Chapter 226 - Dealing Under The Table (1/2)

Since time is not an issue to me, I give Venetia my undivided attention.

I did have a look at her profile when I was pretending to read through my notes and repots.

There is actually no need for me to read anything personally myself. It is just faster and more effective to have Legion reads and analyzes everything and then upload it directly into my brain, thus allowing me to comprehend everything instantly.

It is how I have managed to reach peak first-circle of magic relatively easy. I am trying to breakthrough to the next circle right now, but using brute force seems to be a bad idea. It quite painful to use brute force, so I stop doing that and start thinking of another way.

Since I am supposed to be an all-powerful mage of undetermined circle of magic, I cannot just go and ask others about how to break through the first-circle.

Besides, there is no need to do that. I have extracted plenty of information from all those imprisoned mages, learning everything that I could about the first and second circle of magic.

Each one manages to breakthrough to the second-circle of magic in a different way. Some did it within their sleep without knowing until it themselves until a few days later, but most simply through studies or trainings.

The census is, the breakthrough will come naturally as long as one is knowledgeable as well as diligent enough. Interesting. I guess that is why Sapphire manages to breakthrough so quickly. She just needed more knowledge as her magical power is already beyond peak level.

Of course, there are pills and potions to speed up the whole process, but like any drugs, they aren't a good solution. They might even inhibit my growth and potential in the end, making me stupidly weak just like Drake and his buddies.

They are probably some of the weakest mages of the second-circle. They would never be able to reach the third-circle unless someone manages to detox their body. I could, but I do not want to.

And as to why Venetia cares so much for Drake, it is not because of her love for him or anything. Okay, I think there might be some sort of affections since they are childhood friends, but it is not as deep as one might think.

For one, Drake is fucking around, sticking his dick in a lot of places. Common places, but still, that kind of behavior did not go well with Venetia and her family.

Even so, the connection from his side of the family can help Venetia and her family greatly. It is for her own benefit that she is here, pleading for the release of her fiancée.

There is no need for her to do that as I would have released Drake eventually. His crimes against others do not warrant his incarceration in… my prison. What should I call my prison?

You know what, I think I am going to call it Arkham Penitentiary. Would have go for Asylum, but these guys are not criminally insane. They are just criminally stupid. Not much of a different, I think, but still, stupid is worse than insane.

Anyway, like I have mentioned previously, the connections between each of the noble houses as well as the royal family is a completely mess. It is so messy that if you offended one household, you might as well offend them all.

Sapphire should know, as she has unknowingly offended a couple dozen households to varying degree.

I guess that is to be expected in a feudal-like society, where people of royalty and nobility are in their own little world, caring nothing for the common people. The worst of all are the mages, who cares for themselves mostly.

No one got the memo about with great power comes great responsibility. Me either, to be honest.

I just do not care for people I do not know, and while I do wish well for humanity as a whole, individual people do not matter in the long run. They are merely a mean to an end, for one purpose or another.

”Well? I do not have all day, Venetia.”

I add when she is just standing there. Well. She did take a step forwards, stumbling a bit in the process, but that is all. She did not say or do anything further than other than looking around me to see if there is some sort of listening device.

There is, but it not magical in nature. Everything is recorded for later reviewing. For blackmailing too, if it is applicable.

Hearing me once more, Venetia swallows hard and plants her hands onto the edge of my desk before leaning forwards. It might be on purpose, given that she just gives me a nice view right down her open blouse and at her cleavage.

Since she is offering, I do not mind. It is not a crime to ogle at a beautiful girl. If it is, I am sure half the world would be in jail on charges of having a penis.

I stare at her chest for way long than what is considered to be appropriate, and if it was not for Venetia to straighten herself and clasp her hands in front herself, I would have continued to enjoy the view.

It is not really a bad view, and I think she looks a lot cuter when she is blushing.

”I beseech you, Master Maxwell. Please show mercy to Mage Drake. He did not mean to anger you or offend your student. If you will, Master Maxwell, Mage Drake is more than willing to compensate you and your student for the distraught that he had caused.”

Venetia states.

I narrow my eyes in the process before leaning back against my soft chair. It is quite soft, but I am sure it is not as soft as her bosom.

Since I already have planned on releasing the man, there is no need for her to persuade me.

Although, I would like her to persuade me just because she had pulled the stunt before. Is she testing whether her charm is working on me? Any womanly charm will work on me, as long as it is to do so.

”Mage Drake, huh? He might not be a mage for any longer.”

I comment casually, causing the young woman to become utterly stunned. A crippled mage is nothing more than a commoner. His family would disown him to keep face, and they will probably hold a deep grudge against me.

Not only his family, but like a bunch of other connected family. Venetia's family included. I really want them to try, as I want to purge them all. I am actually just waiting for a good reason to. Their attempts to assassinate me afterwards is a very good context.

”You wouldn't dare.”

Venetia could not help herself. The anger and frustration return to her face, and it is quite visible.

”Venetia. There is nothing that I would not do. Do you know why I have not called you by your title or rank ever since you stepped into my office? You are nothing in my eyes, and you will become nothing in everyone else if you keep up that kind of attitude.”

I threaten her, and the look of utter fear and shock on her face is exceedingly gratifying. It is really nice to see someone of her high standing being reduced to this.

While I do not mind nobility, they have to be competent for their stations.

Stupid people should not be in any position of power. That is a fact, and if those royalties and nobilities want to remain in power, they have to make sure their descendants are smart and capable enough to do so.

Eh. Why am I thinking too much about this? I already state that I do not want to fix this society all that much. It has worked for thousands of years, and it will probably work for thousands of years to come, so no need to fix anything.

”You know, as much as I do, Venetia, that your future husband has been abusing his position as a mage for many years now, and I am not talking about the common people. They are irrelevant. I am talking about other mages, his peers. If I wish it so, countless of witnesses will come and testify, giving me all the legal right to destroy his magical core and turn him into the very people who he had looked down upon for so long.”

I tell Venetia. Honestly, if I really want to, Drake is screwed. I do not really need to fabricate anything as he has committed so much shits that other are basically out for his blood if given the chance.

”But. But. Even so, he does not deserve to be stripped of his magic.”