The female mage said distrustfully, "If what you said is true, why would Prout choose you?
Just because that little brat might be able to influence the Hainalson Family?
Hah—even if Gilbert recovers, he won't be able to influence Rute's decisions anytime soon, will he?
With that bitch Aislin around, how could Gilbert ever get his turn at the top?
Shouldn't he deal with that woman first?"
Rolando glanced at her. "Nanalie, darling, whose behalf are you taking offense on?"
Nanalie walked lightly toward him, her waist swaying with supple grace, but the words from her mouth were utterly cold. "You don't think I hate her so much because of that supposed former lover Aislin killed, do you?
Of course I felt a little regret when that man died.
But that was because I could no longer get resources from Tower Master Rute through him... Archmage Rute really is wealthy!
Not just wealthy, but generous.
So generous that people like us, who can only weep over the treasures in other people's hands, are consumed with envy."
She rested her slender fingers on Rolando's shoulder. "How could that teacher of yours, who might as well be dead, or my teacher, who died too soon, possibly compare?"
Rolando patted her hand helplessly. Kament Tower might be extremely stingy with people on his side, but it still gave them what they were due.
Nanalie's situation was more troublesome.
She was only the student of Nicholson's student, and her aptitude had never been particularly good. But what could one say? When a teacher was willing to accept female mages whose aptitude fell a little short of the requirements for an Inner-Ring Mage—as long as their looks met his standards and they were willing to pay a small price—someone was bound to seize that opportunity.