Chapter 148 No Desire to Look Up, Only Pride

"Hello there, Mage, may I speak with you?" Just as Shaoke was enjoying the female attendant's massage, a somewhat hoarse voice disturbed his rest and enjoyment.

Shaoke realized the voice came from behind him. He tilted his head back slightly but caught only a glimpse of a black robe. He quickly pulled the somewhat startled attendant into his arms and whispered, "What's the matter?" After speaking, he moved a short distance with her to where he had placed his clothes.

The mage standing on the edge above the pool paused briefly, then continued in the same flat tone as before, "May I exchange attendants with you? I'm sure you'd be happy to, since a Fourth Tier Mage's attendant is considered much better than yours." Having said this, the mage remained in place, quietly awaiting Shaoke's response.

"Mage Xueye," the attendant tightly curled up in Shaoke's arms, whispering in panic, "I want to stay with you. I'll serve you well." As she spoke, she noticed Shaoke frowning and glaring at her. She quickly buried her face in the crook of his neck, biting her lip and trembling uneasily. She did not want the mage she served to give her away in an exchange.

"According to the rules here, mages below the Seventh Rank have no right to command one another," Shaoke stated quickly. He added, "Moreover, this place does not allow High-rank Mages to bully Low-rank Mages." As he spoke, he tapped his temple and said softly, "I never liked anyone standing above me. Yes, I never liked anyone standing above me while talking to me."

"Is that so?" The Fourth Tier Mage, still in his original position, showed no change in tone. "We're just swapping attendants for a session. It's no loss for either of us." Here, the mage emphasized his words. "I don't think the rules here apply to a voluntary exchange."

As soon as the mage finished, he released a surge of mental energy to suppress Shaoke. Condensed into several thin threads, it continuously struck Shaoke's mental space. Fortunately, the attack was not at full force; otherwise, Shaoke's mental space would have been injured or even risked collapse.

Shaoke had not expected a mental attack here. Caught off guard, he felt a sharp pain in his head as his mental space began to violently shake.

Shoving the attendant away abruptly, he struggled to his feet through the pain and turned to glare at the mage who had attacked him. Snatching up the staff beside him, he instantly cast the Third Rank spell, Death Gaze.

The mage never expected a spell under such circumstances, least of all a confinement-type spell, among the most difficult special spells to master. Thus, under Shaoke's costly confinement, he stood dumbfounded, unable to move, and his mental attack ceased.

After confining the Fourth Tier Mage, Shaoke raised his staff, placed its tip against the mage's neck, and stared calmly at him.

The conflict quickly drew the attention of the other mages resting there, but none intervened. They watched with keen interest.

"If you release your mental energy again, this staff will easily pierce your throat," Shaoke said, noticing the mage resisting his confinement with mental energy and mana. To maintain it, Shaoke had to increase his output. Fortunately, the silver light within his space quickly stabilized the turbulence from the excessive output, preventing a break.

After a brief struggle, the Fourth Tier Mage withdrew his mental energy and mana, signaling compromise. "I never expected you to have learned such a spell," he said with a bitter smile as Shaoke released the confinement. He gently twirled his staff. "I believe we can still talk." He then crouched down, leveling his gaze with Shaoke's.

Seeing the compromise, Shaoke secretly sighed in relief. He placed his staff aside, waved over the panicked attendant, pulled her into his arms, and leaned back, waiting quietly.

"Alright! I admit your attendant is quite beautiful. I merely wanted to exchange," the mage said, mimicking Shaoke by placing his staff down. He shrugged and leered at the attendant in Shaoke's arms, who was exposed from the waist up. "I didn't expect such a strong reaction."

Shaoke gently pressed the attendant lower, using the milky-white medicinal substance to cover her. "Is there anything else? I need to rest," he said, glancing at the mage once more. Suppressing his confusion, he urged him to leave.

"Oh heavens, I should have known," the mage said, covering his forehead with an exasperated expression. Shaoke felt he was talking to an ordinary person, not a mage. The mage continued, "I thought I could find a few sociable individuals among you newcomers. I was mistaken; I shouldn't have entertained such a ridiculous idea." Scratching his head, he took his staff, bid farewell, and left.

After the mage departed, Shaoke slid back into the pool, letting the medicinal substance immerse him. His mind replayed the events; he did not believe the mage came solely to exchange attendants.

The panic on the attendant's face faded, replaced by a sweet smile. Unaware of the specifics, she naively believed her mage cared for her. Thinking this, she redoubled her efforts, massaging Shaoke meticulously to repay his perceived concern.

As days passed, Shaoke felt his body recovering significantly. Though not yet his former self, he was no longer excessively emaciated—all per the attendant's observations. He never encountered that mage at the medicinal pool again, deepening his confusion. A nearby mage told him, "Those wishing to exchange attendants usually gather around the central pools."

After thanking him, Shaoke buried the incident, believing he would understand in time.

One day after eating, Shaoke noticed the attendant seemed distracted. "Is something the matter? You can tell me."

She hurriedly cleared the dishes, stood flushed, and said, "You will be leaving tomorrow." After a deep breath, she pleaded, "Next time you come, will you still let me serve you?"

Seeing her anxiety, Shaoke frowned. "Tomorrow? Oh! If you are willing, I'd be very pleased." He gestured for her to take the dishes away.

When she returned, Shaoke was at the writing desk, reading. The young attendant added firewood, tidied the bedding, then stood behind him, silently massaging.

After a while, feeling restless, Shaoke put down his book, leaned his head against her, and whispered, "I didn't expect it so soon. I wish I could stay longer." He then recalled Mage Roman crying that day. Shaking his head, he closed his eyes and fell silent.

"After I leave, can you still borrow books from there?" To dispel his restlessness, Shaoke found a topic. "Do you need any help?"

Hearing this, the attendant replied excitedly, "Thank you, Mage Xueye. If you write a document for me, I can go alone to borrow books." She added, "It just needs to prove I serve you now and will continue." She waited nervously, as this concerned her long-term work.

"Hmm," Shaoke acknowledged softly and wrote as requested, imprinting it with his Mental Imprint. When he handed it to her, she could not contain her excitement and gratitude. Forgetting her place, she kissed his head several times, then hurriedly apologized.

"Tell me, what happens if I refuse your service in the future?" Shaoke asked, curious at her expression. "If you wish to say."

She carefully folded the document into a small pouch at her waist. Following his request, she explained: attendants abandoned by their mages are sent home with only some money, receiving no protection.

"Mage Xueye, I don't want to return home now. I've grown accustomed to life here," she said, mustering courage. "Am I too greedy for comfort?"

"No, everyone has such thoughts," Shaoke comforted her, turning to face her. "Moreover, you haven't enjoyed much comfort here, and you've given your body as well." He stood, took a book, and lay on the bed.

"But life here is still much better than home. At least I can read many books here," she said proudly. "In my small town, I'm the only one who can write the script of the Blue Feather Empire, and I can even write in the common script!"