85 Lex’s Past Part 2 (2/2)

Viscountess Lex looked at Saleen patiently, but she could not find anything wrong with his body. She was, after all, also a mage master, and her judgement should not have been too bad. So why had her teacher said that Saleen’s body had underlying troubles?

”Saleen, I will be returning to the imperial capital in May. I want you to come with me,” Viscountess Lex said frankly after thinking for a long time.

Saleen hesitated. He really did not want to go to the imperial capital. What was good about that place? Saleen could practice his magic in peace at the viscountess’ residence. As long as the speed of his training remained constant, he could become a mage master very soon. But Saleen owed the viscountess a favor. Without the viscountess’ help, Saleen may have needed to escape to the Cloudflow Empire if Baron Cook had decided to slander him in front of the emperor.

Being alone was not a good feeling, and Saleen would always remember that horrible experience clearly.

”I know that you don’t want to go there, but trust me and make this trip. My teacher suggested that you go. Take it as… you returning me the favor.” Viscountess Lex felt strange speaking like that, as though she were begging Saleen. But if Saleen’s teacher was truly from Alchemy City and he was still a Grade 5 mage, it would be advantageous for her. Saleen might have been returning her favor this time, but once she recommended him to Master Roy, Saleen would owe her yet another favor.

When she thought of that, Viscountess Lex secretly giggled. After all, she was not an adult yet and still possessed her adolescent character. She felt good, as though she had successfully pranked Saleen.

Saleen felt very puzzled. Why would the sorcerer suggest that he go to the imperial capital? He could not understand, but the viscountess had made it very clear that she would take it as Saleen’s returned favor if he went to the imperial capital. As for the information on his hometown, Saleen had used the green dragon’s magic nucleus to return that favor. When Saleen thought of the freedom he would regain once he had paid back all the favors, he nodded and said, ”Alright, I will go.”

Viscountess Lex was stunned for a while. She hadn’t expected Saleen to agree so readily. She had even wanted to chat with Saleen about magic knowledge, hoping to find out what kind of a person his teacher was.

Saleen stared intensely at Viscountess Lex’s finger as she refilled his cup with tea.

Saleen noticed that there was a new golden ring on the viscountess’ finger. He remembered that he had not seen it the previous time they had met. But what made Saleen so surprised was that he could not recognize the gem that was mosaicked onto the ring.

Saleen had a vast knowledge of gems. Many gems could be made into equipment and used in medicines. He had memorized the characteristics of all gems, but he could not tell what type of gem that was. This gem was too perfect, blending perfectly into its compartment on the ring. Also, the twenty-four facets of the gem had not been cut out, but had been formed naturally.

That gem was so perfect that Saleen could not stop staring at it.

”Saleen?”

”Ah!” Saleen replied. He realized that he was being rude. He smiled awkwardly and sat upright.

Viscountess Lex found it interesting that although Saleen had never learned the imperial customs and practices, he was more polite than the other mages who lived in the residence.

”I am very curious. What kind of a person is your teacher?” Viscountess Lex asked. She knew Saleen’s temper, and knew that Saleen was not as simple as he looked. It was better to ask him things directly than beat around the bush.

”My teacher?” When Saleen heard the viscountess’ question, he immediately thought of the scene in the prison and the moment of brightness when he had seen Jason. A simple illumination spell had allowed Saleen to return from the prison to the outside world.

”My teacher is a very kind and friendly person,” Saleen answered solemnly, as images of him framing Zhanbu and using the Icicle spell flashed in his mind. The Icicle spell had pierced Saleen’s forehead and caused him to bleed profusely. It was because of that incident that Saleen had learned the Icicle spell as his first Grade 1 spell.

A kind and friendly person? Viscountess Lex did not buy it. Saleen’s teacher had actually dared to attack other person’s magical tower. He was definitely not a kind and friendly person. But Saleen’s teacher might have possessed the silver magic book since he had actually managed to escape safely from the battle at the magical tower.

”My Viscountess, what is your teacher like?” Saleen suddenly asked.

”He was… also a kind and friendly person,” Viscountess Lex replied. As she gave her answer, she realized what Saleen meant. No matter what a teacher did to others, they would always be like a parent to their students.

Viscountess Lex had been stumped by a simple sentence from Saleen, and was too embarrassed to continue probing. She simply said, ”I will be bringing the group of combat mages to the imperial capital. You may not need to use your powers, but just prepare yourself.”

Group of combat mages? Saleen could not quite understand. If even the viscountess was worried for her own safety, then what could a few hundred combat mages do? The combat mages might have been able to protect the viscountess from bandits or enemies, but if there was a sorcerer then they would be rendered useless. The sheer number of sorcerers in the imperial capital must have been quite frightening already.

”Prepare for what?” Saleen probed.

Viscountess Lex did not know how to answer Saleen. She did not want to tell him that he had problems inside of his body. Once Saleen knew the truth, it would be a great obstacle in his practice of magic.

”Prepare for battle. You must prepare your two companions as well.”

”Will we need money?” Saleen asked worriedly. The viscountess could not help but laugh, and her downcast mood disappeared. She had known since long ago that Saleen was in no need of money, but it was simply a natural reaction to be worried about money.

”Don’t worry. The prefecture may be short of land and water, but we have plenty of money.”