Chapter 187 Stubbornness Yields Results

At female mage Roman's request, Shao Ke did not refuse. However, his explanation for her didn't start until after dinner. After all, Mage Roman had not eaten for an entire day, and their recent vigorous activity had left both of them quite drained.

Shao Ke began explaining over the meal, as there was no need for them to adhere to the rigid etiquette observed by other mages. After Roman ate the last piece of pastry, the two embraced and settled down in front of the fireplace to start a new conversation.

Roman asked one spell-related question after another, and Shao Ke answered each one. Of course, this was all because Roman had devoted most of her energy to alchemy. Before they knew it, the magical clock on the wall showed it was past midnight, but neither had any intention of sleeping.

They only ended their discussion after Shao Ke hung the empty stone bead he had obtained long ago around the female mage's neck. However, Roman lightly bit Shao Ke in the end because his hands had once again grown restless on her body, roaming increasingly freely. "Let's rest properly. Continuing like this won't do any good for our magical studies."

Fighting off the pleasurable sensations coursing through her body, the female mage quickly left Shao Ke's embrace, put on her golden robe, and began to meditate. In the face of Roman's suggestion, Shao Ke had no choice but to give up the idea of another round. After all, she had a point, and he had no grounds to refuse.

At dawn, after completing their early morning meditation, the mages freshened up before leaving the tavern not far from the Blizzard military camp. Following the female mage's suggestion, the two took a stroll through the bustling imperial capital.

"Mage Xueye, what do you think of this?" Roman pointed to a garment hanging in the shop, paying no mind to the stares from those around her as she sought Shao Ke's opinion. Of course, drawing on past experience, Shao Ke repeatedly praised the female mage and suggested she try on one outfit after another. However, much to the shopkeeper's disappointment, these mages would not purchase a single piece of clothing from him, no matter how beautiful or fitting it was. After all, no mage would walk the streets in commoners' clothes—this was an ancient tradition among mages, and the robe marked their elevated status.

In the afternoon, shortly after the two had seated themselves in a large tavern, the clatter of hurried hoofbeats approached and came to a halt right outside the establishment.

The fifth-tier female mage who had previously advised Shao Ke, accompanied by several black-armored warriors, planted herself right in front of Shao Ke. "Mage Xueye, this is the military's appointment for you. I trust you won't refuse it this time." With that, she handed Shao Ke a pale blue scroll and sized up the Roman mage beside him. "Your companion is quite beautiful."

Unlike Shao Ke, who remained seated, Roman stood up, gave the female mage a courteous nod, and invited her to join them for some relaxation. The fifth-tier female mage chuckled softly and readily accepted the invitation. However, the black-armored warriors standing behind her were not qualified to sit with Shao Ke and the others, even if they held equal or higher rank.

The two female mages had far more to talk about than male mages usually did, at least in Shao Ke's opinion. However, he paid no attention to their conversation, instead focusing on carefully reading and verifying the authenticity of the order. Naturally, everything he saw left him thoroughly satisfied. The military had clearly stated on the document that Shao Ke would serve in the Blizzard 33rd Corps for the next few decades. However, during major reassignments within the main corps, he would still have to leave the 33rd Corps—a rule no mage could change.

Shortly after Shao Ke finished reading the appointment, Roman softly suggested they change locations. The fifth-tier female mage mentioned taking them to a large tavern in the center of the imperial capital, where many mages and nobles gathered to socialize.

Shao Ke had no desire to go there, but seeing the female mage's evident interest, he readily agreed. After hearing the other party's explanation, he hoped to encounter Francis Walton Mage there. Of course, he kept this thought to himself.

Based on past experience, Roman had expected Shao Ke to refuse. Surprised by his unexpected agreement, she was overjoyed. Having spent nearly a year confined to the laboratory, she hadn't visited the imperial capital's center for leisure in a long time. She wanted to take this opportunity to indulge in a day or two of fun, and the best place for that was the large tavern in the heart of the capital.

After all, it was where the most mages and other professionals in the entire imperial capital gathered.

Once the mages made their decision, they didn't delay for long. They quickly left the place, boarded a carriage, and headed for their destination. As for the black-armored cavalry, they departed on the orders of the fifth-tier female mage.

The three rode in a single carriage, with Roman leaning against Shao Ke. "Were those cavalrymen sent to accompany you to deliver the order?" In an effort to steer the conversation away from the endless chatter between the two female mages, Shao Ke quickly thought of a topic and brought it up. "Which corps do they belong to? Their strength is impressive—all fifth-rank warriors."

"The Black-armored Knights directly under the royal family," both mages answered simultaneously. However, the fifth-tier mage stopped her explanation there, leaving the opportunity to Roman, who was holding Shao Ke's arm. Roman nodded slightly to the other mage and continued, "They are only peripheral members of the Black-armored Knights. The minimum requirement to join them is to be a fifth-rank warrior, but they don't recruit mages. Instead, they accept other types of professionals."

Once a topic was opened, the three engaged in conversation to pass the time on the road. However, Shao Ke deliberately shifted some mundane topics to matters related to spells. The fifth-tier female mage hesitated only briefly before readily answering Shao Ke's questions. Of course, they only discussed relatively simple issues, as not every mage was willing to explain things to others.

It wasn't until nightfall that Shao Ke's carriage finally arrived at the tavern the female mages had mentioned, and this was only because the number of pedestrians on the road had decreased.

The tavern appeared enormous, with wooden structures that looked exquisitely crafted. Countless intricate patterns were carved on the doors, walls, and even the wooden steps. The entire tavern was composed of dozens of interconnected tall buildings, with passages linking each floor. Through the large glass windows, Shao Ke noticed that every floor was crowded with people.

Without lingering too long to observe, the two female mages reminded Shao Ke to follow them inside. After all, three mages standing at the tavern entrance admiring the decor would easily draw strange looks from the patrons coming and going.

A young maid and a handsome attendant quickly greeted them. After paying the mages due respect, they inquired which floor the mages wished to visit. Just as the fifth-tier mage was about to answer, Shao Ke spoke up first. "The top floor."

The male mage's cold reply made the attendant and maid slightly uncomfortable. Fortunately, they were well-trained. The attendant quickly led them upward as requested. However, upon reaching the stairs and noticing no other guests around, the attendant lowered his voice and said, "Honorable Mage, the top floor is quite expensive, and the service is only slightly better than the lower floors. I suggest..." Before the attendant could finish his suggestion, Shao Ke interrupted him in a calm tone.

"The top floor it is." Hearing the mage's request once more, the attendant had no choice but to nod and lead them upward. As for whether these mages could afford the bill, that was no longer a concern for a mere attendant like him.

The mages didn't take too long to ascend the dozen or so floors, especially since Shao Ke had declined the attendants' offer to carry them up on sedan chairs. Of course, this decision to walk was made with the agreement of both female mages. Despite the height, the clever design of the building meant they didn't exert much effort.

Upon reaching the top floor, the attendant exchanged a few words with a maid waiting there before quickly descending. Shao Ke and the others were then led into the hall by the maid.

The spacious floor could easily accommodate hundreds of people, and this was just one level. If combined with the other dozen or so interconnected floors, the number of guests it could hold was even greater.

Shao Ke's arrival drew the attention of some guests near the entrance. However, upon noticing that they were mages below the fifth tier, most lost interest and turned away. Of course, a few still kept an eye on Roman, especially since her golden robe bore the mark of an alchemist, even if it wasn't fully complete.

"I knew you'd choose the top floor," Roman said as the mages found a spot and settled down to enjoy the wine and pastries provided by the attendants. Roman initiated the toast, this time directed at the fifth-tier female mage.

After hearing Roman's words, the fifth-tier mage glanced at Shao Ke. She didn't understand why Shao Ke insisted on the top floor. As the attendant had mentioned, the top floor only offered slightly better service without any other special features, yet the cost was dozens of times higher than the lower floors. Of course, she was certain Shao Ke was unaware of these details.

After setting down their glasses, all three declined massages from the attendants or maids, as they were unaccustomed to such services.

"I don't like having anyone above me. I don't want to experience that feeling a second time," Shao Ke said, once again recalling the attack he had endured at Bloody Fortress. The image of mages floating in the air involuntarily surfaced in his mind. "I never want anyone standing above me again." Gripping his staff tightly, Shao Ke repeated the words.