My Magic Has No Upper Limit

Chapter 261: Chapter 260: We Don’t Welcome Mages

"Yes, it’s that bunch of self-proclaimed ’enlightened’ Fantasy Mages."

Instructor Manlin nodded slightly, her normally gentle eyes now showing a rare glint of coldness and indignation.

"Those people always feel that the academic faction’s Spell Structures are shackles on their inspiration."

"It’s one thing for them to mess around on their own, but now they expect the Mage’s Guild to clean up their messes..."

Manlin was livid with these irresponsible Mages. She let out a soft sigh.

"Sigh... In any case, what’s done is done. It must be handled properly."

"You won’t be going on this volunteer assignment alone. Mage Hedley will be accompanying you."

"’Mage Hedley,’ Zelir repeated. The name was familiar to him."

"You know her?" Instructor Manlin asked, a little surprised.

"I do. She’s Bev’s teacher for Spell Structure research. I’ve studied Magic under her as well."

Zelir said, "I just never expected her to go out on a mission... It’s a little surprising."

"Since the accident was caused by experimental Magic running out of control, and Hedley happens to be a research Mage, we thought sending her might lead to some new insights," Manlin said.

"This volunteer assignment has three main objectives."

"First, investigate the cause of the out-of-control Magic in Kenta Village."

"Second, assess the villagers’ losses so the Guild can arrange for subsequent compensation."

"And third, if possible, help the villagers in any way you can."

"After all, it’s caused them a great deal of trouble. For ordinary people, a magical accident like that is an undeserved disaster."

"Yes, I understand," Zelir replied respectfully.

"Are you sure you’re physically up to it?" Instructor Manlin asked.

"I’ll be fine, Instructor Manlin. It’s just an investigation. Think of it as a nice walk," Zelir said with a smile.

"That’s a relief." Instructor Manlin nodded slightly.

...

Zelir returned to the Night Flower Inn to make his preparations. Once he was sure everything was in order, he headed to the gates of Black Stone Town.

This was the meeting point Instructor Manlin had told him about.

Sure enough, Mage Hedley was already waiting there.

"Mage Hedley," Zelir said, raising a hand in greeting.

"Ah, Zelir. You’re here," Mage Hedley responded.

But when Zelir got a clear look at Mage Hedley’s attire, he couldn’t help but feel it was a bit strange.

"Mage Hedley... Are you going on a trip?"

She was bundled up from head to toe, even wearing a wide-brimmed sun hat with a thin, white veil dangling from its edges.

"Well... I’m not very fond of the sun," Mage Hedley said, wringing her hands.

’Like a mushroom,’ Zelir thought to himself.

Soon, the two had hired a carriage and were on their way to Kenta Village.

The inside of the carriage swayed gently. Zelir admired the passing scenery for a while before lowering the curtain.

"Is this your first time out on a mission?" Zelir asked, looking at Mage Hedley across from him.

"Not exactly my first time... but it’s true that I’ve been on very few."

Mage Hedley adjusted her glasses.

"If I hadn’t heard the accident was caused by an out-of-control Magic experiment, I wouldn’t have come."

"Mage Hedley, do you know anything about the Fantasy Mages?" Zelir asked.

"The Fantasy Mages... A thoroughly detestable and annoying bunch."

Clearly, Mage Hedley also had no love for the group.

"They blindly put their faith in some ’Great Creation Skill,’ ignoring all logic and just scribbling nonsense... Hmph. They’re completely defiling the art of magical research."

"The Guild explicitly forbids them from conducting experiments on its grounds, so they run off to the wilds to do whatever they please."

"Sounds like the witch huts deep in the swamps," Zelir said, looking thoughtful.

"It would be fine if they actually hid themselves away to experiment alone, but Fantasy Mages are people, too... They need to eat, clothe themselves, and buy things."

Mage Hedley sighed.

"So they don’t dare stray too far from human settlements. Most of them settle near a village for convenience, or even move right into one."

"But the villagers have no idea how dangerous Fantasy Mages are."

"They think having a Mage staying in their village is something to be proud of. They usually don’t realize their mistake until after disaster strikes."

"So they’re like a ticking time bomb," Zelir commented.

"A very fitting description," Mage Hedley said, nodding in agreement.

Kenta Village was not far from Black Stone Town, and the two soon arrived at their destination.

Kenta Village was a peaceful hamlet built upon a gentle slope.

From the outside, it didn’t show the widespread devastation Zelir had imagined would follow a Catastrophe—at least, the entrance to the village looked normal.

The late autumn sun bathed the staggered, thatched roofs in light, and a few wisps of cooking smoke drifted lazily into the air.

In the distance, wheat stubble remained on the field ridges, completing the peaceful, pastoral scene.

’It seems the area affected by the out-of-control Magic wasn’t too large...’ Zelir breathed a sigh of relief.

Even though Hedley was a Middle Level Mage, Zelir seemed to be the one taking the lead.

He walked ahead, with Mage Hedley following in his footsteps.

The villagers cast curious glances at the newcomers.

"Hello! Is the village chief around?"

Zelir raised his voice.

"We’re from the Mage’s Guild, here to deal with the accident!"

Normally, in a village like this, announcing they were from the Mage’s Guild would immediately earn them looks of respect, even reverence.

This time, however, the villagers’ eyes were filled with suspicion and wariness, and their arrival was met with a flurry of whispers.

"We don’t welcome Mages!"

"More Mages... those lunatics are back..."

"Quick, get the children inside! Don’t look at them."

"Who knows what kind of destruction they’ll cause this time..."

Zelir even saw a few burly men gripping pitchforks and hoes, glaring at them furiously.

No one was willing to speak to Zelir.

’Looks like that Fantasy Mage really traumatized them...’ Zelir sighed to himself.

"Make way! What is all this commotion!"

Just then, a somewhat aged voice from behind the crowd broke the stalemate.

The onlookers silently parted, clearing a path.

An old man in a thick sheepskin coat slowly emerged.

He looked to be nearly seventy, his body slightly stooped. His weathered face was etched with deep wrinkles, the tell-tale marks of a lifetime spent working the land.

He leaned on a jujube-wood cane, polished to a shine from years of use, and each of his steps was heavy.

"I am Reed, the chief of Kenta Village."

The old man stopped in front of Zelir, his eyes sweeping over both him and Mage Hedley.

"Hello, Village Chief Reed."

Zelir stepped forward to speak with him, presenting his Mage’s Guild insignia.

"We’ve been sent specifically to handle the accident."

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