Mutated Organism
The bitter cold of winter passed, and the weather began to get warmer.
Standing on the villa, Leylin could already see the minuscule green dots from afar. On nearby fields, there were even farmers laboriously working.
“A year has passed unknowingly; I am already 15 years old now!” Leylin’s hands pressed on the windowsill, and his eyes seemed to be disconcerted.
All of the Hove Violet Leaves available in Extreme Night City had been bought by him. With continuous brewing, he managed to get 5 Azure Potions, bringing his spiritual force to 5.8.
Unfortunately, any potion, when used excessively, would produce a resistance towards it, and the effects would be reduced over time. Originally, he had estimated that his spiritual force would reach a value of 5.9 with the resources available. However, in reality, it fell short by 0.1 without any apparent cause.
“Right now, I can only place my hopes on Fraser and the rest who have gone to neighbouring cities to purchase the ingredient.”
Leylin rested by the windowsill. He stretched his hands and plucked a bunch of red berries from the table munching on them as snacks.
“Compared to other acolytes, however, my progress is akin to flying. After all, even the heir of a large family cannot use potions endlessly. What’s more, these are precious potions that could increase spiritual force.”
Within a month, Leylin already chased up to the fifth-grade acolytes who had pulled away from him over a year ago.
“It’s fortunate that I’m outside the academy. Only then am I able to pursue my experiments without fearing of the consequences, and use potions such as these!” Leylin was suddenly rejoicing over the benefits that the war brought him.
“However, even if the war ends now, I wouldn’t dare go back. I must, at least, wait until the 3 years mission duration is up. Only then will my excuse be plausible.
At that moment, Leylin estimated that he would already be a level 3 acolyte. Apart from the professors, he would be considered to have power, and would be regarded as a more important member. Moreover, with these years as cover, he would have enough time to think up a few explanations to cover his tracks.
“Master! An emissary from the city lord has arrived with an invitation.” Anna knocked on the door, entering only after getting Leylin’s permission.
Because of some Magus’ doings, her face looked as youthful as ever, never changing.
“An invitation?” Leylin was a little skeptical. He did not have many relations with Viscount Jackson all this while.
After looking the missive over, “A gathering? On the invitation, it was specifically stated that Murphy and his circle of people were invited, which are all acolytes!”
Leylin surmised, “Could it be? Some mysterious thing has happened that requires the help of magicians?”
“Anna, prepare a horse carriage and a set of formal clothes for me. I have to leave for a while.”
Leylin said this without giving it another thought. Towards the Grand Knight, Viscount Jackson, who was also the Lord of Extreme Night City, it was difficult for an acolyte to interfere with his might. Therefore, Leylin did not want to be on bad terms with him.
Moreover, due to the decreased supply of Hove Violet Leaves recently, Leylin did not have any other important things to do, so he could make time for this gathering.
“I’ll have a look, and I haven’t seen Murphy for some time now!”
In the heart of Extreme Night City, the castle-like building which was built using grey rocks was extremely magnificent. There were many soldiers patrolling the area, revealing its prestige.
* Ta-Ta! * A black horse carriage suddenly halted in front of the city lord’s castle. The carriage door opened, and a brown-haired noble youth stepped down from it. He looked rather thin, but his bright eyes were filled with vigour.
At that same instant, another horse carriage, made of reddish brown wood, halted alongside it too. From it stepped out a white bearded geezer who was carrying a book. He radiated a scholarly aura.
After seeing Leylin, every wrinkle on the old geezer’s face loosened as he smiled. He took the initiative and spread his arms out, “It’s been a long time, my friend!”
“I’m very pleased to meet you, Scholar Murphy!” Leylin smiled as he gently hugged the old man.
His relationship with Murphy was pretty good. Although this old geezer had a few demerits, but it was undeniable that some of his experiences were a source of great enlightenment for Leylin. When Leylin had first arrived in Extreme Night City, Murphy had also given much help to Leylin.
Both of them conversed casually. They flashed their invitation cards at the same time as they went past the guarded entrance.
A person, rather like a butler, led Leylin and Murphy through the garden and brought them to a small-sized living room.
Several acolyte residents were already there and Leylin went forward to greet them.
There was a circular sofa in the middle of the living room, with a mahogany t