Witch, Fireball and the Evil God of Steam

The title of Silver Fox was bestowed upon this man by the Empire's royal family, signifying his high status within the Astrology Guild.

He had free access to the Mage Tower and owned a personal research room there, recognized among mages as a master of "destruction" and "transformation" spells. Many of his former students now held important positions within the guild, and only the rulers of the Imperial Military Industry could persuade Silver Fox to serve as the private teacher for an Empire noblewoman.

Unfortunately, Mr. Silver Fox couldn't catch a break.

The eldest son of the Imperial Military Industry unexpectedly died from the red death disease in Gear City, leaving the Imperial Military Industry in chaos, forcing Silver Fox to return to the Mage Tower after recovering.

This probably cost him a fortune.

Rowena also mentioned that during his tenure as Great Mage in the Astrology Guild, Silver Fox created three new spells, continuously dedicating himself to research on the "soul" of humanity.

A university faction person.

Ethan quickly grasped Silver Fox's status within the current Astrology Guild.

After returning to the Mage Tower, Silver Fox's life became more leisurely, allowing him to focus on teaching students, which was not necessarily good news for his students.

It was said that after being wounded in the Imperial City, Silver Fox became unpredictable, often venting by treating his students like laborers.

"The scholar is in seclusion for meditation."

Silver Fox led them into his research room at the Mage Tower, where the shelves were filled with various spellcasting materials, and an unclosed parchment book lay on the table, with the quill inked on the parchment, leaving Silver Fox's notes.

Since meeting them, he hadn't dared to meet Ethan's gaze.

Ever since being wounded and hospitalized in the Imperial City Hospital, he had been plotting revenge against the Elemental Shaper who sold magic scrolls to Anna—a role with no status in the current Empire. Silver Fox couldn't accept being heavily injured by three magic scrolls.

Since then, his reputation in the Mage Tower plummeted, as those gossiping Great Mages mocked him for being floored by a noblewoman who had only recently learned magic. Their glances filled Silver Fox with unprecedented shame.

He confined himself to his research room and only during student orders could he briefly find solace, as if he were still the high-status Great Mage of the past.

Silver Fox even prepared numerous tormenting spells, but only after the rebellion in the Imperial City emerged, with Pope Julius and his followers publicly executed during their defeat, did Silver Fox realize that revenge was merely a fantasy rooted deep within him.

He muttered disconsolately, then opened a jar filled with black liquid and drank the magic potion in one gulp.

The bitter taste clouded his thoughts, and only this way could Silver Fox calm his mood a bit.

The task of receiving visitors was assigned to him by his colleagues at the Mage Tower, as everyone wanted to see him make a fool of himself.

"She is in the observatory on the top floor."

Silver Fox left these final words, then reclined in his chair and closed his eyes to rest.

Rowena had no desire to further deal with Silver Fox either; she never liked the academic factions in the Mage Tower, which always reminded her of the unfair treatment she experienced as a Tier Three Mage.

Silver Fox stared at their departing figures, his vision becoming blurry.

Such shame.

Mr. Silver Fox, do you plan to continue doing nothing?

Can you hear them? They're all mocking you.

Your students are gossiping behind your back, you know what they're saying.

An inept mage defeated by three low-level magic scrolls.

The voice kept echoing in Silver Fox's ears, he had frequently been hearing such whispers lately.

Perhaps it's a side effect of the "Focus Potion," a potion that helps quickly enter a meditation state. Only in this state could he forget his troubles, but now, reality intruded upon his meditation, escalating those negative emotions.

They're about to visit the scholar, you know what you must do.

You know very well what happened in the observatory.

Silver Fox, this is your last chance.

"Snap."

The feather pen in Silver Fox's hand broke with the sound, and when he opened his eyes again, they were bloodshot, his face twisted.

Meanwhile, on the other side.

"What's wrong?"

Rowena noticed Ethan's unusual demeanor and inquired.

The cat had long since slipped away, leaving only her and Ethan in the vast circular corridor.

"What is that black magic potion used for?"

"It should be Focus Potion, used to aid in meditation. Why?"

Ethan shook his head, "There seems to be some strange magic power."

Perhaps Mr. Silver Fox was under too much pressure lately and had to rely on magic potions to get by, which made Ethan worry about Mr. Silver Fox's health problems.

"Don't worry about him." Rowena said, "Remember the Tier Four assessment I mentioned before? There's actually a concept of 'family' and 'bloodline' among mages, I've always had issues with pure-blood mages, disgusted by them."

Ever since stepping into the Mage Tower, she felt uneasy.

Because this is the stronghold of pure-blood mages, and those who gain entry to the Mage Tower are almost exclusively born into pure-blood mage families, with at least one parent being a Great Mage.

These children born with silver spoons aren't bound by guild rules, "Most Tier Three mages are actually working for their pure-blood mage family classmates, their achievements credited to their classmates, snagging a signature as a bonus."