Leylin's expression softened; this was one of the rare occasions that this occurred. He still remembered this unfortunate girl and the grief and perseverance on this girl's face before.
"It's really great to see you again, how are Guricha and Dodoria?"
Leylin smiled.
Hearing this, Nyssa who was wrapped in the black cloak shuddered, and her voice was gloomy as she said, "They're all dead. Even Kaliweir, Beirut, the ones who came with us from the Chernobyl Islands, more than half of them perished...."
"My apologies...."
Leylin did not know what he ought to say. Although he did divulge a bit of information previously, it was extremely obscure. Whether or not Kaliweir and the rest could figure it out, and if they could view it solemnly were all matters of uncertainty.
Moreover, even if they discovered that something was amiss, they were only first or second grade acolytes without much aptitude. Whether or not they could obtain discriminating treatment from the academy and leave was also difficult to say.
As expected, Nyssa continued, "After getting news from you, we'd came together several times. However, there were no good measures. Not long later, the Abyssal Bone Forest Academy announced a lockdown of the whole academy, otherwise, death would be granted... Afterwards, the war began...."
Official Magi were the core strength of the war between both sides. Kaliweir, together with the others who weren't even level 3 acolytes were not fit to be cannon fodder, so heavy casualties were to be expected.
Leylin could not think of any consoling words. Nyssa too did not continue, and silence ensued.
"Mission recorded and confirmed as completed! This is your reward, please check and accept!"
At this moment, the freckled girl from behind the counter had finally raised her head, and scribbled on a piece of parchment paper with a feather quill, finally handing over a small leather sack to Leylin.
Leylin weighed the sack, and rubbing noises between magic crystals came travelling from the leather sack.
"I still have something on, so I'll take my leave first!"
Leylin said to Nyssa, leaving her with a complicated expression on her face.
"Mission is completed, time to meet with Mentor!"
Leylin walked through the gardens and came to the experiment lab where Kroft was.
* Dong Dong Dong! *
Leylin knocked on the door, following which, the door creaked open, revealing a pretty girl.
The girl was slightly shorter than Leylin by half a head and had beautiful, green hair. Her body contours were extremely seductive. Due to the proximity, Leylin could even catch a whiff of her perfume.
"Bicky! It's been a long time!" Leylin spoke softly.
"You are... Leylin!" The green-haired girl sized up Leylin suspiciously with a glance, before cheering as she leapt into his arms.
Feeling the soft perky abundance against his chest, and the fragrance that wafted into his nose, Leylin could not help but exclaim at this little girl having matured.
"Alright! I am here to visit Kroft!"
Leylin waited for a good while, and seeing that the girl did not want to leave his embrace, he could only he cajole her while patting her on the shoulders.
"Mentor is just inside, together with Merlin!" Bicky rubbed her somewhat reddened eyes, and her delicate features revealed a smile, "You being alright is really a great thing...."
Leylin nodded his head and walked into the experiment lab.
"Leylin!" Merlin greeted him first. His features did not change much from the past 3 years, only that his temperament seemed more stable and mature. After seeing Leylin, he forced an extremely ugly smile.
"Senior Merlin!" Leylin bowed. His knew that a part of Merlin's face had suffered from irreparable damage from before, so he did not mind that he was unable to portray common expressions.
After which, Leylin continued walking in.
There was only an experiment table in here. On the operating table, a white-haired, middle-aged man placed the test tube in his hands down, and his pair of golden eyes met Leylin's eyes.
"I can smell the barely faint smell of the Void Flower in your body, it seems like you really got the petals of a Void Flower!"
Kroft stared at Leylin for some time, before smiling, "You're really a lucky fellow!
"Haha..." Leylin scratched the back of his head, revealing an embarrassed expression, but deep down he was elated.
After deciding to use the Void Flower as an excuse, he had been concocting the substitute ingredients for the Void Flower.
99.98%
After huge amounts of experiments, he had obtained a type of potion which could emit the scent of the Void Flower with a similarity of 99.98%, to use as his trump card to fool others.
Of course, this potion only had a similar fragrance to the Void Flower, but it did not contain any effect of the original Void Flower at all.
Before coming to the academy, Leylin had especially sprayed some of it on his body, and now it seemed that even Kroft was fooled.
After which, Leylin only had to insist that the effect of the Void Flower was fully consumed by him, then nobody would be able to discover any gaps in his speech.
"No matter what, achieving level 3 acolyte before you are 20, you can already be considered as one of the core acolytes in the academy. Only that you have to go to the Administrative Area to register, then your various welfares and statuses will increase...."
Kroft told Leylin about some benefits and authority given to a level 3 acolyte, which would be awarded to Leylin.
Finally, Leylin could hardly wait any longer and blurted out, "Professor, this time, I'm here to ask about the matter of the official Magus that you spoke of previously...."
"I knew it!" Kroft nodded, "Ever since I saw you after your first meditation, I knew that you are resolute on the path of a Magus...."
The white-haired, middle-aged man pointed at the chairs in the lab, "Regarding this, it might take a while, so let us sit first."
Saying which, Kroft walked towards a recliner and sat down, with Leylin following behind him.
The black chair was draped with the leather of some creature, and running your hands across it gave a comfortable feeling. Between the two chairs, there was a small round table.
Bicky served two hot, steaming cups of green refreshments-- her actions was of the official standard as if she had practiced serving innumerable times-- and hurriedly retreated.
"Green Root Fruit Juice! I never thought that Professor would still keep this habit!" Leylin sniffed the fragrance, and his eyes reflected reminiscence.
"Haha... I have always liked these kinds of drinks, even when I'm idle or when doing experiments, I will still take a sip or two. Moreover, for an official Magus, 3 years is only a short time in their life!"
Kroft made several sips of the drink and then asked, "Leylin, do you know how to advance to an official Magus?"
"Please show me the way, Mentor!" Leylin's expression was extremely solemn.
"An official Magus has long since overcome the limitations of a human. They are able to harness the nature's energy and obtain a longer lifespan. Even the worst official Magus is far beyond that of a level 3 acolyte! They are extraordinary!"
Kroft's voice sounded mellow, almost as if he were singing.
"This is because of the energy and devastating strength that an official Magus controls. A long time-- maybe a thousand odd years ago, on the Luxe Castle of the south coast, all magisterium in the south coast have come to a mutual agreement to control the information about official Magi, and have even endorsed it..."
Kroft spoke of the past history of the Magus World.
"No matter what it is similar to the non-proliferation treaty of nuclear weapons of my previous world!" thought Leylin.
"From then on, before a level 3 acolyte advanced to an official Magus, they will sign a contract with the person or organisation imparting the knowledge to them. To promise that there will be in no way the concrete steps of advancing into an official Magus will be divulged. Any violators will accept the judgement of the Trial's Eye, and his soul to be scorched for a thousand years...."
Kroft looked at Leylin, "I too have signed the contract before, hence I was able to obtain the resources and information needed for advancement. Due to the restrictions of this contract, I am unable to share the information with you!"
"However, I can still tell you of some general knowledge around it!" Seeing the obviously disappointed face of Leylin, Kroft continued.
"To advance to an official Magus, the first requirement is for the acolyte to reach a certain standard in the spiritual force. From what I see, you are very close to this criteria already. Actually, for many level 3 acolyte, this is not a problem at all.
"As for the real crux, it is to have a defensive spell model of a rank 1 Spell. This model will become your innate defensive spell in the future. Also, you need a standard amount of Grine Water to complement with the breakthrough!"
Leylin listened attentively, and various emotions flashed across his eyes, "So then, the criteria to advance would be these three: A certain level of spiritual force, a defensive rank 1 spell and Grine Water! Right?"
"Indeed!" Kroft nodded his head, "rank 1 Magus spell models and Grine Water are controlled by the huge factions. Even on the counters of Abyssal Bone Forest Academy, you will not be able to find them!"
Leylin smiled bitterly. He had already scouted most of the markets in the Poolfield Kingdom. There was absolutely no one place which contained Grine Water or a defensive rank 1 Spell.
From level 1 acolyte to level 2 acolyte, all that Leylin had learnt were rank 0 spells. Obviously, the Magi had made clear divisions on the rankings of spells. Moreover, they coined the spells that acolytes learnt as rank 0 spells, to differentiate between those spells of official Magi.
As for Grine Water, Leylin seemed to have seen some information pertaining to it on a ruined draft regarding Potioneering. That was a type of potion that was rather difficult for Leylin with his current abilities to brew. Moreover, many main ingredients were monopolised by the huge factions, and there were no traces of the formula.
"So then, Professor, you asked me to come back, which means that I am able to obtain the Grine Water and defensive rank 1 Spell?" Leylin suddenly asked.
"I can only say that it's possible."
Kroft took another sip of the green refreshment. "Advancing to a level 3 acolyte before you turn 20 is already considered to be a potential Magus. Therefore, you are qualified to sign a contract with the academy!"
-x-X-x-
"Contract? What contract?"
Leylin asked.
"First, you cannot reveal any information regarding the advancement to an official Magus. Furthermore, after you become an official Magus, the contract that you signed when you entered the academy would not impose any restrictions on you anymore. Hence, you must swear upon your soul, under the witness of Trial's Eye, you will be of service to the academy for 100 years!"
"After signing the contract, you will be able to obtain a defensive rank 1 Magus spell for free, and a standard amount of Grine Water!
Leylin saw an introduction to Trial's Eye before on an ancient manual. It seemed to be a massive organism with Rules from a different world. It did not have a consciousness of its own, and magicians preferred to use it as a witness when undertaking important contracts.
The effectiveness of its constraints was known to be amongst the strongest of all contracts. Moreover, there was no way to be rid of it.
Once an agreement was formed, within the span of a hundred years, even if the academy were to have Leylin sacrifice his life during a battle, he had no choice but to obey.
This agreement was similar to a slave contract, yet it had more constraints stipulated in it than in a regular slave contract.
Leylin rejected it immediately within his heart. He was a person for valued absolute freedom, so it was rather distasteful for him to be under such constraints.
Of course, on the surface, Leylin still pretended to be extremely moved, struggling for an answer.
Finally, Leylin asked, with his throat a little parched, "So, Mentor, did you sign such a contract too?"
"Indeed! And because of this, I've joined Abyssal Bone Forest Academy, and became a member of the professors!" Kroft gave a definitive reply, "Actually, the treatment that the academy gives to Magus like us - who came from abroad - is not too bad. They wouldn't let us take on extremely difficult tasks as well!"
"Professor, asking me to come back to the academy, I'm sure there is some other way?"
Leylin looked at Kroft in anticipation.
Signing a contract and obtaining resources was a very common practice, and had nothing to do with the current precarious situation the academy was in. Leylin naturally did not assume that Kroft asked him to come back for this.
After hearing Leylin's words, Kroft seemed to be happy. "Indeed, you are still as intelligent as before. Your eyes are also filled with wisdom, if not for your average aptitude, your achievements in future would definitely surpass Merlin's!"
The façade of inferiority towards Merlin was put on by Leylin. He smiled, not speaking, waiting to hear what Kroft had to say.
"Actually, the war of Abyssal Bone Forest Academy is not over!"
This sentence of Kroft made Leylin's hair stand straight.
"What?" Leylin was so flabbergasted that he stood up immediately, "Was the war not mediated after the Lighthouse of the Night stepped in to stop Sage Gotham's Hut and Whitewoods Castle?"
"This news is indeed accurate but is incomplete. The war between official Magi have ended, but for acolytes it is still far from ending!"
Kroft smiled wryly.
"Although Lighthouse of the Night is one of the strongest guilds around, they are not the only one. Behind Sage Gotham's Hut and Whitewoods Castle, there is also a powerful guild supporting them from behind.
"Hence, under the mediation of Lighthouse of the Night, although the war between both sides has ended, yet there was a special clause!"
"What is it?" Leylin could faintly discern that it had something to do with the acolytes, but he still asked.
"The opposing factions have requested us to recall all of our acolytes, and engage in a bloodbath with their acolytes in a secret plane!
"Secret plane!? Bloodbath?"
Towards Leylin who had abundant information and knowledge, only after searching in the A.I. Chip's data bank, he found the information he needed regarding those two terms.
The secret plane was a dimension used by magicians to protect their own lab and store their resources. It is created by a spell and the dimension is got by connecting to a region from the outside world.
Because of the powerful spell effects outside of these secret planes, magicians of the acolyte level could not break into it. As for some higher levelled secret planes, even if official Magi were to enter, they would also perish.
With the passing of time, some magician guilds will join forces, using spells to form a temporary secret plane, and conduct some experiments or for war/battle.
As for bloodbath, it contained the meaning of madness and massacre.
In the Magus World, if two magicians have a huge conflict that could not longer be mediated, only with death they would rest their case. Under these circumstances, they will undergo a bloodbath with a host as a witness!
Before the bloodbath, both parties would sign an agreement. After any one side dies, their families, professors and friends may not directly avenge them.
This was a kind of battle, but with the effects of spells, the contracts, too, were difficult to breach. Many magicians with dignity would engage in this life and death conflict, yet they did not wish for the collateral damage to spread. So a bloodbath was the best choice.
"So, the academy summoned us acolytes back...."
Leylin suddenly realised that his throat was extremely parched as if he were a person dying from thirst.
"During the signing of the contract, the other parties have summoned Trial's Eye as a witness, so our academy could only go according to the stipulated agreement. If not, all of us professors-- including the chairman-- will have our souls resting in eternal peace...."
"This time, it's not only you guys, even the other genius fifth-grade acolytes, including your senior Merlin, must participate in this bloodbath. Moreover, the acolytes from each of the 3 academies, will all be at the same place...."
"Wait, which is to say, the acolytes from the other two academies will join forces and attack our Abyssal Bone Forest Academy?"
Leylin felt rather dizzy, Abyssal Bone Forest Academy acolytes have already suffered tremendous casualties from the war before. As for Sage Gotham's Hut and Whitewoods Castle, they were forces with a level similar to Abyssal Bone Forest Academy. If any of these two were to engage in a bloodbath battle with Abyssal Bone Forest Academy's acolytes, it would be 50-50, not to mention there's two of them now.
Moreover, at the moment, there were only 50-60% acolytes remaining behind in Abyssal Bone Forest Academy.
"This is too crazy, why would the academy accept such conditions?"
"There's no choice, who asked for our academy to be in such a state? Sage Gotham's Hut and Whitewoods Castle wants to wipe our acolytes out at one go, and let the Abyssal Bone Forest Academy's legacy be broken!" Kroft smiled bitterly, "Furthermore, be it our acolytes or the enemies', they are not allowed to bring in any battle items of official Magus strength. This is programmed into the defensive spell of the secret plane. Any tools which exceed the strength of an acolyte will immediately be rejected upon entering the secret plane...."
"Can I still leave now?" Leylin harboured his tiny glimmer of hope.
"What do you think?" Kroft looked at Leylin deeply in the eyes, and the meaning implicated made Leylin quiver.
"Alright then!" Leylin resigned to his fate and sat down. "The bad news is over? You should tell me some good news now!"
"You little brat!" Kroft smiled and shook his head. "Before the bloodbath, the academy will conduct a competition, where the rewards are bountiful. Moreover, various remuneration have increased by twofold, and the spell models and potions on the sales counter are also at a large discount...."
"They want to raise the strength of their own acolytes before the bloodbath, huh?" Leylin thought silently. He was a very optimistic person and had already faintly thought of a scenario like this before, unlike the extremely shocked appearance he was putting on right now. Since there is no room for retreat, his brain immediately adapted to the situation.
"All these have nothing to do with the advancement of official Magus. Previous, Mentor has told me that there is a method to advance, could it be inside the bloodbath?"
"Indeed! The academy has issued a mission to all level 3 acolyte like you for a blood vengeance. You are to massacre as many acolytes as you can inside the bloodbath!"
A sign of madness appeared for the first time on Kroft's bespectacled features.
"We have assigned points on the enemy acolytes, every level 1 acolyte is worth 1 contribution points, level 2 acolytes are worth 3 points, and level 3 acolyte as 10 points. Towards the more noteworthy acolytes, we have corresponding values assigned to them.
There was a huge temptation behind Kroft's words, "This time the academy's mission reward is extremely bountiful. If you were to obtain enough contribution points, no matter if it is a rank 1 Magus defensive spell model or Grine Water, they all can be exchanged for with contribution points!"
"This is the only method that does not require a contract, and still can advance with resources!"
"If it's this way...." Leylin closed his eyes, and quietly pondered of his mentor's speech.
On the surface, Leylin looked calm. In fact, his brain had already begun to ponder over various scenarios, with the A.I. Chip constantly bringing out different simulations, projecting them in front of Leylin.
Minutes later, Leylin stood up again and bowed to his Professor Kroft. "If there is nothing else, please allow me to take my leave!"
"Where are you going?" Kroft was rather stunned by his own apprentice's actions.
"Of course to see the Trading Post and sales counter!"
Leylin bowed again, and after obtaining Kroft's approval, he left immediately.
Walking on an empty school route, Leylin thought over many things. First of all, trying to escape under the noses of various professors of the official Magus level and then being hunted was something impossible.
Leylin only thought briefly, before beginning to toss that notion away.
Previously, he was able to escape was because of Kroft's pointer and his personal capabilities. The largest reason was still that the academy allowed him to leave. If not, regardless of then and now, Leylin would never be able to walk out of the academy's doors.
"Compared to official Magus, it seems like there is more hope in the bloodbath between acolytes, although the situation is still as unfavourable as before!"
Leylin walked to the Trading Post. The acolytes here numbered slightly more than other places, but many acolytes still had glum expressions on their faces. It seems that they had already gotten news of the upcoming bloodbath.
First, Leylin went to Woox's store to have a look. A pity, however, the little wooden hut was already gone, and the fatty Woox was not known to have escaped or died.
Leylin sighed in disappointment. At the Trading Post, he purchased some ingredients he needed, before walking to the spell models sales counter.
-x-X-x-
"Is there anything I can help you with?"
The disgusting woman behind the counter previously had now disappeared, changing into a friendly looking old geezer.
"Where's the woman from before?" Leylin asked.
"Dakota? Already dead!" A tinge of sadness seemed to appear on the old geezer's face.
"Give me the spell model catalogue!" Thinking of that fussy woman from before, Leylin felt extremely glad. Even the sinking feeling from the mandatory attendance of the bloodbath had slowly reduced.
"Here!" The old geezer handed over a booklet made from parchment paper over to Leylin.
Leylin opened to have a look. The first page was of Fire element rank 0 spells, on the page number it shone with red light, indicating the element of the spells listed.
Leylin continued flipping. Water element, Plant element, even Necromancy rank 0 spells had all shone in their respective colours.
As for Shadow, Dark Element rank 0 spells, Leylin had already collected almost all, so he did not look any further.
While browsing through the booklet, Leylin realised that the prices of these spell models had reduced by more than half, so they were already selling them at a loss.
It was a pity, however, that for regular acolytes, to master a rank 0 spell, they must take at least months. Towards this imminent bloodbath, it was futile to start mastering them now.
"This Secondary Energy Fireball of the Fire element, Dampened Earth of the Water element, and the manipulation of corpses from the Necromancy Element, and this, and this.... One of them each."
Since the spell model prices have plunged down, and Leylin had magic crystals, he could naturally afford to splurge on them.
To him, it was like a sweep of the warehouse sale.
After handing the old geezer a huge bag of magic crystals, and requested him to send people to carry the books over, Leylin then asked, "Are there any rank 1 spell models here?"
"My apologies, our counter here only sells rank 0 spells for the acolytes." The old geezer shrugged his shoulders and put on a helpless appearance. It seems like Leylin wasn't the first acolyte to ask him about this.
After obtaining an answer he expected, Leylin nodded his head and left.
His earlier question was just to try his luck, so he wasn't very disappointed.
* Ka-cha! Creak! *
First, it was the sound of a bronze key entering the keyhole and the turning of the lock.
"We're here, place the things down!"
Leylin opened his dorm's door and said towards several servants carrying boxes behind him.
* Boom! * The few servants placed the spell models books onto the ground, letting off a loud noise.
After placing Leylin's purchase, these servants bowed to Leylin and walked out of the room.
"There is actually no change here!"
Leylin sized up his room. There was still a bright light radiating from within. Apart from more dust being collected, the rest was still the same as before.
"Amansi!"
Leylin snapped his fingers. Suddenly a green whirlwind appeared from within the room.
The spiralling of the whirlwind continued, bringing the bedsheets and tablecloths floating into the air. A few grey dust particles were sucked into that whirlwind.
Very soon the green whirlwind spun around the room once, and many dust particles were trapped in it, turning a murky green colour, finally it dropped into the bin.
"Now it seems much more comfortable and clean!"
Leylin looked at the dorm that was as good as new, and nodded his head in satisfaction, before placing the spell models and ingredients away nicely.
After all was done, Leylin first went to the dining hall to have a sumptuous dinner, before returning to the room and picking up a spell model book.
"Secondary Energy Fireball huh?" Leylin looked at the fire red book. "A.I. Chip! Record!"
[Beep! Scanning in progress!] The A.I. Chip's voice intoned.
Hours later, the A.I. Chip replied, [The spell model of Secondary Energy Fireball has been recorded, analysing in progress: 9.23%]
After his advancement into a level 3 Acolyte, the A.I. Chip which was part of his soul also obtained an increase in processing capabilities.
To Leylin, other acolytes need continuous memorisation and use of their spiritual force to construct the spell models in their mind. This would require a huge consumption of time, and once something goes awry, it would result in a waste of time.
However, for Leylin, he only needed the A.I. Chip to analyse the spell and send it over to his hippocampus, then he would remember this spell model forever. In future, he only needed to activate his spiritual force, before completely mastering the spell model.
To put it simply, the A.I. Chip had substituted the process of memory and also created a framework for him in his mind. It was like digging a pool, the A.I. Chip would help Leylin in digging a pool, and Leylin only needed to put forth his spiritual force like water into the pool. This saved a huge amount of time, which made Leylin's learning abilities on spell models much faster than regular acolytes.
"A.I. Chip! Establish mission! With all the rank 0 spells as the foundation, begin simulating the model for a rank 1 spell!"
From what Leylin could see, the might of a rank 1 spell was stronger than a rank 0 spell. Only with enough material, with the A.I. Chip's calculation abilities, can he manage to simulate a certain rank 1 spell model. There could even be a new spell model that had never appeared before in the Magus World!
[Mission establishing! Information on rank 1 spells missing, beginning simulation....]
Rows of data were projected in front of Leylin's eyes.
[Estimated might of a rank 1 spell: 20 degrees and above! Information sources: , , , Umbra's Hand spell model, Secondary Energy Fireball spell model.... Simulation time: Unable to estimate!]
The A.I. Chip listed many sources of material and even replied with an answer that it was unable to estimate for the first time.
However, Leylin smiled. "As expected, although the time is not confirmed, but the A.I. Chip can very well simulate a spell model of a rank 1 spell...."
"What's next, once I have a standard amount of Grine Water, and reach the requirement of the spiritual force to advance, then I can give it a go...."
For Leylin, he would try simulating a rank 1 spell model with the A.I. Chip. But for the Grine Water, as it was a type of intermediate potion, the formula had always been held by the various large magician guilds. There was no way of them being divulged to outsiders. Many of the ingredients to brew it were also monopolised by these guilds, so there was no way he could brew it on his own.
Hence, his main goal in the upcoming bloodbath, was, under the circumstances of self-preservation, that he would try his best to acquire as many contribution points as possible to exchange for the Grine Water!
If he even had to purchase a spell model with the contribution points, he had no confidence to retaliate under the two academies joining forces and obtaining enough contribution points.
Moreover, even if he did, he would be marked down by the enemy Magi, which was not beneficial for his future growth.
But now he only needed to get one of the two, so the difficulty was reduced by half. The attention he would be getting would be reduced too.
"Also, I have to complete the Fallen Star Pendant for a chance to live on in the bloodbath!"
Leylin's hand turned over, revealing that silver cross.
Under the bright light, the jewels on the cross glittered resplendently.
"Once I have this low-grade defensive magic artifact, my survival chances will definitely increase in the secret plane!"
Leylin muttered, and came to his experiment lab beside the room, withdrawing the Confining Spirit Sphere that held Roman captive.
The originally dimmed crystal ball gradually radiated with light after Leylin undid the seal. Light reflected from it like amber, with a translucent worm-sized like human figure in it.
"Roman! Actually, I wanted to spend more time on you to pry more information from your mouth. A pity, however, there isn't much time left...."
Regret surfaced on Leylin's face.
As for the vengeful spirit, Roman, who was inside the crystal ball, he shuddered. The crazed and bloodthirsty look disappeared from his face, replaced by a pair of eyes that radiated intelligence.
"A level 3 Acolyte's soul which transformed into a vengeful spirit, can definitely accomplish the final step - Spirit awakening!"
Leylin placed the silver cross beside the Confining Spirit Sphere and began to draw various runes with a feather quill and other tools on the large experiment table.
The runes and characters continuously writhed and twisted, forming a strange magic rune.
Along with Leylin's incantation and tossing of ingredients, the huge magic rune let off a dim grey glow.
As for Roman who was within the Confining Spirit Sphere, he seemed to have seen something extremely dangerous, and even his voice started to quiver, "No... You can't do this...."
The final step of synthesizing the Fallen Star Pendant required a sealed spirit that was full of energy, which is the best catalyst for the activation process.
Roman, who had the strength of a level 3 Acolyte in his previous life, was the perfect ingredient for Leylin right now!
After a vengeful spirit is sealed within the Fallen Star Pendant, Roman's soul will be forever trapped within that silver cross, and suffer from never-ending torment. He could only wait for the day when the silver cross shatters, before his soul will be dissipated.
"You, who is in such a state, have you got any other bargaining chip for me?"
After finishing drawing the spell formation, and sizing up the spirit which was repeatedly begging him from within the Confining Spirit Sphere, a curious smile spread across Leylin's face.
"I... I am an outstanding alchemist and have mastered many secrets and special skills in alchemy. If only you let me go, I will hand them all over to you...."
Seeing the resolute expression on Leylin's face, Roman started to reveal everything that he knew, for a sliver of a chance to stay alive.
"Not enough! Most of your things were already recorded inside that Alchemy book, and these benefits will not be able to compensate for the loss of my Fallen Star Pendant!" Leylin's face turned icy cold.
"I... I also know of a secret about magicians who advance to an official Magus! If only you swear to let me go, I will tell you! That is something that all the higher ups in the magician guilds have done their best to conceal!"
-x-X-x-
"A secret concerning official Magi?"
Leylin smiled, "Don't tell me you know the spell model of a rank 1 spell, or the location of some Grine Water and whatnot...."
"You actually know of these...." Roman put on a shocked expression, but very soon it turned into a smirk.
"Yes! Your professor must have definitely told you that to become a rank 1 Magus, you need a defensive spell model as well as Grine Water, right?"
"Could it be that there is something more to it?" Suddenly Leylin had an ominous feeling.
"Hahaha..." Roman started laughing maniacally, "You have been duped by your professor, or maybe, even your professor doesn't know of it...."
"Do you know the rankings of official Magi?" After laughing hysterically, Roman suddenly became calm and asked Leylin.
"It seems a Magus is differentiated by 9 ranks. rank 1 as the lowest, and rank 9 as the highest. The indication is to release a spell of that rank without any backlash!"
This was some information that Leylin heard from a certain lecturer. However, he had treated it as only a myth. After all, in the whole of Abyssal Bone Forest Academy, all the professors were only rank 1 Magus, save for the chairman who was in the realm of a rank 2 Magus.
As for rank 3 Magi, only the heads of powerful guilds such as Lighthouse of the Night had that cultivation.
Leylin was simply unable to comprehend the extent of the power that a rank 9 Magus could wield.
"It seems as if you have been trying your best to obtain information regarding official Magi...."
Seeing that he had successfully piqued Leylin's interest, Roman rested lazily against the wall of the crystal ball, and said, "The strength of official Magus, rest on their ability to inscribe a rank 1 spell successfully in their sea of consciousness, thus turning into their own innate defensive spell! They will then obtain an instantaneous spell casting or the spell will be permanently in effect. Moreover, the consumption is extremely little...."
Leylin nodded his head, the innate spell of official Magi could always be maintained around the surface of their bodies, forming a barrier. This was why the A.I. Chip's readings were always hindered by these barriers of Magi, thus, it was unable to obtain the data needed.
"After advancing to a rank 1 Magus, a Magus' sea of consciousness will form an innate spell. If this Magus was to advance again, turning into a rank 2 Magus, he will have to construct a new innate spell. Furthermore, it has to be constructed on the foundation of the original innate spell. Which is to say, a rank 2 Magus has 2 innate spells, and a rank 3 Magus has 3 innate spells. If it was a rank 9 Magus of the legends, they would have 9 innate spells, and the final one is a rank 9 spell!"
For a chance to survive, Roman divulged a few details known to few.
"Which is to say, if it was a rank 9 Magus, they can instantaneously cast spells of rank 1 to 9!"
Leylin felt sluggish. He could not resist even a rank 1 spell, to say nothing of a rank 9 spell cast by a Grand Magus.
Once a Magus was able to cast high-level spells instantaneously, it would mean that their battle prowess would be capable of burning down mountains and evaporating the seas.
"And what is this scam that you're speaking of?"
Leylin asked suddenly.
"Hehe! An innate spell is the root of the Magus' spiritual force. Once constructed, it will be irreversible for eternity. Moreover, the innate spells after the first and original one have to be modelled after it. What would happen if you were to choose your innate spell wrongly? Two innate spells conflicting with each other in the sea of consciousness will result in a deficient spell as the best case scenario. The most likely event is that your brain will explode like an alchemy bomb. Bang! And off your head goes!"
Roman made an explosive gesture and sniggered.
"This scenario is extremely plausible!" Leylin face darkened.
"So then, where is the crux of this scam?"
"They have concealed the existence of advanced meditation techniques!" Roman hugged his knees as he squatted.
"Advanced meditation techniques?" Leylin's heart wavered. He had faintly come across information on this, but even if it was his mentor, Kroft, had never seen such advanced source/material like them.
"Yes, advanced meditation techniques completely suit a magician's spiritual force meditation techniques! Not only is the rate faster than those regular meditation techniques in constructing mind runes, they will even naturally form an innate spell in the Magus sea of consciousness on every level!"
"Naturally forming innate spells? You mean...." Leylin's voice grew weak.
"Indeed, if the advanced meditation techniques were to increase its level, they will directly raise the rank of a Magus. There wouldn't be any need for Grine Water or spell model!"
Roman smirked. "Also, according to the innate spell formed by the meditation technique, they'd directly complement each other. Not only is there no conflict with the innate spells, the meditation technique will even enhance the effect of the innate spell!"
"Think about it! If you were to use Grine Water to breakthrough, you will realise that your future levels will be extremely difficult to breakthrough. Every time you advance, you would require something more potent and effective than the Grine Water to aid in the advancement. Not only that, you have to scour the lands for an innate spell which does not conflict with the one you already have. This is purely based on luck, and basically it cannot be done!"
"And tens of hundreds of years will pass. The Magi who had cultivated in advanced meditation techniques would have continuously risen in their levels, while you will be on the bottom rung of the hierarchy struggling to survive, finally dying in some corner where nobody cares about...."
More and more cold sweat began to gather on Leylin's forehead.
With his abundant experience, and the calculation done by the A.I. Chip, he knew that what Roman spoke of was 98% authentic.
"The Magus World is indeed ensnared with pitfalls, and not one step can be wrongly taken!"
"So then, you wish to use a part of an advanced meditation technique to exchange for your petty life?" Leylin deeply inhaled for a few breaths, before asking Roman.
"Indeed, once you swear before the witness of the Trial's Eye, I will hand over the location of one of these advanced meditation techniques!"
Roman howled, "If you won't let me go, then never think of getting that piece of advanced meditation technique!"
"Has that advanced meditation technique got to do with the great Magus Serholm?" Leylin fell silent for a while before he suddenly asked.
"You know about it? That's right, you have been to that lab too, and it seems that you have discovered some information!" Roman was a little shocked, before putting on a nonchalant air.
"But so what? A part of an advanced meditation technique is indeed enough to redeem my life!"
"Alright!" Leylin fell into silence for a while, before finally agreeing.
Following which, he chanted a mysterious incantation.
This incantation was an extreme tongue twister, and there were many pauses. It required a huge amount of magic power before the chant was finished.
Leylin was only able to use this incantation after advancing to a level 3 acolyte.
Following the enunciation of the final syllable, an energy wave came from the void, and the surrounding light dimmed. In the air above of that experiment table, a mysterious vertical eye appeared.
This vertical eye's iris was pitch black, with its pupils dyed a crimson-red. Under its gaze, Leylin's body shuddered, as if not wearing any clothes. All of his secrets seemed to have been exposed to it.
"A.I. Chip! Scan!"
Leylin ordered from the bottom of his heart, yet he did not receive any response.
It seems like the current ability of the A.I. Chip was still unable to detect such a strange entity like the Trial's Eye. Even if it was only a secondary body that did not even contain a billionth of the main body's might.
"With the Trial's Eye as a witness, I, Leylin Farlier, will immediately release Roman from the Confining Spirit Sphere once Roman tells me the information regarding the advanced meditation technique.
Leylin spoke slowly using the Byron Language.
The moment Leylin finished his oath; the Trial's Eye turned into a black light, and separately entered each of Leylin's and Roman's foreheads.
"Alright! I have done as you requested, hurry and tell me the location of the advanced meditation technique!"
Impatience surfaced on Leylin's face.
"Alright! Regarding the advanced meditation technique, actually, I don't know much of it. Only that every advanced meditation technique have different requirements for the cultivator's affinity and soul aptitude."
"As for me, I have read it from a piece of writing left by a Magus, the lead to the lab of the great Magus Serholm. I also know that he left the legacy of the advanced meditation technique in a certain lab!"
Under the constraints of the Trial's Eye, Roman began to spill everything he knew.
"There is a requirement for the cultivators, how about the requirements for the meditation technique?" Leylin asked.
"I don't know. With my ability as a level 3 acolyte, obtaining the location of a piece of meditation technique is already extremely lucky, so how can I have more extravagant demands? Eventually, I hastily went to explore the lab, only to end up dying within it!"
Roman smiled sardonically.
"So then, tell me the location of that meditation technique!" Leylin's face was impassive as he spoke in a low tone.
"On that piece of broken page, I obtained a few locations. The previous location is crossed out now, so that leaves only one. It is the Dylan Gardens which rests within the Zither Moon Mountain Plains!"
"Zither Moon Mountain Plains, Dylan Gardens?"
Leylin suddenly thought of this place that he had come across in his previous exploration. "So the Dylan Gardens was situated on the Zither Moon Mountain Plains, huh?"
"All I know are these, hurry and let me out!" Roman howled.
"Alright! I will let you out now. Under the constraints of the Trial's Eye, I will dare not offend!"
Leylin smiled and snapped his fingers.
* Boom! *
The whole Confining Spirit Sphere shattered into pieces, revealing the translucent spirit body within.
At the same time, two rays of light flew out from Leylin's and Roman's body. This proved that the agreement with the Trial's Eye has already been fulfilled by Leylin.
"Haha! I'm free! I'm free!"
Roman shouted.
"Yes! I have abided by my promise, and released you from the Confining Spirit Sphere! Now, we are even!"
Leylin suddenly waved his hands and activated the spell formation.
* Bang! *
In an instant, the spell runes on the experiment table irradiated with light, engulfing Roman within.
"What happened? You! How can you escape from the binding agreement!"
Roman's face was in utter shock.
-x-X-x-
"I have already abided by my agreement and released you from the Confining Spirit Sphere. What happens next is not a part of the contract!"
Leylin's voice was extremely unconcerned.
This was just simple wordplay. Magicians were all intelligent people, and could not be lied to easily.
However, Roman was different. He had already died a long time ago, and his spirit body had transformed into a vengeful spirit. Naturally, his intelligence could not even be comparable to that of an average human.
Moreover, after spending so much time inside the lab, Leylin had been diligently exercising various methods to reduce Roman's intelligence, making him more muddled, in order to interrogate him.
As expected, even if Roman had unexpectedly regained his intelligence today under the brink of his death, he was still manipulated by Leylin and gave away the important information to the advanced meditation technique.
"Even for me, as of now, a level 3 acolyte spirit body is extremely hard to acquire, so how could I let you leave?"
Leylin did not bother paying attention to Roman's curses, and placed the silver cross in the centre of the runes, as he began to complete the final step for the Fallen Star Pendant.
The Fallen Star Pendant came from a derelict page in the Lowian Academy Teachings. After having been decrypted by the A.I. Chip, together with the Alchemy diary found on Roman's corpse, Leylin was able to deduce the correct procedure for synthesizing it.
After advancing to a level 3 acolyte, Leylin had dedicated most of his time and effort on synthesizing this low-grade magic artifact.
After costing Leylin a large amount of magic crystals and ingredients, the Fallen Star Pendant was almost completed, where the final step remained - spirit awakening!"
According to Leylin's deductions and the A.I. Chip's calculations, the final step, the spirit awakening, had already involved the aspect of spirit and was something that he could not resolve then.
However, Leylin sought a huge number of living bodies from Viscount Jackson of Extreme Night City as a main material in observing the soul.
After many years of research, Leylin could already confirm that within Abyssal Bone Forest Academy, he would be the foremost regarding the topic of soul research, and might even surpass many Magi.
After so many experiments, the spirit awakening step did not pose a problem for Leylin.
However, he had no leads on the other ancient formula that he obtained from Kroft, Tears of Mary, up till now.
Leylin's guess was that this formula was meant for an official Magus, something which an acolyte could not get involved with yet.
"For the Spirit awakening, a stronger spirit body is not necessarily better. According to the A.I. Chip's simulation and my own deductions, a level 3 acolyte would be the most suitable for it...."
Leylin looked at the vengeful spirit, Roman, who was writhing and cursing him on the light formation.
"For a long time, I have deliberately calibrated Roman's spirit strength to be compatible with the final step. As long as I am able to complete the spirit awakening, the magic artifact that I get will definitely be perfect!"
This was the trump card that Leylin had prepared for the upcoming bloodbath.
A low-grade magic artifact did not exceed the boundaries of an official Magus. However, for acolytes, it was almost impossible for them to destroy the defense on this magic artifact.
As long as Leylin had that pendant, his safety in the bloodbath would be greatly increased.
"Let me go! You promised me!"
Roman who was trapped within the spell formation continuously howled.
At the end, the vengeful spirit Roman cursed in a low tone, "Despicable miscreant, I curse you...."
"Enough of your nonsense!" Leylin's brow furrowed and he poured a silver liquid directly onto the Fallen Star Pendant.
* Sssii! *
A cloud of white smoke rose from the silver necklace, and the white mist in the air transformed into a large jaw lined with razor sharp teeth, which bit at Roman directly.
* Ka-cha! *
Roman was immediately eaten by the large malevolent mouth, which it opened and closed as if enjoying the aftertaste.
Leylin stared at the large mouth, and after seeing that Roman was completely devoured, he began to chant an incantation.
The chanting voice reverberated around the area, and Leylin's spell formation that he drew on the experiment lab began to shrink to the centre, and finally, it all transferred onto the Fallen Star Pendant.
With the convergence of the runes, the patterns on the silver cross seemed more detailed and glowed with mysterious colours of light.
"Seal!"
Leylin fixed his gaze on the cross. When the runes were all accepted by the silver Fallen Star Pendant, he pointed at the huge mouth in midair.
* Pu! * A sound similar to a bubble popping sounded.
The white mouth was directly dispersed, and threads of white gaseous bodies were emitted. In the centre of them were many strands of black colour, which continuously fell onto the silver cross.
"With my name, Leylin Farlier, Fallen Star Pendant, shimmer!"
Leylin's expression was solemn, and he bit his fingers, dripping a droplet of blood onto the Fallen Star Pendant.
The red jewel in the silver cross sparkled and directly sucked Leylin's blood into it.
* Bang! * A strong suction force appeared from the Fallen Star Pendant, circling around the surface of the silver cross and forming a whirlwind. It directly sucked in all of the black and white gaseous compounds.
The thick mist enveloped the silver cross within, and it floated in midair, becoming a luminescent ball of black and white.
"Very good! The awakening phase is activated, and everything has been going smoothly without a hitch so far!"
Leylin looked at the glowing ball in midair, his eyes holding a fervent gaze. "What's next, is...."
On the second morning, Leylin stared at a silver cross held in his palm, his face revealing an elated expression.
At this moment, the Fallen Star Pendant was a silver grey colour, and the jewels also seemed dull and without lustre. Based on outer appearances alone, it could not even be compared to the previous half completed item. However the A.I. Chip's indication made Leylin feel ecstatic.
[Beep! Low-grade magic artifact - Fallen Star Pendant has been successfully synthesized!]
[Fallen Star Pendant - Low-grade magic artifact. Main components used for defence: Stellar Alloy, Manfayla Rock, Mankestre Bone Marrow....]
[Physical Defence: 13 degrees, Magical Defence: 15 degrees. Instant activation when Host is attacked!]
The various stats shown on the A.I. Chip made Leylin extremely ecstatic. A defence magic artifact could not even be bought in the market.
Normally speaking, the attack of a level 3 acolyte was around 10 degrees or so. Only official Magi and above would be able to cast a magic spell of over 20 degrees.
With the Fallen Star Pendant in hand, while it still had energy, Leylin could completely ignore the attacks of level 1 and level 2 acolytes. Together with the Trevor's Revolving Shield Potion, Leylin would be able to endure a barrage of attacks even if it came from a level 3 acolyte.
One could say that with the successful synthesis of the Fallen Star Pendant, Leylin's survival was assured.
"This magic artifact is like a simplified version of an official Magus' defensive force field!" Suddenly Leylin exclaimed.
Reverence and respect for magicians uncontrollably welled up in Leylin's heart even more.
The continued tradition of the Magus World was only in recent times, for about 1000 years. Before this, there were even the glorified and magnificent ancient times of the past. Back in the ancient past, the primordial and immemorial past, there was a countless accumulation of time, yet how many from these periods were geniuses? How many had invented mysterious spells?
Only by standing on a giant's shoulder, one could see the road ahead clearly, strive hard and advance!
Even with the A.I. Chip, Leylin only had a better foundation than other magicians. On the path of a Magus, he still required to rely on the experiences of his predecessors and improve both himself and his abilities.
After sighing, Leylin hung the silver grey cross on his neck.
The ice cold pendant came into direct contact with the skin, and Leylin pulled up his collar. This way, no one could tell that Leylin was wearing a pendant just by looking at the surface.
"With the Fallen Star Pendant, my defense is guaranteed. What's next is to make use of the A.I. Chip to come up with a combination of a few strong rank 0 spells to be used in the bloodbath.
Although Leylin believed Roman's words, with the current rewards, he wouldn't let it go.
His previous plan was to obtain the Grine Water through the bloodbath, and right now he did not plan to give up.
After all, he still couldn't defeat any rank 1 Magi. Under the compulsion of the academy and professors, he still needed to join the bloodbath in the secret plane.
* Dong Dong Dong! *
Just when Leylin was deep in thought, a patterned knocking on the door sounded.
"Please enter!" Leylin hurriedly removed the traces of his work in the lab and arranged his clothes before he spoke.
* Creak! *
The wooden door was pushed open, and at that moment, when Bicky who wore a green dress, walked in, a scented fragrance wafted in and infiltrated Leylin's nose.
"Leylin! Mentor has asked me to get you to register for the upcoming school competition...."
Bicky toyed with a white flower in her hands.
Before the bloodbath, the Abyssal Bone Forest Academy had already spared no hesitation in nurturing its acolytes. The prices of various ingredients and spell models had plunged, and they had also hosted many competitions before the bloodbath.
Only with participation, there would be generous rewards, such as magic crystals, spell models, ingredients and the like.
As for the top few ranks, they were even given scrolls of spells and attack type potions as rewards.
However, Leylin did not lack magic crystals, and he could also brew attack type potions for himself. As for the reward for the champion, it was not a magic artifact, so he was not attracted in the slightest.
However, he still had to, at least, show some superficial effort. Leylin nodded his head and walked out of the dorm with Bicky.
After not seeing her for 3 years, the girl from before had turned into a beautiful young lady. Bicky was silent as she led the way. Leylin opened his mouth but did not know what to say.
The two walked through the garden zone, and Bicky smiled and said, "Leylin! You know what? Fayle has already agreed to let me be his girlfriend!"
Saying which, Leylin acutely discovered a peculiar expression from within Bicky's eyes.
"Oh really? Congratulations!"
Leylin had known of Bicky crush on Fayle it since the very first day he entered. After seeing his good friend fulfilling what she wished for, he was somewhat happy for Bicky.
At the same time, he was somewhat worried. He had some understanding towards Fayle's character and knew that Fayle liked to be in the limelight. On top of that, Fayle was rather vain. However, after seeing Bicky's smiling expression, Leylin still chose to maintain his silence.
-x-X-x-
"The registration area is just ahead!"
After walking through the garden zone, Bicky took the initiative to familiarize Leylin with the registration area.
"The academy competitions are split into many categories. There are some potion brewing ones, some for harvesting plants, and other lesser known subjects. However, the liveliest event is still the fighting competition. Any acolyte is able to join, and the reward is the most generous!"
"Although the acolytes are able to participate in many events, Professor Kroft said that you had better join the potion brewing event!"
Bicky looked at Leylin, not masking her worried expression.
"Don't worry; I am only prepared to join the potion brewing event!" Leylin smiled as he consoled Bicky.
Leylin did not want to compete head on with those genius fifth-grade acolytes. Behind them were the support of many professors, and they would definitely carry magic artifacts with them.
Moreover, the battle prize was not attractive to him at all. This prize was obviously prepared as a final chance to give to those average acolytes.
Although Leylin came only as a mere formality, naturally he had to choose the simplest way to do it.
The front of the education area was lined with several black desks. The banner behind them had words like Potioneering and Fighting.
Many acolytes were crowding around the tables to register.
Looking on, it seemed like they were acolytes who had recently rushed back to the academy.
Leylin thought for a while before directly registering for the Potioneering battle.
"Hold on to this! Your assigned number is 32, and the competition will start tomorrow afternoon at 3 o'clock. Please be punctual and come to the large hall in experiment zone 13 in order to participate!"
The administrative staff wearing grey robes handed a parchment paper over to Leylin, and also routinely gave him a numbered card.
"Next!"
With the impatient voice of the grey-robed person sounding, Leylin rubbed his nose, shook his head, and walked away.
"Let's go to the restaurant to celebrate!" Leylin said to Bicky, who was beside him.
"It's better if I pay for it, as a celebration for us meeting again after such a long time!" Bicky's face revealed a joyous expression.
...
On the second day, Leylin arrived 5 minutes earlier at Hall 13.
At this moment, many Potioneering acolytes were already waiting here. Some recognised Leylin and smiled as they greeted him while some faces were extremely unfamiliar.
This was not strange, as most magicians holed themselves up, often staying in their experiment labs to conduct experiments, especially those who practiced Potioneering and Alchemy.
Merlin and Bicky also entered the crowd, smiling at Leylin.
* Ding Ling Ling! * With a crisp bell sound, a black-robed figure emerged from the crowd.
"Official Magus!" Leylin exclaimed silently. Although he was not the same as before, compared to an official Magus, he was still an ant.
The A.I. Chip was also helpless, as it was blocked by the defensive force field surrounding the official Magus.
"All of you, enter the main hall and go to your respective allocated areas as is indicated by your card number. I will only wait for 5 minutes, and those who aren't there by then will be immediately disqualified!"
The black robed figure's voice was extremely hoarse and unpleasing to the ears.
After finishing his speech, the black-robed Magus shook his robe, and his body split apart, turning into innumerable bats, which flew away.
The acolytes that were present looked each other in the eye.
* Bang! * Not knowing who made the first move, the whole hall clamoured and squeezed through into the main hall.
Although Leylin was not in a hurry, his body was involuntarily pushed into the hall with the crowd.
With a great effort, he managed to get to his experiment table.
The number 32 was scribbled on the corner of a pure white table. There were also a few herbs, ingredients and a piece of parchment paper on the table. With just a whiff Leylin knew that these were the necessary ingredients for a healing potion.
"Five minutes are up, any acolyte who has not found their place is deemed disqualified!"
The black robed Magus' voice sounded again. At the same time, there were cries from many acolytes.
Leylin saw an unlucky fellow beside him, who was just one step away from his table, grabbed by a black bat and thrown outside of the hall.
"The topic, this time, is to brew a healing potion! The formula and ingredients are on the experiment table, and you will have 3 hours...."
After dealing with the group of disqualified acolytes, the black robed Magus' voice sounded yet again.
"Your every move is under my vigilance, so do not try to cheat your way through it. If not, I will educate you on a lesson of blood!"
"As expected!" Leylin picked up the parchment paper, and it was indeed the formula of a healing potion.
"Such an elementary potion like this, I have brewed it so many times that I could vomit !"
Leylin felt extremely frustrated, but he still skillfully picked up a beaker...
To an outsider, Leylin's every movement now was textbook standard. His arms were strong, and they did not quiver. During the process of brewing, every action was filled with a unique aesthetic movement.
* Drip! *
A drop of green liquid was placed into a test tube, and the whole test tube momentarily turned red.
"It's completed!" Leylin looked at the A.I. Chip's recording time, "1 hour 20 minutes? It seems like I have become a little bit rusty!"
"En! Very good, it's completed!"
A black bat immediately flew onto Leylin's experiment table and scrutinised Leylin's potion.
"Sir!" Leylin hurriedly bowed.
"I recognise you! Aren't you Leylin? The apprentice of that old geezer Kroft! The heavens are really unfair; he already had such an outstanding apprentice, Merlin, yet now, it even sent you to him...."
The bat seemed to recognise Kroft, and muttered by the side. Leylin maintained his silence throughout.
Leylin had no thoughts of establishing a relationship with a Magus, and he did not have the ability to do so either.
"Alright! Let me sniff the potion!
It could be seen that after seeing Leylin keep his silence like a log, the bat cursed for a while before suddenly speaking.
Leylin opened the plug on the test tube and placed it below the bat's head.
"En! Healing potion! The quality is excellent! Kiddo, you have passed!"
The bat somewhat regretfully flew away, and let off an unpleasant voice, "Leylin! Consider changing professors and joining me...."
Towards this, Leylin could only smile wryly.
...
The Potioneering competition carried on for two days and one night.
Fortunately, the acolytes could all manipulate the energy particles to strengthen their bodies, so they could endure throughout the entirety of the competition.
Leylin had also been brewing potions in these two days.
Along with the intensity of the competition, the topics given by the academy became more and more difficult. Bicky had already been eliminated in the third round. At the very end, they moved on to beginner potions.
Through these series of tests, Leylin distinguished himself above the rest, and stormed through the competition with his senior, Merlin.
As for the contents of the finals, it was to brew a Hofdor's Water of Radiance. This was a kind of healing potion that was able to treat injuries caused by negative energy spells. Even amongst the beginner potions, it was known to be extremely difficult to brew.
Although Leylin had the confidence to brew it successfully with the A.I. Chip, for concealment reasons, he spontaneously pretended to make a mistake, and lost to Merlin, taking second place.
Deep in the night, Leylin returned to his dorm, and tossed the second prize reward, a Fiery Combustion Potion, aside.
This type of attack potion had a might of 8 to 9 degrees, which could be considered to be an extremely remarkable trump card for a level 3 acolyte. However, it was not worthy in Leylin's eyes.
Since a year ago, he could already brew a potion like this on his own.
"It's finally over. What's left is to wholeheartedly prepare for the secret plane bloodbath!"
Concerning the bloodbath between the few academies, it couldn't just be glossed over hastily like the academy competitions.
Even during the intra-school fighting competition, there was only a loss of a few acolytes' lives due to mishaps.
However, during the bloodbath, it was two against one, and their enemy's goal was to eradicate the Abyssal Bone Forest Academy.
* Dong Dong Dong! *
While deep in thought, Leylin heard a knocking noise outside the door.
"Who is it? It's so late already!" Leylin was rather unhappy as he opened the door.
"It's me!" Outside the door, there was a girl wrapped in a cloak, and her voice sounded coquettish.
"You are... Bic..." Before Leylin could finish, his lips were already sealed. The door closed and the cloak slipped off, revealing an ample yet provocative and naked body.
"This is... What's happening?"
After Leylin recovered his senses, he was already lying on his own bed, with a girl continuously writhing on top of him.
Feeling the pleasure underneath his body, Leylin resisted his urges and temptation to touch Bicky's waist, which made her stop in her movements, "Why are you doing this?"
"Because... I can't think of a better way to console you! Leylin! Don't be upset! The loss is only temporary..."
Bicky pouted lovably.
"I..."
Leylin was extremely at a loss for words. If he could look in the mirror, he would definitely be putting on a wry smile.
He deliberately lost on purpose, yet he did not think that this silly girl Bicky would actually be fooled by him. Thinking that he would be devastated, she offered herself to 'console' him.
At the same time, Leylin lost all his hopes towards the wanton practices in this world.
"Alright then! How about Fayle? Aren't you his girlfriend?"
Leylin asked.
"He wouldn't know. Besides, before marriage, I have my freedom!" Bicky revealed a coquettish smile and gradually started to thrust her waist again.
"So then, what happens after marriage?" Leylin was somewhat unhappy and quickened his motions.
The delicate beauty panted for a while before speaking with great effort, "Ma... After marriage, I have to guard my body for Fayle!"
Leylin then performed another deep penetrating thrust, which made Bicky moan with a shrill voice. She then collapsed in Leylin's embrace, as if all the bones in her body were removed.
"You are really... Alright then! After I have borne a child for Fayle and confirmed with a blood test, whenever you want it, you can look for me..."
Bicky's face blushed, and buried her head in Leylin's arms.
"What is this? I let Fayle wear a green hat in advance?"
Leylin thought at the back of his mind, as his hands involuntarily grabbed on Bicky's peaks of abundance, and began to move wildly.
In the morning, Leylin stroked the bare body of the girl, and he did not know whether to laugh or cry, "I never thought that I would become a friend with benefits...."
-x-X-x-
Looking at Bicky lying in his arms, Leylin's expression was complicated.
Regarding the fact that she threw herself at him the previous night, Leylin guessed that there were a few reasons behind it. First it was that Bicky had a favourable impression of him. As she did not have the heart to watch him be defeated, she came here to console him. The second was that this world's practices were generally more open, and Bicky wasn't a virgin before she did it with him - she had obviously had intercourse before. Finally, due to the bloodbath that was drawing closer, she was restless mentally, so her subconscious mind made the decision to do some stimulating activities and thus vent her frustration.
However, no matter what the reasons were, Bicky was a beauty, and Leylin was not on the losing end.
"Ah?!" Suddenly, the female body on Leylin shook, and sat upright.
"What time is it? It's actually 7 o'clock. Not good, I have to go to Mentor's experiment lab...."
Bicky hurriedly left the bed, and revealed that exquisite body once again to Leylin. She quickly did the buttons on her robes, before giving Leylin a light peck on his cheeks and then scurrying out of the room.
"Really...." Leylin looked at Bicky's departing figure and smiled wryly.
Very soon, the romance of last night was thrown to the back of Leylin's mind.
The secret plane bloodbath drew closer - it was one which none of the acolytes in Abyssal Bone Forest Academy could avoid.
Especially those fifth-grade acolytes with genius aptitude, they were the target of the opposing academies.
On the contrary, Leylin only had some talent in Potioneering; furthermore he had his senior Merlin to garner all unwanted attention, so he would not be in the limelight.
This was one of the reasons why Leylin never revealed his true abilities.
What followed next was Leylin holing up in his experiment lab, familiarising himself with the Fallen Star Pendant, and using the A.I. Chip to analyse the spell models. Also, he simulated those rank 0 spells with high degrees of attack to be used in conjunction with his attack potions, in preparation for the secret plane bloodbath.
...
The clouds were a patch of grey, and from time to time it drizzled, which made people feel like shadow was looming over them on the horizon.
acolytes wearing grey robes were crammed into a field full of wild grasses. Each of them had a solemn expression, and their eyes brought possible vicious or vacant looks.
A few black and white robed official Magi stood before them.
Leylin stood somewhere at the corner of the acolytes and maintained a low profile, and now and then stole glances at the professors in front of him.
At the forefront of the professors was a large bloke - wearing black robes - who stood still, and subconsciously, strands of energy waves radiated out from his body which made Leylin's spiritual force circulation feel rather sluggish.
"That person is definitely the chairman of our Abyssal Bone Forest Academy, a rank 2 Magus of the legends!"
Leylin bowed his head lower, not daring to raise his head again.
As for the desire to use the A.I. Chip to scan, Leylin buried it deep within his heart. The might of a rank 2 Magus was extremely mysterious, and Leylin had no confidence in concealing this A.I. Chip from him.
Moreover, right now the A.I. Chip could not even break past the barriers of a rank 1 Magus, so he needn't embarrass himself further.
"But... are we activating the secret plane right here?"
Leylin looked at the surroundings. Under the dimly-lit sky, the field was dead silent, the rodents and lizards as if discovering a great battle was coming, had long since left the place.
Amongst the acolytes, Leylin even saw Bicky, Merlin, Nyssa, Jayden and the like.
Jayden stood at the forefront of the acolytes, and his face was extremely gloomy. There were thick, dark circles around his eyes, and it seemed that his condition was not too great.
Nyssa stood at the end of the crowd, and her whole figure was draped in grey robes, which was extremely low profile.
As for Bicky and Merlin, they were muttering to each other.
After seeing Leylin, Bicky even gave him a smile.
"Bicky has a few attack potions that I gave her, and she isn't an important target, so most likely she'll be alright!"
Leylin comforted himself.
"They're here! They're here!"
Suddenly, a ruckus was caused amongst the acolytes, which broke Leylin's train of thoughts.
Leylin inhaled a mouthful of air and raised his head to look at the distance.
On the far horizon, a black spot suddenly appeared. With the black spot gradually approaching, its size, too, grew larger and larger.
When the black spot arrived in front of Abyssal Bone Forest Academy's representatives, Leylin managed to see the full appearance of this creature.
It was a giant beetle, with eight long and sturdy legs. Each of them was over a dozen metres long. On top of the tiny head of the beetle, was a pair of compound eyes which was looking down on the masses of the Abyssal Bone Forest Academy.
[The target has a layer of defensive barrier, and is primarily categorized as a rank 1 Magus. Host is recommended to stay far away from the target]
At this moment, the A.I. Chip's voice intoned, which made Leylin realise how formidable this beetle was.
"Sssii!"
From the giant beetle, a few drops of yellowish green saliva drooled from its mouth, which fell onto the ground corroding a large pit.
The surrounding acolytes backed away in unison. Their faces were pale, seemingly shocked by it.
"What are you afraid of? It's just an Abyss Steeled-Back Beetle!"
"Silence!"
Under the restrictions set by the professors in front, the acolytes then gradually recovered from their fright.
"Siley, your acolytes were actually frightened by my baby. It seems like their predicament isn't very good right now! Hahaha...."
A crisp male voice sounded, following which a white-robed, middle-aged Magus jumped off the back of the beetle. Although he had a middle-aged look, his brows were snow white.
"Hng!" Seemingly unhappy with the other party's taunt, the bald chairman Siley coldly harrumphed.
However, from the A.I. Chip's detection, Leylin saw that a formless energy wave was radiated from Siley's body towards the beetle.
"Wu!" "Arghh!" A few frightened voices came from the back of the beetle, and it seemed to be made by youngsters.
"Siley! You actually...." The white-browed Magus was in rage, and his brows suddenly turned red, as if blood was going to drip down from it.
"How is it?" Chairman Siley stepped forward as if being overbearing.
"That white-browed, middle-aged man should be the chairman of Sage Gotham's Hut. Although he is also a rank 2 Magus, Chairman Siley is a Dark Magus, excelled in the art of combat, so his strength is definitely stronger than White Brows. . . "
Leylin's eyes flashed.
Just when the acolytes thought that these two Chairmen were about to battle, a whizzing sound travelled from the sky.
An enormous horse carriage that stretched over a few dozen metres, with a pair of snow white wings on each side, gradually descended under the control of a few condors.
* Bang! *
The horse carriage landed steadily on the ground. The door opened, and a white-robed, golden-haired lady walked out from it.
"Guru, stop! Don't forget we have signed an agreement!"
Listening to the golden-haired lady, Siley and Guru scoffed and returned back to their respective groups.
Behind the golden-haired lady, a group of acolytes came out from the horse carriage. Their bodies evidently radiated strong energy waves.
"Hehe! Siley, I hope your acolytes will be able to survive. Don't let your academy turn into a real graveyard..."
White-Brows Guru sneered. Behind him, the beetle gradually folded its legs, which formed a flight of steps, where many acolytes stepped down from it.
The acolytes from both academies looked at Abyssal Bone Forest Academy's camp menacingly, as if the acolytes here were all preys.
"Most of them are level 3 acolyte, and there is a rare number of level 2 acolyte. As for level 1 acolyte, there isn't any!"
Leylin's heart tightened. Due to the weakening state of Abyssal Bone Forest Academy, the rules in the bloodbath were obviously not favourable to them.
Not only were they two against one, but the other side could let their level 1 acolyte be excluded from the bloodbath. Unlike Abyssal Bone Forest Academy were all their acolytes had to enter.
These level 1 acolyte could only play the role of cannon fodder when they entered, and were absolutely of no further use.
"After this mandatory enlistment, Abyssal Bone Forest Academy will definitely be worse off!"
Leylin looked at the acolytes in his academy that were of 11-12 years of age, and sighed within his heart.
However, Leylin could not offer any assistance to them at all. At the very most, under the circumstances that his life wasn't threatened, he would do his best to help them.
Right now, he had something more important to tend to.
"A.I. Chip, assist in the recording!"
Right now Leylin was a level 3 acolyte and the A.I. Chip's ability increased too. Most of the level 3 acolyte could not escape the A.I. Chip's detection now.
Leylin picked out the acolytes who carried magic artifacts. No matter if it was his own side or the other, he recorded them down.
These people were the ones that he had to be mindful of during the bloodbath.
Listening to the provocative tone of the other party, Chairman Siley's face darkened. He waved his hands, "Enough of this nonsense, let us begin!"
"Since you have such sincerity, how could we bear to refuse your request?"
White-Brows Guru and the golden-haired lady smirked and nodded their heads, "Let us begin!"
Listening to their chairmen, the official Magi from the respective academies stepped forward and begin to retrieve many strange things from their sacks, robes or even within their bodies. After which, they began to set up a formation.
When they were finished with it, a strange magic formation was arranged on the ground.
"They are runes that make the foundation sturdy, linking up of energy and creating flames. I recognise some of these!" Leylin's eyes flashed, and recorded down all of these formations with the A.I. Chip.
As for the three chairmen, after their staff had finished preparing the formation, they each stepped forward and withdrew 3 crimson coloured scrolls.
"With my name, Siley, I summon the Will of Battle which is roving around the wilderness, and activate the glorious and deathly flight of stairs...."
The 3 chairmen chanted and simultaneously tore the scrolls in their hands apart.
* Bang! * Crimson lightning continuously thundered down, on the area above where the 3 crimson scrolls were torn, a huge opening suddenly appeared from the void.
* Whoosh! * Countless thunder and lightning appeared from within, and noises of explosion and whistling came from the opening.
Dozens of seconds later, the void calmed down.
"This is a secret plane which is now an abandoned resources point. Any organisms and resources of value in it were scoured clean by us. Right now, it will become your battlefield...."