The next day. Joshua saw Purple Mage again in Norland National Theater.
She was standing before the 'Seven Sages' painting on the scheduled meeting time. Gray Mage was standing next to her.
Gray Mage had another Sage Thought Forum lecture today. Thus, Joshua was not surprised to see him standing beside Purple Mage.
"Are you able to give me an answer now?"
Purple Mage did not greet Joshua upon seeing him. Instead, she immediately jumped into the main topic. Her gaze also turned to Ciri standing behind Joshua.
Joshua took a step to the left and allowed Ciri to walk up to Purple Mage to answer her personally..
"Although I am not fond of academic-style education, I… needed to learn illusion magic."
Ciri walked forward. She was carrying a bag today. Inside the bag were the 'concept arts' of the 'fictional creatures' envisioned by Joshua and Ciri.
In the past, the two of them had discussed how to bring these creatures that do not exist in this world to life. At the beginning, Joshua had no clue at all.
But, illusion magic became the way to solve this matter. Ciri was also unable to be satisfied with letting those creatures remain in drawings.
She wanted to make them appear in reality… appear in the movies written by Joshua… Thus...
"I hope that Sage Mellors will be willing to make me your disciple," Ciri placed her left hand on her chest and slightly lowered her head toward the Purple Mage.
Hearing Ciri's request, Purple Mage became momentarily silent. Then, she waved her hand at Ciri.
Ciri took a glance at Joshua. Joshua expressed a go-ahead. With that, Ciri walked toward Purple Mage.
Yesterday, Joshua was worried that Purple Mage might do something malicious using her illusion magic. But, since Gray Mage was here today, there was no need for him to be on guard. Furthermore, Ciri was wearing the Ring of Clarity that granted her immunity to mind magic.
"The resemblance… is truly striking."
Purple Mage extended her hand to touch Ciri's cheek. Her gaze suddenly turned gentle.
"Simply a carbon copy of that child Saoirse," said Purple Mage with a soft tone.
"My mother?"
Having her face rubbed by Purple Mage, Ciri shook her head in a slightly uncomfortable manner.
"You seemed to have an extraordinary relationship with my mother."
"Nothing more than acquaintances… Your mother would've been able to become a great mage," said Purple Mage.
"..."
The atmosphere became heavy. Joshua knew that the topic of her mother was a taboo for Ciri. It was due to her mother's early pass that Ciri's childhood became a complete mess. Nevertheless, her father that did not take responsibility for the two sisters was the main culprit.
Joshua clapped his hands to disperse the heavy atmosphere. Then, he walked over to Purple Mage.
"Miss Mellors, I have a job that I wish to entrust you with."
"Job?"
The reason why Purple Mage was standing here today was precisely to work in Norland National Theater -- giving a lecture on the Sage Thought Forum. The pay she would receive for her work was the ability to let the young mages of Norland learn about illusion magic. As for whether or not she would be able to raise the amount of mages interested in studying illusion and mind magic, it will all depend on her lecture.
That was one of the reasons why Purple Mage agreed to participate in giving lectures on the Sage Thought Forum.
"The content of the new job is different from giving lectures on television. That said, you will receive ample pay for it too." The 'ample pay' mentioned by Joshua was not referring to money. At the age of these Sages, material substances were no longer capable of satisfying them. More than that, they sought after fame and knowledge.
"..."
When Purple Mage heard these words, she wanted to speak to refuse Joshua. What she wanted to do right now was to quickly impart her knowledge to Ciri. If it wasn't for the fact that she had promised to become a lecturer on the Sage Thought Forum, she would even quit the job.
Nevertheless, it was also very important for her to expand the influence of illusion magic. Otherwise, there might not be a mage believing in the God of Mind and Illusion among the future Seven Sages. In the end, the illusion and mind systems of magic might become completely forgotten.
"Please continue," Purple Mage decided to patiently finish hearing the description of the job that Joshua spoke of as she needed to maintain her cooperation with this demon right now.
"It is a bit difficult to explain with words. It's better to explain using a demonstration," said Joshua.
At this moment, Ciri took out a pile of drawing papers from her bag. Joshua received the papers from Ciri and picked out one to show to Purple Mage.
"What is this? A demon?"
Purple Mage saw the drawing before her. The creature on the paper was most definitely not some sort of friendly creature. It had a crooked body and was completely black… Its backbones were protruding outward and its study feet and hands were covered in claws. It had a spear-like tail. Most importantly, it was showing its sharp fangs and thick saliva from that fear-inducing mouth. Seeing it, even Purple Mage felt goosebumps.
"Such a terrifying creature does not exist in the Demon Realm. I call this creature 'Alien,'" explained Joshua.
"Alien? A monster from a different plane of existence?"
At this moment, Gray Mage was unable to contain himself. The creature in the drawing was simply too sinister looking.
Merely from the structure of its body, Gray Mage was able to tell that this creature was a monster specialized in predatory behaviors.
"Eh… no, that's not it. This is only a creature I made up," Joshua handed the paper to Purple Mage and asked, "Is it possible for you to use illusion magic to create this creature?"
"That's not difficult."
Faint purple colored rune inscriptions started to flicker on Purple Mage's hand. For a mage that had created the illusion of a black dragon, creating the illusion of a two meters tall monster was not difficult at all.
Soon, an Alien appeared before Joshua. However, the Alien appeared a bit…. adorkable?
It was only after Joshua approached the Alien that he discovered that while the outward appearance of the Alien possessed a great resemblance, it had many detailed differences.
For example, its skin was composed of scales and a slight amount of hair. There wasn't another worm-like secondary mouth within its mouth either.
Purple Mage had constructed the outward appearance of the creature using her own impression. But, she had no idea how the fictional creature moves and behaves.
"The Alien shouldn't be this adorkable. It possessed an exceptionally fast reaction speed resembling that of a wolf."
Joshua began to use words to express the characteristics of the Alien. He intended to have Purple Mage instill a soul into the fictional body.
The inscription runes started flickering in Purple Mage's hand. In an instant, the seemingly adorkable Alien transformed into a ferocious beast. It was on all fours like a wolf and showing off its fangs. Its bodily movements also resembled that of a wolf.
"It is also capable of climbing walls. Unlike dogs, its tail doesn't just wag around. Instead, its tail is a weapon itself. Furthermore, inside its mouth is a secondary mouth that resembles a worm that could be shot out rapidly."
After Joshua brought up all the details of the Alien, a monster that would only appear in movies was standing before him.
It appeared fierce and brutal. Like a giant spider, it climbed onto a wall and then suddenly leaped off.
The life of the illusionary creature lasted till the moment it scared a Norland National Theater's staff.
The pitiful female attendant screamed upon seeing the 'Alien' in the art exhibition hall. Then, her eyes rolled into the back of her head as she fainted away.
"Is there any meaning behind the creature of this imaginary creature?"
Gray Mage teased the owls hiding in his beard to comfort them. The two owls were also terrified by the Alien and were afraid to come out.
"Yes. It is purely for scaring people," Joshua spoke of the function of the Alien.
"A movie purely to scare others?" Gray Mage was able to guess what Joshua planned to do. Ever since Joshua inquired about Purple Mage's past, he guessed that Joshua planned to use illusion magic to film some sort of movie.
"Eh… I don't have any plan to film that kind of movie right now. The creation of Alien is merely to test out how much illusion magic could accomplish. What I really wanted Purple Mage to create is this."
Joshua handed another piece of paper to Purple Mage. On the paper was a tall figure. Its skin had an ice-blue luster. In its hand was a longbow. There were two small horns on its forehead.
"I call this creature 'Na'vi.'"
Joshua revealed the creature that looked like a mix between a demon, an elf and an orc to the Purple Mage.
The horns on its forehead were deliberately added by Joshua. They were the most eye-catching characteristics of demons.