Chapter 23: Dispute

The only injured member of the team was carried by the soldiers in turns, so it didn’t slow the group’s pace. However, as time passed, their speed gradually decreased, mainly because the physically weak mages were walking slower and slower. Moreover, to uphold their haughty demeanor, they refused the soldiers’ assistance. Even so, the team managed to return to the camp just as darkness fell.

Around the camp, the soldiers left behind had lit many more bonfires than usual. Reflected by the snow, the entire area was awash in a crimson glow, frightening birds from miles around and leaving them circling, unable to alight for a long while.

The soldiers on the march spotted the glow of flames up ahead from a distance and cheered excitedly: “Hey! I thought the captain had led us in the wrong direction!” “Come on! Even if the captain had taken us toward the town, Mage Xueye would have noticed quickly.” “Exactly…” “Good thing we didn’t get lost, or we’d be sleeping in the snow tonight!”

The physician teased the excited soldiers: “Folks, what if that’s a fire ahead and not the camp? If we rush over recklessly, we might get burned!”

“Physician-sir, that’s impossible. If this wretched forest could be burned, someone would have done it long ago. Why would we need to do it?” one soldier retorted to the jest. “If we don’t make it back, poor Gore might not even get to smell the rum.”

“Banish those ill omens from your lips!” Physician Ino was displeased with the doubt cast on his skills. “Puff out your chests, folks! Imagine the scene of beauties waiting for heroes to return! Hopefully, we’ll all get a sweet kiss.”

“Hey, Physician! Did you secretly hide a Hebrew’s daughter in your tent? I can’t imagine how you managed to avoid the captain and Mage Xueye’s notice. Or maybe I should ask: ‘How did you get that girl to eat? We’ve hardly been out of each other’s sight for too long!’” a soldier assisting the physician retorted.

Picking up their pace a little, Shaoke and the others finally reached the camp under the towering flames, allowing them to rest in their tents. Shaoke felt extremely exhausted. Although he had experienced many long journeys, one couldn’t expect a mage’s stamina to match that of warriors.

Mage Yija and Mage Kiya were in even worse shape, having long lost the passion and energy they started with. They now relied on branches to support themselves as they walked. Despite the captain offering several times to have soldiers assist them, the mages’ pride led them to refuse this well-intentioned help. Their arrogance repeatedly slowed the group’s progress, causing significant delays.

When everyone felt the warmth of the bonfires, Shaoke noticed that the soldiers left behind, including the Elder Physician, were all gathered around the fires, waiting for their return. Though no beauties came to greet them, the soldiers, as the young physician had said, proudly straightened their chests laden with prey and accepted their companions’ cheers like heroes.

The abundant prey was taken over by others. When the remaining soldiers noticed the injured comrade, the cheers gradually died down. One soldier who had enlisted less than a year ago even began to sob quietly, which annoyed the captain. Nevertheless, he responsibly explained the injured soldier’s condition.

“Soldiers, hurry and prepare a delicious meal for us! We’ve fought two battles today. Bring a large barrel of rum to help everyone relieve their fatigue. Also, prepare dinner for the mages first—they’re even more exhausted. Oh, and this poor Gore doesn’t count. Just cook him some meat porridge. He’s the unlucky one who was hit by a snow deer after it pierced a tree as thick as a man and shattered his shield! Who told him not to lie quietly in the soft snow to observe those beautiful patterns?”

“No… Captain, I… I just wanted to observe for everyone… to see if those beautiful… snow deer would leap over us. And… I also…” However, under the captain’s signal, the poor injured soldier was carried away by nearby soldiers to the physician’s tent, hoping the physician would quiet the unfortunate lad, as he needed rest.

Seeing that everything had settled, Shaoke bid farewell to the captain on behalf of his two companions, as the mages were exhausted and needed to return to their tents to rest properly.

The captain, aware of their condition, had already instructed the soldiers to bring them hot water mixed with a fatigue-relieving powder developed by the physicians, to alleviate the mages’ exhaustion as much as possible, especially for Mage Yija and Mage Kiya.

Shaoke soaked his feet in a wooden basin, almost moaning with pleasure. The only thing that dissatisfied him was the lack of a maid—a pretty maid to wash his feet for him. However, Shaoke had long decided that after advancing to the mage rank, he would definitely buy a beautiful maid specifically to wash his feet. Ideally, like in his previous life, she could give him a foot massage. Hmm! He remembered that the Mage Guild seemed to train maids specifically for mages’ use. He just didn’t know the price and hoped it wouldn’t be too expensive.

Sometimes, Shaoke felt he had fallen into decadence. After becoming a mage, he occasionally felt superior to others. However, whenever such thoughts arose, he always reminded himself, “You haven’t become a true mage yet! How can you think like this? Even after becoming a true mage, you’ll only be a Second Rank mage, just stepping into the hall of magic. Who knows, you might be taken down by a higher-ranked mage or warrior someday? Be careful, don’t get arrogant.”

As soon as Mage Kiya and Mage Yija entered the tent, they collapsed onto their beds without regard for their image, occasionally rubbing their waists, legs, and feet, and letting out sounds of pain from time to time.

Mage Yija was in even worse shape. He lay down on the bed, not wanting to move at all. However, after lying still for a while, he struggled to sit up straight, supported by the noble spirit of a mage, because he didn’t want the soldiers bringing water to see him disregarding his image and manners, even though he was so exhausted he could barely move.

When the soldiers brought the hot water for foot soaking, the mages soaked their feet while complaining intermittently.

“Oh, heavens! Perhaps I shouldn’t have acted on impulse back then and let the academy recommend me to such a place. Ouch! So painful. Maybe I should have joined the Mage Guild instead of becoming such a bedraggled military mage. Goodness, it’s so tiring—much more exhausting than when I’m doing experiments. Mage Yija, I think my feet have lost all sensation. Maybe they’re swollen!” Mage Kiya complained with a grimace, occasionally trying to bend over to rub his numb feet. However, after several attempts, he wisely realized that his sore waist repeatedly resisted his commands until he gave up the action. Mage Kiya had to first massage the nearly rebellious part, hoping it would function normally again.

Mage Yija didn’t quite agree with his companion’s perspective. Although he was physically weaker than Mage Kiya, he struggled to sit up straight, rubbing his feet together like Shaoke to improve blood circulation. His hands also continuously massaged his aching legs and waist.

“Mage Kiya, I think the Mage Guild offers much better conditions than the military, but if we stay in the military, we can more easily obtain advanced spells, right? And the cost is much lower. Don’t forget, every time we successfully advance, we get a few free spells to learn! I remember the Mage Guild doesn’t offer such benefits.”

“But I still think the Mage Guild might be better. After my service here ends, I’ll definitely leave the military and join the Mage Guild.” Mage Kiya fiercely thumped his aching thigh, as if to emphasize his decision. “Mage Yija, let’s go together then. It’ll be good to have someone to rely on there.”

“No, Mage Kiya, I don’t agree with your decision. My parents both hope I can develop in the military—after all, they’re both soldiers. Moreover, I believe that after learning magic, we should use this powerful force to help ordinary people to the best of our ability, just like what we’re doing now. What do you think, Mage Xueye?” Seeing Shaoke listening attentively, Mage Yija sought his support.

“Damn it, I forgot your parents are soldiers too, Mage Yija. Sorry.” Mage Kiya was displeased that he had forgotten his companion’s parents’ identities. For mages, this was almost impossible, as mages had the best memories, which only improved over time. This situation made him unconsciously blame Shaoke for the morning’s incident and begin to challenge him.

“Mage Xueye, do you plan to join the Mage Guild after your service ends? I remember Mage Feiyi mentioned that your service period is also five years. In that case, you won’t be assigned to clerical duties like my two senior brothers. Maybe they’ll send you to the front lines to fight those brutal soldiers, and you’ll have to constantly watch out for sudden arrows!” Mage Kiya stared intently into Shaoke’s eyes, hoping to detect even a hint of panic.

At this moment, Shaoke felt even more dissatisfied and disappointed with Mage Kiya. He hadn’t expected the once polite mage from two days ago to become like this. Did you think you could adapt to this environment in such a short time? Hah! Regret it with that mindset! Your carelessness will bring unnecessary harm to you and your companions—of course, that’ll happen when you act alone.