Chapter 317: Right Before Her Eyes

Seeing Ansu’s face full of irritation and his clear posture of refusal, the bearded mage immediately let out a cold sneer.

“It seems you are determined to seek your own death!”

After saying that, he turned to look at the person beside him. The coldness in the bald mage's eyes intensified.

“I had intended to recruit you into the academy, but unfortunately, you are short-sighted and do not know how to cherish such an opportunity.”

“But that’s fine. Since there is no possibility of cooperation, I will personally purge these anomalies of the magic world. Anyone who dares to stand in the way of the City of a Thousand Stars’ will shall be reduced to ashes.”

“Cooperation? You call this cooperation?” Ansu’s brow furrowed, his voice dripping with mockery.

“I only see two arrogant fools. If you two represent the City of a Thousand Stars, then it seems the academy is exactly as the rumors say—long since eroded by magic pollution and turned into a total madhouse.”

His gaze swept over their increasingly ugly expressions as he chuckled aloud.

“I suggest you stop talking about purging anomalies and find a place to fix your brains first! It just so happens I have some connections in Benalu City; I can find the best psychiatrist to give you a proper treatment!”

“Enough!” The veins on the bald mage’s forehead throbbed violently, and a terrifying pressure suddenly exploded within the office.

The bald man raised his hand and cast the 7th Circle high-tier magic, 【Dark Annihilation】. Darkness surged frantically all around, and space itself seemed to tear, emitting a terrifying aura capable of destroying everything.

Judging by this display, he intended to completely ‘clear the field’ of the entire Northern Magic Mutual Aid Association.

Ansu raised an eyebrow, secretly startled. He had seen Gulzan cast this magic before, but Gulzan still required several seconds of guided chanting, whereas this bald man cast it instantaneously...

This represented an absolute mastery over mana that no high-tier mage should possess.

Another Saint Tier?

Had Saint Tiers in the City of a Thousand Stars become so cheap that they were everywhere?

Various thoughts flashed through his mind in an instant, just as that annihilation orb was about to explode.

A reassuring figure suddenly appeared, blocking the way in front of Ansu.

Celia raised her hand and cast the 5th Circle 【Spell Counter】—with a beautiful magical dispelling, that pitch-black annihilation orb shuddered violently before turning into a wisp of black smoke, dissipating into the air without leaving a trace.

Celia quickly glanced at Ansu. Seeing that he was unharmed, she quietly breathed a sigh of relief.

Just as she thought! Monitoring Ansu was the right choice.

Usually, he was always reluctant, complaining about invasions of privacy and clamoring for a bit of personal space.

Hmph! Look at him now. If she hadn't been watching him constantly, he would have nearly been successfully ambushed by people from the City of a Thousand Stars!

This troublesome fellow should be watched twenty-four hours a day, never leaving her sight.

Now, Celia felt even more justified.

Because his high-tier magic had been neutralized so easily by the opponent, a flash of undeniable shock crossed the bald mage's eyes.

He studied the female mage who had suddenly appeared with a heavy gaze, his tone carrying a hint of inquiry:

“You are Celia? The strongest genius of the Echoes of Truth, the Ash Witch?”

Celia had no intention of wasting words with him. She simply looked up and glared at him, her eyes cold to the extreme.

That gaze was so blunt it required no words—it simply said: die!

Even the bald mage, who had lived through countless years and seen many storms, felt a bone-chilling cold at this moment, as if he were being coiled by a venomous snake.

He suddenly realized that the Ash Witch before him, whom he hadn't taken seriously at first, was a bit off...

The two mages from the City of a Thousand Stars quickly exchanged a glance and immediately reached a tacit understanding. The bearded man raised his hand and cast the orthodox Academy Magic, 【Radial Greatsword】. A magic greatsword shimmering with a piercing cold light instantly took shape.

He swung the sword in a horizontal slash. The space ten meters in front of him seemed to be torn apart by this strike; the wall was sliced open with a hideous horizontal crack, and the hanging paintings were all cut in two. The momentum was terrifying.

“I can do that too.” Ansu sneered as a similar ghostly blue greatsword condensed in his hand.

The two magic greatswords collided with a roar, producing an ear-piercing clash. The impact shattered the office desk into countless fragments, sending wood chips flying and papers scattering through the air.

Ansu faced off against the bearded man, while Celia locked onto the bald one.

Terrifying mana clashed frantically within the office. The walls were soon covered in spiderweb-like cracks, and the entire building began to vibrate slightly.

Celia subconsciously glanced out the window at the bustling streets of Norvigel.

Although this was the old district, it was still a prosperous area. Once the battle spiraled out of control, it might be detected by the Church of Holy Light, inviting even more trouble.

‘We can’t fight here.’

Ansu read her gaze and immediately nodded.

Celia’s fingertips moved slightly, and a rune array—one that even Ansu didn’t know about, pre-arranged inside the office—suddenly lit up.

In all her previous battles, she had never relied on magic items to win because Celia was always proud. But this time, it concerned Ansu’s safety... and the exposure of the organization. She had no choice but to make an exception.

A ghostly blue light instantly enveloped the entire room. The bald man and the bearded man looked grim, subconsciously wanting to break through and escape the magic circle’s reach.

But Celia was prepared. A mountain-like weight of gravity magic pressed down, slowing their steps.

“Hmph, trying to run?”

Celia snorted coldly. Then, she looked back and gave Ansu a reassuring look.

‘Don’t worry. I’ll contact you in a bit.’

Ansu blinked. Of course he was worried about Miss Witch—worried for the other guys.

In the next second, the ghostly blue light flared up, and the figures of the three were instantly swallowed by the radiance, vanishing from the office.

Only a mess was left behind, along with the lingering, massive fluctuations of mana.

...

After the three were transferred to a designated battlefield by space magic, Ansu looked at the floor and his surroundings, rubbing his brow helplessly.

This office, which had just been renovated not long ago, would have to be redecorated all over again...

Not only were the furniture and decorations mostly destroyed, but many of the Mutual Aid Association’s documents were also ruined... Those two fellows really brought a heap of trouble out of nowhere.

“President! President!”

Valger and Allen rushed upstairs in a panic. When they saw the scene before them, they were both stunned.

“President Ansu, what happened?”

“It’s nothing... nothing.” Ansu waved his hand and could only explain, “Two troublemakers came by, but they’ve already been chased off.”

“The two mages from this morning?” Allen and Valger looked at each other. Allen immediately said indignantly, “I knew they didn’t look like good people! If I’d known, I shouldn’t have let them up to see you.”

Valger took a step forward and lowered his voice. “Should we request support from the cult? I can contact the elders and the battle mage regiment immediately...”

He was the only one in the Mutual Aid Association who knew about Ansu’s multiple identities, so his first thought was to mobilize the cult’s power.

“No need,” Ansu shook his head.

He was absolutely confident in Celia’s strength. What truly worried him was something else.

The City of a Thousand Stars had suddenly interfered at this critical juncture, and their attitude was so forceful, clearly intending to completely stifle his safe magic.

They were acting under the banners of “Magic Orthodoxy” and the “God of Magic,” but what was their true scheme? This power that had been hidden for a thousand years suddenly surfacing made the entire situation increasingly blurred and unpredictable.

Just then, another set of hurried footsteps came from the stairs.

“Brother! What happened? What’s going on?”

Vera led Altina as they ran up quickly, followed by several other members of the association who had heard the commotion. Everyone was startled by the mess on the floor.

Ansu gave a simple, helpless explanation but did not mention the City of a Thousand Stars. He then sent the other members away, telling them to maintain order downstairs and keep everyone calm.

Once the office grew quiet, Altina’s gaze quickly swept over everyone present. Her emerald eyes were full of curiosity, as if she were searching for something.

Ansu looked at this long-lost elven lady, feeling somewhat puzzled. “Altina... why are you here?”

Altina took a step forward, her tone full of sincerity: “Ansu... Vera told me that the two masters I’ve been searching for so desperately—the authors of that paper, 《The Solution to Magic Pollution》, Hermit and Ash—are right here in the Northern Magic Mutual Aid Association.”

“Please tell me, where exactly are they? This is truly important to me... to my entire people!”

As her words fell, the office went silent.

Valger and Allen looked at each other, both frowning as they simultaneously turned their gaze toward Ansu.

Ansu looked at Vera. “You didn’t tell her?”

“Brother! How could I dare talk about that randomly?” Vera shrugged, saying helplessly, “You said yourself that your identity must be kept strictly confidential. I wouldn’t dare mess things up for you...”

Ansu smiled and turned to look at Altina, whose eyes were filled with anticipation. He admitted truthfully, “One of the authors of that paper is me. ‘Hermit’ is my pen name. ‘Ash’ is also by my side; she’ll be back soon after she finishes handling some business.”

After he finished speaking.

Altina’s entire body instantly froze, her emerald eyes slowly widening.

“You mean...” She stared fixedly at Ansu, her voice trembling slightly. “The one who led the research on magic pollution, wrote that paper... the Master Hermit who is now being discussed by the entire magic world... is...”

“Is me,” Ansu said with a smile.

Altina opened her mouth, but for a moment, she didn't know what to say.

So... it turned out that the person she had been looking for all along... the only hope she might ever grasp in this life to save the entire elven race...

Had been right before her eyes this whole time?

...