[Johnson Tyler. Level 3 Acolyte. Strength: 1.9, Agility: 2.5, Strength: 2.0, Spiritual Force: 13. Magic Artifact on target’s body can unleash attacks up to three times, each producing a force of more than 20 degrees. ]
A trace of blue light, invisible to others, flashed through Leylin’s optic nerve, as the A.I. chip scanned and recorded the information regarding the Tyler Family’s patriarch.
Then, Leylin’s nose twitched; he had smelled a deteriorating and decaying odor emitted from that Patriarch’s body.
It was clear from the many wrinkles on this patriarch’s face that this man did not have many years of his lifespan left.
Too weak! This kind of strength, in front of Leylin, was the same as grinding an ant to dust.
Leylin swept a glance from top to toe of the patriarch and found that the Magic Artifact he wore was somewhat decent.
If a Level 3 Acolyte were allowed to pay an extremely high cost, they could attain a Magic Artifact suitable for a Rank 1 Magus. It seemed that this was something that was passed down the family.
However, from what Leylin saw, instead of one hit, he needed just two to take Johnson down.
The disparity between their strengths was too high, and Leylin did not feel inclined to gossip with him.
“My purpose for coming here is: as stated in my letter from before, I will pay a sufficient cost to compensate for the Rainbow Potion, and you all must pardon Bicky of her crimes.”
Leylin ignored the angry look upon the patriarch’s face and found a seat to sit down on.
Seeing that Leylin did not show any courtesy, a trace of fury flashed in the eyes of Johnson Tayler, but he quickly suppressed it.
But within his mind, he felt aggrieved, as if a large stone had been placed in his heart. Since when could a Level 3 Acolyte act this brazenly inside the Tyler Fort?
However, Johnson had, after all, had plenty of experiences during his span of life. Moreover, he could always detect a trace of danger from Leylin.
The many years of training made Johnson put a smile on his face as if he was not even the teensiest bit angry due to Leylin’s actions.
“The Rainbow Potion is a precious ancient treasure, right now many of its ingredients are hard to find…”
“I will give the Grine Water in exchange for it!”
“Wh… What…” Johnson stammered immediately, and an unbelievable expression filled his face.
“I said that I will give the Grine Water for it! That would be enough to exchange for the Rainbow Potion, would it not? After all, the Rainbow Potion’s effect is to complement the success rate with the Grine Water. When comparing the treasures, the Grine Water is much rarer!”
Leylin interlaced his fingers as he smiled, immediately throwing out a temptation that Johnson could not refuse.
The composition and effect of the Grine Water had long since been analysed by the A.I. Chip during this period.
Only that the brewing process required a lot of ingredients to carry out. Leylin did not have that many ingredients on him, so he could only make do with the analysis.
According to the A.I. Chip’s calculation, the effect of the Grine Water was to burn the life force of the acolyte and breakthrough the Spiritual Force bottleneck.
This method had very evidently had a huge backlash and after effect.
As for Leylin, although he burnt a little of his life force during his advancement, it was very soon replenished by the Giant Kemoyin Serpent’s blood essence.
Leylin guessed that it was the tremendous vitality found within the Giant Kemoyin Serpent’s blood essence that substituted his own life force that was burnt during the advancement.
Hence, after advancement, right now Leylin had at least 500 to 600 years of lifespan according to the A.I. Chip.
As for normal Rank 1 Magus, even if they used many methods to prolong their life, they would at most live up to 200-300 years old.
Moreover, after Leylin advanced to a Rank 1 Warlock, the Grine Water that had effect for acolytes was not of much use to him anymore.
Leylin had planned to exchange it for some resources, but now it seems that using it as compensation was not a bad idea too.
As expected, after hearing the words ‘Grine Water,’ this patriarch Johnson began to pant.
There hasn’t been the birth of an official Magus in the Tyler Family for over 300 years!
Moreover due to the decline of the bloodline and lack of resources, the Tyler Family members had very little chance of advancement. They did not even have a Level 3 Acolyte where the academy chairman could fawn upon to sign a contract. So naturally they had no way of obtaining the Grine Water.
As for other families, they were extremely pleased to watch the decline of the Tyler Family before stepping in to swoop all of their resources. Thus, there weren’t any good-natured people to aid them.
Although the Rainbow Potion was good, it was not rarer than the Grine Water.
After all, the Rainbow Potion’s effect that could raise the success rate was rather hard to determine. It would at most raise it by 20%.
However, the Grine Water was different! With it and an outstanding acolyte, the Tyler Family could definitely try to cultivate their own official Magus! They did not have to be restrained by other contracts!
However, although this wily fox Johnson was extremely willing, he still put on a difficult expression.
“When Bicky stole the Rainbow Potion, she even ruined some treasures…”
Leylin shook his head. He had already predicted such a scene before his advancement.
Even if he was willing to compensate, he would definitely be ripped off.
As he was merely a Level 3 Acolyte, yet the other party was from a Magus family. Even if it was a declining family, their power is still to be reckoned with for any regular acolytes.
If Johnson did not ruthlessly try to knock off a huge amount from Leylin, then he would have lived to this ripe old age in vain.
“Enough!” Leylin’s face darkened.
At the same time, a mighty Spiritual Force energy wave emanated from his body.
*Hu Hu Hu!* As if a strong gale had swept past, the cloth on the tables and curtains on the windows let off a rattling sound.
The mighty Spiritual Force of an official Magus mercilessly swept through the fort as frightened wails were heard.
Many youths in the Tyler Family fainted on the spot, without making a sound.
They were all regular humans without any resistance to Magus’s methods.
As for those Level 1 Acolyte and Level 2 Acolyte, they were not any better off. Their faces were reddened as they tried their best to support themselves and not fall onto the ground.
“Of… Official Magus?!”
As if seeing a ghost, Johnson’s mouth gaped widely, large enough to stuff several duck eggs inside.
After which, fright surfaced on his face as he immediately knelt onto the ground, “Most respected Lord Magus! Please be appeased and let my family members off!”
Seeing that Johnson, who had wanted to rip him off just a few moments before, was now kneeling on the floor like a frightened rabbit, Leylin harrumphed coldly. However, he still retrieved his Spiritual Force.
Leylin only did a slight test earlier with some restrain. If not, the regular humans in the fort would have all died from the radiation.
Johnson shuddered as he knelt, his inner heart wildly howling, “This Spiritual Force definitely belongs to an official Magus! It can’t be wrong! He… He is only 18 at most!”
Once he thought of having offended such a genius official Magus, Johnson desired to cry yet there were no tears. He even had the notion of committing suicide.
“Bicky! Yes! His relationship with her is good!” Johnson’s eyes lit up as he suddenly thought of this point.
“Quick! Quick bring Bicky here! No… Maid! First, bring her for a bath…”
After seeking approval from Leylin, Johnson scampered off and ran into a large hall, screaming at an aco
lyte that was sprawled on the floor.
After which, Johnson put on a flattering smile as he bowed towards Leylin. “My Lord, do you have any other orders?”
Looking at his shameless behaviour, Leylin was somewhat speechless.
After all, this was Bicky’s family; he could not do things to the extremes.
After Johnson accompanied Leylin in trepidation for another dozen minutes or so, Leylin finally got to see Bicky.
Bicky had apparently gone for grooming; her hair even had water droplets which had not been dried properly. She wore a white gown, her expression, however, did not seem very well, having huge eye bags and dark circles around her eyes.
“You… You’re Leylin?!”
Bicky looked at Leylin who stood there unyieldingly and then at her family head who was smiling obsequiously, suddenly feeling dizzy as she tried to connect the dots…
126 - Clayde
Several minutes later, within the large hall.
There was no one else apart from Leylin and Bicky.
Leylin and Bicky sat facing each other, only separated by a small, white round-table. There were many appetizers and aperitifs arranged on this table.
Bicky was holding a piece of sponge cake within her hand, but it appeared she had no appetite.
“Is it true? How did you actually get promoted to a level 1 Magus this soon?”
Bicky, still appearing absent-minded, picked up a steaming drink and took a gulp.
“Congratulations, Leylin! Also, thank you for coming over to help me.”
“Don’t mention it. After all, you are my friend.” Leylin smiled as he said.
“That’s right! You are a good friend.” Bicky unconsciously repeated whatever Leylin said, still looking dazed.
“What do you plan to do from now on?” asked Leylin, anxiously, seeing Bicky acting in this manner.
“In the future?” Bicky bowed her head as in deep thought and said, “I do not intend to return to the academy. I shall go and travel and perhaps one day; I will return to my family…”
Saying this, she looked eagerly at Leylin, “Maybe I can become your follower?”
After becoming an official Magus, a person can usually accept a few followers and agree upon a soul contract where the followers would pledge their life and loyalty to their master. In return, based on their accomplishments, the masters would have to provide their followers with knowledge and resources to the best of their abilities.
And in the outside world, a follower can be the representative of their master to a certain extent.
“This will not do!” Leylin refused Bicky’s request after thinking for a while.
“I have a big problem on hand. Besides all that…”
Even though Leylin did not speak it out, Bicky understood that followers must have certain strength, which could, later on, be of help to their masters
Now, Leylin was already a Magus. With his talent, this was only the beginning of his journey.
And because of this, Leylin’s followers’ aptitudes should not be lousy. Otherwise, further cultivation would be useless.
Bicky’s spiritual aptitude was not very good—till now she was still only a Level 2 Acolyte. Leylin reckoned that, if she did not experience any strange events, the status of a Level 3 Acolyte would be the highest she could achieve in her lifetime, which would not be of much help to him.
“If it’s like this! I merely made a passing remark…” Bicky laughed forcefully.
Seeing the way Bicky behaved, Leylin suddenly felt he had a headache coming on. He said, “Regarding Fayle, have you decided what is to be done?”
“About him…” Bicky remained silent for a moment.
A good while later, she calmly spoke, “He entered the Purple-Gold Flower Family and now has both Grine Water and the Rainbow Potion. I am afraid that he has already broken through and become an official Magus. What can I do?”
“At an appropriate moment, I will make him pay the price.”
Leylin still wished to offer some hope and guarantee to Bicky.
Certainly, when and how he will take revenge is up to him to decide. In any case, Leylin himself wasn’t prepared to be riddled with troubles to kill the guy who cheated Bicky.
Even if Fayle had advanced, he was now only a newly-minted Magus—which was definitely not a match for Leylin.
Moreover, there were many Rank 1 Spells contained within that Book of Serpent, some which can kill people without a trace of sound. Outsiders will definitely not be able to connect the death to Leylin.
Bicky’s eyes reddened as tears the size of beans rolled down her cheek.
“Thank you! Thank you! Leylin…”
She cried as she pounced into Leylin’s arms. Leylin’s expression was tender as he hugged her with his left arm, with the right hand patting her gently on the back.
After which, Leylin made a strange gesture with his right arm where Bicky did not realise it.
A greyish black gas was pulled out from Bicky’s body and held firmly in Leylin’s hands.
Several hours later, after refusing Johnson’s invite to stay, Leylin left the Tyler Fort on his own.
Before leaving, he still went according to the contract and gave the Grine Water to the Tyler Family as compensation.
In exchange, Johnson pardoned Bicky’s crime in front of all the members, even with the intent of making her the successor immediately.
Leylin walked a good long distance before looking back at Tyler Fort. With his vision, he could see a smoky white figure standing alone in front of the Tyler Fort, maintaining the gesture of sending Leylin off earlier.
“I hope the potions I gave her will be of some use!”
Before leaving, Leylin even gave Bicky some of his modified Azure Potion and told her clearly of its uses. And like before, Leylin told a lie, saying that he managed to chance across them and made a purchase.
Although he had the strength of a Rank 1 Warlock now and could definitely protect a potion’s formula, he still wished to avoid trouble.
To him, Bicky and the other acolytes in the Abyssal Bone Forest Academy were only part of his journey to climb to the top.
He would slightly halt in this part of the journey, but not forever.
He still wished to climb further to greater heights, to see and accomplish more things.
Perhaps, after he had climbed to the highest point, he would then reminisce of his past and return to it.
But before that, he will never leave behind any regrets!
“The issues are almost settled. Maybe I should leave the Poolfield Kingdom and travel around the South Coast?”
The Lilytell Family was a large family with a strong backing. Leylin’s might could not even be compared to a fraction of it.
Warlock of the Magus World 1-596 Page 98