Chapter 390: Almost There

Gorsa did not use teleportation to return directly to the Wizard Tower.

Saul suspected it was because they were too far from the tower, beyond the maximum teleportation distance.

As for why Gorsa didn’t teleport part by part back home…

Saul figured it was either because Gorsa’s physical state couldn’t support multiple long-distance teleports, or he was just being lazy.

Although high-level spells looked impressive, the burden on the mental body was much greater.

Thus, it was rare to see anyone casually using spells in daily life within the Wizard Tower.

Simply refraining from using mental power was already considered resting for apprentices.

Along the way, the two of them didn’t converse much.

Although Gorsa was already Saul’s master, he didn’t seem interested in giving Saul lessons.

He didn’t even ask much about what had happened in the Elven Valley, or who had died there.

Most of the time, Gorsa sat leaning against the wall with his eyes closed like a mummy, resting.

Meanwhile, the head he kept beside him continued to shrink, shrink, and shrink again over the three days and nights.

In the end, it became only the size of a walnut.

Its surface even looked somewhat like a walnut.

But its color was not the same. it was a scorched black with hints of dark red.

Once Mark’s head had shriveled into that state, Gorsa put it away.

He had no intention of explaining anything to Saul.

At first, Saul remained tense, but over time he had no choice but to start absorbing and digesting the magic gifted by the half-elf. Otherwise, he constantly felt as if he might burst.

When Gorsa closed his eyes to rest, Saul also closed his, but his mind wasn’t resting at all. He was awkwardly controlling the immense magic within him, slowly fusing it into his skin and organs.

If the magic given by the elf hadn’t been so pure — entirely free of the half-elf’s mental contamination — Saul would never have dared to assimilate it so recklessly.

By the time the spire of the Wizard Tower appeared on the horizon, Saul had finally managed to roughly stabilize the excess magic.

The magic given by the half-elf had been evenly distributed throughout his body. The next task was to fully merge it with his own power and ensure it was entirely obedient to his mental command.

Then he would apply to learn a Third Rank spell, using his understanding of power and practical experience to help himself truly step into the ranks of a true wizard.

However, the rapid growth of his magic and mental power made Saul’s elemental affinity seem comparatively too weak.

If he rushed his advancement without addressing this flaw, it would result in an unstable foundation.

Luckily, Saul currently had many ways to enhance his elemental perception.

Thinking it over, Saul took out the Gray Matter Notes that Senior Byron had given him from his compressed satchel.

The potion Byron had developed could not only strengthen soul power but also slightly improve dark element perception.

“Oh right, when I went to Lokai’s gathering last time, I traded ten ‘Shadow Feathers’ from Kujin. Those can also boost dark elemental perception. I wonder if he has more? I could trade him some Black Obsidian Amber he needs.”

Saul thought in his mind. As the carriage was about to enter the Wizard Tower grounds, Gorsa, though his eyes remained closed, seemed to be well aware of Saul’s condition.

“You’ve finished absorbing the half-elf’s magic?”

Saul knew he couldn’t hide his actions from his master, so he nodded honestly.

Only then did Gorsa slowly open his eyes.

“You managed to enter the Forest of Four Seasons just before the half-elf closed it off — your timing wasn’t bad.”

Mentioning the half-elf reminded Saul of something.

“Master, did you know that Kongsha used the Elven King’s head?”

Gorsa could have learned about this through Mark’s memories, after all Mark’s brain was still in Gorsa’s possession.

“Mm. Kongsha’s usually pretty timid. Didn’t expect she’d go all out right before her death,” Gorsa smiled, as if genuinely pleased that his student had managed to muster such courage.

If he knew that Kongsha’s bravery had been fueled entirely by her hatred for him, who knows if he’d still be happy? Or perhaps he’d be even happier?

“When I saw the Elven King, I just thought he looked beautiful and pleasing to the eye. I even forgot Kongsha’s original appearance. But when I saw the half-elf, I realized he looked almost unrealistically beautiful. Compared to him, the Elven King seemed like an ordinary person. Why would a half-elf look better than an Elven King?”

“The Elven King wasn’t chosen based on beauty contests,” Gorsa said matter-of-factly, “And their states were completely different. The Elven King’s body had long since died, and who knows if his soul had gone insane or not.”

“The half-elf, on the other hand…” Gorsa laced his fingers together. “He’s just… unlucky.”

Unlucky?

Saul didn’t wait for an answer. He thought it over himself.

“You mean… his extraordinary beauty is actually a kind of curse-like side effect?”

Gorsa nodded.

“While the elven race has always been beautiful, they didn’t place heavy importance on appearance. The half-elf’s case is different. In an era where all elves have been sealed away, the lingering influence and power of the elves seek out any vessel capable of bearing them. And the elven power has already gone berserk…”

Gorsa chuckled meaningfully.

“It’s like pollution constantly gathering onto you but that same pollution grants you enormous strength. If you could see it, you’d notice that the half-elf’s body is like a severely rotting corpse on the inside, while his exterior is held together by gathered elven power, making him beautiful to an unreal degree. His beauty has become more like a concept.”

Hearing this, Saul carefully recalled the half-elf’s appearance and realized he really couldn’t remember any details.

Only the impression of unreal beauty lingered.

Yet such beauty was founded on extreme pain.

“Of course, since the half-elf represents the last hope the elves could grasp, having high charm certainly helps him in his actions.”

Saul didn’t entirely agree with this statement in his heart.

After all, charm and appearance weren’t universally effective everywhere.

Especially not on Gorsa.

Both Lady Yura and Kongsha were stunning beauties yet didn’t Gorsa slice off half their skulls without hesitation?

As the two conversed, suddenly a loud cry streaked across the sky.

A heavy thud landed in the path of the moving carriage.

The carriage driver, a figure conjured by magic reacted instantly, pulling the horses to a sharp halt.

The sound of metal footsteps approached from a distance, growing nearer.

It sounded like high-heeled shoes clicking across marble.

But Saul knew it wasn’t high heels. it was real metal.

“Clack!”

The carriage door was flung open unceremoniously.

Kira, clad entirely in armor, appeared outside.

Fresh red blood, not yet fully dried, still stained her silver-gray armor.

Kira didn’t enter the carriage, she just stood there, glaring fiercely at Gorsa.

“You sent me a position mark out of nowhere just to make me clean up those Land Drifters for you?”

Unlike the straight-backed Saul, Gorsa remained leaning stiffly in the carriage, but his expression was extremely relaxed.

“Weren’t you complaining you hadn’t fought anyone in a while? Didn’t I find you good opponents?”

Kira leaned against the carriage frame and casually stabbed her greatsword into the ground.

“They were all apprentices and First Rank wizards. I wanted to fight Second Rank ones. Where’s Wilder? Why wasn’t he on the ship?”

“I had intended for someone else to handle him, but he escaped,” Gorsa shook his head.

“Still, he’s injured now, he won’t be showing up for a while.”

“Why did you suddenly want to kill him?” Kira raised an eyebrow, “Aren’t you afraid someone will pull out the Western Treaty to restrain you?”

“Of the two Third Rank wizards who drafted the Western Treaty, one’s dead and one’s gone. Who’s left to restrain me?”

“Don’t forget, the dead one still has students at Bayton Academy,” Kira reminded.

Gorsa turned his face, tilting his head with a grin.

“Let’s see if they dare come for me.”

Kira clicked her tongue and joked, “Since you’re so impressive, why don’t we have a fight?”

“Not now,” Gorsa closed his eyes again and leaned back, “I might lose control and kill you.”

Kira rolled her eyes, then suddenly turned to Saul.

“When are you advancing to Second Rank? I want a match with you.”

Saul quickly turned to her, pursed his lips, and gave a shy smile.

“Soon, Lady Kira.”

(End of Chapter)

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