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"Academic exchange?" X14
Utter bewilderment was plastered across the faces of every mage in the room.
What kind of academic exchange could they have with the Holy Church?
One side viewed the other as fanatics who'd do anything for their faith; the other saw them as heretics violating the Lord's teachings.
Academically, one studied the Bible, the other the Root. Their personalities clashed, their research clashed—what was there to discuss?
After all, everyone present knew the practical purpose of these peace talks was simply to maintain the status quo. Avoid open war, continue their clandestine skirmishes for their own interests, and keep up appearances.
That was enough.
Forcing them to actually discuss each other's academic pursuits would, if anything, be more likely to ignite scholarly disputes, potentially even escalating into a war of faith.
"What do you mean? What kind of academic exchange are you talking about?" Lorelei, who had been standing behind the elder Barthomeloi, frowned. Unable to discern Haru's intentions, she stared at him, her gaze probing.
The others tacitly allowed Lorelei, who was technically in an observer's position, to speak.
The report about the young Lord's… extracurricular activities… from the previous night had landed on their desks with urgent priority that morning. Only Lorelei could speak to Haru in such a tone.
"Exactly what it sounds like. To be more precise, a mutual exchange of academic research. Hmm, all academic research!" Haru said, propping his chin on his hand, his expression calm.
"You!!!" Peter, the youngest among them, shot to his feet, his chair clattering to the floor. His face was flushed, his eyes bloodshot as he glared furiously at Haru.
The other mages' expressions also darkened, their eyes glinting sharply.
If Haru meant all research, that naturally included their family's inherited Magic Crests. While sharing a portion of a Magic Crest wouldn't cripple them, this deal was a terrible loss.
What earthly use was the Holy Church's academic research to them? It was all studies on divine teachings. To even use it, they, as mages, would first have to convert.
But their magical research, if given to the Church, could be studied by apprentices with magical aptitude.
No matter how you sliced it, this was a deal that overwhelmingly favored the Church.
"The Archibald family agrees to this proposal," Kayneth announced, raising his hand with a serious expression.
'You traitor!' Fourteen pairs of fiery eyes bored into Kayneth.
If looks could kill, Kayneth would probably have died a hundred times over.
"Only one? Is this the extent of the Mage's Association's integrity?" Haru's lips curled into a smirk.
His gaze, imbued with a potent divinity, swept over the assembled mages, sending a shiver down their spines, their eyes filled with an unusual fear.
The profit-driven mages began to calculate their gains and losses.
They knew Haru held the upper hand; their own position was weak.
If they wanted to avoid war, they had no choice but to hand over the research. And to risk everyone's lives for research data that could be replicated… it really wasn't worth it.
The elder Barthomeloi shot a discreet glance at Lorelei.
Compared to the other factions within the Mage's Association, his side had a slight advantage. They might even be able to obtain the secret techniques of other schools through Haru.
"The Barthomeloi family agrees to this proposal—" the elder Barthomeloi said after a moment of deliberation, his tone impassive.
Lorelei stared at her father, who had just capitulated, in shock.
It was as if she were seeing him for the first time. The image of her strong, dignified father crumbled. Her face filled with anger as she glared at Haru, clearly blaming him for everything.
'Cunning old fox!' X13. The heads of the various factions cursed inwardly. The strategy the elder Barthomeloi had devised was one they, as seasoned veterans, couldn't have missed.
And with Barthomeloi, the representative of the Clock Tower's aristocracy, backing down, the other magical schools were left in an untenable position.
Peter and Gravera, a hint of anxiety in their eyes, used magic to inform their respective factions' higher-ups. After receiving confirmation, they nodded to the others.
A moment later, a chorus of resigned voices filled the room.
"The Wandering Sea agrees."
"The Atlas Institute agrees to this proposal…"
"The Trambelio family agrees to this proposal."
"...."
"Then it's settled. I'll have the Church's printing press run off a few extra copies of the Bible for everyone here. After all, having a reference should help you understand my teachings a little better," Haru said with a light chuckle.
"Well then, is our business concluded?" Kischur, who had been watching the mages' expressions of anger and unwillingness with keen interest, grinned.
Kayneth's face paled. He looked towards Haru.
"Meeting adjourned," Haru said, his gaze shifting back to Kischur, his expression impassive.
Sensing the unusual atmosphere, the mages quickly bowed to the two and fled the ancient classroom, scattering towards their various secret strongholds outside London.
"Ho ho, it seems my reputation is quite renowned in this parallel world," Kischur said cheerfully.
"Hey, old man, what do you want?" Haru asked, looking at Kischur with a calm expression.
"Well, there is something. But before that, a quick question. What exactly is your relationship with Arcueid?" Kischur asked, his tone complex.
Haru raised an eyebrow, looking at Kischur with some surprise.
His expression when mentioning Arcueid was… complicated.
After a moment, Haru narrowed his eyes, a strange glint appearing within them.
Having dabbled in the anime industry, he vaguely remembered that this old man seemed to have a hidden 'White Princess fanboy' setting.
This kind of despicable old geezer who'd kill someone's mother but then secretly protect the daughter… they both had the same face, yet he'd screw one over without a second thought while silently shielding the other.
"Ahem, if you don't want to talk about it, that's fine. Let's get down to business then," Kischur coughed twice, looking slightly embarrassed, likely due to prying into such personal matters.
"Spit it out. What do you want?" Haru asked, his dead-fish eyes cold and indifferent.
Kischur pondered for a moment, his expression gradually turning serious.
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