Chapter 258: Another Primordial Mage

Chapter 258 Another Primordial Mage

Reynolds took a delicate sip from a glass of seaweed wine, a specialty of the Crystal Archipelago.

Purplish-black liquid swirled inside the goblet, refracting the crystal lamp's glow like a trapped star.

He swirled the glass thoughtfully, his gaze heavy with contemplation as if deciding where to begin unraveling Luo En's confusion.

"The situation in the Central Lands is far more complex than written records suggest."

"On the surface, it's the School Alliance's co-governance, but beneath lies an undercurrent of turbulence. Power struggles never cease—they merely wear more refined masks."

Luo En gave a slight nod, skepticism lingering as he quietly evaluated the truthfulness of Reynolds' words. The subtle fluctuations in the man's tone weren't deliberate omissions but compressions of intricate realities. Clearly, he was trying to simplify a complex system.

"First, you must understand the Truth Pavilion."

Reynolds' voice grew strained, as though fearing invisible ears might eavesdrop:

"It exists beyond all systems, an intangible overseer perched at the pinnacle of the mage world."

He glanced around to confirm their solitude before continuing:

"The Truth Pavilion is composed of the most powerful Archmages and the Great Ones. It holds ultimate authority but rarely intervenes. Only in the face of existential threats to the mage world do they descend from their lofty, indifferent perches, like gods in ancient myths."

"Like an experimenter observing microbial ecosystems in a petri dish?"

Luo En offered this analogy he deemed apt.

"Your metaphor is surprisingly precise."

Reynolds smiled, surprise flickering in his eyes:

"Let's focus on what lies beneath the Truth Pavilion—primarily the Alliance of major schools. Among them, the Crystal Spire's dominance is unparalleled."

He pressed the "automated serving" button and silently activated an Isolation Formation.

"Is the gap really as vast as rumors claim?"

Luo En arched an eyebrow, mentally reviewing scattered information he'd gathered.

"Worse than you've heard." Reynolds' tone darkened, reverent yet weighted:

"Other major schools might boast one or two Archmages. The Crystal Spire publicly claims four, not counting the secluded sages who've withdrawn into research and isolation."

He lifted his goblet, swirling the viscous purplish-black liquid that left clinging streaks on the glass:

"It sounds like a mere numerical difference, but in the mage world, it represents an insurmountable chasm. You understand the Abyssal Creature hierarchy, don't you? The apex predators maintain unbridgeable gaps over their prey—Archmages are even more extreme."

Luo En nodded thoughtfully. This aligned with his preliminary assessments of the mage world's power distribution.

His "Consciousness Library" automatically integrated this new information, constructing a clearer power map. The Crystal Spire loomed largest, a blazing star against the night sky.

"The Crystal Spire's dominance stems from its core faction—the Crown Clan."

Reynolds continued, reverence mingled with subtle resentment in his eyes:

"Especially the current leader—Archmage Cassandra. She ascended to Archmage within the last century, becoming the Crystal Spire's Tower Lord. Under her reign, the Spire has reached its greatest power in a thousand years."

"Cassandra."

Luo En murmured the name, searching his Consciousness Library for details. He recalled only brief, sparse annotations.

Reynolds' eyes glinted knowingly:

"She's also a primordial mage who ascended through the True Path."

Luo En's head snapped up, sharp gaze piercing like a blade.

Primordial mages were rare enough, but those who smoothly completed the True Path's ascension to Archmage without succumbing during the process were practically nonexistent.

"Thank you, Reynolds mage, for sharing such critical information."

Reynolds waved a dismissive hand:

"It's no secret in Central Lands' mage circles. Archmage Cassandra herself never hides it—she wears it proudly."

He took another sip:

"While her Archmage ascension date isn't ancient, her strength surpasses many of her peers. This mastery is precisely why she became this generation's Tower Lord."

Silence settled briefly as automated serving arms delivered a new dish—"Deep Sea Grasp."

A deep-sea fish, magically transformed into a hand-like shape and glazed with shimmering blue sauce, emanated an irresistible aroma.

Luo En poked it with a silver fork, surprised when the flesh contracted like living muscle tissue.

A familiar concept—semi-vital alchemical materials that maintained biological traits while stripping consciousness.

"Try it", Reynolds urged casually. "Temporarily sharpens sensory acuity, helpful for precise spellcasting. One of the Archipelago's specialties—caught alive and immediately treated to preserve its oceanic mana."

Luo En cut off a morsel. As it melted on his tongue, layers of umami exploded while subtle numbness spread through his nerves, heightening sensitivity.

He discerned every minute mana fluctuation in the air, even the molecular structure of his wine.

"An exquisite culinary technique—must involve supernatural methods."

He analyzed mentally while commenting:

"It preserves the fish's neural vitality, rewiring it into a sensory-enhancement network for the consumer. Exceptional craftsmanship."

Reynolds waited for Luo En to adapt to this heightened state before resuming:

"Returning to our topic—how much do you know about the differences between school mages and free mages?"

Luo En paused, organizing his knowledge:

"At the Black Mist School, 'freedom' exists as an abstract concept, rarely discussed. We're taught that after becoming Full Mages, we may choose our paths. But given the Transcendent World's resource allocation principles, I suspect there are invisible constraints?"

"Perceptive as always." Reynolds' tone warmed with admiration:

"Most schools subtly bind apprentices through contracts, differing only in severity. Typically, these require serving the school for decades post-Ascension—terms proportional to the resources invested in your training."

His gaze sharpened, voice dropping conspiratorially:

"But when a school particularly covets an apprentice's potential—or fears they'll never reach Moonlight Rank—they employ ruthless tactics. Some sign away their futures through lifelong binding contracts."

"Institutional design", Luo En murmured, his slight nod conveying understanding. "The former binds rare talents permanently, while the latter secures long-term cheap labor. Neither group's fate is enviable."

Luo En nodded slightly - this institutional framework made perfect logical sense. In Mageworld's power-centric elite society, resource allocation naturally followed efficiency maximization principles. Contracts served dual purposes: safeguarding School investments while controlling power flows.

"Reynolds, how about your personal experience?" Luo En asked directly. Among mages, such inquiries weren't considered intrusive since contract periods were unavoidable career phases.

"After ascending to Dawn Star Rank, I served my School 'Element Gardens' for thirty-three years", Reynolds replied, his voice carrying a subtle mix of nostalgia and relief. "Primarily researching and teaching element fusion theory, plus routine surveys in certain Abyss Edge regions. Not particularly grueling, though never easy either."

His eyes brightened. "Only recently gained freedom to pursue true passion - Abyss Exploration. Each expedition brought significant gains. Distance to Dawn Star Rank's peak narrows rapidly - comparatively speaking, of course."

Luo En seized the critical point: "So Contracts aren't absolutely irrevocable?" Mentally calculating potential options, he realized contract terms would become crucial if he ever joined a School.

"Exceptions exist", Reynolds nodded, fingers unconsciously tracing his cup's rim with a faint harmonic buzz. "Major achievements, special contributions, or powerful guarantors might secure early release. Alternatively..."

A waiter placed the Star Ocean Platter before them - seven exotic deep-sea creatures arranged like a living ecosystem. Some emitted periodic bioluminescent glows, others shifted colors with viewing angles, a few exhibited autonomous micro-movements. Both culinary masterpiece and living artwork.

"Your Abyssal Creature expertise impresses", Reynolds shifted topics, voice laced with subtle probing. "Your earlier bloodline rejection solution - even the Abyssmutation Compendium lacked such detail."

Luo En recognized the indirect reference to Silent Market dealings. This conversation's foundation was being laid through cautious exploration.

"Biological and bloodline theories have always fascinated me", he responded evenly. "During my Black Mist School days, I studied physical specimens, analyzing their physiological structures and adaptation mechanisms."

Reynolds' cough carried deliberate emphasis. "Lalf, my courtesy stems from recognizing your potential. I seek friendship and collaboration."

Unsurprised, Luo En waited. While Reynolds' candor was unexpected, this directness aligned with Full Mage norms - minimal pretense, just essential discretion.

"True Path-ascended primordial mages exhibit fundamentally different mana fluctuations", Reynolds' gaze settled on Luo En's Mage Insignia - a sinister black violin surrounded by nearly imperceptible golden filigree. "That golden circuit proves authenticity - unforgeable, unmistakable."

Luo En glanced at his insignia's faint glow. During Black Mist days, he'd never worn one; Hayaek and Soren's circle never used insignia for comparison.

"My uniqueness does resist complete concealment", he admitted.

"Central Lands punishes strength-hiding harshly", Reynolds shook his head. "Only by demonstrating true power do mages earn respect. Full Mages' essence separates us from apprentices and common Adepts. As Archmage Seeds, primordials naturally command special treatment - the ultimate rule in this might-matters world."

His words stirred Luo En's thoughts.

"Speaking of primordials", Reynolds sipped wine, tone suddenly wistful. "Before your emergence, Cassandra Archmage's artificially cultivated daughter carried the mage world's highest True Path hopes."

"Daughter?" Luo En paused his cutlery, intrigued. Archmages had transcended conventional biology.

"Her embryo gestation consumed fifty years", Reynolds' voice thickened with reverence. "Hundreds of rare resources consumed, even portions of Cassandra's Phantom Husk sacrificed - creating a being innately attuned to the True Path."

Luo En's pulse quickened. This touched his core research - life essence manipulation beyond conventional bloodline engineering.

"Results?" He tempered his curiosity.

"A tragic paradox", Reynolds sighed. "Her innate power surpassed Intermediate Apprentice thresholds at birth - prodigious comprehension of arcane knowledge. Yet this very strength, combined with Central Lands' mana-rich environment, triggered an extremely rare 'mana corruption.'"

"Mana corruption", Luo En repeated, frowning. He'd encountered fragmented warnings in ancient fragments but no detailed records.

"Imagine filling an endlessly flowing bottle beyond its capacity", Reynolds explained, sorrowful. "Mana growth outpaces physical/spiritual containment. Uncontrolled, it corrodes body and soul, causing unpredictable mutations."

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end