They didn’t wear any cloaks as making themselves indistinguishable from the ordinary citizens would just make them even more suspicious.
Nonetheless, after stealing so money from a few passersby, they purchased so clothes to better blend in.
With this action, they were also able to get so knowledge about the currency.
Well, unlike Psychic Arts Practitioners, they weren’t able to gather information just by going through the heads of so other people.
They have to do it the old-fashioned way or at the very least, use their senses to absorb information from surrounding people.
However, they weren’t exactly sure about the situation here just yet. Even if they had to use their Immortal Sense, it had to be in a small area to ensure that no one would discover them just yet.
Soon, they moved through the streets, and their eyes and ears open for any information. It didn’t take long for them to overhear a conversation that caught their attention.
"Did you hear? Grand Arcanist Addison is holding another assembly tomorrow..." a man said to his companion as they passed by. "They say he’ll announce new regulations for the use of Elental Arts."
Kent’s eyes narrowed.
The Grand Arcanist? That title was unfamiliar to him. He exchanged a glance with Thassa, who nodded subtly. They needed to learn more.
They followed the pair at a distance, eventually arriving at a bustling marketplace.
The stalls were filled with magical artifacts, potions, and scrolls. They were all quite incredible for mortals and only slightly interesting for Immortals like them...
However, what caught Kent’s attention was a large notice board in the center of the square. It was covered in proclamations and announcents, bearing the seal of the Grand Arcanist.
Kent moved closer as he scanned the text. The proclamations spoke of strict regulations on the use of magic, enforced by a centralized authority known as the Elental Arcane Dominion. There was no ntion of the Council of the Twelve Arcane Paths.
According to the rumors they heard, it seed that there was a recent accident involving the use of Arcane Spells that killed many ordinary people. It seed reasonable that there would be a strict regulation that would follow.
"The Council is gone?" Thassa murmured. "Maybe the Elental Arcane Dominion has taken its place."
Kent shook his head at this. "That’s possible... But the Council may still be there... Or if they disbanded, maybe this Elental Arcane Dominion was previously a part of it. Perhaps instead of one organization, there’s already twelve of them by the looks of it."
Thassa nodded.
The world had changed more than they had anticipated. The Council, their old enemies, was probably no longer in power, but this new regi might prove even more dangerous.
***
Kent and Thassa decided to explore further before returning to the forest to et Gyn and the others. Their curiosity had been piqued by the bustling city, and they sensed a concentration of magical activity in one particular area.
Following the flow of people and traces of arcane energy, they soon found themselves standing before a grand building fortified by Rune Arts.
Above the entrance, a sign read: Arcanist Association.
"This place is filled with Arcanists. If we want to blend in and gather information, this is where we need to be." Thassa said with a smile.
Kent nodded. "Let’s see what this Association is all about. If we can pass as normal Arcanists, we might learn more about the state of this world."
They stepped inside and they were imdiately greeted by the sight of dozens of Arcanists.
The place had shelves filled with scrolls, artifacts, and glowing crystals. There was also a large mission board that dominated one side of the room, covered in posted requests and assignnts.
Arcanists of all kinds—Elentalists, Alchemists, Runemasters, and more—gathered in small groups, discussing missions or studying the board.
"Forbidden Lands?" Kent and Thassa exchanged a glance as they heard their conversation. It seed that the Forbidden Lands had finally been open for Arcanists after so powerful Arcanists explored them and made the place less dangerous. Now, even third-class Arcanists were capable of entering the place.
"Interesting..." Kent muttered to himself.
Indeed, this was exactly the kind of place where they could gather information without drawing suspicion.
Of course, they still had to build their identity so they wouldn’t get into trouble. Although they were Immortals, the Shattered Expanse taught them to be humble as there could be nurous Immortals hiding in plain sight.
Soon, they approached a reception desk, where a young woman with a friendly smile greeted them.
"Welco to the Arcanist Association," she said. "Are you here to register as mbers or to take on a mission?"
She didn’t recognize the two, so she imdiately asked. Furthermore, there were many Rogue Arcanists registering to be mbers of the Arcanist Association these days after the Arcane Bureau’s recomndation.
Kent smiled politely. "We’re new to the city and would like to register as mbers. We’ve heard this is the place for Arcanists to connect and take on aningful work."
The woman nodded enthusiastically. "Absolutely! The Arcanist Association was established to bring together Arcanists of all Paths and provide opportunities for collaboration and growth. There’s no need to be a rogue or unregistered Arcanist anymore. If you’d like to register, I’ll need to test your proficiency in your chosen Arcane Path. What do you specialize in?"
"Elental Arts," Thassa replied smoothly. "Fire, specifically."
Kent looked at Thassa for a mont and shook his head. Although they were Chaos Arts Practitioners, they had certainly learned a few Arcane Spells that could mistake them as Combat Arts or Elental Arts Practitioners.
Anyway, the young woman’s eyes lit up. "Excellent! Fire Elentalists are always in demand. If you’ll follow , we can conduct a quick test to confirm your abilities."
Kent and Thassa followed her to a testing chamber, a small room lined with protective Rune Arts. In the center of the room was a stone pedestal with a crystal orb resting on top.
"This orb asures elental affinity..." the woman explained. "Simply channel your Arcane Energy into it, and it will display your proficiency level. Don’t worry—it’s perfectly safe. It was made by the Shadow Domain’s Divine Crafter."
User Comments
0 comments from readers