Chapter 855

Chapter 855: Elven Sage

“Currently, apart from a few members who carry on from the past, most of the members of the Council of Sages have joined in the last five years. Additionally, due to the disaster that erupted and was pacified a decade ago, the number of members in the Council of Sages is not as numerous as it once was.”

Under the introduction of this elven woman, Lolan Hill gained a general understanding of the recent situation.

Because the Solar Crown has calmed the Chaotic Vortex, there is no longer a need for large numbers of people to guard various locations; the demand for personnel has decreased significantly. Furthermore, due to the internal rebellion within the Council of Sages last time, the trust of all races towards the Council has diminished, leading to reduced funding and support.

It can be said that the strength of the Council of Sages has greatly diminished, making it difficult to constrain the witches as they did in the past. To balance this, invitations are now widely sent out, hoping to gather more strength back into the Council.

“To ensure the stability and future of the Ivar World, it is essential to unite everyone’s strength,” she said. It was clear that this elven woman highly endorsed this ideal.

However, the other two sages beside her were not so enthusiastic. One came from the Empire, a former marshal of the Empire, who, despite appearing only 40-50 years old, was actually over a hundred years old. He had last been on the battlefield more than 40 years ago and had joined the Council of Sages after retiring from military service. He was one of the rare members who continued from the past Council of Sages.

The other elder, with white hair and a long beard, was even older, nearing 200 years. He was a sage who experienced the ‘Battle of Broken Bows’ era. Known for his research into ancient history, although his strength was average, he enjoyed high prestige within the Council of Sages.

These two sages nodded at Lolan Hill’s arrival but continued to remain silent. They seemed neither welcoming nor particularly averse to her presence. Rather than disliking Lolan Hill, it was more that they kept their distance from witches.

“Although they were once human, they are no longer human.” This was a maxim left by a former elder of the Council of Sages.

Compared to humans with limited lifespans, the peculiar traits of witches would ultimately lead them down entirely different paths.

After some conversation, Lolan Hill got to know these three people briefly. Soon afterward, the small gathering ended, and everyone dispersed.

“Would you like to go get something to eat?” The elven female sage walked over, her small bells on her blue hair strands chiming softly, creating a light rhythm.

“Sure.” The girl nodded, not particularly averse to the idea.

“Then follow me,” she said with a slightly happy smile as she saw Lolan Hill agree.

The two walked through the pristine corridors of the High Tower Academy, where they could see the vast mountains outside and the central school buildings in the distance.

“Lolan Hill also stayed in the academy for some time, right? Actually, I only recently learned about your identity,” this elven woman said while carrying books and occasionally looking back to talk.

“Mm-hm, I was quite curious at the time because I wasn’t a very long-standing witch,” Lolan Hill nodded, her fingers brushing against the white stone pillars lining the corridor.

“It’s an honor. Unfortunately, I taught at the High Tower Academy in the past and never had the chance to meet you.”

“I feel like talking to you is similar to talking to other sages,” she sighed happily.

“What would the other witches be like?”

Lolan Hill curiously turned her head.

“They seem shrouded in an inscrutable mist, hard to fathom with ordinary thoughts,” the elven sage shook her head, seemingly quite troubled.

After walking for a while, the elven sage suddenly asked:

“Do you know the origin of the Council of Sages?”

“I’ve heard a bit. It should be the union of heroes.”

“That’s correct. The founding members of the Council of Sages were the heroes who led the people to resist chaos during the calamity a thousand years ago.”

“They came from various places and races. In those dark days when nations collapsed and order ceased to exist, they led people to survive amidst the madness, eventually uniting together and, with the help of angels, defeating the apocalypse.”

“Afterwards, to prevent another calamity, the Council of Sages was established and founded the academy in Emanas.”

“The descendants of these heroes became the founders of various nations after the disaster. Thus, it can be said that the numerous small states in the early Third Age had close ties with the Council of Sages.”

“Indeed, at that time, the Council of Sages possessed unparalleled power—high prestige, righteousness, and overall strength were at their peak. From then on, mortals began to take center stage in the world, and the influence of witches was significantly suppressed.”

“At that time, new witches were no longer raised by the previous witches but by the members of the Council of Sages.”

“This later sowed the seeds of division among witches in the Oz Country. As a result, the witches, who had suffered, lost trust in the Council of Sages and gradually drifted away from the world. Meanwhile, we in the Council of Sages slowly lost our understanding of the past witches, unsure if they still existed in the world or what identities they held now.”

“It’s truly sad.”

“The two most powerful forces in the world are estranged.”

“Sages are, after all, mortal beings. Under the passage of time, generation after generation, the successors gradually lose clarity about the power and impact of the chaotic calamity, instead becoming curious about that force.”

“If there were still many witches serving in the Council of Sages several decades ago, perhaps certain deviant thoughts wouldn’t have spread so freely.”

“Perhaps.”

The girl nodded but then shook her head again.

“But people find it hard to believe and accept experiences they haven’t personally undergone.”

The sole lesson history teaches us is that humanity never learns from history.

This statement is somewhat biased, but it aptly reveals the nature of living beings. Without experiencing pain firsthand, one cannot fully comprehend its weight.

Humans question authority, challenge rules, and break everything, believing themselves to be unique existences. This is both the foolishness and vitality of life, captivating and mesmerizing.

“We’re here.”

During their conversation, they arrived at a restaurant in the High Tower Academy. The restaurant had a white arched dome, clear water from melting snow flowed down one side of the main hall, and tall windows surrounded by lush vines bloomed with unknown white flowers.

The restaurant was not crowded in the afternoon, with only a few students dining there. They wore black robes with borders and conversed softly, the occasional sound of porcelain plates and cutlery clinking echoing in the spacious hall.

“Two orders of avocado grilled meat, and both with red grape sparkling juice,” the elven sage ordered for herself and Lolan Hill.

“Alright, please wait a moment,” the staff member nodded and started preparing.

“Sit for a while. Actually, I want to talk with you for a bit longer,” the elven sage sat down.

“Oh, I haven’t properly introduced myself yet.”

“My name is Vistena, a forest elf, and one of the fifteen seats in the Emerald Court. I am also the representative of the forest elves in the Council of Sages.”

“Pleased to meet you, Great Sage of Clancia, the Unfallen Star, and the Witch of Eternal Wind, Lolan Hill.”

_ Yesterday, I was stuck :(_

_(End of Chapter)_