"…Thank you," Adam spoke up after staring at the portrait for a long time. He figured that Saratoga had created it through magic based on his memories.


    Saratoga''s remnant will gradually start to fade away into tiny motes of light. He threw a circr disk at the youth and exined, "This will establish a teleportation circle to this vault wherever you ce it.


    "But the gate cannot be too far from the Castle. Make sure to ce the disk in a secure location. Your mana signature has already been imprinted onto the disk, meaning only you can enter this vault."


    Adam curiously nced at the circr disk. "What''s the limit? How far can I ce it?"


    "The distance from the Castle to Ravenfell," said the old man. "Use that as the radius."


    "Understood!" Adam nodded gratefully.


    This solved many problems for him. Now, not only did he have his own personal vault filled with boundless riches, but he also had a method of instantaneous travel from Ravenfell to Saratoga Castle.


    Seeing the old man''s body that was about to disappear at any moment now, Adam couldn''t help but feel regret. There were many things he wanted to ask him. He had hoped that he would even discuss the Way with the first Headmaster.


    However, there was no time. He knew that the old man''s remnant will barely had a minute left.


    The youth got down on one knee as he ced his right hand over his heart. Then, he spoke with immense gratitude. "Thank you, my lord. Thank you… for everything."


    Saratoga smiled warmly. "Young Magus, there is one thing I would like to ask of you."@@novelbin@@


    "Anything," Adam spoke without hesitation.


    "Should the Castle face any cmity in the future, I would like for you to help protect it," said the first Headmaster. "That is all I ask." Read new chapters at My Virtual Library Empire


    Adam nodded with a determined look in his eyes. "You have my word."


    "Very well." The smile on Saratoga''s face deepened.


    As thest vestiges of his remnant will faded into nothingness, Saratoga left behind his parting words.


    "Be wary of the hunger for more, young magus. Magic is a vast ocean, but drink too deeply, and it will drown you. There is wisdom in knowing when to stop, in choosing what truly matters over what simply shines.


    "Chase mastery, not greed, for thetter will hollow you faster than any spell ever could. Finally, always remember this: A Magus who desires everything often ends up with nothing."


    Adam watched as Saratoga disappeared from his sight, his presencepletely vanishing. He mulled over what the old man had said just now. Then, he looked around at the enormous vault full of gold and jewelry, his lips forming a smirk.


    He allowed his body to fall backward, falling on the mound of gold coins behind him. He closed his eyes and muttered softly, "Yes, but… is greed truly such a bad thing? Without ambition, without that hunger, how could we ever achieve greatness?"


    Adam grabbed a handful of gold coins and intently stared at it. "Greed tempered with wisdom can be a fire that fuels us, not a me that consumes us."


    …


    Council Keep, Downtown Quarter, Ravenfell.


    The Council Keep was an imposing structure, its architecture a testament to the city''s wealth and importance. High, arched ceilings soared above, supported by intricately carved stone pirs that lined the circr chamber.


    Each pir bore the crest of one of the seven noble families of Ravenfell that made up the city council. It was a silent reminder of their power and legacy.


    A massive round table of polished dark oak dominated the center, its surface gleaming under the light of the ornate chandelier that hung above. The chandelier''s many candles flickered, casting shifting shadows across the room.


    Around the table sat the seven councilors, each upying a high-backed chair engraved with the symbol of the grand city of Ravenfell.


    Along the edges of the chamber, scribes sat at small desks, diligently recording the meeting''s proceedings on parchment scrolls. Guards stood at attention near the towering double doors.


    Behind the councilors, tall stained ss windows overlooked the gothic city in all its glory. However, none inside the chamber were paying attention to this breathtaking scene.


    The air was thick with the tension of the meeting as the councilors discussed matters that decided the fate of the city.


    From the city''s economic affairs and defense and security to its urban development and diplomatic concerns. Hidden beneath these pressing and diverse agendas, there was also the presence of secret motives and power struggles.


    "Professor Mathilda Whitaker will take charge of the preparations for the Grand Magus Tournament," said a bald old man with a long white beard.


    This person was the patriarch of the McLeod Family, Hammond McLeod. The McLeod Family was a very affluent family with diverse holdings throughout thends. They enjoyed a sterling reputation throughout Ravenfell.


    "The Headmaster has instructed us to assist Professor Whitaker in any way we can. The most influential and powerful Magi of the continent will gather in the city a few years from now, and we must make sure that everything is perfect."


    The Grand Magus Tournament was one of the, if not the biggest arcane event held in the Ulier Continent. This time it was Ravenfell''s turn to host the tournament, and so the councilors couldn''t help but feel greatly excited as well as nervous.


    Everyone on the table agreed with Hammond''s words. Everyone except one, that is.


    "Ravenfell will be the one hosting the tournament, so shouldn''t it fall on us to have full control of the event? Must we listen to the Headmaster? As far as I know, the Headmaster has never once shown interest in the matters of the city.


    "Don''t you all think that it would be better for us councilors to take charge of the tournament''s preparation instead of someone from Saratoga?" Another old man with blond hair and topaz eyes voiced his opinion.


    Ives Bard, patriarch of the Bard Family, was the one who just spoke. The Bard Family members were frivolous, arrogant, and aloof. They were a family that yed into the stereotypesmoners held about nobles.


    Before Hammond could even reply, an elven man who appeared to be in his middle-ages, spoke with a cold voice, "Lord Bard, perhaps it is because you are a new addition to the Council of Seven that you are unaware of certain things."


    Seeing the look of contempt in elf''s eyes, Ives couldn''t help but frown in displeassure.


    The elf, Nylian Feno, continued, "Keep this in mind, Lord Bard: the Council of Seven are not the masters of this city. The master of Ravenfell always was, is, and will be the Headmaster of Saratoga."


    "So." Nylian paused for a moment, looking deep into Ives''s eyes. "The will of the Headmaster is ourmand."