Gray Mage's lecture ended in a very satisfactory manner. He had publicly disclosed his Mage Forum identity on the 'Sage Thought Forum.'
His actions raised major commotion throughout Norland. Apart from the students from the Lursk Advanced Magic Academy shivering in fear, Gray Mage successfully established himself as being in touch with the people through his Ash-colored Owl identity on the Mage Forum.
However, afterwards, Gray Mage sought Joshua and asked him for a new account for the Mage Forum. In simpler terms, he was no longer able to use his previous sock puppet and planned to change into a new one.
'Sage Thought Forum' lasted for over two and half hours. Gray Mage began from the founding of Norland and continued to talk till the era of adventurers entering the underground remnants. At that time, Norland was a small village where 'gold-seekers' gathered. As someone who had experienced those days himself, Gray Mage revealed in his story many rarely known secrets about Norland.
After the program ended, Gray Mage and Yellow Mage bid their farewell and left.. Only Purple Mage was still present.
Joshua met Purple Mage at a lounge of the Norland National Theater especially built to exhibit paintings. She was standing before a large painting.
The subject of the painting was the 'Seven Sages.'
The oil painting showed Norland's Seven Sages seated around a round table. From the quality of the art, the painting was most likely a famous work of considerable value.
"I am not a fan of this painting," said Purple Mage all of a sudden. She had detected Joshua and Ciri entering the lounge..
"Is it because the mage in purple is a man?"
Joshua slowly walked over to Purple Mage standing before the painting and questioned in a probing manner.
"You've guessed wrong. The artist behind this painting is a mage of the Scorching Flames System. The painting only managed to correctly depict the rune inscriptions of four Sages. The rune inscriptions from the Mind and Illusion System of magic are all wrong. They're completely botched."
Joshua turned to look at the painting on the wall again. Upon closer inspection, he discovered that the Seven Sages in the painting were wearing robes meticulously inscribed with rune inscriptions.
"I've never learned Mind and Illusion System magic before. As such, I am unable to understand them. Purple Mage, you couldn't have come to find me because you wanted to purchase this painting to destroy it, right?" Joshua did not continue to linger on the topic of the painting and directly questioned why Purple Mage sought him.
"Not all the Sages are violent tempered like Croshere."
As she spoke, she pulled back the hood covering her face and revealed her appearance that was much younger than other Sages. Her light-purple low pony-tail swept past her shoulder and reached her chest.
There was an extremely eye-catching beauty mark at the corner of her right eye. Purple Mage looked to be only in her thirties at the very most.
At such a young age, it was very difficult to associate her with the other Sages.
"Mellors. It might be a bit hard to pronounce but it's my name," After Purple Mage mocked Yellow Mage, she directly revealed her name to Joshua.
"Although I've informed you during our last meeting, I'll properly introduce myself again. I am Joshua Annerlaude. This lady here is my assistant Ciri Lloyd," said Joshua.
"I should've guessed that you're a descendant of the Lloyd family."
Purple Mage's gaze turned to Ciri who stood behind Joshua. It slightly startled the mage lady who was on guard against the purple-haired old vixen.
She did not expect for Purple Mage's attention to turn to her.
"So what if I am?" Ciri acknowledged her surname. Even though Ciri had great dislike toward the behavior of nobles which included bringing out their family name to flaunt, her family name not only represented the father she hated, it also represented her mother who arduously raised her and her sister.
"I know your mother. She's a genius," said the Purple Mage with a soft voice.
"Miss Mellors, are you here just to talk about the past with my assistant?"
Joshua noticed Ciri's expression was slightly gloomy. He remembers that Ciri's childhood was not a blissful one. As such, he stood before her and stopped Purple Mage from continuing to bring up Ciri's past.
"Indeed, there are some things from the past that are not pleasant to remember. Forget about it… let us talk about the future instead."
Light purple colored rune inscriptions began to spread out from Purple Mage. Ciri immediately tightened her grasp on her staff. However, Joshua gestured for her to calm down.
Purple Mage was only setting up a barrier around the entrance.
"Relax, this is not some sort of secret. It's just that I do not want too many people to know."
Purple Mage pulled back her sleeve and revealed her fair arm. A large amount of rune inscriptions covered her arm. They extended all the way to her shoulder. It was very possible that her entire body was covered in rune inscriptions.
"This body of mine will only live for another year," Purple Mage spoke of a matter enough to shock the entirety of Norland with a very undisturbed tone.
Joshua revealed a surprised expression out of courtesy.
"After all, Norland's Sages are a bunch of old freaks on the verge of death. White Mage's condition is even worse than mine. However, he is not afraid of his death. I am the same. Compared to death, there's something else I find harder to accept," Purple Mage's expression remained extremely tranquil
"Please tell me," Joshua decided to listen without making any comments. What Purple Mage was going to tell him could be considered as her will.
"I'm afraid that my knowledge will completely disappear from this world with my death."
Purple Mage quietly looked at Joshua and Ciri with her light purple eyes.
Hearing those words, Joshua couldn't help but touch the imprint from the Duke of Bones with his other hand. In this world, the powerful mages had the choice of transforming themselves into undead to extend their life.
However, not all mages were willing to renounce their humanity and survive through such a method.
Perhaps in the past, Purple Mage hesitated doing such a thing. But now, she had made her decision.
"You should have many disciples; why seek us?" Joshua was unable to understand why Purple Mage would search for him, a Chaos Demon, to inherit her knowledge.
"Many disciples?" Purple Mage suddenly revealed a self-mocking smile. She turned around to look at the 'Seven Sages' painting, "Do you know what are the magic systems most popular in Norland?"
"Scorching Flames, Order, Lightning and Flowing Waters… I am not familiar with the others. But, in recent years, among the mages I've beaten up, those capable of throwing fireballs numbered the most," Ciri answered the question for Joshua.
"That's right. Most mages sought for magic to become stronger. In terms of destruction abilities, fire, lightning and ice are the strongest."
Purple Mage looked to the rune inscriptions flowing out from her palm. Light purple colored rune inscriptions started to slowly drift around her.
"Among all the mages of Norland, those who believed in the God of Mind and Illusion numbered the least. There are extremely few offensive magic in the Illusion System of magic. Only the Mind System of magic had a branch specializing in offensive uses."
Purple Mage slowly clenched her hand. The rune inscriptions revolving around her all started disappearing. She once again turned to look at the 'Seven Sages' painting. She was looking at Yellow Mage in the painting.
"Seven years ago, I fought over an apprentice with Yellow Mage. While she showed astonishing gift in the Lightning System of magic, her talent in the Illusion System of magic is twice that of the Lightning System…"
"But, in the end, you've failed… that girl is now Yellow Mage's favorite disciple and a powerful candidate to become the next Sage?" Joshua was able to guess what happened.
"Ever since then, I've not been able to find a suitable successor. Even though there are a very small number of mages in Norland practicing the Illusion System of magic, they all viewed illusion magic as a minor study. Extremely few people bothered to study illusion magic as their main focus." Purple Mage's gaze turned to Ciri standing behind Joshua.
"Six years ago, I mentioned this matter to your mother and was refused by her. After that, you left Norland and I was unable to find your whereabouts."
"Eh… it must be because I thought those Illusion System magic cannot possibly be used for fighting. As for the Mind System of magic, they're too mentally exhausting to use. Order System magic is much simpler and quick. A simple Mage Hand is enough to beat those people to the ground." Ciri began to elaborate on her thoughts back then.
"Then what about now?" asked Purple Mage.
Ciri was about to refuse Purple Mage again when Joshua suddenly grabbed her hand in a gesture to tell her to not be so urgent with her refusal.
"Miss Mellors, I am very curious as to what the Illusion and Mind Systems of magic are capable of. Or perhaps, to what extent they're capable of."
When Purple Mage mentioned illusion, Joshua thought of a terrifying possibility.
"It is capable of bringing forth all of your imagination. Of course, they'll all be fake," Purple Mage revealed a smile on her face. She was already able to thoroughly determine the relationship between Joshua and Ciri. Before obtaining Ciri's consent, one must first obtain Joshua's consent.
Thus, she needed to find a way to satisfy Joshua first.
"In that case, Miss Mellors, are you capable of creating an orc out of thin air?"
Joshua spoke of his first remand. Light purple colored rune inscriptions flickered in Purple Mage's hand. In a flash, the rune inscriptions transformed into a over two meters tall green-skinned orc.
The orc's body was wrapped in a layer of animal hide. In his hand was a spear stained in blood. On his face was a fierce scar.
Even though Joshua knew that the orc before him was only an illusion, it was terrifyingly realistic. Even the details of the orc's skin and hair were completely reconstructed by the illusion. Every single movement was so remarkably lifelike.
It was like there was really an orc that had just returned from hunting in the prairie standing before them.
"That is a prairie orc that I had killed in the past," Purple Mage revealed the origin of the orc, "I am able to reconstruct things I've seen in the past with my magic."
As she spoke, new rune inscriptions began to revolve around Purple Mage. Then, the ground beneath Joshua's feet suddenly started transforming. The giant marble tiles transformed into an endless prairie. The ceiling above disappeared in a flash. The surroundings transformed into a prairie orc tribe.
Even though the grass beneath Joshua's feet were flowing with the wind, Joshua was unable to feel any wind.
"This is the field construction magic from the Illusion System of magic. It is also the magic that mages studying the Illusion System needed to master in order to acquire rank five mage credentials."
Purple Mage continued to exhibit her abilities to Joshua without holding back anything. The next moment, a giant black dragon appeared above the orc village and completely devastated it.
The sight of the orcs being torn apart by the giant dragon, the sight of them blood splattering everywhere, was so very lifelike to Joshua. Even the flames shout out from the dragon's mouth that set ablaze the entire village was so very lifelike.
"I think I'm going to go get something to drink," Ciri said to Joshua with a quiet voice. However, she discovered that Joshua was not paying attention to her at all. He was staring at the giant dragon flying in the sky.
It was already not her first time seeing Joshua so focused. He would react in such a manner whenever he encountered something capable of exciting him.
The first time she saw him acting that way was when he saw her elder sister Hyrlan's drafting arcanotech device. Using that arcanotech device, Joshua created Hearthstone.
And now, the reason for Joshua's excitement...
"Is this the magic version special effects god?"
As Joshua watched the slaughter before his eyes, he was so excited that he wanted to grab Purple Mage's hand and declare 'Congratulations, you're hired with full benefits, just name your salary!'
Ciri gently pulled at Joshua's sleeve. Only then did Joshua regained his composure.
"Cough… it's truly shocking," Joshua had completely retrieved his alertness toward Purple Mage.
"That is only a portion of the Illusion System magic. When combined with Mind System magic, it is able to bring forth sensual and tactile feelings. That said, I don't think either of you wanted to be affected by my magic, no?"
The rune inscriptions revolving around Purple Mage disappeared. Joshua 'returned' to Norland National Theater. Purple Mage was extremely satisfied with how concentrated Joshua was earlier.
"So, what do you think? Do you want to give it a try?" Purple Mage spoke again to entice Joshua and Ciri.
"Before that, I have a question." Unfortunately for her, Joshua was not that easily swindled.
"What is it?"
"Are you able to create Aliens? Predators? What about Hulk?"
Joshua suddenly spoke of a whole bunch of nouns Purple Mage cannot understand at all.
"What are those? Are they alternative names for certain monsters?"
Purple Mage searched through her memories but was unable to find any creature with those names.
"Those are creatures in his fantasies. I think there's also King Kong and Godzilla. The former is a giant ape-like monster and the latter is a pretty powerful lizard," Ciri once again provided a considerate explanation.
After hearing Ciri's explanation, Purple Mage shook her head regretfully.
"Illusions are based on one's familiarity with the subject being created. I am unable to create creatures I've never seen before," said Purple Mage.
"Then, what if I draw them on paper? I'll also provide detailed descriptions about those creatures!" Joshua continued to press on the topic.
Although Purple Mage doesn't understand why Joshua wanted to 'create' those monsters, she ended up nodding her head.
"As long as there's sufficient details, illusions could be created," she answered.