Chapter 447 – Favors

With Mage Harris volunteering first all the other S Rank mages felt they would either need to volunteer as well or come up with a very good excuse. For those who were opposed to providing aid or undecided, they did not have long to think since the next volunteer came forward right away.

"I would like to volunteer, for myself and Jestine,” Marian Caplan, Water mage, said, volunteering herself, as head of the noble family, as well as her cousin Jestine Caplan another S Rank Water mage of the Caplan family.

“I will volunteer as well,” Kieran Moretti, Fire mage, announced soon after. “One of my nephews has spoken highly of Mage Wells. Praise for honesty from a Justiciar is difficult to come by, so I see no reason to doubt his intentions.”

With two of the more powerful noble houses volunteering right after Mage Harris, the other members of the S Rank Assembly were left with little choice. Soon enough, nearly all thirty-nine S Rank mages were committed to going, with three notable exceptions. The Bianco family, the Colon family and the Sorin family.

“As the leaders of our respective schools, I feel it is inappropriate for us to commit to an action that will take us from our domains for an indeterminate amount of time,” Emir Colon, the Wind mage headmaster of the Beryl School of the Mystic Arts said.

“Even if we could go,” Headmaster Bianco added, “I doubt you would trust us, given our history. Since that is the case, I see no reason to induce strife in the expedition.”

“Not to mention that if all S Ranks go to the Mother World, who will remain behind to protect our homes?” Headmaster Sorin reasoned.

“Quite right,” Mage Harris added a moment later. “To this end, since the three Headmasters have volunteered to maintain the security of their schools, I will ask they take responsibility for their entire White Zones, with another S Rank remaining behind to protect the Green and Yellow Zones of their respective White Zones. Since the Bianco family has two S Rank mages, Tricia, you will be responsible for the Rubrum Green and Yellow Zones.

“As for the Argentum and Viridis Green and Yellow Zones, I now ask for volunteers to take responsibility for their security. Are there any willing to step forward?”

Mage Harris looked around the chamber, from face to face, waiting for someone to speak up. Finally, Yusef Thorn did.

“I will look after the Argentum Green and Yellow Zones,” the Fire mage said. “While some of my family may take issue with Mage Wells, I do not share their resentment any longer. However, I recognize that my presence may cause friction, so I will remain.”

“I will remain,” Trevor Gaskin announced after a moment.

The S Rank Nature affinity mage looked to be more of a bear than a man. Standing well over two and a half meters tall with broad shoulders, long dark hair, and rough squarish features, it would be easy to confuse him with one as well. Damion had never interacted with him or his family, but he felt it was a shame that he would not be joining the expedition.

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“Thank you, Mage Gaskin,” Mage Harris said. “Mage Wells, since these two were willing to go and I do not believe they have any animosity with you or your teacher, would it be possible for you to perform a service for them?”

“A service?” Damion asked, confused as to what he could offer two S Ranks.

“Yes. I feel that, while they may not be able to join us in the Mother World, but since we do not yet have a path opened, they might still contribute to the creation of that path or perhaps be allowed to train for a bit inside the Avalon labyrinth.”

“Oh. Yes, I think that would be perfectly fine. We do not know if the SS Rank floor we have encountered is the midpoint or not. All we can do is clear it and see what the next floor holds. Since I do not think it feasible to have all of the volunteers fighting the guardian of the floor, having some training and raising their magic power would beneficial.”

“Yes, that would be my suggestion as well,” Mage Harris said. “In fact, there are several of us quite close to breaking through to SS Rank, if we are able to take that step, then I believe clearing these floors and possibly unlocking the SS Rank floors of other labyrinths will be possible.”

“I am glad to hear that, Mage Harris. Thank all of you for volunteering,” Damion said, trying not to look at the Biancos or Headmaster Sorin.

Those two families had undoubtably been the greatest cause of human troubles in his life and having Mage Harris basically say they would be the last to have to opportunity to try and advance to SS Rank was quite satisfying to him. It was a shame he could not prevent them from ever advancing, but knowing they would not get access to an SS Rank labyrinth floor until the mission to the Mother World was complete was still a victory in his book.

These two families falling behind the other noble families would not last for long. However, given that even the slightest disadvantage could prove to be a fatal flaw, it was possible the Sorin and Bianco families would fall from their lofty positions. If they lost control of their schools, then they would likely end up in a downward spiral. Smaller noble families that were in service to them would flock to other families for protection. Businesses would shrink. Unaligned knights and mages would seek greener pastures.

Damion did not think it would be the end of either family. Not as long as the families had S Rank mages. And once one of them did achieve SS Rank much of their prestige would be restored, but not all of it. He just hoped that enough people would defect from those families, so they were never able to rise to the top again.

“Thank you, Mage Wells, for bringing this matter to our attention. I look forward to the opportunity you have brought us. Not just to grow stronger, but to potentially allow us to truly claim this world as our own. Is there anything else you wish to bring before this Assembly?”

“No,” Damion said to Mage Harris.

While he had a lot of things he might like to ask for or propose, such as starting up his artifact upgrading business again, this time to upgrade items to A Rank, now was not the time. There were still preparations to be made, and he too wanted to head back into the labyrinth to train as much as possible.

The thought occurred to him to reveal his multiple affinities to the Assembly, since it was likely they would learn about it during the expedition, but he held back. All of his S Rank allies already knew, though they did not know he could gain more affinities or increase their Rank in an instant, but revealing the Magic System was out of the question.

*Ding*

[Spell Silver Tongue mastery increased to B Rank]

*Ding*

{Quest Completed}

[Quest: Increase a Magic Spell in Rank – Status: Complete – Reward: 100 Experience, 500 Store Credit.]

The sudden notification from the Magic System nearly caused Damion to jump, but luckily he was able to maintain his calm expression. He just hoped his aura did not show too much shock.

“Very well,” Mage Harris said. “I am sure Mage Fletcher will be contacting the volunteers in time to arrange Portals to Atlantis. This session is adjourned.”