Sovereign of the Ashes

The agreement of the three Sea Kings to settle in Jewel Sea was certainly not influenced by the life juice Lorianne used to entice them.

Though these Sea Kings possessed low intelligence, they were not foolish.

Moreover, the Jewel Sea within the Magus World could practically be considered a "lake" rather than an inland sea.

It had expanded significantly since the construction of the Verdant Wave Canal, finally looking like a sea rather than a lake now.

However, the depth and temperature of the Jewel Sea remained less than ideal for these colossal beings.

The primary reason the Sea Kings agreed to stay was to guard Tourmaline—a directive from White Stella and their fathers.

As long as Tourmaline remained in Jewel Sea, these simple-minded Sea Kings showed no inclination to leave.

In any case, their simple-minded nature worked in Lorianne's favor.

With these three Sea Kings guarding Lorianne's territory, Lorianne and the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring could gain considerable prestige.

The "life juice" Lorianne offered was not a rare commodity; her world laboratory produced large batches of it annually.

However, this particular juice was mostly used as a raw ingredient for various medicines. Only the Sea Kings would dilute them for consumption.

Its energy-rich, high-caloric nature made it extremely popular among them.

Furthermore, Lorianne had tailored the juice's flavor to appeal directly to their palates, enhancing its allure.

Having confirmed the Sea Kings' settlement in the Jewel Sea, Lorianne proceeded to arrange their return to the Magus World via teleportation array.

Sein stayed behind, sensing that his mentor had further plans for him.

Although the fortress on the demiplane was intended as a temporary structure, it had been solidly built since a Rank Four mage had been residing there for several years.

Accompanying Lorianne to her magic tower, Sein observed its vast interior and several specialized laboratories.

The array of equipment and specimen materials revealed that Lorianne had not neglected her research pursuits amidst her ongoing involvement in the Verdant Leaf World War.

In Lorianne's laboratory, Sein's attention was immediately captured by a specimen encased in orange amber.

It was a slender, dark green Bamboo Leaf Dragonfly, standing about two meters tall.

Being around Tourmaline and the three Sea Kings for a considerable time allowed Sein to quickly recognize that this was a demigod-level dragonfly.

Though the amber coating had masked its aura, the pressure exuded by a demigod-level being could not easily be suppressed.

In other word, this was a nearly perfectly preserved, peak demigod-level Bamboo Leaf Dragonfly.

It was unclear how Lorianne had managed to seal it directly in amber, turning it into a living specimen for her laboratory.

Sein recalled seeing another such living specimen at Lorianne's laboratory in the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring—a Fire-Breathing Dragon King captured during the Viridian Venom Flame World War, which had provided valuable dragon blood for Sein's body tempering experiments.

Clearly, there was a vast gap between Rank Four mages like Lorianne and Rank Two mages like Sein.

While Sein's research was still focused on Rank Two creatures, Lorianne had amassed a collection of demigod-level specimens.

Sein could not help but wonder what sort of other specimens his mentor had in her storage rooms.

Upon noticing Sein's lingering gaze on the dragonfly encased in amber, Lorianne remarked softly, "This is the demigod-level Bamboo Leaf Dragonfly that tried to escape its homeplane over a year ago. Its life source is dwindling. If left out there, it would likely perish of old age within a few years."

"By sealing it in this amber, I could preserve its life for at least a few hundred years. Hmm, maybe it can even survive another thousand years," she added confidently, stroking her chin.

To Lorianne, the value of a living demigod-level specimen far outweighed that of a deceased one.

Even with only a few years left, a living specimen still held more value than a dead one.

Lorianne had been contemplating the purchase of a space fortress for some time.

With funds being tight, it remained to be seen whether she would choose to sell her specimen collection to finance it.

Her reason for meeting Sein this time was directly related to the prospective purchase of a space fortress.

Without beating around the bush, Lorianne said, "The upcoming war against the lower-level plane named Verdant Wilderness World is tentatively set for fifty years from now. In thirty-five years, you'll join me on a trip to the Capiche Business Alliance."

Puzzled, Sein asked, "What business do you have in the Capiche Business Alliance?"

Lorianne looked at her apprentice in the eye, biting her lip before replying, "To buy a space fortress!"

This was an extremely significant decision for Lorianne.

"I'm taking you to the Capiche Business Alliance because you haven't been there yet, and it's the perfect opportunity to see the world. The Tower Master of Cipher will join us, so make sure you conduct yourself well," she warned.

"I will, Master Lorianne," Sein replied respectfully.

Only a tower master's apprentice like Sein had the rare opportunity to accompany two tower masters to the Capiche Business Alliance to shop for a space fortress.

Even the demigod-level dean of the divine tower academy might not secure such a privilege.

Beyond discussing the purchase of the space fortress and the upcoming conflict with Verdant Wilderness World, Lorianne broached another topic.

"Enrollment at the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring Academy has surged recently. The caliber and quantity of new initiates are unprecedented compared to a century ago," Lorianne shared.

"Although the number of registered mages has reached nearly four thousand since we consolidated all the mage councils in Viridescent Land, Dean Archimedes has expressed concerns about the varying standards among these mages.

"I'm confident about your capabilities, though. Hence, you'll be tasked with teaching at least three public classes at the academy when we return," she announced.

"HUH?!" Sein was stunned.

As a mage who preferred solitude, Sein was reluctant to waste his time teaching other magic initiates.

However, it seemed Lorianne would not take no for an answer.

Despite Sein's surprised reaction, she continued suggesting, "Aside from teaching public classes, why don't you start a private course too? You could give lessons on alchemy or apothecary, or share your experience participating in the regional academy war as an initiate."

"We haven't seen any exceptional initiates in the two previous regional academy wars since your batch. As my apprentice, shouldn't you contribute?" Lorianne asked, looking at Sein expectantly.

"Uh, I... I... Fine." Sein hesitated before finally nodding reluctantly under Lorianne's gaze.