Chapter 72: The Challenge of the Archmage

Chapter 72: The Magus’s Challenge

Charles cheerfully drank with Ye Tian, just the two of them. If anyone else saw this scene, their jaws would hit the floor. “Cheers!” Ye Tian said, refilling Charles’s glass to the brim.

“I must say, Gray, you’re incredible!” Charles held his liquor well, but compared to Ye Tian, who could drink a barrel, he was far outmatched, and his words came out slurred. “How did you train for this?”

“When I was young, I was often chased. The more I ran, the faster I got,” Ye Tian replied helplessly. If he ran slowly, he would’ve been beaten to death. “You’re amazing. How about you learn fire magic from me? With your abilities, you could definitely become a Grand Magus!”

Charles appeared middle-aged, but he was actually over seventy. Mages tended to live long lives, and warriors who cultivated battle aura lived even longer. Legend had it that a Sword Saint once lived to three hundred! In a mage’s lifespan, seventy was only slightly past middle age. Charles had once hoped to become a Grand Magus himself, but after being sabotaged during cultivation, his power diminished. Now, his dream was to train a Grand Magus.

“By the way, I’ll check your health when I get the chance.” The affairs of the imperial city hadn’t yet faded, so Ye Tian was cautious, not daring to use acupuncture or even take Charles’s pulse; he simply let the matter drag on.

“It’s useless, really useless. Do you know, my magical power is slowly dissipating; any day now, I might become just an old man without magic.” Charles chuckled, though there was a trace of sorrow in his smile.

“Don’t lose hope; miracles always happen.” Ye Tian hugged the kindly old man. “Drinking with you is such a pleasure! Come, cheers!” Charles raised his glass for another toast.

Soon, Charles succumbed to the drink and drifted off to sleep. Ye Tian smiled, tidied up, glanced around, and then hoisted Charles onto his back, heading toward his small cottage. The academy always felt guilty about Charles’s situation, so they tolerated this, and Ye Tian carrying the plump Charles to his room didn’t attract attention.

But tonight, trouble seemed to be brewing for Ye Tian: he spotted a flash of red at the hem of someone’s robe, marking the person as a fire mage. Ye Tian tried to keep his head down and detour, but the figure mirrored his movements, always blocking his path. Ye Tian looked up: he didn’t recognize the person—though, to be fair, he didn’t bother knowing many.

“Hello, is there something you need?” Ye Tian smiled, shifting Charles to indicate he was busy.

“I challenge you to a duel,” the stranger suddenly declared, leaving Ye Tian speechless.

Examining the ornate patterns on the robe, it was clear this was an instructor. “So, Instructor, you want to duel me?” Ye Tian said, helpless.

The stranger smiled. “Actually, there’s no need for a duel. Just agree to my condition, or else…” A flame shot up from beneath Ye Tian’s feet.

“Good grief!” Ye Tian retreated a few steps.

“Well?” the stranger said, still smiling.

“Do I have a choice?” Ye Tian replied, resigned.

“You’re clever. Come, acknowledge me as your master.”

“No,” Ye Tian refused bluntly.

“How interesting! So many people clamor to become my disciple—why won’t you?”

“Do you know spatial magic?” Ye Tian asked suddenly.

“No,” the stranger hesitated.

“Then forget it. I’m not interested in anything but spatial magic. Sorry, I need to return Charles to his dorm.” He adjusted Charles and moved to leave.

A hiss: a line of fire shot toward Ye Tian. Alarmed, Ye Tian tossed Charles to the side and ran in the opposite direction. The fireline twisted, continuing to chase him.

“Good grief!” Ye Tian dashed to a tree and scrambled up.

Instantly, the fireline coiled around the tree, and flames engulfed it.

“You’re quick, kid!” the stranger remarked in surprise.

“Shouldn’t you put out the fire? Damaging academy property is punishable,” Ye Tian said, sitting on the ground and pointing to the burning tree.

“Hmph.” The stranger extended a hand; the flames dwindled and vanished. With a crash, the charred tree toppled.

“Good grief, more work for me!” Ye Tian groaned, rubbing his forehead.

“So, boy, interested in becoming my disciple?” the stranger said proudly.

“I’m a magical power rejector. How am I supposed to attune to magic?” Ye Tian replied cheerfully.

The stranger was stunned into silence. Magical power rejectors, unable to ever attune to magic, were rare—how did he run into one today?

“It’s not that I don’t want to. Even if I did, I’d never conjure a fireball; what’s the point of learning magic?” Ye Tian said, helpless. “Anyway, I need to go; can’t let Charles sleep on the ground, right?” He motioned with his mouth.

The stranger saw that people were gathering, drawn by the magical display. The matter of taking Ye Tian as a disciple was best kept quiet, so the only option was to leave. As he turned, Ye Tian was already gone.

“Where did he go?”

Ye Tian dumped the plump Charles onto his bed, removed his shoes, covered him with a blanket—all done with practiced ease. He clapped his hands, gently closed the door; Charles would wake on his own.

Checking the time, there was still a while before dinner. Ye Tian decided to visit the library to see if the girl had chosen books for him. He jogged over, carrying a bucket and rag; servants weren’t allowed in the library otherwise.

“Hey, hey, where’s dirty? I’ll clean it,” Ye Tian called to the girl still engrossed in her work. The girl’s name was Arcana, the librarian-instructor. He should mention: this girl, about Ye Tian’s age, was a magus.

Arcana pointed westward without looking up. Ye Tian trotted over and found a messy pile of books. Setting down the bucket and rag, he eagerly began to sort through them.

After flipping through the lot, he still didn’t find what he wanted. Had the girl forgotten? Impossible. He returned the books to their places—most he’d already read. What was she thinking?

He trotted back and whispered, “Dear Miss Arcana, did you make a mistake?” Without looking up, she pointed to another spot. Ye Tian hurried over with his bucket—again, books he’d already read.

After several repeats, Ye Tian realized the girl was angry. “Um, dear Miss Arcana, are you alright?” he asked cautiously.

Suddenly, the girl looked up and glared at Ye Tian fiercely. “You went shopping with Liphiel yesterday?”

“I didn’t want to go; she dragged me by the ear. The guards can testify!” Ye Tian protested.

“Oh. Then tomorrow you’ll accompany me shopping,” she said, pulling out a few books.

“Alright.” Ye Tian stared at the books in her hand. If he refused, he’d lose his privileges for sure, so he agreed.

She reached out, “What?”

Before he finished, her eyes grew red, and tears welled up.

“Tonight! I’ll give you one tonight!” Ye Tian had gone to bed early and forgotten.

“Add one more!” she sniffled.

“Fine!” Ye Tian gritted his teeth and agreed. He had to eat anyway; making extra wouldn’t hurt.

“Here.” The girl broke into a smile. “Wake up early tomorrow; I’ll wait for you at the door!”

“Um…” Ye Tian hesitated. Making roast chicken at night and staying up late to read—waking up early would be a challenge.

“Mmm, mmm!” The girl sniffled again.

“Understood, understood!” Ye Tian agreed at once. If she started crying, how could he keep coming to borrow books?

“I’ll be over there; call me if you need anything,” Ye Tian said, motioning.

“Mm.” The girl nodded. “Don’t go upstairs.”

“Why would I?” Ye Tian had no interest in courting death. “I’m off!” He slipped a few books under his arm, grabbed his bucket and rag, and ran to a corner.