slender sword wrapped in coarse cloth and a beautifully carved wooden longbow rested quietly by the table within her reach.
"Your so-called assault is nothing more than another futile attempt, merely adding a bit more fuel to embers destined to go out..."
She didn't look at anyone, as if she were merely talking to herself. But the aura she inadvertently exuded carried a strong, lingering sense of melancholy and loneliness.
"This is a broken world, a world destined for destruction..."
The atmosphere fell silent.
Vera's sharp gaze swept over the other woman's attire, finally settling on the tightly drawn hood, and she squinted her eyes suspiciously.
"Brother," she whispered, tugging on Ansu's sleeve. "It seems she's a demihuman..."
Only those who didn't want their racial characteristics exposed would dress that way.
Ansu observed for a moment, then frowned slightly.
Though he couldn't see her face clearly, he felt that her image and temperament were...
Vaguely familiar.
Rate on N.U.
