Mage Manual

Ash was taken aback.

"Gene collapse disease," Igula calmly stated. "The Senluoians start experiencing gene collapse at 25 and die of complete bodily failure at 28. This isn't a secret; after all, ordinary people don't live beyond 28, so the Senluoians have long discovered the cause."

"Why...?"

"It's a side effect of the baby incubator," Igula explained. "I don't know whether it's because the Gray Fox Mage couldn't invent a perfect incubator or if they did it deliberately. But every child born from an incubator carries the threat of gene collapse. The solution to curing it is very simple—become a Mage."

"The strength of the soul will replenish the body. A Mage's soul, honed in the Sea of Knowledge, will automatically heal the gene collapse disease within them. That's why ordinary people don't live past 28, but Mages face no such obstacle."

Ash immediately understood why Igula said the Gray Fox Mage did it purposefully—how could a Gray Fox Mage, capable of creating so many fantastical creations, not even make an incubator right? They deliberately created the gene collapse disease, forcing a death chain on all new life!

If you don't become a Mage, just die!

Ordinary people are unworthy of enjoying the Divine Era prosperities created by the great!

But undoubtedly, during the Gray Fox Era, many conveniences were provided for ordinary people to become Mages. Their Mage rate could probably reach over 95%, making the side effects of the incubator bearable. But in the Senluo Wasteland, ordinary people, deprived of the Gray Fox educational system, mostly cannot become Mages!

Whether fortunately or unfortunately, the intensity of war overshadowed this phenomenon, and most people wouldn't live past 28 anyway. And those unfortunate enough to live to 28 couldn't have their lives saved by even a Healing Mage, watching helplessly as they approached Death.

Every major sect knows the shortcoming of the incubator, but none choose natural childbirth. Not only because they need female workforce, but also because they don't need low-level labor over 28.

"This is truly..." Ash couldn't help but sarcastically remark, "better than the Blood Moon."

"I think the Blood Moon is more advanced," Harvey shrugged. "Trash can still burn, and middle-aged and elderly people over 28 can be squeezed for a bit more value. It's too wasteful to slaughter them all at once."

They reached the Fox Lamp icehouse, where Black Crow and his two companions had already claimed their spots. As usual, there was no food in front of Black Crow, and Ash had only half a portion. After finishing half, Ash would take Black Crow for a second round.

But tonight, after finishing half, Ash just sat there lost in thought.

Even Igula, or the Beastman, noticed the leader was upset tonight. "Brother Ash, tell us who we need to chop, and I'll handle it!"

Qikara's shout made Ash feel like an outlaw leader.

"Is it because Silver Lamp took the Bronze Law?" Gwen suggested.

Igula glared at her, and she immediately bowed her head to drink her milk tea. Ash, slightly surprised, realized it had been a long time since he heard any news about Silver Lamp.

"Nothing, really..." Ash softly said. "Just suddenly feel, no matter the country, no matter the time, Mages are a pretty nasty bunch of beings."

The scope of his broadside was broad indeed, leaving only Black Crow untouched in the Fox Lamp icehouse.

"Actually, you can't really call it malice; they surely all started with good intentions. They have the skill and the will, so they're qualified to graffiti the world. Some of these graffiti remain brilliantly beautiful, while others became bloodily ugly, their sole shared flaw..."

"Is that the wall never had a choice."

"But if you want to have a choice, you must become a strong one who can graffiti."

Harvey had no interest in Ash's musings, his focus on devouring waterfall cake.

Igula seemed to have something to say, but didn't.

Qikara was lost in thought, Gwen was silent, and Black Crow quietly watched Ash.

Ash hadn't suddenly become sentimental; the story of Gray Fox Mage was merely a trigger. He had always been worried about his future. As Sword Maiden's description of Dazzling Star revealed, whether he entered Dazzling Star or wanted to take Sword Maiden from Dazzling Star, it wouldn't be easy. And whether Sword Maiden was willing to leave Dazzling Star was still uncertain.

Blood Moon was out of the question, and Gospel was only slightly safer, but still under All-knowing Weaver's strong interference. The method of ruling is endless, and whether Gospel is a stable place depends on All-knowing Weaver's whim.

He genuinely feared that when he returned to Gospel, Liss would have already turned into Her Majesty the Sounds of the Flute.

Ash had always had favorable impression of the already gone Gray Fox Era, one-sidedly thinking it was a beautiful time. Thus, tonight, he also one-sidedly felt disappointed.

From the Shattered Lake, he understood that to seek peace in this world, you must be stronger than anyone seeking peace.

Because the peace you all seek isn't one shared illusion.

But just how strong must one be to hold happiness in their hands? Holy Domain isn't enough; is Legendary enough?

Just like that rainy night in Yisu's Imperial Palace, there are moments when even he is powerless.

Nonetheless, Ash knew clearly that the main reason for his sudden emotional stir tonight was that another path had appeared before him.

"If, I say if," Ash said, "if in the future I were to become an Evil Mage who grows stronger through slaughter, what would you do?"

"Do you even need to ask?" Harvey answered immediately, "Of course, stop you, right?"