For the next few days, the talk about the magic tower circulated around the capital. Many were skeptical about the establishment of that organization but nobody questioned it. As long as the tower would be of help to them, the people really didn't mind.
The nobility on the other hand had different opinions regarding the matter and it was the reason why another meeting was requested with the king. As tedious as it was, Zandro needed to attend it and listen to them once again. Kieve was also there mainly to listen as he did not intend to share any sentiments or opinion regarding the matter.
"We do not oppose the establishment of an organization for mages but their rules are ridiculous!" One shouted in anger. He was shaking in anger because of the letter he received.
He was one of the council members who were rearing mages in their ranks just to strengthen their power. One of the rules that the organization wanted to implement after its establishment was the registration of all mages within the kingdom. Upon registering, they will be recognized as mages that belonged to the kingdom of Lunaira.
"What's more ridiculous is that those who won't let the mages register in the tower would be sanctioned! Registration will also mean that our mages will be part of the magic tower and will need to follow their ridiculous rules!" Another one followed with his complaints.
These series of statements caused another wave of discussion and cursing amongst the men. They couldn't believe that such rules would be established together with the tower. Once the organization would fully function, they would eventually lose the mages they had taken care of.
"It's just a registration. Your mages will still work for all of you. Although they will need to follow the rules of the magic tower, they are still employed by you. It's a formality and it is also a way for us to track how many mages are there in our kingdom as of right now." One of the more reasonable ones explained.
He tried to let the others see the bigger picture of this rule and this organization. It wasn't a bad thing to have their mages register because it was the best way to keep track of how many mages each family had. He was thinking of using this opportunity to scout the strength of each family with their mages.
"You say that now but, I doubt that you will register all the mages within your family." Another man rose from his seat and pointed at the man who just talked.
Kieve sighed as he watched how undignified these people were becoming just because of one rule. There was no big deal if all mages were listed. It would also become a record of all mages and their achievements that could be passed down to the next generation.
The discussion, accusations and unending arguments continued on with the next hour and no matter how the others interfered the rest would only go back to arguing. The king on the other hand was losing his patience because of how childish these old men and women had become. Imagine twenty people arguing like children for an hour now.
After another thirty minutes of more arguing, the king finally had enough of it. They were there to address their complaints and yet no one, from the beginning, had ever spoken to him about the issue. He was starting to think that they were just there to argue and make life more difficult for him.
The king clenched his jaws and after a few seconds, a booming voice sounded in the room. The statement made them silent. "I added that rule." This one sentence from the king made all the council members look at him. Even Kieve was surprised at the king's words.
Zandro swept his gaze to the people whose attention was already on him. He shook his head and left the hanging for a few minutes more because he did not want to speak. It was enough to make them silent for a moment.
"What do you mean, your majesty?" One of the members finally had the courage to ask after that long silence and when they realized that the king wouldn't continue speaking.
Zandro raised an eyebrow at the person who asked. "Isn't it clear enough? It's exactly what I have said, no more, no less." The king's voice carried a hint of coldness that penetrated through the chaotic atmosphere that the council members created.
The glare and the tone of the king made the people inside the room gulp and shiver. They haven't seen him this displeased the entire time that they were dealing with him. It was a first for them even more so for Kieve.n0VeLusB.C0m
"But why would you do that, your majesty?" Another one of them asked. He was one of those who were a bit neutral regarding the matter.
"Now that I got all of your attention, we can now finally proceed to the core of this gathering. After bickering for an hour and thirty minutes coupled with wasting my time that is supposed to be used for the people's good, I am glad that we will be tackling the main issue." The king's words were full of sarcasm which made the atmosphere even more depressing.
Kieve, who had been listening on the side, could only hold back his laughter at that moment. He turned around and covered his mouth but the shaking of his shoulders couldn't hide his mirth. The situation was really amusing and it made him laugh even though it was just silently done.
Several glares were sent his way as they noticed his reaction. Zandro on the other hand didn't mind and instead gave the council a warning look. It was truly laughable and he couldn't blame Kieve for his reaction because if he was a bystander himself, he would have laughed too.
"Enough of this nonsense. All of you have been acting like children ever since we started this meeting and it is disappointing to see that my council, who governs the kingdom with me, are acting like this." Zandro slapped the table which jolted them into attention.
"We apologize, your majesty. This matter had made most of us uncomfortable. We supported the growth of our mages and then we will receive such kind of news. We are not opposed to the establishment of a magic tower but the registration is a bit too much." One of them looked at the king as he spoke. He started waving his hand while speaking and this earned nods from the other members.
"What's wrong with the registration? It is just a list of names of the mages under our kingdom. It is a record and it is good that we have a record of the mages in our kingdom. If someday in the future, some of them will commit a crime, we will have a list of names where we can base the investigation." The king did not hold back on his words and it even served as a warning to these aristocrats that they wouldn't be able to freely use the mages for their own gain.
"Your majesty, why would you even assume that mages will do crime?" One of them asked with a frown on his face.
The entire room fell into silence at the person's question. The veins on the king's forehead started to bulge at how idiotic the question was. He stared directly at the man who spoke with his jaws clenched.
"Are you really part of my council or even yet part of this kingdom? Magic users are being involved in many crimes in the kingdom. We even apprehended some of them and now you are asking me if I am assuming when it is already happening? From what rock have you been hiding all this time?" It was apparent that the king was barely containing his anger.
