Purple Mage had realized from Joshua's eye expression that he was very interested in illusion magic.
"This is not the entirety of Illusion System magic," Purple Mage retrieved the rune inscriptions revolving around her. She turned her gaze toward Joshua.
Joshua applauded at the illusions Purple Mage created earlier. What was created before him through illusion magic was something that cannot be easily accomplished with earth's science and technology. Yet, in this magic industrial revolution world, he witnessed them.
It was only natural for him to applaud such a marvel.
"Furthermore, the children from the Lloyd family are all very gifted in this field. If she is to study under me, she will obtain exceptional accomplishments in this field within five years."
Purple Mage had frequently interacted with Ciri's mother back when she was still alive.. While Ciri had an elder sister, Purple Mage had determined that Ciri's talent in illusion magic far surpassed her elder sister.
Unfortunately, ever since her mother passed away, Ciri had practically disappeared from Norland.
Purple Mage didn't understand why Ciri would have such an intimate relationship with a Chaos Demon. But alas, if Joshua doesn't agree to it, Ciri would not agree to it either.
"It's possible for her to become my successor."
In the end, Purple Mage spoke of a condition that no resident of Norland could refuse -- the possibility of succeeding a Sage.
"So it's possible to stand at the top of Norland with just that? It is indeed an extremely profitable transaction."
Joshua stopped clapping and revealed a business smile.
"Although I personally would love to accept your offer, it is not a decision for me to make."
Joshua looked to the hesitating Ciri. He knew that Purple Mage must've considered Ciri as his subordinate and believed that he had the authority to give her orders.
While in a certain sense, the relationship between Joshua and Ciri was indeed one such, Joshua nevertheless gave Ciri the authority to make the decision for herself.
Unfortunately, it seemed that the mage lady was not prepared. When she was about to open her mouth and say something, Joshua spoke to interrupt her.
"Give us a bit of time to consider things. We'll give you a reply at this place at the same time tomorrow," said Joshua.
Purple Mage nodded her head to express her acceptance to Joshua's proposal. Ciri seemed to want to say something still but Joshua grabbed her hand and dragged her out of the art gallery.
The Sage watched the back view of the two young people as they walked out. Then, subconsciously, she turned her gaze back to the giant painting behind her.
...…...
Pulling Ciri along, Joshua got into the carriage back to Hearthstone Tavern.
Joshua left in a hurry. Before Ciri could even understand what was going on, she found herself sitting in the carriage. Joshua even closed the carriage's door.
"Why not accept Purple Mage's proposal directly?"
Ciri rubbed her wrist. While Joshua's grip was not too strong, Ciri couldn't help but recall her first meeting with Joshua in the Demon Realm.
The demon prince who Ciri felt to be somewhat on edge would always do things that would completely puzzle her out of the blue.
That said, Ciri had gotten used to Joshua's behavior over time.
"If the person Purple Mage sought after was me, I will agree to it without any hesitation. After all, it's an opportunity to become a Sage in the future. However, it seemed to me that you don't want to be a Sage's disciple?"
Joshua was already able to see through what Ciri was thinking earlier. Or perhaps, he was able to determine how Ciri was like back then.
According to Ciri's elder sister Hyrlan, Ciri was a 'free-range' individual year-round, a complete wild mage. The things Ciri used to do the most back when she was still going to the magic academy were beating up her upperclassmen and cutting classes.
Joshua does not believe that a 'good girl' like Ciri would be willing to accept academic-style education.
"Your sister had told me that apart from getting full scores on your Order System magic courses and live combat courses, you've skipped all your other courses."
Joshua was able to imagine how Ciri was in her school days.
"I just didn't want to learn things I don't like," Ciri did not feel any shame from skipping classes, "Moreover, those mages that carried books all day long are unable to defeat me..."
"Thus, if my understanding is correct, becoming Purple Mage's student would be akin to torture for you. It is not something to rejoice toward, no?"
Joshua knew that Ciri was renowned for being a problem child of the magic academies.
"While becoming the student of a Sage is something very honorable, I am certain Purple Mage must be a strict teacher. If she wanted to pass all her knowledge to you within a year and try to have you grasp all of them, you'll have to learn more than a hundred times the knowledge you did back then."
Joshua pulled back the carriage curtains and looked to the Sage Towers in the distance. Those were the most glorious buildings in Norland. However, not anyone could enter the Sage Towers.
For some mages, they will not be qualified to step foot into the Sage Towers even if they spent all their life studying magic. No matter how talented Ciri might be, if she wanted to succeed a Sage in a short period of time, the amount of effort she would have to put in would far surpass 'hard work.'
"I don't want to carry books heavier than me and read them from morning till night everyday without rest either."
Ciri was able to imagine that if she was to become Purple Mage's student, then, compared to the glorious position, she would have her freedom limited. Most importantly, she might not be able to leave Purple Mage's Sage Tower.
"But, I've already made my decision," Ciri lowered her head. Her voice was so quiet that it was barely audible, "I still want to become Purple Mage's student."
"Is that so? I want to know the reason for your decision."
Joshua reacted very calmly toward Ciri's decision.
The only possible reason Joshua could think of at the moment was Ciri was afraid of Purple Mage. After all, refusing a Sage's invitation was not a wise choice.
"The reason is actually very simple."
Ciri touched the pedant on her neck. She recalled Joshua's excited expression when she saw Purple Mage's illusions.
Following Joshua for so long, Ciri had witnessed his creation of three movies. As such, she knew the significance of illusion magic for 'movies.'
Furthermore, Ciri witnessed the gradual changes in Norland since the Chaos Demon arrived. From being completely unknown, now Norland's citizens all knew of 'Belle' and 'Léon.'
Ciri witnessed all the effort Joshua put into creating the movies and the characters.
She has quietly watched over Joshua as a movie fan. She knew that Joshua would not be satisfied with only filming three movies. This Chaos Demon had even greater ambitions. Thus...
She gently grabbed the corners of her skirt. She seemed to be encouraging herself.
In the end, Ciri suddenly raised her head. Her silvery-gray eyes were staring straight at Joshua. Her mouth opened and she poured out the emotions she kept hidden in her heart.
"I just… want to realize your dream."