Chương 363: Designs

Hearing the rationality of why the Mage Association was limiting the abilities of mages everywhere was astonishing to Damion. They implemented the use of testing crystals, so higher tier spells were easier to learn? Somehow, that reasoning did not sit well with him. Of course, he could not tell if what they said was true or not, since the Magic System recorded magic seals for him, and he never needed to actually memorize them himself.

Still, he felt there should be a better solution than just limiting people's potential without their consent.

"Don't you think there could be a better solution?" Damion asked, perhaps the Mage Association or the S Rank Assembly had tried to find other solutions but just had not had any luck yet.

"You are welcome to try and find your own solution. That is why you are forming this White Zone, why you are wanting to start your own school, isn't it? To prove the method we have been using for thousands of years is wrong?"

"I wouldn't say my reason is prove you wrong, but more to move forward to the next step of magical and human development," Damion defended and before Mage Harris could reply, Mage Teft cut in.

"You know as well as I do that more and more children every year are tested to be able to become mages. It is clear that the level of magic in our world is slowly increasing and because of that it becomes easier to use magic. How long will it be before people are no longer stopped at C Rank because of the low density of mana in the world? What will you do when B Rank and then A Rank becomes the new norm?" Mage Harris said nothing in response to Mage Teft's questions. He knew she was right.

As a Time mage he knew better than anyone that she was right. It was, after all, only a matter of time.

"We are just planning ahead. Preparing for a world that will need a new way of raising mages in a few more generations."

"Fine. You have my blessing. But not my protection. If you want to do this, you will do so on your own. I will see to it the S Rank Assembly does not interfere. As for the Mage Association, you will have to deal with them yourself."

"I don't think that will be an issue," Mage Thresbane said.

"I've taken quite a liking to Mage Wells."

"What do you intend to do?" Mage Harris asked. There was little he could do to the SS Rank mage, but that did not mean he was not curious what the Protectorate planned.

"The Protectorate has lived in the shadows for a long time. I intend to move them to this White Zone. I doubt Mage Teft intends to manage the place alone, she will more than have her hands full with the school. And Mage Wells, he needs to grow stronger before he can wield the authority he needs to change the world."

"You want to stop using the testing crystals as well?"

"It is only natural. They were a crutch. Made by our ancestors to keep us on our feet. The need for the crutch is fading. We have a growing population, that if cared for properly, could turn into a force strong enough to make real changes to our world."

"Very well. Mage Fletcher. Would you be so kind as to send me back to Argentum please," Mage Harris told the Spatial mage. Mage Fletcher opened a Portal for him and once Mage Harris left, Damion felt a sizeable weight lift off him.

"How long until the mountain range is complete?" Damion asked Mage Teft. This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

"About the same time as Elicia is due," Mage Teft answered. The timeline told Damion he had a while before the area would be ready to start building their city and school, but not so long that he did not need to start the preparations. They needed mages that could summon building materials or to start buying tons of it. Not to mention workers and a whole list of other things.

As Damion continued to process everything they would need in the coming months he started to feel that sizeable weight falling back on his shoulders.

"I think we still have a lot of work to do," Damion told Mage Teft.

"Indeed, you do. But don't worry," Mage Thresbane said reassuringly.

"I said the Protectorate will be making this our home. So, we will be happy to assist with the manpower needed to get things started and certain administrative duties. What we need first though, is a plan. We can't just start building whatever wherever."

"I've got that taken care of," Damion said confidently. His father had been working on a city plan for several months now. Perhaps it would be time for his father to start turning his plans into reality.

"Really? I would like to take a look at the plans. You know, to make sure they are viable for this area. They'll also need to include proper shelters in the event of beast waves. Do you have them on you?"

"No. I hired an architect to start on the designs some months ago," Damion said. He did not particularly want to reveal the existence of his family, but he was not sure how to get Mage Thresbane a copy of the plans.

"Mage Fletcher can send you over," Mage Teft said, surprising Damion.

"Mage Thresbane, I believe, is trustworthy and won't casually reveal things."

"One Portal to Levande, coming up," Mage Fletcher said as she cast her spell. Without much say in the matter, Damion and Mage Thresbane went through. Damion was feeling a bit nervous, this was the first time he would be appearing in Levande without his disguise. However, he did not want to reveal the existence of the artifact to Mage Thresbane. But without it, he was running the risk of someone in this small town recognizing him as he visited his family.

The Portal deposited them in an alley behind his family's apartment building. Being so close, Damion hoped he could make it inside without anyone recognizing him. He led Mage Thresbane inside the building and to his parents' apartment. Thankfully, they did not run into anyone. After knocking, his mother opened the door and was quite shocked to see him standing in the hall, since for the last few weeks he had been opening a Portal directly into the apartment.

"Damion, I was not expecting you this early. Who have you brought with you today?" Sharon asked, feeling a bit nervous.

"This is Mage Thresbane. He will be helping build the new school and city. He wanted to take a look at dad's plans." If Mage Thresbane was shocked to learn that the architect found to design the city was Damion's father, he showed no signs of it.

"Of course. Your father is in his study." Sharon let the pair inside the apartment and led them to Caleb's study. They found him with a projection of the city on, filling his study with it while he worked on his tablet. Moving buildings around, shifting streets to make the flow more natural. To Damion the city looked amazing. It was not the huge towers of Argentum or the quiet neighborhoods of Saung, but the place looked to have a nice feel it to. At the center of the city was what Damion took to be the new school.

A large central tower with five smaller towers arrayed around it, all stemming from a central five-sided building at the base, with large gardens all the way around the building.

"So, what do you think Damion?" Caleb asked.

"It looks great. Why the six towers for the school? Doesn't it make the school standout a bit?"

"Of course it does," Caleb said, feeling a bit miffed that his son did not understand.

"The school is the centerpiece of the city. It should be visible from everywhere else in the city as the place to be, the place everyone wants to graduate from and have their kids attend. The central tower is the one where students would actually learn magic. The outer five will be for the different age groups. At first there won't be a need for them, but as the city population grows, it will be more and more important to have plenty of room. Unless you want to have to build a whole other school later on."

"I think it looks marvelous," Mage Thresbane said.

"See, your friend agrees. Caleb Wells," his father introduced himself and offered his hand to the newcomer.

"Arthur Thresbane," the Shadow mage shook Caleb's hand and the two began admiring the handy work of Damion's father.