In the months following the war with the orcs, Adam had spent almost all his time healing his damaged Spirit Sea.

It was only after more than a year of recuperation that he was able to even get off the bed. It was then that Berger had taught him everything about the Twilight Brotherhood.

Their history, their code of conduct, how they operated, everything there was to know about this secret society, Adam had learned from the gnome already.

Of course, the information that Berger had divulged was only as much as any other Mana Liquefaction Magus in the organization should know.

That included the greeting that the members of this organization used to identify one another in public.

Adam was waiting for this middle-aged man to initiate the greeting. Even though he believed that this man was very likely from the Brotherhood, he still had to confirm it.

"Let's take a walk," the middle-aged man smiled, listening to Adam's response.

The youth nodded. Then, together with him, he walked toward the opposite end of the harbor. This place was desolate and filled with rocky cliffs, making it difficult for ships to dock.

"How should I address you?" Adam asked as he secretly sized up the middle-aged man walking beside him.

From the subtle mana signature radiating from him, Adam knew that this man was a Rank 2 Magus just like himself. But he didn't know just how strong he was.

"Hudson Carr," replied the middle-aged man.

Neither of them spoke after that. They continued to walk side by side until the crowd around them grew sparse.

"So what did Warden Berger tell you about the Brotherhood?" Hudson suddenly asked.

Adam stroked his chin and muttered, "Warden, huh?" His lips curled up into a faint smile. "It's strange hearing someone call him that."

Hudson's eyebrows rose in puzzlement. "Strange, how so? You are aware of the hierarchy within the Brotherhood, yes?"

Adam nodded. "Yes, I've already been briefed by Warden Berger."

He paused for a moment before continuing, "The Twilight Brotherhood is governed by a group of Magi known as the Council of Dawn. Below them are Magi known as Wardens."

"So you must know how great a position your teacher, Warden Berger, holds within the organization," said Hudson.

Adam nodded in acknowledgment.

Becoming a Warden within this secret society was no easy feat. There were two requirements to be promoted to this position.

Firstly, the member had to be a Rank 3 Magus.

Secondly, and most importantly, they had to gain the approval of the Councillors that made up the Council of Dawn.

The next moment, Hudson began, "Rank 2 Magi such as myself are called Agents, as you already know. One can only become an Agent after being sponsored by a Warden."

Adam nodded. He already knew this information from Berger. Moreover, it was the gnome himself who had sponsored him.

"However." Hudson's eyes narrowed. "Although you have been referred by Warden Berger, that still doesn't mean you're one of us."

That's right, Adam thought to himself. Although I have been referred by the old man, I must still get these guys' approval. What a drag!

He glanced at the middle-aged man and asked in a bored manner, "Just tell me what I need to do."

Seeing the youth's lackadaisical attitude, Hudson's lips twitched. He couldn't help but think to himself, Why do I get this feeling that he doesn't want to be here?

"Before we get to that," he began, "I want to know what you think of the Twilight Brotherhood and why you wish to join our ranks."

Adam deeply gazed at the middle-aged man and asked, "You wanna know the truth?"

"Yes, of course," Hudson stated matter-of-factly.

The youth turned his head and glanced at the waves crashing against the rocky cliffs. "Warden Berger told me that the Brotherhood's goal is to maintain peace, pursue knowledge, and protect the innocent whether they be mortals or Magi."

"Indeed," Hudson replied with pride evident in his voice. "To maintain the balance between nature and civilization, social structure and individual liberty, that is what we strive for."

"Your goal is to eliminate tyranny across Tron, yes?" Adam looked back at him and asked.

"Yes," Hudson solemnly nodded. "Anyone who uses the gift of magic for evil deeds is our enemy."

"Haa" Adam shook his head and sighed. "Insufferable idealists."

Hudson's eyes narrowed. "What did you say?"

"Do you really think that this world is so pristine that it can be saved by merely defeating the villains?" Adam asked, his eyes flashing with a tinge of mockery.

Hudson was speechless. He couldn't help but think to himself incredulously, Is this something a young brat like you should know about?

"You speak of balance," Adam continued, "yet talk about maintaining peace."

"One has nothing to do with the other," Hudson angrily stated.

He didn't appreciate the youth questioning the ideals of the Brotherhood. He was even beginning to radiate slight traces of hostility, something which didn't go unnoticed by Adam.

But Adam didn't care.

The man asked him to be honest.

So he was going to be honest.

"But it does," Adam smiled, his eyes flashing with a profound light.

"In this world, true peace is an illusion," he began, "peace and turmoil are interwoven, each giving rise to the other."

Hudson remained silent for a long time, carefully ruminating over the youth's words.

Although he didn't appreciate how Adam spoke of the Brotherhood's members, he couldn't refute the latter's words.

He was correct, and wisely so.

The way he now looked at Adam had subtly changed. "Then why do you wish to join the Brotherhood?"

Hudson paused for a moment before adding, "And please don't say it was because Warden Berger wished for you to join."

Adam lowered his head and thought of the right words to say. After a long time, he then looked back up at Hudson and began, "I don't know about world peace, but I do believe in the pursuit of knowledge.

"As for protecting innocent people, I won't go out of my way to help them. If I can, I will. But If I can't, then I won't bother about it. The world's problems are not my own."

"You still haven't told me your reason," Hudson muttered flatly.

Adam's lips curled up into a mischievous smirk. "But you just told me not to say it."

Hudson was once again taken aback. "So just because Warden Berger asked you to join the organization... you decided to join it?"

Adam shrugged.

"If he tells you to jump off a cliff, will you do it?" Hudson asked with incredulity.

"Heh," Adam chuckled.

"Who knows?"