1037 Jalin Part 1 (1/2)

”Mage Saleen, are you there?” A young female mage stopped by outside the magic tower, without attempting to peer into the tower using any magical means. She did not even use sound amplification magic. She simply used her own voice, as if she was talking to Saleen face to face.

The mage wore a white robe and a paper mask. The mask was intricately made, and a pale red peach blossom was drawn on it. Saleen was unable to see the visiting mage through the mask, but her hands were just as delicate and supple as Hogina's, and she sounded very young.

”I'm here. What is it?” Saleen put the schematics away. All six windows at the 17th floor of the magic tower opened. The windows of the Magical Element Tower were also magic arrays, and the arrays needed to be activated to move in and out of the tower, as one would in a common magic tower.

”I'm Jalin. Lord Chief extends her invitation to you. Are you available to talk now?” The young female mage felt totally different from Dikas. The young man was filled with murderous intent and was suppressing the cold emanating from his body at all times. In contrast, Jalin enabled others to want to approach her simply by talking as usual alone.

”Of course I'd be available, but the time...”

The sky had turned dark and there were no magic arrays for illumination within the Magical Element Tower. Saleen and Jalin conversed in the dark.

”It is fine. My teacher has prepared a feast. She just came back herself and has not rested yet.” Jalin's voice penetrated the darkness, reaching into the magic tower. The Winged Skull snorted, apparently having a bad impression of the female mage.

From the Winged Skull's perspective, Jalin seemed to be trying to seduce Saleen. If Nailisi were present, the demon would have shot her Dragon Crystal Needle at her without anyone noticing.

”Please wait for a moment.” Saleen turned to the Winged Skull. ”You and Hogina stay here. I'll go have a look myself.”

”Master!”

”It's alright. The members of the Grukos won't do me any harm. They wouldn't have sent those kids otherwise. It's totally pointless to lure me outside the tower. If they really wanted to do something to me, do you really think I'd be able to leave Golden Plains easily?”

Hogina mumbled, ”That Jalin sounded awful. I think she's trying to seduce you.”

Saleen chuckled. ”It's a type of secret arts. The Grukos is indeed powerful. I get to see three people having mastery of secret arts within just one day. Hogina, take this. Have fun researching it while I'm not around.”

Saleen took out something that he had crafted. It was a puppet that resembled a Witcher Spider. Saleen's Witcher Spider was destroyed and he missed it very much, so he crafted himself a copy.

Hogina was used to people treating her like a kid. She took the 'toy' that Saleen gave her and said nothing. Saleen leapt out from the window and landed lightly on the ground.

The Magical Element Tower's 17th floor was about 150 meters from the ground. The height of the tower exceeded the low peaks within the area. Saleen did not use Quickcloud when he dropped, instead using only the simplest Wind Travel, and landed before Jalin without making a sound.

Jalin performed the courtesy gesture among mages and Saleen returned the greeting. This Jalin's abilities are probably not all that far from my own. Saleen was unable to sense the changes of elements around Jalin's body. That was the most difficult feat, as even common people affected the workings of elements around them, even if they did not even have magic chords.

The elements around Jalin's body were completely under her control, as if they were part of her body. That was the strongest state a sorcerer was able to achieve. One step further and she would be a level ten sorcerer.

Jalin did not lead the way right after she saw Saleen coming out. She instead said to Saleen using a very gentle voice, ”Mage Saleen, I've something that I need your help with. May I?”

”Speak.” Saleen was puzzled at the peculiar attitude that Jalin displayed.

”The tests that the elders did on you had nothing to do with Lord Chief, so...”

”I don't mind at all,” Saleen answered with a smile.

”What I meant to say was that I needed to test you out.” Jalin smiled. Saleen was being played, but he was unable to get angry.

”But of course, that wasn't my teacher's decision. My brother in training is an arrogant one. Shodikas, the guy who came to harass you during the day, that was his friend. Even if I ended up not fighting you, he would have found ways to get you to fight. If the exchange between us is done through magic ,and there is no clear difference between your abilities and mine, he won't bother to look for trouble with you. He, well...he was never my match. I beat him into submission.”

Jalin was rather quick with her elaboration, but she kept the tone of speech gentle, like the southern nobles reciting a song or poem, with a clear tempo.

”It seems to be something I can hardly refuse. After you then.” Saleen spread his arms to show that he was exasperated. What Jalin said seemed to be for his benefit, but the bottom line remained clear—they had to fight each other.

”Thank you. My teacher is in a rather bad mood now. I'm afraid you'll get yourself into trouble,” Jalin put her hands together, casting a spell—Absolute Zero.

Most level nine sorcerers were adept at instant magic. Jalin added a magic sign with her spell, which boosted the power of the spell by at least ten percent.

Absolute Zero was an area-of-effect spell, the split second delay was not all that different from the effect of an instant spell.