The candlelight illuminated Mariana's face, revealing not just a mother's face, but a face brimming with ambition.
Paul sensed that she wasn't pleading, but rather planning for the future, envisioning a future for herself and her son that transcended the boundaries of kingdoms and magic.
Paul was silent for a moment, a cold smile appearing on his lips, before finally speaking, his voice laced with sarcasm: "And then? After you've finished all the wars, will I be abandoned silently like Giles? Without even a word of explanation?"
Mariana frowned, a hint of displeasure, or even anger at being offended, flashing in her eyes.
She looked directly at Paul, her tone suddenly turning cold: "You actually compare yourself to Giles?"
Her voice wasn't loud, but every word was like a nail: " Who is Giles? An opportunist, a madman with no foundation or backing. Between him and the Arcane Society, there is only self-interest, no trust whatsoever."
She stared into Paul's eyes and said, word by word, "But you are different. You have me, a witch who has established herself in the Arcane Society, your mother. You also have a brother, Nathan, who is also a Spellcaster, connected by blood. Do you think that in this world that values bloodline and talent, such a relationship is dispensable?"
She scoffed, "Who dares to touch you easily? Who dares to treat you as a disposable tool? Behind you stands not only the army, but also blood ties— the blood ties of the Spellcaster. In the Arcane Society, this is stronger than any covenant."
Mariana's tone was filled with undeniable pride: "You think I'm just offering you empty promises? No. I'm telling you—if you're willing, you're not a pawn, you're a player. And I will never let my son become a second Giles."
But Paul slowly shook his head, his tone calm yet carrying an undeniable determination: "Mother, I thank you for everything you've thought of for me. But regarding the suggestion to join the Arcane Society, my answer is no."
Mariana was slightly taken aback; she clearly hadn't expected her son to reject her arrangements so bluntly. A silence fell over the room, broken only by the occasional crackling of the fireplace flames.
" The rebellion of Aldor, the war in Horn Bay, the invasion of the orcs— the Arcane Society was behind all these calamities."
Paul's voice was deep and steady, each word sounding carefully considered. "Their schemes, their manipulation and exploitation disgust me deeply. They sacrifice innocent people for so-called greater benefits, which is unacceptable to me."
He paused for a moment, then turned his gaze to the darkening night sky outside the window, as if searching for the courage to continue: "In the past, out of consideration for you, I didn't express my dislike to your face. I have always respected you and appreciated everything you have done for me. But now I must tell you my true thoughts: I cannot be one of them, much less participate in their plans."
Paul turned to Mariana and looked her straight in the eye. "I know my choice may disappoint you, and may even cause some trouble. But I hope you can understand that this is a decision I've made after careful consideration. I want to take a different path, a path that is my own."
Mariana listened quietly, her expression gradually shifting from surprise to contemplation. She knew this moment would come sooner or later, but she hadn't expected it to arrive so quickly. She took a deep breath, trying to calm her inner turmoil and prepare herself for whatever might come next.
Mariana listened quietly to Paul's words. Although he said "disgust," she sensed something deeper beneath his calm tone—not anger, not fear, but a kind of detached contempt.
Could it be that in Paul's mind, Arcane Society was truly something that was "unseemly"? Like a moldy doll in an old trunk, like a black market traded in a dark alley, something that couldn't stand in the light and didn't deserve to stand in the halls of the new world.
This thought pierced her heart.
Mariana was well aware of the Arcane Society's methods—intrigue, infiltration, and exploitation of human weaknesses; she herself had been a part of it.
Unlike the younger members, Mariana, who was experienced in the world, was not fanatical about the Arcane Society's ideals, but it was, after all, her home for more than a decade, so she had feelings for it.
And her son actually belittled the organization he worked for.
"Hmph, you say you loathe it," she said slowly, her voice a few degrees colder than before, "but why do I feel like it's utterly insignificant to you?"
She stared at Paul, her eyes already revealing anger: "Do you think the Arcane Society is just a gang that hides in the shadows causing trouble? It has already taken control of an empire— Gabella. Its reach extends into the court, the army, academies, and even the church. Its influence is far beyond your imagination."
Mariana's tone shifted to a warning: "Don't underestimate it. Do you think it can maintain itself with just a few witches and secret letters? It has spies, assassins, and trump cards that even Antonio himself hasn't used. It can put an emperor on the throne, and it can also destroy a kingdom silently. You can choose not to join, you can keep your distance, but don't talk about it like that!"
Paul saw the fleeting hurt in her eyes and his heart tightened. He sighed softly, his tone softening, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to offend you. Perhaps what I said was a bit harsh. I apologize to you; I shouldn't have made you feel like I was denying your past."
Mariana paused for a moment, her expression softening slightly, then shook her head gently: "I'm not really angry with you. You have your stance, and I understand your choice."
There was a hint of guilt in her voice: "I haven't been able to accompany you as you grow up, and I owe you so much over the years. So the fact that you can stand here today, with your own judgment and your own path—I am actually... very proud."
She looked up and forced a smile: "I won't dismiss you just because you don't listen to me."
Paul nodded in relief.
"I don't want to be an enemy of anyone, but I will not be anyone's pawn either. I built Northwest Bay step by step, and only I can decide its direction."
"While I do not agree with Arcane Society's methods and ambitions, I am not an idealist. Based on realism, I will not refuse to cooperate if needed in the future—provided that we sit down and talk on equal footing, rather than one of us being subservient to the other."
Mariana listened quietly, without refuting or trying to persuade her further, and simply nodded gently.