Chapter 193: Writing Practice and the Mad Officer

Days slipped by in a mundane yet somewhat blissful rhythm. On the third day after Mage Man had fully recovered, a soldier knocked on their door. "Mage Roman, a Third Tier Mage is waiting outside for you. He wishes to see you."

The sudden interruption caused Shaoke, who was immersed in practicing script, to make a mistake. The half-finished simple Ancient Magic Script failed. After a violent surge of mana, both the script and the paper burst into flames. This time, the writing desk also caught fire. Fortunately, Shaoke promptly cast a Frost Ray to extinguish the blaze, preventing damage to other items.

Mage Roman smiled silently, then responded to the soldier, telling him she would be right out. "Your writing speed is still too slow. If you can't improve it further, I doubt you'll ever be capable of uttering this magic script," she said. As she spoke, the female mage gently massaged Shaoke's head and offered her advice.

"I can actually speak some simple ancient magic scripts now," Shaoke retorted softly, wrapping his arms around the female mage's slender waist. This ability was the result of long, fearless practice despite spatial turbulence.

Upon hearing this, the female mage plucked out one of his hairs and once again urged him to refrain from speaking that language. After all, the meditation space of a Fourth Tier Mage couldn't sustain the mana and mental energy consumed by uttering such powerful magic scripts. Of course, Shaoke agreed once more, though both were aware of how things really stood. Yet, neither could persuade the other to follow their advice.

Shaoke didn't accompany Mage Roman to meet the guest, choosing instead to continue his studies. After he declined, the female mage simply reiterated her warning against speaking the magic scripts before leaving to meet the visitor.

Immersed in magical knowledge, Shaoke paid no attention to how long the female mage had been gone. However, judging by the replaced candles in the room, it was already late at night. After meticulously recording his reading notes in his spell record, Shaoke leaned back in his chair, stretched lazily, and performed a few light exercises in the room. Only then did he realize Mage Roman still hadn't returned. This discovery worried him. After all, he had been targeted for assassination merely for offending a viscount before. And this time... With that thought, he quickly donned his cloak, grabbed his staff, and prepared to go investigate.

Upon opening the door, a figure suddenly appearing before him startled Shaoke slightly. He soon recognized her as Mage Roman. Annoyed at his own lack of vigilance, he felt his alertness had been declining steadily the longer he was away from the Death Mage Corps—a sign he found troubling.

Then, the question of why the female mage was standing outside crossed his mind. "Mage Roman, what's wrong? Come in," Shaoke said. Hearing this, Mage Roman, who had been leaning against the opposite wall, nodded and followed him back into the room.

Her cheeks, which had regained some color not long ago, now looked pale again. Shaoke gently touched her face. "What happened? Can you tell me?" However, the female mage shook her head in refusal. "It's nothing. I just don't feel well, so..." With that, she collapsed onto the bed, looking up at the ceiling adorned with a crystal lamp, appearing utterly lonely.

Though aware she wasn't telling the whole truth, Shaoke didn't press further. He simply sat beside her, held her gently, and kissed her cheek. "I think a good night's rest will help. You've been working too hard on that empty stone bead these past few days."

The female mage nodded and smoothed her disheveled white hair. "It was Mage Roland who came to see me just now," she said, suddenly turning to look Shaoke in the eye. "He's jealous of your rapid promotion to Fourth Tier Mage, and I sense he's developed some resentment toward you." She sighed softly.

"He and I were never the same," Shaoke mused, recalling their acquaintance and subsequent separation due to duty. "It's not worth getting upset over. Actually, I..." Before he could finish, the female mage seized his neck and kissed him.

Since the conflict at the tavern, although Shaoke and the female mage still shared a room and slept in the same bed, they hadn't had any intimate contact. For him, accustomed to seeking female companionship after battles, this felt extremely uncomfortable. This time, the female mage's initiative quickly aroused Shaoke.

That night, not only was Shaoke excited, but Mage Roman was even more so. She repeatedly demanded him, taking the lead each time, riding him like a female knight. Of course, this came at a cost—at least a few previously unused positions were selectively tried by the male mage this time.

The spent candle finally burned out, leaving only the scattered light from the crystal lamp and the fireplace flames faintly illuminating the two entwined bodies on the bed. After the male mage hoarsely cried out the name "Moxier," the female mage's body tensed up. Following a violent tremor, her hands could no longer support her weight, and she collapsed onto the bed, allowing the male mage to continue thrusting behind her before finally collapsing on top of her.

"Xueye, I'm sorry," Mage Roman whispered after catching her breath, speaking to the male mage still lying on her back. "Will you stay with the Blizzard Legion in the future?" She gently shifted her body, prompting the man atop her to answer.

After a brief hesitation, Shaoke rolled off the female mage, cradled Mage Roman in his arms, and gently stroked her. "I don't know. Right now, I just want to advance to Fifth Tier Mage as soon as possible. Then I'll have the ability to fight mages of a higher tier, and then..." Before he could finish, Mage Roman covered his mouth with her small hand.

"Even an Eighth Tier Mage cannot command sufficient respect without the military's protection." Both mages were aware of this reality, though it was the female mage who voiced it today.

The post-passion caresses greatly pleased Mage Roman. To lessen the physical stimulation, she began discussing spell knowledge with Shaoke. Of course, Shaoke didn't refuse and was happy to engage in the conversation. Eventually, the female mage drifted to sleep from exhaustion. Shaoke, still holding her, entered meditation. Some of his nightly studies had been delayed by their intimacy, so he needed to catch up.

On another day, while Shaoke was preparing materials for crafting crystal paper according to a method described in a book, he sensed Mage Roman's familiar mental fluctuations. Along with her was another powerful mana fluctuation that felt somewhat familiar, though he couldn't place it immediately. Nevertheless, he stopped his work, sensing they were heading toward his room, and waited.

"Mage Xueye, this is Mage Yisier," Mage Roman announced cheerfully upon entering, introducing her new companion to Shaoke. After all, the female mages she knew were all busy daily, leaving no one to accompany her. The arrival of this familiar female mage naturally delighted her.

Looking at the familiar Fifth Tier Mage before him, Shaoke smiled, greeted her with proper etiquette. "Welcome, Mage Yisier." He then cast an inquiring glance at Mage Roman, hoping for a more detailed explanation.

Mage Roman didn't answer, but Fifth Tier Mage Yisier smiled and explained her reason for coming. Following the tavern incident, she had also been punished by the military. Not only was her subsidy withheld for a month, but she was also confined to her quarters for a full month. Fortunately, most mages didn't mind a solitary month, so Mage Yisier weathered the crisis without further loss.

However, at the request of the Blizzard Legion's Sleazy Officer, the military transferred her to serve in the Blizzard Legion. According to the officer: "We dispatched numerous Blizzard Warriors to rescue a female mage from potential ruin and abandoned our mission to uphold the military's prestige. Shouldn't you offer some small compensation?"

Of course, the officials receiving the sleazy officer knew his real purpose for visiting the tavern that day but didn't mention it. Reasoning with someone slightly unhinged wasn't something ordinary people could manage. As per usual practice, the sleazy officer not only brought this Fifth Tier female mage to the Blizzard Legion but also recruited dozens of young mages who had just advanced to Second Tier into the legion.

The tacit approval from the military's upper echelons ensured the sleazy officer reaped substantial rewards with each such venture.

After hearing Mage Yisier's account, Shaoke gave a wry smile. The three chatted for a while before the conversation turned to serious matters.

"Mage Xueye, we'll be leaving the capital soon," Mage Roman suddenly announced. Although Shaoke knew this was possible, he hadn't expected it so soon. Still, it didn't affect him much—aside from his repeated, unsuccessful attempts to find Mage Francis Walton.

"Do you have any unfinished business here? I think you can wrap it up today," Mage Roman added.

But Shaoke shook his head, indicating he was ready to depart anytime.

Hearing this, Mage Roman secretly sighed in relief. She then left with Mage Yisier, as they had many friends to bid farewell to. That night, the female mage didn't return until dawn, accompanied by Mage Yisier. She then curled up on Shaoke's lap and slowly fell asleep.