Roland's words were barely audible but everyone had clearly heard them. The few words were simple, yet brought great confusion. As Roland looked over the three elders, he sighed bitterly.

"When Mages grows more powerful and reach their upper limit, they have an opportunity to advance to the next stage. In our world, there are 8 circles of magic and with each new circle they advance to, that represents more power. With more power comes more possibilities, more creation, and more destruction, as well as......more life. I was at the 4th circle and while attempting to reach the 5th circle, the Life-Core circle, an accident occurred."

When Lowen heard this, he picked up the bitter tone in Roland's voice.

( So does that mean he's no longer at that level?)

"When one reaches the 5th circle, you are literally fusing your life and your magic core together, making them one whole but that day...."

*Sigh*

"I was gravely injured. Because of that, my Magic core, my life, was greatly damaged. And now my life is quickly running out, I'm dying."

The elders quickly grew panicked, one of them shouted.

"What do we do, a doctor, that's it, will travel to the city and get you the best medicine and I'm sure..."

Roland quickly cut the elders words off.

"STOP! this isn't something just any doctor can cure and medicine of herbs will do me no good, none of it will help. I have already traveled for more than 2 decades all over this great continent in search of help and got nothing. Now, the only possibility is this boy here."

Roland looked at Lowen and smiled gently but Lowen only felt the oddity of the whole situation.

"This is why last year I failed you all. By the time my accident occurred, my life and my magic core were already partly fused. After my magic core was damaged, it not only affected my life but my powers also have regressed all the way down to the 2nd circle and now every time I use magic, it consumes a bit of my life. If I were to no longer use magic for the rest of my days, then my lifespan can possibly stretch for another 3-4 years maybe. After that, I would be 6 feet under the dirt. When we were attacked last year I, I.....I was a coward. I could have saved them but my life would have immediately dried up and my death would have been guaranteed, I'm, I'm so sorry."

Roland bowed deeply to the elders, he felt shame as well as fear for his impending death. Its true with his magic he could have saved his people last year but afterward, he would have immediately died. No one wants to die early, especially those who become a Mage. When one chooses the path of a Mage, they seek true knowledge and power from the world around them as well as immortality, and the further you advance down this path, the longer your lifespan extends. So for him to go from having nearly a 600 yr guaranteed lifespan down to only a few years left, to Roland, this just wasn't fair. No matter what, how could he simply give up. But after that attack last year he knew he was running out of time and just when he came to the edge of despair, suddenly the world drops this boy in front of him. Roland does not believe in miracles but this happening was definitely the closest he's come to being swayed.

Afterward, the elders eyed each other as well as Roland.

(So this is why he did nothing, he would have died if he used too much magic. But how can this be an excuse? One of the jobs of a village Chief is to ensure your people's protection. If he didn't defend us than, than why would he defend us the next time there's an attack?)

One of the elder's eyes kept jumping to Roland's face then to the table and then back to Roland's face. After he heard what Roland said, he felt sourness in the pit of his stomach. If Roland had fought back then, his son, his daughter in law and his 2 grandchildren might still be alive but instead, Roland had chosen to preserve his life even though he was dying soon anyway. This elder wondered if the years he followed Roland were not wasted.

Roland caressed the copper amulet around his neck and the purple jewel embedded in it seemed to twinkle with a beautiful luster as he gently kneaded it between his fingers.

"Elders, I am injured and I am dying. I made a choice to preserve my life for as long as I possibly could and because of that, many in our village have suffered, including you all but hope has been found today. With the help of this boy, if I can regain my strength and my lifespan once more returns, then I promise you, in the end, we will all prosper."

One of the elders couldn't take it anymore, he had lost so much in that attack. So even after he heard the village Chief's reason, he still found it to be deplorable. The same thought kept crashing around chaotically in his mind.

(You didn't want to die so you didn't fight, cowardice, absolute cowardice.)

The elder abruptly stood up, kicking his chair into the wall he pointed accusingly at Roland and yelled out with tormented rage.

"All you care about is yourself you selfish son of a bitch. You say we will all prosper, how so when you won't even fight for your people."

The elder's eyes filled with tears as he continued to shout.

"My grandchildren, my poor grandchildren. Roland, you let my family die. I now see who you truly are. If I could trade a thousand of you for them...then a thousand graves I would have already dug for you."

The elder turned and stormed out of the Chief Hall filled with anger and sadness.

(You sacrificed them and their bright future,s so you could cling to your last few years of life till the bitter end! My poor grandchildren...)

Another elder stood up and quickly chased after the other elder.

"I'll go and try to pacify him."

The third elder then stood up and asked Roland in a blunt manner.

"So why didn't you just tell us all this in the beginning? Why did you instead hide it for so many years?"

Roland shook his head.

"I came to this village long ago a broken man. I wanted my past to stay where it was and there was never a point to mention it and I didn't really hide me being a Mage. I just wanted to extend my life as much as I could, so I never really used my magic. There wouldn't have even been a rumor about me being a Mage if I and Nia's father weren't in such a desperate situation back then. If I hadn't used it, me and Nia's father would have perished. At that time, maybe we both should have, then that attack last year probably would have never happened."

The elder shook his head silently, then he simply turned around and left.

Roland felt embarrassed and shameful. He's supposed to be this wise and powerful Mage but instead, he's only been a foolish coward. But still, he looked at Lowen, his eyes filled with hope.

"Lowen, I need your help. With your physique and comprehension, I'm sure my powers will return in full. After returning my lifespan to 600 years, in return I'll greatly reward you, so Lowen, can I count on you?"

Lowen was still confused, even if he did have a mage body, just how exactly does that help Roland?

(Does he want my blood or something?)

"How can I agree if I don't even know what it is you want exactly? For example, if you want some of my blood that's a possibility, however, if you wanted something like an arm or a foot than obviously, you know what my answer is."

Lowen took up a defensive position again. He had slowly moved between Roland and his cane, now if Roland wanted to make a move, he would have to first go through Lowen. Although Lowen didn't believe Roland needed something as drastic as an arm or a leg, there was never a problem with playing it safe, but Roland merely scoffed at the idea.

"Hmph, blood, how would blood help? As for a limb, that's just revolting, no no no no no."

Roland shook his head in displeasure before he removed the copper amulet from around his neck. He gently stroked the purple jewel attached to it, almost getting lost in its purple brilliance.

"This amulet is my most sacred treasure. I discovered it long ago in an ancient ruin and its been with me ever since."

Roland carefully passed it to Lowen.

"My magic core was damaged more than 20 years ago and without this amulet, I would have died long ago."

Lowen carefully held it within his palm and immediately felt a strange pull coming from it, as well as something being taken from him, it was his ki. The amulet was slowing absorbing ki from him and transforming it inside the purple jewel. Lowen was a bit frightful at first but realizing it was causing no harm and was only taking a fraction of his ki, his worry greatly lessened.

"I'm sure you can feel it, this amulet absorbs Magic energy from its user and transforms it into the purest magical energy in the world. But not only that, it can absorb magical energy from the world itself and also store that energy. As of yet, I have not found its true capacity or limit. With practice and control, you can reverse the amulets pull and instead of it siphoning energy from you, you instead can absorb its pure magical energy. This is what I need in order to heal my magic core, a mass amount of magical energy.

Roland snapped his fingers and the amulets purple jewel began to dull as a mass of energy came flying out, it flew straight into Roland's chest, disappearing into his Magic core. As the energy infused itself with his magic core, the tiny cracks that covered its surface appeared to be closing at a slow and steady pace.

"Lowen, your physique is different from a Mages. Your mage body absorbs magical energy nearly 10 times the speed of a Mage just by doing nothing. If you wear my amulet for a day, the amount of energy it could absorb would be equal to 10 days worth, possibly even more. Without using magic, I've barely been able to stay in a stable condition. When I use magic my life drains at a visible rate. The only reason I used magic today is that I was sure of your physique, the only thing I'm worried about now is whether or not you'll agree."

Roland looked at Lowen with a bit of worry. If Lowen said no then Roland would be down to only one option, he would have to imprison Lowen and force him to wear the amulet. But with that, there was no guarantee that Lowen wouldn't fight back or even possibly break the amulet. If that occurred then at that time, Roland would have nothing left.

Lowen thought momentarily. If what Roland said were true then the only real downside would be Roland himself. His personality seemed to make him a bit unpredictable. But Lowen thought of the consequences if he were to say no.

(If I do say no, who knows what he might do, he's clearly desperate and I've seen him snap. Even if we were to fight, now with his cane behind me I may have a chance to kill him but after that, most of the village would be after me and Nia and Ben may even suffer because of my actions, hmmm.)

"What reward do you offer?"

Roland's eyes grew with excitement.

"Does this mean you'll agree?"

"I didn't say that. Although there seems to be no harm in helping you, if the reward isn't right, then wouldn't I simply be wasting my time."

Roland was giddy like a child on the inside. He knew Lowen was just putting up a front. Instead of arguing, Roland pulled a small leather covered book from within his robe and handed it to Lowen. On the cover of the book there was a picture of a person sitting in a meditative position and at the top of the book, it said three words, [Earth Elemental Basics]. Lowen's eyes lit up briefly before his expression returned to normal, he looked at Roland suspiciously.

"What good does this book do for me. This is clearly for a Mage and you've already said that Mages and someone with a Mage body physique can't use magic in the same way, so isn't this pointless?"

Roland grinned before shaking his head.

"Although this book is for Mages, someone with your physique can still benefit greatly from it. It's true that the middle and last bit of the book covers how to use earth elemental magic but the beginning has a meditation technique that would allow you to sense and absorb earth elemental energy. This would allow you to absorb magical energy even faster then your body would normally absorb it. With this and the amulet combined, not only will I profit even faster but Earth Elemental Energy strengthens the body. With your special physique, it would strengthen at an even faster rate. My eyes may be old but after your fight earlier I can tell one thing for sure, you greatly seek strength, hehe. With this, you can easily increase your strength while at the same time help me. As they say, 2 birds with one stone."

Roland looked at Lowen and could see that he was almost there, he just needed one more push.

"Not only that, I have one more thing, but I'm not quite sure if it would interest you."

Lowen looked on in curiosity.

"And that would be?"

"Hehe, knowledge, all of my knowledge and experience. I told you earlier I have traveled all over the Qiyuan continent. The things I've seen and the many secrets I've learned, with my knowledge and your young age, you could have a massive start on the world around you. Beyond that, it would simply be up to you on how you apply that knowledge. So I ask you this, can I have your power and do you want my knowledge?"

Lowen's thoughts were wild with joy, he had only been in this world for a few days and he was about to get the deal of a lifetime. Who hasn't wished to start over at least once in their life? To have a second chance. To go back to being young with all their previous knowledge but for Lowen, he would get much more. Roland claimed to have vast knowledge and experience and now with this offer Lowen would be sure to get every piece of information out of Roland until his head would bleed. This was the greatest deal he's ever received. But for Lowen, this wasn't quite enough as a bit of greed weld up within his heart.

"Fine, I'll agree to this offer but before that, there are a few more things I want."