Chapter 143: Darnell’s Request

The one who raised the question was a girl.

Not just Yu Sheng’an, many magicians didn’t expect her to waste this rare opportunity to directly speak to an influential person.

Perhaps this is how women are!

Amidst countless curious gazes, Yu Sheng’an smiled slightly: “Magic apprentice.”

“What?” The magic apprentices in the stands exchanged glances, their faces full of disbelief.

How could Lord Ajef possibly be a magic apprentice?

That’s absolutely impossible!

“I understand. Lord Ajef is telling us that magic never ends. We must always maintain the mindset of a magic apprentice!”

Someone with quick thinking immediately grasped the deeper meaning.

“This is clearly Lord Ajef’s humility!”

“What a magic apprentice!”

“No wonder Lord Ajef wears a white robe!”

At this moment, not only the magic apprentices, but even the magic mentors and nobles on the stands were surprised and impressed!

This answer was truly brilliant!

Yu Sheng’an looked at the crowd’s self-amusing expressions and smiled with a hint of mockery.

Is his magic level really only at the level of a magic apprentice?

The Light Element ability he displayed was derived from the authority of the Divine Spark, not the Light Element Magic!

One must say, when you have power and status, even nonsense can mesmerize people.

“Alright, next one!”

After answering this mundane question, Yu Sheng’an casually pointed to a boy.

The boy pointed out by Yu Sheng’an stood up excitedly, took a deep breath, and asked: “Lord Ajef, which is the most important among soul power, magic power, and Magic Seals?”

As soon as this question was raised, the magic mentors in the front row furrowed their brows.

The side effects of the Magic Academy’s expansion have finally emerged; how can such a low-level question be asked?

Yu Sheng’an pondered slightly and said: “According to the traditional answer, I’d tell you they’re equally important. However, since you asked this question, you probably don’t want that answer.”

“I can’t accurately answer your question, but I can tell you a story. Legend has it that in ancient times, there was a fighter who was invincible in the world, and no one ever saw him use a second move. Later, someone asked him to demonstrate his martial arts, and the fighter replied, ‘I only know one move: sword drawing.'”

As his voice fell, the whole place fell silent.

The furrowing magic mentors raised their eyebrows.

The questioning boy looked thoughtful, then sincerely said: “Thank you, Lord Ajef, I understand.”

What did the boy understand? Yu Sheng’an didn’t know.

However, he knew this was the subtlety of answering others’ questions with stories; everyone’s understanding would be different.

Such an answer is universal, and how it’s interpreted depends entirely on the individual.

“Alright, next one!”

Yu Sheng’an continued with the Q&A session.

The following questions were much more normal, mostly about magic.

There were metaphysical philosophical questions;

And there were also physical ones.

The former, having experienced the explosion of information, Yu Sheng’an could easily answer.

Even if he didn’t know the answer, he could concoct an ambiguous ‘storytime’ to bluff his way through.

The latter was even simpler. With his control over the Prophecy Divine Spark, not many logical problems could stump him.

The only difference was that some questions were too costly in terms of Source Essence, something Yu Sheng’an was reluctant to expend.

Thus, after a series of questions, the scene became increasingly lively.

Even Yu Sheng’an himself didn’t know how he solved many controversial magic problems unknowingly.

“Alright, that’s it for today. I wish you all smooth sailing and success in the coming academic journey!”

As the atmosphere was at its peak, Yu Sheng’an proactively ended the Q&A session.

Frankly, this segment was too tiresome!

It consumed too much Source Essence!

He almost wished he could split a drop of Source Essence in half, wasting it here was somewhat painful.

So, when it seemed enough, he called it a day.

“Please don’t!”

“Lord Ajef, answer one more question! Just one last one!”

“Lord Ajef, do you offer lessons?”

The magic apprentices were full of reluctance.

The scene was filled with voices begging him to stay!

Seeing this, Yu Sheng’an quickly left two polite remarks, placed his hand on his chest, bowed, and left.

Unexpectedly, just as he left the platform, someone followed him.

“Mr. Ajef, please hold on, may I have a word with you?”

At the edge of the Garden, away from the Bright Square, an old man in a purple robe caught up.

He was skinny, his steps were shaky, and his whole body emanated magical energy. Apparently, to catch up with Yu Sheng’an, he used magical power.

“Is there something you need?” Yu Sheng’an stopped walking.

“I am Darnell, primarily studying Light Element Magic. The Light Element Magic you just demonstrated was truly eye-opening!”

Darnell complimented politely, getting straight to the point: “I have an unfortunate request, and I hope Mr. Ajef can agree. I wish to obtain your research materials on Light Element Magic. Of course, according to magician standards, I am willing to exchange equivalently.”

To be honest, Darnell’s move was quite abrupt.

But he couldn’t wait any longer.

His lifespan was nearing its end. Although Yu Sheng’an had opened a door for him, showing him the direction for his research, the problem was that he now lacked the most: time.

Or rather, he was very clever.

Such matters are hard to negotiate through an intermediary unless done personally.

Because looking at the magical standard Ajef displayed, he was sure Ajef’s magical attainments must have reached the Grand Mage level.

In other words, the so-called Archmage level as per the current norm.

Such a figure, which broker would catch his eye?

No one, except for the Three Archmages of the Empire!

But would the Three Archmages of the Empire be willing to serve as intermediaries for him?

The answer is negative.

As someone standing atop the Empire’s pyramid, he deeply understood the ambivalence with which the Empire’s senior magicians viewed their peers.

On one hand, senior magicians establish Magic Academies and train magicians, hoping to increase their numbers;

On the other hand, they dread seeing new senior magicians born and share the resources they control.

If senior magicians feel this way, what about Archmages?

A new Archmage’s birth in the Empire causes an intense impact, potentially overturning the existing order.

It implies that many magicians dissatisfied with the current distribution of benefits find new patrons.

It further means that the Empire’s pie faces a new power of division!

Thus, the Three Archmages of the Empire might not be vile enough to suppress a Grand Mage.

So, instead of flattering the Archmages, it’s better to directly seek advice.

“Equivalent exchange?” Yu Sheng’an questioned with a strange tone.

As one of his bases, he might not be fully knowledgeable about the Empire, but he’s intimately familiar with high-end magicians.

Naturally, Darnell’s situation didn’t escape his notice.

“Equivalent exchange!” Darnell confirmed through gritted teeth.

“If I’m not mistaken, you’re in a dire situation? If you don’t break through to the Archmage level, only two paths remain: death or finding a way to pledge allegiance to the Underworld God and become a Necromancy creature. Am I correct?”

Darnell trembled slightly and nodded.

The former was terrible;

The latter even worse.

Pledging allegiance to the Underworld God meant changing from a person into a monster;

It further implied forever being shackled, losing all freedom, and becoming an Underworld God soldier dying in endless wars.

It can be said that, apart from low-level magicians lacking foresight, any rational senior magician would rather arrange a Necromancy conversion magic circle by a Necromancer and try their luck than pledge allegiance to the Underworld God.

Not further aggravating Darnell’s plight, Yu Sheng’an directly stated: “In that case, I’ll be blunt. I can provide knowledge of Light Element Magic and increase your chances of success in advancing by another thirty percent, but you’ll need to pay a price for it.”

“What price?” Darnell eagerly asked.