"The Uriel Gathering is a large gathering on par with Esmond. Once Wizard Uriel takes over the Esmond Gathering, the Uriel Gathering will immediately rise to become the largest gathering in the Tower of Dawn."
No matter how extravagantly Sono praised it, the moment Leo heard that Lane was in that gathering, he instantly lost interest.
If Lane really became an assistant instructor in his gathering, how could Leo possibly have an easy time?
Leo deliberately asked, "What are the benefits?"
"What benefits?" Sono looked puzzled and said, "Isn't it enough to build a good relationship with a mentor?"
Leo curled his lip. "Then I'm not interested."
Leo pushed Sono out.
With the strength of a Prossian, Leo easily shoved Sono outside.
"Wait." Seeing Leo about to shut the door, Sono hurriedly said, "There are benefits! If we can get Mentor Uriel to take over the Esmond Gathering, Mentor Uriel will give each of us one thousand Magic Stones."
Hearing this, Leo could not help but be surprised by how lavish Wizard Uriel was.
Of course, it was also possible that Wizard Uriel was making empty promises.
Still, even Leo found the offer of one thousand Magic Stones somewhat tempting.
But when he thought of Lane, Leo said, "Sorry, I'm not interested."
"You..." Just as Sono was about to say something, a breeze swept past the door, and with a bang, it slammed shut. Looking at the utterly unyielding Leo, who had shut him out, Sono was left speechless. "These Prossians have nothing but brute strength. Why are they so stupid when it comes to reading the situation?"
Sono could not understand why anyone would refuse such a good opportunity.
The Esmond Gathering was leaderless now and needed another mentor to take over.
And if they helped the mentor who would take over the Esmond Gathering in the future, it would be the merit of backing a rising power, with all kinds of benefits awaiting them.
Leaving everything else aside, one thousand Magic Stones alone was an enormous benefit.
Even becoming a Wizard within three months only earned a scholarship of two thousand Magic Stones.
Yet merely voicing support for Uriel would earn one thousand Magic Stones.
Anyone would know what choice to make.
Sono felt that Leo truly did not know what was good for him. He shook his head at the doorway, then left.
After closing the door, Leo gave Sono's words some thought.
"It will probably be difficult for this Wizard Uriel to obtain the Esmond Gathering. Otherwise, he wouldn't have sent a minor pawn like Sono to persuade people."
"There's no way I can be in the same gathering as Lane."
"But if I let Sono push this matter forward, then even if the chances are slim, what if he really succeeds?"
A moment later, Leo opened the door. After confirming that Sono had left, he departed from his room.
Leo arrived at the mentor's office.
"Wizard Sally, this is Danville."
"Come in."
Inside the mentor's office, Sally was alone.
Sally was buried beneath a pile of documents. Without even raising her head, she said, "Danville, did you come to ask me about problems with cultivating Arcane Hand?"
"No, Wizard Sally. I'm here about something else. Earlier today, Sono suddenly came to see me..."
Leo directly exposed what Sono had done.
Leo had no interest in the merit of backing a rising power. He only wanted the Esmond Gathering to remain as it was.
After listening to Leo, Sally raised her head. Her expression remained calm as she said, "It's good that you told me about this. I've been watching this matter as well, and I've seen what Sono has been doing. Since Sono likes the Uriel Gathering so much, I will arrange things as he wishes."
Seeing Sally's calm expression, Leo knew that she had probably been watching Sono's actions all along.
"Danville, you don't need to worry about the Esmond Gathering changing mentors anytime soon. Even if Mentor Esmond truly has gone missing, the Tower of Dawn will need at least a year before considering sending another mentor here."
"Before then, just focus on cultivating yourself. Although I am not quite qualified as a temporary acting mentor, I believe I can still teach Wizard Seedlings at your level without any problem."
"As for those who want to leave the Esmond Gathering, let them leave."
Sally made it sound easy, but Leo could still sense the pressure she was under.
Sally could teach students like Leo, but what about the graduate students who had already become Wizards?
Leo understood Sally's pressure, but all he could do was pray that she could endure it.
Within the entire Tower of Dawn organization, there were not many gatherings willing to accept a Prossian like Leo.
Several days later.
Amid a series of knocks, Chris's booming voice rang out.
"Leo, it's me."
Leo got up and opened the door. "Chris, what is it?"
Chris shook his head and said, "Come to the window quickly. Something big has happened."
Chris pulled Leo to the window and looked toward the entrance of Esmond Lodge.
Leo could not help raising an eyebrow.
Sono and John stood at the entrance, each holding their luggage.
Looks like Wizard Sally has made her move.
Leo looked at the two below, especially John, and was still somewhat surprised.
He had not expected Sono to actually win someone over.
And that person was John, who had previously disliked Sono.
Chris shook his head. "Leo, Sono and John have been kicked out of the Esmond Gathering."
Leo said, "Sono actually came to see me before. He wanted to persuade me to join the Uriel Gathering, but I refused."
"He came to you too? Then it seems he approached all of us. He came to see Molly and me as well, but like you, we refused." Chris looked down at John and said, "I just didn't expect John to agree. They had clearly argued before and weren't on good terms."
"But compared to that, I'm more surprised that Sono is actually a prince of Sogra. My god, this is the first time I've met someone so important. When I learned his identity, I was so shocked I didn't even know what to say."
Leo said, "Sono's identity was probably why John agreed. John places great importance on status in the mortal world, and as a prince, Sono's status is above John's. He's someone John feels he needs to get close to."
Chris wore an enlightened expression. "That makes sense."
Leo then asked, "Chris, Wizard Uriel offered one thousand Magic Stones. Weren't you tempted?"
Chris shook his head. "Not at all. Offering such a high price just to get a Wizard Seedling to speak for him only makes me feel that he lacks confidence. One thousand Magic Stones certainly looks tempting, but it's meaningless if you can't get them."
Leo had not expected Chris to see things so clearly. He could not help looking at him in a new light. This loudmouthed fellow seemed to be quite thoughtful as well.
"As for Molly, she didn't think as much as I did. She was simply scared. She looks very timid."
Hearing that, Leo could not help but smile. It did suit that delicate-looking girl.
The two watched from the window until Sono and John had left. Only then did Chris say, "Leo, don't forget that we're going to see Wizard Sally today to have our meditation results checked."
Before you continue