Badge in Azure
Badge in Azure - Chapter 85: Lex’s Past Part 2

When Saleen and Narnia returned to Faerun’s courtyard, a servant came forward and asked whether they wished to eat dinner. Saleen was not hungry, but he recalled that Nailisi had gone hungry for the past two days so he discussed it with the servant and received some barbecued meat.

The food the mages ate was better each day, and Saleen had not thought much of it. But after Narnia’s explanation, he finally realized that the servants put a great deal of effort into making it. He just hadn’t been appreciating it and had taken it for granted.

Even a simple plate of barbecued meat had been seasoned for several days, coated with a layer of honey and refined oil, and turned over a fire for many hours.

Nailisi was very happy eating the meat. Even though the barbecued meat did not appeal to her as much as fresh meat, it was much better than any of the elaborate meals. She knew that it was strange for a human to consume fresh meat every day, and and that she needed to learn to behave like a human in order to keep her true identity a secret.

During this period spent in the courtyard, she had read some books. Saleen had also explained to her that her own kind had become extremely rare. If the humans found out that she was a demon, it was possible that she would be buried alive, used for magic experiments, or even used as a resource for producing some kind of equipment.

This fact had caused Nailisi to be more humble. Even though the strength of humans was not as great as legend made it out to be, she had seen some very powerful people and knew she could not defeat them. One example was the person who had been clad in a white robe back at the swamp, and another was Faerun. She also realized that it would be difficult for her to try to attack and eat the viscountess.

When Saleen saw that Nailisi had calmed down, he heaved a sigh of relief. He approached the front of Sika’s room and knocked on the door.

Sika invited him in. Saleen saw Sika holding onto her weapon. She was very focused, as though she had been practicing some kind of secret skill.

"How’s your weapon?"

"It’s great. Even though I don’t have a magic beast soul with me, my training is not affected at all."

"That’s good. I will go and help you ask Faerun whether there are any special attributes to your weapon. I am unable to find them out myself."

"No need. The attributes do not matter to me. As long as I can communicate with my weapon, I will be able to create my own power," Sika answered seriously. Her eyes were filled with the pride of the Caucasus people.

People from Caucasus rarely trained their sword auras. They only needed to rely on their fighting techniques and intrinsic strength to become great warriors. Furthermore, Sika had previously received blessings from a high priest, and she had some inborn power inside of her. Her path was laid out before her. No matter what attributes her cudgel might have possesed, she had never tried to understand it.

As long as communication between the wielder and the weapon was good, the weapon’s attributes would naturally reveal themselves. One did not need to try and control them. Every priest had secret skills that allowed them to wield the same power as the Goddess of Nature, and Sika was no exception. As long as she continued on this path, she would eventually become a warrior priest.

If Sika had picked up the sword aura or some other magic, it might actually have caused her to deviate from the right path.

"Is the mage named Saleen inside?" Someone was calling for Saleen from outside. Saleen left the room and saw Liki standing outside of the courtyard. Indeed, Liki had not dared to step foot into the courtyard since his previous experience.

"Are you looking for me?"

"The viscountess is looking for you. Please follow me." Saleen could tell that Liki felt uneasy but Saleen only smiled kindly. Saleen felt that there was nothing wrong with Liki’s pursuit of power. At least Liki was more powerful than Walnut, and had not developed the same kind of twisted jealousy that Walnut had.

"Why is the viscountess looking for me?"

"I have no idea either." As Liki led Saleen away from Faerun’s courtyard, an inexplicable feeling that welled up in him. Liki had come from a poor family. After Liki had become a magic disciple, he had accepted the viscountess’ help and come to the Bitter Water Prefecture. Otherwise, given his family’s situation, he would never have been able to become a mage. Only by becoming a member of the mage community would one be able to acquire more benefits.

Liki did not know why, but it had been two years since he had entered the residence and the viscountess had still not let him join the mage community. Days like this were tough, but at least Liki was able to see the viscountess frequently. It served as a form of consolation for him.

Their conversation lapsed into silence as there was not much they could talk about, and Saleen was once again led into the same room.

It was already deep into the winter. The water outside the window had frozen, but the window remained open. The cold air was kept outside using magic.

Viscountess Lex was sitting on the floor as usual, and there was a simple tea set on the table in front of her. Saleen entered the room and saw only shadows, as usual.

"Please take a seat." Viscountess Lex pointed to the opposite side of the table. Saleen grew perturbed. He saw that Viscountess Lex had lowered her head and had begun to pour green colored tea into the celadon tea set. Her neck was slightly curved, forming a snow white arc. Saleen felt a tug at his heart and grew frustrated.

That arc was truly beautiful, and a little hazy. He made his way around the table and sat down, his heart beating quickly. This feeling he had was like the first time he had touched gold. He had held onto that gold tightly, afraid he might lose it.

Strange. Could it be that Saleen had fallen in love with the viscountess? Saleen felt it was unbelievable. He remembered a book saying that things like love only happened after a person reached adulthood. He picked up the teacup and took a sip of tea.

Viscountess Lex carefully observed the youngster before her. Saleen was not very tall, being almost the same height as herself. His hair was black, and his eyes were as blue as an icy cold lake. This youngster who had come from a poor family was holding onto his teacup steadily, not showing any signs of fear. He was always ready to cast magic if the need arose.

Viscountess Lex looked at Saleen patiently, but she could not find anything wrong with his body. She was, after all, also a mage master, and her judgement should not have been too bad. So why had her teacher said that Saleen’s body had underlying troubles?

"Saleen, I will be returning to the imperial capital in May. I want you to come with me," Viscountess Lex said frankly after thinking for a long time.

Saleen hesitated. He really did not want to go to the imperial capital. What was good about that place? Saleen could practice his magic in peace at the viscountess’ residence. As long as the speed of his training remained constant, he could become a mage master very soon. But Saleen owed the viscountess a favor. Without the viscountess’ help, Saleen may have needed to escape to the Cloudflow Empire if Baron Cook had decided to slander him in front of the emperor.

Being alone was not a good feeling, and Saleen would always remember that horrible experience clearly.

"I know that you don’t want to go there, but trust me and make this trip. My teacher suggested that you go. Take it as… you returning me the favor." Viscountess Lex felt strange speaking like that, as though she were begging Saleen. But if Saleen’s teacher was truly from Alchemy City and he was still a Grade 5 mage, it would be advantageous for her. Saleen might have been returning her favor this time, but once she recommended him to Master Roy, Saleen would owe her yet another favor.

When she thought of that, Viscountess Lex secretly giggled. After all, she was not an adult yet and still possessed her adolescent character. She felt good, as though she had successfully pranked Saleen.

Saleen felt very puzzled. Why would the sorcerer suggest that he go to the imperial capital? He could not understand, but the viscountess had made it very clear that she would take it as Saleen’s returned favor if he went to the imperial capital. As for the information on his hometown, Saleen had used the green dragon’s magic nucleus to return that favor. When Saleen thought of the freedom he would regain once he had paid back all the favors, he nodded and said, "Alright, I will go."

Viscountess Lex was stunned for a while. She hadn’t expected Saleen to agree so readily. She had even wanted to chat with Saleen about magic knowledge, hoping to find out what kind of a person his teacher was.

Saleen stared intensely at Viscountess Lex’s finger as she refilled his cup with tea.

Saleen noticed that there was a new golden ring on the viscountess’ finger. He remembered that he had not seen it the previous time they had met. But what made Saleen so surprised was that he could not recognize the gem that was mosaicked onto the ring.

Saleen had a vast knowledge of gems. Many gems could be made into equipment and used in medicines. He had memorized the characteristics of all gems, but he could not tell what type of gem that was. This gem was too perfect, blending perfectly into its compartment on the ring. Also, the twenty-four facets of the gem had not been cut out, but had been formed naturally.

That gem was so perfect that Saleen could not stop staring at it.

"Saleen?"

"Ah!" Saleen replied. He realized that he was being rude. He smiled awkwardly and sat upright.

Viscountess Lex found it interesting that although Saleen had never learned the imperial customs and practices, he was more polite than the other mages who lived in the residence.

"I am very curious. What kind of a person is your teacher?" Viscountess Lex asked. She knew Saleen’s temper, and knew that Saleen was not as simple as he looked. It was better to ask him things directly than beat around the bush.

"My teacher?" When Saleen heard the viscountess’ question, he immediately thought of the scene in the prison and the moment of brightness when he had seen Jason. A simple illumination spell had allowed Saleen to return from the prison to the outside world.

"My teacher is a very kind and friendly person," Saleen answered solemnly, as images of him framing Zhanbu and using the Icicle spell flashed in his mind. The Icicle spell had pierced Saleen’s forehead and caused him to bleed profusely. It was because of that incident that Saleen had learned the Icicle spell as his first Grade 1 spell.

A kind and friendly person? Viscountess Lex did not buy it. Saleen’s teacher had actually dared to attack other person’s magical tower. He was definitely not a kind and friendly person. But Saleen’s teacher might have possessed the silver magic book since he had actually managed to escape safely from the battle at the magical tower.

"My Viscountess, what is your teacher like?" Saleen suddenly asked.

"He was… also a kind and friendly person," Viscountess Lex replied. As she gave her answer, she realized what Saleen meant. No matter what a teacher did to others, they would always be like a parent to their students.

Viscountess Lex had been stumped by a simple sentence from Saleen, and was too embarrassed to continue probing. She simply said, "I will be bringing the group of combat mages to the imperial capital. You may not need to use your powers, but just prepare yourself."

Group of combat mages? Saleen could not quite understand. If even the viscountess was worried for her own safety, then what could a few hundred combat mages do? The combat mages might have been able to protect the viscountess from bandits or enemies, but if there was a sorcerer then they would be rendered useless. The sheer number of sorcerers in the imperial capital must have been quite frightening already.

"Prepare for what?" Saleen probed.

Viscountess Lex did not know how to answer Saleen. She did not want to tell him that he had problems inside of his body. Once Saleen knew the truth, it would be a great obstacle in his practice of magic.

"Prepare for battle. You must prepare your two companions as well."

"Will we need money?" Saleen asked worriedly. The viscountess could not help but laugh, and her downcast mood disappeared. She had known since long ago that Saleen was in no need of money, but it was simply a natural reaction to be worried about money.

"Don’t worry. The prefecture may be short of land and water, but we have plenty of money."