The candlelight cast two silent shadows on the study wall.
Paul remained seated behind the table for a long time after Alvis finished speaking, his fingers unconsciously tapping lightly on the surface.
Finally, he spoke, his voice low and clear: "What you just said has exacerbated some of my previous concerns."
"Oh?" Alvis looked up and listened quietly.
"After La Di came to my side, I actually thought that although magic is still in its infancy, it has huge potential. If we study it and implement it on a large scale... apply it to social production—for example, use fire magic to replace furnaces, use wind magic to drive machinery, and use earth magic to accelerate construction—what would happen?" Paul said slowly. "This would make Northwest's productivity leap forward."
Alvis said, "It seems you've given up."
"Yes!" Paul nodded emphatically. "I'm afraid, afraid that I might one day create… an unshakeable ruling class?"
His gaze was very solemn: "The nobles of today rely on bloodline and land, but they do not have superhuman strength. They ride horses and use swords, the same weapons as ordinary people. Swordsmanship can be taught, armor manufacturing can be imitated, and even the firearms technology of Northwest Bay can spread. No matter how powerful a lord is, he cannot stop a well-equipped army of commoners. Human history has also seen the change of dynasties."
"Moreover, the ruling class of mortals only possesses military power, but maintaining the operation of society does not rely entirely on military power. Planting, metallurgy, construction... are all done by the common people. With these technologies, the common people have some bargaining power with the ruling class."
He turned to Alvis: "But magic is different! As far as I know, a person without talent can't ignite a spark even if they study hard their whole life. Spellcaster's ability is innate, unreplicable, and cannot be popularized through education—at least that's how it seems for now."
"If society becomes increasingly reliant on magic—not just force, but magic permeates every aspect of social life—then those who wield magic will become the true upper class. Compared to the mortal ruling class, this ruling class, built upon unreplicable abilities, will be indestructible once formed, because they are deeply intertwined with social production, and even destroying them would incur the heavy cost of a great regression in civilization."
Alvis listened, his expression growing increasingly grave. He slowly nodded, "You're right... I've only seen them change their minds, but I haven't thought about it from that perspective yet. However, the terrible scenario you described could very well become a reality."
He continued in a low voice, "Once society becomes dependent on magic, the Spellcaster will no longer be a hero among men, but a god among men, and gods will not willingly step down from their pedestals."
Paul and Alvis talked for a long time before Old Scholar finally took his leave, expressing his hope that Paul would carefully consider whether to continue fighting the orcs.
Old Scholar's footsteps faded into the corridor, while Paul was still savoring their conversation.
Actually, it wouldn't be so bad if magical talent were just randomly appearing, but what he fears more is the combination of magic and bloodline.
La Di once said that, based on her observations, she speculated that the descendants of Spellcasters seemed more likely to awaken magical talents, especially when both parents were Spellcasters.
It's likely that La Di wasn't the only one to make this observation.
Previously, Spellcasters were geographically dispersed to conceal their identities, a hypothesis that was difficult to verify. However, since the Horn Bay War, many countries have recognized the legal rights of Spellcasters, making it easier for them to grow closer and even form communities— Gabella's Arcane Society is an example of this.
Will anyone attempt to verify whether magical talent is hereditary?
He immediately left the office and went straight to Mariana's residence in the back courtyard.
Mariana sat there, her expression calm, as if she had expected him to come.
Paul lowered his voice, " What you said in the study just now, in front of Alvis —about joining the Arcane Society and getting support—was that an act? If so, it was rather inappropriate!"
"It's not acting," Mariana replied, her tone calm to the point of being almost cold.
Paul was taken aback: "What?"
"I was indeed sent by Antonio." She looked directly into her son's eyes. "He does want to recruit you. He needs a force to keep the orcs at bay on the periphery and to keep the Aldo Royal Family in check. You are the most suitable candidate."
Paul shrugged: "That's sad. I thought it was a mother missing her son!"
"Of course, it's both." Mariana's tone remained unchanged. "I am your mother, that will not change, but I am also still a member of the Arcane Society. He sent me not only to observe you, but also to personally persuade you to join us."
"Actually, I have some doubts. Perhaps Antonio already knows about the relationship between you and me, which is why he sent me here."
Paul asked with some concern, "If he finds out, will it cause you trouble in Gabella?"
Mariana smiled confidently. "Hmph, you don't need to worry about that. Alright, what are your thoughts on what I said?"
He looked at Paul's silent expression and knew his son was still resisting. She didn't urge him, but gently walked to the window, opened it a crack, and let the breeze in.
"I'm not surprised you're hesitating." She turned around, her tone calm. "But have you thought about the future? Not next year, not five years from now, but the human world ten or twenty years from now?"
She took a step closer, her gaze piercing: "Magic is awakening. The old kingdoms are ruled by cavalry and walls, but the power of the future will belong to those who control the elements and understand the laws. The Arcane Society will only grow stronger, and those secular regimes will eventually be eliminated by the times. In order to deal with the great enemy foretold, human society will inevitably be unified with the Arcane Society at its core."
She looked directly at Paul: "You, my son, command a powerful army; I, your mother, am a member of the Arcane Society." Council of Ten.
Mariana spoke with an almost seductive calmness: "If my son and I join forces, we can stand at the top of that new world, not as anyone's vassals or pawns, but as the creators of the new order."
"Opportunities are only for those who are prepared. If you refuse now, you will only be able to passively accept the arrangements of those in power in the future."
She looked at Paul: "But if you join now, not as a surrendered party, but as a collaborator—with an army, resources, and territory—then you will not be anyone's subordinate, but the core, and I will make sure that no one can shake your position."