15 Trouble with a Lesser Nobleman Part 2 (1/2)

Baron Minghui clenched his fist and whispered something to the swordsman behind him. He was not furious, but was not content with letting a child insult him in this manner. Saleen’s age did not suit the term ”mage” at all.

”The people of Sikeqinya always say that everything can be bought with gold coins. Mage Saleen, I would like to hire you to perform some magic for everyone here right now.”

”Sure, I can go to Metropolitan City tomorrow and register myself as a mercenary. You can send someone to go with me.”

”Why go to all that trouble? Mage Saleen, why don’t I decide? Let’s do it right now. Please name your price. Let us all gain some insight. Baron Minghui is a man of status, and he will not refuse you.” Lady Viscount settled the matter immediately. Baron Minghui’s mouth fell in some distress, but he could not refute a beautiful lady’s compliment. That would be shameful.

”Make it two thousand gold coins. It will not be easy for the baron, since he is away from home.” Saleen looked indifferent but was delighted in his heart.

”I offer three thousand gold coins. You duel with my swordsman, and it is yours if you win.” Baron Minghui was now angered.

The atmosphere at the table grew tense. Saleen’s pupils shrank; he had forgotten one thing. Mages induced fear in most people, except for one group – those from remote areas, who had not encountered much of the world. They would fear a mad dog but would certainly not fear a mage.

Fearing a mad dog was understandable, but not mages who had never appeared.

Saleen switched his gaze to the swordsman behind the baron, slowed down, and asked, ”Do you intend for this to be a fight of life and death?”

There were neither emotions nor emphasis in what Saleen had said. The swordsman’s cold sweat had already soaked his back. He was cursing his baron in his heart. He was only a senior swordsman, and could probably kill this youth. But mage apprentices and swordsmen were different. If you killed an apprentice, their teacher could get angry and take even more lives.

He was a newcomer and did not know the mage grade of Saleen's teacher. If he was further along than Grade 4, the emperor would not be too angered if he were to kill the baron.

He was still young. Could it be that his bright future was about to be ruined by the baron?

Saleen kept looking at the swordsman’s eyes, taking in the swordsman’s emotional turmoil in his mind. Saleen was slightly relieved. This swordsman would not dare to kill him.

Saleen’s heart settled down. He looked at Baron Minghui, and said with a smile, ”Baron, I said it was two thousand gold coins for the performance of magic. To win the duel, it will cost extra. Forget about it if you cannot afford it. I do not care for these few thousand gold coins. This is on account of the viscount.”

Saleen’s speech was befitting of his feigned identity. Baron Minghui gnashed his teeth helplessly.

”How about this? You may not have that much money on you. Use your ring as the prize, and if I win…”

”Sure!” Baron Minghui removed the eye-catching ring and placed it on the table.

”This is yours if you win. But if you get hurt, it has nothing to do with me.”

”Let’s start.” Saleen waved his hand suddenly. The swordsman behind Baron Minghui reflexively drew his sword. The table stood between the both of them. He could not jump onto the table to attack Saleen, as that would be too ill-mannered.

Saleen did not think so. He waved his hand and the flame in the copper brazier at the center of the table soared instantaneously, nearly hitting the ceiling. The originally red flame turned blue in that moment, dancing devilishly.

At the same time, the swordsman felt pain in his eyes and nostrils. He could not see anything and immediately summoned the sword aura. The sword formed a field in order to protect him. He was filled with immense fear as he did not know what magic had come over him.

Saleen was not using magic. He had thrown ”witch’s sight” straight into the fire and everyone aside from him had temporarily lost their vision. Saleen jumped onto the table silently and used the magic staff in his hand to forcefully whack Baron Minghui’s head.

Unlike Viscount Gugger, Baron Minghui had no martial arts background. He was already shouting in panic after having lost his sight. His head received a solid whack. Seeing stars, the baron still did not know what had happened. Saleen gave his head another whack.

”Stop, don’t hit me, don’t hit me. I concede defeat!” Baron Minghui finally realized what he had been hit by after a few whacks. His throat was sore and his voice hoarse. He was almost in tears. Was that demon not a mage? Why would he hit me?

Saleen stopped and bent over the table to pick up Baron Minghui’s ring. He put it away and then crossed the now-extinguished flame before returning to his seat.

Everyone gradually recovered their sight. The swordsman saw the swell on Baron Minghui’s head and glared at Saleen in anger.