76 Figaro Formula Part 1 (1/2)

If it hadn’t been for the sorcerer’s demonstration, Saleen would have thought that it was impossible for such a thing to happen. A lower level offensive spell had actually managed to counter a higher level offensive spell.

However, that very situation had just taken place right before Saleen’s eyes. A sorcerer had managed to do just that.

Most people would always feel regretful that they would never be able to achieve what a sorcerer could. Strong mental calculation capabilities needed to coordinate with one’s concentration. A mage’s concentration was precious. It was needed to control magic throughout the entire casting process. Concentration would always grow after every round of meditation, but its rate of growth was almost undetectable.

Viscountess Lex looked across Faerun to catch a glimpse of Saleen, but she did not speak. Saleen felt her gaze as though fire had just scalded his face. The viscountess’ gaze had disrupted Saleen’s thoughts, and then he heard the sorcerer who was standing on the stage say, ”That’s all for today everyone. Saleen, you stay back.”

No one dared to marvel at the sorcerer’s instructions, as that would have meant disrespect to the sorcerer. The rest of the people stood up, bowed to the sorcerer, and left the hall quietly. Saleen did not move at all, wondering why the sorcerer had asked him to stay behind.

Viscountess Lex and Faerun walked side by side as they left the hall. After several moments, she asked, ”Faerun, do you intend to pass down the teachings of the Figaro formula to Saleen?”

”No, I have only told him some fundamental things. However, he has a good foundation in magic, so he realized that on his own.”

”Do not teach him just yet.”

”Viscountess, in the past, you said that I have the authority to pass down my teachings to whoever I want,” Faerun replied firmly. He did not succumb to the pressure from the viscountess as they had been taught by the same teacher. If it had not been for the difference in their backgrounds, they would have been of the same ranking.

”Do you like him very much?” Viscountess Lex asked Faerun out of curiosity.

”Yes.”

”Wow. In the past ten years or so, thousands of people have tried to make you take them as your apprentice, but you were never moved until now. Does that mean that you intend to keep Saleen as your student?”

”The exact number is twenty six thousand and twenty-four. But only about one percent of them eventually stayed. These people were all talented, but no one were as hardworking as Saleen. You have seen his Icicle spell before. Could you have done it when you were his age?”

The viscountess narrowed her eyes, causing her eyebrows to become arched, and exhaled deeply. The weather had become frosty, turning the exhaled air into clouds that came from her mouth.

”Indeed, I was unable to do that when I was at his age. But if he wants to be a Grade 5 mage at my age, that would also be impossible, right?”

Viscountess Lex was still young and competitive. Faerun smiled and said, ”Saleen’s teacher must be very powerful, and I should not force Saleen to be my disciple. I only want to give him some help.

”That is why I do not want you to teach him the Figaro formula just yet. Bain has sent some people to investigate Saleen’s background. Judging from his accent, he must be from northern Sikeqinya. Give me three months to gather concrete information about him. If he is proven to be free from suspicion, I will not stop you anymore.”

”Viscountess, you think there is something wrong with Saleen?” Faerun inquired. Faerun did not wanted to be involved in the affairs of the viscountess, but he was not clear about Saleen’s background either.

”When Saleen came before me for the first time, he brought Loki’s last words. Do you still remember who Loki is?”

”Yes, I do. He has died?” Faerun said regretfully.

”Yes. If Loki had not died, he would have been able to be promoted to a grand swordmaster in two years’ time at most.” Viscountess Lex sighed, and then continued, ”Saleen brought Loki’s badge which I gave to him personally. If Loki were still alive, the badge would not have been in other people’s hands. In the beginning, there was nothing to be suspicious about, but Saleen brought the green dragon’s magic nucleus that belonged to Loki.”

When the viscountess saw that Faerun was deep in thought about her words, she continued, ”Even though the green dragon’s magic nucleus is the weakest out of the dragon family, any nucleus from the dragon family is extremely rare, and not even a Grade 6 magic beast would be able to match it. Saleen is only a Grade 2 mage. Wouldn’t he have been tempted to keep the green dragon’s magic nucleus for himself?”

”Maybe Saleen didn’t come for you,” Faerun replied straightforwardly.

”Perhaps he came here to seek refuge. That is why we must conduct a thorough investigation into him. You must understand that I will be reaching adulthood next year. I wouldn’t want any trouble to happen before that. If Saleen is here to seek refuge, I am fine with that. My only worry is that he may be related to the Holy See.”

”The Holy See…” Faerun’s eyebrows plunged as he frowned. Even though he did not believe that Saleen was working for the Holy See, this matter concerned the safety of the viscountess, so all precautions needed to be taken.

”Alright, I understand now. Until Bain’s men come back with concrete information, I will not teach Saleen anything about the Figaro formula.”

”Let’s go. I want to exercise my lower body today. Get your men and accompany me in hunting,” Viscountess Lex said while stretching her body. Behind her, the eyes of the young mages lit up with excitement when they saw her do that. These young mages had come here to learn magic, but who could have turned a blind eye to the viscountess’ wealth and beauty?

When Saleen returned to the courtyard, he realized that no one was there. Only Sika was there, waving her weapon about and practicing her fighting technique. Actually, the sorcerer had not really had anything special to tell Saleen when he had asked Saleen to stay behind. The sorcerer only demonstrated the spell and hand movements for the Ice Blade spell. Saleen was puzzled by this, because the spell itself had been memorized and was holistic, and the teacher had already demonstrated it before. In fact, money could buy the execution method for any magic that was Grade 3 and below, and this did not pose a problem for Saleen in the short term.