The Most Arbitrary Wizard

Chapter 112: Chapter 74: The Times Are Changing

Sopea’s words were quite pointed.

He directly pointed out that many people who came to welcome Blake weren’t doing it out of genuine reverence, but because they wanted to gain something from the legendary figure—like Meditation experience, or a way into the upper echelons of the Holy Sanctuary.

No one who becomes a Wizard is a fool. They knew full well that for a great man like Blake, who had single-handedly forged an era, a single casual remark could benefit them for a lifetime.

He wasn’t like them, though.

While he also coveted the books in the upper levels of the Holy Sanctuary, his was the purest thirst for knowledge. If Lord Blake was willing to take him to the upper levels, he would go. If not, he wouldn’t even ask. He would rely on his own strength to climb to greater heights, one step at a time.

Kate shot Sopea a surprised glance. He hadn’t expected the old geezer to actually speak up for him at a critical moment. He gave Sopea a slight nod, signaling that they could call a temporary truce.

But Sopea completely ignored him, closing his eyes and pretending not to see.

’A truce? Does a mere Light Attendant even qualify?’

’Talk to me when you make it to the third floor.’

Kate’s face darkened. He wanted nothing more than to rush over and punch the old geezer a couple of times.

’I was giving you face since you said something decent for once, and now you’re getting all high and mighty?’

The other Wizards’ expressions were even darker.

Elise had said that Elvire was blunt, but Sopea was even more so. He spoke his mind without any regard for who he might offend.

The crowd retorted indignantly.

"What’s that supposed to mean?"

"So what if you’re Tier Six? You think that makes you special?"

"What gives you the right to assume what we’re thinking?"

"Don’t think that just because you’ve reached Tier Six, you can freely question others’ respect for Lord Blake!"

"Or are you just pretending to question us, when in reality you’re questioning Lord Blake’s reputation? Do you believe that after all these years, Lord Blake is no longer as revered as he once was?"

"To say such things is not only disrespectful to us, but even more so to Lord Blake!"

The accusations piled on one after another. Hearing them, Kate’s mouth twitched. ’These guys may not be high-Tier,’ he thought, ’but their tongues are certainly sharp.’

Meanwhile, Sopea, the target of their anger, paid their words no mind at all.

He simply couldn’t stand their hypocrisy and felt like taking a jab at them. How they chose to fire back... what did that have to do with him?

He’d already had his say, anyway.

Kate looked toward Elvire. As Lord Blake’s sister-in-law, the young woman had the most authority to speak on the matter.

But Elvire had no intention of speaking.

Setting aside the fact that she didn’t like Blake, this wasn’t the right occasion to pull rank based on family ties. She hadn’t even expected the statue to return today. She had come to the Void Technique Space purely to represent the Dawn Council and handle matters of conference authority with Adelf and the others. Once she was done, she had to go back to the hospital to see Sean.

It wasn’t that she completely disowned him as her brother-in-law. He was family, after all, and that wouldn’t change regardless of her feelings. It was just that she had already confirmed Blake wasn’t dead through the statue’s disappearance and reappearance, so there was nothing left to worry about.

As the only Grand Mage above Tier Ten in the Era of Polymath, Blake’s power was beyond question. Even if something had truly happened, it wasn’t her place as a mere Tier Five to worry about it.

Elvire’s concern for Blake was almost entirely focused on whether he was still alive. Now that she had her answer, Blake’s priority in her mind naturally dropped, falling far below that of Sean, who was currently lying on a hospital bed, his life hanging in the balance.

Adelf, who had remained silent, watched the crowd argue back and forth. Their bickering only subsided after Sopea made his taunt and then ignored their retorts, their voices fading as if their words were punches landing on cotton. Seizing the opportunity, Adelf cleared his throat and spoke. "Everyone, if I may have a word."

As the head of the Dawn Council, Adelf was not only extremely powerful but also highly senior. With his long, white beard, he also looked quite benevolent. The crowd was willing to give him face, and they all quieted down.

"I know everyone came here today hoping to see Lord Blake in person. Like you, I am also incredibly eager to witness his magnificent presence." Adelf began by affirming everyone’s sincere intentions. After a pause, he added, "But I also hope you can understand that Lord Blake has slumbered for several centuries. Now that he has reawakened, he must have many things to attend to."

The implication was that not just anyone who wanted to see him would get the chance.

"Of course, we understand," one Wizard said. "What we don’t understand is, your Dawn Conference was the first to know that Lord Blake was still alive. Why didn’t you tell us?"

"Were you planning to secretly curry favor and hog the spoils?"

At the mention of "spoils," Sopea opened his eyes and looked at the Wizard who had spoken, a sarcastic smile playing on his lips. ’Using a phrase like that, and he still claims he isn’t here for personal gain?’

Adelf was also a little angry. He narrowed his eyes. "Young man, watch your words."

"I do not tolerate such loose talk."

The man seemed to realize his mistake, and his voice softened, but he remained stubborn. Cranking his neck, he argued, "I was just making a casual analogy. Why are you blowing this out of proportion?"

Adelf sneered and ignored him, turning to the other Wizards. "I know very well what you’re all concerned about, and I can understand."

"Whether you want to work for him and receive rewards, or simply wish to follow Lord Blake, both are perfectly normal."

"But I want to say, if your goal is the former, there is no need for you to fight the Dawn Council for influence, because we have never intended to keep the gifts bestowed by Lord Blake for ourselves."

"You were right about one thing you said earlier."

"Lord Blake does not belong to any single person. He belongs to the entire era."

"And every era is composed of all the people within it. Lord Blake is the creator, and we are the maintainers. This was true for the Era of Polymath in the past, and it will be true for the Era of Polymath in the future."

"Therefore, if Lord Blake is truly willing to impart his knowledge to us, if he wishes to build a new era—for example, by giving us the key to open the upper levels of the Holy Sanctuary—then the Dawn Council will absolutely not be selfish. After obtaining Lord Blake’s consent, we will inform everyone at the earliest opportunity."

"No matter which Wizard Organization you belong to, as long as you have the skill, you will be welcome to enter the Hall of Truth at any time."

One Wizard, perhaps spotting a loophole in Adelf’s words or just trying to be difficult, asked, "Witch Hunters are a Wizard Organization too. Can they enter as well?"

Kate’s fists clenched.

He was about to lose his temper, but Adelf stopped him with a raised hand. Adelf then said meaningfully, "You can tell them to come and try."

In the past, when Witch Hunters infiltrated the Holy Sanctuary, they were truly helpless. No one could control the Holy Sanctuary to screen people, and some Witch Hunters were so skilled at disguise that they couldn’t always be identified.

But things were different now.

Lord Blake had returned.

Many people didn’t know the assessment mechanism behind the statues at the entrance and on each floor of the Holy Sanctuary, or why a simple touch could determine if a Wizard met the standard. Adelf hadn’t understood it before either; he’d found it profound. That was until a Lie Breaker once told him it was Mind Magic.

Touching a statue allows the Magic hidden within it to enter one’s body. It was very similar to Sopea’s Dream Spell. It would enter a Wizard’s mind on its own to search for the answers it sought. If it found them, you passed. If not, you failed.

Sean had once compared Entering the Dream to a "Soul Search." But in truth, the statues were the real Soul Search. Their keywords were all set by Blake himself. As long as Blake willed it, no secret could escape his sight.

Therefore, all they needed to do was remind Lord Blake that this era was full of malice toward Wizards. If those Witch Hunters tried to infiltrate other places, they might succeed. But if they tried to infiltrate the Hall of Truth, for every one that came, one would die.

Adelf’s tone was full of profound meaning. Looked at from another angle, this profound meaning was synonymous with confidence.

And don’t bother asking where that confidence came from. The answer was Lord Blake.

The era was about to change.

From now on, it was hard to say who was the Hunter and who was the prey.

The Wizard who had misspoken earlier also sensed this confidence in Adelf’s words, and his heart tightened with anxiety.

’It seems Blake is truly coming back.’

’...No, I can’t stay here any longer.’

’This matter is too important. I have to report this to my master at once!’

...