Chapter 251: Thesis Publication and Preparations for Departure

Wednesday.

The study on the second floor of the Mutual Aid Tavern had already become Ansu's office.

The afternoon sun shone in obliquely, illuminating the dust motes floating slowly in the air, and the room was quiet, save for the rustle of turning pages.

Ansu was very busy.

Intelligence reports summarized by the cult's information department and follow-up progress reports on various events were piled in several stacks on the large oak desk.

The primary task was the promotion plan for safe magic.

This Monday, after Professor Duncan published his thesis, he officially announced this major breakthrough to the magic world, with a title that was simple and direct: 《The Solution to Magic Pollution》.

Once the thesis was published, it immediately caused a massive shock in the magic world, the field of magitech, the imperial government, and even the theological realm controlled by the Church of Holy Light.

Initially, there were voices of excitement, joy, and skepticism, but many of the dissonant sounds soon fell silent.

This was because anyone who took the time to study the content would find that the thesis directly explained the complete structures of the improved safe magic 【Illumination】, 【Acid Splash】, and 【Detection】 without holding anything back, with more than half of the text being instructional, reading almost like a textbook.

The entire magic world was truly in an uproar.

It was unknown how many mages' fates this event would change; it was no exaggeration to say that all the researchers of "safe magic" were the saviors of the magic world.

And the way the thesis was signed was equally intriguing.

It was jointly published by the 【Magic Safety Standardization Committee】, and besides the verifiable real name of Duncan Adams, the other signatures were mysterious codenames like "Ashes" and "Hermit."

The name 【Magic Safety Standardization Committee】 itself vaguely hinted at an intention.

This mysterious force behind the scenes was attempting to integrate and standardize the entire magic system.

This led to infinite speculation.

Besides this matter, what Ansu valued was the aftermath of the Magic Prohibition Decree.

The magic world was currently a mix of joy and worry; the joy was that a chronic illness that had plagued them for thousands of years might finally be solved, while the worry was that the wave of magic prohibition was intensifying.

Although Norvigel had gained temporary peace due to his intervention, the extremely conservative, anti-magic stance of the new pope, Eugene IX, would not waver.

This storm of de-magicization was sweeping across broader lands, and there was no shortage of opportunists within the Empire like Bishop Gordon who "really wanted to move up."

If Bishop Gordon didn't want to do it, there were plenty of other bishops who did.

Many bishops were actively implementing the Pope's will, pushing or piloting the Magic Prohibition Decree in their respective jurisdictions; for example, recently, the territory of Duke Karl, which was further north than Count Alston's territory, had been designated as a "pilot area" for the decree.

In this oppressive atmosphere where everyone felt endangered.

Norvigel, on the contrary, had become a peculiar utopia, a possible sanctuary in the eyes of the anxious mages.

This was a good thing for Ansu.

He decided to take in these homeless mages.

In recent days, many destitute low-tier mages had arrived at the Mutual Aid Tavern one after another, and the noise downstairs was louder than ever.

Ansu pondered for a moment and called Allen from downstairs.

This mage was one of the "cellmates" imprisoned with Ansu in the magic-suppressing prison during the simulation; he was a person of firm resolve who dared to resist for the sake of freedom.

Valger needed assistance with magic research, and the old president Brenda, after happily handing over power, was content to run the tavern downstairs, serving tea and wine to everyone while basically not interfering in major affairs, so Ansu needed a helper in the association.

"Spread the word, especially on the notice boards at each city gate," Ansu said concisely. "The Northern Magic Mutual Aid Association is willing to take in homeless mage colleagues; this place will be a haven for all mages."

"But remember, the screening of personnel must be strict, and their backgrounds must be thoroughly checked."

Ansu thought for a moment; the current manpower of the Mutual Aid Association might not be enough, so he should transfer some executors from the cult to assist.

Upon hearing this, a look of excitement flashed in Allen's eyes.

He was naturally happy to help more of his mage colleagues, but then a look of worry appeared on his face. "President, this is a good thing, but... the current financial situation of the Mutual Aid Association probably can't support taking in too many people."

"Money is not a problem." Ansu smiled slightly; the thing he lacked least was money.

After inheriting the demon army's treasure, anything that could be solved with money was a small matter to him.

So Ansu opened a drawer, took out a check he had prepared long ago, and pushed it in front of Allen. "Here is one million pounds as the recent activity funds for the association. If it's not enough, just ask me for more."

Now was a critical period where every second counted; he had to act quickly to gather as many mages as possible.

Even if they were just magic apprentices, he needed them.

Magic was a very profound field of study that was difficult to enter, requiring both a studious spirit and talent; even if magic apprentices only knew a few 0th Circle magic spells, in this world where most people were illiterate, being able to read and learn independently made them rare, high-quality talents...

Allen took the check, and when his gaze fell on that long string of numbers, his eyes suddenly widened.

Even the hand holding the check was trembling slightly.

In his entire life, he had never personally seen such an enormous amount of wealth...

"President Ansu!" Allen took a deep breath, carefully tucked the check away, and his expression became incredibly solemn. "I'll get to it right away! You can rest assured!"

Ansu looked out the window again, where the sunlight made the streets bright.

Hmm, a very good start...

Hopefully, when he returned from the Staya Tribe, he would see more new faces in the Northern Magic Mutual Aid Association.

The third thing on his hands was, naturally, this: accompanying the little Holy Maiden home to meet her parents.

Ansu turned his head, his gaze falling on the map of the North hanging on the wall.

The Staya Tribe, the tribe of Freya's mother, was a group of cat-eared demihumans who had migrated from the colder northwest and had been settled in the Talin region on the Empire's border for over a hundred years.

He silently recalled the stories Freya had softly told about her parents' past.

Freya's father was a noble youth from a fallen family who had met Freya's mother while wandering in the village.

Her father had fallen in love with her mother at first sight, even taking the initiative to break away from his family and give up everything, and he had even endured the Staya Tribe's rigorous tests for outsiders just to be with her mother.

True love...

Ansu thought silently; it seemed Freya's father was indeed a demihuman girl enthusiast as well.

He had good taste.

While he was thinking this, a gentle knock came from the door.

"Lord Ansu... are you busy right now?"

It was Freya's voice.

"Come in," Ansu said, and then he saw the study door being pushed open gently. Freya stood at the doorway with a slight smile on her face.

"Lord Ansu, we are leaving next Monday. Are you all ready?"

Those pale gold eyes were filled with cheerful anticipation.

Ansu nodded and closed the document in his hand. "Everything is ready."

Actually, there wasn't much to prepare—food, clothing, and supplies were already stored in the system warehouse, ready to be used at any time, and for this trip, he had specifically gone to Professor Duncan to "stock up on some goods."

Ansu slowly pulled out a compact magitech communicator.

For example, this; Professor Duncan said that no matter what happened, it could be used to send out a distress signal.

Of course, his being prepared for a rainy day was not to guard against Celia.

Because he always felt...

Given the current situation in the North, this trip to the Talin region to "meet the parents" would not be that simple.