by Zhuang Bifan
Anyway, the old fellow was too thick-skinned to be driven away. After a few times, Lin Li simply paid no attention to him anymore. Moreover, it was really boring, waiting for the potion to boil. It seemed that time passed faster when there was someone nearby to talk to. As for the few bottles of potions he pocketed at the end, he'd just treat them as a payment for his company…
But this time it was the Elixir of the Sages. Even he himself had to think it over time and again before finally deciding to concoct a bottle, so naturally it had nothing to do with Gerian.
Chapter 77 - Terms
So, without waiting for him to open his mouth this time, Lin Li shook his head and rejected him. "Don't think about it this time. I've prepared this for tomorrow's duel."
"Don't be a stranger, alright…?" A blush came to Gerian's aged face when his intentions were exposed. But with his character, it was impossible for him to acknowledge it. After laughing it off embarrassedly, he continued stubbornly, "I saw that you've been in the potion lab for a long time and came to see whether there's anything you need…"
"You could fool Kevin with that."
"Rascal, you don't know good from bad. I'm concerned about you!" Gerian turned angry from the embarrassment and grumbled. At last, he was unwilling to give up, and finally revealed his intentions. "Is it true you only concocted one bottle?"
"…" Lin Li only felt energy sapped from him.
"If it's really one bottle, then forget it…" Seeing Lin Li's expression, Gerian knew that this time was out of the question, and he dropped the subject. "For some reason, the more I thought about it these two days, the more I felt that something is wrong with the duel tomorrow… Do you think Matthew, that old jerk, has prepared some trap for me to jump into it?"
"You can't place a trap as and when you like. Without sufficient strength, it's useless even if you really set it up…" Lin Li shook his head, dispelling the doubts in Gerian's mind. "The situation in Jarrosus is too clear. You've already stepped on Old Merlin's face, and that old fellow didn't even dare to make a sound. What are you afraid of?"
"But…"
"There's no buts. I've also thought it through these few days. That day, there was only one reason why Old Merlin forced me into a duel with his son: his hope that Cromwell could kill me in the duel." At this point, Lin Li stretched out two fingers. "There are two benefits that arise from this. One, to weaken the strength of the Guild of Magic; two, to get rid of the threat of potions to the Merlin Family."
Gerian was still in doubt. "Cromwell has the ability to do it?"
"Maybe he does have… He's the only heir of the Merlin Family. Should I kill him in the duel, even if the Merlin Family doesn't die, they'd be crippled. Old Merlin's not that stupid. But luckily, I'm not stupid either, and my luck's not too bad too. After practicing with Mage Grimm for a few days, I've actually managed to climb to level-twelve by accident. Even if Old Merlin is formidable, he probably wouldn't have expected me to become a level-twelve Magic Shooter."
"Of course… Who would have expected?" At the mention of this, Gerian felt seriously resentful. They were all mages; by what virtue could this little rascal progress so fast?
"Besides, I've prepared some petty stuff to surprise him in the duel tomorrow." With the Torrent of Elements Ring and the Elixir of the Sages in his hands, Lin Li really doubted Cromwell could do anything to him.
"But just in case something happens…" There was still worry on Gerian's face. After hesitating for a while, he clenched his teeth and fished out a necklace from his pocket. "Why not wear this tomorrow…?"
"What's that?" Lin Li was stunned for a slight moment, then reached out his hand to receive the necklace.
"Careful, this is an expensive stuff, don't spoil it." Gerian was in great trepidation as he watched Lin Li handle the necklace carelessly. "This green quartz contains a Purge Spell. Activate it with the mana when you use it, it will help you remove undesirable conditions caused by spells below level-ten… You rascal must be careful with it when you use it. This was the only item Teacher Osric gave me. I didn't even use it myself. I'll lend it to you tomorrow, and when the duel is over, remember to return it to me…"
"Thank you." Lin Li nodded and prudently kept the necklace close to him.
"Oh right, and this." Gerian pondered and took out a pile of scrolls from his pocket. "Choose a few useful ones. They might come in handy when the time comes."
"Okay, leave it here first, I'll pick them out later."
After taking out the two stuff that he had long prepared, Gerian was still somewhat uneasy and began nagging at Lin Li about the things he should pay attention to during the duel. The Gerian at this moment seemed to differ from the usually arrogant president of the Guild of Magic. He seemed like a long-winded old man with his wordy advice.
"Don't worry. I'll keep an eye."
While the two men were talking, they heard the door of the potion lab ring.
Lin Li went to open the door; as it turned out, it was Kevin who had returned!
"Why did you come back?" Lin Li was slightly surprised seeing the wan expression on Kevin's face.
"Let me catch a breath first and tell you slowly…" Kevin had rushed back overnight from the Demon Fall Valley, and was already deadbeat. After entering the potion lab, he took in a few breaths and began explaining the purpose behind his return.
"I came back this time because of the hostages."
Lin Li vaguely remembered that the Shadow's Nest had launched a sneak attack on the Demon Fall Valley around last week, not only destroying two guard towers but also capturing a few mages. As soon as Gerian had received the news, he had asked Kevin to do everything he could to get the hostages back. He was asked to offer additional money if he couldn't exchange them with the hostages from the Shadow's Nest.
"Eiserhol was unwilling to exchange?"
"No, he's willing. But not exchange hostages with hostages…" Kevin shook his head and there was some helplessness in his expression. "What Eiserhol mean is, we can exchange for the hostages, but it must be done with potions."
"F*ck!" Gerian's anger rose in an instant. "What a grand dream he has!"
"Wait…" The old fellow was about to lose his temper but was stopped by Lin Li. "How do they know that the Guild of Magic has potions?"
Kevin carefully recalled and said with uncertainty, "Maybe the news got out from Jarrosus. The middle-aged man that Eiserhol sent seemed to have mentioned the Arcane Magic Potion auction once."
"How many do they want? Did they clearly state what kind of potions they need?"
"Ten bottles for a hostage, and they specified the Elixir of Empowerment."
"Then that's simple." Lin Li mulled it over and laughed all of a sudden. "Go and reply Eiserhol. Say that the Guild of Magic will accept his terms. 40 bottles of Elixir of Empowerment will be sent to him the day after tomorrow at the latest. Let him send someone to prepare for the exchange of the hostages."
"That won't do!" Kevin had yet to speak when Gerian, who was at the side, got anxious. "How can you agree to such terms so easily? It's obvious that the jerk, Eiserhol, is trying to extort us!"
"That's what I hope." Lin Li's smile was unfathomable. "If he doesn't extort us, I really couldn't think of anything else at the moment to stuff him to death. This time, we have to let that fellow from the Shadow's Nest know that pharmacists are actually capable of killing. And the more impressive the pharmacist is, the more impressive the way they kill…"
Chapter 78 - A Different Person
The next day, Jarrosus City seemed to be shrouded in an eerie atmosphere.
With the exception of the Merlin Family and the Guild of Magic, the leaders of the other 16 forces arrived at Daylight Square early in the morning. They put on their best clothes, as if they were going to a big dinner party. Whether it was the assassin leader or the casino tycoon, all of them seemed to get along very well on this special day. There was harmony in the Daylight Square. They talked about the changing weather, the ch
aotic Jarrosus, the results of the Arcane Magic Potion auction… But never about the duel that was to come…
At the beginning of the day, several streets near the Daylight Square were already blockaded. This was on an order issued by the Castellan Mansion and jointly executed by the 18 forces. No one could resist this force in Jarrosus City. Vendors and residents were temporarily relocated, leaving only an empty Daylight Square.
All those qualified to watch this duel were prominent figures in the Jarrosus City—Castellan Isaac and his attendants, the leaders of the 18 forces and their henchmen, and several wealthy businessmen and celebrities in Jarrosus City. The worst of them were at least eligible to attend the banquet at the Castellan Mansion.
The grand scene left the assassin leader, Old Odin, with some regret. Why hadn't he taken up some celebrities assassination requests before he came? In this way, he might've been able to earn some gold coins as an allowance after watching the duel…
But he only entertained such thoughts in his heart. This was a duel between the Guild of Magic and the Merlin Family. Even if Old Odin had a hundred times more nerves, he wouldn't dare to challenge the two giants of Jarrosus City—in particular the current Guild of Magic. Old Odin was in no condition to provoke them.
Backed by the wealth of the 18 forces, temporary stands were built overnight at the southern end of the Daylight Square. A polished marble table was arched around less than half of the Daylight Square. The previously harmonious atmosphere in the square immediately became quite distinct after a group of celebrities ascended the stands.
The six underground forces and the ten mage families were sitting at the top of the stands with the best view. Among them, three of the most prominent positions were left for Castellan Isaac, President Gerian, and Chief Matthew. The three most powerful men of Jarrosus City should naturally sit in the most prominent positions. Even Ysera of the Mannes Family and Reuben of the Saruman Family did not dare to lay their hands on these seats.
Among these forces, there was also a hierarchy. Among the mage families, Ysera and Saruman were the closest to the three seats in the middle. As for the six underground forces, Old Odin was the leader. After the rise of the Guild of Magic, this old friend of Gerian was suspected to be the leader of the six underground forces.
As for the rich businessmen and celebrities, they naturally sat below the 18 forces as befitting their position in Jarrosus City, where they had always been trampled by the 18 forces.
What followed was a long wait. It was as if the Guild of Magic and the Merlin Family had agreed beforehand; none had shown up at the Daylight Square. Although the leaders of the various forces on the stands waited anxiously, no one dared to complain, including Matsis of the Blood Brotherhood. Although he did dare to lash out at the leaders of the two powers behind closed doors, calling Gerian a lunatic and Old Merlin an old turtle, once he was in the stands, he would not dare to insult either of them even if someone lent him a hundred guts to do it.
Amidst the anxious and helpless waiting, two figures finally emerged from the end of the streets.
Cromwell was wearing a gray robe and clutching a staff embedded with magical crystals in his hand. His handsome, young face was brimming with confidence as he strolled through the streets with a radiant smile. On the contrary, beside him, the powerful Archmage Old Merlin looked somewhat aged and tired, and the smile he showed from time to time carried a hint of bitterness in it.
When the old and the young entered the square, several of the strongest people on the stands, such as Reuben from the Saruman Family, Ysera from the Mannes Family, and Andrew, the Castellan's mage, felt almost at the same time that Cromwell seemed a little out of the ordinary today.
Cromwell was the sole heir to the Merlin Family and also a famous genius mage in the younger generation of Jarrosus, so the Mannes Family and the Saruman Family had paid close attention to him every day. At the same time, the two men also had to admit that Cromwell was really good, having the strength of a level-seven mage at such a young age.
But when Cromwell showed up today, the two men suddenly realized they did not recognize him anymore.
Is this person really Cromwell from the Merlin Family? Ysera and Reuben looked at each other incredulously. If it was really Cromwell, how could they be frightened by the aura he exuded?
Both of them were powerful figures, and it would never be just a level-seven mage who made them feel the fear.
"At least level-fourteen…" The voice of the black-robed mage, Andrew, sounded from behind and startled both Ysera and Reuben. Apart from Gerian and Old Merlin, Andrew was definitely the most authoritative mage in Jarrosus. Now that even he had said so, Cromwell's strength must have grown by leaps and bounds…
"How… How is this possible…" Although Reuben specialized in conjuring, the Saruman Family had its roots in magic after all. How could he not know that the ascension of magic level was by no means as simple as one plus one equals two? In addition to the acc.u.mulation of mana and the training of skills, a great deal of time was required for research. He had not thought—not even in his dreams—that there would be someone like Cromwell, who went up seven notches in a month.
For a moment, the looks of the two family patriarchs were somewhat complicated. They were the first two forces to swing to the Guild of Magic at the auction for the Arcane Magic Potion. To some extent, they had been tied to the Guild of Magic. Cromwell having level-fourteen in magic was definitely no good news to them…
Chapter 79 - The Duel
Just as the two men were feeling complicated, another two figures appeared at the end of the street.
It was also a pair of an old and a young. But compared to the previous pair, the old looked full of confidence while the young was helplessly shaking his head, sighing. Gerian's presence always seemed to carry a sense of humor. The fellow shouted at Old Merlin from a distance before he entered the square, "Good morning, Matthew. You were too scared to sleep last night, weren't you? Look at your dark circles…"
"…" Half of the forces' leaders on the stand fainted on the spot. Could this old fellow be more arrogant, more unmannered?
"Gerian, you're like a fly." Old Merlin's face was livid. He shot a cold glare at Gerian and walked straight up to the temporary grandstand.
"Matthew, don't be in a hurry to walk away. Can't we have a little more talk?" Gerian refused to give up. He promptly followed Old Merlin onto the stand and plopped into the seat that was prepared for him. He even winked discreetly at Castellan Isaac, who was sitting in the middle, beckoning him to make way so that he could get closer to Old Merlin.
Lin Li stood in the middle of Daylight Square, shaking his head resignedly as he watched Gerian's overstaffed figure from the back…
"Now that both of them have arrived, let me, the overseer, say two words." Isaac ignored Gerian's harassment and rose from the marble seat, his voice booming over the square. "A month ago, the Merlin Family and the Guild of Magic had agreed on this duel. I, Isaac, am honored to be its overseer. I will do everything in my power to maintain the fairness of this duel!
"Now, allow me to introduce both sides of the duel. They are Felic of the Jarrosus Guild of Magic and Cromwell of the Merlin Family."
Isaac's voice had just dropped when there was a burst of applause from the stand. This was dedicated to Cromwell and Lin Li. In this chaotic city of Jarrosus, people only respected the strong and courageous. Whatever his status, the duelist who dared to walk in to Daylight Square was entitled to all the applause.
Isaac took his seat amidst all the applause, but his face was full of worries. After this duel, Jarrosus City would no longer have peace…
Old Merlin stood up with a weary look. His voice sounded hoarse, but it clearly reached everyone's ears. "I only want to say, whoever humiliates the Merlin Family will have to pay the price."
In the condemnation of Old Merlin's double-edged remark, Gerian naturally rose to his feet. The smile on his chubby face was still there, but his v
oice spread like muffled thunder under the effect of magic. "F*ck the Merlin Family, so what if I humiliate you?"
"…"
The Daylight Square suddenly quieted down; there was a startled expression on everyone's faces. No one knew what exactly had happened, and they merely stared blankly at the two Archmages…
Old Merlin's face was livid and his eyes were fixed on Gerian as if they were about to burst into flames. Had it not been for Castellan Isaac sitting in the middle, holding the two men down, perhaps there would have been another battle between Jarrosus' most powerful mages on the stands before the duel below started.
"Forget it, I shall not teach you a lesson for the time being. I'll settle it with you after the duel ends." Gerian, who was just chewing out Old Merlin earlier on, swore in a fit as if he was the victim now. Only with Isaac's persuasion did he sit indignantly in his place.
There was a lot of drama on the stands, but Lin Li's attention had been on Cromwell.
Cromwell, on the other side, seemed to be very different from the past. Surrounding him was a powerful aura, something Cromwell had never had before; the magical wave emanating from him was even more powerful than Lin Li's own.
The Merlin Family is indeed impressive…
Feeling the surprise from Lin Li, a cruel smirk appeared on Cromwell's confident face. He had been waiting so many days for the moment when he would step onto the Daylight Square. He relished the surprise in Lin Li's eyes, and hoped that the mage who had humiliated him would show the expression of despair and fear in the face of absolute power in the ensuing duel…
The humiliation caused by the Waterfall Strike in the Emerald Tower had always been deeply engraved in Cromwell's heart. He could still remember how Lin Li had looked at him with condescending disdain, not regarding himself as a level opponent at all. The Waterfall Strike had knocked him out of the Emerald Tower, which seemed to him like throwing out a bag of garbage.
"Long time no see, Mage Felic." Cromwell greeted him in exactly the same way as when Lin Li was leaning over him on the steps of the Emerald Tower. Cromwell's heart was full of anticipation when he said that sentence. He anticipated seeing the expression of fear on his opponent's face, like how he did when he was lying on the steps.