At nine in the morning.
On the capital's streets, after yesterday's upheaval, people had already begun repairing the damaged houses everywhere.
The sounds of hammering and knocking could be heard all around. Neighbors helped one another, and many mages could be seen among them.
In just one short day, Demacia had undergone a tremendous change. Even now, the sight of mages and civilians living in harmony still felt somewhat unfamiliar.
But sooner or later, everyone would grow used to it. Today would be a new beginning.
Luke and the others sat in the carriage, passing through street after street as they looked out at the scenery. Finally, they slowly arrived at the entrance of Dawn Castle.
After getting off the carriage, everyone headed toward the council hall.
When the doors of the council hall were pushed open, nearly all the ministers had already arrived. Unlike usual, many nobles were also present this time.
The one Luke recognized most easily was Sébastien of House Laurent. After seeing Luke, he looked over and nodded slightly in greeting.
Most of the people present were from first-rate noble houses or above in the capital. Even so, it was clear that there were far fewer people than before.
Whether nobles or ministers.
After all, yesterday alone, no one knew how many people had been arrested.
Now, the capital's dungeons were packed full, holding countless criminals awaiting judgment.
At this moment, only five people sat around the great octagonal table.
They were Jarvan III at the head seat.
The treasury representative, Roy Nian.
The civil affairs representative, Barrett Buvelle.
The research representative, Wenward Menck.
And the legal representative, Giovanni Rhodes.
As for the four empty seats, one belonged to Tianna, who had gone north, while the other three had belonged to the masterminds of yesterday's rebellion.
Tourt, Josie, and Eldred.
After seeing Luke arrive, Jarvan III spoke in a deep voice. "Everyone is almost here. The meeting may begin."
"All of you should know very clearly what happened yesterday. This was undoubtedly a major change since the founding of Demacia, and we should remember the lesson of this incident and continue moving forward."
His voice echoed through the council hall.
"Now, the meeting begins. This meeting has two main topics. First, how to properly settle the mages. The greatest change in Demacia now is the pardon of the mages. From now on, all mages will be our allies. I intend to build a city of mages for them. I believe that in the near future, our mage compatriots will become one of our core forces."
As Jarvan III spoke, quite a few gazes turned toward Lux and Sona.
Among the mages with the greatest fame yesterday were Lux and Sona.
One was the daughter of House Crownguard, and the other was the daughter of House Buvelle. Their identities were far from simple, and both of them had rendered considerable service yesterday.
The Galio summoned by Lux could be said to have been vital. Without him, handling the frenzied Eldred truly would not have been easy.
Now, Lux's status in people's hearts was also far from ordinary. After all, this was someone capable of summoning Galio.
And who was Galio? The idol countless Demacians dreamed of!
As for Sona, yesterday she could be said to have suppressed the rebel mages the fastest, then quickly gone to support several nearby streets.
To a great extent, she had reduced a great deal of destruction.
The power of her music magic had been plain for everyone to see.
At this moment, Jarvan III also looked over and said aloud, "So I would like to ask the two of you whether you have any thoughts."
Lux had basically met all the nobles present, and she no longer needed to hide her identity as a mage. Naturally, she would not feel timid.
Facing the question, she thought for a moment, then said, "I believe that whether we establish a city or do something else, what mages truly want is to coexist with everyone as equals and no longer be looked at differently."
"Although Your Majesty has now pardoned all mages, the class discrimination formed over so many years cannot be eliminated easily. I think that compared to building a city of mages, we should first think of ways to eliminate this barrier between mages and the people."
After hearing her words, many nobles whispered to one another and nodded slightly.
One had to admit that Miss Crownguard's words had some substance.
Pardoning mages was not something that could be done simply by saying it.
One had to remember that before this, Demacia's prohibition of magic had lasted for over six hundred years.
The barrier formed between the people and mages over these six hundred years was not something that could be erased lightly.
Hearing this, Sona nodded gently, indicating that what Lux said was exactly what she wanted to say as well.
Jarvan III looked at the two of them with a gentle gaze, then said, "That is also the purpose of calling you here this time. Eliminating this barrier is something we must act on immediately. And this matter requires people who are popular among both ordinary people and mages to promote it."
As soon as he finished speaking, many people present already understood Jarvan III's thoughts.
Lux and Sona also vaguely guessed something.
Then Jarvan III continued, "Demacia's council system has also lasted for several centuries, and its results have always been good. However, with new reforms, we should also make new changes."
"Mages will become an indispensable part of us. Therefore, from now on, two new mage representatives will be added. The mage representatives I recommend are Luxanna Crownguard and Sona Buvelle."
"Although both of them are young, they possess the innate identity of mages, and at the same time, they also carry noble status. It can be said that they are the most suitable candidates between the two sides. Furthermore, all of you have witnessed their abilities."
When these words fell, Lux and Sona were both stunned for a moment.
The surrounding ministers and nobles also began whispering among themselves.
After the mages were pardoned, the distribution of power at the octagonal table would undergo a new reform. This was something everyone had expected.
Because just as Jarvan III said, mages would absolutely be an indispensable part of Demacia in the future.
And this part naturally needed representatives as well.
Looking at it that way, Lux and Sona, who were both quite popular, were indeed suited for this position.
Although they were young, in terms of both identity and ability, they had the qualifications.
"So I formally appoint the two of you as the new mage representatives. At the same time, I will establish a new mage department. Luxanna and Sona will be the highest executive officers of the mage department and may freely assign all positions within it."
Jarvan III's string of words left the two girls completely dazed.
A huge question mark practically appeared above Lux's head. In the end, it was only after Augatha, beside her, glared and secretly pinched her that she reacted.
She hurriedly bowed and saluted. "Your subject accepts the decree."
Sona, at the side, also bowed slightly and accepted the order.
But in truth, she was also a little dazed.
Because in the blink of an eye, they had suddenly become mage representatives. That was equivalent to suddenly becoming officials, and top-level ones at that.
This speed could not even be described as riding a rocket. It was faster than riding a rocket.
"Once the new department is established, it is bound to encounter setbacks and problems. Therefore, when you encounter issues, you may report them directly."
Jarvan III spoke with a smile, then said, "From now on, aside from urgent matters, the council system will change from meeting once every three days to once every seven days. Matters below the level of extremely major issues will be submitted directly to Jarvan IV's office and no longer need to pass through me."
The matter of the mage representatives had already passed, and at this moment, Jarvan III's words also made everyone present realize something.
He was already preparing to begin cultivating Jarvan IV's political ability.
As for changing the council meetings to once every seven days, that was not much of a problem. After all, sometimes the matters were tiny, yet they still wasted an entire morning.
"Next is the second topic. Filling the vacancies in the council system. The vacant positions now include..."
"Your Majesty, your subject has something to say."
At this moment, Minister Roy raised his hand and suddenly interrupted Jarvan III.
Jarvan III looked at him and said gently, "Please speak."
Roy stood up and slowly said, "What happened yesterday made your subject feel that I have already passed the age where I should still stand at the front. It is now the age of the young. I have sat in the position of treasury representative for nearly several decades. Your subject boldly petitions to resign from the position of treasury representative."
His aged voice fell, immediately causing everyone present to reveal looks of surprise, yet also of understanding.
In terms of seniority, Roy was definitely the oldest person present, but he was indeed capable. Otherwise, it would have been impossible for him to sit in this position for so long.
They simply had not expected him to suddenly request resignation.
But thinking about it, Roy was already over seventy. It was time for him to enjoy his later years.
What happened yesterday had allowed Roy to clearly feel the change of an era, and his old bones could no longer keep up.
"Demacia will not forget your contributions over these years. I approve this request."
Jarvan III looked at Roy with a complicated gaze, knowing that Roy's thoughts were the same as his own. This was now the era of the young.
Otherwise, he would not have boldly used Lux and Sona.
He also intended to begin having Jarvan IV familiarize himself with government affairs.
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
Roy revealed an expression of relief.
With this, the number of vacant positions became three.
Because the Mageseekers had been abolished, the position of Mageseeker representative was likewise abolished.
The council system originally had eight positions. Since mage representatives had now been added, the number remained unchanged.
Among these eight, the vacant positions were the treasury representative and the two noble representatives.
"Do any of you have recommendations for suitable candidates?"
Jarvan III looked at everyone and spoke slowly.
Demacia's council system had been used all the way to the present. The several people at this octagonal table discussed matters together.
Jarvan III was responsible for the main direction, and when he made an incorrect decision, casting dissenting votes was the duty of the others.
Likewise, on certain matters, the council representatives could also vote.
It could be said that matters large and small were all decided from this table. Naturally, the candidates for these seats were also extremely important.
Before this, Tourt and Josie had been noble representatives, while Eldred had been the Mageseeker representative. All three of them had held high authority.
That was why once something happened to them, a considerable number of nobles and ministers had been uprooted along with them.
Now, new capable people were needed to take over their positions.
The ministers all had candidates to recommend. Everyone voiced their own opinions, and after quite some time, they still had not reached any clear conclusion.
However, in the end, a few candidates were still selected.
The first was Sébastien of House Laurent.
The second was Karal of House Fortis.
This family also had a long history in Demacia. It was a family that had produced many knights and had always been honest and dutiful. However, it was also because of this that their fame was not particularly high.
Their position had always been somewhere between a first-rate noble house and a top noble house.
Now, this honesty and dutifulness had become the excellent quality that allowed them to stand out.
The third candidate was Lev, the commander of the Dauntless Vanguard.
There was a little controversy over Lev's arrangement.
The reason was that Lev had no noble house behind him. He came from an ordinary family and had climbed up step by step through the army.
Although his current status was no longer simple, and most importantly, his ability was indeed outstanding, making him a noble representative would not convince the masses very well.
After all, historically, which noble representative had not come from a family with deep foundations and a long history?
The most suitable candidates were undoubtedly Sébastien and Karal.
With the rise of their family's new talent, Fiora, and the recovery of Sébastien's leg injury, House Laurent faintly had the momentum to charge toward the ranks of the top noble houses.
Naturally, they could convince the masses.
But having Lev become the treasury representative was likewise difficult to handle.
Therefore, Jarvan III made an adjustment.
He transferred Tianna, who should have been the military representative, to the position of treasury representative, while the original position of military representative was now handed to Lev.
Lev had served in the army for over twenty years, rising from a common soldier all the way to commander of the Dauntless Vanguard. He possessed considerable strength and popularity, so he could naturally sit in this position.
After all, if he were to be promoted one step further, he could only be promoted to this position.
It could be considered following Tianna's old path.
After he was promoted, his original position as commander of the Dauntless Vanguard was handed over to Garen without any objection.
With this, after a small adjustment, the vacant positions were successfully filled.
Next came the rewards for those who had rendered major service yesterday.
Quinn was officially granted the title of baroness. It could be said that her status had crossed the civilian class, and from now on, she had entered the ranks of the nobility.
This was also what she deserved. Although her presence had not been especially prominent this time, her contributions had not been small in the slightest.
Whether it was the complex relationship chart involving Tourt and Eldred, or the Mageseekers' hidden base, it could be said that Quinn had accomplished it all on her own.
By this point, the meeting had basically entered its final stage.
The more important decision was the establishment of a new mage department.
But Luke suddenly realized something was wrong. He seemed to have gotten nothing from this trip. He had been like a bystander the entire time, only watching from the sidelines.
Even that little blonde had gotten herself a mage representative position. Yet he, someone who had rendered major service, got nothing?
But after thinking about it again, there really did not seem to be anything left to reward him with.
Now, he was already a general. If he were promoted further, he would become marshal.
The current marshal was Tianna, and she was not even forty yet. She was still far from retiring.
Not to mention that even if she did retire, it would not be Luke's turn.
Aside from marshal, what else could there be? Only emperor remained.
Luke did not really want to be either of those two. He was not lacking money either. Looking at it this way, he truly did not have any needs.
"Today's meeting ends here. Dismissed."
As Jarvan III stood up, he announced the end of today's meeting.
The people in the council hall also gradually dispersed.
However, as the newly appointed mage representatives, Lux and Sona had not yet reached the time when they could leave.
The location of the new mage department had not been selected yet. After discussion, they finally decided to continue using the original Mageseeker headquarters.
There were countless mage-related items there, whether scrolls or magic books, and they had not yet been cleared out. It was also a ready-made building.
They could simply move in and use it.
Just like that, the mage headquarters was also decided.
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