CHAPTER 38: TIME SKIP

Out of the sales of the Crimson Tide Reed, which was sold at 45 million Gold, 30% of the income was paid to the Auction house, while my debt was deducted.

At the end of the day, I was left and able to return to Seafrost with 31 million Gold.

I acquired the form, and still got riches. Although I learnt something.

I understood better how important a Mana plant is, especially those which has the features of the sea.

Hmph.

The words of the red-haired man suddenly played in my head. ’The last time a Mana plant was seen, it disappeared on the same day.’

And to think it might exactly be the same thing that has happened in the auction house. Except for my companions and me, every other person in the hall was only able to set their eyes on the mana plant.

But a strange man suddenly set a very high bid and threatened other mages with his aura.

’Damn. That was his first bid, and he chose to go that high,’ I thought.

I shouldn’t be worrying about this since it is now in the past. Yet, I can’t help but be curious as to what background the man came from.

"Who could that strange man be?" I muttered, shaking the ceramic cup of wine in my hand and taking a long sip from it.

After the contents all got drowned in my stomach, I dropped the cup on the table with a thud, attracting the attention of everyone present.

...

One week later.

One week had passed.

One week of continuous training.

One week of pushing my limits, mastering my control as a Thalassic Monarch, becoming more compatible with the sword and ascending in rank.

A lot of things have happened within this period of time.

I was no longer an Expert-ranked Mage, a rank that would be unbelievable for someone who had just awakened.

Now, I stood as a Lv. I Master-ranked mage, with my abilities and stats refined in a balanced manner.

These changes didn’t only occur in me. My companions were also involved.

Muna had upgraded to a Lv. II Expert-ranked Mage, and her echo also evolved with her.

Due to the presence of Vera, Muna had listened to me and gotten rid of the wolf echoes. Even her lion echo was currently something else.

The lion had changed.

Its mane was now streaked with silver, and its eyes gleamed with the cunning intent of a wolf.

Over time, during our training moments, Muna would make use of her echo if she felt she would lose. Her lion was now leaner, and moved swifter and eerily silent.

For Linda, she didn’t ascend further in her rank, but her attitude towards me had changed.

It was not a voluntary change, though, but was a result of her status as my bound shadow. She now stays by my side all the time, except when I have to do some private stuff.

And Vera, Bonnie and Lovina?

They grew fond of me within a short period of time.

Their harem sharing ability had all increased to 60%.

Not only that, they were able to force me into allowing them to take turns in guarding me during my sleep. They took turns to ensure they stayed by my side all day by extending their vigils into the night.

In the outside world, I was still tagged as a threat of Doom who had just awakened the powers and so was still weak in their minds.

Words had spread fast to make people aware that I had purchased the Academy form.

People saw it as my way of helping them eliminate my existence. No one, except my companions, knows what I am capable of.

And no one knows either what the other Elements are capable of.

...

Within the confines of my chamber, I lay sprawled on a vast, silken-draped bed, sleeping peacefully.

Until the bright light of day pierced into my room.

A frown creased my face as I shielded my deep blue eyes with my hands and slowly tilted my head.

Then locked onto the consistent culprit.

A girl, looking no older than Muna, her golden hair cascading over her shoulders. The rays of the bright light blended with a beauty, and behind her, two iridescent wings swayed happily.

With a smile, she brought her balled palms and brought them close to her face, she said. "Young Master said to be awake early in the morning."

’As if that was my personal instruction,’ I thought and let out a long, exhausted sigh.

With great effort, I rose from the bed, sitting up on its edge. My long silver hair cascaded down my back, framing my deep, blue eyes, which rippled with the calm of the sea.

My physique had undergone drastic changes. Lean muscles are getting compacted and sculpted to perfection.

I was more powerful.

Personally, I could boast of my successful entrance into the Academy. My time at the academy was drawing near. In fact, it’s tomorrow.

Tomorrow, every noble and talented mage of Montana is going to be in attendance to take the entrance test.

As if to boast of my power, I raised my right hand and opened my palm. A drip of water erupted and expanded into a ball. Then, stirred continuously until it became ice.

"Is Young Master planning to attack me?" Bonnie said, fluttering her purple eyes with a pitiful look.

’That would be a good idea,’ Linda said as my shadow shifted.

Bonnie immediately gritted her teeth and clenched her fists.

Linda poked her head out from my shadow and ignored Bonnie’s reaction.

’Are you worried, Young Master?’ she asked.

I tightened my palm and the ice shattered, remaining silent for a moment, then fixed my eyes on her delicate eyes, a slow smile spreading across my lips.

"You do worry, don’t you," I replied, my tone laced with anticipation. "If anything, I should be excited."

’Should?’ Linda highlighted the word and flicked my forehead with her index finger.

"It didn’t hurt," I muttered with a smile, and Linda giggled.

"...Tch." Bonnie pouted and turned to leave, but stopped as if she remembered something.

"Little Lady Muna said to meet her at the training arena."

"I’ll be there shortly."

With that, Linda came out of my shadow as stood and walked toward my bathroom to freshen up.

...

Inside the expansive training ground, I stood across from three sculpted stones, turned into the form of snakes.

They were lined linearly, and behind, was Muna.

We were clad in form-fitting, white training gear.

Muna Seafrost — the Lioness — watched me with piercing and suspicious silver eyes.

"It’s tomorrow," she murmured, a playful smirk tugging at her lips.

"We will be going there to pass," I replied, nodding my head in agreement.

"Shall we see how skilled you are with the sword?"

With that, she stepped backward until she stood behind a pole.

Then, released a familiar magic that encircled the training arena, so that only I was inside with the sculptures of the three snakes.