Elden: Ring of Calamity

Chapter 284: The Hall of Mysticism
In the next few days, Selia held several banquets of the highest standards, entertaining many distinguished guests including six demigods as a warm-up before the opening of the expo.

It is worth mentioning that Victor and Selina have not appeared in recent days, and the three elders who are the real masters of Ceria have always claimed to be in seclusion. Instead, Master Lusert, who returned to his hometown after many years, took on the responsibility of the host and took care of all matters inside and outside.

Michaela had been studying the method of sealing corruption behind closed doors since the first day she arrived in Ceria, so Pfenlei declined all invitations, while Lucia attended the first two banquets with Latan.

At the second small banquet organized by Master Luther to entertain the demigods, Latan tactfully proposed to visit the Hall of Mysticism, which is known as the source of all things in Selia, to seek methods to practice gravity magic.

Unlike the relatively open Rhea Lukalia, Selia has always maintained a certain insurmountable mystery and alienation from the outside world since its founding, and the Hall of Mysticism is a forbidden area that is isolated from the outside world like a forbidden pool.

It is said that the Black King and the White King, the first group to return to the land from the underground world, were the original founders of the Temple of Mysticism. Rather than being subordinates of the three elders, they were more like allies closely connected with the Magic Town. Therefore, the entire Temple of Mysticism maintained a high degree of autonomy and closure.

For hundreds of years, this palace has secretly selected only a very small number of orphans with outstanding talents and clean backgrounds from all over the continent. As the inheritors of various esoteric magics, even the direct descendants of the elders like Rhine are not allowed to set foot in without permission.

Therefore, for outsiders, even if they are as noble as the sons of the dukes of the three dynasties, it would be a serious offense to rashly mention such a request in the territory of Selia.

However, these are secular rules after all.

The iron laws of mortals cannot constrain the gods who make the laws. Moreover, the one who made the request this time was the famous eldest prince of the Kalia Dynasty. Master Lusert immediately and happily agreed to the matter.

Just five minutes later, a tall figure shrouded in a tattered black robe quietly appeared in the secret room at the back of the banquet hall.

"Please forgive our offense, Your Highness, who bleeds the blood of the full moon—"

The visitor bowed humbly and said, "It is our supreme honor that you have chosen to come to the Hall of Mystic Arts to practice. It is just that it is not convenient for our clan to show up in front of others easily, so we can only choose to welcome you with such a frivolous attitude."

His voice was much hoarser than that of ordinary people, like rough sand and gravel rubbing against each other, carrying a heavy feeling of the accumulation of time.

"Of course." He turned his head to look at Latan's side and added, "If His Highness Lucia is also willing to come to the Hall of Mystic Arts, we will also teach you everything we know. The kindness of His Majesty Platonsanks and His Majesty Heraris in the past is still engraved in the hearts of every member of our clan."

"Thank you for your kindness, but it's not necessary this time--" Lucia nodded with a smile, "I have other things to do during this period of time, and I don't have a pony like Rio."

Hearing his teasing, a shy smile flashed across Ratan's heroic face. He bowed slightly to the member of the Temple of Mystic Arts and said frankly, "My original intention of seeking gravity magic was indeed to take care of my warhorse that had stopped growing. I hope the Temple of Mystic Arts will not find this reason disgraceful."

"Power will never lose its dignity due to its benevolent use. It will only lose its dignity due to its unscrupulous abuse," the other party said with a deep bow. "Your Highness is so kind-hearted. It is a blessing for all the descendants of eternity."

"Your Highness Lucia, the Hall of Mystic Arts does not only have gravity magic. The various secret techniques passed down from the Star and Moon Era to the present day are indeed unique. Would you like to consider it again?" Luther, who had come to the side at some point, advised.

Lucia looked back at him. Her face, which was highly symbiotic with the dark green pyroxene and almost indistinguishable from its original appearance, was filled with tranquility. Only her deep and wise eyes were filled with a gentle and concerned look. Apart from that, no other meaning could be interpreted.

"Thank you for your care, Master." His expression remained unchanged, and he nodded again and chuckled.

"To be honest, I plan to set off for the Dragon Tomb tomorrow to pay homage to our clan's Holy Mother, Lady Guior. I can only visit the Hall of Mystic Arts when I have free time in the future."

"Also, if you have anything you want to discuss with me, please wait until I come back."

"I see." Lusert nodded thoughtfully and sighed, "Since the Forbidden War, Lady Guiol has been sleeping in Galid for many years. Ceria has always wanted to do something for her, but she is powerless. If Your Highness has the opportunity to wake Lady Guiol, please convey Ceria and Rhea Lukalia's greetings." "Of course."

Thus, this brief meeting came to an end for the time being, but both parties knew that all the questions that had accumulated since the beginning of this Magic Conference must be finally answered after Lucia returned.

This was a trap, a dead end that was driven by the Two Sages and locked Rhealucalia, Ceria and the six demigods together. As for the Rodel Royal School and the many mage organizations that were invited from the continent, they were just spectators and notaries of the gamble.

Even without considering what would happen at the Expo, just a series of negative events represented by Tops, Evan Dana and others had already put the academy in trouble. The assassination of Lucia by Yoger at the end of the duel competition became the fuse that completely detonated the situation.

Of course, both the mastermind and the people involved understood that this assassination would never succeed.

But if Lucia was severely injured by Yug - or even taking a step back, as long as he was injured by Yug, no matter whether he was furious about it or intended to investigate further, the three dynasties influenced by him would crush the Origin Faction without mercy.

There is no other reason. The dignity of a demigod cannot be overstepped, let alone a special god like Lucia who, to some extent, maintains the common interests and face of the three dynasties.

In the face of the balance that was finally formed after the Unification War, anyone who dared to lay a hand on Lucia openly would be tantamount to publicly declaring to destroy the golden age jointly created by the three dynasties, and would be tantamount to openly becoming an enemy of the entire border area led by the Eternal Queen and King Elden.

The Divine Skin Apostle had done such a thing before, and he is still being hunted down by the three major dynasties. Beta had also done it, so he became the first two-fingered person to fall in the Golden Age.

Originally, the Origin Faction would most likely fall in this chaos, but the Twin Sages Faction could nominally side with any demigod, thus maintaining the status of the academy while completely seizing control of the academy. As for who they would side with, they would still retain sufficient autonomy.

But this time, not only did Lucia escape unscathed, she also killed the mutated Yug with overwhelming magical power in public, forcing the situation to its current point.

The future king of the Ancient Dragon Dynasty, the future husband of Princess Kalia, the man of the Golden Princess' heart, and the best friend of Rodel and his group of demigods. Because of Lucia's existence, the demigod group that was supposed to be a loose group of people inexplicably has an axis that can accommodate everyone's positions.

No demigod except Greg would object to his decision—and Greg didn’t dare to object either.

Therefore, when Lucia used dragon language magic to kill Yug and won the duel competition championship fairly, most of the previous plans of the Twin Sages were declared bankrupt.

The two sages no longer have the right to choose their next home. As long as Lucia does not speak, the outcome of the two major factions of Rhea and Lukalia remains unknown. No matter which side of them wants to survive to the end, they must and can only choose to surrender to Lucia.

How to choose between the Origin Faction and the Dual Sages Faction - based on the known information alone, Lucia would certainly prefer the former.

Whether it is the hard power represented by the two masters of origin magic, or the academic soft power accumulated over hundreds of years in the two major classrooms of Caleros and Olivenis, they are incomparable to the Twin Sages School with a shallow foundation.

However, it is an objective fact that the Origin Faction has never truly bowed to the Kalia royal family over the past few hundred years, and that core figures of the Origin Faction such as Serlian are disdainful of royal magic. If these Origin magicians cannot be truly tamed, the above discussion is naturally meaningless.

Therefore, ever since Anasia reported to Lucia last time, he has been waiting for the Origin Faction to release a signal of goodwill - this time the invitation from the Temple of Mysticism can be counted among them, but it is far from enough.

Lucia's patience is limited. Even if the Origin Faction is unwilling to surrender and chooses the Twin Sages, he has countless ways to ensure that Selvis, Miriam and others dare not rebel and can only be a group of obedient lackeys for the rest of their lives. And with the relationship between Cerlian and the Forbidden Research Society, it is only a matter of time before Azrael and Luther are kicked out and the Origin Faction is taken over.

All of this depends on what choice Luther makes after returning from his trip to Dragon Tomb.

(End of this chapter)