Chapter 61: Choice

Pan released his grasp, retreating two steps to settle onto the stool by the bedside, his gaze fixated upon the withered mistletoe in the water pitcher behind the female mage, and the scroll emitting arcane energy on the table. "Your exploration of the pink spell has truly astounded me."

"Is it so strange to delve into the realm of pink?" Lijita's expression swiftly returned to normal. "However, since you have discerned it, presumably you are also a practitioner of the arts. Perhaps we could engage in a profound exchange of research progress?"

"I recall a pink spell capable of summoning humanoid creatures to satisfy carnal desires, with no stringent requirements on magical prowess." Pan chuckled softly. He had intuitively grasped that the female mage's thoughts were far from innocent, thus, adhering to the principle of like for like, his speech gradually veered into impropriety.

"Have you not utilized it then? Who would fancy those dull mannequins?" Lijita chuckled again, pulling out another scroll. A bright light flashed, and her hand once more reached towards Pan, who hastily evaded. Yet, he found Lijita's fingers, akin to legendary martial artists, sealing off evasion routes from all directions.

Strike first, subdue the enemy!

Pan recognized the spell, but before he could formulate a comprehensive response, his lower body was already stirred by the peculiar force carried by her finger. A potent warmth surged into his nervous system, stimulating the pituitary gland. Intense sexual impulses caused Pan to instinctively seize the red-robed woman's wrist, pulling her onto the bed. Their bodies pressed close, until just before the eruption of desire, his will suppressed the power of the aphrodisiac spell.

Engaging in intercourse with a beauty was not objectionable to him, but he could not recklessly charge into battle unprepared.

Are red-robed mages easy to seduce? Having understood the rules of entry for the red robes, Pan realized that casual physical relations with a member of the opposite sex clad in crimson might lead to severe consequences.

"What concerns you? The designated husband intended for me by my family has already passed away, and there is yet no sign from the upper echelons of seeking a new spouse for me. Until the next suitor is determined, I have the right to indulge myself." These words, spoken with a indifferent expression by a woman, carried a rather eerie sensation, at least to Pan. "You needn't be cautious about this. Since they have already decided to incorporate you, formalities of marriage need not concern matters of chastity. Hm, such thoughts are centuries behind in Sael."

Just as Pan was mildly astonished, he felt the concealed obstruction lifted, and a vertical standard passed through the narrow tunnel. Upon encountering an obstacle, just as the mage was about to dodge, he was once again astonished. Lijita's body sank downwards, and the passage immediately collapsed. The motionless flag, which had come to a halt, was buried, and a lingering sigh swept across Pan's cheek.

"It seems the sensation is not quite delightful." Lijita slightly furrowed her brow—oh, as previously mentioned, this was merely a gesture, for her brows were no longer there, yet her vexation was still evident. "Why are some people always so relentless?"

"Due to physiological needs." Since they had reached this point, Pan also let go, for going in and then backing out would be too vexing.

However, he didn't believe that Lijita sought his company merely to alleviate loneliness; he remembered the male red robe in the laboratory. "Why not seek Hughes then? He should have spent enough time with you by now."

"Him?" Lijita snorted, though it didn't stand out amidst the surging breaths. "What use is he? Just a timid and cowardly fellow, wasting such excellent lineage."

"Oh? His lineage is noble?"

"The entire assembly of red-robed mages boasts no more than twenty individuals with backgrounds superior to his," Lijita spoke without any hint of politeness. "He could opt to become the most influential figure in all of Sael, yet he willingly chooses to languish in this perpetually shadowed, desolate place to study that pile of broken stones."

"You sound quite discontented," Pan snorted, exerting a forceful thrust. The flush on the female mage's body spread to her cheeks. "But everyone possesses the power of choice."

"The power of choice? Why is such a luxurious commodity rarely found in my world?" The mage's arm wrapped around Pan's neck. "Why stop now? I've just begun to taste a bit of sweetness."

Thus, the bed frame creaked and swayed once more.

After an indeterminate amount of time, Pan Sien gradually acclimated to the atmosphere and spoke again. "I don't mind sharing a bit of pleasure with you, but I wonder, why seek me out? Can I offer you something that Hughes cannot?"

"How many common apprentices are there who assume their positions at fifteen, bypassing the clan assembly and being directly certified by the elder patriarchs?" Lijita sneered mockingly.

"Hm, is it so uncommon to take office at such an age? You're not much different yourself," Pan murmured, bending down to nibble on the raised crimson bud. The adjacent tender skin, dotted with tiny red marks from trembling, elicited a long sigh from the female mage.

Suddenly, the sigh transformed into a muffled groan. Pan's spine surged as if struck by an electric current, his entire body tensing and relaxing in an instant, before he finally exhaled heavily and collapsed onto Lijita.

"Oh, I'm already nineteen." Upon hearing this, Pan's head lifted once more, scanning incredulously over the mage's youthful body, no more than fifteen or sixteen years old at most, before he sighed. "Ah, it seems I've made a subjective error in judgment."

"Delayed development and myopia—these are not choices within my control, and fate has seldom afforded me any choices. Even if there were, the outcome of those choices would have been predetermined," Lijita said lightly, about to rise, only to be pressed down again by Pan. "You still haven't told me why you sought me out for intimacy."

"Compensation, oh, that's just an excuse. If there is any, it's merely the hope of finding a way to leave this desolate place. But now, it seems better to forget it. You are not as easy to deal with as I imagined...

So, let's just consider this incident as a fleeting encounter, as you said, a mutual pleasure to fulfill physical needs, with no one owing anything to another." Lijita scrutinized Pan's face carefully, speaking casually.

"By the way, you seem to truly dislike your work here. Why not seek a change? There are less than two thousand official red-robed individuals in all of Sael, and vacancies in various departments should not be few," Pan furrowed his brow.

"Do you think I can simply leave here at will?" Lijita teased, quirking her mouth. "I wonder if that gossipy fellow ever told you about those messy rumors concerning me?"

Pan recalled for a moment, then spoke slowly and cautiously, "He mentioned that you... dealt with some of your creditors..."

"—by killing them," the female mage's expression instantly turned cold as ice, and the ambiguous, humid air froze in an instant.

Pan suddenly felt a chill rushing from his abdomen straight to his forehead.

"Oh, you do not know. I was born in a barren land, so barren that even the knights of Sael were too lazy to seek apprentices there. Although my family held the status of free citizens, our life was not much different from that of slaves. Unable to afford farm laborers, and with the land yielding little produce each year, my sister had no choice but to marry the lame town constable for survival. Hehe, how did it feel just now? Does it not seem like the first time? All these things I learned from my sister. If not for an unexpected opportunity when my brother-in-law, the constable, took me to the city for duty, my fate would have remained as such for a lifetime. How about it? After hearing all this, can you still utter phrases like 'everyone has the power of choice'? Oh, by the way, if the alternative is death, of course anyone can say such things."

Pan was at a loss for words, able only to assume a posture of listening.

"You cannot fathom the sentiments within me when, after struggling tirelessly in various academies for twelve years, I finally emerged victorious and returned to my hometown, hoping to provide a happy life for my family, only to discover them tortured to death in the dungeons by the mayor due to famine-induced flight. When I took the lives of that man's entire family, their expressions seemed to still question how a frail-bodied, congenitally myopic, illiterate youngster could possibly return alive? Hehehe! Truly delightful memories..."

Lijita laughed nervously for a while, then looked at Pan's face. "Hmm? What expression is that?"

"Seeking vengeance for a wrong is a commendable act." Pan had begun to understand Lijita's character somewhat, knowing that showing pity or similar emotions to such a temperamentally stubborn woman would only lead to trouble. It was better to express admiration. "However, it seems you have paid a price. Those who can attain minor bureaucratic positions usually have some connection within the ranks of the Red Robes. Even for the purpose of revenge, indiscriminate killings are not permissible."

"Oh, indeed, the price was my temporary exile from the ranks of the mages, with my spellcasting abilities restricted during that time limit. Oh, this is also the law of Sael. The higher-ranking mages were unwilling to assist me, or even grant me a fixed first-tier spell, so I must wear glasses every day." Lijita shook her head, revealing a small peculiar coloration behind her tattoo, which Pan noticed was evidently a seal, yet the female mage's expression remained natural. "Fortunately, this job is secure enough. I am not at risk of being eliminated by jealous individuals."

"So, are you seeking a way to leave here?"

"Well, if there were one, it would be most opportune. For instance, when red-robed mages assume public office, they often select colleagues and deputies. Although this does not grant access to the authority to lift the seal, it at least offers some freedom. Originally, I had hoped for assistance from that sluggard, but he is evidently not reliable." Lijita's expression soured at this point, presumably having encountered many obstacles with Hughes.

"That seems rather straightforward..." Pan sneered, casting a glance over Lijita's exquisite figure. "There seem to be quite a few high-ranking male mages passing through here every day."

"Are you implying that I am worthless in your eyes?" Lijita snorted coldly. "Am I to simply find an old man to share my bed with? I am not that cheap, and I detest old men."

"Um..." Pan suddenly realized that this female mage likely had some psychological aversion to older men due to certain experiences. Thinking of this, his expression became even more peculiar. Had he stumbled upon a covert assassin of budding talents?

"However, even though I am uncertain if my promotion path is unique or holds some other significance, I may not necessarily be able to assist you, and I may not even be willing to help you," Pan shrugged suddenly. "Frankly, after hearing about your past, I feel you are quite..."

"Dangerous, is that it?" The female mage suddenly laughed joyfully, laughing until tears welled up in her eyes.

"If I were you, perhaps I wouldn't have spilled those words just now," Pan pondered for a moment, then, for some unknown reason, added another sentence.

"In truth, it matters little. I no longer hold much hope for your assistance, as I have found that unburdening oneself of pent-up emotions in one fell swoop and receiving understanding from others can also be a light and pleasant affair," Lijita straightened her posture, rubbed her eyes, and continued with a smile, "I must still thank you."

If half a day ago, Pan would have been pleased to receive gratitude from a beauty, but now, he felt shivers creeping up his neural pathways. He quickly raised his hands, "Forget it, it was just some words I heard from you, no need for thanks."

"Oh, you needn't think too much of it," Lijita's chilly fingers brushed against Pan's cheek, "It's nothing more, and my intuition tells me that speaking truthfully to you may be far more effective than deception."

"Intuition? Do you truly believe in intuition?" Pan was silent for a moment.

"Perhaps, just hoping that when the opportunity arises, you might consider offering me some assistance."

"In fact, I wanted to ask you a question," Pan tilted his head, pondered for a moment, then spoke again, "How did your husband die?"

"Oh," the sorceress didn't directly answer the question, but smiled instead, "Most of the time, fate does not offer you many choices. If you wish to tread a better path, you must strive with your own strength. Otherwise, you will only degrade into a slave driven by the instinct to survive, isn't that so?"

Pan shuddered, his whole body stiffened, as the flag of arousal, once fluttering high, fell.

"What's wrong? Don't worry, I know some methods to resolve this issue," the sorceress caught sight of Pan's situation between his legs, then slowly leaned her head forward...