"Use powerful fireballs to bombard the grass into white ground? Use psychedelic magic to deceive the world and pursue power? Use tricks like acrobatics in the city to win the cheers and admiration of stupid nobles? Decorate it with a mystery that seems extremely powerful to others.
Your own status and appearance? Or destroying your enemies in battles and killings, bringing ridiculous pleasure and satisfaction? "
Thales lowered his head thoughtfully.
But his heart was already trembling.
magic.
magic?
What is magic?
"You know, a long time ago, I always thought that mages are people with great power. They can throw out a fireball at will," the prince said with some ecstasy, "or stay in the tower without going out, researching a kind of weapon that can destroy the world."
A mantra, or an old scholar who pursues the truth persistently... But you tell me now..."
Aixida leaned back on his chair again and snorted coldly.
"Indeed, the magic system of the Soul Tower is the biggest heresy in the history of magic. It was not recognized by other mages at first: they laughed at us as 'magicians', and we retorted that they were just 'jugglers'."
"For example, the Alchemy Tower stubbornly believes that magic is about studying the relationship between humans and nature, and using the latter's resources for their own use. It is not surprising that they have such thoughts. After all, the Alchemy Tower, known as the 'War Tower',
He rose up in the war between humans and ancient orcs, started out by killing and being practical, and relies on survival and victory, very close to the kind of mage you mentioned who throws fireballs and specializes in spells."
"But we are different," the magician's tone was full of seriousness and caution: "The concept of the Tower of Souls eventually shook the entire history of magic, and even ascetics and alchemists were deeply affected."
Thales frowned: "You mean..."
"If magic can't provide some meaning to the world, some possibilities for the future, and some value to human beings in addition to satisfying one's own food and clothing needs..." Aixida turned her head and narrowed her eyes. She had a calm face, but
It’s also very stressful.
"Then we have worked hard to gather mages, summarize calculations, study continuously, pass on the seeds and concepts of magic one after another, and constantly pursue further progress amidst doubts and criticisms... What is the meaning of these things?"
"If magic simply becomes a slave to the user, a tool for selfishness and a capital to show off status, a cloak to win dignity and capital to realize desires, and an excuse for the mage to be independent from the world and claim to be aloof, then
"Asheida's expression is still stiff, but Thales inexplicably feels that there is a deeper emotion hidden behind his face: "The existence of the mage, and the princes and nobles who are vying for power and profit, but the farmers who are seeking food and clothing.
What is the difference between an Orion, a battlefield warrior who kills enemies and makes meritorious deeds, a businessman and craftsman bent on profit, and a hermit who pretends to be sophisticated?"
"Then as mages, what is the need for us to pursue truth and correctness, and for what purpose?"
"In order to live? In order to live better? In order to live more happily? In order to live for others to see? In order to become smarter and stronger, and then let countless people who are stupider and weaker than you lie on the ground to marvel at your achievements and worship you.
Status?"
"No, Thales," Asheida said slowly: "That is definitely not a mage, at least not a mage we recognize, but just a silverfish with the word 'magic' written on the only fig leaf.
"
Thales thought deeply about the other party's words and couldn't help but be entranced: "Is this also part of the magician's course?"
Aixida nodded solemnly: "Of course, and it is very important."
"Don't let the existing framework confine yourself, Thales, let your mind run free."
Thales looked at him blankly.
The magician sighed slowly, and Thales almost forgot the fact that he could still breathe: "Do you remember what I said? In the Tower of Souls, in the concept of the Seat of All Laws, magic is
A choice, not a boring tool or means, and being a mage is an identity, not a tacky status or identity."
"And this was my choice and my identity back then," Asheida looked directly into his eyes: "It is also my magic."
Asheida fell silent.
But Thales was immersed in the shocking conversation and could not return for a long time.
"Mr. Sacken, what kind of place is the Tower of Souls?" he asked dreamily.
Asheida paused.
Three seconds later, the magician slowly held his hands.
"The Tower of Souls," Asheida spoke very slowly, her voice low, as if there was a layer of sandpaper behind her throat: "The holy land of mages, the hope of apprentices, the future of magic, where countless thoughts and ideas collide fiercely.
"
"What we believe to be the truth is washed and honed in lectures and discussions, and countless like-minded peers move forward step by step in each other's arguments."
"Every day is a new day, because there are always new things waiting for you, there are always new people in the future, because there are always old things left behind, there are always old people left behind..."
At that moment, Aixida seemed to have remembered something. He stopped talking and looked down at the chessboard.
It's like breaking some taboo.
His face darkened, and the blue light in his eyes gradually disappeared.
Thales noticed the teacher's expression and abnormality, and he wisely stopped asking further questions.
Everyone has their own story.
But not everyone is willing to talk.
not to mention……
"Hearing what you said, I really want to see it with my own eyes," Thales sighed: "It seems that the Tower of Soul is a very great and beautiful place."
Asheida suddenly raised her head
"Of course not," this time, the magician's tone became particularly cold, "Even the Soul Tower has its own mess, darkness, ugliness and compromise."
"In the end, mages are just human beings."
"Remember, Thales, an organization, a place, a group, as long as it is composed of people," the magician stared at Thales closely: "It will never be so beautiful."
"It's just like the vortex you're in, the game."
The prince raised his eyebrows, a little embarrassed: "Huh?"
But Aixida ignored him and just turned her head to look outside the box.
"Perhaps this is the limit of human beings."
Thales swore that behind the last word, he heard an imperceptible sigh from the magician.
In this picture under the setting sun, the magician's face is still handsome, but there are some lines that are not usually present out of thin air.
It's like the painter painted a few more strokes.
"get out of class is over."
Aixida looked at the setting sun and said softly.
The next second, before Thales even had time to show his surprise, the figure of the magician faded away.
"Alas," Thales sighed helplessly as he looked at the empty seats and the chessboard with another general, "It's like this again."
So, once again, Thales ended his day out playing chess and, accompanied by Justin, Waiya and others, prepared to return in low spirits.
I have received enough surprises today.
Maybe he shouldn't put any more burden on himself, given the weirdness in Longxiao City...
Um?
Thales raised his head strangely and looked at the commotion ahead.
"What's going on?" Lord Justin, the former deputy commander of the White Blade Guards, looked past the prince and looked at the situation in front of him angrily.
At the door of the chess and card room, dozens of soldiers of the Grand Duke's personal guard held down their weapons coldly and faced off nervously with a dozen strange soldiers who came from the alley next door.
Those soldiers were obviously not from Longxiao City. They were murderous and showed no sign of weakness.
Behind them is a brown-black enclosed carriage.
Wyatt and Rolf looked at each other, confused.
Thales frowned and saw clearly that the leader of the strange soldiers was a female warrior with a short head and a round face.
"Prince Thales, on behalf of the Black Sand Territory, I would like to extend an invitation to you for talks," the current deputy commander of the White Blade Guards, the distant-faced Lady Croashe Michael, said towards the Black Sand Territory soldier behind her.
The carriage under escort waved his arms and spoke coldly:
"Viscount Cambida is on the carriage. He invites you to step into the carriage and give him a few minutes to talk."
Thales was slightly startled.
how……
"Talk? Now?"
Doubts and warning arose in Thales's heart: "What does Cambida want to say to me?"
"I don't know," Crowley said softly, with a cold light in his eyes: "That's your decision."
At this moment, Viscount Cambida's voice came from far away from the direction of the carriage:
"I promise, Your Highness, if you miss this carriage, you will regret it in the future."
"Believe me, this is crucial."
Thales was shocked.
Too late to regret? Crucial?
"Why do you want to get on the carriage?" Thales narrowed his eyes and said warily: "We can go upstairs or find another place."
"Why in the carriage?"
"Look around you," Croash glanced at the Grand Duke's personal guards with an unpleasant look, "Is there any private place within a ten-meter radius of you in Longxiao City?"
Justin, who was responsible for protecting Thales, tightened his expression.
Thales looked at Chloe in surprise, and then at the carriage behind her.
strangeness.
Black Sand Collar...want to talk to me.
at this time?
Damn it, why isn't Putilai here?
"Impossible!" The vigilant Lord Justin directly rejected the other party: "If you want to see the prince, you can..."
"We have had enough of the blockade of Longxiao City," Croixi said without flinching. She ignored her predecessor: "Your Highness, this is the closest we have been to you in a month. Believe me, we
I just want to talk to you."
Thales, with countless thoughts flashing through his mind, was about to speak, but was beaten to the spot by Justin.
"Ashe, I still remember you when you were a child," Lord Justin took a step forward, the expression on his face getting more and more ugly: "I have a good relationship with your father, and I am very happy that you have become the White Blade Guard.
so……"
"Don't make me do it."
Behind him, Thales took a deep breath.
So to say……
"Then you'd better take action now, Uncle Justin," Crowe said coldly: "Or let the prince decide that he is a guest, not a prisoner!"
Justin's face turned cold, and he was about to press his weapon. The Grand Duke's guards around him were also preparing to take action with unkind expressions.
At this moment.
"Lord Justin!"
Under the watchful eyes of everyone, the prince took a step forward gently.
Thales raised his hand and held Justin's shoulder.
at this time?
The prince looked at the carriage led by Heisha, his thoughts spinning.
At a time when the relationship between Exeter and the Free League was delicate.
When the news about Qiyuan City is uncertain.
When Longxiao City was in a dilemma.
People from the Black Sand Territory want to talk to me, a powerless and awkward enemy prince?
Too suspicious.
Thales shook his head and said to Justin: "This is Longxiao City, they are the king's envoys, unnecessary conflicts are unwise, and you know what kind of situation we are in."
Justin frowned fiercely: "But you know, they are the Black Sand Leader after all..."
Huaiya couldn't help but say: "With all due respect, Your Highness, your safety..."
"Listen to me!" Thales turned his head and looked at his own people.
"Facing the king, the Grand Duchess needs new information. There is no doubt that this is an opportunity to see what they have in mind for Longxiao City." He said to the frowning Justin: "For Longxiao City."
Justin was speechless.
"And she was right that I was a guest."
"Huaiya, the carriage is here, and I won't disappear out of thin air." Thales smiled at his attendant.
Justin and Waiya looked at each other, feeling uneasy.
"Besides," the prince calmly turned to Croash, looked at the soldiers behind her and said, "Everyone in the Black Sand Territory will ensure my safety, right?"
Kroesi nodded, pressed his right chest, and said respectfully: "I swear with my life and the honor of the king."
"You will get off safely in a few minutes."
Thales looked at Justin and Waiya, who were still doubtful, and shrugged.
Rolf, on the other hand, nodded to him.
"Go and inform the boss and the earl," Lord Justin finally nodded hesitantly, but at the same time he cautiously ordered his subordinates: "Make sure they know about this as soon as possible."
"Do you know how important you are, Your Highness?" Huaiya stared at the carriage with an ugly expression: "Like the Fallen Star said, you can always create problems for us."
The prince smiled.
"That's why I need you, Wya, and you, Midila."
He gently pushed aside the two guards blocking the front, and walked into the formation of the Black Sand Territory accompanied by Huaiya and Rolf.
The attendant with unswerving expressions and the ghost of Sui Feng were stopped in front of the carriage.
Thales threw the book in his hand to Huaiya and stepped forward alone.
No matter what Black Sand Collar has to tell you, Thales.
Everyone needs to be calm and cautious.
You have experienced the power of Lumba, and you have also witnessed the cunning of Cambida.
When facing your worst enemy, be careful.
The next second, Thales, whose heart was as calm as a lake, opened the car door and got into the car without even lighting the lights.
In the carriage, Cambida's silhouette was sitting quietly in the darkness, and the clothes on his body were vaguely visible.
"I always feel that this is your revenge for my refusal to talk to you alone on the road." Thales closed the car door, exhaled, and sat down opposite Cambida: "Viscount Cambida..."
But then the prince was shocked!
That's not Cambida.
That is……
"Long time no see, Thales," the other party gently raised his eyes from the sword between his knees:
"Are you old enough to drink?"
That is……
How dare they...
At this moment, Thales's mind was almost blank.
In the carriage, the owner of the Black Sand Territory, Charmaine Lombard, the thirty-sixth co-king of Exeter, opened a pair of cold eyes in the deep darkness.