Key and The Truth Society

Aiswell followed the Mage into the High Prism Tower. The Mage still wanted to introduce him to the tower's situation, but Aiswell shook his head and refused, "Let's not waste time."

So, the Mage could only escort Aiswell all the way to the top of the tower.

"The Tower Master is already waiting for you in the study."

"Thank you, you may leave."

After dismissing the Mage, Aiswell pushed open the door to Heron's study.

"Heron..."

"Calm down, my old friend." The space in the room was almost entirely filled with bookshelves and books. Only the very center was deliberately cleared to accommodate a desk, providing the study's owner with a comfortable reading environment. The so-called owner was currently sitting there, holding a yellowed book. Compared to Aiswell, he looked more like an elderly gentleman, wearing a monocle, with meticulously neat hair and attire, completely unlike a traditional Mage. "No matter how urgent the matter, you should sit down and explain it slowly, shouldn't you? My dear Seal Master?"

Aiswell understood his old friend's temperament. Just as he was about to speak, he noticed someone else in the room.

It was a young man with features resembling both a Terran and a Canaanite. He was sitting not far from Heron. Noticing Aiswell's gaze, he nodded neither subserviently nor arrogantly.

Most importantly, Aiswell couldn't sense any trace of Magic Power from him. He was a completely ordinary person.

"Who is he?" Aiswell frowned. "Your new apprentice?"

"That's irrelevant... Think whatever you want." Heron set the book aside. "Speak, Aiswell. You're clearly not here for tea."

"It's still about Osmund Burnell... According to Lacy's prophecy, he's dead. And he didn't die on any land in this plane. He died silently in a lonely, secluded, independent world! Do you know what that means?"

Heron shook his head and took a sip of the strong, brewed tea.

"You know, Aiswell, it's precisely because I was tired of such matters that I left the Mystic Academy and built this Mage Tower on this barren, uninhabited land to conduct my magical research alone. I know you want my help, but as I said, I will listen to all your requests but offer no substantial assistance, other than encouragement."

Aiswell almost cursed him as an old geezer. He glared at Heron, but remembering that others were present, he suppressed his anger. "Heron, do you know the magnitude of the impact this will have? That student... Osmund Burnell stole the Key to the Upper Labyrinth. With the slightest carelessness, he could easily cause a catastrophe that even Dark Dawn couldn't achieve in a lifetime! It could be the end of Mages!"

"But what does that have to do with me, the Tower Master of this High Prism Tower?" Heron shrugged. "You were the ones researching the Key, you were the ones who let that child join the Mystic Academy, you were the ones who ignored his plight, and you were the ones who watched him steal the Key. Why do you always try to shift your responsibilities onto others?"

"It was an accident! No, it wasn't an accident!" Aiswell said calmly. "Osmund wouldn't have stolen the Key for no reason. Someone must have instigated him, told him how to evade the Mystic Academy's dense warning magic, how to steal the Key under everyone's noses, how to use the Eye of the Transcendent to activate the long-abandoned long-distance Teleportation Array, and how to shield everyone's divination and foresight spells. Even that Eye of the Transcendent likely came from them.

"Everything is too coincidental. The centennial magical society seminar just concluded. Siswell, Hailey, and Yeleven left, and shortly after, such a major incident occurred at the Mystic Academy. If there wasn't a mastermind behind it, I wouldn't believe it! And now, the primary fugitive, Osmund, has met his end. The Key he stole has likely fallen into the hands of the mastermind! Whether for the Mystic Academy or for all Mages, Heron, old friend, you must contribute."

Aiswell delivered this long speech without even pausing for breath. He looked coldly at his former friend, awaiting his reply.

Whatever he said, at least they had both tried their best. Aiswell thought to himself.

"I refuse." Heron replied almost without hesitation.

Aiswell seemed to age many years in an instant. He glanced at Heron, then at the various books on the bookshelves. Only a portion of them were about magical mysteries; most were miscellaneous books on various academic subjects.

"Then I'll be going." he said.

"Wait, Aivi." Heron uttered Aiswell's old nickname. "Since you say there's a mastermind pulling the strings, why don't you tell me who you suspect the mastermind to be?"

Aiswell didn't know his intention, but trusting his old friend, he said, "The Truth Society. Only they desperately desire the Key and possess this level of planning ability."

"That's right!" Heron laughed heartily, then pointed to the young man beside him. "Then you should have a lot to talk about with him. Li Lin, introduce yourself."

The young man stood up and bowed slightly to the old Mage.

"I've heard a lot about you, Seal Master Aiswell. I grew up listening to your legendary tales, especially how you slew a Lich in Port Belen and saved hundreds of thousands of people from danger. It always filled me with excitement. Please allow me to introduce myself. I am Li Lin, the liaison for The Truth Society."

Aiswell stared blankly at the two of them. After a long moment, he managed to say, "That wasn't a Lich, it was a Soul Lord."

"Alright, perhaps I remembered incorrectly." The young man, Li Lin, didn't seem to think it was a significant mistake. "In my opinion, whether it's a Lich or a Soul Lord, they are the same type of entity, remnants of the Decay Lineage."

"I hope you won't take my previous words to heart, as it was merely a trivial guess of mine." Aiswell said, his gaze shifting to Heron. This old fellow probably knew everything already, didn't he?

"I wouldn't dare."

Wouldn't dare, not wouldn't?

Aiswell's gaze turned cold. He thought, how could a mere bastard from The Truth Society, someone without any Magic Power, have the audacity to speak to him like that?

He looked at Heron questioningly, awaiting an explanation.

"I apologize, old friend. I hope you won't be angry." Heron soothed his friend. "I didn't want to get involved in this matter, but I couldn't just ignore you. So, I privately approached The Truth Society, who are also interested in the Key."

"Precisely, Professor. The task of searching for the Key can be entirely entrusted to us at The Truth Society. In fact, we have already fully tracked Osmund Burnell's movements. His last spatial transit was in the Black Dragon Territory; there must be clues there."

"I will never let the Key fall into your hands," Aiswell said warily.

"It doesn't matter." Li Lin's eyes were calm, like a bottomless, deep lake. "We have our own objectives."