âI was too naive. No matter how lax the professor from the Ennea Ivory Ring Tower could be in his requirements, a novice Magus like me isnât competent enoughâŚâ
Leylin and Darlie sat facing each other in a fruit juice shop. Leylin was watching the passersby outside the French window as he listened to Darlie narrate her experiences after they parted ways.
Darlie was a talented Magus who had perseverance. She had a fault, however, in her youth.
Knowledge was the foundation of a Magusâ power. She was extraordinary for advancing to become a Magus at her age, but compared to those old freaks whoâd amassed knowledge over hundreds of years she was nothing.
Hence, she had completely failed recruitment into the Ennea Ivory Ring Tower, being rejected at the start itself.
Her other female companions had fared the same way, and after the setback from the huge difference between their ideals and reality, they had long since returned to their hometowns. Some had even given up completely. Only Darlie had not let up, persevering and staying in Teljose City.
Soon enough, however, she was faced with a serious issueâ she had gone broke!
Official Magi might seem extremely wealthy, but those who had just advanced had used up all their resources and magic crystals while breaking through. They werenât particularly skilled in any area, and since they lacked magic crystals to purchase spell models and the like to grow in strength, it was an endless cycle. Magi were normally at their poorest after advancing, and the costs of Teljoce City were too much for someone like Darlie.
On top of that, she still needed to obtain more magic crystals in order to purchase things like spiritual force potions and spell models. Hence, after racking her brains, she had no choice but to swallow her pride and look for a job.
However, reality dealt her a ruthless blow. Darlie cared little for regular jobs, but she did not meet the requirements for jobs that needed official Magi. She had hit a wall many times already before bumping into Leylin today.
âItâs been just a few days, but youâve already had so many experiencesâŚâ Leylin had the urge to laugh, but he forced it down.
Since heâd advanced as a Warlock, he was always stronger than others of the same rank as gim. On top of that, the A.I. Chip was a cheat that allowed him to amass knowledge that did not lose out to those old freaks. Heâd never experienced such things.
In actuality, Magi like Darlie were the norm in this world.
âIs there anything I can help with?â Leylin asked kindly. He had some magic crystals lying around, and it wasnât like they were of much use to him. They were effectively rocks to him, and he obviously wouldnât mind showing some generosity.
âItâs alright. Iâve taken on a mission to gather starlight grass, and the rewards arenât half bad. Iâll be able to survive for a whileâŚâ Darlie said in rejection. She was a strong and prideful child, and obviously would not accept such charity.
âStarlight grass, huhâŚâ Leylin checked with the A.I. Chip, âThat ingredient is only produced in Ebole Town. Though itâs not far from Teljose and itâs easy to gather it, a wave of disciples from the Primordial Spirit Slaying Sect fled there recently, making it more dangerousâŚâ
âNo wonderâŚâ Darlie covered her little mouth, âI was wondering why the task was so simple, yet the rewards were so generous. Damn itâŚâ
Seeing her finding this difficult, Leylin could not help but laugh, âI need to go there anyway. Letâs go togetherâŚâ
âMisterâŚâ Darlie grew extremely emotional, tears forming at the corner of her eyes.
âI really have something to do there!â Leylin emphasised. With a few days of soul and bloodline hints being transmitted, the Farlier descendant had come here, and was about to reach Ebole Town as well.
Leylin wasnât someone with too much time on his hands. If not for such a thing, heâd just give her some magic crystals. Why would he waste his precious time and accompany her?
âMany thanks!â Darlie bowed deeply, a red flush appearing on her cheeks and spreading downwards.
âŚâŚ
The wheels kept turning, producing creaking noises. The uneven surface of the road left the carriage constantly shaking.
Within the carriage, Darlie was watching Leylinâs mysterious face that was covered with a black mask. She hesitated for a long time before she spoke, âMiâ Mister, my name is Darlie. May I knowâŚâ
As Leylin had kept his mask on all this while, Darlie had assumed that he was hiding his identity, which was why she had not asked for his name. Now, however, the two of them were going to Ebole Town together, and it seemed too lacking in manners if she did not inquire into this properly.
âOh, Iâm Leylin!â Leylin told the truth plainly. In his senses, the bloodline descendant was very close to the town.
However, the life aura on his body had been weakened to a maximum, and there was even an aura of death coming from him. If Leylin didnât save him, it wasnât likely for him to make it back to Teljose City.
âLeylinâŚâ Darlie repeated the name a few times, and her expression suddenly changed, âThe name âLeylinâ, itâs the same as a Magus whoâs in our history textbooks!â
âOh?â Leylin stroked his chin. The Third Magus War and the rise of the Primordial Spirit Slaying Sect were very serious issues for the Magi of the south coast, and every detail about them had been noted down.
Leylin was mentioned, obviously. After all, heâd been the person who somewhat sparked all these issues. With Darlieâs own studiousness, sheâd remembered it to this day.
âHoho⌠I didnât expect Lord Leylin to have the same name as that Magus in history. How interesting! HeeheeâŚâ Darlie covered her mouth, shoulders shaking slightly.
Perhaps it was because she was not wary of Leylin at all, or because she was charmed by the dreamforce surrounding him. She hadnât even considered the possibility that Leylin was the same one from history.
âOh? May I ask what the books say about him?â Leylin was rather curious of how the historians of the south coast evaluated him.
âOf course!â Darlie nodded, closing her eyes and seemed to recall content about him:
âPoison Sovereign King, Leylin Farlier of the Chernobyl Islands. A rank 2 Magus, and an important figure who caused the Third Magus War. Initially a student at the Abyssal Bone Forest Academy, he betrayed them and then fled to Four Seasons Garden. Countless battles allowed him to garner a reputation, with the most famous being the battle at the Eternal River Plainsâ pocket dimension, as well as that at the Brambles Iron Door. Whereabouts currently unknown, he is wanted by both dark and light Magi. Evaluation: A rare Magus talent, seen only once in a thousand years in the south coast!â
It was as if she was reading the textbook itself, and the words she recited left Leylin laughing at himself.
âI never thought there would come a day that Iâd enter a textbook!â Leylin touched the glossy and cold mask on his face, and couldnât help but feel incredulous.
âWhat about your opinion of him?â Leylin asked her curiously.
âThat Leylin?â Darlieâs eyes glazed over, as if a layer of fog had gone over them, âHeâs a genius! There are rumours that heâs even a Potioneering Grandmaster, but he isnât of high moral standing. I donât like him!â
âLooks like I left behind a bad impression on the south coast!â Leylin could only shake his head, âActuallyâŚâ
âActually? Oh, by the way Mister Leylin, why do you keep asking me questions about that fellow?â No matter how dim witted she was, she finally reacted.
âOh, itâs nothing⌠just that weâve reached Ebole Town!â Leylin opened the window on the carriage and nodded.
Starlight grass was a distinctive product found around Ebole Town. Irregular silver spots dotted its tender green leaves, sparkling with a charming light. It was hard to mistake it for something else.
Due to the threat of the Primordial Spirit Slaying Sect, which caused Ebole Town to lose all contact with Teljose City, the mission of gathering starlight grass now yielded very generous rewards.
âThere are so few people in the town. I canât even get people to buy from if I tryâŚâ Darlie felt helpless.
Since she knew how dangerous this place was, she was unwilling to stay longer. If she could purchase enough portions of starlight grass, she wouldnât be at such a loss. However, the Primordial Spirit Slaying Sectâs bad reputation of going around collecting souls, not even leaving commoners, left the town practically empty. Many residents had left this area and fled, causing the town to become desolate. The Potioneers and those who gathered materials had disappeared.
âUgh⌠looks like Iâll have to do it myselfâŚâ
Darlie lowered her head sadly, and then glanced at Leylin, who was beside her, âSir Leylin, what are you here for?â
Leylin wore gorgeous clothing, just one of his gloves worth everything she was. Combined with his great bearing, he probably came from some ancient noble family. Why would a person like this find value in things like starlight grass?
âMe?â Leylin chuckled, âIâm waiting for someone!â
âOh! You agreed to meet someone outside Ebole Town? If itâs convenient, could you tell me his name? Iâll look out for him,â she asked.
âYes! Heâs a younger generation member in my family. As for his nameâŚâ Leylin scratched his head. He had used the power of his bloodline to guide the descendant from the Farlier Family over. How was he to know the childâs name?
âOh, thereâs no need for that. Heâs arrived.â Leylinâs eyebrows raised up, and he walked out. Darlie followed closely behind, her eyes showing her curiosity.
The scene of a chase appeared quickly in front of Darlie as she followed him out of townâŚ