"This is a private chat channel now. Only you and I can hear what comes next."
Mu You first explained this to the woman, then said, "Now, you can tell me about yourself in detail."
"You seem to have just said not to casually reveal our real identities..." The woman gave him a puzzled look.
"That applies to the others. I'm different. I'm the Arbiter here, the equivalent of an administrator. I need to verify your identity to be responsible to the meeting and its other members... Also, although you've obtained Taurus's ring, you don't count as a member of the Mystic Arts Association yet. Whether you're allowed to formally join will depend on my assessment," Mu You said.
"Was that one of the rules?" The woman began recalling the rules she had heard while entering the portal.
"I just added it," Mu You said.
"Did all the others undergo your assessment before joining too?" The woman frowned.
"They didn't need to, but you're different," Mu You said.
"Just because this old woman isn't a Fool?"
"You could put it that way," Mu You said.
The woman said nothing more. After some thought, she asked, "What benefits are there to joining your council?"
"The Mystic Arts Association isn't a compulsory organization. It's a platform for Secret Art Practitioners to communicate and trade..."
Mu You also gave her a brief explanation of the Mystic Arts Association's purpose and some basic matters.
After hearing him out, the woman seemed somewhat tempted. "In other words, we can exchange not only magic here, but also commission others to fulfill needs in the real world, so long as we offer sufficient compensation. Is that right?"
"In theory, yes." Mu You nodded.
"Interesting."
The woman looked increasingly interested and asked, "And the most important of the