After visiting his family, Roland returned to his office in the East Lainer Mage Tower.
By then, Grand Mage Watson had retired and returned home, leaving Lie Yi in charge.
The mage Roland had personally supported and promoted had become a full member of the Arcane Committee and was widely recognized as the second-generation school leader.
Lie Yi did not have much talent for research either, but he did well in administration. He was adept at balancing interests, allocating funds, soothing tempers, and identifying talent.
That was enough to qualify him for the job.
Roland briefly checked on the Mage Tower and the Joint Research Association, then nodded in satisfaction.
"Thank you for all your hard work. Fortunately, you've all been handling the Joint Research Association's many affairs. Otherwise, the school would never have developed this far."
"Not at all. This is the result of everyone's efforts," Lie Yi said with a hearty laugh.
Roland said, "You haven't been back to Atrelin for a long time. Have you considered bringing your family over and settling here permanently?"
Lie Yi said, "I considered that long ago, but my children wouldn't agree. These past few years, though, they seem to have softened a little..."
Roland declared, "As conditions in Leiner improve and magic develops, they'll change their minds."
"I know. The economic base determines the superstructure, right? More and more mages will apply here in the future, too."
Lie Yi had often discussed such things with Roland before, and he could not help smiling at his words.
Atrelin people like them regarded Leiner as a remote province or backward kingdom of Atrelin.
It had nothing to do with nationality, ethnicity, or race. The only reason apprentice students did not apply and full mages were unwilling to take up residence was that it