Chapter 6: Training in the Deep Mountains

Upon entering the royal capital of Segna, Mels finally got a taste of metropolitan prosperity. Although Mels had visited many cities before, compared to Segna, those cities seemed too quiet. As a satellite city supporting the entire royal capital's economy, this commercial hub gathered merchants from all over the continent!

Within the square-shaped city, streets radiated outward in all directions. Flags of various merchant guilds almost blotted out the sky, and the dazzling array of goods in the shops left Mels and his rustic lads wide-eyed, their eyes couldn't take it all in. The air was filled with a constant din of shouts and calls; even in the cold winter of December, merchants haggling and busy with business were still sweating profusely.

"Wow! Boss, there are so many things here!" Sol said, looking around in awe. "Well, Segna is the most prosperous commercial hub in the southern continent. Due to the different planning between this city and the smaller towns, it's practically the main hub for all commercial exchange in the royal capital! Many goods from the north arrive here first. Then, northern merchants sell their goods wholesale to local guilds, which then distribute them across the southern continent. That's why its business boom is unmatched in the south!" Miki explained upon hearing Sol's words.

After Miki's explanation, the boys slowly came to understand the reasons for Segna's prosperity.

"Well, the credit for this place becoming the south's top commercial hub goes mainly to the Magic family. Perhaps you don't know, but forty years ago, this was just a place with small vendors and daily-goods merchants. It was precisely because the Magic family made large-scale investments here and persuaded the Fijinando Kingdom's royal family to enact economic policies favorable to commerce, attracting merchants from everywhere, that this place achieved its current development!" the White-haired Wind God continued with a smile.

Indeed, as the White-haired Wind God said, decades ago, the Magic family made investments seen as madness at the time for Segna's prosperity. Many merchant guilds believed Segna, neither coastal nor a traditional commercial city, could never become the southern continent's commercial center, and that the Magic family was just wasting resources. However, facts proved the Magic family's approach completely correct!

Of course, after Segna became a commercial city, the one who benefited the most was the Magic family, which had invested here initially. Because of this, the clashes of interest between the Magic family and the Fijinando Kingdom's royal family were getting worse, and the disagreements between them were gradually intensifying!

As they walked, with Miki cracking jokes and explaining things now and then, Mels and the others didn't feel the journey was too long. After about half an hour, they arrived on foot at the Magic family mansion in the city's north.

Along the way, although Mels and the other youths chatted and laughed with Miki, Bagina just kept walking ahead on her own, never once turning back to exchange even half a sentence with Mels! Even though Mels already understood Bagina's personality, he couldn't help feeling a little disappointed.

"Alright, everyone can rest here today. My older brother had urgent business in the Relkes Empire, so he left yesterday and should return within about a week. During this time, please feel free to explore Segna!" After entering the mansion, Miki said to Mels and the others with a smile.

In fact, the Seven Immortals of Myriad Changes had already visited Segna many times and weren't exactly sightseers, so Miki's words were clearly directed at Mels and the others.

Mels and the others were indeed very interested in the bustling Segna. Over the next few days, they almost explored every corner of the city. As for the Seven Immortals, aside from recuperating, they stayed in the mansion all day discussing certain matters with Miki.

During these few days of comfortable life, Lannis might as well have vanished, never appearing before Mels again! During this period, whether day or night, Lannis's body was taken over by Bagina. Although Bagina remained as haughty as ever and never conversed with Mels and the others, Mels noticed that every time they went out to see the sights, Bagina would always stand by her window, quietly watching them go.

Seven days later, just as Miki had said, the head of the Magic family, Rebat Magic, appeared in the Fijinando Kingdom's royal capital. After discussions with him, the Seven Immortals of Myriad Changes made their final decision to leave the capital and take Mels and the other youths to the deep mountains where they had lived for years to begin formal training! The time had almost come for Mels and the others to leave the Fijinando Kingdom.

"Boss, today is our last day here. We gotta make the most of it!" Early in the morning, after finishing breakfast, Sol immediately shouted, urging everyone to hurry up and maximize their playtime.

"Yeah." Mels nodded, then led everyone, preparing to cross the garden and leave the mansion.

Just as they were about to leave, Mels suddenly stopped, turned to the others, and said, "Sol, guys, hold up a second. I want to bring Bagina along."

"What!" Sol and Rek exclaimed loudly.

"Boss, don't you know Bagina isn't Lannis? We should count ourselves lucky she isn't coming! Why would you want to go find her? Are you so full you're looking for trouble?" Sol said loudly.

"Actually... Bagina isn't that bad; she's just got a difficult personality! I think she must be really bored staying alone in the mansion. Why not try inviting her to come with us! Anyway, this is our last day here. Starting tomorrow, we won't see her again. Even if she gives us a hard time, it won't be a big deal!" Mels said.

"Boss..." Sol still wanted to say something, but Rek gave his sleeve a light tug, stopping him, and then said, "Boss, since you want to go find her, then go! Although Bagina and Lannis are different, they're still the same person, deep down. Even if it's to say goodbye to Lannis, we should go see Bagina!"

Although Rek was the same age as Sol, he was much more sensible. When he saw the hesitation in Mels's eyes, he knew Mels wanted to see Lannis one more time! After all, Lannis was Bagina, and Bagina was Lannis! Tomorrow, everyone would leave with the Seven Immortals. Perhaps they wouldn't see Lannis again for years, so Rek also wanted Mels to have a final memory.

"Thank you, Rek! Wait for me a moment!" Seeing that Rek had agreed, Mels immediately excitedly returned to the mansion. Although he didn't know if Bagina would agree, at least he could see her again!

As Mels walked away, Akafir, still holding food, suddenly spoke up: "Brother Mels is going to find the scary sister? Oh no, Brother Sol is going to turn into the Blond Monkey again!"

"Shut up! You talk too much!" Sol angrily punched Akafir, then looked up and sighed: "Sigh, Blond Monkey! I hope she's already forgotten this strange nickname!"

Unlike the others' fooling around, although Mels had boldly claimed he would bring Bagina out, when he actually had to face her, he still felt a knot of hesitation in his stomach...

"Hi, Miss Bagina, come out and play with us!" Mels muttered to himself, standing before her small building.

"Ah! No, no! She's totally gonna beat me up and toss me out the second-story window!" Mels tugged his hair helplessly. "How should I even start? I've already thought of hundreds of ways, but... none seem like they'll work!"

"Little pervert, what are you muttering about? Trying to peep on me?" Just as Mels was hesitating, Bagina's voice suddenly came from behind him!

"Ah! No... no... I absolutely wasn't peeping! I just wanted... to invite you to come play with us!" Mels jumped, suddenly finding Bagina behind him, and immediately tried to explain.

"Hmm? Invite me to play? Is this some conspiracy?" Bagina stepped closer, reducing the distance to a few dozen centimeters, then asked suspiciously with a stern face.

"No... no, absolutely no conspiracy!" Breaking out in a cold sweat, Mels didn't know how to explain. He managed a shaky laugh: "Ha... haha, Miss Bagina, you should rest. I... I won't disturb you!" With that, Mels beat a hasty retreat.

"Hold it!" Just as Mels was about to leave, Bagina shouted.

Hearing her, Mels had to stop, turn, and look at her, fearing she'd whip him.

"I have nothing to do today. Since you, little pervert, invited me, I'll believe you this once! But remember, no funny business!" After saying this, Bagina didn't wait for a reply and strode forward.

Seeing Bagina agree to go out with him, Mels felt a thrill of excitement. Although Bagina was still haughty and arrogant, not giving Mels the time of day, for some reason, she seemed gentler now. At least, she no longer felt threatening!

"Rek, what do you think will happen to the boss? Will he get beaten black and blue, or scolded and thrown out?" Sol, bored while waiting, chatted with Rek. "Hmm, good question! He might get scolded first. If he keeps pestering her, she'll probably whip him black and blue!" Rek said after consideration.

"You big gorilla, what are you saying about me?" Sol and Rek, engrossed, hadn't noticed Bagina behind them. Her voice nearly scared them out of their wits!

"Ah! No... nothing. We were saying how brilliant the boss's decision to invite you is! Not seeing your heavenly beauty these days, we felt something was missing! So we thought if he didn't invite you, we'd beat him black and blue! Right, Rek?" Sol hurriedly said. Rek quickly nodded. However honest, he wasn't foolish enough to tell the truth now.

"Blond Monkey, you sure know how to talk!" Bagina said, eyeing Sol sideways.

"Hehe, you flatter me! I'm just telling the truth. As long as you're happy, I'll do anything!" Sol said, bowing and scraping.

"Good! As a reward for your sweet talk, you'll cover all today's expenses!" With that, Bagina grabbed Mels's hand and strode out, ignoring Sol's reaction.

Hearing Bagina's "reward," Mels and Rek almost burst out laughing but didn't dare in front of her. They suppressed their amusement, pulled the pained-looking Sol, and followed Bagina out.

During the day, although Bagina still bossed them around, Sol and the others noticed she, like Lannis, was curious about the colorful outside world. Slowly, everyone began to joke with her. Though often shot down, they didn't fear her using force. The atmosphere grew harmonious, and their enjoyment increased in this harmony. Unfortunately, the day flew by. At dusk, they were already returning.

After dinner, the White-haired Wind God summoned Mels and the others to the meeting room. Entering, Mels, Sol, Rek, and Akafir found the Seven Immortals, Rebat, and Bagina all present!

"I suppose you've had your fill of fun these past few days, Mels. The others must have told you we leave tomorrow. Although we promised you could return to the Blue Whirlwind to bid the chiefs farewell first, that won't be possible now, I'm afraid.

I hope you'll follow us to the Kachina Mountains. Since the mountains are in a different direction from the central Chaotic Lands, we can't return to the Blue Whirlwind. I want to hear what you think." the White-haired Wind God said.

In fact, Mels already knew he couldn't return. Seven days ago, he'd decided to follow the Seven Immortals and learn martial arts. He believed this was also Sol and Rek's wish. As for Sarikat, Mels believed they'd understand.

Mels shared a look with Rek and Sol, then said, "Master, we've decided to follow you to the Kachina Mountains. As for the Blue Whirlwind, we want to send a letter home and trouble Mr. Magic to deliver it to our foster father." "You can rest assured. I'll have it delivered in a few days!" Rebat nodded.

Seeing no objections, the White-haired Wind God gave a satisfied smile. "Good. Since you have no objections, we depart as planned tomorrow. Oh, and starting tomorrow, Bagina will also be traveling with us!"

"What?!" After hearing this, Mels and the others were greatly surprised.

They'd thought Bagina would stay in the capital with Rebat and the Magic family. They never expected her to come.

"What? Do you have a problem with that?" Seeing their reaction, Bagina stood up with hands on hips, looking like a wrathful goddess. Under such pressure, who would dare complain? They were quick to say they'd be happy to get along with Bagina! Though knowing the youths feared her fiery temper, the White-haired Wind God noticed that, aside from Akafir who didn't seem to care, the others' eyes showed more joy than worry!

In fact, the decision for Bagina to train with them wasn't made on a whim. It was carefully considered and had Hassan's agreement!

The White-haired Wind God and the others had no idea what to do about Bagina's dual personality. However, they noticed that with Mels and the others, Bagina was gradually willing to talk, and her violent streak was softening. They hoped more interaction would bring out Lannis's gentler side! That's why they decided she should come.

Since everything was decided, Mels and the others headed off to bed at the White-haired Wind God's urging. That night, Mels slept soundly, strengthening his resolve to follow them into the mountains. Early next morning, after a hurried breakfast, a party of over a dozen left the Fijinando Kingdom accompanied by Magic family members. Their destination, the Kachina Mountains, lay northeast, a natural barrier between the Free Cities Union and the kingdom. It was also where the Seven Immortals had practiced martial arts since childhood.

About five days after leaving the capital, they entered the Kachina Mountains. Led by the White-haired Wind God, Mels and the others hiked over hills and through streams into the depths. Though the paths were rugged, the beautiful scenery made them forget their fatigue, lost in the embrace of nature.

After two days, a small valley appeared. It wasn't large, only about twenty to thirty square kilometers, but was filled with exotic flowers and rare plants. Even in deep winter, the valley was alive with the warmth of spring, like a paradise on earth.

"Wow! Boss, this place is really beautiful!" Sol exclaimed upon seeing the valley.

"Yeah! It's simply a paradise on earth! It's so cold outside, but here it's as warm as spring! Flowers bloom everywhere, birds and beasts live in peace. I never imagined such a beautiful place existed!" Mels was equally awed by the valley's stunning beauty.

"Well, this place is surrounded by high mountains, so all air currents get blocked by the peaks. Because there's no influence from cold or warm currents, it remains spring-like year-round, and these flowers and plants bloom all year long! So, what do you think? You guys must be thrilled to train in a place like this!" Cloud-reaching Sword God said to Mels with a smile.

"Haha, I'd figured the training grounds would be hellish! Of course, I'm happy to train here!" Mels replied.

"Hmph, you'll know what hell really is once the actual training begins!" Frost Death God suddenly interjected.

Frost Death God's words immediately left Mels and the others standing there bewildered. They exchanged glances, unsure of what exactly Frost Death God meant by his statement!

"Sixth Brother, quit trying to scare them for no good reason! Although the training is indeed very tough, it can't be described as hell!" Cloud-reaching Sword God couldn't help but chide Frost Death God after hearing his words.

"Hmph, I'm just preparing them in advance so I won't have to waste my breath later!" After saying this, Frost Death God seemed to have lost all interest in talking. Ignoring Mels and the rest of the group, he walked alone toward a few small thatched huts in the center of the valley.

Mels knew that Frost Death God was someone cold on the outside but warm on the inside. He clearly wanted Mels and the others not to be fooled by the surrounding environment and to focus on cultivating their skills, but he wouldn't say it directly, only using a cold tone. Even so, Mels still very much liked this aspect of his personality.

After reaching the small thatched huts, White-haired Wind God immediately told everyone to drop their gear and prepare to build two more huts. With the sudden addition of Mels, Bagina, and several other youths, the seven small thatched huts that the Seven Immortals of Myriad Changes had were clearly no longer enough! Therefore, over the next half day, everyone pitched in and quickly built two more simple dwellings—one large and one small. From that day on, for the next three years, Mels, Rek, Sol, and Akafir lived together in the large hut, while Bagina enjoyed a "single room" next to them.

The Seven Immortals of Myriad Changes were indeed very strict masters. On the second day after the youths arrived in the valley, they began requiring everyone to follow different elders to learn various martial arts. From before the sun rose in the sky until night enveloped the valley, the youths had no chance to catch their breath throughout the entire day.

The weirdest part was, during the first three months, whether it was Sol the mage or the warriors Rek, Mels, and Akafir, none of them learned a single martial art from the Seven Immortals of Myriad Changes! Every day, apart from cultivating their Qi and refining their spirits, they did nothing but follow Frost Death God in running and climbing through the mountainous area.

At first, Mels and the others thought the Seven Immortals of Myriad Changes were building their endurance, but after Sol joined in, they started to wonder!

Generally speaking, the most important thing for a mage is to develop an astonishing ability to absorb magical energy; physical stamina is a secondary concern! Yet Sol underwent the same physical training as Mels and the others, making everyone feel that the Seven Immortals of Myriad Changes simply didn't want to teach them any profound 'martial arts'!

Although Mels often held back his own frustration and that of his brothers, gradually even he couldn't figure out what the Seven Immortals of Myriad Changes were trying to do! Finally, one day, after everyone finished two and a half months of continuous physical training, Mels and the other youths showed up in front of the Seven Immortals of Myriad Changes!

"What brings you here?" White-haired Wind God asked, puzzled, seeing the tired youths hadn't washed up and gone to bed.

"Master, I know you have us do physical training every day to build up our stamina! But I don't understand why Sol, as a mage, has to undergo the same training as us? Shouldn't he be strengthening his ability to absorb magical energy?" Mels, already bottling up his discontent, spoke up to White-haired Wind God without hesitation. Hearing Mels's words, White-haired Wind God and Cloud-reaching Sword God beside him exchanged a glance, then smiled slightly and said, "I knew these little guys wouldn't be able to resist asking us! Second Brother, how long have they been doing physical training?"

"Big Brother, it's been two and a half months! Much better than we were back in the day!" Cloud-reaching Sword God said with a smile.

Listening to their conversation, Mels and the others were completely baffled, not understanding what they were talking about. But soon, the answer appeared before them!

After hearing Cloud-reaching Sword God's words, White-haired Wind God stood up, approached Mels, and suddenly, with a smile on his face, swiftly attacked, striking a palm toward Mels's chest!

"Master!" Mels cried out in alarm, but his body instinctively jumped back! Although he didn't know why White-haired Wind God suddenly attacked him, from the not-too-fast speed of White-haired Wind God's strike, he knew his master definitely meant no harm!

White-haired Wind God didn't answer Mels either. After Mels dodged his attack, he suddenly turned and simultaneously swung two bursts of Qi energy toward Akafir and Rek! Although the youths were already exhausted from the day's training, facing an attack that wasn't too fast, they could still react quickly. Akafir even had time to draw his sword and assume a defensive stance!

White-haired Wind God seemed very satisfied with the youths' reactions, yet he still remained silent! Just as the youths were totally perplexed, thinking White-haired Wind God wouldn't launch another attack, a wave of Qi energy a hundred times more fierce than before suddenly shot out from White-haired Wind God's raised palm, aiming directly at—Sol!

"Sol!" Seeing that Sol, a mage, had to face White-haired Wind God's Qi energy attack, Mels and the others were all panicked!

However, a miracle unfolded before Mels and the others' eyes. Unable to dodge like Mels and the others with agile movements, Sol suddenly raised his hands as the Qi energy was about to hit his body, quickly forming the Light Seal, rapidly chanting an incantation before yelling, "Light Shield!"

Instantly, intense light formed a white shield in front of Sol's chest, and at that very moment, White-haired Wind God's Qi energy dissipated into the air! It turned out White-haired Wind God only wanted to test Sol's ability to react, never intending to actually harm him!

"Hehe, now you should understand why even Sol needs to join the physical training!" Cloud-reaching Sword God said.

Seeing the youths still had puzzled looks in their eyes, White-haired Wind God explained: "Most people think physical stamina is only necessary for warriors, but very few notice that stamina is also one of the essential basic abilities for mages.

A mage with strong stamina can not only still have the energy to attack enemies after long journeys with warriors but also fend for themselves without a warrior's protection! Although many spells require strong magical absorption ability to cast, without the support of great stamina, even if a mage can cast a spell, they might drain themselves and be unable to launch another effective attack!

Just like in today's experiment, after a day of arduous trekking, Sol had already used up a lot of stamina, but when I suddenly attacked, his energy still allowed him to cast a simple physical defense spell like Light Shield in the shortest time possible!

Just from this, you should understand why we require him to join the physical training too! Actually, there are many benefits to strengthening a mage's stamina! For example, when you travel together in the future, he can carry his own luggage, run at high speed with you, and protect himself when outnumbered! Only such a mage is a competent, trustworthy mage!

Conversely, if he doesn't possess exceptional stamina, then during travels you'll have to carry his luggage, in battles you'll have to assign someone to protect him, and even during escapes, he might be unable to shake off pursuing enemies due to exhaustion. Now you should understand the importance of stamina!"

"So that's how it is!" Mels and the others suddenly realized.

Now they finally understood White-haired Wind God's purpose in training them!

"Hehe, actually, you've already done very well! Enduring two and a half months of hardship before asking us shows you have strong self-discipline! Although your physical training may continue for a while longer, I believe the day it ends will come soon," Cloud-reaching Sword God said.

"Mels, you must be wondering why I taught you many practical martial arts on the ship but only have you strengthening your stamina since coming here!

Actually, back then I couldn't be sure if you would really follow us here, and I hoped to enhance your strength a bit before reaching the dangerous Frank Island, so I taught you martial arts that were simple and easy to master first. But since you arrived here, you've officially become my disciple, so of course I have to train you from the most basic level!

Judging from the current situation, your foster father was already a good martial arts instructor. Precisely because he gave you systematic basic training, you can now directly enter physical training. Otherwise, just those basic exercises would require three to five years of training. Without that, even if we taught you all the martial arts, you'd only have a superficial understanding and wouldn't stand a chance against true masters in a real fight!" White-haired Wind God said seriously to Mels and the others.

"Yes, I understand!" With his doubts cleared, Mels responded immediately and loudly.

"Very good! Any other questions? If not, go back to sleep right now! I don't want any of you unable to get up tomorrow morning!" White-haired Wind God said with a smile.

Amid the youths' loud responses, they all withdrew from White-haired Wind God's quarters, chatting and laughing as they returned to their large hut. Watching the youths' happy expressions, White-haired Wind God suddenly turned to Cloud-reaching Sword God and said, "These little guys are really good! They can endure hardship and hard work, yet they're also smart and wise! With just a simple explanation, they can understand our good intentions!"

"Yes, I originally thought that kid Sol would quickly give up, but I never expected the usually most slippery one to also persist for two and a half months! It seems the leaders of Blue Whirlwind are indeed extraordinary people, it's just a pity..." Before Cloud-reaching Sword God could finish, White-haired Wind God interrupted him.

White-haired Wind God frowned slightly and said, "Second Brother, don't bring up this topic again in the future! Mels and the others are still too young. If they learn this tragic news now, it will definitely affect their martial arts training. Let's wait until they're more mature before telling them."

"Big Brother, but if we do that, when Mels later finds out we hid the truth from him, won't he resent us?" Cloud-reaching Sword God said to White-haired Wind God with a helpless expression.

After hearing him out, White-haired Wind God slowly turned and gazed at the bright moon that had just risen in the sky outside the window, saying, "As long as they can inherit the essence of the True Nameless Divine Style, even if they hate me for the rest of their lives, I won't regret it!"