Hearing Lynn agree, Cersei smiled faintly, took a dark silver badge from the drawer, and pushed it in front of him.
The front of the badge bore a cluster of tangled soul threads, while the back was engraved with the sequence runes of the Soul Department.
"This is the badge of the Soul Department's chief. I'll notify all the Academy's Wizards afterward. I'll have someone arrange the appointment ceremony, so you won't need to worry about it."
Lynn shook his head. "Let's skip the ceremony. I don't like that sort of occasion."
"You've thought it through?" Cersei smiled.
"If a ceremony is held, quite a few Wizards will want to use the opportunity to get in your good graces. There certainly won't be any shortage of gifts then."
Lynn chuckled. "Master's wife, anyone who truly wants to give a gift will find a way to do so even without a ceremony. There's no need for me to worry about it."
Cersei rolled her eyes at him.
"You're the clever one, aren't you? The ceremony still has to be held. It'll also let the Academy and the other major factions know that you were officially appointed by the Academy."
"At the very least, the old fellows in the Soul Department need to know who their boss is and what he looks like."
"Otherwise, if you quietly take office, some of them may not take you seriously."
Lynn nodded.
After all, this was the appointment of one of the Academy's top brass. It was even more significant than a newly advanced Stigma. It really would be inappropriate not to make some sort of ceremony of it.
Cersei raised her wineglass, drained the last sip, then waved her hand.
"All right, you've finished drinking, so get going. I've settled so many matters for