Lynn placed his cup on the table.

Tissaia's eyelids twitched. She crooked a finger. Using her mage hand, she subtly nudged Lynn's cup on the table, aligning it perfectly with her own cup, ensuring both were equidistant from the table's edge.

Lynn knew some of the quirks of this high-ranking sorceress, who was but a step away from legendary status. And correcting a lady's habits was hardly the act of a gentleman. So, Lynn pretended not to notice Tissaia's compulsive behavior.

Tissaia said with a smile, "Sorcerers will not pose a threat to the rule of the Northern Kings—if that is the point you wish to make."

"Lynn, since you can speak of the deeds of 'The White' Raffard, you should also know how close 'The White' Raffard came to the Temerian crown after mediating the Six Years' War."

"At that time, even the Temerian nobility supported him to be king, if he had only been willing to reach out..."

"Today's Temeria would be a nation ruled by a council of several sorcerers."

"Even legendary sorcerers haven't overstepped their bounds, so the Northern Kings have even less reason to fear the Brotherhood of Sorcerers crossing the line."

Lynn nodded. "Madam Tissaia, you are quite right, but you say the Brotherhood of Sorcerers would not overstep their bounds. I fear that might not be entirely true, perhaps?"

"As far as I know, your most brilliant student, Philippa Eilhart, seems to have an overly intimate relationship with the head of Redania's state intelligence agency?"

"And Francesca Findabair, who is also one of the five sorcerers of the 'Council of Gifted and Talented,' the central hub of the Brotherhood of Sorcerers, has always held a deep obsession with restoring the old lands of Dol Blathanna."

"As for Vilgefortz of Roggeveen, considered the strongest and most promising sorcerer to date, with the potential to reach Alzur's level in the future, his shadow also moves among various factions."

"As for the other court sorcerers, for the sake of power, they have already secretly established undisclosed connections and dealings with the kings."

"Madam Tissaia, after I have provided you with so many examples, do you still insist that the Brotherhood of Sorcerers would not overstep their boundaries? If you were one of the Northern Kings, what would you think?"

Tissaia gazed at the witcher before her, filled with suspicion and uncertainty. He looked so young, not even twenty. He should have only finished the Trial of the Grasses a few years ago... Yet, not only did he own a villa in Novigrad's Upper City, the "Northern Pearl," but he also had a thorough and articulate grasp of the current situation between the Brotherhood of Sorcerers and the Northern Kingdoms.

Of course, Tissaia wasn't one to blindly believe whatever others said, lacking her own judgment, or just following the crowd. But Lynn's confident and assertive demeanor didn't seem like mere bluster.

Moreover, while she didn't agree with all of Lynn's points, she certainly agreed with many of them. This alone surpassed most witchers and sorceresses. Even sorceresses older than Lynn might not possess such a clear understanding.

This made the former rector unable to resist asking, "Where did you learn all of this?"

Lynn gave a mysterious smile, placing a finger to his lips: "Madam Tissaia, everyone has their secrets. You and I, sitting here, are no exception. Therefore, let us not probe further." He paused, then continued.

"Madam Tissaia, I know you don't actually have much affection for the Brotherhood of Sorcerers." After all, the Brotherhood of Sorcerers wasn't founded by her.

"On the surface, the Brotherhood of Sorcerers appears to be an organization that defends and fights for sorcerers' rights, but in reality, the Brotherhood of Sorcerers is a cage that monitors and oppresses sorcerers."

"Those who do not obey the Brotherhood of Sorcerers are uniformly considered hostile. Even a legendary sorcerer like 'The White' Raffard, who made immense contributions to peace and then retired successfully, was still not tolerated by the Brotherhood of Sorcerers."

"I know that you, like Madam Margarita, truly only wish to protect Aretuza Academy. You simply want to safeguard your students, preventing them from wasting their young lives due to the foolish ambitions of kings and nobles."

"Therefore, you need an ally—an ally who can stand with Aretuza Academy and advance or retreat with you when the situation becomes turbulent."

If Lynn had immediately stated his desire to become Aretuza's ally before their conversation, Tissaia would have only found him overly arrogant and presumptuous. But after listening to Lynn's words, Tissaia realized his profound depth.

She had lived for hundreds of years; among other things, her experience and perspective were broad. She wouldn't be like some snobs who only looked at a person's current status and position, failing to see their potential. Only to regret it immensely later when they had missed their chance.

However, Tissaia also didn't want to agree to him too easily. After all, things that are easily obtained are rarely cherished. People are always like this.

So, she deliberately probed, "I mean no offense, Lynn, but although the wealth you've accumulated at your age certainly surpasses many witchers, you probably don't realize that when a true crisis arrives—if the crisis you speak of truly comes—this wealth will only be a drop in the ocean."

If the situation did indeed worsen as he described, then Aretuza Academy truly wouldn't be able to escape unscathed. So, Tissaia was very curious to know how much help this "ally" of his could actually provide.

"Madam Tissaia, I understand your doubts and concerns. The strength of just one witcher is certainly not enough to protect Aretuza Academy... But what about the power of a noble? Catch!"

Clink!

A silver glint flew towards Tissaia. Tissaia instinctively used her mage hand to block it. Then, she floated her mage hand before her, opening it to find a ring. And it wasn't an ordinary ring. It was a signet ring, carved with the emblem of a silver hand.

A silver hand? Wait!

Tissaia instantly recognized which family's crest this silver hand belonged to. At this, the former rector of Aretuza Academy and important member of the Brotherhood of Sorcerers could no longer suppress her shocked expression.

"This is the Thyssen family's signet ring. How did it come into your possession?"

Lynn also dropped his smile, speaking to her in a serious tone. "The content we are about to discuss, Madam Tissaia, I kindly request you keep absolutely confidential. After all, you wouldn't want to make an enemy of the Thyssen family for Aretuza, would you?"

....

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