After the upgrade from using Tears of Mary, Leylin’s Spiritual Force reached 16.1. However, his Vitality decreased by 0.3. Clearly, this was caused by the attack of the vengeful spirit.
“As expected, an ancient potion’s formulary cannot be modified so easily!”
Leylin sighed. He acted on his own initiative, changing many processes of the formulary, thus causing such an outcome.
“However, this decrease in Vitality, compared to the increase in Spiritual Force, shows the value of this potion!”
Leylin was certain of his modified formulary for the ancient potion, Tears of Mary.
“Ancient potion – Tears of Mary modification successful, Host to give a name!”
The A.I. Chip’s voice intoned.
“Blood Vengeance Potion!” Leylin thought of the final, flash of red, blurting out the name.
Although this potion requires a vengeful spirit as an ingredient, which was somewhat cruel, it was a potion that was hard to come by!
A single use could raise Spiritual Force by 3 points! The only minor backlash was : it was on the same level as the Azure Potion that Leylin had modified before.
As for the formulation process of this potion, it was somewhat ruthless. However, Leylin did not bother about it.
For Leylin, carrying out ruthless actions and even killing people, was well within reason when in the face of benefits!
People who only kill for joy were mental and inhumane.
In his previous world, the environment was peaceful, so naturally he had also advocated peace then.
However, in the Magus World, war was everywhere. Deaths occurred daily. The plebeians who faced dawn did not know if they would be alive to see the sun set.
The law of the jungle and survival of the fittest were proclaimed explicitly by various powerful guilds and organisations.
After coming to this world, Leylin followed ‘when in Rome, do as the Romans do’ and this became a completely egotistical person.
As long as this potion was beneficial and did not cause him much hassle, he would not hesitate to create more of it!
“This is the feeling of achieving 16 Spiritual Force, huh? How amazing!”
Leylin shut his eyes, feeling the difference this increase brought him.
Under his control, the Spiritual Force seemed to be a silver thread as it swept past every item in the room. Moreover, each of the item’s physical shape was perceived within Leylin’s mind.
For regular acolytes, this was an extremely fresh feeling. However, Leylin saw that after a certain standard was achieved in Spiritual Force, it had a scanning effect similar to that of the A.I. Chip!
“This effect, if mastered properly, could discover a majority of ambushes, never having to fear for another sneak attack!”
Leylin appreciated the wondrous use of the Spiritual Force.
“It’s a pity, however. For me, this is not as useful as the A.I. Chip!”
In his sea of consciousness, waves of Spiritual Force constantly surged at the borders, continuously expanding the area of the sea.
“Only that this external change is too obvious!”
Leylin picked up a bronze mirror. On the screen of the bronze mirror, a brown-haired youthful countenance was reflected. However, a pair of gleaming eyes flashed like diamonds in the night.
Normally, the upper limits of Spiritual Force for Level 3 Acolytes were 15, yet Leylin far exceeded this figure.
Moreover, when Level 3 Acolytes were about to breakthrough into an official Magus, their eyes would often show unusual signs of attraction.
That was the result of the boundless expansion in their massive sea of consciousness.
However, for Leylin, this was not good news. To others, he was just a newly advanced Level 3 Acolyte, yet now he exceeded those limits, this would bring about curiosity and suspicion from others.
If it was some regular acolyte, Leylin wasn’t too afraid. But if an official Magus required him to cooperate for questioning, then Leylin would meet with some trouble.
After all, Leylin had no confidence against official Magus since the A.I. Chip could not detect them.
“I can only conceal this for the time being!”
Leylin chanted a short incantation.
Creaking and cracking noises resounded on his face and his eyes dimmed, no longer radiating light.
This was a simple use of the Shapeshifting spell—the ability to modify facial features.
Many female official Magus would obtain such a spell and cast it on their faces, achieving a beautification effect.
“I hope this can conceal my presence for the time being!” Leylin was not confident.
After several modifications of the Shapeshifting spell by the A.I. Chip, Level 3 Acolytes would not be able to discover this.
However, Leylin was completely unsure if he could face an official Magus
If they just walked past him, they may not notice his concealment. As long as they did not use any detection spells, he should be able to mask it.
Deep down in his heart, Leylin had already decided. After travelling around the Poolfield Kingdom and discovering the vestige traces, he would set off to Zither Moon Mountain Plains in search of the remnants of the Great Magus Serholm.
In any case, Leylin had expressed his interest to Kroft for wanting to travel, so suggesting it not did not seem too abrupt.
After making some arrangements, Leylin rubbed his rumbling stomach, giving a wry smile. His experiment had already extended over a day’s worth of time.
No matter how high his Vitality was, he was still a mortal, unable to escape from the laws of nature. Hence, there were symptoms of hunger.
Although he could replenish his strength with potions, Leylin still felt nauseous. Moreover, if the circumstances allowed for a better option, he would not mistreat himself.
Since the academy had a restaurant, why waste a potion?
Leylin cleaned up and opened his dorm’s door.
* Pa! * A white letter fell onto the ground. It seemed like someone paid Leylin a visit earlier. However, after seeing him concentrate on his experiment, they did not dare intrude, hence leaving a simple note.
“Who would it be? Bicky? Nyssa? Or someone else…”
Leylin opened the letter in curiosity.
After seeing the signature, Leylin’s expression was shocked, “It’s actually Jayden!”
As a fifth-grade genius acolyte, Jayden was somewhat of a lone wolf, seldom interacting with other acolytes.
As for now, Jayden actually took the initiative to meet with Leylin, which shocked Leylin.
“However, since he’s visited me, then I’ll meet him!”
After thinking for a while, Leylin raised his somewhat pale finger, directing scribbling on the white note.
Every time his finger drew across, red characters would be left on the note.
There was a simple spell cast on this paper note by Jayden, which could transmit some simple information. Of course, it was only usable in Abyssal Bone Forest Academy area, widely loved by acolytes.
The recipient’s reply was extremely quick. Very soon, Leylin met up with Jayden inside of a room in the restaurant.
Jayden now seemed to be gloomier. Looking at the area of his severed limb, Leylin noticed that a slim tiny arm had regrown and could not help but laugh.
It seems that his Flourishing Flower had been given to Jayden by Dorotte. What he did not know was the promise Jayden had to make in exchange for the Flourishing Flower.
“I have not thanked you regarding the Flourishing Flower!”
Jayden sat on the white chair, raising his cup to Leylin.
This gesture was somewhat unethical. Leylin frowned internally, yet not did not outwardly speak much about it.
After looking for a chair to sit down, he ignored the delicacy and aroma displayed in front of him. Leylin smiled in sincerity, “Regarding the information of official Magus that Professor Dorotte had exchanged with me, I should be the one
expressing my thanks!”
Naturally, Leylin had no clue that Dorotte had this information of advancing into a Branded Swordsman.
It was Jayden who had leaked the news to him. As for the reason why—it was probably due to Leylin ‘accidentally’ letting Jayden know that he had the Flourishing Flower.
For Leylin, he would reap the largest benefit from Jayden, who desperately needed the Flourishing Flower to regrow his limb.
Jayden’s expression turned softer, “No matter what, we are acolytes who came from the same area, so it’s well within reason to help each other….”
Leylin too gave him some superficial replies, before Jayden finally revealed his motive for seeking Leylin today.
“Leylin, Professor Dorotte had long since told me that the information he had given you, a major portion of it was missing. There is no way that it could be reliable for advancing into an official Magus. It is because you also want to look for other traces that you are eager to go exploring, isn’t it?”
“Of course, no matter if it’s the academy or the families, their conditions are too much!”
Leylin interlocked his fingers.
This notion was considered by many Level 3 Acolytes. Only when the adventure for the remnants was unfruitful and acknowledging that the golden period of advancement was almost over, would they then consider signing a spiritual contract with the academy or the families.
104 - Participation
“I just happen to have a trace of remnants regarding official Magus….” Jayden added.
After listening to Leylin’s reply, Jayden’s smile grew even wider.
“Remnants? Clues? You actually dare to go out?”
Leylin was somewhat shocked. In the eyes of an outsider, Jayden was the murderer of Torash from the enemy academy. The hatred held by the enemy official Magus was already locked onto him, yet he still dared leave for an exploration?
After hearing Leylin’s words, Jayden’s face darkened.
“I will kill that old geezer sooner or later! I’ll turn his corpse into a specimen and keep it in my lab…”
After cursing, Jayden then explained to Leylin, “The power of the Lighthouse of the Night is still formidable. Under the mediation of that lord Magus, the Sage Gotham Hut and the Whitewoods Castle would not dare to exact revenge hastily; not unless they wish to be destroyed!”
“On the contrary, with the passing of time, the treaty was agreed at a span of 20 years. My situation consists of constant dangers. Hence, for this, I have to retaliate somehow, to ensure myself with the ability to protect my life!”
“Becoming an official Magus?” Leylin’s brows furrowed as he guessed Jayden’s intention.
“Indeed! To go against an official Magus, one would only have the ability after becoming an official Magus!” A longing expression streaked across Jayden’s face, “Once I become an official Magus, why would I still be afraid of the enemy’s retaliation?”
Leylin nodded his head — Jayden’s train of thought was correct.
The protection of the academy and the professors were external factors, which could be removed at any given time. Only the strength that belongs to oneself is the most reliable factor!
After understanding the situation briefly, Leylin began to relax, slowly reclining in his chair.
“So then, I have two questions. Where are the remnants? Why me?”
Jayden inhaled a lungful of air and knew that if he did not reveal any information, Leylin would naturally not take the bait.
“I cannot reveal the location of the remnants. However, I can tell you the general location. It’s near Zither Moon Mountain Plains….”
Upon speaking the four words, ‘Zither Moon Mountain Plains’, Leylin’s pupils contracted, yet very soon he recollected himself. This change, which happened which a fraction of a second, went completely unnoticed by Jayden.
“As for why I sought you out?”
Jayden smiled wryly, “Zither Moon Mountain Plains is littered with poisonous plants and miasma. A Potioneering acolyte needs to come along, to ensure our safety… Right now in Abyssal Bone Forest Academy, the person I am familiar with, who is also a Level 3 Acolyte, is only you….”
Leylin stared blankly, only then did he recall that the acolytes in the academy barely amounted to 50.
Back when Abyssal Bone Forest Academy had thousands of acolytes, there were plenty of Potioneering acolytes around. Hence, Jayden could take his time to choose.
However, after the bloodbath, Jayden’s choice was extremely limited, so much so that the only option left was—Leylin!
“Although I don’t know if the remnants that Jayden mentioned were left behind by the Great Magus Serholm; since the vengeful spirit Roman had found clues to it, it’s well within reason that Jayden had discovered something too….”
Thoughts spun in Leylin’s head, yet on the surface, he looked hesitant.
“The war has just ended. Right now it’s too dangerous to leave the academy….”
“According to my sources, the remnants are of an official Magus. There could very well be information and resources on advancing into an official Magus. Isn’t that what you need right now? Moreover, as long as you agree to participate, the reward aspects…”
After looking at Leylin’s expression, Jayden felt hurried, hence, he continued to elaborate, even adding a few bargaining chips.
Leylin put on a struggling expression, finally agreeing to give it some thought over these couple of days.
After seeing Leylin act like this, Jayden could only consent.
After all, apparently Leylin seemed to be somewhat moved towards the end.
As expected, on the second day, Leylin sought out Jayden, informing him of his decision to participate.
……
Early in the morning
Leylin and Jayden rode on two black horses each, leaving the compound of the Abyssal Bone Forest Academy under the rays of the dawning sun.
Before leaving, Leylin looked at the distant graveyard of the Abyssal Bone Forest Academy for one last time.
The grey granite construction seemed to be littered with cracks, as before. However, it might just have been a misconception, but those cracks were seemingly smaller now.
It was as if this massive graveyard was a living organism amidst the processes of recovery.
“The next time I return, there will surely be many changes!”
After that last glance at the Abyssal Bone Forest Academy, Leylin disappeared into the dark forest.
……
Five days later, within the Poolfield Kingdom, on the outskirts of a province in the west.
On the road, 3 acolytes were waiting.
Warlock of the Magus World 1-596 Page 81
