Mage Manual-Chapter 1315 - 959: Only Exhilaration Matters_2

"Therefore, I have always believed that mages are a despicable bunch of creatures."

"But you’re willing to risk yourself to save the Allstars, even if it means offending the most powerful of mages." Rose seemed a bit confused, "And now you’re willing to risk injury to fight mercenaries for people you don’t even know. It’s clear you don’t need to do this, nor can you gain anything from it... You confuse me."

"Or is it that my perception of mages is wrong, and you are the true mage?"

Ash thought for a moment, then laughed, "First of all, your perception of mages isn’t wrong. The vast majority of mages fit your description. If you meet any mage in the future, consider them a villain and be wary – you won’t be wrong."

Rose: "So you’re one of the rare exceptions?"

"No." Ash shook his head, "I’m like the majority. Every adjective of yours applies to me as well. I’m as selfish, greedy, afraid of death, and unscrupulous as any other."

"Then why do you meddle?"

"In your view, it’s meddling, but in mine, it’s just my selfishness and greed." Ash said, "I don’t feel like I’m meddling because if I don’t see it, I won’t intervene, nor will I blame myself, as I’m not at fault; if I’m incapable, I can’t intervene and won’t blame myself because I truly can’t do it."

"But I have the power and authority, so I use them where I deem right."

"I do save the Allstars for many people, but more importantly for myself." Ash spoke plainly, "There’s nothing more shameful than wasting one’s power. Bearing sharp tools without use, what’s the difference from deadweight?"

He looked at Rose and said, "It’s just between you and me, don’t tell Nia and Filly... Although I don’t believe the Dazzling Star Magic Master is right, I don’t think they’re wrong either."

Rose was a bit surprised. 𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮

"Sure, they’re destroying and creating Allstars in the pursuit of the Supreme, but whether this pursuit is right or wrong, I’m in no position to judge." Ash shrugged, "Maybe helping the Source Angel escape will bring about a larger disaster."

"Perhaps there’s a better choice for us, but when we decide, we can only choose the best option at that moment. The Dazzling Star Magic Master hunts the Source Angel, and I preserve the Kingdom of Allstars, both are alike."

"Despicable, shameless, insatiable, abusing power, no limits – these are indeed the labels of mages. After all, mages are ultimately thieves parasitizing the Void Realm." Ash said, "But these are not the most important traits of a mage."

"Most importantly," he glanced at Rose, "when mages gain Void Wings, they believe no chain should bind them. Their souls are as light as feathers, their lives as wild grass, traversing seas, crossing lands, the burning bright ambition in their hearts never extinguished."

"Whether chaotic or orderly, good or evil, these mages as thieves pursue their own path to miracles. No mage squanders their power and authority, they all change the world according to their will."

"Because they can, they do."

"Thus, mages can both create Hell and reach Heaven."

While traveling, Ash held many questions about the mage world; the largest being why the six Divine Lords created six nations with completely different social systems.

At first, he figured the six nations were the Divine Lords’ garden, constantly supplying resources to them;

Later he thought the six nations might help the Divine Lords gain higher-level power, like the Power of Faith enhancing Wonders;

But now, he feels that the previous speculations might all be correct, but the birth of the six nations should also carry the hopes of the Divine Lords.

They had the ability to create a country that matched their imagination, so they did it.

Otherwise, it’s hard to explain why different nations are filled with each Divine Lord’s style, Dazzling Star Heavenly Veil, Gospel Divine Beings, Senluo Dreams... The Divine Lords spared no expense in investing in these nations.

Whether they contain goodwill or malice doesn’t hold the value for discussion.

To illustrate, if the Dazzling Star Magic Master loves humans with goodwill, leading to other species being wiped out, and the Extreme Master of Blood Moon exploits all with malice, but other species can survive, then for humans, Dazzling Star is good and Blood Moon is evil. But for elves and other species, Blood Moon is good and Dazzling Star is evil.

Good and evil exist only within social relationships, but the Divine Lords are unchallengeable rules to all beings.

Does sunlight, rain, or earth have a concept of good and evil?

"It sounds like mages are a bunch of thieves who steal power and squander it recklessly." Rose commented.

"Exactly." Ash nodded affirmatively, "But maybe it’s just my beautification of myself as a mage. I see the world as a tree. Without mages, it’d grow and wither naturally, and all beings would quietly spend their lives under a tree without miracles."

"The existence of mages is like a saw cutting this tree. Sometimes moving forward, sometimes back, always deepening."

Rose said, "But wouldn’t that topple the tree?"

"When the tree falls, then we have the materials to build a home." Ash blinked, "We’re almost at the stop, can you find a way to get the other passengers to leave?"

Rose operated her phone briefly, nodding slightly, and suddenly said calmly, "You’d still feel pain if you’re injured. Are you really going to take the risk?"

Ash looked at her in surprise, his mouth curling into a smile filled with amusement in his eyes, "Pain doesn’t matter."

"What matters is exhilaration."

At the next stop, as the train doors opened, the sprinklers in the last car suddenly activated, drenching all passengers, causing them to hurriedly exit with complaints of someone smoking on the subway.

The mercenaries hesitated for a moment. The last car was their starting point, so they hid where the sprinklers couldn’t reach. But they soon realized the problem — the doors closed prematurely, and the passage to the front cars was shut. They were trapped!

A lone young man, masked, was trapped with them, drawing a short sword from his sleeve, his malicious intent unmistakable. The mercenaries exchanged glances, pulling out guns from their backpacks and aiming at him, full of resentment, "Kid, you accidentally locked yourself in with us? Daring to sabotage our task, I won’t let you die easily."

"Wrong."

Ash moved leisurely to avoid the gun bullets, which grazed his form, as he brandished his sword amidst the bullet storm, a splash of blood appearing!

"I’m not forced to be locked in with you," looking at the now fearful thugs, Ash’s mouth curled into a cruel smile, "You’re the ones forced to be locked in with me."