Chapter 195

But this time, Garen, unsurprisingly, called out to him as well.

"Wait, Mr. Chen Ce."

"What's wrong?" Chen Ce's tone was somewhat cold, as if he was still holding a grudge against the other party for "insulting his character" earlier.

"Let me recommend a job to you," Garen said with a smile. "It's a 'recommendation,' not 'finding one for you'—can you accept that now?"

"I don't need it." Chen Ce's tone remained indifferent.

Garen wasn't annoyed and continued patiently, "You have the ability and you're looking for an opportunity, why not give it a try? Rather than working as a porter at the docks, I think you should go to a better place—a place that needs your skills and integrity."

After a brief pause, he smiled appreciatively again, "Especially 'integrity'."

Chen Ce finally stopped.

He was secretly delighted.

"Okay... you tell me, I'll think about it."

"The Mageseeker Order," Garen replied without hesitation.

Upon hearing this name, Chen Ce felt another surge of secret joy.

The other person at the table sensed a hint of tension.

Fortunately, no one noticed—at least Garen genuinely didn't. She figured Chen Ce hadn't noticed either.

This was without her knowledge of Chen Ce's "spying ability".

"Although the Mageseeker Order is a very peripheral department, and the salary and benefits are relatively poor... I think it's really suitable for you." Of the three, only Garen was completely "kept in the dark." He was still enthusiastically introducing the situation:

"As long as you're willing to work hard, I think you'll be promoted quickly with your abilities, and there will be plenty of benefits... Of course, I believe that with your personality, benefits aren't even that important—I can see that you're an upright, idealistic, and ambitious young man."

"Hmm..." Chen Ce nodded hesitantly.

I mentally ranted.

Saying the benefits aren't important... You really dare to say that... Is this what Demacia are like?

As long as I can serve my country, I'd be laughing in my sleep even if I had to work for free, let alone pay for it myself.

"Furthermore, I guarantee I will not use my position for personal gain or provide you with any special favors," Garen added. "I will only recommend you to the Mageseeker Order and truthfully explain your situation and abilities to them."

He spoke with righteous indignation.

Chen Ce mentally scoffed again... This upright swordsman is really too upright.

Given his status and power in Demacia, a simple greeting would be interpreted as him trying to "pull strings"—no matter how hard he tried to explain, it would be useless; people would only take it as polite talk or a request for things to be done cleanly.

You really don't understand social etiquette at all...

"If that's the case..." Chen Ce feigned hesitation again, "I've heard a little about the Mageseekers ... I know they're a group of soldiers who hunt down mages... and my home was also captured by mages..."

"That seems perfect." Garen was very pleased with his brilliant decision. "However, I need to remind you again—the pay in the Mageseeker Order isn't very good. If you have any difficulties in life... you can come to me."

His tone sounded somewhat guilty, as if he were pushing someone into a fire pit—albeit a suitable one.

"This..." Chen Ce was still hesitating.

But Garen was determined. "Alright, it's settled then. I'll go to the military camp for training first, and while I'm at it, I'll tell the Mageseeker Order that Lux will take you to report later."

"But I haven't..."

"There's no need to hesitate. If you really don't like it then, we can talk about it."

"Can..."

"Alright, it's decided then." Without waiting for the other person to say anything more, Garen grabbed the water bottle and ran outside, afraid of being rejected again.

The room was now left with only Chen Ce, who outwardly appeared embarrassed but inwardly delighted, and Lux, who looked completely bewildered.

"That Garen...!" The girl huffed, crossing her arms. "Ignore him, Mr. Chen Ce. If you don't like it, don't go. Nobody can force you—and if Garen dares to say anything, I'll beat him up for you!"

"Well... although... but..." Chen Ce scratched his head, "Swordsman Garen meant well... I..."

"You're too soft-hearted!"

"Well... I'll have to trouble Lux to take me there later..."

"My God... okay, okay, being soft-hearted is a virtue too." Lux rolled her eyes—the kind of exasperated expression between friends, without any malice.

She trusted Garen's judgment in making friends, and with her lively personality, she quickly came to regard Chen Ce as her friend.

Only...

Beneath her warm exterior lay a barely perceptible worry.

Because... if Chen Ce becomes Mageseekers...

Perhaps their friendship is about to end this morning...

Because... because...

Actually, she's someone everyone in Demacia hates...

Magician...

Chapter Sixty-Three: It's... it's coming out...!

As the sun rose fully, Lux changed into a formal outfit for going out.

She wore a light silver armor that only covered her chest and below, while a blue bodysuit covered her abdomen. Since she wasn't going to the battlefield, her skirt armor resembled a silver belt that could hold several bottles of healing potions. She used a headband to slightly tuck her long, smooth, golden hair back, making her look more dignified.

Even the sturdy armor couldn't conceal her youthful charm.

She clasped her hands behind her back, leaned slightly forward, and a strand of long golden hair cascaded over her pointed ear and fell onto her cheek, appearing even more vibrant in the sunlight. She stood by the door, like a girl preparing to go out for a stroll, a smile on her face.

"Let's go, I'll take you to register with the Mageseeker Order."

"Okay." Chen Ce returned the smile, his composure masking his equally extravagant attire—he was still wearing clothes he'd brought from Ionia, to solidify his Ionia identity.

But this outfit is no less impressive than any expensive garment.

Although it doesn't cost much, it was hand-sewn by Irelia herself and is exceptionally comfortable to wear.

Irelia...

"Hurry up, what are you thinking about?" the girl at the door called out again, her tone slightly playful. "Could it be... you're thinking about your girlfriend?"

"Cough cough..." Chen Ce quickly followed.

The two walked side by side down the street, where there were already many more pedestrians—the bustling Great City of Demacia was arguably the most prosperous in Runeterra.

The barren Noxus is not as clean as this place, the frigid Freljord is not as prosperous, and the technologically advanced Twin Cities are not as friendly as this place... This Great City is indeed a suitable place to settle down.

"Ionia must be beautiful too, right?" Lux, with her outgoing personality, struck up a conversation as they walked. "I've heard that it's full of natural beauty, and people live in perfect harmony with nature... I've always wanted to go see it."

"It's really nice," Chen Ce said sincerely. "There are many beautiful landscapes and unique creatures there, and everyone is very nice... If there's a chance in the future, please allow me to be your tour guide in Ionia."

"Thank you in advance! Ionia was in war before, so I didn't have a chance to go."

"Now the war is over, and everything is thriving."

"Mmm, that's great!"

The two chatted and laughed all the way.

Lux has always been a girl who yearns for freedom, but the formalities and tedious politics of the nobility suffocate her... She has no chance to travel far. She longs for the distant sea and hills.

So she listened very attentively to Chen Ce. Her eyes were full of longing, and a beautiful smile always graced her lips.

Little did she know that her actions would bring misfortune to Chen Ce.

Her cheerful smile and melodious laughter attracted the attention of many passersby—in Great City, everyone knew the eldest daughter of the Crownguard family. They were surprised that she was traveling alone with a man.

Ordinary passersby marveled at the sight, while some nobles who couldn't obtain it were furious.

How could a plainly dressed, even impoverished, country bumpkin be worthy of chatting and laughing with the eldest daughter of the House Crownguard?

Some people watched with amusement, some were envious, and some... secretly went to tip off others.

Of course, those who sent the message weren't reporting it to their young master and then wanting to find someone to teach Chen Ce a lesson or something... True nobles wouldn't do such vulgar and ridiculous stupid things.

They were there to deliver a message to the House Crownguard.

Report this to... Luxanna Crownguard's aunt.

The true power behind the House Crownguard.

Of course, this was just a misunderstanding and wouldn't affect Lux at all, but bystanders were unaware of it.

Even Lux herself was unaware of it.

But her aunt has recently come up with a plan... a plan that could help her climb the ranks in the center of power. So she's been secretly monitoring her good niece.

"We're almost there, Mr. Chen Ce." Lux, completely unaware of what was happening, pointed to the military camp at the end of the street and remained enthusiastic towards the young man beside her.

"It's really kind of you to personally show me the way, Miss Lux." Chen Ce gave her a standard Ionia traditional greeting.

The latter's eyes lit up. "Is this Ionia etiquette? It looks both elegant and simple, so much better than our Demacia formalities!"

Chen Ce found it difficult to agree with this statement.

"If only Demacia could be this understanding... It's so frustrating." Lux pouted. "But let's get down to business first."

"Okay, then I'll go in first." Chen Ce prepared to walk towards the Mageseeker Order's camp.

Lux grabbed him, "Wait, wait... didn't I say we were going to talk about serious matters?"

"Talk?"

"Yes, I wanted to confirm with you one last time... are you really determined to become Mageseekers?"

"Based on the advice of Garen, I think it's necessary for me to give it a try."

"Um..."

"What's wrong?"

"It's nothing... I'll take you in." Lux gave another warm smile, but a closer look revealed her insincerity. "Garen isn't here; they won't believe you if you just go in."

"Well then... I'll trouble you, Miss Lux." Chen Ce bowed again.

"Don't be so polite with me~"

It has to be said that the name of the Crownguard family is very useful in the Great City and even throughout Demacia.

Under the guidance of Luxanna Crownguard, Chen Ce's process of joining the Mageseeker Order was incredibly simple, with all the privileges he received reminding him of his time in Noxus.

The feeling of being superior to others.

That's the benefit of power.

It's no wonder everyone wants power.

The squad leader, who had initially looked at Lux with a hint of disdain, immediately became serious the moment he saw her, and dared not be negligent towards Chen Ce in the slightest—even though he had initially thought this simply dressed outsider was a naive young man trying his luck.

From ordinary Mageseekers undergoing training to squad leaders with some official rank, everyone greeted them with a smile.

When the squad leader handed out the uniform to Chen Ce, he even gave him a special instruction. "The new recruit doesn't need to train today. Just wander around. It's not too late to start tomorrow—after all, even a powerful swordsman like Garen wasn't trained in a day, so a day or two won't make a difference."

Fruits and drinks were all served in the lounge.

This is truly VIP treatment.

This is probably the kind of treatment you'd get if someone from higher up came to inspect.

It's laughable that Garen still believes his act of "telling the Mageseeker Order" was absolutely upright, reasonable, and completely free of personal gain...

In contrast, Lux, who had always been quick-witted, had already seen through everything—but she didn't say much. Friends, helping each other out is perfectly normal, isn't it?

Besides, she trusted Garen's judgment and believed that Chen Ce was indeed capable. "Giving a heads-up" simply saved her from some unnecessary tests and troubles—those complicated and meaningless review processes were one of the "red tape" she hated the most.

Of course, objectively speaking, she wasn't entirely right. It was just that's what she thought when she was young.

"Alright, now you're a real Mageseekers." In the lounge, Lux stretched and smiled as she poked the new uniform in the other person's hand.

The squad leader went to announce the matter to the others, and now only the two of them are in the lounge.

"I'm just wondering if this uniform fits you... If it doesn't fit, please be sure to tell Captain Jonathan, don't be shy."