Reporting In

Leylin's expression softened. "It's really great to see you again. Where are Guricha and Dodoria? You bunch always stuck together."

Hearing this, Nyssa who was wrapped in the black cloak shuddered, and her voice was gloomy as she said: "They're... dead. Along with Beirut, Hancock, and nearly all of those who came with us from the Chernobyl Islands..."

"I had thought that maybe Kaliweir and Raynor would return from their quest just like you, but their objective was not that far from Abyssal Bone Forest, and yet you have returned before them... Same as everyone else, they must've been taken by this damned war."

A hidden smirk appeared on Leylin's face, but he quickly followed up with his questions.

"Goodness, what an unfortunate piece of news you have given me, dear Nyssa... But enough of that depressing stuff, how about you tell me of your advancement into level 2 acolyte?" -Leylin said, as he quickly replaced his empathic frown with a discreet smile.

"Honestly, I owe all that to you. If not for the medicine you gave me, I never would have been able to meditate and construct the mind runes... Ah, I almost forgot! Here you go, Leylin. These are the payments I was meant to have given you while you were gone. That's why I came here in the first place, to look for you." -Nyssa commented, while she hurriedly brought out a fat pouch from her cloak.

"I had forgotten about this topic altogether, but here you are, delivering on your promises like an honorable lady and magician. I can only return the gesture by providing you with a new batch of potions that will help with your pains and secondary effects. The first 5 bottles are on me." -Leylin replied smilingly, as he grabbed the pouch with both hands and did a slight tilt of his head.

'You may be a waste of oxygen, but at least you know your place in this world is to fatten my money purse with your hard-earned magic crystals. However, I wouldn't want you to drift away from me after I've given you what you seek. No, you shall become even more reliant on the medicines I will give you next. I have tweaked the formula in order for them to be as addictive as heroin from my past life. Enjoy.'

"I am sorry I was not here to follow up on your treatment, but I will strive to make up for it now that I'm back. Swing by my room later in the evening. I will have concocted your medicine by then. Wouldn't want you to suffer more than necessary, my dear Nyssa..." -Leylin declared. To him, brewing the painkiller medicine was equal to cooking microwave popcorn.

"Really?! So soon?! I was expecting you would prioritize other matters upon your arrival... You... truly are a life-saver, Lord Leylin! I am so blessed to have met you!" -Nyssa was moved to tears, as she used her tattered cloak to dry her ghastly face.

Leylin just did a wave of his hand and smiled warmly at his 'friend'.

"Mission recorded and confirmed as delivered. This is your reward, sir. Please examine the contents of the chest." -The clerk at the Quest Hall informed Leylin, cutting his conversation short.

The Farlier heir took a small wooden chest and checked it. Inside were 20 mid-grade magic crystals and a quest certificate meant for his professor as proof of completion.

"The payment is adequate and the contract has been fulfilled." -Leylin nodded and put away the tiny chest within his robes.

At this moment, the freckled girl from behind the counter muttered nothings to herself, as she scribbled on a piece of parchment paper with a feather quill and then beckoned the next in line.

'I remember the time when 200 magic crystals seemed like a fortune. That is clear progress right there.' -Leylin deemed with satisfaction.

"It's been good seeing you, Nyssa, but my professor awaits my mission report. I bid you farewell." -Leylin did a gentlemanly bow and strode out of the Quest Hall, leaving her with a complicated expression on her face.

She already felt the stinging need to douse herself with that sweet pink medicine of Leylin's. The relief it granted her was like no other.

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Soon enough, Leylin had strolled through the academy corridors and gotten to the experiment lab where Kroft carried out his work.

Leylin knocked on the door, following which it creaked open to reveal a pretty girl.

The girl was quite shorter than Leylin and had beautiful green hair. Her body contours were extremely seductive. Due to the proximity, Leylin could even catch a whiff of her perfume.

"Bicky. It's been a long time." -Leylin spoke softly while at the same time he let himself in.

'Can't say that I missed you.'

"And you are… Leylin?! Amazing, you're all grown up! You look great!" -The green-haired girl sized up Leylin suspiciously with a glance, before cheering as she leaped into his reluctant arms.

Feeling the soft perky abundance against his chest and the fragrance that wafted into his nose, Leylin could not help but remember that time he almost decapitated her for being so bold in her physical interactions with him.

He did not find it intrinsically displeasing when a female touched him, it was just that he always had to be the one to make the first move, or at the very least have the inclination for it. In other words, Leylin hated when anyone unilaterally decided to get close to him.

When Bicky had moved her hand to slowly caress Leylin's broad and muscled back, his murderous nature had resurfaced with a vengeance, and he was forced to excuse himself if he wanted to avoid crushing her skull against the wall.

"As much as I would enjoy indulging in further skinship, I am here to visit our mentor on urgent business." -Leylin said in his most casual tone.

In a flustered manner, Bicky separated herself from him and retreated whilst her cheeks became red.

"Professor Kroft is in his private study together with Senior Merlin." Bicky scratched her cheek as she felt self-conscious of her reaction. Her delicate features then revealed a smile. "You being alright is really a splendid thing… I've missed you around the lab."

The brown-haired youngster nodded dismissively and walked into the study once his presence was acknowledged by the two men within.

"Junior Leylin, welcome back. I hope your travels were safe?" -Merlin greeted him first. His features did not change much from the past 3 years, only that his temperament seemed more stable and mature. After seeing Leylin, he forced an extremely ugly smile.

"Senior Merlin. Thank you, they were." -Leylin bowed his head.

He knew that a part of Merlin's face had suffered from irreparable damage from before, so he was aware of his inability to portray common expressions. Not that he even cared, but still.

After that brief exchange of greetings, Leylin continued walking in. On his part, Merlin stood up and left the room.

There were only a couple of old bookshelves, a luxurious desk, and some chairs in here. Behind the desk, a white-haired middle-aged man placed the book in his hands down, and his golden eyes met Leylin's green ones. Given that Leylin had broken through to level 3, no one would question the sudden change in his irises' pigmentation.

"My genius student returns! You can leave the quest certificate anywhere on the desk. I already know from our previous chat of your success." -Kroft mentioned with an eager pat on his armchair.

He then quietly stared at Leylin for some time, before smiling from ear to ear. "And I can detect the faint smell of the Void Flower in your body. It seems like you really got the petals of a Void Flower. How lucky can you be, young man?"

After deciding to use the Void Flower as an excuse, Leylin had been researching substitute ingredients. Eventually, he had obtained a type of potion which could emit the scent of the Void Flower with a similarity of 99.9% to use as his trump card to fool others. Of course, this potion only had a similar fragrance to the Void Flower, but it did not contain any effect of the original component at all.

Before reaching the academy, Leylin had sprayed some of it on his body, and now it seemed that even Kroft was fooled by his masterful craft. This signified that nobody in Abyssal Bone Forest would be able to discover any gaps in his ruse.

"Hehe..." -Leylin scratched the back of his head, revealing an embarrassed expression. But deep down he was getting impatient. He just wanted the information on the breakthrough and then he was gone.

"No matter what, having achieved the level 3 of an acolyte before 20 years of age, you can already be considered as one of the core members in this institution. Effective immediately, your various welfare bonuses and status will increase. I ordered Bicky to handle the administrative dealings earlier today."

Kroft went on to list some of the benefits given to a level 3 acolyte, which would now be vested onto Leylin.

Finally, Leylin could hardly wait any longer and blurted out: "Professor, I'm actually here to ask about that sensitive affair you mentioned... a way for me to advance into official Magus?"

Kroft's eyebrow twitched slightly, but he quickly got over the offense of being interrupted.

"Ever since I saw you after your elementary meditation, I knew that you were resolute to tread on the path of a Magus." -The white-haired man grabbed at his chin as if he were pondering. "Regarding this, it might take a while to go over the vital points..."

Kroft then served two hot steaming cups of a green beverage.

"Green Root Fruit juice? I never thought that you would still keep this habit, Professor." -Leylin commented as he drank from his cup. He wanted to smooth out the lingering tension.

"Well, I have always liked these kinds of drinks. Even when I'm idle or doing experiments, I will still take a sip or two."

Kroft took several sips of the beverage and then asked: "Leylin, do you know how to advance to an official Magus?"

'You gotta be kidding me. Just spill the beans already, you stupid geezer!' -Leylin was losing his temper beneath his mask.

"Please show me the way, Mentor." -Leylin's outer expression was extremely solemn.

"An official Magus has long since overcome the limitations of a human. They are able to harness nature's energy and obtain a longer lifespan. Even the worst official Magus is far beyond that of a level 3 acolyte. They are extraordinary!" -Kroft's voice sounded mellow, almost as if he were singing.

"This is because of the energy and devastating strength that an official Magus controls. A long time ago, maybe a thousand-odd years, on the Luxe Castle of South Coast, all the relevant Magi came to a mutual agreement to control the information about official Magi, and have ever since endorsed this policy…" -Kroft spoke of the past history of the Magus World.

"From then on, before a level 3 acolyte advanced to an official Magus, they would sign a contract with the person or organization imparting the knowledge to them. To promise that the concrete steps of advancing into an official Magus shall never be divulged outside the regulations. Any violators would accept the judgment of the Trial's Eye, and his soul would thus be scorched for a thousand years…"

Kroft looked at Leylin with a serious demeanor. "I too have signed the contract before. Hence, I was able to obtain the resources and information needed for advancement. Unfortunately, due to the restrictions of this contract, I am unable to share the information with you..."

'Oh for fuck's sake.' -Leylin was now evaluating whether he should leave the academy today or wait until he could gather more intel from his peers.

"Nevertheless, I can still apprise you to some general knowledge about the process!" -Seeing the obviously disappointed face of Leylin, Kroft continued.

[Will he finally reveal something useful?]

'He had better. I am running very short on patience.'

"To advance to an official Magus, the first requirement is for the acolyte to reach a particular standard in Spiritual Force. Judging by the intensity of your restrained aura, you are very close to meeting this criterion."

"As for the real crux, it is to have a defensive spell model of a Rank 1 Spell. This model will become your innate defensive spell in the future. Moreover, you need to get your hands on an elixir called Grine Water to complement the breakthrough."

Leylin listened attentively, and various conjectures were reflected in his eyes. "You mean to say the criteria to advance would be these three: a certain level of Spiritual Force, a defensive Rank 1 spell, and Grine Water. Correct?"

"Indeed... Alas, Rank 1 Magus spell models and Grine Water elixirs are controlled by the huge factions of South Coast. Not even I could sell you either of these items."