Chapter 362: A Mere "Greatest" Mage
A few days later, in the main hall of the middle level of the Magic Association, a high-profile welcoming banquet was being held.
Mages serving in the Association, noble representatives from the Kingdom of Ersten, and some First-Class Mages who had passed the rigorous exam gathered together. On the surface, the atmosphere was incredibly harmonious.
However, everyone had their own thoughts.
The focus of the banquet was undoubtedly the visitors who had traveled from afar—a joint delegation from several important mage organizations in the south of the continent.
They were few in number, only about a dozen, but each radiated a powerful mana aura. Clearly, they were top-tier mages from the South.
Standing at the very front, surrounded like the moon by stars, was the leader of this delegation—Hess.
He was the most famous mage in the southern continent in recent years, once known as one of the "Twin Sages" alongside Friedrich, the Chief Court Mage of the Southern Unified Empire.
However, after Friedrich retired, and Hess made further progress in magical research, he had vaguely become the most renowned mage in the South.
He was even once hailed as the "greatest human mage since the God-slayer Rhodes."
Even when Emperor Legate forcibly conscripted southern mages into his Court Mage Corps, he hadn't moved against Hess.
Of course, not out of fear—after all, Legate didn't even care about Serie, let alone a mere "greatest" mage—but simply because it wasn't necessary.
Hess had long dedicated all his research results to Legate, reaching a secret cooperation. Naturally, Legate wouldn't demand his public submission.
But these matters were little known.
Hess appeared to be a human in his forties, but his actual age was far beyond that. Clearly, he used special means to make himself look younger.
However, his methods were far inferior to Flamme's Stasis Magic.
Because Flamme had thoroughly researched Stasis Magic and even created magic for eternal youth based on it, keeping her appearance and body forever in their prime.
She definitely wasn't like Hess, who merely delayed aging.
His face was serious, his silver-grey hair combed meticulously. His mage robe was of exquisite quality, engraved with golden patterns.
Holding a staff, his gaze swept slowly over the banquet hall with a majesty that scrutinized everything. Yet beneath that majesty, if one looked closely, one could catch a trace of unease he tried hard to conceal but couldn't eliminate completely.
Just as Serie had judged, Hess's trip was definitely not just for simple academic exchange.
Rumors of immortality magic had spread like wildfire across the entire continent.
Although the southern magical world was relatively independent, facing the temptation touching the ultimate mystery of life, no one could truly remain unmoved.
And Hess, revered as a legendary archmage in the South, naturally wanted to lay his hands on this magic.
But he didn't dare come to the Magic Association.
Not just him—other mages in the entire southern continent didn't dare either.
Although the Magic Association was bustling recently, a careful look would reveal that pitifully few mages came from the South.
The reason was simple.
Mages from the South didn't dare step into the Magic Association—or rather, didn't dare face Serie and Rhodes.
After all, those two had stayed in the Southern Unified Empire for a while after killing Emperor Legate.
And because of Legate's dying words that Rhodes was still alive, the southern continent was the first to know.
Naturally, they developed covetous thoughts about why Rhodes could live until now and whether he mastered immortality magic.
What happened next was simple.
All mages who dared to make a move died, including those who hadn't even had the chance to act.
The ruthlessness of the First Great Sage of humanity far exceeded their imagination.
Hess's only fortune was that he had been observing and hadn't participated, thus escaping disaster.
But now, learning that Rhodes was willing to hand over the immortality magic voluntarily, he could no longer suppress the desire in his heart. He united a large group of mages to see if they could obtain this magic openly.
Although he was hailed as the greatest mage since Rhodes, this title itself was full of awkwardness.
Because Rhodes was still alive.
A living legend, the founder of the human magic system. His existence was like an insurmountable mountain blocking the path of all who came after.
As long as Rhodes remained, any title seemed pale and ridiculous.
Hess had enjoyed supreme reverence in the South for decades, but coming to the Imperial Capital, to the Magic Association, to Rhodes's domain... he felt like an apprentice just starting on the path of magic again.
This psychological gap made him extremely uncomfortable, causing his face to look ugly.
At this moment, Flamme was responsible for receiving Hess.
She wore a white mage robe today, a polite smile on her face as she introduced several important members of the Association to Hess.
However, Hess's reaction was rather cold.
To Flamme's introductions, he mostly gave a slight nod. His gaze rarely rested on Flamme, mostly looking past her to examine the magic tower.
To Flamme's questions about the current state of the southern magical world or the latest magical research, his answers were brief and perfunctory, revealing an obvious detachment and unwillingness to discuss with her.
He appeared extremely arrogant.
The smile on Flamme's face remained unchanged, but her eyes clearly turned cold.
She naturally knew Hess's reputation and was aware his attainment in magic might indeed be profound. But now, he was clearly treating her as a junior inferior to him.
But who was she?
Rhodes's personal disciple, Serie's second disciple, a core manager of the Magic Association, proficient in Life Magic, Stasis Magic, and countless other fields, with innumerable combat experiences.
In terms of strength, she was confident she wouldn't lose to this arrogant Southern Sage.
If not for the occasion and the Association's reputation, she would have dragged him directly to the training ground for a "sparring exchange" to see who the real junior was!
On the other side, just as Flamme thought, Hess indeed treated this young, beautiful red-haired mage as a junior.
Therefore, he naturally wasn't willing to waste too much time on her, even if she was the apprentice of those two.
But simultaneously, a doubt arose in Hess's heart.
Why does Flamme look so young?
He remembered she had made a name for herself in the magical world over a decade ago. Now that so much time had passed, why did she still look like a young girl? Could she have mastered immortality magic?
Flamme naturally noticed Hess's suspicious gaze.
Hess seemed to dismiss her, but his sharp gaze lingered on her a few times too many.
Is this guy... suspecting something?
Suspecting she had also touched or even mastered part of the immortality magic's effects to maintain such a youthful appearance?
Thinking of this, Flamme sneered even more inwardly.
Ignorance and arrogance often coexisted.
Just as the atmosphere became slightly awkward due to Hess's coldness, a cool, pleasant voice interjected. "This should be our first meeting, correct? Southern Sage Hess."
Serie walked over.
She had changed out of her daily simple clothes into a white formal gown. Her golden hair wasn't loose as usual but tied up in an elegant, neat bun secured with a few hairpins, revealing her smooth forehead and slender neck.
She wore a smile, but it looked more like a sneer. Even when she called out Hess's title of "Southern Sage," her tone was filled with disdain.
After all, Serie had heard of his fame back in the Southern Unified Empire, but hadn't met him.
Fortunately, she hadn't met him, or he would have been buried alongside those reckless mages long ago. How could he have lived until today to bring a large group of mages to her Magic Association?
Her outfit was naturally prepared by Rhodes, and he even styled her hair, saying it made her look more mature.
Judging by Rhodes glancing at her occasionally since she finished dressing up, Serie was very satisfied with this look.
On the other side, Hess's attention was finally completely drawn.
Facing Serie, his attitude became noticeably more respectful, and he retracted some of his previous arrogance.
After all, Serie was not only the actual manager of the Magic Association but also an elf who had lived for unknown ages. Her strength and prestige alone were enough to warrant caution.
"Lady Serie, I have long heard of your fame." Hess bowed slightly. "It is my honor to witness the elegance of the legendary Elven Saint. Under your management, the Magic Association has truly become the number one magical organization on the continent."
He spoke beautifully; even Serie found it hard to mock him directly.
"You have a good eye... You flatter me." Serie gave a perfunctory reply, then changed the subject slightly. "I heard you led a delegation here to discuss the latest magical research with the Magic Association? I have arranged for Flamme to handle it fully. You can liaise with her directly."
She cut straight to the point, trying to steer the conversation back on track.
However, Hess clearly wasn't willing to stop there. After all, he hadn't come to see Serie or for friendly exchange between mages.
He laughed. "Lady Serie is right. However, before discussing those matters, I would like to ask another question."
"The core Life Magic runes previously published by the Magic Association claim to involve the essence of life and can even construct immortality magic."
"But as far as I know, among the mages who obtained the runes, none can research them. I wonder if such profound runes require certain conditions for research? Could you share a thing or two with us southern mages so we may learn together?"
Hess finally mustered the courage to state his true thoughts.
He spoke grandly, but his intent was obvious. Clearly, he had done his homework and investigated beforehand.
The smile on Serie's face faded a little. She hated this kind of roundabout, inwardly greedy face the most.
"Those runes are the entirety of constructing immortality magic." Her tone didn't change, but it carried an obvious chill. "Moreover, magical research, especially involving Life Magic, requires the accumulation of time. Being eager for quick success is useless."
This was practically saying directly: Don't ask. Asking won't get you anything. And your anxious attitude is very unprofessional.
The smile on Hess's face froze, then he laughed dryly. "Lady Serie is right; I was abrupt."
"It is just... such research concerning the ultimate dream of all humanity inevitably makes one yearn for it, leading to impatience. I hope you can forgive me."
He paused, his gaze seemingly inadvertently sweeping over Flamme's young, beautiful face again, and added meaningfully, "However, seeing how young and beautiful Miss Flamme is... presumably, your esteemed Association must have some unique insights in the field of Life Magic, correct?"
This was clearly implying that Flamme might have secretly enjoyed the benefits of immortality magic.
Serie's eyes went cold instantly. Just as she began calculating where to bury this damned guy, Flamme stepped forward half a pace.
"Lord Hess," she didn't use the title "Master," but "Lord," a relatively equal address, clearly placing herself on the same level as Hess.
Hess naturally noticed this and was about to flare up, but seeing Serie's unfriendly gaze, he obediently swallowed his words.
His remarks just now had already annoyed Serie. If he spoke out of turn again, the Elven Saint might really beat him up in front of everyone.
Then, his face would truly be lost.
On the other side, Flamme's response continued. "Although I have some small achievements in Life Magic, unfortunately, I have not deciphered the mysteries of my teacher's immortality magic."
"As for why I am so young? Perhaps it is a youthful mindset, plus paying attention to using some ordinary body-nourishing magic daily."
"If the Great Mage is interested, the Association's library has quite a few similar health-preservation formulas. I can gift some to you."
This answer was clever. Hess choked, his face turning ugly.
The faces of the southern mages behind him also looked wrong, but they dared not interrupt. The atmosphere in the banquet hall suddenly became tense, and many gazes turned their way.
The urge in Serie's heart to pin Hess to the ground and beat him up grew stronger.
Her fingers twitched slightly at her side; she almost wanted to strike first.
Serie was confident she could take this guy down in two moves. If not, she would write her name backward!
But reason told her no.
This was the Association's home ground. The opponent was the leader of an official visiting delegation. Striking directly in full view would be too loss of status. The elf lady still wanted some face.
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