Chapter 001: The Mage Guild

The Mage Guild was located across from the cathedral in the Holy Church’s capital city, separated by just a square. Compared to the bustling activity and constant flow of people around the cathedral, the building of the Mage Guild appeared simple and gloomy, with an indescribable sense of eeriness. As a result, although the square was always crowded, no one dared to approach the Mage Guild even half a step… Even those who occasionally glanced at it did so with fear, as in the eyes of the common people, mages represented mystery and power.

Du Fan’s carriage slowly came to a stop beside the entrance of the Mage Guild, though there was still a considerable distance between it and the guild itself. Although not everyone had the chance to visit the Mage Guild, this special group of mages always had some strange rules. For example, there was a peculiar rule stating that no one could stop their carriage within 100 meters of the guild.

It was unknown when this rule originated, but it had been strictly followed through the ages. Of course, in such a vast empire, there were always some daredevils. Du Fan knew that about ten years ago, a high-ranking warrior who thought highly of himself had been invited by the Mage Guild to attend a gathering. Yet he forgot this strict rule and drove his family’s carriage right up to the guild’s entrance. Before he could even get out of the carriage, he was struck by a spell, resulting in both the carriage and his death. Even after his death, no one from the Mage Guild stepped forward to explain anything; it was only the city’s defense forces who reluctantly removed the body.

After that high-ranking warrior’s death, his family and friends wanted to seek revenge, but who would dare to confront those twisted mages? The matter was left unresolved… And this incident only made the Mage Guild’s rule even more deeply ingrained in people’s minds.

So although Du Fan had been invited, he had no intention of breaking this rule. After all… though he considered himself somewhat skilled, facing those mages at the guild’s headquarters, even a holy-tier powerhouse would find it troublesome, let alone someone like him who was only at level five. Moreover, his skills in areas like speech magic were of little use against mages…

The headquarters of the Mage Guild appears to be a tall building in the shape of a hexagram. At its center stands a towering mage tower, said to be the highest structure in the entire continent. At the top of the mage tower lies a giant magic stone, which, along with those at the six corners of the main building, forms a massive magic array. The effect of this array is to keep a flame burning at the top of the tower forever, symbolizing the enduring prosperity of the magical civilization on the Roland Continent. Of course, given Du Fan’s mastery of magic, he could tell that this magic array was far more complex than what the Mage Guild claimed. Anyone who dared underestimate it and intrude upon the guild would face… well, let’s just say the consequences wouldn’t be pleasant.

It is said that this magic array, like the buildings of the Mage Guild, has existed since its founding. Over the years, despite the constant conflicts across the continent and even during periods of changing royal dynasties, no one has dared to threaten the Mage Guild, as it holds a status akin to that of the Holy Church—indeed, in some ways, even more so. After all, religion and politics are always intricately linked, but mages… aside from a few who engage with the secular world, true great mages devote themselves entirely to magical research.

Yet it is precisely these old monsters—unknowing of worldly conventions but possessing extraordinary power—who will strike back mercilessly at anyone who provokes them, leaving no room for hesitation. This is why everyone fears mages so much. Du Fan knew well that even the Gavin royal family’s caution toward the Mage Guild might not compare to that of the Holy Church!

After getting off the carriage, Du Fan glanced at Old Mark, who remained seated, and smiled faintly. “Grandpa Mark, aren’t you coming in with me?” Old Mark gave a bitter smile and said, “Third young master, do you only remember one of the Mage Guild’s iron laws and have forgotten the second?” Du Fan paused briefly before recalling it. Although the Mage Guild is mysterious and powerful, little is known about it by the general public. Yet everyone in the capital is aware of its three major iron laws. The first is, of course, that no one may stop their vehicle within 100 meters of the Mage Guild. The second is that outsiders are not allowed to enter without invitation. As for the third law, it’s even stranger: the imperial laws do not apply to mages.

These first two iron laws may seem simple and do not specify the consequences of breaking them, but everyone knows there is only one possible outcome. As for the third iron law, it seems to be a form of defiance toward imperial power on the mainland… Yet, both the two great empires and other smaller nations have accepted it. So, even if Old Mark is extremely skilled, without an invitation from the Mage Guild, he still dares not enter—it’s not a fun situation when faced with a group of ancient monsters chasing after him! Seeing Du Fan’s enlightened expression, Old Mark sighed bitterly again and said, “Young Master Du Fan, you’d better go in. It should be very safe here. Although it might not compare to the cathedral, I doubt anyone would dare cause trouble in the Mage Guild yet… We’ll wait outside.” Du Fan knew this was the only option. He nodded, said nothing more, simply adjusted his robe, and headed toward the entrance of the Mage Guild. Perhaps he was the first White Robed Priest to come to the Mage Guild? For a high-ranking White Robed Priest to enter the guild’s headquarters so boldly would surely not look good if word got out! Du Fan’s carriage stopping here naturally attracted a lot of attention. As they saw him slowly walking toward the Mage Guild, the curiosity turned into chatter. Du Fan knew that Lord Anthony was likely aware of his invitation by the Mage Guild. Given the relationship between the Holy Church and the Mage Guild, Archbishop Anthony would probably be very dissatisfied with his actions… But he wasn’t sure what Anthony would do—pretend he knew nothing for his own “purpose,” or what? Thinking this way, this invitation from the Mage Guild was actually a rare opportunity to see how much use he was considered by Archbishop Anthony. As he pondered, he continued walking, and before he knew it, he reached the entrance of the Mage Guild. But upon arriving there, Du Fan couldn’t help but stare in awe… This Mage Guild, though it had a main gate, actually had no “doors”… The gate, which appeared huge and magnificent from afar, made Du Fan smile bitterly up close.

Because less than two meters inside this “door,” there’s another wall—so the seemingly magnificent door in the distance is actually just a disguise…
And if Du Fan was right, some kind of illusion magic must also be used on this door; otherwise, it wouldn’t appear from afar as if the Mage Guild’s door were always open.
Probably only mages recognized by the Mage Guild would know how to enter this door…
Although he had been invited and was also a mage, he still didn’t know how to get in…
Should he try to break down the door with brute force? Then, in less than a moment, he would likely be reduced to pieces by those monsters from the Mage Guild!
Or should he shout loudly, “Hello! I’m Du Fan—please open the door?”
That would be utterly humiliating; he would rather turn and leave than do such a shameful thing.
Just as Du Fan was torn between hesitation and amusement, he suddenly frowned as he sensed two weak magical fluctuations beside him.
He looked closely and saw ripples like water waves appearing on the wall inside the door. The ripples grew larger, and moments later, two people slowly stepped out of them.
Both of them had pale faces, wore magic robes covered in hexagrams, and tall pointed magic hats on their heads, each holding a wand.
Normally, such a unique appearance might have been somewhat funny, but as soon as the two stepped out—without saying anything or doing anything—they emitted an astonishing killing aura that almost froze Du Fan in place! How could he still care about whether it was funny or not?
Fortunately, Du Fan wasn’t an ordinary person. His mental energy immediately spread out, blocking the pressure of that killing aura. Even so, his back was instantly drenched in sweat…
The Mage Guild truly was no ordinary place!