Chapter 013: President Edward

The bookshelves around were not filled with books but rather various artworks in different styles. Having been born into a noble family, Du Fan had a keen eye, so it didn’t take long for him to recognize a few of the pieces. Most of these were works by master artists from the Bauhinia Dynasty, whose achievements and value far surpassed those of contemporary artists by many times over. If these items were put up for auction, they would surely drive collectors wild. Yet, these priceless treasures were casually displayed on the shelves with little care. Du Fan even noticed that several oil paintings were already covered in dust, which made him sigh inwardly—what a waste of such fine works!
“Why? Is Young Master Du Fan interested in these items? If so, feel free to choose whatever you like and take it back. After all, they serve no real purpose to me…” President Edward’s voice came again, calm as before, yet it seemed a bit closer.
Hearing this, Du Fan quickly turned around and saw Edward Oz, the president of the Roland Continent’s Mage Guild, slowly emerging from a round door behind the desk. President Edward appeared to be in his fifties, of average build, with white hair and beard. He wasn’t wearing a mage hat, but his hair was neatly groomed. His beard hung down to his chest, yet strangely, his skin was as smooth as a baby’s. Combined with his white hair and beard, it created a peculiar sense of agefulness. His eyes weren’t very large, narrowed like slits, as if he were still half-asleep. He wore a white mage robe that had a faint metallic sheen, constantly shimmering. Du Fan could sense some magical energy emanating from it, suggesting it wasn’t an ordinary garment.
Still, Du Fan had to admit that though President Edward didn’t have any striking physical features, his kind smile and an indescribable mysterious aura made him highly attractive—much like the great scholars Du Fan had met before, though with some subtle differences. Yet, he couldn’t quite pinpoint what those differences were.

Du Fan stood silently, merely observing President Edward, while Edward also remained quiet, smiling at Du Fan. After a while, Du Fan finally smiled slightly and said, “President Edward, you’re joking. Although I have some interest in these things, a gentleman doesn’t take what belongs to others. If I really took them, I’m afraid you would feel upset, wouldn’t you?”
“Is that what you think?” Edward smiled. “But you’re wrong about that. These things aren’t mine. Even this room has been used by past presidents of the Magicians’ Guild. As for these items, they were left behind by them… You know, though we magicians may have peculiar personalities, liking art isn’t something shameful… It’s just that I don’t like it.”
Du Fan said nothing.
After a while, Edward smiled again and said, “Du Fan, we’ve finally met… I’ve been looking forward to this meeting with you for a long time!”
“Oh,” Du Fan nodded. “I wonder what a mere white-robed priest like me could possibly have that deserves President Edward’s anticipation?”
Edward gave Du Fan a deep look but said little instead, pointing to the sofa not far away. “Come, sit down… Let’s sit and talk.”
Du Fan thanked him and sat down on the sofa without hesitation.
Edward, on the other hand, sat down on the sofa across from Du Fan. He propped his chin in his hand and stared at Du Fan for a moment before continuing, “Du Fan, do you want to know why I’ve been looking forward to meeting you so much?”
Du Fan smiled. “Of course I do. To be honest, President Edward, the Magicians’ Guild has always been at odds with our Holy Church. I’m quite confused about you inviting me like this.”
Edward was slightly taken aback, seemingly unprepared for Du Fan to say such a thing. But after a moment, he laughed and said, “Good! What a Du Fan! Ever since I became president of the Magicians’ Guild, no one has dared to bring this up in front of me… Interesting. You’re truly interesting…”
Du Fan smiled slightly and said, “Oh, I merely expressed my doubts.”
But despite his smile, Du Fan inwardly thought, Interesting, you big fool. I’m probably the first person to say something so obvious. President Edward, do you already consider me an idiot?

Edward shook his head and said, “It’s fine if you have doubts, or even if you belong to the Holy See… Du Fan, I invited you here today. You can think of it as something unrelated to your status in the Holy See. I’m inviting you as an individual… If Anthony dares to make a fuss over this matter in the future, don’t worry—I’ll stand up for you.”

Du Fan was stunned for a moment before forcing a wry smile and saying, “President Edward, even if I had a hundred times the courage, I wouldn’t dare do such a thing… I, Du Fan, know my limits. I can go anywhere, but Divine Wrath Prison is absolutely off-limits.”

Edward sneered and said, “Since I’ve promised to protect you, not to mention Anthony, even your Pope wouldn’t dare do anything to you… Just be at ease!”

Not even the Pope would dare?
The president of the Mage Union indeed has that kind of authority, but not to mention the Pope, even Anthony could crush him!

Du Fan smiled bitterly inwardly. On the surface, he could only nod obediently, but he couldn’t help wondering—this President Edward was quite interesting. He hadn’t said anything important when Du Fan arrived, only talked nonsense. Moreover, his words seemed to carry an undertone of trying to win Du Fan over. It was truly strange!

Was he trying to undermine the Holy See? But when did I, Du Fan, become someone so desirable? I had no idea!

As if he could read Du Fan’s thoughts, Edward didn’t dwell on the topic anymore. After pondering for a while, he said, “Du Fan… Do you know when I first started paying attention to you?”

Under the president’s gaze, Du Fan could only force a wry smile and say, “Well, I really don’t know.”

Edward stared at Du Fan, something flickering in his eyes. He kept looking at him until Du Fan felt a chill run down his spine, wondering if this man had some kind of supernatural ability. Finally, Edward smiled gently and said, “Du Fan, I started paying attention to you after you obtained the Milak Elixir… Do you know why?”

Du Fan was slightly taken aback and said, “Could it be that Milak Elixir is…”

At that moment, Du Fan glanced at Edward.

Edward nodded and said, “You guessed right. That Milak Elixir isn’t some royal treasure at all… It was something I refined just a year ago…”

Du Fan swallowed hard, looking at President Edward. He never expected him to be such a great alchemist…

Edward continued, “I refined this Mirak potion originally to give it to a prominent family in the Lanni Empire. Years ago, I owed them a favor, and now they’ve asked me for some Mirak potion, so of course I must fulfill their request. But…”
“But what?”
“But on my way to deliver the Mirak potion to the Lanni Empire, the mercenary group I hired was completely wiped out. The two level-six magicians I had assigned to accompany the shipment…” At this point, Edward gave Du Fan a deep look.
Du Fan’s heart skipped a beat. “Could it be… the royal family…”
Edward shook his head. “No, not the royal family of the Gavin Empire. Even if Austin III were given ten dragons to boost his courage, he wouldn’t dare to lay a hand on my property… Because he knows better than anyone that if I wanted to, I could destroy his capital at any time. Even if hundreds of thousands of his imperial guards, along with the palace’s inner guards, secret agents, and court magicians, all came together, they still wouldn’t stand a chance if I decided to destroy them… So, this wasn’t done by the royal family.”
Du Fan frowned. “Then within the Gavin Empire, is there someone with enough boldness to target the Magic Guild’s property?”
“Yes, of course there is…” Edward smiled. “Not to mention Anthony that old monster—if he were to try, I’d have no choice but to suffer the loss… Unfortunately, it wasn’t your Lord Anthony who ordered this.”
Du Fan asked doubtfully, “President Edward, how can you be so certain of that?”