Chapter Seventeen: The Mage Guild

"Indeed, it's quite impressive!" Bill nearly leapt up in excitement upon hearing Weir's words, but the next sentence drove his spirits straight to rock bottom.

"But I refuse."

With a calm, unhurried tone, Weir uttered this, looking down at the boy before him, who was even younger than himself. There was a trace of regret in his eyes. Before Bill could question him, Weir explained directly, "Everything you've suggested is based on the premise that I am a mage. But I must regretfully tell you that while I know magic, I am not a mage in the official sense. I have never been recognized by the Mage Guild, neither formally nor in name."

"What?!" Bill cried out in astonishment, hastily asking, "How is that possible? Mr. Cyathea, with your abilities, how could you not have received the Mage Guild’s recognition? That's simply absurd!"

"It’s the truth. I have no need to deceive you," Weir replied lightly, though his mind was still turning over Bill’s earlier proposal, increasingly convinced that what Bill had suggested was not impossible.

"How could that be?!" Bill still refused to believe it. He lowered his head in thought, then quickly looked up and asked, "So, Mr. Cyathea, is it because of some special reason that you were forbidden from joining the Mage Guild, or is it that you never tried to join in the first place?"

In Bill’s mind, for someone like Weir not to be part of the Mage Guild, there could only be two explanations: either this mage named Cyathea had done something so earth-shattering that the Guild barred his entry—after all, mages were a proud, arrogant group with little skill or wit, and it wasn’t unheard of for them to do shocking things under the Empire’s ‘guidance’—or he had simply never joined the Guild at all!

"Do you really believe the current Mage Guild deserves to be called a guild? A group of people who swagger through the Empire under its protection, yet have no real strength—the proudest of mages would never stoop to join such a place."

Weir clearly understood what Bill was getting at. Though he hadn’t looked into the Guild’s records specifically, the ethos among mages in the Empire spoke volumes about the Guild’s lax and disorganized ways.

"So it really is as I thought," Bill mused to himself. He began to ponder how he could persuade Weir to join the Mage Guild. After all, everything he’d proposed relied on Weir officially being a mage. In a fleeting moment, Bill considered hundreds of possible reasons and carefully selected a few he thought might move Weir, preparing to speak. But just then, Weir preempted him.

"However, I will still go."

Upon hearing this, Bill felt as if a hundred paths, shining with hope, suddenly opened before him. He asked excitedly, "Sir, are you planning to join the Mage Guild?"

Bill expected Weir to nod without hesitation, but to his surprise, a cold glint flickered in Weir’s eyes as he replied icily, "That place—do you really call it a Mage Guild?"

"Then… Mr. Cyathea, you mean to…?" Bill stammered, caught off guard by Weir’s reaction, his heart suddenly tightening.

"I intend to go there and reform it properly. I will show everyone across the continent what a true Mage Guild is meant to be!"

Weir’s words crashed into Bill’s heart like a boulder, leaving him stunned for a long while. Reform the Mage Guild? Show the entire continent what a true Mage Guild is? Even the two mightiest mages in existence wouldn’t dare utter such words, yet the youth named Cyathea standing before him had spoken them so boldly!

Bill blinked hard, his face awash with incredulity. He stammered, "Mr. Cyathea, you…"

"Oh, wait. Bill, I suddenly think I’d be much more satisfied if you called me ‘boss’ instead," Weir interrupted, beckoning him over. "If you’re sure you want to follow me, then come."

Without waiting for Bill’s reply, Weir turned and strode out of the alley. Bill remained in a daze, but he had a sudden, vague sense that he had chosen the right person to follow.

A faint smile crept unbidden across his face. By the time he regained his senses, Weir was nearly out of sight. "Mr. Cyathea—no, boss, boss! Wait for me!" Bill cried, hurrying after him.

_________

In a luxurious inn, Weir lounged leisurely in a comfortable beast-hide chair. Standing before him was a youth of striking beauty: golden hair that would draw anyone’s envy, exquisite features, a doll-like face, and sun-kissed skin that made him look vibrant and spirited.

Had Weir not seen it with his own eyes, he would never have believed that the youth before him was the same grimy boy from earlier.

"No wonder Lady Liszt dotes on you so much. It seems there’s good reason for it," Weir remarked with a faint smile, sitting up from the chair. He asked, "Well then, what do you think I should do next?"

"Yes, boss!" Bill now seemed utterly transformed. After washing and tidying himself, he looked every inch the noble youth. He offered Weir a perfect bow, then said, "I believe our top priority is to secure you a formal mage’s identity. Only then can we approach the things we wish to pursue."

"Hmm. According to what you said, the Divine Staff is in the hands of the Martial Soul Hall, but for various reasons, although they know where it is, they haven’t made a move yet, correct?" Weir nodded, questioning Bill.

"Yes, boss. The Martial Soul Hall has learned of the staff’s whereabouts, but the royal family does not want them to possess it. You must understand, the Los Yiziger Divine Staff is an artifact. The effects of any faction obtaining it would be unimaginable. The Empire’s two main powers—the Royal Family and the Martial Soul Hall—are at odds over this. Furthermore, it seems an ancient magical array surrounds the staff, so the Martial Soul Hall cannot act," Bill explained.

"Artifacts by nature transcend boundaries and will always attract ambitious hands. Stirring the waters is nothing unusual. But that magical array…" Weir mused, rubbing his nose. After a moment’s thought, he rose and said to Bill, "Let’s do as you suggest. First, I’ll obtain a mage’s status. As for the rest, I doubt you can do anything about it for now. Wait for me here. Tomorrow, I’ll come for you, and together we’ll visit this so-called Mage Guild."