Chapter 353 Temptation

Adam was taken aback. "Uh... what?"

"You heard me," Edwin replied with an extremely solemn look. "You're coming with me to the Tower of Daybreak."

Adam's lips twitched, wondering what had suddenly gotten into Edwin to say such things. He gulped hesitantly and said, "But, my lord, I can't confirm that at the moment."

"Why not?" Erwin asked with a slight frown. "Also, why haven't you already declared your acceptance into the Tower in the last two years?"

He paused for a moment before adding, "You do know that I was the one to have personally signed off on the recommendation letters sent to you, Edward, and Lisa, yes?"

Adam was stunned. This was news to him. "You signed them personally?"

Edwin nodded. "It was a given that you and Edward would be given preference when applying—"

He suddenly paused when he realized that his apprentice, Biden was looking at him strangely. Thus, he glared at the youth.

"Don't look at me like that, you rascal! You have benefited from nepotism too."

Biden hurriedly lowered his head, mumbling to himself. "But I didn't say anything..."

"As I was saying." Edwin looked back at Adam and continued, "You, Edward, and Lisa have greatly distinguished yourselves in the war and the Academy. Thus, I deemed you perfect candidates to join the Tower."

Adam remained silent. He didn't know what to say.

"But you, Adam," Edwin added, "have truly exceeded all my expectations. Not only did you become a Mana Liquefaction Magus at the age of twenty, but it seems that you also have a deep understanding of the Way."

Edwin's conversation with Adam a little while ago truly surprised him. The way the youth spoke about the philosophy of the Way made him realize that his understanding of it wasn't on a superficial level.

Not many budding Magi knew that the analytical approach to magic wasn't the only important aspect they had to explore.

There was also the spiritual aspect.

Living in harmony with the mana and understanding one's place in the world.

This was the Way.

It couldn't be taught.

If he could convince Adam to join the Tower of Daybreak, then the organization would attain even greater heights of prosperity.

He deeply looked at Adam and stated, "Whatever you ask for, the Tower will provide. Money, rare magical ingredients, artifacts, you name it."

Adam's fists involuntarily tightened. To say that he wasn't tempted would be a lie.

Edwin acutely noticed this. His lips curled up into a smirk and he added. "I will waive off your admission fee, as well as the fee that you will have to pay every decade.

"I will also make it so that you are given your personal laboratory with a fixed amount of herbs and ingredients delivered to you every month for your Herbalism experiments."

The man's eyes glowed with confidence. "So, Adam, what do you say?"

Biden, who was sitting by the side, was utterly dumbfounded. He glanced at his Teacher and then at Adam, wondering if the former was recruiting a prospective student or a faculty member.

Adam's lips opened and closed several times. His heart bled profusely as he thought of all the money and resources he could have in the palm of his hands.

All he needed to say was yes.

In the end, he gritted his teeth and shook his head.

"Forgive me, Lord Edwin, but I must refuse."

"Why?" Edwin frowned. He couldn't help but ask, "Is what I'm offering you too little?"

"No, it's not that." Adam hurriedly waved his hand. "I have already given my word to the old man, uh, I mean, my Teacher, Magus Berger. So, I must respectfully refuse your offer."

Edwin's eyes narrowed and he entered into deep thought. "But as far as I know, Berger has never been part of any major organization. He's always been a lone Magus."

Adam lowered his head. Clearly, he didn't want to speak much about it.

Edwin deeply glanced at the youth, not knowing why he would refuse such an offer.

"Even when comparing amongst the other three major institutes of arcane studies, otherwise known as the Four Pillars of the Empire, the Tower of Daybreak is still the greatest. Do you still not want to come?"

However, Adam was uncompromising.

After all, from what he'd heard from Berger, no matter how great an organization the Tower of Daybreak was, it would still never hold a candle to the Twilight Brotherhood!