12 Viscount Gugger’s Invitation Part 1 (1/2)
”I am Saleen. May I ask what is the matter?” Saleen paused and turned around. The two swordsmen were a head taller than him. He stared into their eyes without looking overbearing. He was not looking upwards, but they were looking at him with their heads lowered. He seemed to have an invisible cover from head to toe, blocking him from the rain and forming a layer of mist.
This was the eighth level-0 magic that Saleen had learned – Invisible Shield.
”It is not convenient to talk in the rain. This way please.” The blond-haired swordsman knew that Chris was drenched, and the viscount had repeatedly instructed them to be respectful to this lad.
Saleen nodded, indicating for them to lead the way.
One's environment affects his temperament while one's diet affects his health. Saleen was no longer the orphan from three years ago. His status had changed along with his temperament. As an apprentice, he might not have any fighting ability, but he had a grade-5 mage watching his back. No one, not even the most influential in Ceylon City, would dare to mistreat Saleen.
When Jason had rescued him from prison, the viscount had not even dared to say a single word in response.
Saleen's reserved attitude made the blond-haired swordsman worry that things could be problematic. After all, the viscount had been rejected by mages before. This lad would probably be difficult to deal with too. Walking into a deserted bar, Chris shook off the water on his hair and called for the waiter.
”Two strong tequilas. Um, Mage Saleen…”
”Give me a glass of water.” Saleen and the blond-haired swordsman sat opposite each other. He did not put down the huge leather sack he was carrying, but merely tied the money pouch at his waist. Swordsmen were very sensitive to weight. The leather sack on Saleen's back contained at least a hundred kilograms of items. Despite his not-yet-fully-developed body, he had been effortlessly carrying the leather sack.
This was a body that was standard for a swordsman, but not a mage.
An apprentice of magic with a strong physique? The blond-haired swordsman began to pay more attention to Saleen. Mages were indeed mysterious and powerful beings. Three years ago, this child was almost at the brink of starvation, and could not possibly have had any physique to speak of. The waiter delivered the alcohol and water, looking steadily forward. The moment Saleen entered, he had already noticed the long robe on this young man. When he heard Chris calling this youth ”mage”, he did not dare to utter a word.
Chris passed him a silver coin, and said, ”Close the door, then go to the back. Do not come out if no one calls for you.” Even if it were not raining, the patrons were typically sparse. Furthermore, as these two swordsmen were from the House of the Lord, no one would dare oppose them even if the boss were here. The waiter hurriedly closed the door, latched it, and obediently hid in the back.
Saleen lifted the cup of water, and released a level-0 Poison Detection spell.
The water was, of course, safe. Saleen was only casually practicing his magic. In any case, that pitiful level of magic could not be used in any battle. What's more, he himself was selling the highly toxic magic medicine in Ceylon City. If he were to be poisoned by his own medicine, he would become the most tragic apprentice in the world.
”Mage Saleen, Viscount Gugger asked that we call upon you.” The blond-haired swordsman's words did not make sense. It was obvious that he had stopped Saleen on the road. If it were a visit, they should have gone to the outskirts.
Saleen smiled, not minding what the blond-haired swordsman had said. Now, nobody would dare go near to his house. His teacher disapproved, so even the Lord had to stay away.
”I do not have much time, as I have to rush back before it gets dark. Please get straight to the point,” Saleen replied, taking a sip of the water and closing his eyes.
Viscount Gugger Freyne owned Ceylon City. While the Freyne clan had always been rooted here, it had also declined along with Ceylon City. Reduced from being a second class earl to becoming a first class viscount, Viscount Gugger had also lost a large amount of land through the years. The emperor no longer bothered himself with bulletins on Ceylon City. There were little earnings, and it had long been abandoned by adventurers and traders.
Saleen's teacher, Jason Statham, was the first mage to stop by Ceylon City in the last two hundred years. In addition, being a grade-5 mage, he would be able to build a magical tower when he was promoted to the next grade.
The moment Jason appeared, Viscount Gugger had expressed interest in soliciting him. Jason had promptly chased him away, and Viscount Gugger never attempted it again. The first time, one was chased off; the next time, one could be killed.
After a span of three years, the viscount had contacted him. Could it not be a good thing? Saleen contemplated to himself, looking steadily ahead.
”Mage Saleen, Lord Viscount would like to invite you to attend the mid-autumn festival sea sacrifice ceremony.” The blond-haired swordsman took a sip of the strong tequila, warmth instantly filling his entire body. Chris was using a towel to dry his hair on the side. Both of them looked at Saleen, awaiting his reply.
”That is all?” Saleen was a little disappointed. Although this invitation was important, what he had hoped for was hundreds of gold coins. Saleen was in urgent need of money, as Decca's capability to receive goods had reached its limit. Even if he were in dire need, Saleen simply could not squeeze water out of rocks.
The mid-autumn festival was a relatively important day in Northern Sikeqinya. The cities along the sea would hold sea sacrifice ceremonies to thank the sea for its blessings. This was the only memory left for the Myers Mainland since the fall of the Goddess of Nature. It was a day for the commoners, but nobility also used this day to show off to one another.
Viscount Gugger knew very well that he would not be able to invite Jason, thus he focused attention on himself. For a mage to accept the invitation, it would give him much face value. Although Saleen was still young, he was able to understand the viscount's calculated move.
”Lord Viscount had requested your honor's attire to be more formal, as a form of gratitude.” The blond-haired swordsman had unknowingly used an honorific. Saleen's attitude was unpredictable for him. There was not a bit of response from this fifteen or sixteen year old young man. He had to take out a gift, put it on the table, and push it in front of Saleen.
More formal? Saleen looked at his own robe, but did not feel anything was amiss.