Chapter 69: Reunion

Shaoke and the Elder Mage conversed until noon, when the Elder Mage paused and tugged a red velvet rope beside the bookshelf. Soon, a young servant knocked and entered. "Honorable Mage, what do you require?"

The Elder Mage glanced inquiringly at Shaoke, allowing him to answer. With the Elder Mage's permission, Shaoke said, "Go as quickly as possible and inform Mage Feiyi and Mage Loki here that a guest awaits and wishes to see them." He tossed a silver coin to the young servant.

Only after receiving the Elder Mage's nod did the young servant pocket the silver coin and dash off to find the two mages, as the instructors would have left their spell-teaching areas by then to attend to their own affairs.

After the servant left to deliver the message, Shaoke paced restlessly around the room. He wondered if the two mages he hadn't seen for nearly half a year would still converse with him warmly. Moreover, he couldn't immediately recall what he wanted to say to the two mages who had helped him, which made him anxious about the impending meeting.

The Elder Mage endured for a while before finally stopping Shaoke's incessant pacing. "Mage Xueye, you should comport yourself like a proper mage. This behavior lacks refinement. Every mage is a person of cultivation and extensive knowledge. I hope you can achieve this in the future." Watching Shaoke gradually calm down, the Elder Mage nodded with satisfaction. "In truth, we have no power to stop what has already happened or what is about to happen. Since that's the case, why not face it calmly?"

After hearing the Elder Mage's advice, Shaoke also felt he had breached mage etiquette. He returned to his original seat and thanked the Elder Mage for the reminder.

The time wasn't long; the servant who had gone to find them soon returned with good news: the two mages were already on their way and should arrive shortly.

The servant withdrew contentedly, feeling he hadn't wasted the silver coin the young mage had rewarded him.

After the servant left, Shaoke stood by the Elder Mage's door, intending to meet the other two mages there temporarily, as the Elder Mage had granted this newly arrived fellow mage the right to receive guests here.

After a few light knocks on the door, Shaoke excitedly welcomed the two mages he hadn't seen for half a year. However, noticing the gray robes worn by his former companions, he paused briefly but quickly regained his enthusiasm. "Mage Loki, Mage Feiyi, Xueye is very pleased to see you." Shaoke performed the proper mage etiquette for peers and then invited his former companions inside for a detailed conversation.

Seeing Shaoke in this room, the two mages showed expressions of surprise. Although they believed Shaoke could successfully advance to become a Second Rank official mage, they hadn't expected it to happen so soon. This pleasant surprise lifted some of the gloom from the two mages who had been somewhat discontent here.

At the Elder Mage's invitation, the young mages sat down in their former positions. "Mage Xueye, I never imagined we'd see you in the capital so soon. Mage Feiyi and I initially thought we'd have to wait until the end of the year at least," Mage Loki began the conversation somewhat excitedly.

"Mage Loki, I also didn't expect this day to come so quickly. I must thank you for mentioning me to those officers. Otherwise, I think I would have been delayed by two months or even longer before arriving here." Shaoke openly expressed his gratitude to the two mages, once again performing a formal gesture of thanks for their help.

The mages began discussing events that had occurred since their separation. Finally, after a moment of silence, Mage Feiyi said, "Mage Xueye, I received letters from you and Mage Kiya. I hope to hear the details of what happened directly from you." The previously lively atmosphere immediately fell silent due to Mage Feiyi's question.

The Elder Mage kindly intervened. "Young mages, perhaps you should discuss these matters slowly at a tavern. After all, it's already noon. I think you all need some lunch to maintain your health." He waved his hand, suggesting the mages leave temporarily, hoping they could calmly consider this issue on the way.

The mages tactfully bid farewell to the Elder Mage. Although Shaoke invited the Elder Mage to join them, he politely declined, citing his age and unsuitability for places meant for the young.

On the way to the tavern, the mages were mostly silent. Mage Loki tried several times to ease the tension but couldn't find a suitable topic.

The tavern they arrived at catered to mages and nobles. Almost all the mages from the academy gathered here, and some lower-ranking nobles seeking to recruit mages also took this opportunity to scout for suitable targets and deepen mutual understanding.

The mages found a relatively quiet corner, ordered a few drinks, and sat there momentarily at a loss for words.

Shaoke knew he had to break this silence, as Mage Feiyi didn't believe his junior was the kind of person Shaoke described. Shaoke detailed the complete events of that period to the two mages and then quietly waited for Mage Feiyi's response.

Mage Loki didn't want Mage Feiyi and Mage Xueye to discuss these matters now, so he first raised his glass for a toast and gradually changed the topic.

Upon learning through inquiry that Shaoke had been assigned to the front lines by the military, Mage Loki's previously calm expression turned grim. "Mage Xueye, did you just accept such an appointment? Why not seek help from the Mage Corps?" Mage Loki sighed and continued, "I hear the situation at the front isn't good. Many mages who go there never return. Even those who do return end up like that Elder Mage just now, never able to advance to higher ranks. Only a few lucky ones manage to return after reaching the Third Rank."

Mage Feiyi also set aside his earlier displeasure and nodded in agreement with his companion. "Mage Xueye, now you can only avoid this by defying the military's orders. Otherwise..."

"There is no otherwise. Mage Xueye, don't worry. Even if you defy the military's orders, nothing will happen. The mages in the Mage Corps will look after you, just like they do for the others," Mage Loki interjected.

Facing his two former companions from their border garrison days, Shaoke suddenly felt the faint friendship they once shared had faded. After quietly listening to their opinions, Shaoke shook his head. "What's wrong with going to the front lines? After learning magic, should we just become bodyguards for nobles and wealthy merchants? Or show off in front of noble ladies?"

The two mages fell silent. After hearing Shaoke's words, they were momentarily at a loss for what to say. Finally, Mage Loki said quietly, "If we don't do this, how will we get enough money to buy those expensive auxiliary elixirs? How will we copy those increasingly costly spell knowledge?" His voice gradually grew louder, and he regained his former demeanor, looking at Shaoke, hoping the other would change his impending unknown fate.

Shaoke shook his head again. "Mage Loki, you're now assistant instructors at this academy, earning only one hundred standard gold coins a month with no other income, not even the low-grade auxiliary herbs the military provides for free. Can you really obtain the things you just mentioned this way?" Shaoke gently stroked his staff beside him. Mage Loki's attitude shattered Shaoke's previous memories of him, making the person before him seem very unfamiliar.

Mage Feiyi immediately countered Shaoke's view. "Mage Xueye, if you think that way, you're mistaken. Appropriate interaction with nobles and merchants greatly helps our future lives. Don't forget, many nobles are High-rank Mages, and there are probably even more among the wealthy merchants. So..."

"Mage Feiyi, I don't think I'll do these things. I am first and foremost a mage, not a high-priced bodyguard anyone can buy with money or a magical prop for noble ladies to show off." As he spoke, Shaoke pulled his cloak tighter around himself. He no longer wanted to discuss these matters with his former companions. He just wanted to complete his initial purpose and leave immediately.

The gradually louder conversation among the three former companions soon attracted the attention of nearby mages and nobles. Seeing the tense atmosphere, Mage Loki quickly tried to ease it. "As that Elder Mage said, we must have some food for our health. Mage Xueye, what would you like?"

Shaoke adjusted his cloak. "Mage Loki, I'll leave it to you. You know I'm not picky about food."

Mage Feiyi glared angrily at Shaoke. "Mage Xueye, now you should learn to enjoy all the pleasures mages deserve. I think you must adapt to some necessary rules of high society, even if you might not use them." He then closed his eyes, ignoring Shaoke's gloomy expression.

While waiting for lunch, Shaoke again thanked the two mages for their past help and mentioned that he had assisted their junior as they had once helped him. Although some unpleasantness had occurred, Shaoke still hoped for the understanding of the two mages before him.