Volume 1, Chapter 60 – The Mage Association

“While helping those afflicted with the Darkborn disease is a noble act, Fia caused far too much commotion. Anyone who didn’t know better might think the elf kingdom had launched an attack on Aurora City.” No sooner had Fia returned to Claire’s side than the latter regarded her with a mix of astonishment and admiration. “Was all that just now really your doing, little Fia?”

“Sort of?”

Hearing Fia’s confirmation, Claire began eyeing her as if she were some strange creature.

“A one-woman army of spellcasters—I suppose that’s to be expected from an elf princess. Thankfully, the magic didn’t spread beyond the square, or our plans to shop for spells today would have been ruined.”

Claire gestured with her eyes for Fia to look around. The street they were on was a good three to four hundred meters from the square, yet even at this distance, the residents had heard the commotion and stepped out of their homes, squinting toward the square. The street was also filled with panicked people who had fled the square, waving their arms as they recounted the terrifying scene they had witnessed.

Fia even caught snippets of exaggerated rumors like “The elves are attacking,” “The front lines have collapsed, so the paladins retreated to the city,” and “The Darkborn’s next target is Aurora City.”

How absurd.

Fortunately, as more temple soldiers intervened, order was quickly restored to the chaotic streets, and the two of them set off for the Mage Association. Under Claire’s guidance, they soon stopped before the grand entrance of an ancient, solemn building. Though the words “Mage Association” weren’t written anywhere, the glowing crystals and ornate carvings adorning the spire exuded an overwhelming aura of magic.

The only downside was the faint scent of neglect wafting from the weathered walls, and the complete lack of people coming or going, leaving the place rather desolate.

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Nearly every major city had a Mage Association—a place where spellcasters could exchange, sell, or purchase magical knowledge. Functionally, they were no different from merchant or artisan guilds, but their connection to magic granted them far higher status than ordinary guilds.

If Fia had to describe it, it was somewhat like a magical version of the Adventurers’ Guild, though its services weren’t as broad.

“Good morning, Miss Claire.”

“And who might this young lady beside you be?”

The moment the two of them stopped at the entrance, the guards stationed there greeted them warmly—clearly, Claire was a frequent visitor.

“This is my fri—” Claire paused mid-sentence, as if reconsidering. “This is my distant cousin. Due to some unforeseen circumstances, she’s staying with me for now. Today, we’re here to pick out some spell scrolls and magic crystals for her.”

“I see. Please, come in.”

With a respectful gesture, the guards ushered Claire and Fia inside.

The high ceiling was adorned with blue-tinted crystal chandeliers, while the polished marble floors gleamed under the bright, spacious interior. Just standing there evoked a sense of grandeur. However, as Fia had observed from outside, the Mage Association’s lobby was nearly empty, with only two or three people present—one of whom was the male staff member standing behind the counter.

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“Do you come here often, Claire?” Fia asked quietly as they walked.

“I occasionally pawn valuable items I’ve collected during my travels. Running a clinic requires a lot of funds, and the work I do rarely pays. Also, since the Mage Association is well-informed, I sometimes come here to learn about events across the continent.”

“No wonder the guards recognized you.”

“Miss Claire is one of our most valued patrons. If not for her, this humble establishment might have already closed its doors,” the young man behind the counter chimed in with a smile. “Welcome to the Mage Association, Miss Claire—and this lovely young lady whose name I don’t yet know.”

Though the elf princess was indeed lovely, being complimented so openly by a stranger still made Fia blush.

Apparently, among nobles, the proper response would be to lift the edges of one’s skirt slightly, curtsy, and—if necessary—offer one’s hand for a kiss. She’d have to ask Anastasia to teach her more about such etiquette later. Even if it was embarrassing, she had to make an effort. Graceful manners were part of being an elf princess.

“Her name is Fia, my distant cousin. Today, we’re here to find some spells for her to learn.”

“Oh! To become a spellcaster at such a young age—will you be starting with practical magic?”

The clerk’s eyes shone with admiration.

Practical magic referred to minor spells unrelated to combat but highly useful in daily life. Examples included Clean, which removed dirt from surfaces in moments; Light, which provided illumination in darkness; and Dry, which sped up the drying of clothes.

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Since their incantations were simple and their mana costs low, novice spellcasters typically began with practical magic to grasp the sensation of resonating with mana and elemental forces. Only afterward would they choose an element matching their affinity to determine their future path.

Only prodigies like the elf princess skipped practical magic and dove straight into combat spells.

It was worth noting that most nobles forbade their children from learning practical magic. This was because many apprentices who mastered such spells had to peddle their skills on the streets to make ends meet. For instance, when adventurers needed to travel at night, they’d hire these apprentices to cast Light, providing steadier illumination than torches in exchange for a few iron coins.

Over time, this practice led to practical magic being labeled as “low-class,” “tasteless,” and “only for the poor.” Using such spells became a mark of shame among nobles, seen as a sign of poor upbringing.

“What do you think, Fia?”

Claire left the choice to her.

Though pride made Fia reluctant to spend Claire’s money, it seemed Claire wanted to play the role of an older sister here. It was better not to dwell on it—if Claire took it as Fia deliberately keeping her distance, things could get awkward.

“Hmm… do you have a catalog?”

Rather than listening to the clerk’s explanations one by one, Fia preferred browsing a catalog. It was straightforward and free from interruptions.

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“We do. However, many of the items listed are completely ineffective—buying them would just be a waste of money. I’d recommend letting Miss Claire help you choose. Here, this catalog lists all the spellbooks, scrolls, and crystals in stock. If you’re interested in magical tools, we also have a separate catalog for those.”

As he spoke, the young clerk handed over a thick, finger-width book, its edges yellowed and frayed from long use.

“There’s no rush. The two of you can take your time reviewing it in the lobby.”

“Understood. Thank you.”

“Miss Fia, you’re too polite. You’re the guest here—I should be the one thanking you. For such a lovely girl like you to come to the Mage Association, I couldn’t be more delighted. If I didn’t already have a wife, I’d be tempted to buy some flowers to court you.”

Leaning on the counter, the clerk teased.

“And I’d have chased you away without hesitation. A man in his twenties has no business eyeing a fourteen-year-old girl,” Claire retorted, shooing him away with a wave of her hand. “Come on, Fia, let’s sit over there.”

“Mm.”

Feeling troubled by the staff’s joke, Fia nodded and sat together with Claire in the corner of the hall.