Chapter 98 (2/2)

In her eyes, this ordinary wand was as powerful as a king’s scepter. Her body trembled slightly and she tried her best to hold the wand steadily in her hand. The wand was light and the runes on it glowed in a mysterious aura. This was a fateful moment in her life, as she was about to take her first step into the mysterious world of magic.

A month ago, her parents were killed and she was taken by the slave traders to the North. She felt that her whole world had collapsed. She thought of her father day and night and she often secretly shed tears for her own miserable destiny. She had lost all hope then.

But two weeks ago, Lucy had rescued her and brought her here. It was as if the glorious Lord of Light had given her a blessing after suffering a harsh fate. She began to practice archery in the hope of becoming a mighty mercenary and one day, she hoped she would seek vengeance for her parents.

But ever since her infancy, she had been cherished and brought up tenderly and lovingly by her parents. She never had to do anything that would require her to exert any energy, so her body had always been very weak. She was only strong enough to handle the smallest bow. Although she practiced hard every day until the skin on the palms of her hands peeled and her shoulder was so sore she couldn’t raise her arm, her progress was still negligibly small.

If it hadn’t been for Lucy, she might now be the lowest maid in the household. But she couldn’t rely on Lucy forever. She resolved that if she was unable to develop any strength that would be useful to the group, she would concede to be a maid or a servant. Then she would bury all her dreams of strength and revenge.

But just as she felt very confused about the future, she was bestowed with a chance to learn powerful magic. She did not know how to describe her luck.

Link laughed and joked as he usually did, as if he’d done nothing special at all.

“I’m hungry. Is lunch ready yet?” he asked Lucy.

“One moment, my lord,” said Lucy in a warm tone.

She then went into the kitchen. Now that Link was back, she wanted to prepare the food for him herself.

Under the respectful gaze of each new member, Link walked into the cabin, but after walking a few steps, he turned back and waved his hand and said to the girl, “Let’s go, kid.”

Rylai was nervously picking at her lips, but as soon as she heard Link’s voice, her body seemed to automatically follow his orders and she quickly got up and followed Link’s footsteps.

He’s the master who will teach me magic; I must follow him closely, thought the girl.

Rylai didn’t mind how Link called her a kid at all, and neither did anyone else in the mercenary band. Although Link himself looked to be about 17 or 18 years old, but his strength was clear to everyone there. All of them looked up to Link regardless of their age.

Meanwhile, Link was talking to Gildern in the cabin.

“Where’s Jacker?” he asked.

“Someone found some information about the Cliff of Howling Winds,” answered Gildern, “So he went with them to check it out. He should be back after three days.”

“Oh, good.” Link didn’t worry about Jacker’s safety. He was a level-4 Warrior and he had magic gear with him. He even had the experience of fighting against a Magician. So even if he did encounter Felidia, Link was sure that Jacker could retreat safely and come back in one piece.

Then it was time for lunch. The food was so delicious that Link savored each bite.

Once he was full, Link turned to Rylai who was still very tense.

“I want to rest for a while,” he told her, “Come and find me in my room two hours from now.”

“Yes, my lord,” replied the girl, nodding earnestly.

“No, don’t address me as ‘my lord’,” corrected Link, gently tapping his wand on the girl’s smooth forehead, “From today onwards, I shall be your magic tutor.” Link wore a gentle smile on his face and had a warmth in his tone when he was speaking to Rylai.

“Yes… tutor,” Rylai responded, she was beginning to open up to Link. She glanced up at Link’s face and saw that her tutor was a very young man who couldn’t be more than a few years older than her. Although he wasn’t strikingly handsome, his dark eyes were clear and very enigmatic. Rylai thought they looked like a pair of black diamonds.

Suddenly she realized that she was rudely staring at Link for too long, so she quickly lowered her head while the exquisite face of hers blushed in embarrassment.