Chapter 21 – Advancement

Redius approached the counter of the auction, it had been several days since he was first here. And within that period of time, he had come and go everyday selling pills to the auction. And every time…

“Here to sell more?” A charming sooth voice called from behind Redius. Every time… she would be here.

Redius turned to face a beautiful girl clothed in a simple robe, its design was common among the citizens. Although on her, it looked as if it was solely designed for her. It was none other than Sophia. Behind her, walked several middle aged men, their posture was fierce. Well trained and resolute.

“Please, let’s talk in the meeting room.” She gestured to a hallway as she beamed a bright smile towards Redius. He nodded and headed towards the room that he had already been in several times. Every time he would come here, she would appear and invite him. Even though every time their trade was done in a matter of minutes, she still continued.

‘Why?’ Redius thought at times but could not manage an answer.

As they headed down the hallway, multiple eyes were fixated on Sophia. Wherever she went, men would flock. It was eye candy to see such a beautiful lady. Some looked with admiration at Redius, whilst some were full of curiosity, and a few, were jealousy and anger.

The one who looked on in anger was none other than Tifus Ip, eldest son of the Ip family to the new generation. He was talented in the way of knighthood and at the age of 20, had reached 3rd stage disciple knight. He knew of the beauty of

Sophia of the Fentisma Auction, although her identity was clouded, she was a wonder for the eyes and known through the upper families in Darabas. He had tried courting her more times than anyone could count, but either he wouldn’t be able to see her or was unable to talk to her.

After time, she just looked on from afar, that was why he would come to the auction often. But suddenly seeing this magician being close to her, to even have her invite them, ignited anger and jealousy. He didn’t know why, he wasn’t even sure whether or not it was a male but his instincts told him it was.

Tifus viewed himself as the most talented person in the city. And he was one of the few. Even among the major families that competed with one another, he was standing at the top 3 of his generation. Tifus thought that if he wasn’t good enough for her, no one was. He would not allow anyone to have her if he couldn’t.

His eyes shot red and his fists clench when he was taken aback. As if sensing his emotions, Redius had stopped in his track and turned to face him. Although Tifus couldn’t see his face, Tifus knew the eyes under the hood were looking at him. It sent a shiver down his spine. As Redius looked at him, so did the people following him, Sophia and a few middle aged men who walked behind her.

It wasn’t long before Redius continued his way and as did the others. Redius, having been taught a lesson during the fights with the households, has always kept a bit of his sense field up, to survey his surroundings. Although tiring, he also found every time he recovered his diatis power, it would grow a little stronger. Plus his instincts felt a weak killing intent and he wanted to see who it was from.

Though Tifus interpreted it differently. He thought the look Redius gave him was a condescending look. His fist held tighter than ever as his fingernails dug into his flesh. His anger made him oblivious to the cold sweat down his back from Redius’ simple glance.

In the meeting room, Sophia and Redius sat across each other. Some men posted side by side of the sofas whilst some were outside of the door, standing guard.

“So what can I do for you today?” Sophia beamed as she sipped tea across from him.

Redius placed a few vials on the table as he had done every time for the past few days. Sophia, used to the routine, knew that he was a man of few words. She gave one of the men an eye passing on a message and the man took the vials and left the room.

They sat in silence after as Sophia happily drank her tea, eyeing Redius up and down every now and then. Soon the man returned and held a note of paper for her. Redius knew it was the prices and the pills. As usual, she nodded and the man held out a bag of coins which clinked onto the tea table. Redius pocketed it without counting.

“Well, looks like I’ll see you tomorrow.” She smiled once again. For some reason, she enjoyed spending these silent times with Redius. It was strange.

To her surprise, Redius didn’t get up as he had done before but instead remained seating. Just when she was about to speak once more, he spoke.

“I need elemental stones.” Redius said as he placed the earnings he had made for the past few days onto the table.

Elemental stones, were like monster gems, but are found in natural rocks that contain elements inside them.

Adventurers (magicians, knights, meditros etc.) are able to harness this for many uses. Sustaining barriers, implanting into weapons etc. But the biggest use was for adventurers to absorb them. Since cognia had a limit to how fast one absorbed and channelled the elements, an elemental stone was a concentration of power inside a stone allowing rapid and easy absorption. It was also separated into poor, mediocre, excel and supreme. Each housing a different amount of power.

In this small city, only poor elemental stones were available, but for his level, it was plenty enough. Because even to the major family, the stones were rare and expensive.

Sophia gestured for one of her men to leave the room, to collect the ele stones. She smiled inwardly at the request. And again, the man returned and handed her a bag which she placed on the table. Which in turn, Redius pocketed.

“Are you not going to check?” She asked. But Redius did not reply, he stood up and headed for the door.

“Are you still not going to let me know you name?... Redius Ip…” She said as he was near the door. She could not help but pout a little that Redius was so quiet. She was a beautiful girl, at least give me some attention she thought. So she could not help but want to tease him a little.

Redius stopped in his tracks, his head snapped back as he stared at Sophia with the corner of her eyes. Sophia was taken aback as she felt a powerful gaze on her, like a predator looking at a prey.

Then a wave of power erupted from Redius’ spot causing the area where he stood the freeze, and a cold wind flew in all directions of the room, with him at it’s centre.

The men immediately backed away from the area and stood surrounding Sophia in battle stance, ready to protect and attack at a moment’s notice. Neither of the party was phased, they stood staring at each other for what seemed like several minutes.

The four men were 2nd stage initiate knights, even with the current power of Redius, it would still be difficult to kill them all. And most of all, Sophia. Her power was hidden, but Redius knew she was of a high initiate level. Why she had guards weaker than her puzzled him. Maybe as a front? He thought. He retracted his power after a few seconds, he knew he could not win. He was merely surprised that she found out his identity.

Without a further word from each parties, Redius left the room glancing at the corner before he did so. There was an existence in the room he felt threatened by.

Silence filled the room after as Sophia sat, her face puffed. She was pouting. She was a little surprised at the reaction, she only wanted to tease him a little. She thought he overreacted.

Girls eh?...

As the men cleared up the ice, she left and headed back to her study.

She sat on her desk, cursing Redius under her breath.

“Stupid stupid stupid.” She said as she ripped up paper on her desk. Finally after some time, she settled down.

“Uncle Broa.” She said seemingly to the empty room. And as if appearing out of thin air, an elderly man was stood opposite the desk.

“Young miss.” Broa said to her with his hands inside the other’s sleeve in front of him.

“How is the investigation going?” she asked as she flipped through paperwork on her desk.

“The Ip family has recalled most of it’s members and have ordered a lockdown to the household. We haven’t confirmed

whether the bodies are really from them yet. But they’ve contacted a member from the Risham clan, we suspect one or two of the clan will arrive within 2 months.”

“The magician’s tower were also notified and I believe they are also sending someone.” He finished as Sophia sat back on her chair twiddling her thumbs.

So many things were happening in the city.

“What do you think?” She finally asked.

“About... the incident?... or the boy?”

“… Redius…” She said as she gave a sharp glare at Broa who gulped in return. He knew what a devil the young miss was, he had watch her grow up after all.

“I think… he has potential. Talented. But… dangerous. Unpredictable.” Broa managed to say.

“Hmmm…” was the only reply Sophia gave.

Broa shook his head, he knew the young miss was already gaining an interest in Redius. He sighed deeply.

He was worried.

Redius was powerful but what’s worse, is his unpredictability. He was a man who if you couldn’t kill him on the first try, then you’re as good as dead. You needed to go all in with Redius and not allow him to make a comeback. Because he was a man who would wait, for as long as it took, and surely, retaliate. He was a man who pays his debt. And Redius had the

talent to back it up.

Broa knew people like that. If you were their friend, they’d fight for you with everything they had. But if you were their enemy… they’d be your worst nightmare. It was a debt that would last until they died. Those were the most terrifying people to piss off.

And most of all, Redius’ potential scares him.

Broa is a personal caretaker to Sophia so he followed her everywhere she went. Including the meeting with Redius.

When Redius had lost it and released his power, Broa had conjured his up, readied himself to protect Sophia at a moment’s notice. But as soon as he did so, as if noticing, Redius retracted his power. And as he left, he glanced right where he was hiding!

He couldn’t have known where he was, since Broa was much more powerful than Redius. Meaning the hint of power

from him alerted Redius. The amount of power Broa conjured was so discreet that without a certain amount of power, one couldn’t notice. Especially from a measly level.

But Redius did.

If that tiny change caught his eye… Broa couldn’t imagine what he would be like if he grew up… It was best to either stay completely out of his way, or befriend him…

Redius headed back into the magician’s dormitory after leaving the auction house. He took out the ele stones and handed one to ji who held it in glee as he laid on the bed, cuddling it.

Redius took out the stones and laid them in front of him. There were 15 in total, 14 now. He had spent 3000 gold on them.

He knew that with the help of these, he should be able to advance into initiate level for both magician and knight.

He sat in cognia with a stone in each hand as the power passed rapidly through it into him. Every time the power finished draining from the stone, it would shatter and Redius would replace it with another one.

Time passed as he could slowly feel each of his crystals and his centre getting fuller and fuller. More power surged through him and at last, when he channelled it, he felt it hit a veil blocking the power from circulating.

He concentrated harder now as he held the last three stones in his hands, directing all of the power to push through the veil. He could feel it breaking from the force as one of the stones shattered.

‘Come on!’ Redius screamed inside his head as another stone shattered. Was it not enough? He knew it took him much more power to advance but he had underestimated how much.

Just as the last stone shattered in his hand, the last remaining power channelled from his wrist into the veil. He could feel a large crack as power poured through.

‘More… more… MORE!’ His mind screamed as he pushed through and opened the veil completely as power flooded through it and the power he emitted increased drastically. Soon it died down and became more tamed.

His crystals shook as it expanded, his centre flowed as it grew. All of them were much bigger now with a deep dark colour that swirled around. He opened his eyes wiping sweat off his face. But with not a hint of fatigue.

A smile spread on his face.

His was now an initiate adventurer.

*Author’s note – you might think it seems easy to level so quickly. But the early levels ain’t exactly the hard. It’s a big world after all.