677 Isabella Part 2 (1/2)

Mages could only cast spells that were at most one grade higher than their own. After casting the spell, their mental strength and magic chords would all be wiped out. As a result, mages' learning speeds were greatly reduced and many that were not guided by any teachers would often lose their way.

If a mage cast a spell that was two grades above their own, the knowledge they gained would more than make up for the loss in time. Most wealthy mages would be able to train better even without any teachers.

The prices of such scrolls would always remain high. Most mages that possessed such scrolls would usually choose to study them and could not bear to use them. Only someone like Saleen would have no qualms using them since his intention was only to sign a contract spell.

The problem was that Saleen used the scroll because he had no other choice. On the other hand, Isabella was ready to use it for an unimportant victory.

Even if she was from Tanggulasi Empire, she had no need to participate in such a competition if her intention was to pledge her allegiance to Saleen. He would never reject a grade-5 mage even if he already had the Sregl Island sorcerers by his side.

This was why Saleen wanted to meet Isabella immediately after he had announced the result. Rather than speculate, he would rather find out from her face-to-face.

Since this female mage wanted to see Saleen, he would fulfil her wish. If her intentions were found to be bad, Saleen was more than willing to kill her on the spot.

When Isabella walked into the room, she did not sense any pressure. She was surprised that the room only contained about ten people with Saleen seated in the center.

She studied the Lord of Metatrin City carefully from head to toe. This young mage was not wearing proper mage robes and was wearing a strange-looking long robe instead. It looked like a war robe worn by powerful warriors with patches of leaves sewn on it. When Isabella glanced at Saleen's fingers, she noticed three magic equipments; two bands and one ring.

Saleen looked at her with his blue eyes and did not let out any form of aura or mental strength. The people behind him did the same and concealed their powers.

Isabella suddenly realized that this young man was the Lord of Metatrin City. The people around him were all much more powerful than her, yet they were all willing to submit to Saleen's influence.

Based on Isabella's observation, Saleen's attitude was the reason why the people behind him were willing to fall in line and follow his orders.

Saleen was observing this female mage. She was wearing a typical gray magic robe, but this one was brand new. There were six rings on her hand which was the maximum number of rings a mage could wear, any more would have been useless.

Isabella was a pure Tanggulasi name. She had brown eyes, pale skin, and a necklace around her neck that was also magic equipment.

Saleen looked carefully with his elemental eyes and concluded that Isabella was not carrying any lethal equipment.

”Isabella, you have used such a method just to see me. Tell me, what do you want?” Saleen asked directly. Normally, mages did not engage much in courtesies, but Saleen had eliminated them entirely.

Isabella raised her head to look at Saleen and said, ”My Lord, I wish to become your follower.”

Saleen was no longer the same mage that was running for his life. He was not surprised by what she said. He shook his head and said, ”You are not telling the truth. Besides, all the followers that I have are more powerful than you.”

Isabella did not feel upset or embarrassed by the rejection. Instead, she was pleased. Saleen would only be someone worth following if he could tell that something was not right. A person that would immediately display the desire to recruit this grade-5 mage would have no future.

”I still have one-hundred bandits that have stayed behind in Laiyin Duchy. They can serve you as well,” Isabella added.

If Saleen did not have Nailisi, Isabella's offer would have been an attractive one. Isabella's company of bandits were rather reputable in Tanggulasi Empire and they possessed decent fighting abilities. Nailisi was already close to completing the demon city, Saleen would have millions of demons that he could deploy. Saleen, would rather have a low-level leader that could lead soldiers than one-hundred bandits.

Saleen did not lack men. He lacked talented subjects that could lead men.

”Isabella, to become my follower, you have to earn my trust,” Saleen was even more direct with the female mage.

Isabella thought about it and began slowly, ”My Lord, it's not that I am unwilling to say, but things are a bit complicated. I think I am someone worth recruiting by you, my Lord.”

”There is a way to explain even the most complicated matters. Give her a chair,” Saleen asked Nailisi for a chair.

Nailisi brought over a chair to Isabella and studied this female mage with a smile and thought, ”Why do only old men and pretty girls want to follow Master?”

After Isabella sat herself down, Saleen suddenly realized that the female mage's hair color had changed slightly. She did not seem to be able to control this change and it might be the result of an injury.