So funny, old man, you’ve got some nerve. Do you even have a daughter?
"What can a dean teach, the creed of the Liberty Mage Alliance?"
Hefei sneered, "Don’t talk to me about your theories. All I know is that the majority of Legendary Mages are staunch disciples of Faith. Without even that much perseverance, how far can you go on the path of magic?"
"Our perseverance is to uphold the freedom of belief!"
The beliefs of the two were completely at odds, and they couldn’t find any common ground, even when Dean Plank cited the Life Alliance as an example, Hefei rebuffed him.
The internal study of the Life Alliance aimed for mutual progress, with disciples deepening their knowledge of Life Magic on top of their existing foundations. Life Magic is closely related to nature, the sun, and moonlight, guided by the three Goddesses and distinct from the faithless theories of the Liberty Mage Alliance. The two should not be conflated.
Dean Plank knew Hefei was unyielding, and he would be the same; such an outstanding student would not be let go by anyone who comes across him. He changed tack, "Actually, Sidney’s situation isn’t that bad. If I’m willing, he can be discharged tomorrow. Moreover, only we in the Liberty Mage Alliance are aware of his ties with the Void Lord, and I’m the only one who can testify to it."
"How about it, Dean Plank, are you trying to blackmail me?"
"Hardly. It’s just an exchange of interests between adults, um, that’s all." Dean Plank shrugged. How could the dealings of adults be called blackmail? He preferred to call it a compromise.
"Sidney can’t be compared to Wayne. Please, let him out, Dean."
"Well, then there’s nothing I can do, High Priestess Lady. Do you know how in demand Wayne is?"
Dean Plank stroked his white beard and smiled, "If I let the word out, not only the Heavenly Father’s Court but even the ally of the Naturalism Church, both the Sun and Moonlight Churches would covertly poach him. Wayne is still young, he can’t handle it and would not resist such temptations."
Hefei’s eyelids twitched uncontrollably, this was her worst fear, and the only reason she had managed to get Wayne was by undercutting the Moonlight Church.
"But if I keep silent, only you and I will know of Wayne’s talent, High Priestess Lady. Why not cooperate just this once?" Dean Plank offered his promise. As the Director of the Red Leaf Forest Asylum, he had the authority over many matters and Hefei would do well to show him some respect.
Of course, Hefei didn’t want to. She responded coldly, "With Wayne’s talent, he can certainly become the Saint Heir of the Naturalism Church after I train him for a while longer. Just so you know, I am planning this. If you truly have his best interests at heart, you’ll step aside and leave him be right now."
Dean Plank’s eyes lit up, even less willing to let go now.
Indeed, the Liberty Mage Alliance, by believing in anything and everything, obtained a massive amount of Faith Magic, but ultimately, the major Churches were no fools and kept certain profound Faith Magic to themselves.
They might not display it, pretend it doesn’t exist, or leave backdoors in the formulas when trading.
Dean Plank was well aware of this but had no solution; however, if Wayne could become the Saint Heir of the Naturalism Church, he would be able to access the most supreme Faith Magic based on his status.
If he were a little more audacious, with his maneuvering, Wayne could become the Saint Heir of several Churches, and the God-chosen Continent would welcome an unprecedented Liberty Mage.
Imagining the future, Dean Plank couldn’t help but swallow his saliva, "You’re right, High Priestess Lady. For Wayne’s sake, and for his future, I really should let go. Take him with you, I swear to the gods I won’t bother him ever again."
Clarify your words, which god are you swearing to!