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n?”Are you a magus? Preparatory-level? Or a certified magus?”

nHoward didn’t respond. .𝒎

nEven if the young man before him was a minor noble, if he was only a knight, he really had no standing to challenge a preparatory-level magus.

nThe young noble’s complexion shifted, his arrogance waning.

nJust as Howard anticipated, he lacked the confidence to confront a preparatory-level magus.

n“How may I address the magus?” The young noble signaled his follower to ease the control over the girl with his gaze, “My name is Koji, and I would like to apologize for my earlier rudeness.”

n“No need for names; it’s unlikely we’ll cross paths again. I’m only interested in the child,” Howard said, looking at Koji.

n“If the magus desires it, then there’s nothing I can do.” Koji instructed his follower to release the girl. “If it’s what the magus wishes, then so be it.”

n“You’ve made a wise decision,” Howard nodded.

n“We shall have no further dealings. You may attend to your own matters. And don’t think of following me; there’s no one in this settlement who poses a threat to me.”

nKoji gave Howard a long look, signaled to his thinner follower to take the injured one, and left directly.

nAs the crowd had already begun to disperse earlier, Howard and Koji’s brief conflict went unnoticed by those around them.

nOnly a few pairs of eyes caught this minor standoff.

nAfter Koji had departed, the street child remained in place, somewhat dazed.

nAlthough she didn’t understand who Howard was, even she could grasp the law of the jungle.

nMoreover, she had just heard the exciting word “magus” from Koji’s lips.

nHoward said, “Don’t be afraid, you’re safe now. No one will come looking for trouble with you anymore.”

nAs he slowly approached the street child, he scanned the flowing crowd for Vivia’s figure.

nWhen the young noble appeared earlier, Vivia had said, “Hold on, I’ll find someone,” and then she had disappeared, leaving Howard unsure of where she had gone.

n“Aren’t you going to leave? Where’s your family?”

nObserving the shift in the street child’s expression, Howard realized he might have touched a sensitive spot.

nThe street child spoke in fits and starts, “I… have no family… I was abandoned.”

n“Thank you for saving me. Although I have nothing to repay you with, I don’t eat much and can do a lot of work!”

nAn innate intuition made the street child feel instinctively that Howard was different from other nobles and people in the settlement.

nLife on the streets was hard, and she had considered becoming a servant, but if even her own family didn’t want her, who would take her in as a servant? However, this seemed like an opportunity.

nHoward was momentarily stunned by her words.

n“But I don’t need slaves or servants. I’m just a jack-of-all-trades myself,” Howard said, looking at the street child’s dirty face that showed a tinge of disappointment mixed with amusement and sadness.

nYet, he quickly added, “However, if you’re willing to work with me, I can provide you with food and a simple place to stay.”

nThe tavern manager always said they were short-staffed; getting her a spot should be fine.

nSurprise flashed across the street child’s face, quickly turning into skepticism, but eventually, she nodded. “I am willing to work with you.”

nIt was no worse than death.

nOn the other side of the market, Ali, who had set out on her own, had already completed a significant portion of the shopping.

nAs the only truly reliable staff member of the trio, she diligently carried out the task given to her by Antalya.

nThe list she was responsible for was more than halfway completed; the remaining items were either out of stock or had suitable substitutes, so it could be said she had successfully finished her work.

nNow, she could attend to her own matters.

nPulling out a pocket watch, she checked the time, noting there was still about half an hour until the agreed-upon meeting time.

nFlicking the reins in her hand, the carriage began to move forward slowly.

nPassing through the bustling market, Ali showed no particular interest in the surrounding wares, simply moving forward silently until she reached the edge of the market.

nHere stood a dilapidated little wooden house.

nThe house had two stories, and it appeared not to be very spacious.

nScattered dry fruits were displayed at the entrance, and above the door hung a sign that had faded over time.

nHowever, upon closer inspection, one could discern in a corner of the worn sign a mark that looked like it had been scorched by fire.

nIn reality, it was a complex emblem made up of multiple intricate patterns!

nUnlike the noble crests typically composed of flowers and beasts, this emblem was formed of flame patterns, cloud patterns, water patterns, and various other textures, creating an exceedingly complex design.

nThis was clearly not any noble’s crest.

nIn fact, it was the emblem of a power beyond the ordinary.

nAny certified magus from the magus guild would recognize at a glance that this emblem represented an organization shrouded in mystery even among magi.

nThe Truth Society.

nA mysterious organization with a legacy spanning thousands of years.

nNo one knows its full extent, much like how people can never fully grasp the vastness of the earth beneath their feet.

nExtraordinary things are always hidden within the ordinary.

nThe Truth Society is such an organization.

nIt has outposts in almost every corner of the new continent, be it human towns, other races’ tribes, or even the dwelling places of dragons and elves.

nWhether in the scorching deserts, the frigid ice fields, or the vast expanses of the ocean, if you seek, within five hundred meters, you can find a base of The Truth Society.

nNo one has ever measured how vast this force is, nor dares to.

nThe result would undoubtedly be astonishing.

nIt even defies the common knowledge among magi.

nAny individual with the qualifications of a certified magus has the opportunity to join The Truth Society, but the members of The Truth Society keep their identities secret from one another.

nTo join The Truth Society, one simply needs to submit an application at the nearest outpost, where a person will be subjected to a one-on-one assessment.

nThose who pass join The Truth Society, while the memories of those who fail are erased.

nIt is said that The Truth Society possesses all knowledge in the world, even the legacy of gods.

nLooking up at the emblem, known almost universally among magi, Ali let out a small sigh.

nAlthough he had now joined The Truth Society, he still knew nothing about its organizational structure or mode of existence.

nWalking into the small wooden house, the ground floor housed only an elderly person dozing off in an aged rocking chair, surrounded by bags of dried fruits scattered around.

nWithout a hint of surprise, nor disturbing the elderly person, Ali, though it was her first visit to this Lorinda outpost of The Truth Society, confidently proceeded directly upstairs.

nIt was as if she traversed a time-space tunnel; as Ali ascended the stairs, the surrounding scenery transformed along with her steps.

nInitially, the walls of the small wooden house were old and damp, but then golden threads began to emerge from the crevices of the walls, growing more abundant as she ascended.

nEventually, the entire wall seemed to be woven from these golden strands.

nThe walls, once adorned with flickering, dim flame lamps, now gleamed with bright magical lights.

nDespite not being her first encounter, Ali still marveled at this sight.

nThis was the pinnacle of space magic at work.

nAli hadn’t utilized any mana, yet the rune matrix automatically transported her here.

nMoreover, had she turned around and descended the stairs, the transport would have reversed and then ceased.

nAli’s steps halted at the entrance to a vast, brightly lit hall.

nThe hall was resplendent, with ivory-white columns evenly distributed throughout, and bright, soft white light that had no discernible source freely and evenly filled the space.

nThe walls were golden, as if cast from gold itself.

nNumerous individuals in white robes and masks moved about the hall, engaging in conversation or checking notices on the columns.

nAli knew these were magi who had entered the hall from other locations.

nThough she wore no disguise, in the eyes of others, she too appeared masked and robed in white, her figure indistinguishable from the rest.

nThis was yet another magic Ali couldn’t comprehend.

nBut she had grown accustomed to it.

nHere, through the notice boards on the columns, one can learn all the information they seek, whether it be about magical spells, rune matrices, rumors, or anything else.

nAs long as you have enough points, you can be omniscient.

nPoints are the internal currency of The Truth Society, earned by completing quests assigned by the organization.

nSince The Truth Society does not have a set number of quests, each point is invaluable, with no one knowing when the Society might cease distributing quests.

nHaving joined The Truth Society not too long ago, Ali didn’t have an abundance of points.

nHowever, she estimated that her points should be more than sufficient for her needs.

nVisit 𝘳𝑎.𝗇t

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