Mage Adam-Chapter "397"

When power, knowledge, and a prosperous life come too easily, who can guarantee that mages will not grow corrupt because of it?

It could already be foreseen: once the Academy Continent and its system are implemented and spread, the number of mages will inevitably increase.

Because no matter how difficult the examinations are made, compared to the previous system, it would still be dozens of times easier. But if it is not widely implemented, or only limited to a small range, then this plan—which ought to shine brilliantly—would fail to reach its intended results.

From a few words spoken by Her Excellency Croft, he even sensed the contradictions hidden within mage society. He didn’t wish to think too deeply on it—that way lay terrifying possibilities.

After a few minutes of silence, Her Excellency Croft chuckled lightly and continued.

“In short, your plan has no problems. I don’t need to debate it—I can decide right now. As for how to make this good thing stay good, rather than turn sour—that requires effort from both you and us.”

With a trace of self-mockery she added: “It seems that the long years of peace and smooth sailing have dulled my will. I’ve actually become hesitant and cautious.”

Compared to that revolution back then, what were today’s problems, really? Croft whispered this inwardly to herself.

Adam didn’t know what he should say.

Nor did Croft expect Adam to console her. Encountering problems, solving problems—that was the mindset a true mage ought to have. She declared firmly:

“The Academy Plan must be carried out. We cannot abandon certain benefits we will surely gain now, simply because of potential hidden dangers in the future.”

Adam recalled the moment when he had been struck by the Soul-Rending, and said:

“If the Virtual Reality Project matures, it may mitigate this issue. Using Illusory Realms for tempering the mind would be easy to implement.”

“I believe you and the other True Spirit Excellencies could consider placing trial planes in orbit around the Mage World. Let the new apprentices, from their very first stages, come to know the enemies and hardships their predecessors once faced.”

Croft nodded. The methods were sound; and when the path was unclear, any attempt was worthwhile.

She then asked Adam:

“The general overseer of the plan is me. Would you be willing to serve as the second-in-command and executor—fully empowered to implement the Academy Plan?”

Adam was stunned. “Me? A mere Fifth-Level Transcendent?”

Croft smiled: “This has nothing to do with strength. Your experience is what’s most valuable. And carrying out the plan will not consume too much of your time. You can easily station one avatar permanently on the Academy Continent while your true body continues its research.”

In the end, Adam accepted her request and became the Deputy Minister of the newly established Academy Department of the Mage World, wielding the authority and duties of a minister.

Just as Croft had said, it was not difficult for him. Though he knew there were deeper contradictions hidden beneath, with the backing of True Spirits, he didn’t believe anyone could truly obstruct him during execution.

Most importantly of all, Adam found the task genuinely interesting. To be “a teacher for ten thousand generations”—that sounded pretty damn cool.

After Adam left, several True Spirit Archmages gathered within the Source Space. Croft asked:

“You’ve all heard. What do you think?”

True Spirit Prometheus said:

“The framework of the plan itself has no issues. As you said, the problems lie in what comes after implementation. But truly, there are no good solutions. We cannot plant magical seals inside every mage’s mind to ensure obedience, can we?”

The First True Spirit was half-jesting, of course—that was impossible. If they ever did such a thing, contradictions would immediately erupt into open conflict.

Croft sighed.

“Peace and stability are a double-edged sword. Back then, we struggled just to survive—problems like these didn’t even exist.”

Clearly, she spoke not of the Academy Plan, but of the deep-rooted contradictions throughout mage society.

True Spirit Kratos interjected:

“That’s why the Mage World needs a war, to shake those idiots awake. Too much comfort has made them forget how hard this life was to win. Maxewell, how are things on your side?”

True Spirit Maxwell’s will-projection flickered unsteadily—his true body was far off in the distant void.

“Going smoothly. The Devourer-Dilus is strong, but not enough to threaten me. And so far, I haven’t found the other Dilus clans. I think war isn’t far. I’m now at the edge of known void; in a few years, I’ll enter uncharted territory.”

True Spirit Meyer shook his head.

“War itself is fine. But to use war as a way of solving contradictions—that’s the last resort. And even then, who can guarantee whether war will resolve contradictions, or only worsen them?”

Most of those present had lived since the ancient age, the first True Spirits to rise alongside Prometheus and Croft, the World Guardians who had launched the Revolution. They were bound by a single rope, sharing the same goal.

Everyone spoke in turn, sharing their views. Yet as in so many discussions before, the unsolvable remained unsolved.

Prometheus noticed True Spirit Laura silent and asked:

“Laura, what do you think?”

Laura spoke softly:

“Do you still remember the last words of old Diyul before he died?”

Diyul—the Grand Magus, the strongest of the ancient system, greatest enemy of the Revolution. His position among the Ancient Magi back then had been higher than Prometheus’s today. Even after endless ages, his words could not be forgotten.

“The betrayer shall in the end be betrayed. Your present will one day be your future.”

Laura said:

“If the day truly comes when action must be taken, the Third Holy Tower will show no mercy. My reputation is bad enough already—I don’t mind it worsening. Just do your own part. Leave the rest to me.”

Prometheus replied:

“It hasn’t come to that. For now, all is still well. Perhaps the future will be well, too. And truthfully, their ideas are not wrong—they simply follow a different path.

After all, even we cannot be certain we are truly right.

I only hope they never…”

He trailed off. What he hoped they never did, he left unsaid. After a pause, he declared with steely resolve:

“But if that day truly comes, I, Prometheus Zangwill, as the First Firebringer—will personally extinguish the evil flame.”

“What?! Master, you’re not joking, are you? You’re going to be… a teacher?”

Garfield stared blankly at Adam, utterly dumbfounded.

“You?! Teaching students?! What are you going to do, hand them a pile of formulas and runes normal humans can’t even comprehend, then tell them—‘if you understand, learn; if you don’t, get lost’?”