I reign supreme in the Western fantasy world for eternity.

After Elena asked that question, the study was quiet for a moment.

The steam from the tea rose and dispersed between the two men. Ji Tian didn't answer immediately; he simply picked up his teacup, looked down at the leaves floating in it, and saw that the tea was a little cold. He took a sip and put it down.

"Do you want me to go?" — This question seems to give him the choice, but she already had her own preference in mind.

If she really didn't want to go, she wouldn't have pushed the letter over or asked him; she simply had a reason that made her decide to go.

Ji Tian looked up at her eyes. "What are you afraid of?"

Elena didn't avoid his gaze. After a moment of silence, she slowly spoke, "I'm afraid I won't be able to come back... Do you know why I've always refused to learn your so-called cultivation methods?"

Ji Tian didn't press further, his gaze falling on the phrase "legally becoming a 'Grand Magister'" in the letter, waiting for her to continue.

Elena placed her teacup on the coffee table and began to recount the intricacies of the top-tier combat forces to Ji Tian:

"On the continent, the ranking system for mages is not just a division of strength, but also a political bargaining chip. From novice mage to intermediate and advanced mage, ordinary people can reach that level as long as they have enough talent and are willing to put in the effort. But from advanced mage upwards, every step is very difficult."

She paused, and seeing the other person nod in understanding, she continued:

"Becoming a Grand Mage is a watershed moment; many people are stuck there their entire lives. Even so, the kingdom's attitude towards Grand Mages is one of 'control.' Every minor noble or commoner who is promoted to Grand Mage must register with the Mage Association. The Association verifies that the promotion was legal and that no forbidden techniques that could harm others were used before formal registration can be made. Those who are promoted without registration will be stripped of their mage status at best, and imprisoned or even exiled at worst."

Ji Tian frowned. "Why?"

Also, what level is this great mage? A peak high-level mage? How come I've never heard of him or seen him before?

In fact, when he traveled around the Eastern Territory and went to the Western Territory a few days ago, he found that he had seen very few human archmages, and he had only sensed the aura of a grand archmage when the First Legion entered the city.

He initially thought it was because those people lacked talent or their cultivation methods were wrong, but now it seems that's not entirely the case.

Could it be...

Elena looked up at him, confirming Ji Tian's guess, "Because above the Archmage is the Magister. And the next level of Magister is the Grand Magister, who can cast forbidden spells on their own. Forbidden spells are powers capable of destroying a city. Kingdoms, churches, and major powers would not allow such power to fall uncontrollably into the hands of someone of unknown origin."

She paused, then lowered her voice.

"Therefore, the control over archmages is even stricter. Any mage who wants to be promoted to archmage, regardless of their background, must pass the Holy Light review of the church, the qualification assessment of the kingdom's magic academy, and the political review of their lord. All three hurdles are indispensable. Moreover, the number of archmage promotions is limited every year."

"When I was still in the capital, I heard about a case. A minor nobleman in the North was quite talented and broke through to the level of a Magister before he was thirty. He didn't apply because his father had a grudge against the local Mage's Association and he was afraid that his application would be blocked. What happened? On the very night of his advancement, people from the Mage's Association arrived, along with a deacon from the church, and they destroyed his magic circuits on the spot. That minor nobleman went mad afterward, his title was revoked, his territory was confiscated, and his family fell into ruin overnight."

"This is also the main reason why I did not cultivate according to your method. I suspect that the Mage Association has a secret, periodic review of those with high known talent to prevent them from illegally advancing before joining a powerful force."

That shouldn't be the case. Why didn't I encounter any issues with the review process during my cultivation?

Oh right, I don't practice the traditional magic school of this world, and I always use formations to cover up my progress when I advance in rank.

Ji Tian then asked, "What about Grand Magisters? What if someone could obtain Grand Magister or higher combat power through special means, just like me?"

Could it possibly cripple a Grand Magus who can use forbidden spells?

If the kingdom and the church are truly capable of doing this, then he needs to re-examine the foundations of those powerful forces.

Elena gave a bitter smile. "Grand Magisters are from another world. There are no more than twenty Grand Magisters registered in the entire kingdom. Each one is a strategic deterrent force, with a status comparable to a legion commander or an archbishop. If a commoner is promoted to Grand Magister—the king will personally bestow upon him the title of earl, grant him land, or even a duke. The church will also grant him honorary priesthood. No one will scrutinize him, and no one dares to control him."

She looked out the window, at the old, crooked oak tree.

"That's why we say that the best among this year's inner court students of the Magic Academy can be legally granted the title of 'Grand Archmage' without being hindered by any power. This is actually a game of strategy—all forces want to recruit the top magical geniuses, but they also restrain each other, and no one wants the other to monopolize it. The final compromise is this quota."

She looked away and gazed at Ji Tian; the tea smoke had already dissipated.

"William fell from power, and Augustus came to power. His style of doing things was more aggressive and more unpredictable."

Ji Tian remained silent, simply listening. He recalled his days in the village, when he knew nothing, not even how many elements of magic existed.

It was Elena who taught him to read, showed him "Basic Theory of Magic," and told him about the rules of this world.

Now, she is telling him another layer of rules—a higher and more brutal one.

"So you want to go."

Elena didn't deny it and was about to explain when Ji Tian continued:

"Then I'll go with you."

She looked up at Ji Tian, ​​her grey-blue eyes reflecting the sunlight streaming through the window.

"You'll come with me? In what capacity? Sect leader? Or one of my family's tenants?"

"Whatever you say." Ji Tian downed the completely cold tea in one gulp. "Anyway, it's up to you."

Elena turned her face away, her ears turning red, and after a long while, she managed to squeeze out two words: "...scoundrel."

Ji Tian stood up without changing his expression, walked to the window, and looked at the old oak tree.

"When are we leaving?"

"Father said I just need to get there before school starts; the journey will take anywhere from half a month to a month. There's still time to prepare." Elena stood up, put away the letter and invitation, and placed them in her desk drawer. "But I need to write back to my father first and tell him my decision."

Ji Tian nodded. "Is there anything you need me to do?"

"You don't need to do anything," Elena walked to his side, turned her head to look at him, "Just stay here with me, that's enough."

Outside the window, a gentle breeze blows, and golden petals fall softly from the wall.

"it is good."