Chapter 91: Tiers of Magic (2)

Elsewhere, the Court had long begun its meeting. A loud voice from the Prince of the summer court currently commanded the room.

“This Order’s goal, is it not in direct contention with all the Mage Guilds of the land?” He asked getting nods and looks in approval, “So how mighty can they possibly be if these Guilds still exist? It would be like the dominant religion of the Southern Empire allowing other religions to hold dominion. Lunacy.”

However, before this train of thought could be fully discussed the meeting was interrupted by many unexpected guests.

Elders and other nobles poured in from both the Enchanter’s Conclave and Seeker’s Circle having finished their private discussions after Rainer’s last night offers. No one expected these older Fae that looked to be in their 60s and 70s by human standards to bother with a Court meeting.

And yet as Elder Taramath spoke, joined by Elder Laria, a new vote far different than before was brought to attention.

The original goal of the Courts, despite the Autumn Court’s minor resistance, was to offer the Archon no more than any other Fae citizen received. Access to public lectures on Body Enchantment, Tier 1 and 2 spells of a lesser danger, a public library available to all, but instantly this was changed.

Both the Enchanter’s Conclave and Seeker’s Circle pushed for a larger permission to trade with the Archon and the Arcane Order. And after several amends, the vote was passed.

Even though the Courts still held the majority, going against the two military powerhouses of their nation wasn’t on any of their minds. They could only accept the judgment after several clauses were added in for the Conclave and Circle to follow.

--

Looking up at the same massive tower that housed the first Court meeting, Rainer drew into his thoughts. His party members stood a way back.

This was a meeting for him alone. And while his guards certainly wouldn’t be denied, it would be more than improper. Archaic laws on how Necromancers were to keep their undead with them did not apply to what was coming.

Instead of heading to the top floor, his destination involved the large first floor of the tower. Meetings which involved the entirety of the Fae kingdom found their place here.

Just before heading inside, sans companions, a long sigh escaped Rainer. This wasn’t how he wished to spend his time, dealing with politics. He was first and foremost a Mage. Even regarding classes, he had made such a choice when deciding to level [Chronomancer] to focus in the direction of Magic.

His goal for the Fae was to come when his strength could not be denied. Where allowing him to trade with their magical branches was a means of placating any possible action from him rather than a thing that needed to be negotiated.

While his Earthen knowledge gave some advantage against career politicians, it could hardly grant him anywhere near the ability of an experienced courtier.

Thinking about the future, he understood that in the long term he alone couldn’t manage his academy and the issues that would follow. And his current party members lacked such a specialty.

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Even Furtak, a ruler in his own right, governed by the nature that he was undisputed in power rather than in any sort of leadership ability. Goblins were not exactly a talented sort. Following Furtak’s death, centuries may pass before another even approaching his strength emerged.

Rainer would need help. Help he could trust.

Steeling himself and shoving down his complaints, Rainer entered the wide-open Court. Nearly a hundred Fae sat in a tiered seating as he approached the podium. Without a ruler presiding, the Court would decide based on a vote.

What exactly they were voting on could be suggested by anyone holding the rank of Prince, Princess, or Elder. The three highest titles a Fae could hold below King or Queen. Princes and Princesses were either the leaders of a Court, or their direct descendants, as Rainer understood it.

To hold the title of Elder was through merit, however. Whether it be an accomplishment such as reigning as a King or Queen, or pioneering a new accomplishment of Body Enchantment or Magic, both held merit.

Through his [Acting] skill Rainer showed not even a trace of nervousness. In truth, he worried little about the upcoming voting. He imagined his offered gifts would pave the way even if the Court was otherwise reluctant to cooperate with him.

“Adept Rainer Nvos,” Elder Taramath spoke, having been chosen to deliver the verdict, “We have agreed to allow you to hold the title of Ambassador for the Arcane Order in the Fae Realm. To trade with the Enchanter’s Conclave and Seeker’s Circle sans most restrictions. Restrictions that shall be brought up when relevant. As well Full Access to the Fae library attributed to only Court members. In exchange, a Tier 6 spell and a demonstration of enchanting an Aura Rune shall be provided. Do you accept?”

“The Arcane Order is pleased to join hands with the Fae,” Rainer said struggling to keep his face as passive as possible. He did not even need to make his case. He ventured his gifts had a larger effect than intended.

Rather it seemed certain individuals paved the way more than others; he thought as he detected a massive and dense Aura far surpassing even Theodore’s. He used [Arcane Sight] and [Appraisal] in concert.

[Fairy, Female, Aural Devastator(2nd) lvl 24, Runic Berserker(2nd) lvl 24] Thanks for reading on ManaNovel!

Having only the Mana of an average Fae, he guessed one of the reasons why the meeting went so smoothly as he looked at the Fae who appeared to be one of the older ones he’d seen. Though, he thought, she still looked better any younger humans he’d seen thus far.

The aqua-haired Fae’s eyes flashed with Aura as she felt an [Appraisal] surpass her defenses. She did not subscribe to the Fae openness in sharing her classes. And yet seeing the [Archon] as the perpetrator, she only smiled, now more confident in her interference after this display.

Very much looking forward to seeing just how capable he was in Body Enchanting. And whether her long-held wish would be fulfilled, just a year before she would attempt to cross the dreaded border between level 24 and level 25 of the second tier.

--

With the meeting a success, Rainer exited with a smile on his face as the Court continued to handle votes relating to the selection of their next leader.

Leaving the tower, Rainer was met with his party as well as Laneth.

“Rainer, could we speak in private?” The Fae asked. Rainer noted anxiety across the Fae’s face and nodded to his request, following him away from his party. Just as during the Court meeting, Rainer had not yet removed his [Arcane Awakening].

The Fae looked out in the distance as he thought over his words. His back remained turned to Rainer as he spoke.

“I have made a mistake, Archon,” Laneth whispered before Rainer nodded at him using [Arcane Presence] and [Void Detection] to assure they were not overheard. He couldn’t help, however, but note the enunciated use of the word [Archon], “In a heated discussion I have accidently,” Laneth paused as he recalled the [Archon]’s rage as he tore through their Divine Tree before readying himself, “Revealed the falsehood of your order’s existence to my father.”

He stood completely still. Even then, his mind still focused on the Rune that would draw his sword into existence.

Rainer looked at Laneth with a raised eyebrow. He couldn’t understand why the Fae was so nervous and stiff as if admitting to a girlfriend about an affair.

“You know Laneth; I think you underestimate just what you did for me,” Rainer started speaking as Laneth looked back at him with confusion. Not a trace of anger was present on the seemingly vengeful Archon, and he even had a small smile on his face.

“Without your help, let alone escaping the encirclement of Fae, I may not have even been able to leave the Fae Realm. And without that…” Rainer glanced back toward Kara and the rest of his party, “Those I held dear to me would have surely perished…or worse. You helped me save the woman I love,” Rainer said his face turning serious as he walked toward the Fae.

“A Fruit, or anything else, cannot even compare. You revealed this secret to your father by mistake? Hell, I wouldn’t even be angry if you did it on purpose. You saved Kara. And for that, I can never repay you for as long as I live,” Rainer said, his mind filled with thoughts of the Devil King gripping her as he did to him. He truly could not express his thanks to the Fae, or rather Friend, in front of him.

Laneth had stared at the [Archon] in shock before he looked back toward the Demon hiding as a Wolfkin. The mood shifted as he surpassed laughter as he saw her looking away to the side. Her tail displayed just how much of the conversation she had overheard. He ventured she might be mistaken for a wind mage at this rate.

A small Rune lit up under Laneth’s ear, as he turned the [Archon] toward the slightly bushing Wolfkin. Rainer gave a slightly embarrassed smile as he saw the speed of her tail moving back and forth.

“You know, I’ve always had trouble reading women. Maybe I ought to date a Beastkin of some sort?”

Rainer felt the familiar presence of a sound blocking magic and recalled his first meetings with Kara. It had certainly been helpful, not that he’d ever admit such a thing.

“Should I be worried?” Rainer suddenly said.

Laneth paused for a moment before describing the rest of the conversation with his father. When he had brought up a warning to his father not to blackmail Rainer, for the first time in decades, he heard his old man laugh but as usual, call his youngest son a fool.

Apparently, the idea of blackmailing a rogue mage who on a personal vendetta killed not only one of the strongest Fae to have ever lived, but did it through the Divine Protection of their World Tree, was the stupidest thing Yaf had ever heard.

He wondered where his son even got the idea. Yaf was all but certain if he even brought up the slightest mention of blackmail the [Archon] would just smite him and be done with it. From his view, the Enchanter’s Conclave and Seeker’s Circle would only look better at him as all the accomplishments of the Arcane Order would be on a single 19-year-old instead.

It was hardly a thing that could blackmail anyone.

Instead, Yaf used the knowledge to understand that getting on the good side of the [Archon] was easier than ever. He already prepared some Magicite along with sent out hunters for any sort of Draconic monster immediately after the meeting. Magicite being something he viewed as difficult for any Rogue Mage to get.

As Laneth finished speaking, Rainer smiled, glad Prince Yaf understood how useless that information may truly be. And that he wouldn’t need to do anything to Laneth’s father. Not that he would, making the situation involving blackmail difficult.

In the end, Yaf had, of course, no idea how much Rainer considered himself indebted to Laneth.

“He’s gathering Draconic Monsters for me?” Rainer asked.

“Yes, but…”

“It’s not like it’s a magical contract.”

Laneth smiled and switched the subject.

“So, looking forward to the Ball?” He asked.

“Ah hell…” Rainer said before sighing, eliciting a fit of laughing from Laneth once more. He found Rainer’s earlier suffering at the hands of his niece quite entertaining.