After hearing the short, wizened old man's words, Lucian silently grumbled: "Can't even spare a single word of praise…"
But outwardly, he replied with humble courtesy: "Yes, Your Excellency. I still have much to improve upon and learn." This peculiar old man was seated right beside Her Excellency Hathaway — at the very least, he had to be a Legendary Magus. Going along with whatever he said was never the wrong move.
Gaston, who had led Lucian in, now smiled and said: "Evans, this is Grand Archanist Her Excellency Hathaway." He first gestured toward the elegant and beautiful lady as he made the introduction — just as Lucian had guessed, she was the "Element Dominator," a direct descendant of the Holme royal bloodline and an "ancestor" of Natasha's from who knew how many generations back.
"By the Arcane, Your Excellency — your brilliance illuminates the entire Elemental World." Lucian placed his left hand over his heart and pressed his right to his forehead, greeting Hathaway with the highest formal etiquette of the Arcane Council. For some reason, a faint sense of unease stirred within him — it felt like meeting a senior relative. And according to long-standing tradition, every Legendary Magus possessed their own unique tribute of respect.
Hathaway gave a cool, brief nod. "The path of Arcane and Truth permits no slack."
She spoke sparingly, her words concise — as though stating a plain truth, yet also seeming to offer Lucian a word of guidance.
Once Hathaway finished, Gaston turned his gaze toward the short old man in the vivid red robe. Beneath the smile on his face, a trace of fear leaked through — one he hadn't even noticed himself — as though he were terrified of misspeaking and inviting a merciless barrage of criticism.
"Evans, this is Grand Archanist Fernando Balista, Your Excellency." After several moments of deliberation, Gaston settled on the simplest and most straightforward introduction possible, adding no embellishments or extra words.
The Storm Lord? This peculiar old man was the Storm Lord? Lucian was genuinely surprised. Based on the rumors he'd heard, the Storm Lord should have been a rigid, stern figure — someone who couldn't be bothered with social graces, who feared no authority, and who had zero tolerance for error. A volatile Archanist, much like his Legendary title suggested. This short, gaunt old man, in whom one could still faintly discern the traces of youthful handsomeness, didn't match that image at all. His earlier playful humor had left a deep impression on Lucian as well.
But thinking it over, there was no way Gaston would dare deceive him about something like this — not unless he wanted to be buried under the cataclysmic roar of the real Storm Lord. And so Lucian bowed solemnly once more: "By the Arcane, Your Excellency — you are the storm, the lightning, the master of the sky."
As he performed the salute, Lucian grew careful with every word, choosing his phrasing with deliberate precision. He was half-afraid that a single wrong gesture or a single misplaced word would earn him a thunderous bellow. Mr. Raven's roars and the Storm Lord's were certainly not on the same level.
"No need to be so cautious. Apart from errors in Arcane theory or magic, I rarely argue over anything else. For instance, whenever Oliver goes on about oil paintings and theater, I never butt in." Fernando let out a raspy little laugh as he offered this self-defense, and Lucian relaxed somewhat.
But the expressions of the others suggested they didn't quite buy it. Florenza mouthed silently at Lucian: "That's because he doesn't understand a thing about it."
Before Gaston could introduce anyone else, Fernando spoke directly: "Lucian, Tangpu showed me your first paper and recommended it to me. I drew some inspiration from it and concluded that you possess a fundamental Archanist mindset and a certain degree of potential. So I made a special trip to the library to see for myself what kind of person you are. Not bad — a rather interesting young man, more to my taste. And your subsequent two papers were also free of errors, which is quite remarkable for a fellow your age. You should know that some members of the Supreme Council have papers riddled with childish mistakes — laughable mistakes, even!"
Although he might have been praising him, Lucian found the choice of words deeply odd — making it hard to tell whether it was actually a compliment at all. And he hadn't the slightest regard for the fact that a member of the Supreme Council was sitting right beside him.
"The missions at Beltran Castle and the delivery to the Dark Mountains showcased your potential in both combat and practical matters. That's something many Archanists in the Council currently lack, and something the Council is working hard to improve. I hope you'll keep it up."
"Lucian, I believe that given what you've demonstrated, you shouldn't limit yourself to Elements and Astrology. You should step into broader fields. I want you to study the Arcane and magic under me — become my student. Do you have any objections?" The vaguely mischievous grin on the Storm Lord Fernando's face faded, replaced by a serious expression.
From what Lucian knew, the Storm Lord, though a Grand Archanist of the Thermal school, was also proficient in Elements, Electromagnetism, Force, Illusion, and Light and Darkness. Among Legendary Magi, he was rare in possessing the vitality to pursue so many schools simultaneously. He had once earned the highest honor in four different domains — the Ice Snow Medal, the Holme Crown Award, the Silver Moon Medal, and the Wizard's Laurel.
Lucian considered for only a single second before nodding firmly: "It would be my honor to become your student."
"Very well. From now on, you are my student." Fernando replied with a grave, earnest tone.
"What?" Lucian, Gaston, Florenza, and Morris all blurted out in surprised unison. Only the cool, quiet "Element Dominator" Hathaway and the middle-aged man at Fernando's side showed no trace of surprise.
Fernando gave a short chuckle. "There — we now have a teacher-student relationship. Do you have any questions?"
Just like that, he had gained a Grand Archanist as his teacher. Lucian was struck by a sudden, overwhelming sense of unreality. Gaston and the others also felt it was somewhat absurd and bewildering. According to the tradition stretching from the ancient magical empires all the way to the Arcane Council, formally accepting a student was a grand and solemn affair — one that required elaborate ceremonies to mark the change in status between the two parties.