Chapter 136 All Conflicts Stem from Interests (Brothers, power outages delayed updates recently. My apologies and thanks!)

When Shaoke and the others arrived at the tavern, Mage Roman immediately noticed them. “Congratulations!” Seeing the unstable Three-Pointed Star Magic Array flickering in Shaoke’s eyes, she exclaimed excitedly. “Mage Xueye, remove your hood. Do you truly believe it can conceal the mark in your eyes?”

At her words, Shaoke awkwardly lowered his hood. “Mage Roman, I just feel… uncomfortable.” He spoke honestly, reluctant to draw other mages’ attention due to the mark. “Thank you—truly. Without your help, I’d never have succeeded in advancing to Third Tier Mage.” He sincerely thanked her once more for her earlier assistance.

After a brief exchange with Shaoke and the others, Mage Roland tactfully withdrew, recognizing he had no place in their private conversation. “Mage Xueye, I’ll step outside and depart shortly.” With their consent, he left the intimate circle with mixed emotions and went to mingle with the maids.

Once Roland had departed, Shaoke and Mage Roman discussed post-advancement matters for a short while—before Roman swiftly changed the subject. “You haven’t yet reported your advancement to the military?” Noting that Shaoke still wore his Second Tier Mage robe, she asked nervously, uncertainly.

“Yes.” Though puzzled by her question, Shaoke knew she wouldn’t raise it without reason. “Is something wrong? Can I assist in any way?”

Seeing his earnest expression, Mage Roman let out a soft chuckle. “Mage Xueye, I only ask you wait a few more days before reporting your advancement. By then, you’ll likely have more options.”

Hearing this, Shaoke recalled receiving his post-battle rewards. “Isn’t it simply a matter of heading straight to the Blizzard Legion—or, like you, remaining stationed here for a few more years?” He watched her closely, observing the subtle shifts in her expression, and sensed reality might differ from his assumptions.

Sure enough, after a brief hesitation, Roman explained: “Upon my return to the Blizzard Legion, I informed them of you. They wish you to return immediately after your advancement and assume a formal post.” She paused, then added, “But the military has introduced new arrangements for mages of your caliber—so the military…” At that, she fell silent, merely sipping wine from her glass.

“Do I have no right to refuse?” Shaoke felt unsettled by the military’s approach. Previously, they’d never imposed such decisions—but now things seemed different. “I don’t believe the military would act this way,” he countered uncertainly.

The flush on Roman’s cheeks faded as she gently shook her head. “They won’t force you—but I suspect, once the new position is formally proposed, you won’t *want* to refuse.” She signaled a maid for another drink and continued, “So I hope the Blizzard Legion’s official appointment letter arrives before the military’s—giving you time to depart here accordingly.”

Hearing her vague explanation, Shaoke fell silent for a moment, staring wordlessly at her while his mind raced through the possibilities ahead.

“Mage Roman—will you remain stationed here for some time longer?” After a long pause, he finally asked. He wished to spend more time with her—and dreaded leaving early to adjust alone to the unfamiliar environment of the Blizzard Legion.

“Per the agreement and appointment, I cannot officially leave until I advance to Fourth Tier Mage.” At Shaoke’s words, Roman’s previously dimmed eyes suddenly brightened. She lowered her head slightly, swirling her wineglass as she watched the deep crimson liquid swirl silently beneath her control.

“Is the military’s proposed position also here?” Shaoke asked hesitantly. Though he’d anticipated new choices after his advancement, he hadn’t expected so many options to emerge so quickly. “Can I remain stationed here—and perform the same duties as you?”

“There are already numerous mages from various legions stationed within this fortress.” Roman glanced at him and sighed softly. “I hope you’ll leave for the legion instead. After all, conditions there are no worse than what the military provides.” With that, she leaned back in her chair, gently closed her eyes, and fell into quiet contemplation.

Silence settled between them again—until the tavern’s growing commotion broke it.

“You’re a Third Tier Mage, but you hold no authority over us here!” A hoarse voice reached Shaoke and the others. “Yes—I confirm you have no right to command us!” The voice repeated loudly.

The scattered conversations in the tavern died instantly, leaving only the escalating argument between the Second Tier Mage and the Third Tier Mage confronting him. His indignation mounting, the Second Tier Mage’s voice grew louder still.

His opponent remained calm, patiently explaining his perspective and urging restraint—hoping the other would regain composure and uphold the dignity and etiquette expected of mages in such settings.

Mage Roman frowned, interrupting Shaoke’s observation, and whispered, “Mage Xueye—let’s leave.” Upon receiving his nod, she picked up her staff and, following formal mage etiquette, naturally offered him her arm.

After a brief hesitation, Shaoke took her arm—and the two departed the tavern. Following Roman’s suggestion, they slowly made their way toward the city wall.

Quietly absorbing the warmth radiating from Roman beside him, Shaoke broke the silence again. “Could you explain why such incidents occur here? I noticed the Second Tier Mage wasn’t wearing a black robe.” He added, “The mages present seemed remarkably composed—does this happen often now?”

Roman tightened her grip on his arm, drawing slightly closer, and replied helplessly, “Yes—since my return, such incidents have never ceased. According to other mages, they began shortly after the war ended.”

At Shaoke’s prompting, Roman then detailed the root cause: a conflict between the Military Mage Corps and mages directly under military command—sparked by inequitable post-war reward distribution, which deeply angered those forcibly conscripted to the front lines.

As Roman elaborated, Shaoke learned that forcibly conscripted Mage Corps mages received far fewer rewards than ordinary military mages—and vastly less than mages like himself and his companions. After the military suppressed their grievances, these mages redirected their grief—over lost comrades, friends, and family—toward those serving directly under the military.

Hearing this, Shaoke paused thoughtfully before asking, “Didn’t the military consider these mages’ sentiments? Was it because higher-ups in the Mage Corps withheld support?”

Roman gave a slight shrug—then froze as a sudden, powerful surge of mana fluctuations erupted ahead of them.

Startled, Shaoke and Roman instantly cast defensive spells. Gripping their staffs, they exchanged a glance—and decided to investigate. Through spiritual sensing, they realized the fluctuations originated not from spellcasting, but from within multiple individuals’ bodies.

Rounding several street corners rapidly, Shaoke and Roman soon arrived at the scene.

A wide, stone-paved road teemed with mages. Beneath the lanterns’ dim glow, they saw two opposing groups: Black-Robed Mages and Gray-Robed Mages, locked in tense standoff. Shaoke and Roman found themselves behind the Black-Robed group. After a moment’s hesitation, Shaoke quietly questioned a nearby mage about the cause.

The mage quickly explained: mages under direct military command and Mage Corps mages had encountered each other on the road—triggering an initial dispute. As more mages gathered from both sides, tensions escalated through successive confrontations. “Truthfully, I don’t know the precise origin—but I refuse to tolerate Mage Corps mages complaining about our substantial post-war rewards. They have no idea we earned them only after enduring far longer frontline service than they ever did.”

Seeing the mage’s flushed, agitated face, Roman rubbed her temples helplessly. Spiritual sensing revealed many Third Tier Mages among the crowd—dashing her hope of quelling the senseless conflict using her rank alone.

As both sides projected spiritual and mana pressure against one another, the atmosphere thickened with tension. Shaoke noticed the mage who’d just spoken gripping his staff tightly—already forming the gesture for a spell. He knew large-scale magical combat was imminent.

Roman, too,敏锐ly perceived the danger. She bit her lip hard and gripped Shaoke’s arm firmly. “We must stop them. The consequences of open conflict here are unacceptable to the military.” She gestured toward nearby civilian homes—doors and windows tightly shut. She refused to let ordinary citizens perish because of mages’ infighting—especially mages who, not long ago, had fought side by side for the empire against its enemies.