As the commotion of the maze trial settled, the once downhearted Ophelia finally regained her usual cheerfulness and vivacity.
Ilana, as Ophelia's close friend, was the first to notice the change in her deanor.
One afternoon, as they sat on a bench in the backyard of the Tower of Great Sage, Ilana, driven by curiosity and concern, couldn't help but ask.
"Ophelia, did sothing good happen to you recently?"
"Kind of." Ophelia stretched lazily and replied in a casual tone, "There's soone… well, I've admired for a long ti, and recently I've gotten to know him a bit better."
Ilana looked at her in surprise, her curiosity growing even stronger.
"...Because of what?"
In response to her friend's question, Ophelia smiled slightly.
"It's a secret."
A secret?
Ilana tilted her head in confusion, but seeing that Ophelia had no intention of continuing the topic, she didn't press further.
The leisurely ti drew to an end with the sound of the bell marking the end of the lunch break, and the two got up and joined the crowd, hurrying back into the busyness of the Tower of Great Sage.
Although the turmoil within the tower was far from over, it hadn't affected the magic apprentices busy with their studies, nor had it disturbed the prince who cared little for fa and fortune.
Since the completion of the hearing investigation, the research in the Magic Science Laboratory and the Colin Tower returned to its normal track.
During this period, many ambitious mages advised Colin through the "Void Realm Resource Reorganization Committee" to seize the rare power vacuum to expand the influence of the "Science" school in the Tower of Great Sage, but Luo Yan declined all with a smile.
He never intended to expand and strengthen the Science School from the beginning.
Otherwise, he wouldn't have carefully selected every apprentice in the Magic Science Laboratory and would have let all those ambitious people in a long ti ago.
The Tower of Great Sage doesn't lack frustrated ambitionists, but the seekers of truth are the true treasures hidden in its shadows.
That's what he really wanted to take away.
As for those dregs—
Just let them stay here.
Prince Colin's "contentnt with the status quo" left many ambitionists around him feeling disappointed, causing quite a few to distance themselves from him.
And this unexpected "relaxation" made Uriel, who was well-prepared to face the challenge of the Science School, feel as if he had punched in cotton.
To confront the challenge, this "Arist II" painstakingly made many preparations, but now it seed all for nothing as his groundwork beca a solo show.
Prince Colin simply didn't engage.
Want to inherit Arist's legacy?
Then take it.
…
As ti went by, good news seed to co from Brass Pass, and as the war situation stabilized again, the Great Sage was finally coming back.
All professors and ntors eagerly awaited the return of the Great Sage to oversee the situation, especially Professor Hector, who was inexplicably wronged and hoped for justice with the Great Sage's return.
Luo Yan, however, wasn't interested in this at all, and instead felt excited about the good news from Alberto, the shopkeeper on Artisan Street.
After more than half a month of searching, this artisan finally got in touch with his ntor, Jas Walli.
This Silver Level mage had previously left the High Tower and took up a well-paid job when his theories weren't acknowledged and failed to make breakthroughs. He ended up in a Baron Territory in the Rhode Kingdom, where he worked as a family tutor and bodyguard.
Now, upon learning that an Imperial prince had co to the Academic State and showed great interest in his research, the disheartened scholar saw hope for a revival of his career and imdiately resigned, rushing back from the Rhode Kingdom.
Evidently, he cared more for the pursuit of truth and the unknown than worldly gains.
Since Mr. Jas was no longer a ntor at the Tower of Great Sage and his reappointnt would take so ti, Luo Yan received this "legendary" scholar in his private study rather than his laboratory.
He was a middle-aged man with a monocle, a solemn face, wearing a washed-out simple magic robe, and slightly hunched over from years of desk work.
As he entered the study, his steps were sowhat restrained, clutching an old felt hat tightly in his hands, seemingly unsure of where to place it.
"Your Highness."
Luo Yan was familiar with that anxious look.
When Ticky first saw him, it was the sa – a gaze of wanting to risk everything, including one's life, yet unsure where to start betting.
"Mr. Walli, please have a seat."
Luo Yan stood up from behind his desk with a smile, personally pulling out an armchair for him, and with a gentle wave of his right hand, the teapot floated above the teacup.
"It's been a long journey; try my cherished tea, and may this cup of hot tea dispel the chill of the Northern Realm for you."
A steaming cup of clear tea was presented before him, and Jas, overawed, waved his hands repeatedly but eventually accepted it.
"I dare not, Your Highness, you are too kind..."
"No need to be formal, within the Mage Tower, I am but a mage in pursuit of truth, no different from you."
Luo Yan sat back down, opening the conversation in a warm tone.
"Your student Alberto often speaks highly of you to , admiring your talent imnsely, especially your ideas on the 'Artificial Mind' and the 'Self-discipline Magical Puppet Core', which I find personally very interesting. However, I've looked into your research but couldn't find any further developnts, which is quite a pity."
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