"Lord Gascoigne... You met 'the Heavenly Emperor Gascoigne,' did you? Now that must have been quite the experience."
"Will you believe me?"
"It's not as though lying would do you any good. Besides... I know well enough that he's the sort who doesn't listen to what others have to say."
The academy headmaster — Verroid Hahn — began to explain.
"First of all, I don't have much acquaintance with Lord Gascoigne. We both belong to the Council of Sages, but... I'm a—"
Satellite.
"That's my standing, you see."
"A satellite...?"
"Indeed. The Council of Sages has two tiers of members—the—"
Planets "—and—"
Satellites.
"I'm the latter, so my involvement with those at the center is rather thin."
"I see... is that so."
It seemed that even within the same organization, there was a hierarchy.
Even the academy headmaster, who was hailed as the greatest magician in the country, apparently couldn't even stand near the center of the Council of Sages — the world's foremost magical society.
Once again, it drove home just how deep the layers of this world truly were.
"The Council of Sages has several duties and purposes. The one you'd be most familiar with is the certification of new magic and the compilation of the Grimoire Index."
The Council of Sages maintained the 'Grimoire Index,' a catalogue of all the magic that existed in this world, and any newly developed magic would be recorded there.
Creating new magic is the highest honor a magician can achieve.
If their name is listed in the Grimoire Index, they would undoubtedly be received with high regard by the kingdom.
(To be registered as new magic, its universality and reproducibility are also questioned. My Star-Eater and Flame-Birthing God would never be recorded since they can't be used without infinite mana...)
"But... in truth, the Council of Sages has a primary purpose beyond those. It is to bring harmony to the world."
As Rest pondered, the academy headmaster continued his explanation.
"The Council of Sages acts to mediate wars and stop conflicts among humans. While they wouldn't intervene in small-scale civil wars like the recent rebellion, if it were a war between nations, we would call for a ceasefire and take action. In fact, our comrades are still active in conflict zones across the continent."
"Mediating wars..."
Come to think of it... Gascoigne had said he would not permit the use of Flame-Birthing God against humans.
Everything was connecting. As expected, Gascoigne feared that mass-destruction magic would be used in warfare.
"Lord Gascoigne typically never leaves the Council of Sages headquarters. If that man is moving, it must be a matter of grave importance."
"............"
"During the entrance interview, I thought so too... Master Rest, you truly are a fascinating boy. To have even Lord Gascoigne taking notice... it's quite intimidating."
"No... I don't think it's that much..."
Rather than taking notice, it was more like keeping a close watch.
It wasn't a pleasant situation.
Even if conditional... he had been told by the world's greatest magician that he could be "disposed of."
"Lord Gascoigne is a strict man, but he is never unjust. He is an ally of humanity. As long as you, Master Rest, don't recklessly bring chaos to the world, he should never become your enemy."
"I wouldn't cause chaos in the world... I wouldn't do such a thing."
He had struck down the foolish prince Rodele, and subjugated the magic beast Sabnock... it was true he was bringing change to the nation, but he had no intention of causing chaos.
Rather, he considered himself the victim who kept getting entangled in various problems.
「Anyway... as long as I don't cause any problems, that's all that matters, right? If that's the case, it's simple.」
He felt relieved, at least for the moment.
As long as Rest didn't fall to darkness, there should be no reason to fight.
They would never meet again... presumably.
(But why, I wonder) Even as he breathed a sigh of relief at the academy headmaster's explanation... a chill was creeping down his spine in stark contrast.
(Leonard Gascoigne... I have a feeling I'm going to meet that man again. It's pure intuition, but I get the sense he'll bring trouble with him...)
「...Thank you very much. I'll take my leave now.」
「Hmm. Next time, let's discuss magic together. I'll have tea and snacks prepared, so come by then.」
Rest bowed to the academy headmaster and left the room.