Recruitment

Before Haoyue could spend a few more days at Ernst Institute, news came from Fenlai City: a royal envoy had arrived.

The envoy was a court attendant named Fernando, a man over fifty. He rode a tall, snow-white horse through the institute gates in a grand procession, followed by twelve knights in royal guard uniforms.

As the news spread, all of Ernst Institute erupted.

A royal envoy had come in person to visit a newly graduated student? Such a thing was practically unheard of in the history of the Fenlai Kingdom.

"Mr. Haoyue." Fernando respectfully presented him with a gilded invitation. "His Majesty greatly admires your talent and has sent me to express his sincerity."

Haoyue accepted the invitation, already having some idea of what this was about.

"May I ask what His Majesty has in mind?"

Fernando smiled faintly and took a document from inside his robes. "His Majesty is willing to grant you the position of First Court Mage of the Fenlai Kingdom, placing you above every other mage in the kingdom."

At those words, a wave of astonished exclamations broke out among the onlookers.

A court mage? That was a position second only to the core members of the royal family! The First Court Mage, moreover, answered directly to the king and wielded authority second only to a few key ministers.

"Furthermore-" Fernando continued, "His Majesty also grants you the title of marquis, to be passed down through your family in perpetuity."

"Wow!"

Even some of the professors could no longer sit still. A marquis! One of the kingdom's highest-ranking nobles! It was a height many people struggled all their lives to reach, yet this young man of only eighteen could have it for the taking.

"An annual salary of ten thousand gold coins, as well as a luxurious mansion in the royal capital," Fernando added unhurriedly.

Ten thousand gold coins! That was nearly ten times an ordinary earl's annual salary!

Haoyue remained outwardly composed, but he was genuinely moved by this show of sincerity. The title of marquis, the money, the mansion-precious as they were, none of them mattered most to him.

What truly tempted him was what Fernando said next.

"Of course, most importantly, His Majesty is willing to provide you with the incantations for all magic above the seventh level."

Haoyue's eyes narrowed slightly.

The incantations for magic beyond the seventh level! Those were the real priceless treasures!

In this world, incantations for high-level magic were extremely difficult to obtain. Every incantation for magic above the seventh level was a secret treasure guarded by the major powers, never shared lightly with outsiders. With the Holy Union backing it and its close ties to the Radiant Church, the Fenlai Kingdom was indeed in a position to make such a promise.

"Mr. Haoyue, His Majesty said that as long as you agree, he is willing to personally hold your investiture ceremony at the royal palace."

Fernando spoke sincerely. "This is the highest honor His Majesty can bestow. In the entire Fenlai Kingdom, no more than five people have had His Majesty personally preside over their investiture ceremonies."

Haoyue was silent for a moment.

He was indeed tempted.

But he knew all the more that he could not give an answer lightly. Though the Fenlai Kingdom had offered generous terms, he needed more information to determine whether there were other intentions behind them.

"Lord Fernando." Haoyue chose his words carefully. "Please forgive my frankness, but I am truly overwhelmed by such generous terms. This is a momentous matter, however, and I need a few days to consider it."

Fernando had expected this. He smiled and nodded. "His Majesty said that Mr. Haoyue is a smart man and would naturally need time to weigh his options. I will await your reply in Fenlai City."

With that, Fernando waved his hand, and the knights behind him brought forward three large chests.

"This is a small token of His Majesty's regard. Please accept it."

The lids opened, revealing a glittering display.

The first chest contained exactly ten thousand gold coins, their golden gleam almost dazzling the onlookers' eyes.

The second contained an exquisite mage's robe embroidered with the emblem of the Fenlai Kingdom. It was evidently a uniform reserved for court mages.

The third contained an assortment of rare materials-fire phoenix feathers, thousand-year-old dragon scales, ice-soul cold jade... Any one of them was worth a fortune.

"Mr. Haoyue, please give it careful consideration." Fernando bowed. "His Majesty said he looks forward to good news from you."

The envoy departed, but the onlookers lingered for a long time.

The news flew as if on wings to every corner of the Yulan Continent: Haoyue, the genius graduate of Ernst Institute, was about to receive the title of marquis and the position of First Court Mage of the Fenlai Kingdom!

Countless people looked on with envy, but Haoyue frowned slightly.

The terms offered by the Fenlai Kingdom were too good. So good that they made him uneasy.

Yet this was far from the end of the test.

Early the next morning, the arrival of another group of visitors confirmed Haoyue's unease.

Twelve figures appeared at the institute gates like ghosts.

At their head was a middle-aged man in a white robe. His face was stern, his gaze sharp as a blade, and an oppressive aura radiated from him, suffocating those around him.

A ninth-level expert!

Haoyue's pupils contracted slightly. This man's aura was more terrifying than that of any seventh- or eighth-level expert he had ever met.

"My name is Byrne," the middle-aged man said, his voice even but leaving no room for doubt. "I come from the Radiant Church's Inquisition."

The Inquisition!

Those words were like a bucket of cold water poured over the hearts of everyone present.

In the eyes of ordinary people, the Inquisition was a mysterious and terrifying organization. It was responsible for dealing with heretics, evil cults, and everything that ran counter to the Radiant Church's faith. Legend had it that no one targeted by the Inquisition had ever come to a good end.

"Mr. Haoyue." Byrne looked him straight in the eye. "I represent the Church and invite you to join the Inquisition."

The air around them seemed to freeze.

The Inquisition was taking the initiative to recruit him? That was simply terrifying.

"In return, you will receive the title of 'Judgment Knight,'" Byrne continued. "A Judgment Knight can directly command the Church's Templar Order and wields authority second only to a Cardinal."

"Furthermore, the Church is willing to provide you with every cultivation resource, including the complete incantations for all magic above the seventh level."

The offer was even more tempting than the Fenlai Kingdom's!

Haoyue took a deep breath. The ninth-level expert before him was not someone he could hope to confront head-on. But joining the Inquisition... that was absolutely impossible.

He had heard a thing or two about what the Inquisition did: ostensibly dealing with heretics and evil cults, it actually handled the Church's dirty work behind closed doors. He had no desire to stand against the Radiant Church one day and be struck down by a power he had once served.

But rejecting him outright? That was even more impossible.

The Radiant Church's influence extended across the Yulan Continent. Offending them was practically the same as courting death.

What should I do?

Haoyue's mind raced.

"Lord Byrne." He inclined his head slightly. "I am deeply grateful for your kindness. It's just..."