Chapter 352: Publicized Runes
A few days later, the Magic Association issued an announcement that shook the entire Imperial Capital and spread rapidly to every nation on the continent:
Mages who could pass the Association's First-Class Mage exam would be given a special reward: the Core Life Runes of immortality magic.
Moreover, a thoughtful explanation was provided for these runes.
These runes pointed directly to the essential mysteries of life's composition. They were the keys to understanding and ultimately altering life forms, breaking the limits of lifespan—the ultimate domain.
They were also the greatest aid that allowed Rhodes, the legendary mage, to survive from the ancient Mythical Era until now.
One stone stirred up a thousand waves.
After the initial shock and suspicion came unparalleled fanaticism.
Immortality!
That word, which existed only in legends, was placed before all those who yearned for it in such a tangible way for the first time. More importantly, it had Rhodes's acknowledgment.
Although the announcement emphasized that these were merely magical runes and not the magic itself, requiring further research by the mages, it was enough to ignite everyone's desire.
Consequently, the magical world of the entire capital boiled over instantly.
Reclusive old mages appeared suddenly. Elite teachers from magic academies submitted their resignations. Powerful mages traveling abroad rushed back day and night. Even many mages who originally focused on other fields began frantically cramming knowledge related to Holy Magic.
What was more, many warriors who originally had no affinity with magic began attempting to sense mana and learn the most basic magical knowledge.
For a time, the prices of all books related to magical enlightenment in the capital skyrocketed, dragging other magic books along with them.
Every mage began thinking about how to improve their strength as quickly as possible to meet the standard for participating in that distant First-Class exam.
The threshold of the Magic Association was trampled flat three times within a few short months and had to be raised and reinforced again.
Inside the hall on the first floor, heads bobbed like a sea, as noisy as a marketplace.
The number of mages applying for the exam grew exponentially. Among them were many grey-haired old mages who had been famous in other fields for years. They put down their reserve and pride just for the chance to touch those core runes.
Pressure pressed down on the Association's management like a landslide or tsunami. As the nominal manager, Serie bore the brunt of it.
She had to step forward personally to coordinate personnel and establish stricter assessment methods. Even Flamme, who was originally responsible for guarding and researching Solitär-Flamme, was called over by her to conduct qualification reviews.
In a short time, the Magic Association's prestige and influence expanded explosively, completely replacing the Saint Katiya Magic Academy to become the true holy land of magic on the continent.
At the top level of the Association headquarters, in Rhodes's research room which was quietly incongruous with the outside noise, Serie finally found a moment of respite to "demand an explanation."
"Look at what you have done! It is turning into a vegetable market out there! Two old mages nearly fought over a spot in line at Flamme's assessment site! If you don't think of something, the Association will be torn apart by these people!" The elf lady's face carried obvious anger.
"If it's torn apart, just rebuild it. Whoever breaks it pays for it anyway," Rhodes laughed.
"That is not the point!" Serie's tone was reproachful. "That is your greatest research achievement in a thousand years! It is a domain we only touched after experiencing so much! How could you release it so easily?"
Hearing this, Rhodes looked up. His face showed no ripples as he said flatly, "Just some unimportant runes. No harm in bringing them out."
His tone was so understated that Serie was momentarily stunned.
Unimportant?
That involved the essence of life composition, the mystery leading to eternal life! How could it be unimportant?!
Then, she noticed Solitär-Flamme standing quietly in the shadows to Rhodes's side and rear.
This demon had been brought here from the basement at some point. She stood silently, unblinking eyes watching Rhodes's movements like an exquisite doll.
Serie could sense the mental magic she had placed on the demon was still active, which reassured her slightly, but Rhodes keeping her by his side was still a bit weird.
"Unimportant?" Serie snapped back to reality, raising her voice. "Don't fool me! That is an extension of the Goddess of Life's Authority! It is unique—"
"Precisely because of that," Rhodes interrupted her, "others cannot learn it."
Serie froze.
She remembered.
She remembered Rhodes's uniqueness.
He wasn't just a legendary mage who had lived for a thousand years; he was, in a sense, a holder of divine authority.
Part of the Goddess of Life's Authority was in his hands, which was the crucial reliance allowing him to interpret those runes. For others, even if they obtained the core life composition runes, it would be useless because they lacked that authority and couldn't interpret or research them.
"You... you are just giving them a visible but intangible phantom?" Serie's tone became complicated. Anger faded, replaced by understanding and helplessness.
"You can understand it that way," Rhodes nodded, the corners of his mouth curving up. "Since they can't forget it, losing sleep and appetite over it, better to give them a clear goal to chase."
"At least, in the process of trying to decipher it, they will work hard to improve themselves, obey the Association's rules, and stop hiding their ambitions."
"The overall level of magical civilization on the continent might even be pushed forward a step by this east wind."
"As for whether they ultimately gain anything..." He paused. "That depends on their own fortune. Perhaps among millions, one or two geniuses who find a different path will truly emerge. That wouldn't be an uninteresting outcome."
Serie understood. This was a conspiracy, a naked conspiracy.
Using a reward that couldn't truly be obtained to bind the ambitions in people's hearts. It diverted conflict, promoted development, and placed potential enemies under surveillance in the open.
Indeed a good idea. But he hadn't told her in advance, making the elf lady grind her teeth in anger, wishing she could bite this man.
Rhodes naturally noticed Serie's unhappiness. He placed his hand on her small head, comforting her. "Alright, my fault. I should have told you in advance next time."
"You are treating the Association, and me, like mules to be driven!" Serie complained grumpily, but her tone had softened. "Do you know how tired I've been lately? I suspect mages from the entire human race have run over here."
"Isn't that better?" Rhodes spoke with a certain expectation. "Livelier means vitality. A stagnant pool of a magical world isn't what you want to see either, right?"
The elf lady was silent for a moment. Finally, she sighed and nodded. "...You are right. Just... it is a bit too lively. Forget it! I'm going to work; a pile of things is waiting to be handled." She waved her hand, turned, and left with hurried steps.
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