Chaptef 28

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Leylin stood at the outside the slave market, his expression indifferent as he observed the bustling crowd. The acrid scent of sweat, filth, and desperation clung to the air. His newly acquired Knight and old butler stood silently beside him, awaiting his next command.

The Great Knight had left earlier to purchase a carriage.

Leylin glanced at his remaining slaves, his mind already elsewhere. His original intent had been to acquire a Magus assistant as well, but such a purchase was unrealistic. Any Magus slave would need to be at least an acolyte, and those were both rare and exorbitantly priced.

Even if he could afford one, there was always the risk of complications. Acolytes had their own ambitions, and even as slaves, they could be unpredictable. Some harbored hidden grudges, others carried mental instability from past torture, and many were secretly waiting for an opportunity to betray their masters.

Leylin hadn't seen any acolyte slaves in this market, but he knew they were out there.

Somewhere, in the darker corners of the Magus world, another market existed—one that specialized in selling acolytes. War prisoners, criminals, or simply the unfortunate souls captured during conflicts between Magi factions.

Abyssal Bone Forest Academy itself was at war. If the academy fell, and its headquarters were seized, the fate of its remaining acolytes was already decided. Those with powerful backers might survive, but the rest? They would be reduced to slaves, no different from the ones Leylin had just purchased.

Leylin had no intentions of sharing that fate.

He had fled early, ensuring his own survival. If the academy were to fall, he would be forced to cut ties completely, erasing any association with his former home. The world was vast—he would find another path. But that did not mean he wished for its destruction.

He turned his gaze westward, his expression grim.

"For now, all I can do is hope the academy prevails… and if it does fall, I hope it does not collapse beyond recovery."

The Knight and butler, seeing their young master lost in thought, lowered their heads, not daring to speak.

The silence stretched, broken only by the occasional murmur of the market. Then, a sound began to rise in the distance—the rhythmic clatter of hooves against cobblestone, followed by the deep rumble of wooden wheels rolling over uneven ground.

Leylin's sharp eyes caught sight of the approaching carriage.

A Great Knight sat at the reins, his muscular form steady as he guided the horses forward. The carriage itself was an imposing sight—pitch black, devoid of unnecessary embellishments. It was a sturdy, functional vehicle, built for long-distance travel rather than luxury.

The Great Knight pulled the reins, slowing the horses to a stop before leaping down. Without hesitation, he strode toward Leylin, bowing slightly as he extended a coin pouch.

"Young Master, the purchase is complete."

Leylin did not bother reaching for the pouch. Instead, his cold gaze flicked to the butler.

"You. Managing finances and other insignificant matters is your responsibility. Do not waste my time with such trivial things."

With an almost instinctive reaction, the butler bowed deeply and took the purse.

Leylin cared little for gold. It was a currency for commoners and non-Magi, useful only because he would be living among them for the time being. If he ever needed more, an acolyte of his caliber could acquire it effortlessly.

What truly mattered were magic crystals—the currency of Magi. Without them, true advancement was impossible.

Leylin turned and stepped into the carriage, pulling his hood backwards as he settled into the seat. The dim interior provided a brief moment of quiet, an escape from the chaos of the market outside.

From his bag, he retrieved the Lowian Teaching book he had purchased earlier, his fingers idly flipping through its pages. The knowledge within might prove useful. (Image)

Outside, the butler and Knight took their positions at the front, while the Great Knight remained on guard.

Leylin's voice cut through the air, calm yet absolute.

"Set a course for Eastwoods Province. The Knight will drive. The Great Knight will act as our guard. Should anyone block our path, eliminate them immediately. I do not wish to be disturbed."

The Knight grunted in acknowledgment and flicked the reins. The horses responded instantly, their powerful muscles propelling the carriage forward.

Leylin did not look up from his book as he continued.

"Also, extract a small amount of your blood daily."

The Grand Knight, sitting across from him, remained silent for a moment before giving a slow nod. He did not question the order.

Leylin reached into his bag, retrieving a parchment and a writing tool. He scrawled a list of names in clean, efficient strokes before passing it to the butler.

"These are medicines. If we come across a proper town, purchase them. Ensure that the Grand Knight takes them regularly."

The butler took the parchment with both hands, his head still lowered.

Leylin had no reason to explain himself. A slave's worth was measured by their usefulness. The Grand Knight, despite his ruined eye and ragged appearance, still held immense strength. Keeping him healthy was a practical investment, nothing more.

Satisfied, Leylin leaned back against the cushioned seat. He had no intention of engaging with his subordinates further.

He had not even given them names.

Perhaps, if he gathered more subordinates in the future, he would consider naming those who proved their worth. But for now, they were tools.

What they called themselves was irrelevant.

The carriage rolled onward, disappearing into the vast expanse of the road ahead. Their journey had begun.

A week had passed since Leylin set out on his journey.

On a wide, well-traveled road, a dark-colored horse carriage sped by, kicking up dust in its wake. The carriage itself was sturdy, built for long-distance travel rather than luxury. The black horses pulling it galloped with strength, their heavy hoofbeats striking the ground with rhythmic intensity.

Sitting in the driver's seat were two men clad in metallic armor, both armed with long swords. Their presence alone was enough to dissuade any potential troublemakers. The one-eyed man, his face marred with deep scars, had a particularly menacing aura about him. His remaining eye, sharp and cold, scanned the road ahead with the keen awareness of a seasoned warrior.

Farmers and merchants, upon spotting them, quickly moved aside, not wanting to attract unnecessary attention. Even bandits who occasionally prowled these roads refrained from making any reckless decisions.

Inside the carriage, Leylin sat alone, surrounded by stacks of papers, his eyes scanning the information intently. The enclosed space carried a mixture of wood and lacquer, an unpleasant smell that he had long grown accustomed to. The dim lighting inside the carriage didn't hinder his reading; his eyes had adjusted over time.

He leaned back slightly, rubbing his temples as he contemplated his next move.

The week of travel had not been wasted. His spiritual force had grown significantly, thanks to the blood of the Two-Headed Leopard he had managed to obtain before departing. While he was still far from reaching the peak of a Level 2 Acolyte in terms of spiritual force, his progress was nonetheless satisfactory. With his exceptional fifth-grade talent, he was progressing faster than most.

His physical strength had also improved, thanks to the continuous supply of Great Knight blood. However, the rate of growth had begun to slow. The stronger he became, the less effective simple blood assimilation proved to be. At best, it would allow him to reach the level of a top-tier Knight in the next few months, but beyond that, he would need a new method to advance further.

Despite these advancements, Leylin's primary focus lay elsewhere.

He had spent much of his time studying rune carvings on swords, a field of research that had previously stagnated. However, the Lowian Teachings had provided him with valuable new insights. This ancient book, filled with cryptic symbols and fragmented knowledge, was essentially a blueprint for creating magical artifacts—specifically, an artifact known as the Fallen Star Pendant.

While he lacked the depth of knowledge needed to replicate it in its entirety, Leylin had gleaned enough inspiration from it to take his own experiments to the next level. The knowledge contained within the book had allowed him to refine his rune-carving techniques, and he was now on the verge of successfully creating a one-time-use magical artifact—something that could significantly increase his combat effectiveness.

Leylin tapped his fingers against the wooden surface beside him, his expression thoughtful.

'Once I stabilize the process and deepen my understanding of rune crafting, I might even be able to forge a true magical artifact. That, however, will likely require me to reach the level of a Rank 3 Acolyte. For now, even a single-use magical artifact is a major breakthrough.'

The ability to create disposable but powerful artifacts was not to be underestimated. If he succeeded, he would be able to wield magic beyond his current level, tipping the balance in his favor should he encounter a formidable opponent.

Leylin glanced at one of the swords resting near him. It was an ordinary blade, nothing special. But in his mind, he envisioned the possibilities. A sword embedded with runes capable of channeling a surge of destructive power. A single strike enhanced by raw magical energy.

He closed his eyes for a moment, running through the calculations in his mind. Every rune had to be meticulously etched. Even the slightest mistake could result in failure—or worse, an unstable reaction that could backfire.

After a brief pause, he reached into his bag and pulled out a blank parchment. Dipping his quill into ink, he began sketching out his next experiment. The carriage rocked slightly as it moved, but Leylin's hand remained steady.

His research was progressing well, but he still needed more materials. Some of the reagents required for proper rune crafting were not easily obtainable. He would have to acquire them at the next major town magus market as they passed through.

'For now, I'll focus on creating a prototype. If I can get even a single successful result, it will be proof that this theory works.'

His thoughts were interrupted when the carriage slowed slightly. From outside, the deep voice of the one-eyed Great Knight called out.

"Young Master, we're approaching a town."

Leylin didn't bother responding. Instead, he rolled up the parchment, placing it back into his bag before pulling up the hood of his black robe. He had little interest in the town itself, but it would be a good opportunity to stock up on necessary supplies.

He exhaled softly, glancing down at the Lowian Teachings once more before setting it aside.

Soon, he would put his theories to the test.