Sovereign of the Ashes

Chapter 26: Mediators

As the figures of the two full-fledged black mages gradually disappeared into the distance, the hoots of owls began to fill the air.

The academy overseers had been present for some time, but even they wisely refrained from intervening in the battle between the two black mages.

Sein was not certain if they were other black mages secretly observing the earlier battle, but he did recognize one of the owls— Seven.

He managed to immediately distinguish Seven among the identical owls, all due to the one red feather on Seven’s chest. It was a little detail that had stood out to Sein during their previous encounters.

Seven appeared to have spotted Sein as well, but made no effort to approach to greet him.

After assigning two owls to keep watch over the surroundings and the burning remains of the plant monster, Seven and the other owl overseers took flight in the direction that Master Morsidor and Katherson had departed.

It had been over a decade since the Black Magic Academy in Mystralora City had last witnessed a conflict of such magnitude between full-fledged black mages.

The outcome of this battle and the extent of damage it might inflict upon the academy or the city remained uncertain.

***

“Come now, Katherson has already offered an apology. You’ve also retrieved the life core of his plant companion. Perhaps it’s time to put this matter to rest,” the distinguished visitor who had come all the way to visit Master Morsidor suggested.

Standing next to his mentor, Sein recognized the visitor as Master Dedaelon, one of the academy’s three vice deans.

Since Sein was the cause of the recent battle between the two full-fledged black mages, his presence was also required in the room even though he was only an intermediate initiate.

Compared to his previous grim and stern demeanor in the dungeon several months ago, Master Dedaelon now appeared warm and amiable, almost like a typical friendly neighbor.

As they conversed, Dedaelon observed Sein with the gaze of an elder admiring his juniors.

“I see that your new apprentice is quite impressive. In just a few months, he has already been promoted to an intermediate initiate,” he remarked approvingly.

Master Dedaelon was here today as a mediator.

In conflicts among full-fledged black mages, a third party would typically intervene to mediate.

The third party’s significant power and their role as a vice dean of the academy usually proved effective in resolving most disputes.

However, it was different this time...

“Lord Dedaelon, I’d be willing to overlook this incident if it had only disrupted my regular experiments and harmed my apprentices... But you ought to know that this man’s actions have led to the failure of the hydro elemental fission generator project personally entrusted to me by Vice Dean Martin,” Morsidor asserted.

“I’m sure you know why Lord Martin has summoned me all the way from the Western Archipelago, right?”

Morsidor’s jaundiced eyes were devoid of emotions as he stared at the other man.

“What? The hydro elemental fission generator project has been compromised? Is it possible to recreate it?” Dedaelon inquired nervously, no longer taking Katherson’s side.

Morsidor stroked his magic rod and replied, “It is possible, but repairing the experiment tables and sourcing the raw materials again will take time.”

The vice dean breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing Morsidor’s response.

However, he also realized that acting as a mediator in this situation was quickly becoming a challenging task.

A few days ago, the confrontation between Master Morsidor and Katherson had escalated to the point where Morsidor chased Katherson from the Black Magic Academy into the South District and then further into the East District of Mystralora City.

It was only after Katherson had fled the city in an unknown direction that Morsidor finally relented.

The battle between the two black mages left a trail of destruction in its wake.

It was not the damage to homes and streets that intrigued the other black mages, but Morsidor’s audacious declaration.

He had boldly declared that if Katherson ever dared to set foot in the Black Magic Academy, he would not hesitate to beat him to death!

His threat revealed the fierce and unforgiving nature of black mages. Despite Master Morsidor’s usual reserved demeanor, he had shown the others that he was no pushover either.

He was a black mage with formidable combat abilities and a stronger sense of vengeance than most.

Morsidor’s earlier statement also revealed another crucial detail—he hailed from the Western Archipelago as well.

Upon realizing the implications of Morsidor’s determined stance, the vice dean exchanged a few more casual words with him before swiftly departing Morsidor’s residence.

Before leaving, he assured Morsidor that he would procure the necessary alchemy materials for the hydro elemental fission generator as quickly as possible.

However, he emphasized that Morsidor was still required to craft all the remaining element fission generators and turn them in on time.

Sein, who had been respectfully waiting on the sidelines and unable to participate in the conversation, pondered the vice dean’s intent in having his mentor craft the element fission generators.

Unfortunately, it was clear that these were secrets between the black mages, and he could only wonder in silence as a humble initiate.

After seeing the vice dean off, Master Morsidor turned around and imparted a piece of wisdom that Sein would carry with him throughout his life.

“When someone attempts to push you around, stand your ground. You must fight back. Fight back hard. If you can’t overcome them, you may choose to hold back or perhaps yield. But if they are weaker than you, then show no mercy. Eliminate them and make sure they can never return to your life. Bear in mind, to remove a weed, you must remove it at the root.”

Upon speaking those words, Morsidor’s expression turned gloomy as a memory resurfaced.

A brief silence later, he continued, “If my second apprentice had understood this earlier and displayed more humility, he might have lived longer.”

With that, Morsidor returned to his laboratory, leaving Sein alone in the common room to contemplate on the advice he had just received.

***

It appeared that Master Katherson had influential connections within the Black Magic Academy, in addition to the vice dean, Dedaelon.

Over the next few days, three more full-fledged black mages acted as mediators in an attempt to persuade Morsidor to spare him.

Sein had never seen the first two mages, and Morsidor displayed little patience for their appeals.

When the third mediator arrived, Morsidor treated her with an unusual amount of respect.

“I didn’t expect to see you here. Are you here to plead on Katherson’s behalf?”

Morsidor's change in attitude and the softer tone in his speech surprised Sein.

The black mage facing Morsidor was a woman dressed in light blue robe.

She was an accomplished apothecary in the Black Magic Academy, renowned for her extensive knowledge of potions. Her reputation in her field was on par with Morsidor’s in the field of alchemy.

Her name was Daelis, and she happened to be Marie’s mentor.