Chapter 211: The Struggle at the Top

Seris Mage Tower.

One of only two mage towers in the Sieg Duchy.

At the tower's peak, a roof made of special materials continuously absorbs sunlight to illuminate the entire tower.

Inside the spacious, opulent room stood only one table, crafted from third-rank magical plant wood known as Qinglin.

Behind the table sat a chair made of the same material.

A middle-aged man in an ornate magical robe sat in the chair, his back to the door, radiating unmistakable coldness.

The man was accustomed to this coldness.

It was precisely this coldness that allowed him to become the youngest dean in Seris Academy's history.

The top floor of the mage tower had no walls—only a layer of transparent glass, one-way visible.

Through the one-way glass, gazing down at the entire Seris Academy and watching the students scurry about like ants was the man's favorite view.

But today, he was not looking at the view—he was lost in thought.

"Dean, He Xi is dead," said the vice-chairman, bowing respectfully as he returned from the infirmary.

As a high-ranking administrative official of the academy, this vice-chairman had little to commend himself.

He possessed neither exceptional talent nor outstanding achievements.

His mage rank was merely third-ring—the same as most committee members.

He held his position solely due to his family's influence and his skill at navigating politics.

And now, his greatest asset was the man before him: Xie Er.

For he was the vice-chairman who answered only to Xie Er.

The moment He Xi collapsed last night, Xie Er immediately ordered him to seal off the Rune Workshop and secure the arcane authorization as soon as possible.

He did not know what Xie Er truly sought.

In his view, how much value could there be in the legacy of a Rune Department head who had produced nothing for decades? But since he had received the order, he followed it.

"Did you obtain the authorization?"

"No, there was a minor complication," the vice-chairman wiped nonexistent sweat from his brow and gave Xie Er a detailed report.

Xie Er fell silent for a moment.

Ultimately, this small complication stemmed from his earlier desire to irritate He Xi.

He spoke calmly: "This matter is critical."

"Resolve it quickly. Ensure absolute secrecy and zero errors."

"The Rune Workshop is sealed. All that remains is drafting an asset recovery contract to return the workshop and everything inside to the academy's ownership."

The vice-chairman had already planned the next steps on his way here.

Gao De said: rules must be followed.

The problem was, they were the ones who made the rules.

"Well done," Xie Er offered a faint compliment to the vice-chairman.

Seeing that Xie Er did not blame him for failing to retrieve the authorization—and even praised him—the vice-chairman finally exhaled in relief.

Though he still did not understand why it was so urgent.

Xie Er would not explain it to him; he merely waved his hand and dismissed him.

Xie Er stood in the empty room and walked to the one-way window, gazing down at the uneven academy buildings and the ant-like pedestrians below, silent for a long time.

Human ambition is endless and ever-growing.

Long ago, his greatest ambition had been merely to sit in the dean's chair and control Seris Academy.

But once he truly held that position, he found himself unsatisfied.

His appetite had only grown larger.

Jelos XIII was old.

The only two heirs with real chances were Crown Prince Wunlun Jelos and Second Prince Brandon Jelos. Wunlun Jelos was supported by the Court Mage Circle.

And he stood behind Brandon Jelos.

If he could help Brandon Jelos ascend the throne, he would become the true number-one mage of the Sieg Duchy, enjoying all its magical resources.

With sufficient resources, at his current age, he had a real chance to advance to fifth-ring mage.

Now, his task was to keep escalating Brandon Jelos's power.

As these thoughts flashed through his mind, two more people knocked and entered.

A golden-haired young man in lavish attire stepped in, his face strikingly beautiful; behind him by half a step walked a calm-faced middle-aged mage.

Brandon Jelos.

The duchy's second prince.

Kunxi Eser.

A second-rank rune master of the Eser family, and one of the Sieg Duchy's few rune construct designers.

"Dean Xie," Brandon Jelos said respectfully upon entering.

Xie Er was his strongest supporter.

At least before ascending the throne, he always kept a low posture before Xie Er.

"Second Prince, He Xi purchased a large quantity of rune construct materials this year. Though he used his own channels, nothing escapes my notice within the academy," Xie Er said.

"Kunxi Eser has reviewed the detailed inventory and confirmed it far exceeds what's needed for a single third-rank rune construct."

Kunxi Eser beside him nodded: "Those materials could have supplied He Xi to make five or six third-rank rune constructs."

"Once we secure all the third-rank rune constructs He Xi made, everything can proceed according to Dean Xie's plan," Brandon Jelos said.

Xie Er nodded, then turned to Kunxi Eser: "There was a minor hiccup. It may take until tomorrow or the day after to transfer all of He Xi's materials and finished third-rank rune constructs into your hands."

Kunxi Eser was unconcerned and did not ask what the hiccup was.

Knowing Xie Er as he did, he believed nothing on Xie Er's turf could escape his control: "As long as secrecy is maintained, a day or two more makes no difference."

Xie Er narrowed his eyes and smiled: "Once you obtain those finished third-rank rune constructs, you can publicly claim you've successfully created a third-rank rune construct and have advanced to third-rank rune construct designer."

"Then your faction's strength will surpass the crown prince's, and the balance will tilt toward us."

Kunxi Eser nodded slightly in agreement, saying nothing—but inwardly, he admired Xie Er immensely.

Only Xie Er could conceive such a plan.

At this critical moment in the succession struggle, when both sides were evenly matched, the sudden emergence of a third-rank rune construct designer—the only one in the entire duchy after He Xi's death—publicly joining Second Prince Brandon Jelos's camp—

How powerful a card would that be?

Xie Er was determined to fabricate a "third-rank rune construct designer" for Brandon Jelos's faction, regardless of truth or falsehood.

The most terrifying people in the world are those who possess ability and have no moral limits.

And Xie Er met both conditions perfectly.

This was already the uppermost level of duchy politics.

In such struggles, a student's stubbornness or defiance was merely a meaningless, futile struggle.

Fabricating a "third-rank rune construct designer" required many maneuvers.

The longer this dragged on, the more likely the crown prince's side would detect traces. To minimize flaws, speed and absolute secrecy were essential.

That was why he had immediately ordered the sealing of He Xi's Rune Workshop.

"Perhaps with He Xi's materials, I can truly advance to third-rank rune construct designer," Kunxi Eser added.

Compared to merely playing along with Xie Er's plan by using He Xi's constructs as fake third-rank rune constructs, he longed more to use He Xi's knowledge and research to become a "true third-rank rune construct designer."

"That would be best," Xie Er said lightly, though he held no real hope for it.

He trusted only himself.

(End of chapter)