Following the path indicated by the group of strange girls, I spotted a bright, well-kept dockside cabin in just ten minutes. It had two stories, a veranda, stairs down to the water, and pretty benches right at the edge. With the fresh-looking paint, potted flowers, and overall neatness, it was clear a girl lived here.
Taking precautions, I enclosed a half-meter radius around myself with a spatial barrier. I was heading to a renowned poison element mage, a genius of her generation. Who knew, maybe the fresh paint released toxic fumes for enemies. The air in the barrier should last long enough to detect if the surrounding air was poisoned.
When I reached the first-floor door and knocked, no one came out, but with my spatial and spiritual senses, I detected a powerful soul on the second floor, around the fifth spiritual boundary—very strong for a High level mage without dependent elements. Though I didn't know her other elements besides poison; maybe she was a space element mage?
Ascending to the second-floor veranda, I saw her lounging in a soft armchair. Short pink hair, medium breasts, slim waist, skin a touch paler than aristocratic hue—though I'd never call that beauty sickly pallor. She wore a light black summer dress, and as I approached, she finally opened her soft pink eyes.
"Well, well, well, who's come to visit? Another champion of justice wanting to eradicate the spawn of evil? Or maybe you've been captivated by tales of my beauty and came here to take me by force?" she asked with a tender smile, but her voice held notes of weariness and venom.
Apparently, those were common reasons for visits. Man, I didn't envy her; specializing in a dark element in these times clearly wasn't easy. How could they raise a hand against such a delicate creature?
"You're wrong this time, Master Gu Daiyu, though I can't deny the words about your beauty. I'm Mu Bai, a poison element mage like you. Rumors reached me of your astounding mastery in this element and that you're open to teaching others. So here I am, asking to become your personal student. Also, I wield the spirit element and am at the sixth spiritual boundary, so I'll absorb your lessons briskly." I placed palm to fist and bowed slightly. Ugh, I hated formalities, but they were necessary now.
"Ooo, asking to be my student? Voluntarily? You're the first for me. I found the others myself, or partners brought them for certain matters." She raised her brows in surprise and eyed me with keen interest.
"If payment for training concerns you, I can pay well. I'm a skilled researcher with rare resources that might interest you." I tested the waters. I didn't fully grasp her training process now; maybe she prepped qualified cadres for the government? Her masters were in high demand there.
"Mmm, even so. Tell me, Mu Bai, why do you want poison element knowledge? To kill a sworn enemy, or craft a potion no woman can refuse?" Gu Daiyu smiled slyly, casually thrusting out her cleavage.
"Ahem, no sworn enemies among humans, at least—you can be sure. And I already have two wonderful girls who fully satisfy me there, so no. I just find poison element very promising, not too reliant on external boosts like talents and Seeds, so I decided to invest time and resources in its cultivation and add it to my arsenal." Were people only approaching her for that? Though... I wouldn't be shocked if so.
"Hmm, you speak very sincerely for someone shielded from me by a spatial barrier. Excellent control, by the way—you hold it on sheer will." She rose from the chair and looked at me more seriously.
I also sensed spatial waves from her probing my barrier. Yep, hunch confirmed: she was a space element mage. What was her third? Sound to complete the combo, or spirit?
"Don't misunderstand, Master Gu Daiyu; I was meeting a famed poison mage—extra caution doesn't hurt." I replied without backing down, which her slight smile seemed to take positively. Shame her mental defenses were top-notch; I couldn't sense her emotions at all.
"Tut-tut, such a brave boy. So you just want to expand your arsenal, no dark deeds planned after my lessons? But what about upholding the view of sneaky poison mages? You're not following canon." Shaking her head in mock sorrow, she began circling me, casually cutting me off from the stairs. Man, I'd said something wrong.
"I really came just to learn and expand my arsenal, nothing more, nothing less. If you won't teach me, say so—no need for brawling." I sighed wearily, prepping ice and time spells. Spirit would fare poorly against her; space was out.
Sensing my mana waves, Gu Daiyu grinned wider, a strange glint in her eyes.
"Aww, the boy won't play by mommy's rules. But I'm not offended—it'll be more fun." Poison element magical waves emanated from her. Ideally, I'd deny her prep time and strike first, but intel mattered more; I could always escape.
"Lady Gu Daiyu, before we try killing each other, please tell me what I did to offend you? I came with the purest intentions, even considered punishing your ungrateful students later for not appreciating training under you. So what did I do wrong?" I asked casually, still building my battle strategy.
Frankly, I had far less experience fighting poison mages than others, so mostly improv; no prepped models.
"Ooo, so sweet that you're already defending mommy, but no need—mommy's strong enough. As for your question... you're too normal. Poison mages are selfish scum who seize every chance to assert themselves and impose desires. You're too outwardly kind; your mask is convincing, flawless even, but you slipped on contradictions. Poison mages aren't goody-goodies. But I'll fix that when you submit." Her face turned more manic, body swelling purple.
Her beautiful dress stretched grotesquely, like from a cheap horror flick. Clearly "Poison Armor" third tier High level poison spell. She was going all-in. Shame I hadn't raised my body enhancement to Commander level yet; time for classic mage vs. warrior. Ugh, and I'd called this MONSTER a delicate creature?