Marla's violet eyes widened upon my answer.
"The end of the world?"
I nodded.
"I've studied the signs. The Eternal Throne would fall. Manusha's reign will end along with all of Dunia. Everything will cease to exist."
The High Mage listened to me with composed face.
The expression distorted when I continued my speech.
"Marla, I believe this great tragedy will happen in our lifetime."
I studied the woman's face in front of me.
She was shocked.
But not of revelation. But of confirmation.
The High Mage had suspected of this outcome.
"Is that why you've been developing your dark arts knowledge? Despite knowing the consequences?"
She asked me.
"Something must be done, Marla. The world needs to prepare for what's to come. No form of power can be spared. We must do everything that can be done to deny us of this cruel fate!"
The High Mage picked up her cup of tea and took herself a sip.
I could sense her wondering behind that cool gaze.
"Similar discussions have been brought up in the High Mages summons. The topic began to emerge when we first heard of the Great Desert situation."
"You need to convince the others and rally the Tower's forces on your own. That Galvons hag won't ever get the Tower and the world ready. She can't even acknowledge the notion that the world is going to end."
"I suppose if the Tower can't be relied upon, the world will still have the support of the imperial family and the Watchers."
My interest was piqued upon the mention of those names.
"I've been detained in the Tower's dungeon for a while, so I haven't heard any news. What is the development on the crown princess?"
I asked the High Mage.
Ever since Her Highness Samesta turned fourteen two years ago, the Tower had been begging her to start training in the Tower and become its initiate.
Given Her Highness's talent, despite being a wildling, she would become a High Mage the moment she entered the Tower.
I would not even be surprised if the High Mages immediately deposed Galvons so Samesta could take the old hag's place instantly.
If a powerful mage like the crown princess were to become the First Mage, then the Tower of Circle might not be useless in the face of the world's end.
"Her Highness has not given a reply yet. It is best to assume she doesn't have any intention of joining the Tower anytime soon."
Marla said.
I clicked my tongue upon the news.
"There is a reason why Samesta is the strongest Manusha ever since the Great Pioneer. The end of the world is coming, Marla. And we need her to stop it."
"The Anashta High Mages have been spending a lot of time with Her Highness lately. In fact, they are in the Ariam Fortress right now accompanying the crown princess to secure the southeast border."
"Well, the Anashta will definitely make certain Her Highness's talent doesn't go to waste. They would ensure she become the First Mage of the Tower."
I stared at my reflection on my tea and pondered.
I went on.
"Surely Her Highness realized the signs, no? Surely she knew by now that the world is reaching its final decades."
"I've been hearing rumors that the crown princess has been holding secret meetings with the Great Houses and the Serpent's Order. It's been happening ever since the hotspots began to manifest two years ago."
That piece of news brought relief to my ears.
"Her Highness is also preparing for the end of the world! Why else would she confer with two of the strongest factions in Dunia?"
"And because of that I believe it's only a matter of time until Her Highness brings the Tower into the fold."
"Marla, when Her Highness finally rallies the Tower into her forces, all the mages must support her. Everyone must work together to face the end. We must all do our part. Everyone!"
Marla watched me said those words with cool observing eyes.
I remembered that look.
It was when she was trying to read between the lines. Trying to sense if I was holding any secret.
"Moraine, be honest me. You claimed to the investigators that you found the dark arts materials in the black market. But did you actually encounter them all by yourself?"
Marla's voice was as chilling as ice and as sharp as daggers.
Aside from the fact that she was my mentor and someone I trusted, the aura Marla exuded suffocated me to the point that I could not think of a lie.
Hence, I kept myself quiet.
Marla went on.
"Those sub-race apocrypha. How did you obtain them? How did you even know to look for those specific records?"
I maintained my silence.
"Moraine, you never truly explained how you developed your interest in dark arts in the first place. You simply said the discovery of the magical hotspots was what got you to be involved in the forbidden field."
Seeing my silence persisted, Marla's eyes widened.
She was a wise woman.
Even in silence she could discover an answer.
"I see… Moraine, are you certain you understand what you're getting yourself into?"
This time I did reply her with my voice.
A firm determined voice.
"We must do everything that can be done, Marla. Everything."
It was then that one of the High Mage guards entered the room. A signal for me to leave.
My visit had come to an end.
"It is a great shame that the Tower can't rely on your power to fight off the monster invasion in the Great Desert, Moraine. I was hoping that you will be by my side through this battle."
Marla said as she rose from her chair.
"Where will you be stationed?"
I asked the High Mage.
"I was originally stationed with the Zeref army and the other regional forces guarding the southeast border of the empire. But Fajar needed all the mage they could get since that is Tsahanam's most important stronghold. So I volunteered to guard the sultanate's capital instead."
"Be careful, Marla. The world has not seen a monster invasion on this scale before."
I said back to my former mentor with genuine concern.
She replied me with a smile.
"I will put your advice to heart and give my all to fulfill my duty as a High Mage of the Tower."
I then walked up to the guards waiting for me by the door.
Before I left the room, I looked back to my mentor.
The woman who gave me the opportunity to turn my life around and, eventually, a chance to embark on a divine journey.
"Farewell, Marla."
Unbeknownst to me at the time, I listened to her final message as I was being escorted out of the room.
"May you find success in your mission, Moraine."