Chapter 154 Companions or Enemies
Faint sounds could occasionally be heard from outside, sounding somewhat familiar, reminding Harik of the shoddy fireworks he made in the countryside.
Could there be some celebration going on outside?
Harik didn’t understand, but even if there was a celebration, he had no mood to participate.
This was an independent room assigned to him by the Sorcery Anomalies Hand. Those seemingly arrogant magicians generously provided him with various books, including those on magic knowledge that Wild Mages could never access. The Sorcery Anomalies Hand also did not restrict his personal freedom, allowing him to go anywhere he pleased.
Even if he showed enough magical talent, he could join the Sorcery Anomalies Hand Association and become a member, enjoying various privileges and the rights of a true magician.
If it were in the past, Harik might have been too excited to sleep because of this, especially with books he never had access to now appearing before him on the bookshelf. He would have studied them day and night until he was sick.
But now, Harik really wasn’t in the mood. It wasn’t that he had lost his passion to become a legitimate magician, but rather a small void seemed to have appeared in his heart, a subtle sense of emptiness constantly eroding his inner being.
A jarring noise, more intense than any previous one, startled Harik. He looked towards the door, as that sound was definitely not a normal one.
Just as Harik was hesitating whether to go out and check the situation, the door was pushed open.
“Nasha?” Harik’s expression was a mixture of surprise and helplessness.
The person outside the door was his good companion Nasha. However, she was now wearing a black robe and soft armor that was more suited for action. Only the magic staff, like a burning stick in her hand, proved her identity as a spellcaster.
“Hurry out, Harik.” Seeing Harik, Nasha outside breathed a sigh of relief.
Her face held a seriousness and earnestness that Harik had never seen before. Despite this, Harik had no doubts and walked out, taking three steps instead of two.
Nasha grabbed Harik’s arm and then forcefully pulled him forward.
“That’s great, Nasha, I thought I would never see you again! Where did you go? Never mind, that’s not important…” Harik said excitedly, “Do you know, the magicians in the association seem aloof, but there are good people like Mr. Selwin… They sent me a lot of books, worth over a hundred pounds at least. It’s a pity we can’t take the books away, after all, they belong to Mr. Selwin…”
He became more and more excited as he spoke, and there seemed to be a light flickering in his eyes.
“But I memorized everything in the books! I can copy them down with some pens and paper someday, I guarantee it’ll open your eyes… I feel like I’ve found the way, and it won’t be long before I become a formal magician. At that time…”
“Harik,” Nasha suddenly interrupted him. Her voice was calm. “If I were to take you to a paradise far from the mortal world, a paradise of knowledge and magic, what would you say?”
“Paradise?” Harik was slightly taken aback. The word was too distant for him, so much so that he had to think for a moment to understand its meaning. He changed the subject, “You don’t want me to stay here? Of course, I won’t stay with the Sorcery Anomalies Hand. You know, we are Wild Mages, and we’ve always been at odds with these legitimate magicians… I’ve already figured out an escape route. There’s an envelope under my pillow for Mr. Selwin and Lord Moria. As soon as there’s an opportunity, I’ll be able to leave here smoothly…
“After that, we can continue our journey along the route we previously planned… You’ve always wanted to visit the legendary forbidden library in York City, haven’t you? Although I’ve always thought it was a rumor… In short, Leicester definitely has ships that go there. And the Saint’s Lake in Dorset, the Monster Museum in Cleveland…”
“That’s enough, Harik.” Nasha slowed her pace. The Wild Mage hadn’t even realized until now that they hadn’t encountered any members of the Sorcery Anomalies Hand. Although they were in their headquarters, no magicians appeared. “I’m serious, you know? This world is about to face destruction… Yes, just like in various legends, an unknowable and terrifying power has quietly descended, and all life here will meet its death.”
“Huh?”
Harik looked completely bewildered.
Nasha immediately gave up trying to continue the conversation. She changed her approach, “Actually, I’m not a Wild Mage… at least not the kind you understand. I belong to an organization. I’m from a place called the Truth Society. There are more magicians there than weeds on the roadside, and even the great Sun Cultivation Institute that Arthur speaks of is not as significant as a single strand of hair from them.
“The Truth Society has guided all the truths of the worlds, but that was a long time ago… In a certain historical period, the Truth Society lost its own truth, and since then, we have hidden behind the scenes, and even been hostile to most magicians. As early as ancient times, before humans mastered language and laws, the ancient wise men of the Truth Society had foreseen the coming of destruction…
“To resist the Doomsday Twilight, that power that destroys the world, the Truth Society must recover the lost truth, and we are striving for this! Harik, join us. With your qualifications and talent, you will soon gain a position within the organization.
“The Truth Society controls all knowledge and secrets since the birth of magic. We are the most powerful and invincible magic association in this world; even the Norradon Empire at its peak was no match for us. Furthermore, the Truth Society never looks down on humans, Dwarves, or even异种魔法师; all magicians are treated equally… Listen, Harik, only in the Truth Society can you develop best; nowhere else.”
Nasha felt she had said everything she could. Based on her understanding, even the most stubborn Harik should have agreed.
However, what awaited her was a cold voice.
“Is that your purpose?”
Nasha’s skin crawled. She immediately let go of Harik’s hand, took a few steps forward, and then looked back.
A young magician dressed strangely, as if wearing colorful stage costumes, looked at her, signaling Harik to hide behind him. His face was cold, and his gaze was like blades forged from ice, sharp and chilling.
Selwin Lagovin, the Murderous Magician, the most dangerous magician in the Sorcery Anomalies Hand and even the entire Leicester.
Nasha’s pupils contracted. She tried to look away several times, but lacked the courage to actually do so.
“There’s no need, you’re the only one left.”
Selwin said, extending his arm and opening his palm. As if performing magic, several black stone badges fell out, with twisted white patterns on them.
“Why didn’t you go…”
Nasha said with difficulty.
“Why should I go?” Selwin’s voice was calm. “I never leave the association.”
Fear surged incessantly like water. Nasha took a deep breath and looked at Harik behind Selwin, his face full of worry and urgency.
“You have two choices now: one is to come with me and become a member of the Truth Society; the other is to stay there and become an enemy of the Truth Society.”
