Chapter 1853 - 511: The First Person to Sacrifice for Science (Part 3)

"Your Highness, I don't blame you, you don't need to apologize to me."

Looking at the sincere apology from the Prince, Keynes took a deep breath, nodded slightly, and continued.

"I've been with the Academic Association for decades, since I was a child, I know all too well what it's like there."

Luo Yan gently comforted him with a whisper.

"Uriel was indeed a bit excessive in this matter."

Keynes shook his head.

"I don't even blame Uriel, he has no time to bother with an unlucky has-been like me. Even if he were small-minded, it would be impossible for him to personally persecute me... It's just his zealous subordinates, they'd rather wrongly kill ten thousand than let one slip through."

This is called gambler's mentality.

Most mages within the Academic Association come from humble backgrounds, without any way out, they bet all their talents and life's efforts on the High Tower, those brilliant minds must be selfish and cold-blooded to the extreme.

Professor Keynes understands well, because he knows he is also one of those people.

At least, he used to be.

Professor Uriel is the one at the height of fame, and he is the Uriel who has lost everything.

Though holding different life scripts, they're the same type of people.

This can't be blamed on their humble beginnings, the problem lies with the High Tower that forces them into a dead end, and the sages sitting atop the tower looking down on them.

Luo Yan looked at him with surprise, and a hint of approval appeared in his eyes.

"I'm surprised you can think this way... To be honest, this is also the reason I left that place. Compared to those self-proclaimed sages, in my view, you are more deserving of that title."

"You're jesting, Your Highness," Keynes chuckled bitterly, "I'm not even a professor now."

Some see through everything before entering the High Tower, others only understand after losing it all.

He belongs to the latter.

It was precisely because of this that he felt disheartened and began to think about leaving.

However, for mages of the Academic Association, removing the mage robe is not an easy choice.

Their abilities and talents are indeed "rare," but not "scarce" on the Aus Continent. Furthermore, there's no second Academic Association where he can continue to shine as before.

Not all nobles are willing to pay for his magic wand, their power doesn't come from the Transcendent, in fact, it's only an additional aspect.

And magic isn't a skill that can be quickly monetized, it just seems mysterious to the ordinary public.

Keynes, a dignified magic professor, can't possibly make a living by crafting magic scrolls, nor can he go to the frontier and fight demons like the Imperial youngsters.

The only quick way to monetize magic is likely through robbery.

However, he definitely can't win against the powerful nobles; bullying a few smaller nobles might work a couple of times, but by the third time, his name would top the adventurer guild's list.

Behind the adventurer guild is the Church Court, full of heroes like Gunter, either having established legends or in the process of establishing them, just needing that bit of experience from him.

The Transcendents of the Second Epoch aren't like those of the First Epoch, who could act as they pleased relying on Extraordinary Power.

The end of going down a dark path has only two outcomes: either end up in Hell, ceasing to be human, or lose oneself in the slaughter, becoming a puppet of Chaos.

That's why when Prince Colin beckoned, Professor James, who was serving as a tutor for the nobles, immediately packed up and flew back without hesitation for a second.

Because even though the Academic Association has many problems, it still is the best place for mages on this continent.

At least for now.

"... So, do you have any plans next?" Luo Yan lightly sipped from his teacup.

From Keynes' uneasy look, he already guessed what the professor was thinking. But rather than speaking up, he preferred letting the other express it himself.

Keynes took a deep breath again, nervously touching his collar, then pulled out a letter from his pocket and gently placed it in front of the Prince.

"... This is from that child Miller. I heard Your Highness is very keen on recruiting talents, so I came shamelessly. Please forgive my rudeness in this initial visit, I actually didn't receive your invitation, it's just... I really hoped to see you."

"Professor Keynes, you are too kind, such matters aren't important. Moreover, I indeed instructed my friends in the Academic Association to help me find true talents. Without a doubt, you are exactly the guest I've invited."

Dispelling Professor Keynes' unease, Luo Yan smiled accepting the letter on the table and opened it for a look.

The handwriting indeed was Miller's.

His assistant greatly admired this former professor, stating that whether in Void Realm research or magic research Domain, he belonged to the top-tier of scholars.

Actually, these are secondary.

Luo Yan values more the other qualities he embodies.

Someone who has been beaten by feudalism knows better than anyone where its flaws lie.

If he doesn't intend for the children of Thunder City to experience the same hardships, this Mr. Keynes would certainly be able to establish a true university in Thunder City.

Rather than establishing a "guild-like" school, copying the Academic Association model to fool Thunder City's citizens.

Though the Academic Association model has its merits, only with improvements can it adapt to the new era.