Badge in Azure
Chapter 84: Lex’s Past Part 1

Saleen did not bother to display his true abilities when he was working that afternoon. However, Narnia was already very impressed by him. She knew that even though she was a Grade 2 mage, she still had difficulties handling Grade 1 magic unlike Saleen who could control his magic perfectly.

It showed that Saleen’s foundation was strong, and no matter how high a person’s grade was, such things could not be compared.

Kendrick was a cheerful and enthusiastic person unlike the other mages who were more solemn. During their break, he chatted happily with Saleen, and Saleen managed to gather more information.

Many mountains surrounded the Bitter Water Prefecture. Over twenty miles to the west of the prefecture was a land basin which was suitable for agriculture. All the food supplied to the prefecture came from that land basin, and people did not need to buy their food from anywhere else. The swordsmen’s camp had been set up in that land basin, and many castles, big or small, surrounded the land basin. The smallest castle could fit up to two hundred people whereas the largest castle could fit over three thousand.

The Bitter Water Prefecture did not employ war horses, hence the number of cavalry made up only one-tenth of the entire army in the swordsmen’s camp. Because of that, these soldiers needed to have better and tougher equipment. Even their boots had been enhanced with magic. Less than ten armies from the mainland could achieve this standard of armor.

Saleen now had a rough understanding of the strategic military position the Bitter Water Prefecture held. If one did not factor in the twisting cryptic mountain roads, the Bitter Water Prefecture would not be considered strategic land. An army’s primary forces could not cross these roads, and even if smaller units wanted to cross, they would first need face the magic beasts in the mountains.

As long as the Bitter Water Prefecture sent hundreds of elite soldiers to guard those roads, the prefecture would be safe. So why did Viscountess Lex and Saleen still feel worried?

Ten thousand soldiers from the swordsmen’s camp had been called back to the prefecture. Who was Viscountess Lex protecting herself against?

"Saleen, Saleen?"

"Yes?"

"The viscountess is returning to Holy Rock City in May. Will you be coming along?" Narnia asked.

"Why is she going back to the imperial capital? For what?"

"The viscountess is reaching adulthood so she will be granted power. In the future, she will be able to confer royal titles to other people."

"I don’t have the time, and I won’t be of much help either," Saleen remarked casually.

"I didn’t want to go at first, but Lord Faerun is going and he will be there for six months. I can’t bear to be away from Lord Faerun," Narnia said helplessly. The sorcerer might have imparted his knowledge during the weekly lessons, but as for Faerun’s followers, they learned so much more by staying in the courtyard.

Saleen possessed the necklace of Goddess Myers so he was able to learn many things by himself. Even after Narnia’s persuasion, he was indifferent. Six months was the perfect amount of time for him to fully comprehend the Figaro formula. But why was Viscountess Lex taking Faerun with her to the imperial capital?

The two times that Saleen had gone to meet the viscountess, he had been able to sense powerful figures hiding in the darkness, protecting her. With those people around, the viscountess should have been very safe. Moreover, the viscountess herself was a Grade 5 mage. She did not need Faerun’s protection.

Saleen worked until the evening and managed to produce enough restorative water. Then, Saleen and Narnia were discharged from the alchemy factory. The sunset in the distance was as shiny as gold, giving the frosty winter a hint of warmth. The two of them walked through the garden. As they walked, it was suddenly silent. Then Narnia whispered, "Thank you, Saleen."

"Oh, you are too formal. Right, I just want to take a walk outside the residence. There should be no issues, right?" Saleen said. Then Saleen thought of Sika, who was trapped in the house all day long, and had the urge to bring her along.

Narnia laughed and looked at Saleen curiously. She said, "I thought you were familiar with the rules. Didn’t the viscountess brief you?"

"I didn’t ask."

"If you will not be coming back for the night, you need to inform the residence. It is best to give the residence notice one day before, because the kitchen usually spends at least a full day preparing the food. If you just disappear, their efforts would have been in vain. Also, whenever you exit the residence, bring along your badge and the guards can let you pass. If you’re going to leave for more than a month, you need to inform the viscountess personally, and will stop receiving the supply of magic nuclei," Narnia explained patiently. Saleen and Narnia walked through the garden, leaving a trail of footprints as their feet pressed into the soil.

In the back of the courtyard, Faerun manipulated and twisted a space that shielded over everything. In the middle of the open land stood a huge magical tower. Steel rocks had been stacked up to form the eight stories of the tower. The ground surrounding the magical tower was also made of steel rock, and magic symbols had been carved into them.

In addition, there were distinct lines on the surface of the rocks. The lines were filled with red powder produced from grinding gems. All of these things together formed an enormous magic array.

The sky above the magic array was overcast, and snow could not find its way into that expanse of sky. Even though it was narrow, it gave off an aura of vastness and scarcity. There were no plants or buildings around the magical tower. With the help of the magic array, this tower was shielded from other people so they could not peep into it.

However, if one were to look out from the highest level of the magical tower, they would be able to view the entirety of the viscountess’ residence.

On the seventh floor of the tower sat Viscountess Lex. She had returned to the residence early, before the winter hunt had even come to an end.

The space inside the magical tower was much bigger than how it appeared outside. Viscountess Lex sat at a table, and seated across the table were the Grade 8 sorcerer and Faerun. Viscountess Lex wore her grey magic robe and looked respectfully at her teacher.

The sorcerer slowly opened his mouth to speak, "All that splendor will eventually die down. All the histories are merely myths. Lex, why can’t you let go of your wealth? For you, your life would be prolonged, and this worldly power is the obstacle that prevents you from moving forward."

When the sorcerer called Viscountess Lex by her first name, his eyes were endearing. Viscountess Lex was his best student. If she dedicated her life to practicing magic, it would only be a matter of time before she became a Grade 9 sorcerer. The sorcerer’s lifetime accomplishments would pale in comparison to Viscountess Lex’s.

"Teacher, I left the imperial capital when I was seven years old. At that time, I did not understand why father did that. Did he not love me anymore? If he did not love me, why would he have had you become my teacher? But once I came to Bitter Water Prefecture, I understood why he’d done that. I realized that there was such a place on earth, where a person’s life could be so bitter. I heard that thirty thousand years ago, humans dominated every aspect of life. And now, they have dwindled to this state. That is so heartbreaking."

The sorcerer sighed gently. The student he possessed had too much talent, and had matured early due to her intelligence. By the time she was seven years old, she had already thought about the question of eternity.

"Then I received these remains, and gained riches that many people will never obtain. That is fate. Fate has helped me find my direction in life."

"You are but one person. You cannot change the world," the sorcerer tried to advise the viscountess.

"Teacher, please take a look." Viscountess Lex said this as she pointed out the window and continued, "There are over three hundred mages in this residence and almost a thousand students. If it hadn’t been for my hard work, ninety-nine percent of them would have been enslaved their whole lives. Only the remaining one percent would have been the lucky ones. I may not be able to change the world, but I will be able to change the city."

"But Lex, the goddess has fallen."

Viscountess Lex laughed and said, "Teacher, you told me before that in the world of magic, there are no boundaries. Even so, a mage has to keep fighting and moving forward until the day they die. What I am currently doing is meaningful, don’t you think?"

"The prince will not be happy."

"He was already unhappy when I was seven. One more time makes no difference." In front of her teacher, Viscountess Lex finally revealed her true feelings. It was unlike the times she spoke to Bain, where she minded her words and actions. In the magical tower, the conversation between her and her teacher would forever remain a secret.

"In that case, I will say no more. Lex, your father gave this to me in the past. Now, I will hand it over to you," the sorcerer said. As he spoke, he took out a ring and then conjured a breeze to carry it before the viscountess.

The ring was golden, yet had no shine. On top of it was a mosaicked gem. The tiny gem had been cut to have twenty-four facets. It was incredibly perfect and flawless.

Viscountess Lex took the ring and was a little astonished. The ring had been made from pure rhenium gold. The magic patterns that had originally been on the surface could only detected if one tapped into their mental strength. There was Qin language engraved on the inner side of the ring. Without looking, Viscountess Lex already knew the words that had been engraved.

"His Majesty told me many years ago that you would choose your own path. I didn’t think that he would be right, but you actually chose this path," the sorcerer said regretfully. He then continued, "Yes, this is the god’s ring. With this ring, you will have power. If the prince tries to disrupt your plan, you can use this ring and establish your own county. With independence, you can do whatever you wish to."

Father!

Viscountess Lex clutched the god’s ring and suddenly felt a wave of sorrow and grief. She had always tried to understand, but after so many years, she was rarely sentimental.

"Lex, don’t be sad. A person will always pay the price for what they want to obtain."

"I understand, Teacher. But I really want to return to Holy Rock City and take a look at him."

"Then go. Faerun will keep you company. Remember what I said. Don’t get into a conflict with the prince." The sorcerer reminded Viscountess Lex, "You must know that he is already a golden grand swordmaster."

A golden grand swordmaster! That title weighed heavily on Viscountess Lex’s heart. Of course, her uncle would not really try to kill her. After all, there were three Grade 9 mages in the palace controlling the entirety of Holy Rock City. But it was possible that he would make her disfigured. Her uncle was already controlling the lower house, and if the upper house did not support her either, would that mean that she needed to rely on the god’s ring to establish her empire?

Father had his own difficulties. It was not going to be easy trying to settle this matter.

"Lex, there was this person you summoned previously. His name is Saleen. He is fairly skilled," the sorcerer mentioned suddenly. Viscountess Lex was taken aback and nodded. "Yes, he is good. I have let Faerun give him guidance."

"When you return to Holy Rock City this time around, bring him too. Let Master Roy take a look at Saleen, and just say that it is my recommendation."

"Isn’t… it too early for him?" Although Viscountess Lex admired Saleen’s talent, Saleen was still a mere Grade 2 mage in her eyes. If his abilities were forcefully boosted, it was possible that he would be destroyed.

"He has some underlying troubles. It would be better to settle this early."

"But…"

"Don’t worry. Saleen’s teacher must be from Alchemy City. It will do no harm to the empire."

Viscountess Lex nodded. Alchemy City was one of the pillars that supported the empire. If Saleen’s teacher had really originated from Alchemy City, then there was nothing for her to be worried about. However, she did not understand why her teacher thought so highly of Saleen, even going so far as to recommend him to Master Roy.