With Clarence's attention focused on the glowing new arrival, Sylvester and Rossa were now demoted to being the spectators of this encounter. Rossa didn’t look any less relieved at the situation seeing that there are two people actively disrupting her time at the library.

Meanwhile Sylvester was more or less enjoying the spectacle.

“Man if only I had popcorn!” He jokingly thought as the brewing argument turned its gears.

“What business do you have with me Mandeme? Can’t you see I am in the middle of an arrangement?” Clarence shot a spiteful glare.

“Now leave before nauseatingly self righteous nature spoils the air I breathe!” He exclaimed.

“Is harassing and forcing new students into joining your ranks the arrangement you speak of? I didn’t know that is the preferred method of the great Clarentum Inquisitors. In the end you are no better than rogue mages!” Victor replied, his voice thundering with power and authority, almost like some sort of heroic figure.

“Man, that guy acts like a walking cliche.” Sylvester made another off handed observation.

“Harassment? You seem to misunderstand my dear Mandeme, I was merely putting these two arrogant neophytes into their place. They need to be taught discipline and respect!” Clarence replied as he looked at Sylvester.

“Especially you, Sylvester Clearsight! Your attitude is unbecoming of your heritage, much like your current performance.” He declared with a mocking voice.

“Oh wow, am I the topic of focus again? How nice!” Sylvester’s unconcerned train of thought continued. Completely not caring about the rather cut and dry insult thrown at him.

“Really now? From what I heard his sentiments were in the right place and his arguments were sound. In fact I admire his resolve and conviction in striving for greatness via his own merits!” Victor replied in defense of Sylvester.

“Well thanks I guess mr cliche goody two shoes justice man.” Sylvester thought.

“But I only said those words to piss off Mr.''I am number one” though.” In the end, it was still partially Sylvester’s fault.

At this point Clarence was starting to completely lose his patience. Not only did Sylvester dare refuse his invitation, he even dared talk back. If that wasn’t enough he was being made a fool in front of a guest from another world.

Thankfully for him however, Rossa doesn’t care in the slightest and simply wants them to leave immediately. As far she’s concerned, this farce has been going for far too long.

“Fine, I will back down for now. This little venture seems to be a waste of my time.” Clarence then signalled for followers to leave with him, but before he left it seems that he had one more thing to say.

“But know this, Mr Clearsight and Miss Argentum.” He said as he turned his head one last time to face the two.

“Once the Festival of the beginning arrives, the two of you will grovel on the floor and beg for you to join our ranks. But fear not, for our doors will remain open for people as special as you.” he said, trying to add an ominous tone to his words.

Clarence then quickly left the library and it seemed that the storm was over, except for the fact that there’s a new guy who replaced the one who just left. However, Sylvester’s attention was now fixated on a new topic.

“Festival of the beginning?” Sylvester said out loud.

“Would you like to know more about it?” A boisterous tone replied.

It was Victor who was now smiling at the pair, his shining pearly whites gleaming seemingly unnatural. It was almost as if he was shining.

“Sure, thanks. So what exactly is the Festival of the beginning?” Sylvester asked formally.

It seems that Rossa too was interested in this topic as her attention and gaze shifted towards Sylvester and Victor, a motion that didn’t escape Sylvester’s attention.

“It’s more like a competition than a festival, but the Headmaster insists on calling it one.” Victor explained laughing at his own words.

“Competition?” Rossa was now the one who asked a question.

“Yes, but only the neophytes are allowed to join. While the rest of us simply watch and enjoy the show.” He continued.

“So what kind of competition are we talking about here?” Sylvester asked.

“A big tournament style where people need to fight each other one on one? Ah wait that would take too long since there seems to be a lot of new students. Hmmmm a battle royale? Eh but that’s too popular and expected.” Sylvester asked while also rambling about the possibilities.

Victor simply smiled before he gave his answer.

“We don’t know.” He replied, his face beaming a huge innocent grin.

“Pardon?” Sylvester blurted out.

“We don’t know because the headmaster makes up the competition rules every time it is held, and he only announces it a week before the event itself to boot.” He explained, much to the expected shocked faces of the pair.

“Oh and he also randomly picks the date so everyone is pretty much always on edge whenever there are new students.” Victor continued and all of sudden laughed again.

“There was this one time, I think it was three years ago, where he announced the festival during the orientation. I can tell you it was quite the rush to go and recruit people into our fold. Most of us haven’t even done prep work for recruitment campaigns!” Victor smiled as he recalled that memory.

“Wait, why do organizations even bother with recruiting new students for the competition? Does the organization get shared rewards or something?”, Sylvester asked.

“Yes but not exactly. It’s more of whatever Prize the participants get, each member of the respective organization also gets.” Victor replied.

“Wait, what do you mean by “whatever prize”? Are the prizes random too?” Sylvester continued his inquiry.

“Sadly yes, that isn’t the only reward and for the most part, it isn’t what the organizations want anyway.” Victor paused. “The winning team also gets to ask the headmaster one request, and the headmaster will grant it.”

Sylvester’s eyes then started glowing when suddenly Victor shot down his imagination.

“No, the headmaster won’t grant you whatever you desire like a genie, the requests are limited to campus related situations.”

“Ah that’s a bummer-wait a minute.” A thought suddenly flashed in Sylvester’s head.

“So assuming I win, can I ask for the headmaster, let’s say, double or even triple the rewards I get for completing a field task?” Sylvester asked with his eyes shining like jewels.

“Yes, that is exactly how it goes.” Victor replied with a smile, suddenly the silent Rossa blurted out her own question.

“I see the benefits as a whole for the organization, but what is in it for us, the ones joining? As far as I am concerned I do not care about the rewards or even the skewed requests. Why should I join one then?” Rossa asked.

This is something Rossa of course would want to know, after all she is a denizen of another world and in general isn’t very trusting of the people around her at the moment.

“That’s a good question, miss.” Victor then focused his attention towards Rossa.

“What you get is a private network that can help you with tasks.” He started explaining. “From an information network, to people willing to help you with your mission. It’s more of a way for a mage to have access to allies and connection that will make your life a lot easier.”

“You see, Organizations aren’t simply limited inside the walls of Inanis Orbis. They are proper mage organizations that operate legally in our world. Most of them are of course really old while there are a lot of new student-made organizations that have begun to blossom into a large network in their own right.”

“As for me and the guy you saw earlier, we are part of older organizations and thus we merely act as student representatives inside Inanis Orbis.”

“In fact I think it might be best for someone like you, Ms Argentum, to join a group of your liking” Victor declared.

Rossa seemed to be in thought for a moment before she replied. Then Victor continued with his explanation.

“That being said, do be careful in choosing. Since some of these groups don’t really care about the new member. They only care about their lineage.” Victor said in a cautionary tone.

“Ah I see!” Sylvester suddenly cut in. “So that’s why that Clarence guy wanted me to join so desperately. They just want to have some tangential connection to mom and dad!”

“Precisely.” Victor nodded.

“I see, I will keep that in mind. Thank you for answering my question.” Rossa said in a respectful tone.

“You’re welcome, It’s the least I can do.” Victor smiled.

“Me me! I got another question!” Sylvester suddenly exclaimed, trying to mimic a child getting Victor’s attention once again.

“Yes, ask away.” Victor responded.

“Firstly, is it possible for someone unaffiliated with anyone able to join the festival of the beginning?” Sylvester dropped his first question.

“Why yes of course, but you should understand. It is much better to join a group simply for the numbers advantage and nothing else. More people with the same goal, less enemies.” Victor explained.

“I see that makes sense.” Sylvester then flashed a devious smile.

“Now, is it possible for a neophyte like me, an apprentice to make his own organization?” Sylvester asked his final question to which Victor was silent for a second.

All of a sudden he laughed. He let out a hearty sound that echoed throughout the walls of the library.

“I see now, I see why you got under Clarence’s skin. You’ve got quite the spirit” He responded.

“Sadly no. In order to make a new organization you would at least need to be an Adept or above.” Victor smiled a knowing smile.

“Okay then, I guess that’s all that I can say for now. If you will, I must take my leave.” Victor then excused himself when Sylvester called out again.

“Wait, aren’t you gonna try to recruit either me or her?” Sylvester asked.

“Hmm? What’s the use? It looks like you already made up your mind Sylvester Clearsight.” Victor replied.

“I wish you good luck on your plans, but at the same time.” He continued.

“Thank you Mr Victor!” Sylvester then gave his thanks.

Sylvester then closed his eyes in deep thought, his mind racing with excitement and his heart pumping adrenaline throughout his body.

“Well would you look at that, an opportunity to take the stage has come!”