All acolytes encounter a bottleneck when advancing to Level 3. Even a fifth-grade acolyte like Jayden still requires years of training in order to breakthrough.
After analysing the conditions needed to advance, mastering the spells and brewing Reactive Elixirs became trivial. Only getting past the 7 Spiritual Force bottleneck remained baffling for countless genius acolytes. Even official Magi did not have good solutions to address this aspect of Spiritual Force cultivation. Only constant painstaking meditation had any effectiveness or maybe the use potions and the sort could be an alternative. The cost of these, unfortunately, could not be borne by the typical acolyte.
Right now Leylin too was stuck on the same Spiritual Force bottleneck.
“A.I. Chip! How is the analysis of the two potions? And what is the progress in deciphering Lowian’s Teachings?”
[Beep! Azure Potion analysis progress: 100%, Tears of Mary analysis progress: 78%, Lowian’s Teachings analysis progress: 63.7%] The A.I. Chip’s voice intoned.
“The Azure Potion has been fully analysed long ago. Unfortunately, the main ingredients are now completely extinct. Finding substitutes requires countless experiments. As for the Tears of Mary, it has been at 78% for 3 months now with no signs of progress at all. Could some crucial procedures be missing?
Leylin’s brows furrowed; the A.I. Chip’s processing ability was extremely powerful. The progress in analysing the ancient potion Tears of Mary analysis stagnated at 78%, which made Leylin rather surprised.
“These formulas that Professor Kroft gave me should be correct. If the A.I. Chip could not analyse them after all this time, it might have met with some difficult question that was beyond the parameters of the databank……Tears of Mary! Tears!” Leylin guessed.
“Could it be……That this ancient potion formula has something to do with a soul?”
After all hearing the name of this potion, one will easily associate it with some ill-fated event.
As for Lowian’s Teachings, the progress was rather good. Although the creator used extremely complicated coding to ensure secrecy, the A.I. Chip was least daunted by the complicated computations.
Leylin roughly knew the general contents of this scroll through reading the previous portions that have been analysed.
“Unfortunately, though this item is not bad, I can only make use of it when I become a Level 3 Acolyte!”
Leylin shook his head and got rid of these distracting thoughts.
Suddenly, the horse carriage stopped.
Leylin’s brows furrowed as he asked, “Did something happen?”
“Young Master please be at ease, it is merely a group of bandits who have blocked the path!” Fraser has already gone over to take care of it!” Greem’s voice travelled through the wooden wall.
* Ping Pang! Bang! *
As expected, moments later it seemed that negotiations failed. The sound of various weapons clashing could be heard. After a few profanities and continuous wailing, Fraser’s voice was heard saying “It’s settled.” The horse carriage once again resumed the journey.
This kind of an outcome made Leylin feel very satisfied.
The reason why he bought two Knights and a maid was so that all the trifling matters would be handled by them, allowing him more time to focus on researching spells and doing more experiments.
These matters along the way were trivial. Leylin had the faint outline of a plan that would require the participation of many people to accomplish. And these 3 people were at the core of it.
“Young……Young Master!” Anna who was behind him, let off a low pant.
Only then did Leylin realise that his hand slipped. While he was deep in thought, his hand had unknowingly touched Anna’s private part.
Leylin smiled and withdrew his hand.
Seeing that Anna’s face was still flushed, he said, “Right now Young Master is occupied with something! I’ll have time tonight to play with you……”
These intimate words made Anna somewhat shy as she lowered her head.
Pretending not to see the temptation right in front of him, he said “A.I. Chip! Transmit the fully analysed Azure Potion formula!”
Leylin always drew a clear line between entertainment and research. At the most crucial moment, he would definitely not be infatuated and lose the will to improve.
……
Seeing Leylin had already closed both his eyes, Anna’s eyes dulled. She then rearranged her clothes back to its former neatness and tried her best to adjust her body so that Leylin could rest more comfortably……”
Night fell after what felt like a moment.
Leylin regained consciousness after meditation.
“Young Master! There is a city not far from here!” Greem’s voice travelled over.
“Where are we now?”
“According to the markings on the map, we should have already entered Eastwoods Province. This is Roran City, which is situated at the provincial borders!”
The crashing sounds of things being rummaged sounded, as Fraser spoke.
“Roran City huh?” Leylin muttered to himself and adjusted the map stored in the A.I. Chip.
On the faint blue map, a red coloured line was linked with many cities. Roran City was towards the west of Extreme Night City, only several days’ journey.
“After half a year of travelling, we are finally arriving huh?” Leylin felt a little rueful.
The reason why he chose this place earlier was its distance from Abyssal Bone Forest Academy- he wouldn’t be affected by the conflicts taking place over there. Another consideration was that only by being far away from the academy, would he be able to conduct a few prohibited experiments.
After all, he had the A.I. Chip in his body and also the process for many of the experiments were very unusual. If he had experimented at the academy, using the remnants or rubbish, the possibility of being discovered was inevitable.
However, Leylin felt less restrained ever since he had left- like a caged canary that was set free and soared into the sky.
Leylin opened the carriage door, and a gust of cold wind blew in.
“The feeling of freedom!” Leylin looked at the city, which seemed a little desolate, and the nearby farmers. He could not help but smile.
“First find us a place to lodge in We’ll set off tomorrow morning!”
Leylin gave the orders. In the wild, it was natural to either stay in the horse carriage or inside a tent. However, since they had reached human habitation, Leylin naturally did not want to deprive himself of this chance.
The black-coloured horse carriage entered the city under the respectful gaze of the guard.
To the people in Eastwoods Province, having a horse carriage, guards and a maid, elevated Leylin to the level of idle nobility.
In fact, Leylin was indeed a descendant of nobility. It was just that it was not this continent’s nobility.
Leylin never considered using the dukedom title from Chernobyl Islands here. However, the status of a noble could indeed greatly reduce problems.
After finding a place at a local inn for lodging, Leylin called an attendant over.
“Do you know where I can hire people here?” Leylin played with a gold coin in his hands.
Seeing Anna behind Leylin, and staring intently at the gold coin in Leylin’s hands, the attendant could not help but to gulp down a mouthful of saliva.
“Most respected Sire! If you require attendants, the employment marketplace beside the City Lord’s Manor would be your best choice. There, you can hire strong warriors, proficient housekeepers, and even various maids and stable hands……”
“Very good! Bring me there tomorrow and this gold coin will be yours!” Leylin smiled.
This time, he could stay in Extreme Night City for a long period. Leylin naturally wanted peace and quiet. He required people who could carry out his bidding. Since he did not want to be controlled by others, he would not be able to avoid wielding his own influence.
With Anna and
the two knights as his core retainers, and hiring a few more from Roran City, his retinue would be more or less complete.
Although he could hire more people in Extreme Night City, they will definitely be infiltrated. As for Roran City, although it could not be avoided, it was good to reduce the numbers and influences to a minimum.
Dinner was white bread with vegetable soup. Although the shop owner had already taken out the best items to serve Leylin, it was still somewhat lacking compared to the academy’s cafeteria.
As Leylin was eating, many customers in the shop hid in the corner. They wore grey or brown coarse robes. Their gazes carried respect and fear.
Looking at the empty space around him, Leylin smiled bitterly.
WMW Chapter 55 - Roran Hawks
The next morning, Leylin was guided to the employment marketplace in Roran City by the attendant.
The employment marketplace was beside the City Lord’s Manor, so the public security there was not bad. At the very least Leylin did not see any brawls taking place.
Along the way, there were many people who looked at Leylin and his group. They were especially interested in Anna, who was behind Leylin, as she was an exceptional beauty, and was even more so after some dressing up. Fortunately, they did not dare try anything funny for they were rather fearful of Greem who was covered in steel armour.
“Sir! This is the employment marketplace in Roran City. All the people you require can be found here, besides you can also issue any mission related hiring……” The attendant explained to Leylin’s group of three.
As for Fraser, Leylin made him stay at the inn to look after the horse carriage and luggage.
Although the important possessions such as potion ingredients and Magic Crystals were on Leylin, if they were to lose a few items like gold coins and the sort, it would prove rather troublesome.
Leylin surveyed the employment marketplace before him.
In his view was a large field, with groups of stable hands, mercenaries and the sort squatting on the ground, waiting for some employer to hire them.
Leylin knew that there had to be a slave market too, however it could not be displayed blatantly out in the open. After all, even a Magus market had to organise one covertly.
However this was well within Leylin’s plans, he only wanted an entourage to hire here, so his requirements were lower.
“Young Sir, may I help you with anything?” As Leylin entered the marketplace, a group of traders and merchants swarmed around him. They were obviously dazzled by Leylin’s lavish attire and shouted themselves hoarse as they tried to promote their products.
“I need a group of mercenaries to escort me to Extreme Night City, and also to guard my estate there. The contract duration would be at least two years!” Looking at the fervent traders, Leylin stated his requirements.
After reaching this part of the continent, Leylin realised that the novels, in his previous world talking about mercenary groups and bandit gangs and the like, were all nonsense.
Apart from a few large cities that Leylin was yet to visit, in Roran City and other smaller city marketplaces, there were no such groups to speak of.
All such employment, assassinations or similar missions, were arranged at the local bars or trade offices, some locations were even extremely bizarre.
“After all, the costs have to be factored in, and, if the remuneration does not even cover the cost of operations, there wouldn’t be any fool who would be willing to toss their gold coins into the water!”
“Then could I inquire if you have any requirements regarding the number of escorts and their strength?” A skinny man with a shiny bald head squeezed through the traders, and asked loudly.
“Number of people huh? Around 10 to 15! Their strength only needs to be equivalent to the average guard’s standard. The only request I have is loyalty and honour! As the mission might extend over 2 years, I will have to issue a contract, and the salary is to be given monthly!”
Leylin said blandly.
“In that case, I have a group of mercenaries here that fits your requirements!” The bald trader smiled.
“The Roran Hawks Mercenary Group has just finished their vacation. Moreover, they are citizens of Roran City, so their reputation can definitely be assured of!” The bald trader explained.
Leylin noticed that when the baldy mentioned the Roran Hawks Mercenary Group, the crowd all turned silent. There were even respected and envious looks. It seemed like the Roran Hawks had a large reputation around here.
“Alright then! Bring me to have a look at them, the commission will definitely be given to you later!” Leylin said.
“Please follow me!” The bald trader led the way, bringing Leylin out of the marketplace.
After the attendant in the inn received his gold coin, he bade his farewell. Anna and Greem followed closely behind Leylin; the current group of four walked on for about half an hour before reaching the southern part of the city.
Having reached here, the surrounding buildings were constructed differently. If the central part of the city was modelled after the City Lord’s Manor, with the buildings being extremely imposing and respectful, then the southern part of the buildings were multi-coloured with various styles. Very much like residential estates.
“This seems to be the area where the free citizens of the city gather!” Leylin muttered as he looked at the crushed rock laid into a pavement, and the small flower terrace and stone-made lamp.
“You have a good eyesight, Sir. Those who live here are predominantly the traders and free citizens of Roran City. The Roran Hawks Mercenary Group also reside here!”
“Are you not going to bring us to the training grounds of this mercenary group?” Green asked at the side.
“Respected Sir! Roran Hawks Mercenary Group is only a small unit, and their number does not exceed 30. Their reputation is only spread within Roran City. It is only a casual alliance formed by their leader. The cost of renting some space for them to train would have made their mission earnings obsolete. Thus, who would be willing to do that?” The baldy said with a wry smile
“Normally, the members are each busy with their own matters. They gather only when they receive a mission!” Saying which, the baldy looked at Leylin, and smiled apologetically, “Although the Roran Hawks Mercenaries are few in number, most of them are retired veterans. Moreover, their leader was once a middle ranked troop leader in the army, and his strength is not bad……”
Obviously, the baldy was worried about Leylin being prejudiced against the mercenary group, but these matters could not be concealed either, so he could only say before they found out.
“A middle-ranked troop leader huh? I am looking forward to meeting him!” Leylin smiled, he actually did not really mind who he hired in Roran City, as their roles will primarily be to run errands for him in future.
“We’ve arrived!” The baldy brought Leylin and the rest in front of a two-storeyed villa. Within a circle surrounded by a rosewood fence, there was a small pond and garden. There was a type of small white flower, their petals being extremely small, but with a dense aroma, a middle-aged lady was currently watering the flowers.
“Hello! Madam Lariette! Is Fayern around? I have brought some business for him!” The baldy greeted the lady watering the plants.
Warlock of the Magus World 1-596 Page 44
