Chapter 13

"Ah?"

"What do you mean, 'ah'? Causing a disturbance in the library, completely disregarding the Mage Guild. It's already lucky for him that we didn't break his legs. By the way, if that Monkey comes looking for me again tomorrow, tell him I've gone to Orlana. I estimate it will take ten days... no, probably a month before I return."

"Ah?"

This time, Zoro was completely at a loss. What... what's going on? Why did the teacher's mood change so quickly?

Just a moment ago, they were having a pleasant conversation. How did it turn into this so quickly? Not only did he kick Mason out, but even Monkey himself became unwelcome. Isn't this a bit unscientific?

"So, you spent so much time advancing to Great Mage, and there's a reason for it. Can't you use your brain? Why did I have to talk so much with those two father and son? Wasn't it just to avoid hearing their talk about cooperation? If it weren't for the old guys at the Black Tower, I would have kicked them out long ago."

"But why? Didn't you yourself say that this cooperation with Monkey was a good deal, and that it would only benefit us at the Sage Tower?" Solomon's explanation only made Zoro more confused.

"That was before!" Solomon glared at his disciple, a hint of a cold smile on his aged face. "Those two probably think I'm old and don't know anything. The shipwreck in Rog Merlin last month has something to do with their Twin Moon Guild."

"..." This time, Zoro didn't say anything, just looking at the old man with a doubtful gaze, thinking that Rog Merlin had been dead for over a month, and he still had time to stand up for him. When did he become so righteous?

"What are you looking at me like that for?" Solomon was instantly irritated, glaring at his disciple. "Are you saying that your teacher doesn't seem like a righteous person? That's why it took you so long to advance to Great Mage. Do you understand respect for your teacher?"

"No, no, no, teacher, you misunderstood..." The young Great Mage was almost in tears with such a heavy accusation.

"Never mind, it's not important..." Solomon waved his hand, temporarily letting his only disciple off. "What's important is that since the person holding that pass is Rog Merlin's son, I must be righteous."

"Why is that?"

"Because that pass was exchanged for a bottle of alchemical potion."

"Are you talking about the bottle of alchemical potion that was delivered a few days ago?" As Solomon's only disciple, Zoro naturally knew that a few days ago, someone had come to the Sage Tower with a bottle of alchemical potion and exchanged it for a pass with the highest authority. However, he wasn't quite sure what kind of alchemical potion it was. Hearing Solomon say this, he found it hard to believe: "Is that bottle of alchemical potion really that important?"

"If you dare to ask that in front of Soph, he would be more than happy to dry you out and make you into a specimen."

"..." The young Great Mage immediately shrank his neck. As one of the three major figures at the Sage Tower, the Grand Alchemist Soph, if he really wanted to dry him out and make him into a specimen, even the teacher's face might not be enough to save him. He was the only dangerous person who would slam the table and curse in front of the teacher.

But after shrinking his neck, Zoro couldn't help but be curious about what kind of alchemical potion would make the three major figures so concerned...

Originally, Zoro had some guesses, such as the alchemical potion using some precious materials, or it being something that one of the three major figures needed.

But Zoro never imagined it would be so serious that a wrong word could result in being dried out and made into a specimen...

"It's not a joke. You didn't see Soph's reaction at the time. He was holding the alchemical potion, almost ecstatic, muttering about masterpieces and great masters, and saying it was destined to be recorded in history. He was clearly not in his right mind..."

The young mage's face changed. Soph's achievements in alchemical potions were recognized as an authority throughout Thousand Sails City, and he always had very high standards. Even the Grand Alchemist of the Twin Moon Guild was not in his eyes, and he always showed disdain when mentioning him.

Over the years, Zoro had rarely heard him praise anyone. A nod and a "not bad" was already a great honor for many.

But this time, he was so out of character, even talking about it being recorded in history...

Is that bottle of alchemical potion really that magical?

"What are you looking at me for? I'm not good at alchemical potions..." Solomon glared at his disciple and gave a very irresponsible answer: "Anyway, according to Soph, each bottle of such alchemical potion could bring a Great Mage to the Sage Tower!"

"..." As the words fell, Zoro couldn't help but draw a sharp breath. All the talk about masterpieces and great masters, and being recorded in history, was far less direct than the title of Great Mage...

Currently, there are thirteen Great Mages at the Sage Tower, with only seven of them being permanent residents. In the past ten years, while the three major figures were rarely seen, the Sage Tower's external expansion, conflicts of interest, and resource competition were mainly handled by these seven Great Mages. In other words, the current status of the Sage Tower was largely established by these seven Great Mages.

If what Soph said was true, and each bottle of such alchemical potion could bring a Great Mage to the Sage Tower, Zoro really couldn't imagine what kind of scene that would be.

To put it bluntly, any person or force that gained the support of this Grand Alchemist could easily challenge the Sage Tower in Thousand Sails City. This was considering the presence of the three major figures. If the other side had the ability to restrain the three major figures, then the destruction of the Sage Tower would be just a matter of a flip of the hand...

Thinking about this, cold sweat dripped from Zoro's forehead.

The only thing to be grateful for was that the Grand Alchemist seemed quite low-key, at least not planning to make a public appearance. Otherwise, he wouldn't have sent a young mage to deliver the potion and then exchange the pass for another young mage.

These two young mages must be the key...

Especially Mafa Merlin, his relationship with the creator must be special, otherwise, that pass would never have ended up in his hands.

No wonder the teacher had such an attitude...

If what the teacher said was true, and the Twin Moon Guild played a dishonorable role in the Rog Merlin shipwreck, or even a conspiracy, then once the truth came out, the Twin Moon Guild would likely face the wrath of a Grand Alchemist...

While Zoro was thinking about this, Solomon concluded the conversation: "At this time, only a fool would try to cooperate with the Twin Moon Guild..."

"..." The young mage suddenly felt a bit sympathetic towards the Monkey father and son. They had been busy for almost half a year to finalize this cooperation with the Sage Tower, even making various generous promises, but in the end, it wasn't as good as a bottle of alchemical potion sent casually.

"Alright, I've told you everything you need to know. How to handle it is up to you. Don't always come to me for everything. You will eventually take over my position, and it's good for you to start learning how to handle these things."

"Yes, I'll go..."

A month passed, and after that conversation in the reception room, Zoro couldn't help but pay attention to that young mage.

Then Zoro discovered that this young mage was really interesting. His reading range was very broad, from casual books like the History of Noscent to deep magical knowledge like the Kidd Formula. He could pick up any book and read it for a whole day. Sometimes, Zoro even suspected that he had no standards for reading, just reading whatever he picked up.

Several times, Zoro wanted to remind him that being able to enter the Sage Tower's library was a rare opportunity, and many mages would even bankrupt themselves for it. Now that he had this opportunity, he should cherish it, not just reading randomly without any plan or purpose, and sometimes even reading casual books with great interest. It might not seem like much now, but he would definitely regret it later...

Today was the same...

After breakfast, Zoro walked into the library and habitually glanced at the corner. He knew that at this time every day, the young mage would sit in a fixed position and read a book for the whole day.

Sure enough, when Zoro looked over, the young mage was already sitting in his spot, holding a book with a red stripe on the cover and reading it with great interest.

"Here we go again..." Zoro sighed. Today, it wasn't a casual book, but in Zoro's eyes, it was no different from a casual book.

The red stripe meant that the knowledge in that magic book was at least at the Great Mage level. For a Level 1 Mage who had just advanced a few days ago, what was the difference from a casual book?

Moreover, this wasn't the first time Mafa Merlin had done this. Once, Zoro even saw him reading a book with a silver stripe with great interest, which was absurd. That was knowledge at the Archmage level.

Zoro really couldn't stand it anymore. A mage who didn't respect knowledge couldn't possibly achieve anything in magic.

Look, a magic book that only a Great Mage could read, in his hands, it was like a casual read, no thinking, no notes, just flipping page after page. The relaxed and comfortable expression made Zoro feel that he wasn't learning but resting.

Zoro definitely didn't know that this time, he was actually right...

... ...

Such a timely update, shouldn't you give me some recommendation votes?

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