The guest room in the Chairman's castle was a haven of opulence, its crimson velvet walls aglow with the warm flicker of chandeliers, the air heavy with the scent of jasmine tea and pastries, the plush rugs muffling every step.
Leylin and Dorotte stood as Chairman Siley entered, his massive frame dominating the space, his bald head gleaming under the light, his black robes shimmering with runic patterns, his dark eyes sharp with a predatory glint, his presence a storm of authority that made the room feel smaller.
The beautiful maids paused, their revealing clothes rustling, their trays of snacks trembling slightly under Siley's imposing aura.
Leylin bowed slightly, his heart steady with calculated respect, alert to the Rank 2 Magus's power, while Dorotte's skeletal form dipped in a curt nod.
Siley's lips curled into a roguish grin as he patted the ass of a nearby maid, his voice a deep, playful rumble, "Off you go, darlings, leave us to talk."
The maids giggled, their eyes demure but scared, and filed out, the door clicking shut behind them, the air growing heavier, charged with the weight of the meeting.
Siley turned to Dorotte, his voice firm but laced with a casual tone, "You too, old friend."
"Yes, Chairman." Dorotte's green eyes flickered, his heart reluctant but obedient, he knows that even if Chairman Siley refuses to humour Leylin, he wouldn't harm him.
'I had to use my favour to get a promise out of Siley, I hope you seize this opportunity little Leylin.' Dorotte inclined his head, his robes swaying as he exited, leaving Leylin alone with the Chairman, the room's warmth now a thin veil over the tension.
Siley swaggered to a cushioned chair, sprawling with a lazy confidence, his massive frame dwarfing the seat, his dark eyes fixed on Leylin, one eyebrow raised in mock curiosity.
"So, kid, tell me what's so special about you?" he asked, his tone dripping with challenge, the words cutting through the air like a blade, the room's jasmine scent fading under his commanding presence.
Leylin didn't answer, instead he activated his powers, his rune-seared skin igniting with a faint glow, the air in the room swirling as a gust of fierce energy erupted from him, a pressure that rattled the furniture, the rugs rippling, the chandeliers swaying, his spiritual force surging like a tempest.
The room seemed to buckle under the force, the velvet walls trembling, the air crackling with raw power.
Siley watched, one eye closed as if bored, his lips twitching with amusement, his heart unmoved by the display.
With a lazy wave of his hand, the pressure vanished, the gust dying, the room stilling, the air settling, as if Leylin's power had been snuffed out like a candle, the room returning to its deceptive calm.
"Is that it?"
A crushing force slammed into Leylin, an unbelievable pressure that squeezed his bones, his heart lurching with shock, his mind reeling as if he were about to be pulverized, the air itself turning hostile.
Siley smiled devilishly, his mere soul force a mountain that could incapacitate him without effort.
Leylin has always known Rank 2 Magi were far above Rank 1, but the raw strength difference was staggering, a chasm that humbled him, his body trembling under the weight, his mind grappling with the reality that Siley could crush him with a thought.
Siley leaned forward, his voice a mocking drawl, sharp with disdain yet tinged with reluctant praise, "Nice little trick, kid, but that's all it is—little. Still, I'll give you credit. You're a genius to pull that off as a Level 3 acolyte. But do you really think you can waltz in here, flex your puny muscles, and make demands? To me?"
His dark eyes bored into Leylin, his bald head tilting, the room's air growing colder, the chandelier's light dimming as if bowing to his authority.
Leylin stayed silent, his heart steady despite the pressure, his mind calculating his next move, his body still aching from Siley's soul force.
Finally, Leylin spoke, his words measured, carrying a quiet conviction, "I can offer my Branded Swordsman research. It's unique, refined through my own methods." His tone was firm, his eyes locked on Siley's for a split second before he averted.
Siley grunted, leaning back, his voice dismissive, "Branded Swordsman research? Cute, but I don't care for such tricks."
"Yes, but the implications of this research is far beyond just my individual strength. if I am given a few years I can master the branding aspect and help Lord Magus create slaves rivaling a Rank 1 magus in strength!" Leylin pitched, he knows that Dorotte must have given Siley a brief breakdown of Branded Swordmen, and a smart magus like Siley can easily find the implications of such a project.
If not for his interest, he would have never agreed to entertain Leylin. The moment he agreed to meet Leylin, its most likely that Siley is accepting of him. This undermining is just a way to assert his dominance and prestige as a leader.
Siley dark eyes narrowed, releasing a grudging snort acknowledging the promise that this branch of magi holds, but shifting the topic he said, "Dorotte is one of the strongest magus in Abyssal Bone Forest, and he's got high praises for you. He even went as far as to say you'd find a footing in the Magus World with or without his help. That's no small thing, kid."
His frame shifted, the chair creaking, his voice a low, biting challenge, "But genius? Dime a dozen. The powerful families like mine need loyalty, someone bound to us, not some hotshot offending the Lilytells, jumping on my bandwagon, and demanding an advanced meditation technique without a contract. Tell me, do you even know what an advanced meditation technique is? What it means?" His dark eyes gleamed, Leylin's heart quickening with the weight of the question, his mind racing to respond.
Leylin lowered his gaze, his words slow but resolute, "I know it's the correct path. I don't want to repeat my predecessors' mistakes, stumbling blindly, wasting centuries. Please enlighten me sir."
Siley's hollow black eyes locked onto him, a snort escaping his lips, his voice thick with derision, "Bold words for someone sweating like a pig."
His massive frame shook with a silent laugh, his heart amused by Leylin's nerve, his mind dissecting the boy's potential, as he launched into an explanation, his tone a mix of condescension and revelation, "The strength of an official Magus lies in inscribing a Rank 1 spell in their sea of consciousness, turning it into an innate defensive spell."
"It's cast instantly or stays active permanently, with barely any cost. Advance to Rank 1, and your sea of consciousness forms that spell. Rank 2? You build another, layered on the first. A Rank 3 Magus has three, all the way to the legendary Rank 9 with nine innate spells, the last a Rank 9 spell capable of things we can't even comprehend."
His voice grew sharper,, the room's air crackling with his aura, Leylin's heart pounding with the vision of such power, his mind absorbing every word.
Siley's eyes narrowed, his tone turning grim, "But the innate spell is the root of your spiritual force choose wrong, and it's set for eternity. Later spells must build on the first. Pick poorly, and your spells conflict. Best case? A weak spell. Worst? Your brain goes bang like an alchemy bomb, and your head's gone." He snapped his fingers, the sound echoing, watching Leylin's reaction.
The room's warmth started fading, cold sweat gathering on Leylin's forehead, his heart sinking with the danger, his mind reeling at the Magus World's pitfalls.
"Do you where's the scam?" Siley continued, his voice a sly smirk, "They hide advanced meditation techniques. Those techniques perfectly suit a Magus's spiritual force, building mind runes faster than regular methods and forming an innate spell at every level, no Grine Water, no spell model needed."
His dark eyes gleamed, his bald head tilting, his heart amused by the secret's weight.
"Level up with an advanced technique, and your rank rises automatically, each spell complementing the last, enhancing their power, no conflicts. Use Grine Water instead? Good luck finding non-conflicting spells it's a gamble, pure luck, and you'll spend centuries scrounging for breakthroughs while those with advanced techniques soar past you, leaving you to die in some forgotten corner."
Leylin's heart raced, his mind spinning with the revelation, he was planning to breakthrough with Grine Water, it was only Dorotte who convinced him otherwise.
'Fuck!' Leylin body slick with sweat, feeling the cruel mockery of the Magus World's brutal hierarchy.
"I am sure you can breakthrough to Rank 1 with the crooked method, but is that what you wish?"
Siley stood up, his voice softening, a offer laced with calculation, "I'm willing to give you a chance, kid. Hand over your alchemy research, all of it. Work for my faction as a rune master, teach at the Academy. You'll be paid, no contract needed."
"But," Siley added, his voice a sly drawl, "you'll marry my granddaughter. That's the price."
Leylin's eyebrows furrowed, a flicker of calculation crossing his bright brown eyes, but he nodded immediately.
Marriage to the Chairman's granddaughter was a small price for an advanced meditation technique, a mere stepping stone in his path to power.
He leaned forward, his green-black robe shifting, his voice calm but probing, "Why make such an offer, Chairman?"
Leylin knows that it is very common for families to marry their descendants to genius Magi.
Not only could they bind him on their bandwagon, but they could also inject new heirs with superior bloodlines but they do it with a contract in place.
Siley's lips curled into a sly grin. "To be honest I just like your Branded Swordsman trick, kid," he said, his tone rich with intrigue, "And I love that you've got the Lilytells foaming at the mouth. I'm sick of those three families—Lilytell, Liliel and Redbud Flower Family lording over the Academy, but my contract ties my hands. Can't stir the pot too much."
"Generally advanced meditation techniques don't go to outsiders, but as Chairman, I've got some pull. And since you're joining my camp, better to make you family. My granddaughter, Lira, is a beauty, young and talented, Level 3 acolyte at 17 years old. You won't be disappointed."
Leylin's lips twitched into a faint smile, his heart unmoved by the sentiment but agreeing was the smarter play, refusing the marriage might not ruin the deal but antagonizing a Rank 2 Magus was a risk he wouldn't take.
"It's my honor." he said, his voice smooth and decisive.
Siley smirked, he thought a proud kid like Leylin would hesitate to marry into his family but his response pleased him.
"Follow me."
Siley moved as the guest room's plush rugs muffling his steps, as he led Leylin out, the door creaking shut, Leylin's heart quickening with anticipation, his mind alert to the castle's secrets.
They passed through a mysterious corridor, its stone walls pulsing with faint magical radiation, their surfaces etched with ghastly powers that shimmered like veins.
Torches flickered, casting eerie shapes—writhing serpents, skeletal faces that danced across the walls, their glow barely piercing the gloom, the corridor twisting into rooms where strange artifacts glowed faintly: a crystal orb pulsing with red mist, a shelf of tomes bound in scaled leather, a mirror reflecting nothing but darkness.
One chamber held a caged beast, its eyes glowing green, its growls echoing, the air sharp with its feral musk, Leylin's heart stirring with curiosity, his mind cataloging the castle's wonders, the hallway's vengeful aura a constant whisper of past betrayals.
They reached Siley's study, a cavernous room lined with towering bookshelves, their tomes radiating arcane energy, the air heavy with the scent of old parchment and molten wax, a massive oak desk dominating the center, its surface cluttered with runed scrolls and a glowing orb.
A single window, framed by black velvet curtains, let in a sliver of moonlight, casting the room in a ghostly pallor, the walls adorned with portraits of stern Magi, their eyes seeming to follow Leylin, his heart steady but alert, his mind drinking in the room's power.
Siley strode to a hidden panel, his thick fingers tracing a rune, and a compartment clicked open, revealing two manuals, their covers bound in dark leather, their titles etched in silver: Abyssal Bone Codex and Serpent's Requiem.
Siley handed them to Leylin, his voice a low, serious rumble, "The Abyssal Bone Codex is the Academy's meditation technique. Even as Chairman, I can't just give it away—you'll need to sign an oath, but don't worry its not a teachers contract that Dorotte signed, just a vow to never harm the Academy's interests. The Serpent's Requiem is mine, picked up on an adventure in the Blackfire Ruins. It's yours, no strings, if you take the deal."
His dark eyes studied Leylin, his bald head tilted, his heart open but calculating, his mind gauging the boy's reaction.
Leylin's fingers traced the covers, his voice sharp with curiosity, "What's the level of these techniques?"
Siley's lips twitched, his voice a blunt admission, "Peak Rank 1, both of them."
His frame leaned against the desk arms crossed, his dark eyes narrowing, his heart amused by Leylin's confusion.
Leylin's brow creased, his heart stirring with suspicion, his mind racing with questions, his voice quick and direct, "Sir you're a Rank 2 Magus. Why only Rank 1 level?"
His tone was respectful but insistent, his heart wary of hidden costs, his mind piecing together the puzzle, if Siley doesn't want to give Rank 2 level technique then Leylin can offer things to entice him.
Leylin has multiple Rank 1 spells, three Rank 2 spells, and a fortune in extinct plants worth millions of crystals, treasures Leylin currently couldn't offer without risking Siley's interest turning to greed, but probing the price shouldn't be an issue.
Siley chuckled, his voice a dry rasp, "Smart kid. You want the Rank 2 level? It's not that simple." His dark eyes gleamed, his bald head catching the moonlight, the study's air growing colder, the portraits' eyes seeming to judge.
"The three families—Lilytell, Liliel and Redbud Flower and me, the Chairman hold the inheritance for Rank 2 techniques. Centuries ago, the patriarchs and the last Chairman chose me, but I can't hand it out alone. It needs the board's approval, and with the Lilytells' grudge, you're not getting it easily. Even if the other two families and I overrule them, a Rank 2 technique is a treasure, not tossed around like candy. You'd need to hit peak Rank 1 with 80% elemental conversion first, even If i choose you as my heir."
Leylin's heart sank, his mind grappling with the barrier, his voice steady but probing, "What's the price for the Rank 2 level, then? What do I need to do?"
"I don't think that's possible, the three families each have already selected an heir, even I have one. The next chairman would be decided internally unless something drastic changes."
"Take my advice boy, and pick Serpent's Requiem, it's is a considerably famous meditation technique of ancient times, although I don't have the level 2 but you can search for it yourself. And its not impossible to advance without subsequent levels of meditation techniques, its just harder and less ideal because then you can't form a proper innate spell."
Leylin eyebrows furrowed in frustration as he thought for a second and bowed, "Thank you for explaining all these things to me sir, I have made my choice."