At the summit of the Supreme Tower, capital of the Arcane Tower Federation, more than a dozen legendary mages sat in a circle around a round table.
"It has been a long time since so many of us gathered for a meeting," sighed an old mage with snow-white hair and beard. "Ever since our teacher entered seclusion five hundred years ago... it has never been this lively again, has it?"
"It was lively once when Teacher ascended to godhood, though you were in seclusion at the time," said another old mage.
"Time passes so quickly. In the blink of an eye, we have all grown old."
"Yes, time passes so quickly, and the world changes just as quickly. Before we knew it, everything had changed..." sighed an elder with a square face, broad mouth, thick brows, and large eyes, who looked more like a warrior than a mage. "I merely took a trip to the Astral Realm, and when I came back, I found that everything had changed."
"Mil, you were gone far too long this time."
"It was only sixty years in total. That cannot be considered long, can it?"
"Thinking about it carefully, it really was not that long... But so much truly happened over those sixty years!"
The legendary mages all fell silent. After a while, Mil was the one who spoke. "Why exactly were we all summoned here this time?"
"For the Federation's future." The only legendary mage present wearing a crown spoke in a deep voice. "The Federation's current situation is dire. I believe we have reached the point where we must carefully consider what lies ahead."
The legendary mages all turned to look at him.
"Over the past years, nothing has gone smoothly for the Federation. Not long after our mentor ascended to godhood,