19 In Exile After the Killing Part 2 (2/2)

On this day, Saleen discovered a waterfall in between the mountains. White silk that resembled snow divided the mountain peak, pounding at a pool which emerged from the ground. The pool was cold; the torrent of the waterfall created a faint misty cover.

Saleen could feel the potent intensity of water element here; it was full of energy. Although he could not detect the existence of any battle formations, the life of the water was unusually harmonious. Saleen jumped into the pool and began to meditate.

To many people, the practice of magic was a boring matter. Firstly, one needed to acquire magic knowledge, chants, and gestures. Then, there was the constant exhaustion of magic chords, so as to be familiarized with operating the magic. When the magic strings were exhausted, one would need to meditate to recover.

Saleen, however, did not find it boring. The joy he felt during meditation far exceeded many other forms of pleasure on this earth. That was when the mind entered a state of extreme relaxation. During this time, one could feel the life within an element even without any chanting.

His affinity to the water element was exceptionally perfect. Although he was unable to view his magic chords directly like the time they had first formed, he could feel the water element penetrate every cell of his body, nourishing his physical form.

Particularly when he first entered the water, Saleen did not need to release the Water Breathing spell and could move and meditate in the water for a long time. The effects of meditating in the water far exceeded that of meditation done on land. Saleen surmised that he had only taken one and half hours to recover the magic chords that had been exhausted.

The small silvery-white fish in the cold pool surrounded Saleen, and looked at him curiously. Saleen reached out his hands to touch them, and instead of hiding, they weaved in and out of his palms.

Saleen was, after all, a curious youth, and had a sudden thought. He opened his mouth and blew a chain of bubbles, trapping a few small silvery-white fish in the bubbles. The surface of these bubbles had been formed by magic, and hence they did not float in the water. The trapped fish struggled a little, panicking when they were unable to escape.

There were a few thousand small fish in the vicinity. As though sensing the danger in unison, they immediately dispersed. Saleen used his hands to touch the bubbles, observing the small silvery fish within them. These small fish were about the size of a thumb, and had unusually fine scales. The fishes’ eyes were golden, and there were actually magic waves within their bodies.

They were in truth demonic beasts, albeit low grade ones that were barely Grade 1. Such mere demonic beasts, even if they had magic nuclei, would produce nuclei that were smaller than the tip of a needle. The effort of digging them out might not have even been worth a gold coin.

Saleen was now at Grade 1, and was still unable to dispel the spell he had cast. He used his fingers to pinch the bubbles, hoping to release the small fish. Unexpectedly, as he had exerted force with his fingers, he had activated the power of his magic chords. These bubbles were instead pinched flat, and did not burst at all.

Saleen instantly realized that he had unknowingly created a new spell.

He tried to recall how he had created these bubbles. At the very beginning, it seemed like he had cast a Water Shield, then used his mental power to control the magic shield bend created via the condensation of the elements. Then, he contained the air before the bubbles he spit out had floated up.

Saleen gave up trying to control these bubbles, and let these bubbles that had trapped the small fish float up. He then spit out another bubble, and cast the Water Shield again. He discovered that he could not perfectly contain the air within the bubble no matter what he tried. The bubbles he spat out swiftly floated up, leaving a layer of faint green wave lines, and stayed in front of him.

Originally, Saleen had no choice but to learn this spell. He was unable to learn the Grade 1 protection spell – Magic Skin, and could only rely on the three constant magics in the magic robe. However, activating these magics required the usage of magic nuclei. Therefore, in terms of defensive powers, Saleen’s standard was still that of an apprentice. He liked to practice in water, and had incidentally learned this spell which could be cast in water.

There was no other way. The protection magic in the water series was very powerful, but none of it was rudimentary. Even the weakest skill, Ice Plate Armor, was a Grade 4 spell which was too far off for him to consider.

The Water Shield was considered a spell of little value, as it had to be released in water. Additionally, the shortest duration for its release was nine seconds. In battle, using nine seconds to summon a magic shield meant that one could die more than ten times over.

Saleen, due to his deficiency in magic chords, treasured every chance he had to practice magic. Thus he had learned the Water Shield.

He persevered in his experiments, aware that this form-changing magic he had conjured up could be released quickly depending on the existence of air. With practice, it could become an instantaneous spell. If it really did work out, then he could possibly rely on this spell for his survival before he attained Grade 4.

However, Saleen had lost the playful mood he had been in earlier, and just could not find that natural feeling again no matter how hard he tried.

After more than ten attempts, almost half of his magic chords were exhausted. When the air in his lungs was nearly used up, Saleen finally managed to release a magic bubble. He took three seconds this time and was three times slower.

This magic bubble was a little fragile. Saleen released an icicle and immediately burst the bubble. The bubble that had lost its magic quickly floated up.

Saleen could only follow the bubble and swim to the surface. The lack of oxygen in his lungs would not cause him any harm, but merely prevented him from continuing his experimentation. Before his head had surfaced from the water, a shadow in the light jumped into the pool. Saleen twisted his body and easily avoided it.

It landed with a thump, the water splashing in all directions. Saleen broke through the surface and came face to face with a pair of pale white breasts.

Saleen nearly sunk back down again. He separated his hands, thinking about his retreat, but then he heard an angry voice saying, ”Oh no, a wild pig!”