Amidst a lush forest, hidden away in a secluded clearing, a spectacle unfolds. Large carriages form a protective circle around a diverse group of people, comprising both teenagers and individuals emanating powerful auras. At the centre of it all, a grand bonfire roars, casting flickering shadows over the gathering. Among them strides a determined youth with dark hair, his steps purposeful and resolute.
Olma's direction is towards the Blood Knight alliance, he had managed to extricate himself from the entourage of noblemen from the Arstin Kingdom with great difficulty. He hadn't even met his assigned protector yet, as he was preoccupied with a recent breakthrough. Excited by his own alchemical discovery, Olma knew this could be a turning point in his life's work – a groundbreaking advancement in strengthening a person's muscle mass. Although it was still in its third stage of implementation, Olma could sense the immense potential of his breakthrough.
Meanwhile, Jonathan engaged in a lively conversation with George, occasionally casting lewd glances at the girls in the camp, resulting in shared chuckles between the two. Suddenly, his wandering eyes fell upon a person of delicate stature approaching them. This individual possessed long, silky black hair, dark eyes, and a face with soft features that distinguished them from the rest, akin to a porcelain doll. Jonathan furrowed his brows in confusion, contemplating something. He nudged George and moved towards the person, his peripheral vision catching Leylin, accompanied by his cousin and Bessita, also heading in that direction.
Jonathan halted in front of the person, his eyes narrowing as he observed them with a mixture of wonder and curiosity. He circled around them, as if sizing up an exceptionally rare creature, inadvertently making the person feel nervous with his actions. "Damn! You're too beautiful for a guy, huh? When I just saw you, I thought you were a girl," Jonathan remarked with a sense of amazement, his gaze fixed on the person's face, almost questioning the reality of what he was seeing. The person blushed, unaccustomed to such blatant scrutiny and commentary.
George rubbed his eyes and finally noticed that the person they had been observing was indeed a boy. He offered a wry smile, realizing that if he continued to spend time with Jonathan, he might find himself in trouble by inadvertently offending someone in the future due to his new friend's impulsive behaviour.
Feeling a bit intimidated by the towering youths around him, Olma couldn't help but feel self-conscious about his height. He wished he had brought Burslo along for some support. However, before he could introduce himself, a fair-haired youth intervened.
As soon as he arrived, Karl knocked Jonathan on the head upon hearing his words, inwardly face-palming. "Show some respect! You're talking to a prince," Karl whispered loudly in his usual serious, no-nonsense tone.
Jonathan held his head and pouted, casting a resentful glance at Karl. George gulped and performed a bow, adhering to noble etiquette. "Apologies, Your Highness. I am George Borniun, son of Count Illian Borniun from the Sarad Kingdom."
Leylin raised an eyebrow but followed suit, offering a slight bow according to noble customs. He introduced himself and the two cousins, saying, "Welcome, Your Highness. I am Leylin Farlier, son of Viscount John Farlier from the Sarad Kingdom. This is Karl Morsla, son of Yakshu Morsla from the renowned Eldoria Kingdom in the southeast." Leylin gestured towards Karl, who also bowed. Turning to Jonathan to introduce himself, Leylin found that Jonathan had beaten him to it. "I am Jonathan Morsla, and you can be my wingman during one of the camp parties we have to lighten the mood. I promise you'll have a good time, as we have plenty of exotic ladies to offer," Jonathan added with a lecherous grin, already envisioning how girls would flock around him if he were accompanied by this porcelain doll. George seemed lost in thought, likely contemplating the same scenario.
Bessita didn't need to introduce herself, as she had already met the prince during his tenth-year birthday celebration. Her family was invited due to their kingdom's significant alchemical breakthrough that year, which had gained popularity even on Chernobyl Island.
Taking the initiative, Bessita introduced the other members of the Blood Knight's Alliance to the prince, with Jonathan occasionally interjecting with comments.
Leylin, on the other hand, observed the proceedings while mentally communicating with his trusty AI chip. 'AI Chip, keep track of Prince Olma from now on, and alert me to any unusual fluctuations in his demeanour.'
[Beep! Task Established! The life form is 20 meters west of the host. Fluctuation reading shows a mix of nervousness and happiness.]
***********
In the heart of a bustling camp, Leylin's senses suddenly stirred with a prickle on his neck, causing him to furrow his brow. He scanned his surroundings, but the source of his discomfort remained elusive. "A.I. Chip," he whispered, relying on his trusty companion, "scan the perimeter and find whoever bears ill intentions towards me."
[Beep! Scanning the perimeter for the suspect!]
[Beep! Negative! There isn't any life form having malice intentions towards the host.]
The confusion lingered in Leylin's mind, refusing to fade. He trusted the capabilities of his A.I., and he knew that it wouldn't keep something like this from him. Still, the feeling was real, not a mere illusion. Perhaps, he considered, it wasn't directed specifically at him. The elixirs he had been taking were performing wonders on his physical prowess. Not only did they boost his internal energy, but they also strengthened his muscles and heightened his five senses, albeit incrementally. For Leylin, the changes were palpable, given his consistent and high elixir consumption, and he couldn't have been happier with his trusty A.I. companion.
Shaking off the unsettling sensation, he returned to his tent, where he found Bessita's precious gift—a mysterious book written in an ancient language. Bessita herself couldn't decipher its contents, but she knew it held immense value. A wandering magus had bestowed it upon her family, claiming it would aid them if they produced a talent suitable for walking the path of the Magus. Honouring her father's teachings, Bessita had made copies for their kingdom collection, and even during her stay at Arstin Palace, she diligently transcribed one for herself.
**********
As Leylin settled into his sumptuous new tent, a feeling of contentment washed over him. The tent was a marvel of extravagance, purchased from the skilled artisans of Arstin kingdom. Its exterior boasted intricate golden designs that glimmered in the sunlight, casting enchanting shadows. The opulence extended inside, where the walls were draped in rich, dark fabrics, and the golden motifs from outside continued, exuding a regal aura. The ambience created a luxurious cocoon, shielding Leylin from the outside world.
To ensure a serene atmosphere, the air was imbued with a subtle fragrance of high-quality insect-repelling incense, keeping bothersome pests at bay. The bedding was fit for royalty, with a large, comfortable bed adorned with silk sheets and a plush feather-filled duvet. The mattress was layered with memory foam, promising a restful night's sleep. Soft pillows and a silk canopy completed the sleeping oasis, offering a haven of tranquillity after a day of thrilling adventures.
Among the array of exquisite accessories, the leather bag given by Arslan stood out. Crafted with intricate carvings and rich leather, the bag was both stylish and practical, providing ample storage for Leylin's belongings, including the leather-bound book he had received earlier.
Relishing the luxury, Leylin couldn't help but think, 'God, it felt good to spend someone else's money without worrying about it.'
He had already instructed Karl to ensure the prince was accommodated in the next carriage, allowing Leylin to remain by his side should the need arise. Inviting the prince into their carriage would have made it overcrowded, and he couldn't bring himself to displace anyone and risk offending the other members of the party. Besides, he believed there would be no cause for concern regarding the prince until they reached the treacherous Great Plains of Death. Additional precautions could be taken later on. However, the lingering prickling sensation continued to gnaw at Leylin's mind, prompting him to command the AI chip to maintain heightened vigilance over their surroundings.
Turning his attention to the leather-bound book, Leylin marvelled at the inked pages, which were adorned with mysterious runic symbols—a language he had come to know well thanks to Arslan and the remarkable auxiliary abilities of his AI chip. Arslan had provided him with a comprehension book on Byron's Language at Leylin's request. It was a universal language spoken by all inhabitants of the Magus World, and Leylin knew that mastering it held the key to manipulating the world's magical energy.
With anticipation building, Leylin activated his AI chip and began scanning the pages of the Journal of the Magus Prustin.
**********
[Beep! Task Complete! Transforming the data to the host memory.]
As the familiar beep signalled the successful transfer of data into Leylin's mind, he closed his eyes and allowed himself to relax. In his past life, he had never been drawn to documentaries, biographies, or academic books, preferring the captivating world of fantasy fiction. With the aid of the AI chip in his current life, he had access to a wealth of knowledge without the need for extensive reading. This thought brought a smile to his face. After reviewing the organized data from the journal, he made some intriguing conjectures about certain aspects of the adventures chronicled within.
The journals chronicled the Magus Prustin's journey through the South Coast, where he had discovered an inheritance alongside his companions. it delved into their battles, encounters with traps, and even unveiled some hidden conspiracies, all of which fascinated Leylin. However, the journal's information was not entirely comprehensive, leaving gaps regarding the location of the inheritance ground, the exact nature of the treasures they found, and how they stumbled upon the inheritance in the first place. Nevertheless, the journal served as a thrilling account of their adventures, which inspired Prustin to document his experiences.
Most importantly, Leylin was thrilled to find that the journal contained an elementary meditation technique. It also detailed some auxiliary 0-rank spells and knowledge about energy conversion and neutralization. This section was the most comprehensive and detailed part of the entire journal. Leylin couldn't help but smirk, realizing that he had indeed come out on top in the bargain with Bessita.
However, the journal's contents also brought forth a lingering matter that Leylin had pushed to the back of his mind—the Great Magus Serholm's inheritance. While he admired Feng Ming, the cunning and ruthless protagonist of the stories he once avidly read, Leylin was not eager to replicate Feng Ming's perilous journey. The odds of everything falling perfectly into place, as Feng Ming's story described, seemed like a million to one. Surviving the schemes against the Snake Dowager, encountering the Wisdom Tree, discovering the coordinates of the purgatory world, and surviving the attacks within the dreamscape—these were not feats Leylin believed he could easily accomplish. Moreover, the madness associated with the Warlock path Feng Ming took was something Leylin wanted to avoid. The inheritance was a hornet's nest Leylin was reluctant to disturb. Nevertheless, he couldn't resist chuckling as he acknowledged his willingness to plunder the Dylan Gardens without hesitation.
Still, Leylin couldn't deny the allure of stumbling upon an inheritance in the South Coast, where luck had elevated Nyssa, an acolyte with pitiful second-grade aptitude, to the rank of Rank Two Magus.
Despite the tempting prospects, Leylin was well aware that he shouldn't dwell on such thoughts at present. His focus was on starting his own Magus journey, especially now that he possessed the meditation technique required to begin. He could take comfort in the fact that White Robe Magi wouldn't be able to detect his progress, as only official Magi had the ability to probe a person's spiritual force. As an acolyte, Leylin was safe from such detection unless he inadvertently revealed his aura or cast any spells.
The meditation technique he had acquired was known as the Elementary Meditation Technique—a foundational method given to acolytes.
It is a special meditation technique given to acolytes and is the most basic of meditation techniques. After many years of modification, it has already reached a nearly perfect stage. They are similar to the visualization techniques, an acolyte draws mind runes inside their mind to increase their spiritual force, and as they draw more mind runes, their spiritual force will grow stronger. The key purpose of this meditation technique is to increase the spiritual force while the increase in vitality is only an added benefit. As an acolyte, the spiritual force is the foundation on the path towards being a Magus. The more solid one's foundation was, the further one could walk down the path of a Magus in future. Once the body generates magic power, the body can be strengthened through the constant radiation as the body resists the poisoning from the external radiation (magic power is the energy particles that are stored within the body after being absorbed into the body from the environment, its amount is limited by the upper limits of the spiritual force). To begin the meditation, you must first have peace of mind and imagine a serene lake then slowly reconstruct the mind rune in your mind.
Following the instructions, Leylin assumed a lotus position and began the meditation. He cleared his mind and visualized a serene lake, allowing peace to wash over him. After about twenty minutes, he carefully reconstructed the mind rune within his mind, setting forth on his journey as a burgeoning Magus.
**********
Amidst the bustling camp, Leo, a mysterious figure draped in a black robe and missing his left ear, quietly wandered about, discreetly observing each person in the vicinity. His mind was a whirlwind of thoughts, replaying the information he had extracted from a tortured courtier back in the Arstin Kingdom. He had been taken aback by the man's unwavering resistance, even in the face of torment. Though the courtier was undoubtedly corrupt, he had guarded his secrets fiercely, disclosing only fragments of a disturbing revelation. Revealing only that the nobility was involved in some scandalous demand made during a court session. The Lords had presented an outrageous request, one that could tarnish the Kingdom's reputation if fulfilled. However, just as the courtier seemed on the verge of disclosing more, fear had gripped his eyes, as if he dreaded something even more sinister than death itself.
Amid the swirling thoughts in Leo's mind, his keen, hawk-like eyes honed in on Lord Crow, a prominent figure among the Lords, and noticed a subtle shift in his gaze. It was a fleeting moment, but Leo caught it—a glimmer of recognition and purpose—as Lord Crow's eyes settled on Olma, who was approaching the group that called themselves the Blood Knight's Alliance. His brown eyes shift subtly and glimmer, 'I have found you.'
**********
[Author's Note:
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