Chapter 105: The Journey to the Branch Meeting

In the hearts of the people of Arthur, the towering structures of the mages symbolized mysterious experiments and terrifying powers capable of commanding the elements. This place was also the most frequently mentioned in the town’s legends, tales of demons howling through the night and other such stories.

Therefore, the town’s administrators usually designated specific zones, keeping the Mage Association far from residential areas to prevent panic among the inhabitants. Humanity was truly remarkable—worshiping mighty, enigmatic forces on one hand, yet trembling in fear out of ignorance on the other.

This was why Zhao Xu was so surprised when he first arrived in Crescent Town and saw the Mage Association’s headquarters nearby. After briefing Maple Leaf, he gently squeezed through the bustling crowd and headed toward his destination.

Compared to Hurricane City, Crescent Town near the Southern Isle Forest had a more diverse population, and Zhao Xu inadvertently bumped into a halfling no taller than his waist. Being an experienced traveler, Zhao Xu was careful to protect his backpack amid the throng—who knew if it might contain a master thief skilled in sleight of hand?

Sleight of hand was a wanderer’s essential skill and their hallmark. For a long time, the term “wanderer” was synonymous with “thief.” A few ruffians loitering on the streets, looking for opportunities to prey on outsiders, noticed Zhao Xu’s scholarly attire and eyed him carefully, especially his backpack, which looked like it held something valuable.

After all, Antinoya looked down on the rustic, worn craftsmanship. Most diligent adventurers would invest their money in weapons and armor rather than decorative items. But once they realized Zhao Xu was heading to the Association’s headquarters, they quickly lowered their gazes, fearful he might perceive their prior ill intentions.

At the Association’s entrance, Zhao Xu saw the walls adorned with mysterious symbols representing the eight schools of magic. He shook his head and stepped inside. He even began to doubt whether he had a knack for disguise, as his sturdy physique—bolstered by a Constitution score of 14—had led several thugs to mistake him for a defenseless scholar.

“Sir, hello. Is there something I can assist you with?” A young clerk stopped him immediately upon recognizing his unfamiliar face. The hall was already bustling with clerks attending to their various duties.

Zhao Xu pulled from his pocket the mage’s badge and handed it over. When he left Mystra, Antinoya had taken back his old badge and replaced it with an official mage’s badge. The badge bore a circular ring, signifying that he was a first-level mage with access to level-one spells. Should he attain the ability to cast ninth-level spells, the badge would display nine rings and he would earn the title of a ninth-ring mage.

The young attendant, a freckled girl, respectfully took the badge and began to inspect it. At the center was an inscription in the Common Tongue: “Mage Association / Level 1 Mage / Midsummer.” Surrounding the text was a rotating ring that confirmed the badge’s authenticity.

Forging such a badge was nearly impossible; stealing one from a novice mage was likely easier. No organization on the continent was known to replicate this craftsmanship, nor did they dare try. Just as the attendant was about to return the badge and direct Zhao Xu to the reception desk, she suddenly noticed that this badge was slightly thicker than normal.

Ordinary badges were one thing—these were special badges!

Recalling her supervisor’s instructions, the attendant quickly flipped the badge over. Embedded was a thin sheet of pure silver, perfectly inlaid into the badge. With a gentle release of the clasp, it could be detached, making the badge appear identical to an ordinary one.

Yet, trembling slightly, the attendant read the inscription on the silver sheet aloud:

“May magic be ever with you. Please provide all necessary assistance to the badge bearer. — Aus.”

The freckled girl swallowed hard, staring at Zhao Xu in disbelief. The last time someone in the town had seen such a special badge was when her supervisor, then a serving attendant, received a high-ranking mage from the Association’s headquarters. Yet even that mage’s inscription was a far humbler “Please cooperate with any relevant matters.”

Even if nothing else, the name “Aus” carried immense weight—he was the Association’s president, perhaps not the strongest mage in Arthur, but certainly the most powerful and influential.

Zhao Xu understood the significance of his badge and softly said, “Please take me to your local head.”

Antinoya had instructed him to remove the inscribed silver sheet when not needing special assistance, so the badge would appear no different from any other first-level novice’s. Only in times of genuine need should he display it.

To put it bluntly, with this badge, Zhao Xu could easily borrow several ninth-level scrolls from here—provided the town even had them in stock.

“The president and vice president left yesterday. Only the executive officer remains at this branch. I will take you to see him,” the attendant said respectfully, bowing her head repeatedly. A few clerks without current tasks glanced over curiously.

“Don’t worry. Just take me there,” Zhao Xu said quietly. Though pressed for time, he never liked to flaunt his authority before ordinary folk. In his previous life, even as the town’s sheriff overseeing all security, he remained humble toward the common people.

“Understood,” the attendant replied promptly and led the way.

The Mage Association was usually organized by towns, with local branches headed by a president and vice president—positions typically held by mages of some rank who were often too absorbed in research to meddle much in daily affairs. Aside from a few ambitious individuals, most preferred to avoid administrative duties.

Consequently, many routine matters fell to the executive officer, a position representing the pinnacle achievable by mage apprentices within the branch. Some mage families even enrolled descendants lacking spellcasting talent as apprentices solely to meet the executive officer’s qualification criteria.

After less than five minutes walking down a long corridor, Zhao Xu reached the far end of the second floor where he was to meet the executive officer. Following the attendant’s introduction, the man inspected Zhao Xu’s badge carefully before returning it.

“Esteemed Midsummer Mage, allow me to introduce myself. I am Li Wei, the executive officer of the Mage Association’s Crescent Town branch,” the officer said, bowing respectfully and inviting Zhao Xu to sit in the guest room’s main seat.

Clearly, he regarded Zhao Xu as a core figure sent from headquarters—perhaps a relative of some influential Association magnate. If the president or vice president were present, they might have maintained a more formal, senior demeanor. But Li Wei, having long given up his own path of magehood, dared not assume such airs.

“Please let us know how we may assist you. Feel free to command,” Li Wei said humbly, producing a treasured premium tea to serve Zhao Xu.

Zhao Xu, who had never even set foot inside the Association’s doors in his previous life, could not help but marvel at how bureaucratic this strongholds-of-power institution had become.