Chapter 617: The Grand Mage

Taike Lisi's posture was very low, and his expression was extremely sincere.

Lei En felt very favorable toward this high‑elf Grand Mage; he showed none of the arrogance and contempt for other races that the rumors ascribed to high elves. Even his Soul Eye could see that the other party was not putting on a pretentious act, but truly regarded him as an equal, with no hint of superiority.

In Ai Lun E Si, people with this egalitarian mindset are extremely rare.

Not to mention high elves; even among humans, only a few can be found. In this world, almost everyone, regardless of race, is accustomed to revering the strong and despising the weak. It is not the people's fault; it is the rule set by transcendent power.

But it also further highlights how precious and rare such noble character is.

Moreover, Taike Lisi is a Grand Mage who stands at the pinnacle of mortals, his power unfathomable, his status among the Elf race supreme; such a bearing cannot even be described as broad‑hearted.

Up to now, Lei En has encountered only two and a half people whose character can be compared with Taike Lisi's.

The first is his own teacher, the second is Ouroin Master.

As for the half, it is Ao Xi Li Ya.

She, besides favoring him, treats everyone else equally; to her, all people are more or less the same, neither caring nor despising, indifferent and self‑centered, almost devoid of other emotions. She does not truly hold an egalitarian stance, so she can only count as half.

Everyone likes to befriend such a person.

Even those petty or evil types would rather have a trustworthy friend than someone who would stab them in the back at a crucial moment.

However, Lei En would never give away the Endless Storm he has in his possession.

No matter how good Taike Lisi's character is, he has no such prestige here; he is far in the Elf Kingdom, and his fame does not even reach the Empire.

But refusing outright in person would be inappropriate.

Lei En showed curiosity and asked, "Something of higher value?"

He expected Taike Lisi to produce some tangible item—perhaps a magical artifact, alchemical material, or even another Legend Grade piece of equipment—but Taike Lisi merely gave a slight smile and said, "If Count can part with it, then on the basis of fifteen thousand pounds of source crystals, you will first receive the title of Magus of the Hes White Tower, granting permanent access to the Tower, the right to consult all its books and knowledge, a status just below the Tower's Grand Mage, though without voting rights in affairs."

"I think Count should understand the weight of a Magus title, shouldn't he?" Taike Lisi said solemnly.

"Of course."

Lei En was truly surprised this time, and Elder Suo Li Mu couldn't help but be moved.

The internal hierarchy of the Hes White Tower is strict, ranging from the lowest Mage Apprentice, to Certified Mage, Senior Mage, Legend Mage, and above them, the Magus.

This title is awarded only to mages who have made great contributions to the White Tower or the Elf race; there is no strict rank requirement, though recipients are usually Legend Mages. Not every Legend Mage can become a Magus; the number of elves holding this title is only slightly greater than the number of Grand Mages.

The Magus title is not merely honorary; it carries great prestige and influence in both the White Tower and the Elf Kingdom.

Under the Phoenix King there is a Magus Council, responsible for offering magical counsel and power to the Phoenix King, alongside the War Council that handles military affairs; the two are the Phoenix King's most relied‑upon institutions.

All Magi of the Hes White Tower automatically become members of the Magus Council!

Even without voting rights, the value of this Magus title is incalculable, as Taike Lisi said, granting permanent access to the Hes White Tower.

This is an irresistible temptation for any spellcaster.

Previously, when Taike Lisi said he would invite him to visit the White Tower, it was merely a visit, evidently allowing only occasional entry during the visit period, with time limits.

But the Magus access is permanent—come whenever you wish, leave whenever you wish!

The Hes White Tower has amassed over five thousand years of knowledge; Lei En could not imagine how vast it is, reputed to be the world's largest library and knowledge vault. If it could all be copied onto his own device…

Lei En's heart was instantly stirred.

But his face remained impassive as he said softly, "Grand Mage, your generosity commands my respect, but the value of an item varies among people. The Magus title is indeed comparable to a Legend Grade magical item—perhaps even higher for some spellcasters—but for a Grand Mage it is not that precious; the cost is merely a decision on your part."

He meant that a Magus title alone is not enough.

"Bestowing the Magus title on a non‑elf race is not that easy. Even if I, as Chief Grand Mage, put forward the proposal, it would face great resistance and require much effort," Taike Lisi shook his head dismissively, "If successful, you would be the third non‑elf Magus in history."

Lei En wanted to ask who the first two were, but asking would imply agreement with Taike Lisi's valuation of the Magus title, so he held back.

Taike Lisi, seeing his silence, said helplessly, "Count, your judgment of value is not without reason, so you will receive a second thing as well."

"What?"

"My friendship," Taike Lisi replied calmly.

Lei En was stunned for a moment.

If someone else claimed they could obtain another's friendship, he would surely scoff, but coming from a Grand Mage—indeed the Chief Magus of the Hes White Tower, leader of the Magus Council, the third most important figure of the Elf race—its weight is different, worthy of being described as heavy as Mount Tai.

Who wouldn't want Taike Lisi's Grand Mage friendship?

If one gets the chance to go to the Elf Kingdom, just uttering the words "I am a friend of Grand Mage Taike Lisi" would allow one to stride across all of Aoroan.

"Count."

Taike Lisi's face broke into a confident smile, "In my youth I traveled the world, spending two hundred years traversing Aoroan and the nations of the Old Continent; I am also familiar with the New Continent, and the Heavens and the Abyss are no strangers to me. I made many friends. I have been to the Empire and exchanged magical techniques and alchemy with KangJieladeGreatSage, with whom I have a close personal relationship. If you meet the Grand Sage, please convey my old friend's regards."

Lei En raised an eyebrow; he had never heard that Taike Lisi even knew the Grand Sage.

It must be true; otherwise, asking the Grand Sage would have exposed a lie.

Taike Lisi used the Grand Sage as an example to showcase his extensive network, enhancing the value of his "friendship." The Titan Elder before him is also an example.

One must admit, this friendship is indeed weighty.

Grand Mage Taike Lisi's character is noble; although this friendship does not imply direct intervention, its applications are broader and may be more valuable than a direct action.

The Magus title combined with Taike Lisi's friendship alone equals the worth of a Legend Grade staff.

And it also includes fifteen thousand pounds of source crystals.

Grand Mage Taike Lisi's sincere generosity made it hard for Lei En to refuse, but he truly did not want to give up the Endless Storm; missing this chance, he didn't know when another suitable spell weapon might appear.

His thoughts shifted abruptly.

The exchange price for the Endless Storm is fifteen thousand pounds of source crystals; gathering that should not be difficult for Taike Lisi. According to Mei Di Si, Taike Lisi first visited the Storm Sanctuary over a hundred years ago, and all these years he never exchanged for the Endless Storm, indicating he truly had no intention before, rather than a lack of source crystals.

Retrieving the Endless Storm to establish prestige in the Hes White Tower was likely an idea Taike Lisi conceived after assuming his post.

Lei En suddenly thought of an idea.

"Grand Mage, I am not exchanging the Endless Storm for myself, but for my student Reslin," he said frankly. "So I am sorry, I cannot make the exchange with you."

Taike Lisi raised an eyebrow; Lei En's refusal exceeded his expectations.

Elder Suo Li Mu beside him was also surprised: "Reslin?"

"Yes, Elder," Lei En smiled mysteriously. "Very few people know about my student now, but his talent surpasses mine. One day, Reslin's name will be known throughout Ai Lun E Si."

Suolim wore an expression of disbelief.

Taikelis was not concerned about Lei En's student, a look of disappointment hard to hide in his eyes, he sighed, "That is too regrettable."

He had no intention of pressuring Lei En with his own power and status.

Lei En saw the high elf seemed about to rise and take his leave, hurriedly called him back, and said, "Grand Mage, the exchange may fail, but we can achieve your goal by another means."

"Oh?"

Taikelis thought Lei En had changed his mind.

"The Endless Storm cannot be handed to the Grand Mage, but it can be borrowed," Lei En said.

"Borrow?" Taikelis showed interest, "How to borrow?"

Lei En organized his thoughts and slowly said, "I can lend the Endless Storm to you, take it back to Aoroan to display to the Grand Mages, then store it in the Hes White Tower. After some time, when I visit the Hes White Tower, I will find a reason to return it openly."

Taikelis nodded, considering the feasibility of this plan.

A Legend Grade staff was reclaimed by the Elf Kingdom, yet its ownership remained his; such a valuable magical item could not be easily handed to other elves.

Whether to give it to anyone or keep it, the decision lay in his own hands.

In any case, returning the Endless Storm to Aoroan was sufficient.

Aoroan is the elves' term for their ancestral lands, encompassing the ten kingdoms, located on the Demite Subcontinent at the far western edge of the Old Continent, separated from one of the three great human Empires, the Saffre Empire, by several smaller human realms, with occasional frictions.

Taikelis's eyes brightened slightly; the idea seemed workable.

Just as he was about to agree, Lei En added, "My student must undertake a very important task and needs the Endless Storm in hand, so Grand Mage, it would be best to finish within half a month and return the Endless Storm."

Reslin's journey to the New Continent had been postponed repeatedly; it could be delayed no longer.

"Half a month is too rushed," Taikelis said, "And returning the Endless Storm so quickly—what if the elves raise objections?"

"Make a fake," Lei En chuckled.

Taikelis's alchemical mastery as a Grand Mage was as renowned as his innate strength; otherwise he would not be qualified to discuss alchemy with KangJieladeGreatSage. Crafting a replica of the Endless Storm was too easy for him—so long as other Grand Mages were not allowed to examine it, the elves would certainly not detect it.

"Hmm…"

Taikelis stroked his chin in thought; deceiving his kin with a counterfeit seemed to conflict with his principles. Yet he was not the stubborn kind of elf—first displaying the genuine Endless Storm, then keeping a fake, would harm no one and would be advantageous without drawback.

Lei En sensed his interest and added, "If half a month is insufficient, it can be extended to at most one month."

In any case, the plan had already been delayed this long; another half month would make no difference.

"Fine."

Taikelis finally nodded in agreement, looked at Lei En, and asked, "Then for borrowing the Endless Storm, what price must I pay?"

"I do not want the primal crystal," Lei En smiled, "Grand Mage, grant me the title of Mage, so I can cooperate with you more effectively and later reclaim the Endless Storm openly. As for the Grand Mage's friendship, I also desire it; that depends on your Willpower."

Simply lending the staff once to obtain a Mage title was already far beyond its worth, arguably a completely uneven deal—usury would not be so harsh.

If he also coveted Taikelis's friendship, that would be overly greedy.

In Lei En's expectation, either the Mage title or Taikelis's friendship, securing even one would be a great profit; he leaned more toward the Mage title.

"Young one, you have helped me."

Unexpectedly, Taikelis swept his hand, rose, and said, "When you visit the Hes White Tower, I will hold a ceremony, and you shall become Aoroan's Mage."

"At the same time, you will also gain my friendship."

Lei En rejoiced, praising, "Your generosity rivals your wisdom."

This was earlier Minotaur Hab flattering himself; he borrowed it for a use.

Taikelis laughed heartily, "Lei En, do not adopt the bad habits of our high elves; since we are friends, you should be more relaxed and follow your own heart."

"Very well." Lei En took from the Nebula Ring a staff resembling a straight lantern tube, the Endless Storm staff, and handed it directly to Taikelis.

He showed no hesitation, as if he were handing over merely a wooden stick, testament to his trust in Taikelis.

Taikelis took the staff, gently feeling the runes and delicate patterns on its shaft, his face full of emotion. Having received the staff, he said no more, nodded to Lei En in thanks, and immediately petitioned the Titan Elder for leave.

Lei En watched the Grand Mage's tall, slender figure depart the Forge Sanctuary.

"Aren't you afraid he'll take the Endless Storm and disappear without a trace?" Suolim laughed.

Lei En shrugged, "I have always been accurate in judging people."

Suolim examined him carefully with both eyes, shook his head and asked no further, then summoned a faint lightning to call Axina.

(End of Chapter)