Book 1: Chapter 12

The effects of these innate spells were beyond insane, but their costs were also staggering. Baccaus especially could not accept the effects of Cyil’s innate Death spell. He had heard of ‘Death Aura’ but never ‘Death God’s Aura’. Its effect was too scary and its cost to redact was even scarier! If a mad man got his hand on this innate spell then the whole continent would be in danger!

As for the innate Time spell, it could be used but only in serious fights and was definitely not to be casually used for amusement. But the spell was crazy! One second was enough to do plenty and the duration would get stronger?! That’s just a cheat! Luckily the casting cost was not too harsh so Baccaus would permit Cyil to use the spell.

Baccaus knew of other spells that would have half the effect for way greater costs, such as forbidden spells:

A spell that takes away life force/energy instead of spiritual energy is considered a forbidden spell. Forbidden spells have their own ranking system, being determined by how devastating the effect is and the casting cost. Absolute Stop had a low casting cost and a terrifying effect so it doesn’t fit into the forbidden spell category because the casting cost to effect ratio for forbidden spells is almost always proportional. The strongest forbidden spells result not only in the death of the user but the destruction of their soul. Needless to say, the spell’s effects would be terrifying.

The only other spell that Baccaus knew of that was as cheat as Absolute Stop would be the innate Life spell Life’s Gift of Matriarch Isollatha, the leader of all elves and daughter of Nature.

Life’s Gift could completely heal a living entity’s soul and bring them back from the brink of death. As long as a single breath of life remained, that person or creature could be saved. The only cost that Baccaus knew of for casting this spell was that the user would not be able to use the spell again for 1 year.

Baccaus only knew all of this after he traded half his wealth away. When Baccaus learned of this spell he was overjoyed and immediately set out to the elve’s territory carrying the intent to ask Matriarch Isollatha to save his beloved. Alas, though sympathetic to his cause, Matriarch Isollatha had already used her spell just a few days ago. Thus Baccaus could only curse his luck and continue looking for new options...

When Baccaus heard of the innate Space spell he thought it was more practical and reasonable. Its effects were strong but not as crazy as the Death or Time innate spells. The usefulness of the spell would be determined by the situation and the user’s ingenuity but the fact that it used ½ of the user’s remaining spiritual energy is a large drawback.

Thinking over all these innate spells, Baccaus did not dare show his surprise, lest he scare the child into think he was a killer or make the child too boastful about his overpowered innate skills.

“Ahem, those are okay innate spells. I am sure you already know but you must never use your innate Death spell. Do you understand?” Baccaus directly addressed his most poignant concern. “Aside from that we will practice using your innate Time and Space spell in actual combat once we reach our training ground.”

Baccaus was looking forward to experiencing the strength of these innate spells, but he decided not to let Cyil try casting his first spell in the middle of the town.

“Grandpa, I understand. The innate Death spell is very scary. I still remember that gray mist and it was scarier than ghosts or ghouls!” Cyil shivered, hugging his shoulders.

“It will be alright,” Baccaus patted Cyil’s shoulders. “Remember that you are the one in control of the magic, not the other way around. Let’s continue with your meditating; I want to see how fast you can level up in one night!”

“I’ll remember that Grandpa Baccaus! Thank you so much for everything you’ve done for me!” Cyil was no longer as frightened as he was before.

Blushing a bit, Baccaus answered, “It’s good that you know, but saying that makes me feel old! I am only 142 years old and it’s not as if I’m leaving you anytime soon!”

“One…...42? Grandpa you’re old!” Cyil knew that the older person alive in his town was 64 and that person could only lay in bed all day. “How are you still so strong? Is it because you’re a mage?”

“Precisely. Mages have longer lifespans and stronger bodies than those who are not mages. As your level and ranking increase, both your lifespan and body strength will increase. As I am now, I still have a few hundred years left to live! Also, my strength would be equivalent to a rank 4 warrior without any physical training at all.”

“Whaaa,” Cyil couldn’t imagine living for that long. “What if, my mom can’t live as long as me? What will I do then Grandpa?”

“Cyil…” Baccaus shook his head. “Walking the path a mage is a lonely one. Only those who are also mages will be able to walk beside you. Once you have enough strength to protect those you love, they may not even be there anymore. It’s quite ironic. Regardless, if you can enable them to live a carefree and happy life with your strength then I think that would be enough.”

Cyil could not completely understand all of what Baccaus said but he suddenly missed his mom and friends even more. “Grandpa, can I go see my mom and friends? I want to make sure they are okay before I start training, otherwise I will be thinking about them all the time.”

Baccaus thought for a bit then nodded. “I was planning to have you start training right away, but considering your meditation speed we can afford a trip. Your state of mind is also important so we’ll visit your hometown before training!”

Cyil immediately became elated and hugged Baccaus. “Thank you, Grandpa! You’re the best!”

Baccaus smiled and then told Cyil that they would meditate for the whole night, grab some supplies tomorrow morning then head off towards Cyil’s hometown.

Cyil was so excited that it took him half an hour to calm his state of mind and begin his meditating.

The night came and went in a flash for Cyil. On the other hand, Baccaus was drenched in sweat with deep lines creasing his wrinkled forehead. Throughout the whole night he had focused all his attention to make sure Cyil did not encounter any issues.

“Morning Cyil.” Baccaus announced, his sweat magically evaporated and face returning to normal before anyone could see.

Hearing the sound Cyil broke out of meditation. “Good morning Grandpa!”

“How was your first night of meditation? Are you tired?”

“It was great! I felt really good. I think it’s even better than sleeping!” Cyil could not get enough of those warm memories.

“That’s reassuring to hear, because you’ll be meditating every night from now on!”

“Yay!” Cyil cheered.

Baccaus smiled at the child’s reaction. “You are already a rank 0 level 4 mage. Soon you will be a rank 1 mage so be proud! Let’s get going. We have a long ways to travel.”

“Grandpa, you know where I live?” Cyil asked in confusion. He had not told his grandpa so how could his grandpa know? Not to mention, how did his grandpa find him and rescue him? These thoughts appeared in Cyil’s mind but he shook them away. His grandpa was surely a good person is what Cyil’s heart told him thus he found that this was the only important thing.

“I have a general idea. It’s the town Fayburn, correct?” Baccaus guessed according to the direction the Third Prince was traveling when he first met him.

“Correct! Grandpa is so smart!” Cyil happily chatted with Baccaus as they made their way out of the inn and around the town purchasing supplies.

Baccaus first went to a farmer and asked for eggs and milk, to which he haggled with the farmer until the price dropped to 4 copper per dozen eggs and 20 copper per milk bottle. After getting all the items, the two carried two large sacks to the forest’s edge. There, Baccaus waved his hand and collected all the items into his spatial equiptment, an ordinary looking rustic ring.

Baccaus had told Cyil about spatial equipments before but Cyil still gasped at the scene. This was a magical equipment! And although Baccaus did not specify its grade, Cyil knew that it was a very good one. The spatial ring could hold up to 5 meters cubic of items and the things stored inside existed in a separate space so they wouldn’t spoil or age as quickly.

With the items stored, the two returned to town to get various other things and repeated the process of going to the edge of the forest each time their sacks were full.

“It’s important not to let the villagers know we are mages. Although they cannot harm us it's always best to avoid drawing too much attention to yourself. Remember this Cyil.” Baccaus had warned Cyil beforehand and also told him that anyone possessing a magical equipment must have the strength to fend for themselves.Otherwise, they would only be inviting trouble for themselves.

After Baccaus gathered all the supplies they needed, the two entered the forest from an inconspicuous area, walking for two miles before taking flight towards Cyil’s hometown, Fayburn!

As soon as Cyil and Baccaus flew away, a shadow emerged from behind a tree not too far from the clearing where they took off. Clad in a tight black suit along with a jade like mask, the figure’s eyes followed the dot that soon disappeared into the horizon.

“I’ve finally found you Baccaus! You were a fool not to kill me. Now, I’ll be the one to kill you!”

The figure gestured in the air with his hand and seven other figures also draped in sleek black suits appeared out of thin air and knelt in front of the figure with the jade-mask.

“Let them know that I’ve found Baccaus.” The jade-masked figure said sternly.

Receiving the orders, the seven kneeling figures vanished with each heading towards a different direction to pass along the news.

“You won’t escape with all of us working together!” The jade-masked figure laughed maniacally.