by Zhuang Bifan
In the President's room, Darian quietly let out a sigh of relief.
Fortunately, this Jarrosus kid might be powerful, but it was not to an unreasonable extent. At least he could not compete with an Archmage in terms of mana yet. This put Darian somewhat at ease. He took a mental note of it—insufficient mana was the biggest flaw of the opponent.
Aldwin merely chuckled. "Looks like Macklin's in luck…"
"President Aldwin, I'm afraid it's not just luck."
"Oh?" Aldwin glanced at Darian in puzzlement. "Darian, you beg to differ?"
"Yes, President Aldwin." Darian nodded. He pointed to Lin Li who was in the crystal ball, and said, "If my guess is right, this was all in Mr Macklin's grasp. He knew the limit of the other party's mana right from the start, so he has been defending all along. It was all to let the young man exhaust his mana and to make him understand the importance of distributing the mana."
"Looks like you still don't understand…" Aldwin gave a chuckle, and did not continue. "Forget it. Darian, if there's nothing else, you may go back. I'd like to be alone."
"Yes." Darian took another look at the scene in the crystal ball before retreating from the room respectfully. He walked along the corridor in the direction of the Research Institution. He was in a good mood on the way—he was about to get his hands on the Psionic Potion, and he had a clear grasp of the Jarrosus boy's strength. The kid exhausting his mana at the very end had put Darian's heart at ease. As long as he was not a real Archmage, there was still a chance to deal with him.
The battle, which had far exceeded everyone's imagination, finally came to a close as Darian entered the Research Institution. The scene on the crystal ball gradually faded and returned to its original at last.
And, at this time, Macklin was flying into a rage.
The old fellow recited a spell with a livid expression, and the 12 Warlock's Eyes above were switched off. When he turned around, he looked as if he was about to devour someone alive. "Damn it, you have the guts to claim you've exhausted your mana?"
"Why…?" Lin Li was still unhurried. "Why can't I exhaust my mana…?"
"Cut the act with me. Others might not know you, but I do." Seeing how lifeless Lin Li looked, Macklin couldn't resist the urge to send a kick in his direction. "Damn it, monsters like you should be dragged into the slaughterhouse. Exhausted your mana? To hell with it. Why didn't you exhaust your mana when you were dealing with the Three-eyed Blood Wolf in the Nightmare Mountains? Why didn't you exhaust your mana in the Shadowglen? Yet you've exhausted your mana while fighting me; is there such a coincidence?"
"This…" Lin Li scratched his head, and answered shamelessly, "There'd be times when one is down on luck. I was unlucky this time. My mana was exhausted too fast. Alright?"
"…" Macklin almost vomited blood. Exhausting one's mana is dependent on luck? Did you come up with your own theory?
"Forget it. I don't want to badger with you anymore." Macklin realized that if they were to compete to see who was better in telling bald-faced lies, he'd never catch up to this kid. It wasn't that he didn't know how to lie; the main reason was because his skin wasn't as thick as the kid's. The latter was absolutely shameless—he was always ready to lie through his teeth, regardless of whether the words made sense.
"You just tell me honestly. Why did you go easy on me!?"
"When did I go easy on you…?"
"F*ck, you're still denying?" Macklin was infuriated. As someone at the peak of his profession, he had long been indifferent to the outcome. Winning was certainly worth rejoicing, but losing wasn't a big deal, either. Losing before the whole guild was only a momentary embarrassment; he still had to do what he had to do after the embarrassment passed.
What really angered him was that he had won the battle—which seemed to be one with a great disparity in strength—due to his opponent deliberately going easy on him. Macklin was utterly furious at the thought of this. It was plainly a slap in the face for him. He could've exhausted his mana anytime, but he had to do it before the Flaming Hands was about to come down. Didn't that mean, "Old man, don't be happy just yet, I'm just going easy on you"?
F*ck, this was simply unbearable!
Furthermore, others didn't know about him, but it didn't mean that Macklin himself wasn't clear about his background!
Since the kid came to Alanna, Macklin had been his trial mentor. From the Fantama Panthera to the Three-eyed Blood Wolf, he had paid close attention to both battles. He had not found any problems with the kid's mana from the start.
In those two battles, the kid acted like a perpetual motion machine with infinite mana. Spells were released one after another every time he opened his mouth, and there was never a moment that he was seen worrying about his mana. He looked like he had abundant mana at any time, such that Macklin had even suspected the kid had brought along the Recovery Potion.
Although the battle was exciting, it was far less intense as compared to when the party of three had encountered the Three-eyed Blood Wolf in the Nightmare Mountains. There were hundreds of them—killing a dozen of them with a spell would be tiresome, not to mention there was a mighty King Wolf with them.
He hadn't exhausted his mana under those circ.u.mstances; how could he have exhausted it earlier on?
"Alright…" Lin Li didn't dare to spout crap anymore seeing that he had really ruffled Macklin's feathers. He merely nodded, and said vaguely, "I do have some mana left…"
As for how much the "some" was, Lin Li couldn't explain it. Anyway, "a little" and "a lot" both meant infinite to him.
Although Macklin had already guessed the truth, he was still livid when he heard Lin Li admit it personally. His angry howl almost flipped the guild's roof. "Damn it, you had better tell me the truth. Why did you go easy on me? Did you think I was an unworthy opponent?"
Macklin's words were somewhat serious; Lin Li dared not treat them lightly. He hurriedly shook his head in denial. "No, don't misunderstand it. The reason why I held back was not because of you."
"Why is that so?"
Lin Li looked at the 12 Warlock's Eyes above him. "It was because I wanted to deceive someone."
Chapter 210 - Discussion
Macklin was stunned. "Deceive whom?"
"This is a secret…" Lin Li smiled, but did not continue. Grinning, he merely said, "Anyway, don't worry. I didn't go easy on you on purpose."
"Really?" Macklin glanced at him skeptically, but chose to believe him at last. After all, he really couldn't think of any reason for the other party to go easy on him. To save me from embarrassment? Are you kidding? Macklin knew this kid well enough to know that he wouldn't do something so kind with this character of his.
"Of course!" Lin Li replied in all seriousness.
"Forget it. It's no use asking you." Macklinlin stared at him for a long time. Finally, he shook his head and gave up. Not a word coming from this kid's mouth was true. Even if he said that the sun rise from the east, he was most likely trying to figure out how to get the sun to the west.
F*ck, none of the mages from Jarrosus are good stuff! Macklin cursed in his heart. He shifted his eyes to Mason and Orrin, looking like a big wolf eyeing two white bunnies.
"What… What do you want!?" Mason was slightly intimidated by Macklin's gaze.
"Kid, I've heard that you've broken through the realm of a Magic Shooter?" Macklin had an amicable smile on his face, which made him look like a kind elder. "Not bad, young man, much better than your disappointing Uncle Morris."
"You flatter me. This is all your good teaching…" Mason was flattered by Macklin's compliment, such that even a shameless person like him could not help but be humbled. His words were modest, but he couldn't hide the smug smile on his face.
"Mhm, I thought so too." Macklin nodded, and said shamelessly, "I seem to be doing a good job as a mentor. Mason, it's still early today, how about I give you some pointers?"
"…" The smile on Mason's face froze. He really wanted to slap himself. Talk more!
Curry more favor! Now you've gotten yourself into trouble…
F*ck, I'm really done for…
The old fellow had just suffered a great defeat in Felic's hands; he would probably take the chance to vent it all on Mason.
Mason really wanted to die. He wasn't that monster Felic. It'd be brutal abuse if he fell into Macklin's hands. In addition, the old man was on fire. It'd be his luck if he could live after the abuse…
"Why?" Macklin was a little upset when he saw Mason dilly-dally. "Does Magic Shooter Mason think that I'm not qualified to give you pointers?"
"No, no, no…" Mason was nearly out of his wits at the old fellow's words. That was the most powerful Archmage here. Mason wouldn't dare to say that the latter wasn't qualified to advise him even if he was given 100 times more guts.
Mason was too distressed to think about how he'd be abused; he could only bite the bullet and walk over.
"I'll do a good job…" Macklin said through gritted teeth.
"…"
It was a battle without suspense. Although Macklin once again suppressed his power, it was still effortless for him to deal with Mason. He completely grasped the rhythm of the whole battle with only a Mana Retroaction. He could easily bring Mason down as he wished.
However, with the old fellow's sinister mind, how could he bear to end the battle so quickly?
The repeated abuse and devastation were halted just as Mason was about to lose. This cat-and-mouse game was extremely childish, but Macklin was having a wonderful time with it despite his old age.
Not to mention the battered Mason, even the two spectators at the side could not help dozing off.
Lin Li only took a few glances, and quickly lost interest in the cat-and-mouse game.
In the end, he didn't even pay attention to what the two fellows were doing, because all his thoughts were on the previous battle. Once a character of Macklin's level was forced to show all his abilities, it'd undoubtedly be a very scary thing. Every detail and skill was worth studying.
The whole battle flashed through Lin Li's mind over and over again. Every spell that was cast by both sides was broken up and contrasted repeatedly. Almost every comparison made Lin Li marvel at Macklin's strength. This old man was indeed a character who was approaching the legendary-level. His skills could be described as almost perfect. If it weren't for the huge mistake Macklin had made at the beginning and Lin Li's abnormal mental strength, he would most likely have been the one who lost the battle.
The experience acc.u.mulated over decades was not something that could be explained in a sentence. Spell-casting was purely an instinctual habit for an old monster like Macklin. There was no need for thought nor measure. He only needed to control his mana. Perhaps Macklin did not even spare a moment of thought for which spells he should release. It was purely a subconscious act.
Doing the most appropriate thing at the most appropriate time.
This was Lin Li's conclusion to the previous battle.
This was perhaps the most ideal state for a mage.
Lin Li knew that he was still far from this state.
To the onlookers, Lin Li's casting speed was not slower than Macklin's, and his response to various situations was also reasonable. Even in many cases, he could also release some seemingly powerful and unconstrained spells. The hundreds of mages in the guild hall had thoroughly enjoyed the spectacular battle style.
Only Lin Li himself knew that the reason why he could reach such a level was solely his superior mental strength.
It was because of the support of his abnormal mental strength that he could risk the bite of mana and minimize the duration for reciting the spells so that he could divide at least half of his attention to analyze every change in the battle and come up with the most appropriate response.
One was intentional, and the other was otherwise—the result was obvious upon comparison.
However, Lin Li wasn't discouraged at all. He knew that he'd be able to attain the near-ideal state one day.
In fact, it was not difficult to reach this state. To sum up, it was nothing more than "repetition". Countless repetition—repeated practice and repeated battles—would turn magic into a habit and an instinct.
Lin Li wasn't unfamiliar with this feeling.
It was just like the various professions he was proficient in. Once reaching a certain level, it would naturally become an instinct—such as pharmaceutics. Lin Li had not sorted out the formulas he had mastered for a long time; he even forgot how many kinds of formulas he had mastered. But once he started to prepare the potion, he was able to clearly know how much of the herbs should be used and how high the temperature should be. It was often the case. There was no need to think about it at all. He could simply put his hand into the Ring of Endless Storm, and the herbs needed for the potion would be out.
It was the same for alchemy, inscription, and forging.
This was probably what was meant by "a skill approaching the practice of Tao"…
Lin Li had to admit that the benefits gained from this battle had far exceeded his estimate. These benefits could not enhance his strength, but could point out the right direction for Lin Li.
"Boom!" A muffled thud sounded out of the blue. Lin Li lifted his head up in confusion, and realized that Macklin was done with giving pointers… or rather, abusing Mason.
The old guy fellow was really out of his mind. After playing the game of cat and mouse, he still refused to let Mason go. The last spells he'd used to end the battle was the Mud Spell and the Blind Spell, which got Mason fumbling blindly in the mud, all the while swearing…
"…" Lin Li rolled his eyes. The old fellow really had nothing to do.
At this time, Orrin suddenly asked, "Felic, didn't you want to go to the Omniscient Tower?"
"When did I…" Lin Li was puzzled. When did he say he'd go to the Omniscient Tower? However, he quickly understood and swallowed back the words he was about to utter. Instead, he said, "Right, right. Are you free?"
"I don't have much to do. I'll go with you."
"Then we'll go together."
Both of them were talking in all seriousness. Even Mason, who was currently blind, couldn't listen any longer. "Hey, you two, wait for me!"
"Get out of here…" Macklin was in a better mood after abusing Mason. He released a dispelling magic to relieve Mason's blindness, and said to Lin Li, "But don't forget, you have to go to the Pharmacists Guild the day after tomorrow."
"Got it…" Lin Li nodded. He'd remember even if Macklin had not reminded him. He had heard of its name for a long time, and finally got a chance to visit. He wouldn't pass up the opportunity to go to the Pharmacists Guild.
The three of them walked out of the arena, only to find that it was brimming with people.
"What is this…" Lin Li gave a start. He clearly remembered there had only been a few dozen people outside when he'd entered the arena. Where had these hundreds of people come from?
"I reckon they must be here to see who had thrashed the old fellow…" Mason whispered at a side.
"Mhm." Orrin nodded in rare agreement with Mason.
"Surely not…" Lin Li swallowed his saliva, feeling somewhat intimidated.
Then, he realized that Mason wasn't wrong.
As soon as Lin Li stepped out, all eyes were on him. They were full of admiration, doubt, and speculation. There was also much whispering and finger-pointing. Lin Li felt like a tiger in the zoo being discussed about and judged by a group of tourists.
To be honest, this was not a pleasant feeling…
However, there was nothing Lin Li could do.
They had merely wanted to have a look; surely he couldn't cover himself up so as not to let them see?
"Please give way…" Lin Li could only bury his head and squeeze his way out of the crowd.
Fortunately, the crowd was cooperative.
The crowd conscientiously parted when Lin Li walked past, clearing a path for him to walk through.
But the discussion n
ever stopped as they cleared the way for Lin Li. Although the voices were very soft, hundreds of people whispering at the same time turned the quiet hall into a bustling market at once.
After escaping from the commotion, Lin Li found that he still received no less attention. As he walked to the guild hall, almost every mage Lin Li met seemed to cast strange looks on him.
"See, that's Felic, from Jarrosus."
"So he's Felic. I hear that he won against Mr Macklin. Is that true?"
"Of course it's true. He may look normal now, but I heard that when he was battling with Mr Macklin, he grew three heads and they all recited the spells at the same time. He had eight arms too, each holding a staff. Why else do you think he was able to defeat Mr Macklin at such a young age?"
"Ah, three heads and eight arms? Isn't that like Naga?"
"Mhm. This is the guild's secret. You'd better keep it to yourself…"
"I see…"
Lin Li didn't know whether he should be amused or annoyed as the discussions reached his ears.
"Looks like we can't go to the Omniscient Tower anymore…" The three of them walked all the way to the guild hall. Lin Li had no intention to go to the Omniscient Tower any longer. He could even think with his knees how the people in the Omniscient Tower were discussing about him having three heads and eight arms. He'd be seeking discomfort if he were to go there now.
"You should leave and hide outside until the limelight passes. Anyway, you know what these fellows are like too. They've been cooped up in the guild, and have become perverse after holding back for so long. Any small movement would go out of hand through them, like that fool, Matthias, the last time…"
Mason words hung in mid-sentence, for he suddenly saw the "fool" that he was talking about heading towards the guild hall.
Matthias had spotted them long ago. He had not stepped out of the Guild of Magic for the whole day, so how could he be unaware of the battle between Macklin and Lin Li?
However, he was more in shock than the other mages.
The fellow who was battling with Macklin shouldn't have been here.
Matthias was dumbfounded when the scene was transmitted into the crystal ball.
