True to his position as one of the highest-ranking elders in the Magic Association, Richard's offer was impressively weighty. Chongyang suppressed the surge of impulse rising within him, taking a slow, deep breath and blinking his eyes.
"The position of a Level Three Mage as a Grand Director… indeed sounds appealing. While the actual power associated with it might not be substantial, the honor and status it confers are enough to tempt anyone," Chongyang remarked.
A glint of sharpness flickered in Richard's narrowed eyes, though his smile remained intact.
When faced with the sudden arrival of such significant benefits, reactions varied—some rejoiced excessively, some were astonished, and others remained half-skeptical. However, few could maintain the calmness and composure that Richard had seen throughout his life, especially in someone so young who, in the next breath, straightforwardly pinpointed the crux of the matter.
Real Power!
With Richard's authority, it would be no issue at all to appoint a Grand Director within the Magic Association; such an individual would undoubtedly earn the same respect as any other Grand Director. However, in terms of actual power—one of the most critical aspects—it would be impossible for him to compare with those who had gradually climbed the ranks from the bottom.
Power is a complex thing; merely having a background isn't enough. Factors such as one's own abilities, connections, and factions all play significant roles.
An airlifted Grand Director, no matter how outstanding their abilities or how well they manage to gather support and establish relationships, would still require considerable time to build their influence. In contrast, those who had worked their way up, even if merely as a Director, would inherently possess far greater control and influence than a Grand Director without any foundation.
In essence, a Grand Director lacking the corresponding power would merely serve as a decorative vase, and Richard was subtly attempting to use this vase position to rescue a long-time student facing dire circumstances, drawing him into his sphere of influence while establishing a connection to the master who had created the extraordinary magic.
What appeared to be a robust recruitment offer, once perceived in its true light, revealed its fundamental hollowness.
Though Chongyang's words suggested he was moved by the offer, they also pointed out the essence of the proposition, leaving Richard slightly astonished by his calm and collected demeanor.
A long-time student… the disgrace of Praslan… what kind of experiences has this young man gone through to cultivate such a mindset? Richard developed a different interest in Chongyang, not just in the formidable magic he wielded, but in the person himself.
"Please allow me to consider it," Chongyang's final answer was not unexpected for Richard. The elder, who had once confined more than a dozen so-called excellent descendants of his family in a locked dark room for half a year, had subtly begun to regard Chongyang as a junior worthy of a serious conversation.
Even his granddaughter, the doted Felillian, had never received such treatment.
"You are always welcome here, but in practical terms, I hope you'll make a decision soon," Elder Richard said with a warm smile as he saw Chongyang out.
Chongyang nodded and added, "So… about my brother and Miss Felillian…"
"As for the matters of the young ones, I won't interfere too much. I came to act as a judge, partly to clear my mind and partly to observe the reckless youth daring to put a knife between the Alacron family's Dawns and my granddaughter," Richard replied calmly. "While my impression of him is quite favorable, it pales in comparison to the greater reward I seek."
Chongyang understood the implication in the elder's words and stroked his chin thoughtfully.
"I'll have the last magic scroll that wasn't used in this duel given to Miss Felillian," Chongyang said, slightly bowing to the elder. "With that, I will take my leave… farewell."
As he watched Chongyang's departing figure, Richard couldn't help but sigh inwardly. If only the young heirs of his family had half the inner quality of Praslan's only repeat student, he wouldn't have to divide his attention managing family matters.
The elder's stance on the romance between Zhuoyang and Felillian was one of neither opposition nor active support. Gaining this insight was the most significant takeaway from Chongyang's meeting with the elder.
"Now, it's that guy…" Chongyang murmured to himself as he exited the Mage Tower, momentarily squinting against the suddenly bright sunlight.
"Dawns, Alacron family… I need to gather more intelligence."
Chongyang understood Zhuoyang's character. Although his fiery-tempered elder brother was bold and meticulous, such traits were insufficient for the noble struggles. If it were their older brother, Luoyang, who sent the purple crystal coins to the capital and encountered Felillian, Chongyang wouldn't worry too much.
He didn't want his brother to experience the near-fatal encounter he had in the dark alley.
Glorious Hotel.
"Third brother, I owe you one! If it weren't for your potions and scrolls, I would have lost all face in front of Felillian!" Zhuoyang's face was radiant with excitement, as if the words "victorious in love" were engraved on his forehead.
"Miss Felillian isn't angry at you for not going easy on him, right?"
"Not at all! I tried to gauge her feelings, and she already has a very poor impression of Dawns. This battle was a complete victory!" Zhuoyang took a large gulp of strong liquor, his excitement evident as his face glowed.
Chongyang nodded, slowly sipping the rich drink, feeling the intense liquid burn through his throat and stomach.
"Second brother, you stay in the hotel for the next few days. Besides your rendezvous with Miss Felillian, don't wander around… I'll handle the auction on my own."
Zhuoyang paused slightly at this, the alcohol's effects clearing from his mind.
"Are you worried about Dawns' revenge?"
"Yes, from this duel, it's clear that… Dawns has deep-rooted power behind him in the capital. He suffered a significant setback this time, and he won't let it go easily," Chongyang replied. "And we are like driftwood here. Even if we won this duel, to them, we're still just country bumpkins from the North."
Zhuoyang silently nodded. Even though he was the son of a hereditary earl, the distance between Lieyang City and the capital was a thousand miles, making their influence and real power negligible.
"This is the capital, prosperous and peaceful. While there are many dark corners, overall, as long as one stays vigilant, it's hard for opponents to find opportunities…" Chongyang said slowly. "But that's not enough. Just in case… I think we should set aside some money to hire high-level mercenaries or adventurers as guards."
"How can that be!?" Zhuoyang frowned. "That money was given to you for buying medicine!"
"The mercenaries above the domain level in the capital are plentiful, and their hiring prices are relatively cheap. It won't cost much," Chongyang argued.
"But… how can mercenaries hired with money protect me?" Zhuoyang countered immediately.
"The most important thing for mercenaries is their reputation. We can look for well-known mercenaries or even a mercenary group. Once a contract is set, they will do their utmost. Even if we can't expect them to be self-sacrificial, they can buy some time during a crisis, allowing you to escape."
"But…" Zhuoyang wanted to rebut again, but Chongyang raised a hand to stop him.
"Don't oppose me, second brother. While money is important, buying medicine is crucial, but your safety is paramount. If you came to the capital for me and something happens to you here, I would never have the face to return home," Chongyang said earnestly.
"Third brother…" Zhuoyang looked deeply at Chongyang, suddenly realizing, "What about you? That guy Dawns might target you too, right!?"
"There is indeed a possibility if he can't find a way to deal with you," Chongyang nodded. "But don't worry. I usually stay at the academy, and they wouldn't dare to break in to find anyone. As for going out… I have my own means of self-protection."
His means of self-protection referred to the ever-lurking (or perhaps haunting) Flame Demon.
Under Chongyang's patient persuasion, Zhuoyang, while still somewhat skeptical in his heart, agreed to hire guards and be cautious, trusting that Chongyang had his own ways to handle any unusual situations. After finishing their drinks, Zhuoyang transferred most of his crystal coins to Chongyang, and the two brothers temporarily parted ways.
Chongyang did not return to the academy immediately. Instead, he summoned a carriage and headed straight to the Mercenary and Adventurer Guild to seek suitable protective forces for Zhuoyang.
The Adventurer Guild is one of the largest and most formidable forces on the continent. Various medium and above-level mercenaries and adventure groups form the backbone of the guild's strength. Although they cannot compete with military forces due to the constraints of each country's guild system, their widespread influence and practical impact in society are undeniably powerful.
The Adventurer Guild in the capital is housed in an imposing stone building, standing like a towering mountain in the city. Arched doors flank both sides, providing entry.
Chongyang entered through the left side, designated for customers. The rough-and-tumble mercenaries and adventurers used the right side. Historical experience has long proven that mixing clients with mercenaries and adventurers can lead to unnecessary trouble and chaos. Therefore, unless in special circumstances, commissions are generally handled through intermediaries.
With the assistance of the staff, Chongyang quickly obtained a list of available mercenaries or adventurers that met his requirements. He quickly scanned the list and focused on eight excellent adventuring teams that were least likely to have ties to the Magic Association.
After carefully reviewing several teams' profiles, he eliminated one and confirmed his intention to issue contracts to the remaining seven, paying special attention to a team named "Ranger Philo."
Ranger Philo was a legendary adventurer known throughout the continent, and his life story remains a beloved bedtime tale for countless children. The team adopted his name as a pun, implying that "Philo" must hold some special significance.
Upon further examining this team's profile, Chongyang felt a mix of emotions as he confirmed that this team was indeed established by his former friends, Fily and Yalo.
If he ended up signing a contract with this team among the seven, it could be considered a form of fate. The only question was whether it could be deemed a blessing or a curse.