Chapter 165: Welcome Ceremony (2)
All eyes were completely fixed on Mishnar.
"First of all, congratulations to everyone for surviving the entrance test," Mishnar began solemnly. "From today onward, you are part of the elite of the outer sect branch, the future pillars of the Ironweald sect."
"I know many died, and many of you will die in a short time... but making your lives easier now would be a death sentence for the future. When the real world comes knocking, it won’t show mercy to anyone. You still have no idea how unforgiving things can be out there."
Mishnar’s voice was low, magnetic, and filled with a solemnity that sent chills down their spines. There was no falsehood there. The sincerity in her words struck the young Mages directly in the chest, leaving many of them shocked, not knowing how to react.
After all, all those who had been born outside the sect had already fought bloody battles against the Sorcerers; but even so, this Lead Elder was saying they hadn’t seen anything yet.
"Just as adults carry their own burdens, you, as new members of the outer sect, have obligations. We will give you the necessary support and resources, but know this: there is no free lunch here." She continued speaking, each word slowly.
"The pills, weapons, and techniques you will enjoy inside this place cost lives. By accepting this privilege, you are signing a pact of responsibility. When the outer sect branch needs you, your duty will be to march to the front line and face any monster that crosses our path."
The hearts of all the young people beat like drums. They understood the bigger picture. The sect didn’t recruit and raise the best Mages possible out of charity. It was a long-term investment.
Mishnar’s silent message was clear to everyone: joining the sect was like signing an irrevocable contract. Abandoning ship after accepting the benefits wouldn’t be seen as giving up, but as high treason.
Even with the grim warning, giving up wasn’t an easy option. After shedding blood and sweat to survive that deadly test, no one wanted to give up the prestige and resources they had fought so hard to obtain.
"Anyway... don’t get too tense." Her tone changed, becoming more welcoming. "After all, if you survive all the dangers, you will definitely manage to break through the Ranks, and one day become people who will be remembered forever in the universe. It’s very simple on paper, and that is the sect’s final goal for you. No one wants to harm you without reason. Quite the opposite."
The rules of the outer sect branch were extremely fair.
More benefits meant more risks, and more risks brought the best rewards. Besides that, Mishnar’s honesty in laying everything out so directly was something admirable.
Priam narrowed his eyes slightly when he noticed a subtle movement.
The leader of the Law Elders had just exchanged a suspicious, knowing glance with a nearby woman.
Right on cue, that woman took a step forward with a cynical smile.
"Lead Elder, there is something that doesn’t make sense to me. The sect’s test was supposed to select only the elite through the law of the strongest, ensuring that the outer sect branch invests in the best talents. But what we saw was someone completely breaking the rules and carrying a bunch of useless people on his back. Putting this trash on the same level as us is an insult!"
The people from Priam’s faction were shocked and furious at the same time. Being called trash in front of everyone was an unbearable humiliation.
"That’s right! This turned into a joke that ruined the seriousness of the test. That arrogant young man wanted to play hero, completely ignoring the rules of the outer sect branch." Another Law Elder added, taking a step forward.
"He needs to be punished as an example!" another Law Elder said.
"I agree. Letting this rabble enter the outer sect is a slap in the face to those who truly worked hard. They should be banned immediately." Another declared, joining the chorus of opponents.
Slowly, all the dozens of Law Elders united to publicly lynch Priam.
"Exactly! Priam deliberately sabotaged the rules of the outer sect branch! He doesn’t deserve to wear our uniform, much less be an outer disciple!"
Soon, they began shouting in chorus, demanding Priam’s punishment.
The rest of the disciples watched the scene with confused expressions, not really understanding the reason for so much gratuitous hatred and scandal.
Saying that Priam didn’t deserve his position, even after everything he had shown, was like saying the heavens above their heads didn’t exist. He had the ability needed to protect those people, and he certainly had the ability to make them become strong Mages. So, the accusations made no sense.
The leader of the Law Elders gave a discreet and victorious smile.
Mishnar, the highest authority there, remained silent. She only watched the circus catch fire with an amused glint in her eyes, as if she were watching a cheap theater play.
Suddenly, one of the disciples from Priam’s faction took a step forward and shouted:
"Lead Elder! If we are the problem, then we will give up being disciples right now! But please, don’t punish Boss Priam for saving us!"
"That’s right! I’ll give up my spot too! You can send me back, just don’t do anything to Boss Priam!" another young woman added, emotional.
The domino effect was immediate. The clamor spread like wildfire, and in just a few moments, more than a thousand disciples were giving up their positions without hesitation.
The scene shocked the audience and made the Law Elders uncomfortable. The loyalty of those youths was absurd, and they were giving up the dream of their lives.
Suddenly...
"Stay quiet!" Priam’s voice echoed like thunder, cutting through the shouting. "Have you all gone crazy?"
"Boss Priam...?" they stammered, frozen by the scolding.
"If you give up now, all the blood you shed and all your effort will have meant nothing! And what about those who fell fighting to keep you alive during the test? Your lives don’t belong only to you anymore. You carry the legacy and dreams of those who couldn’t make it this far. A bunch of clowns point fingers, and you already want to throw in the towel? Do you think your companions died just to see you give up at the first provocation? Is that the value of their sacrifice?!"
"But..."
"No ’buts’! Who cares about this bunch of clowns putting on a show? If you weren’t afraid to face death head-on, are your legs going to shake because of these idiots in costumes? Don’t make me lose respect for you," Priam fired back.
"Understood! We’ll do whatever you order! We’ll fight by your side, even if it’s against these clowns!" the disciples shouted, their eyes bloodshot with determination.
[Karmic Title Acquired!]
[Great Commander of Mages]
[+5,000 GP]
Priam read the messages quickly, without paying much attention.
"What insolence! Are you trying to start a rebellion in the middle of the ceremony?!" the leader of the Law Elders roared, his face red with anger.
Priam merely raised his hand slightly, and silence instantly fell over the faction.
Then, he shifted his eyes away from the hysterical figure and stared at Mishnar.
At that moment, his heart calmed when he noticed her giving him an almost imperceptible nod.
"!"
He immediately felt something shocking in her gaze.
’Oh, boy! She has no idea who she’s dealing with! I hope she doesn’t regret it!’
The Lead Elder’s silent message was almost direct: go crazy however you want.
"Funny..." Priam began, his tone filled with pure mockery.
"As the leader of the Law Elders, your first reaction is to call everyone rebels and criminals? Is that your quality standard? Anyone who disagrees with you automatically becomes a bandit?"
The faces of the Law Elders twisted into bizarre expressions.
Priam had touched a sore spot. The entire sect knew this fact: the Law Elders were famous for treating anyone outside their little clique as if they were already sentenced to death, which annoyed everyone.
"Brat, have you completely lost all sense of danger?!" one of them snarled, almost foaming with rage. He stepped forward, walking toward him.
"Who do you think you are to speak like that to the leader of the Law Elders? Insulting a superior like this is asking to get beaten!"
*POW!*
He barely managed to close his mouth before a black shadow appeared out of nowhere, delivering a brutal and deafening blow directly to the middle of his face.
The sound of his body flying away and rolling across the ground was absurdly clear.
Everyone’s eyes were frozen and fixed on the epicenter.
Priam snorted, calmly holding a black branch in his hands.
"Heavens! The Heaven-Wrecker, World-Ender Branch is getting thirstier to beat someone up every day... It’s like I’m nurturing it with idiots. Now, a big one practically begged for it!"