This is an Option!

At noon on the same day, when Baiyi was accompanying Mia for lunch, there was a discussion regarding him that was taking place at the president's office. The blue orb was placed on the president's desk, next to it stood a seemingly unattractive wooden box.

"What do you think?" The current president of the Celestial Fortress Academy, the Legendary Level sorcerer, President Rhansey asked the two vice presidents. Even though he had just celebrated his 100th birthday, he looked like a man who was about 50 years old. There were not much signs of aging that could be seen on his face.

That was the key difference between Legendary Level beings and the lower level beings. When one reached Legendary Level, the rate of aging would substantially slow down and life span would be extended. However, even Legendary Level beings had limited life expectancies as well. If the innate capability and the strength level were not continuously upgraded then they would face rapid aging and a swift death.

It was apparent that President Rhansey was facing such a predicament. He was so close to breaking through to the Immortal Level yet there was always something blocking his way. That was why he had decided to personally preside over the cracking of the artifact in hopes of finding something that could help him breakthrough.

He was not the only person facing that particular problem. The other two vice presidents, Mr. Lee and Mr. Kim were also stuck in the Legendary level for a very long time now. That was why cracking the enchantment around the artifact was treated as a top priority by the three of them.

Facing the President's question, Vice President Lee answered, "From my understanding of the enchantment, the enchantment on the artifact that the Sage Vagabond left behind is much complicated, isn't it? But then again, I'm just making a wild guess, I can't figure it out actually."

His word was indeed straightforward. After all, the three of them had been colleagues for many years and there was no need to worry about maintaining their image in front of each other. Vice President Kim added, "To be honest, I don't see any difference at all. However, the one who sent this orb over is the Royal Mage of the Dorsch Empire who is quite well versed in barriers, isn't it? Since he was the one that recommended this Master Hope, I'm sure it's not a ploy. I really think that we should give it a try."

"The intelligence of our predecessors are indeed awe-inspiring!" President Rhansey sighed with emotion, he was not in a hurry to voice out his opinion, "This is so embarrassing. We're running the Celestial Fortress Academy with the objective of spreading knowledge and we're regarded as one of the most influential people in the academia and yet, we don't have much achievements in this field at all. On top of that, we even blatantly snatched this artifact from the hands of the students and now we have to lower our heads to ask for somebody else's help? Sigh, we really are a group of ignorant geezers."

"Don't say it like that, President Rhansey! The students were not able to solve it that's why they handed it over to the academy for help," Vice President Kim immediately consoled him. With an awkward smile on his face, he continued, "It's just that they did not expect us to come across a dead end as well."

"Well, since we are already old and shameless, we might as well request for Master Hope's help. Let's just hope that his appetite is not too big!" President Rhansey finally decided.

"Don't you worry about this, President Rhansey. Rumor has it that this person's reputation is very good, both in the academy and in Arfin city. Based on that, I don't think he will be very demanding. Although I do wonder why he stopped operating that blacksmith workshop," Vice President Lee continued.

"That Soul Armature is free to do as he please and roam around the academy as long as he does not violate any rules. We can't control him anyway. Maybe he just doesn't want to offer his services for such a low price anymore?" President Rhansey replied. Having said that, he gave a laugh of mockery before he continued, "As for things like reputation, well, I just don't believe in them."

Thereby, after lunch break was over, a teacher brought Mia along to look for Baiyi before leading them to the Mage Tower that was located at the very far end of the academy.

The nine story Mage Tower could be considered as one of the landmarks of the Celestial Fortress Academy. It was mainly used for academic research by the teachers and students were not allowed to enter without permission. It had been almost two years since Mia stepped foot into the academy and it was actually her first time being so close to the bronze colored Mage Tower.

"Mr. Hope, why are we here?' She whispered to Baiyi as she squeezed Baiyi's hand that she had been holding since earlier.

Sensing Mia-chan's nervousness, Baiyi lightly patted her head and said, "Don't be afraid. We're just here to help them with a small tiny matter." Then, while holding onto her hand, he led Mia into the Mage Tower.

The layout and the interior of the tower was about the same compared to the one in his memory. Bookshelves and instruments were strewn all over the place, along with signboards that were scattered in the building. Some of the students who worked there part-time were moving along the spiral stairways clutching all sorts of magical materials and instruments against their chests. They appeared to be so busy that they could only cast a puzzled glance towards the unfamiliar faces of Baiyi and Mia.

"The President is waiting for you at the third floor, Master Hope," the teacher who was leading them announced suddenly while glancing swiftly towards Mia.

"Alright. Help me look after her." Having said that, Baiyi let go of Mia's hand and patted her head before he added, "It's best if you can prepare some drinks and desserts for her."

"Leave it to me." The teacher said with a smile and proceeded to bring Mia to the side. Alone, Baiyi walked up to the third floor and was met with another teacher who brought him to the President's laboratory.

While he was walking halfway, the group of people in the Void finally ended their long and fierce battle. With Baiyi secretly helping them, the Justice League finally won a commendable victory at last. The Archmage, the double-sworded Genji, who managed to withstand the assaults and turned the situation around before leading his team to victory in the end, was enjoying the cheers and praises from his teammate. The harmonious atmosphere in the Void was restored once again.

"MUAHAHAHAHAHA! As expected! I am truly an expert in this game!" Satisfied, the Justice Leader of the Justice League crowed.

I've already given you an extra cheat and it still took you so long to defeat them? Oh, my dear teacher, when will you realize that you actually have no talent in gaming? Baiyi mocked secretly.

"Alright, alright! Stop talking about the game. It's time for us to take a look at who Hope is facing. Hmmm... Three Legendary Level kids?" The Archmage suddenly said.

Errrr... They're old men already, okay? The moment Baiyi entered the room, he could sense that those three men had been stuck in the Legendary Level for a very long time. If there was still no breakthrough anytime soon, they would probably be stuck in that level forever. With that information in mind, he roughly could guess what he could use as a bargaining chip.

While he was studying the three presidents, they were examining him at the same time as well. It didn't take them long to notice that he only possesed Intermediate Level power and the valuable armor that he was wearing. Opinions were instantly formed in their mind but without showing any of it on their faces, they welcomed him in an exceptionally warm manner, "Welcome, Master Hope. Please have a seat. We have waited for you for quite some time now."

At their request, Baiyi took a seat by the table in front of those three men. Glancing at the wooden box and his own blue orb that was on the table, he deliberately asked, "I wonder what's the purpose of inviting me here?"

Instead of answering right away, President Rhansey started with introductions first, "I'm Rhansey, the current President of the Celestial Fortress Academy. These two are Vice Presidents Kim and Lee. We have heard the rumors about you, Master Hope..."

Baiyi had no interest in making polite small talk at and he tuned into the Void and asked the rest of the group instead, A Legendary Level President? Isn't that a little too weak?

"Strictly speaking, the ability to manage an academy has nothing to do with one's innate capability." The Apprentice immediately chimed in to defend his successor, "He was once my junior in school. Although his innate capability is a little ordinary, he's very passionate when it comes to management. Perhaps it's this passion that hinders the cultivation of his innate capability."

Hmm, you do have a point. So far, the academy is indeed quite well-organized, Baiyi thought to himself just as the President finally finished his polite greetings and started to talk about the main reason Baiyi was there.

"Actually, we would like to ask Mr. Hope for some help in cracking the enchantment of this wooden box." Embarassed, the President said. A well-known dignified academy in the Southern Land which had trained and fostered numerous talented students had now stooped so low to the point where they had to ask for the help of an outsider just to crack the enchantment on a treasure that they found. It felt a little like asking the neighbor next door to impregnate one's own wife for a kid. It was no surprise that the President found it embarasssing…

Pushing the wooden box towards Baiyi, the President gestured for him to take a look. Baiyi casually used his consciousness to probe the box and at once, a familiar feeling enveloped his being. It was indeed the artifact that was left behind by the Explorer. Splitting a small part of his consciousness away, he used it to poke the Explorer who had been sent to a far corner of the Void and asked him directly, "What is in there?"

Instead of answering the question directly, the Explorer said in a depressed and whiny tone, "It seems like you have indeed forgotten those memories that I shared with you, Sir Hope. And to think that I am still keeping yours in my mind..."

Aren't you spouting nonsense right now? If I were to retain all of the memories of 33 individuals, don't you think I'd go crazy so from all the different personalities? Hurry! Stop talking rubbish. What exactly is inside the box? I promise I'll let you out as soon as I have the chance! Baiyi urged.

"Alright. I think it should be a travel log that documented the process of how I discovered the mausoleum. Oh, and maybe some conjectures of mine about the hierarchy system of the Ancient Rohserl Empire, which may include some information about the Ancient Rohserl magic as well." The Explorer replied, "But it's really not that important."

There was no doubt that those things would not be of any use to Baiyi and the three presidents who were stuck at the Legendary Level. After all, the breakthrough that they needed the most at the moment would not come from a mere travel log. 

However, it did not matter anyway as long as it did not affect Baiyi's bargaining chip. Whether the price would be too exorbitant or justified, that was a whole other issue for them to worry about later.