Chapter 96
This was completely contrary to Sylas's understanding. For her, the crack of elements was like an unstoppable gush that could hardly be closed. She had only ever worried about how to shut it off.
Xerath received a surprised questioning look from Sylas and shrugged his shoulders, "Aimekotes is a special place, and both you and I are special people."
Sylas nodded in a daze, still trying to recover from the shocking blow.
But Xerath continued, "Also, the people who are qualified to ask such questions usually wouldn't do such things."
"Why?"
"This starts with the purpose. We have discussed similar questions before. What is your purpose in doing something? Who does it benefit? Have you considered the consequences? Can you bear the consequences? Whether intentional or unintentional, have you somewhat considered these things before doing something?"
"Of course."
"Sometimes you consider your responsibilities and obligations, right? For example..."
"As an apprentice, it is my responsibility to clean the entire tower, and it is my duty to finish my homework. Is it something like that?"
"Exactly. But there are more advanced situations. Let's say you have become a mage. There is a job coming from an anonymous request from the Adventurer Guild. You feel something is off and based on your experience, it is likely coming from an undiscovered Lich. But the reward is very substantial, enough for you to buy the whole Aimekotes. If you were in Virgil's position, a Demon Hunter making a living, would you accept it?"
"I... I don't think I can help a Lich, it could possibly cause harm to one or several people."
"Oh, that's an impressive response." Xerath was a little surprised. "Virgil, no one wants to help you make money."
"Hey, why are you saying silly things? I won't accept either! I have principles too!"
Instead of getting angry from being contradicted, Xerath moved closer and looked at Sylas. "See? Everyone has some principles, right? Just like Virgil, everyone has their own moral beliefs, their own limits, and their own considerations."
"Yes, that seems to be the case. I can understand this emotionally."
"Very well. As a magician, or you can say an archmage or a researcher, there are more... responsibilities. I suppose you are aware of the history of the Mage Guild, right?"
"Which part are you referring to?"
"I'm referring to why the Mage Guild was established."
"Um... On one hand, it was to prevent powerful magicians from becoming killing machines in wars, and to allow them to focus on studying magic and using it for the benefit of people, not just for killing. On the other hand, it was also to balance those magicians who would sell their power for personal gain without any limits. The Mage Guild is the result of self-discipline among magicians."
"Basically, it's like this. Wizards, especially a few powerful ones like me, not only have responsibilities to this human society, but also as living creatures who connect the mortal realm with countless mysterious realms, we have...more responsibilities. You can't just think about your own interests or the interests of a few people, you have...you have a responsibility to protect a certain balance."
The curious little creature puzzled over the word "balance."
"Do you still remember how the Elemental Gate was formed?"
"Undead and dragons fought over this area repeatedly, causing numerous cracks in the elements to form, leaving this place full of wounds. All living creatures disappeared, turning it into a desert... Is that what you're referring to?"
"Exactly, it took nature 2000 years to try and heal these scars, but I believe that this is the most irresponsible place for a war. Some people caused consequences that not only affected themselves, but also the greatest powers in the world, powers that cannot be undone."
"So, what you're saying is...you believe that extracting water from the Endless Water Realm without any restrictions to eliminate the desert is a similar..."
"An act that disrupts the balance. I'm not saying that the desert shouldn't disappear, I simply believe that causing drastic changes, disrupting the balance, and creating irreversible disasters for the sake of someone's selfish interests goes against the position that wizards should hold. Ironically, this sense of responsibility is what the majority of powerful wizards agree upon."
"Why? How did this consensus come about? Why...why don't I, someone who can tear open cracks in the elements, naturally have this consensus?"
"I've mentioned before, you are a special individual. Most wizards go through at least fourteen years of systematic learning, with the support of rich life experiences, a certain level of knowledge, and good logical thinking, they rationally arrive at similar conclusions and express their agreement."
"Ah, ah..." Sylas suddenly realized, "Is this what they call...'social etiquette'?"
Xerath burst into laughter, "Something similar, this is the code of ethics for mages. After the establishment of the Mage Guild, it became part of the guild's rules. I hope you adhere to it, violating it will result in public criticism and hostility from the entire guild."
"Hmm, it sounds like a necessary requirement."
"Yes, since it concerns mages, reasoning and logic are very important," the archmage nodded with satisfaction, "Have I answered your question?"
"Yes... you have answered it, thank you."
"You are too kind. Do you have any plans for the next two days?"
Sylas was at a loss for words.
The archmage smiled faintly, "It's also fine if you have no plans. Resting means doing nothing."
"What about packing? I think there are some things I don't have..."
"It's okay, I have some of those, and we can go buy the ones we don't have. Give me your list, and I'll come to your room later to find you."
Virgil held a stool, furrowing his brow as he looked back and forth between the two of them. He whispered by Titus' fuzzy ear, "I feel like we've been left behind again."
"Awooo."
After receiving the instructions, Sylas turned towards her own room on that floor. The archmage, on the other hand, seemed as if there was no one behind him, walking alone towards his own room. Virgil had no choice but to take the stool back to the living room.
So empty and cold.
After a while, footsteps gradually became clearer from above and Xerath opened the door, saying to him, "Virgil, I'm really sorry. I almost completely forgot to entertain you. I left Hyectra here, so you can tell her anything you need. I need to go find Sylas."
After saying that, she closed the door and left. Virgil complained, "Old buddy, what happened to Sylas after just two months? Esteemed archmage, what's going on?"
Hyectra stifled a laugh in her mind, "Didn't you expect this result when you brought the young lady here? They are the same kind. I've often wondered what it would be like if the young lady hadn't encountered any danger and grew up with her parents."
Virgil chuckled, "Interesting idea, what would happen?"
The water lord frowned and said, "I guess the young lady is sent to the famous mage because of her exceptional talent. Eventually, she will annoy everyone there and be thrown to my master like a hot potato. What happens next won't be much different from now."
Virgil smiled and said, "I guess the little beast will be raised as a proud young lady. She will foolishly challenge the esteemed archmage, get humiliated by Xerath at first, and then be unable to resist her charm and stubbornly stick around."
Two different creatures exchanged smiles that they could understand from each other.
"Sylas, are you inside?"
"Of course." Sylas personally ran over to open the door for her and was surprised to see her carrying a small suitcase herself, quickly taking it without the help of the water lord steward.
"Open it and take a look." She handed the list back to Sylas, and some items on it were already checked off.
Sylas opened the suitcase and placed the contents on her own bed one by one, and what surprised her was the "boots" that left her puzzled.
"Are they white?" Not pure white, you could tell they had some age, but still well-maintained, just like most of the things Xerath had given her.
"What's wrong?" Xerath had a premonition that the thing she had always been worried about was happening. The child didn't like to use things that others had used, just like she didn't like using her brother's old belongings. After the little beast had seen different scenery and developed her own sense of aesthetics, of course, she would express dissatisfaction with things she had no choice over. "If you don't like it, let's go to Withered Leaf City tomorrow?"
"No... not that I don't like it, just never thought you had colors other than brown and black."
Xerath frowned incredulously and awkwardly laughed, "There was never a need for different colors before, but I have plenty of beige shoes to match light-colored dresses."
Sylas shook out a piece of clothing, "What is this?"
"A light-colored robe, it's on the list."
It's actually white. Should I change into it now?
Xerath nodded, Sylas glanced at her and then slipped off her shirt behind the partially closed cabinet door. Xerath hesitated for a moment, quickly turned to face the wall. It wasn't quite appropriate to be faced with a teenager who had already entered puberty, completely naked.
However, her precise memory and imaginative associations connected the girl's tall and graceful figure with a soft and supple touch, reminding her with mental images when she closed her eyes and with tactile memories when she opened her eyes.
Her sense of smell reinforced her memory, as she realized that the pleasant scent lingering in Sylas's room was a certain mark of Sylas's.
Things were a bit messy, she had thought too much.
"Teacher? Teacher?" Seeing that she didn't respond, Sylas walked up to her and gently patted her shoulder, "I'm ready now."
Hmm? Oh, let me see." She took two steps back, motioning for Sylas to spin around. Noticing the hem wasn't quite right, she reached out to smooth it down, but hesitated and asked herself, "Is this appropriate?
"Teacher, what's wrong?"
Xerath heard her question and came out of her momentary pause, trying to remain calm. "There are some wrinkles, don't move."
