That noon, he rushed into the clinking workshop, opened his arms, and revealed the short wooden staff emblem on his chest.
"Look! I passed the apprentice certification! I'm now a first-tier fire mage!"
The sounds of hammering and grinding came to an abrupt halt.
In the hall echoing with the roar of the furnace, the two turned their heads to look at him. Their faces showed surprise but little joy.
"How did you do it?" his mother asked. "Did you attend classes at the academy?"
"No," his voice trailed off. "I just read a few books—"
"Elin," his father said, his face etched with the weariness of life, "the path of a mage is difficult and dangerous. We only want you to be safe and sound..."
The corners of his raised mouth gradually fell, and the last hint of a smile vanished from his face. He just looked at his family in distress.
"Then," he said, "if I don't become a mage, can we be together forever?"
"Of course," his mother leaned over and hugged him. "After all, you won't be killed by forbidden spells, you won't be slaughtered by magical beasts, and you won't perish in a duel."
"Yeah!"
He hugged her tightly.
...
Years later, on the main street of Ruminil, he encountered several young mages. They were dressed in magnificent clothes, their robes embroidered with intricate star charts, and the surrounding crowd clustered around them like stars revolving around the moon.
Carrying polished crystals, he brushed past those people. The smell of iron filings and coal ash on his body made the mages frown one after another.
But their gazes never lingered on him.
...
He stood before a dead, silent ruin, smelling the lingering scent of fire and smoke.
The man fell to his knees where his front door should have been, panting like a wild beast, and then used his trembling hands to dig through the cooled ashes.
The wooden handle of the forging hammer had long disappeared, leaving only the charred hammerhead, stained with molten and then solidified liquid metal, resembling lingering tears.
He held the cold iron block in his arms, letting out a broken, desperate wail.
...
He stood in the messy hall, watching the shattered statues of grand mages and the rare souvenirs in the display cabinets burned to flying ash.
Inside a dark red magic circle, two teenage boys screamed hoarsely, yet they were firmly imprisoned by some invisible force, like livestock waiting to be slaughtered.
"I'll give you money. No, if you let me go, my family will get you a title of nobility..."
"I'm related to the Emperor..."
"He threw that exploding fireball, it has nothing to do with me!"
"No, no, no, no, she cast the hurricane scythe blade, otherwise the people inside wouldn't have been cut into—"
Blazing flames erupted from the runes, burning in the air into a gorgeous tomb, burying the figures of those two and swallowing their screams.
Not long after landing from the teleportation, Su Cheng felt that someone had noticed her.
It wasn't a direct line of sight, but a long-distance spiritual perception, though it lasted only for an instant.
While inquiring about the case in the plaza, she felt the spiritual energy again, and as the conversation shifted, the other party occasionally seemed to experience emotional fluctuations.
This caused his spiritual energy to show a faint instability.
Su Cheng guessed that this might be someone involved in the case, or a family member of the deceased—but given their capability, it was more likely the murderer himself.
Su Cheng: "...Sir Elin."
The black-haired young man bowed his head slightly. "It is an honor to meet you."
He admitted it directly.
Su Cheng looked at him thoughtfully. "So everyone thought you must be fleeing all over the Northern Continent, but you were actually right here."
Elin nodded gently. "They hardly searched this city at all."
"True, after all, most people would think you'd run away immediately after committing the crime—"
Hiding inside Lightforge City, he definitely had to keep a close eye on all kinds of movements.
For example, the arrival of someone who appeared to be a sixth-tier mage, but actually possessed battle aura, and had teleported from who knows where.
Su Cheng: "...Did you hear everything I said in the plaza?"
Elin sighed softly. A tide of sorrow surged in his gloomy black eyes, and the glint of tears seeping from the depths of his pupils made him look as if he were about to cry.
That beautiful and sharp face, which clearly had cold and aggressive lines, somehow carried a hint of pitiful vulnerability because of the overflowing exhaustion and grief.
Although he didn't cry.
But he made no attempt to hide that sadness and sorrow; his eyes were filled with heavy pain.
"They say you are not human, so you don't understand, but I don't think so."
Elin said in a low voice, "You were angry. Whether it's because you don't like it, or you think it's wrong, it made you uncomfortable. In fact, I feel the same way."
They left the bustling commercial street side by side, gradually turning into a quieter area.
"...I don't believe that understanding means approval, nor do I think that just because everyone acts a certain way, it makes it right."
Elin spoke slowly, "After all, I can actually understand their thinking. My parents were just the most ordinary craftsmen, and our neighbors weren't anyone important either. The value a group of commoners can create is very limited. But the two 'genius youths' in the eyes of some people were different. If their reputations remained untarnished, and they went to a prestigious academy in the imperial capital for further study in the future, or even received guidance from a deity, they could make a tremendous contribution to this city. That is absolutely not something a dozen commoners could compare to."
He paused. "You see, that's what they think. But I don't actually care if that idea is correct or not. I just wanted those two to pay with their lives."
Su Cheng had guessed as much. "What if you initiated a public duel?"
"They wouldn't accept it." Elin shook his head. "After all, I am a nobody, someone who hasn't received a so-called systematic magical education."
Su Cheng looked at him with a conflicted expression. "You could have actually gone to take a tier exam to solve the problem, but you didn't want to follow their rules anymore?"
"...Pretty much," Elin was silent for a moment. "When I found that place, I saw how the guild members, those highly respected mages, shielded those two animals."
He didn't finish the rest of his words, but she could already imagine the scene.
"Besides, the guild once borrowed a causal magic compass from Cross Star Academy, but someone destroyed it due to an operational error. Next year is the deadline to return it. They conspired to pin the blame on my parents, claiming it was stolen by them and blown up in that accident..."
"What?" Su Cheng's head was full of question marks. "Is that something ordinary people could steal?"
"They made a rather detailed plan," Elin sneered. "Many guild employees participated. Of course, all those people are dead now."
They walked forward in silence for a distance, and Su Cheng asked if he was going to continue staying here.
"I don't know," he seemed a bit lost as well. "Perhaps... after a while, I'll go take a look at the Southern Continent. Is that where you came from?"
Su Cheng described the library of Turquoise City to him.
Elin was quite surprised. The kind of art books you mentioned, the ones depicting the manifested forms of deities, cannot be found in the Grand Library of Lightforge City here. They are all kept in the private collections of certain academy deans...
Although the library over in Turquoise City was not open to just anyone, at least any random mid-to-high-tier mage could enter it.
...Instead of having to befriend the library's owner and flatter them every now and then.
Elin said mockingly.
Then you could go take a look, Su Cheng thought for a moment. But it is not exactly paradise either. The people from the Mirror Concealment Society are still stirring up trouble. Even though they claim it is just for fun, I feel like they have an ulterior motive.
Elin grew even more surprised. You pay attention to the Mirror Concealment Society as well?
Yeah, Su Cheng said casually. I have some thoughts on the World Reflector.
Elin, on the contrary, revealed a look of understanding. I heard that many of the Dragon Race dislike the Lord of Illusions. Did He ever deceive you all?
Su Cheng paused. Strictly speaking, the things He said to me did not really count as lies.
Her thoughts drifted back to the firelit night in Greymount Town, remembering the figure leaping and dancing on the drumhead, and those captivating, soul-stealing purple eyes.
Su Cheng turned her head, only to find a subtle emotion on Elin's face.
It was as if he had seen right through her illicit affair.
Su Cheng: ...
She had wanted to say something, but suddenly remembered that she actually had slept with that guy.
Su Cheng: ...You study illusion magic too, but you do not seem to worship Him very much.
Elin nodded, then shook his head. To me, illusions are merely a tool. I do not want to immerse myself in those ambiguous proverbs or philosophical debates about truth and falsehood. I just need this power to deceive people's senses at specific moments. As for all that empty talk about consensus and illusions...
He looked as if he wanted to say something blasphemous against the deity, but stopped himself at the very last second.
Su Cheng looked at him, unable to suppress her curiosity, wanting to know if he was actually the author of that book series.
Besides, even though the series was exceptionally well-written, explaining profound concepts in simple terms with many unique insights, she also had more questions after reading it.
But if she openly asked him for guidance, it would completely break her character persona.
Therefore, using the excuse of discussing magic with him, she casually brought up the content of the books, seamlessly weaving in her own questions.
Elin's eyes lit up as he listened. Forgive my presumption, and this might sound a bit like I am flattering myself, but some of your ideas happen to coincide exactly with mine...
Then he began to talk on and on.
Su Cheng grew even more impressed with him.
She had initially doubted whether he was the author because, judging by the miserable state of the Magic Guild, Elin seemed more like an applied mage.
This type of mage focused more on practical combat. A solid theoretical foundation was necessary, of course, but there was still a difference compared to academic mages.
Su Cheng felt that the author of those books leaned more toward the latter type.
However, after chatting for a while, she discovered that this Mr. Hammerfield could truly be called brilliantly talented. He was exceptionally well-read and had an incredible memory.
Moreover, he was very willing to communicate with others rather than just lecturing one-sidedly. They exchanged ideas back and forth for a long time.
As they talked, Su Cheng was actually a bit shocked. She could not even remember where she had read some of the books they discussed.
I have a presumptuous request, Elin suddenly said. Of course, you can refuse. I would like to see your source power.
He had answered many of her questions, and Su Cheng was quite grateful to him, so she agreed.
Pitch-black flames twined around her fingers, gently licking her skin, slowly spinning and dancing around her hand.
Elin stared at the fire with rapt attention. Truly miraculous. It looks almost like battle aura.
Su Cheng blinked. You have not seen any other ancient dragons, have you?
Of course not.
...Well, everyone is like this.
Su Cheng said without blushing or skipping a beat.
She thought about the upcoming journey and bought a directional compass at an alchemy shop.
The two parted ways near the city gates. Su Cheng continued teleporting northward and, after several transfers, landed on a massive island.
A fresh, cool sea breeze blew against her face, carrying the scent of rocks and wildflowers, along with the faint, unique briny smell of the deep ocean.
She stood on the hilltop, overlooking the city-state below.
In the eastern seas of the Silvermoon Empire, many autonomous city-states were scattered about. They belonged to the empire in name, but possessed a very high degree of independence and even had their own special laws.
The city stood in a crescent-shaped bay. The clear waters of the shallows reflected the azure sky, while the sea in the center of the harbor was churned into a turquoise hue by the passing ships.
Houses built into the mountainside were arranged in overlapping, staggered layers, with spacious terraces carved out along the steep cliffs. The gray and white buildings had been polished smooth and mellow by the sea breeze and sunlight.
Countless spots of lush greenery dotted the spaces between the road steps and buildings. Flourishing vines climbed up the walls, and tall palm trees, like giant umbrellas, lined the streets.
The most eye-catching feature was the vibrant harbor. Hundreds of long piers, pieced together from hardwood and massive stones, stretched into the bay like arms.
A dense array of ships was moored at the docks, their uneven masts resembling a forest. From broad transport vessels piled high with cargo crates to elegant speedboats flying large lateen sails, and luxurious cruise ships with peculiar designs and hulls engraved with runes. Interspersed among them were numerous small and medium-sized barges and fishing boats, darting back and forth like busy worker bees.
A towering white lighthouse stood on a reef, its peak suspending a crystal core the size of a two-story building, with wisps of radiant flames swirling around it.
The city streets were packed with people rubbing shoulders, and cooking smoke rose from all over, making the place look full of prosperity and vitality.
After Su Cheng teleported inside, she unsurprisingly saw many different races. Various beastmen and mermen mingled with the figures of ocean elves.
Looking out across the streets, humans only made up less than half the crowd.
An atmosphere of openness and inclusivity filled the air. The pedestrians all wore joyful expressions; it was rare to see anyone looking miserable.
Su Cheng looked up and saw an advertising signboard for a tavern.
The best seafood chowder in Thetia, for only thirty copper coins!
Su Cheng: ?
The first time she had heard this place name was in a poem related to the God of Contracts.
This money is fake!
A sudden commotion broke out behind her.
The curtain of a small food stall was abruptly flung open. The tall, plump siren owner had a dark expression, the scales on her cheeks wrinkling up, as she dangled a half-grown child from her hand.
If there is a next time, she threw the person outward, I will break your hands!
Su Cheng could tell that this throw used a skillful technique; the person would not actually break any bones and would suffer a few scrapes at most.
Ouch!
Sure enough, the scrawny figure lay on the ground, rolled over, and stood right back up. He let out a fake wail, but in reality, he was perfectly fine.
The surrounding pedestrians briefly watched for a couple of seconds before quickly dispersing and going about their own business.
The child looked to be just over ten years old. His honey-brown skin radiated a warm glow, and his short, jet-black hair curled in a messy tangle.
He was quite handsome. His light-colored eyes seemed a bit cold and aloof, yet his upper and lower eyelashes were so long and thick that they added a touch of unexpected tenderness to his gaze.
He seemed to quickly sense that someone was staring at him. He turned his head to look around and immediately spotted the source.
"...My lady!"
The child skipped over, consciously maintaining a polite distance, before tilting his head up to reveal an obedient, sweet expression.
Su Cheng could not shake the feeling that he looked familiar. "Yes?"
"Good morning, my noble lady—"
The child gave her a bow, his posture surprisingly elegant. Standing back up, he flashed a bright smile. "I am guessing you are a new visitor here. I am very familiar with this city. If you need anything at all, whether it is sightseeing, gathering information, or anything else, I can help you."
Su Cheng: "..."
Something was not right.
Even though his voice was childish and his tone was perfectly respectful, for some unknown reason, she just felt that he was incredibly familiar.
Su Cheng said, "Is that so? Thank you, you helpful young sir. How should I address you?"
The child looked at her with a beaming smile. "Oh, just call me Klaus."
