Chris had managed to make the scene feel quite stirring.
A secret team composed of a few powerful wizards, working silently in the shadows to maintain the kingdom’s stability and the order of the magical world...
It certainly sounded cool!
However, the seven people present weren’t exactly overwheld with enthusiasm. Gildarts, for instance, felt in his heart that this was far too much trouble and didn’t want to get involved. Soone like Serena, on the other hand, hoped the team wouldn’t just operate in the shadows, but could be out in the open so he could bask in the glory of being a "hero" of the magical world.
Descartes, Ur, Silver, and Bluenote each had their own thoughts; they didn’t agree imdiately, but they didn’t show much resistance either. That left only Layla.
"Um..."
"If it’s to strike at darkness and save innocent people, I’m very willing to help."
"But, with my ager strength, am I really qualified to be part of this team?"
Layla had a strong sense of self-awareness. Among the seven of them, she might not have the least talent, but she was several years younger than the others. The gap in strength was too large; forcing her way in would only drag everyone down.
"Don’t worry about that!"
"Your talent is more than enough. You just need a little training from professionals, and you’ll be able to hold your own in no ti!"
Chris seed to have a great deal of affection for Layla, her eyes filled with grandmotherly kindness. "I know you are a Celestial Wizard, and you have the keys to Cancer and Capricorn of the Zodiac, correct?"
Layla didn’t know why Chris suddenly ntioned this, but she answered honestly, "Yes!!"
Chris nodded and continued, "My family also has a habit of collecting Celestial Keys. If you are willing to beco one of the ’Seven Kin of the Holy Knights’ and earn rits, I can let you choose a few from our collection!"
"Of course, they’re from the 12 Zodiac series!"
What?! Giving away Gold Celestial Keys?!
Layla was instantly shocked and overjoyed, standing there in a daze. The others hadn’t expected Chris to invest so heavily and were equally stunned. To a non-Celestial Wizard, a key wasn’t a particularly precious item; what really mattered was the attitude Chris was showing.
It was a classic case of showing high value for talent to attract others.
"Ahem... my dear great-aunt!"
"If I join and earn rits, are there any benefits for ?" Descartes spoke up again, looking expectant.
Unexpectedly, Chris’s face suddenly hardened. "How many tis have I told you? Use formal titles in official settings!"
"Our Lagrange family, since your great-grandfather was young, has always contributed to the stability of Fiore and the order of the magical world. When have we ever asked for benefits?"
"When I tell you to join, just join. You dare to ask for rewards?"
"Do you want a taste of my fist instead?!"
"Wha—?!" Descartes’ face turned pale as he jumped back half a step in fright. "How can you be so biased?!"
Everyone: "..."
Hold it in! You have to hold it in! But how could anyone hold back laughter at sothing this funny?
"Cough... cough..." Gildarts said while choking back a laugh, "Um, Vice-Principal, the rest of us aren’t exactly part of the Lagrange family..."
The hint in his words was incredibly obvious. However, Chris wasn’t buying it. She raised her hand and rapped Gildarts on the head as well. "Even if your na isn’t Lagrange, I’m the one who brought you to Magnolia. You’re basically half a grandson to ."
Gildarts: "..." What a stingy old lady!
Chris retracted her fist and turned her gaze toward Ur and the other three. They tensed up imdiately, fearing the eccentric old woman would give them a wallop too. Fortunately, what they feared didn’t happen.
"As for you four... you belong to the Royal Capital Magic Academy. Any benefits should technically co from your school. As for whether they actually have any..." Chris looked toward Brain, who had been standing silently to the side.
Everyone turned to look at Brain. Feeling the imnse pressure, Brain broke into a cold sweat and hurried forward. "There are! Children, there are definitely benefits!"
"There will absolutely be rewards! Senior Chris was just joking with you!"
"The idea for the ’Seven Kin of the Holy Knights’ was proposed jointly by the Royal Family, the two academies, and the Council branch. Since it’s for the sake of Fiore and fighting dark forces, we won’t let you work for nothing."
"Once you join, as long as you earn enough rit, you can receive money, treasures, power, or status from these three factions. The Celestial Keys ntioned are just one example."
Brain’s flustered appearance made everyone chuckle.
"Hey, look how nervous you are!" Descartes walked over and patted Brain on the shoulder. "Are we the type of people who only care about benefits? We do this for justice!"
"We only ntioned it because we don’t want the one who carries the firewood to freeze to death in the snow! If people who do good don’t get rewarded, who will do good in the future?"
Behind him, Gildarts imdiately chid in, "Yeah, yeah! Descartes is absolutely right!"
In truth, they weren’t familiar with Brain at all, and it was Gildarts’ first ti even eting him, but they acted like close friends of many years.
Silver couldn’t help but ask, "Brain, aren’t you joining the ’Seven Kin’?"
Brain nodded, then shook his head. "The ’Seven Kin’ needs young people—those who can fight the enemy head-on. I’m middle-aged, and my magic isn’t suited for combat, so I’m not included. However, I will serve as logistics and help you gather intelligence."
The group realized the logic. Brain’s magic was Archive; he was far better at information handling than fighting.
"But intelligence is a crucial step in fighting dark forces. Why exclude yourself?" Silver suggested, "Why don’t you just join and change the na to the ’Eight Kin of the Holy Knights’?"
Brain refused flatly. "Absolutely not!"
"Why?" Ur frowned. "Does the person who proposed the plan have so ’magic discrimination,’ thinking intelligence officers are lower than combatants?"
"It’s not that!"
"Then why?"
Brain’s expression beca incredibly solemn. "Because ’Seven Kin of the Holy Knights’ sounds cooler than ’Eight Kin’!"
Everyone: "..."
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