"This is the best place you can find?"
Asda turned around slowly and paced back and forth as he sized up the entire study.
"Of course, welcome to Star Lake Castle."
Thales walked to the window and looked at the Lake of Stars under the moonlight. He spread his arms in a bold and imposing manner, looking like an overlord.
"A fortress that belongs solely to me. Secretive, tranquil, remote, safe —"
Before Thales could finish speaking, a strange sound came from the ceiling. It was a creaking sound, a clanging sound, and a rumbling sound that traveled from one end to the other.
Asda glanced at the ceiling expressionlessly.
This made the Duke of Star Lake feel a little embarrassed.
"It perfectly meets the requirements in your last letter. It's the best place for us to meet." Thales regained his composure and calmness. His voice rose above the strange sound of the ceiling. "Not only is it far from Renaissance Palace, it also comes with natural scenery …"
Before he could finish his words, he heard a loud crash above his head.
Sha –
A cloud of dust fell from the cracks in the ceiling and covered Thales' head and face, who was pretending to be confident.
Asda, on the other hand, was still at ease. He stood with his hands behind his back, untainted by even a speck of dust. Before the dust and gravel could land on him, they were blocked by a transparent barrier.
"Alright, it's just a small fly in the ointment." Thales' calmness disappeared. Covered in dirt, he coughed and patted off the dust in a disheveled manner. "But don't worry, we've already sent people to the nearby villages and towns to buy cat and rat poison. Plan B is to go to Eternal Star City and hire a professional rat catcher. Without tearing down the roof …"
The Air Mystic ignored him and turned to look at his surroundings.
The furnishings in the study were old and faded. Occasionally, there were cobwebs and moths in the corners. A wooden window that was open to the outside was faintly moaning in the wind, as if it was about to fall.
Thales patted the top of his head until it returned to its original color. He walked to the desk and sat down calmly.
"Everything is in order, everything is under control —"
Crack!
Before he could finish, the chair he was sitting on made a crisp sound.
Thales became shorter and slanted to the side. The teenager had no choice but to grab onto the table in a flustered yet skillful manner to prevent himself from slipping.
"Damn it, the carpenters in the field just came to fix it the day before yesterday …"
The prince swore angrily.
Asda squinted at him and said nothing.
"Okay, okay, I know."
Thales gave up on defending himself and sighed heavily.
"The Star Lake Castle has just started, and the conditions are limited, but don't worry …"
He reached out and grabbed the sky-blue invitation on the table. He folded it back and forth in a practiced manner. Then, he bent down and stuffed it under the collapsed leg of the chair.
"Our momentum is good, and we have a lot of room for development."
Thales twisted his buttocks to make sure that the chair was stable. Only then did he stand up and sit properly. However, he was shocked to find that the Air Mystic was already 'sitting' in front of the study table. His gaze was dark and calm.
"I won't invite you to sit down, anyway …"
The Duke of Star Lake pouted sourly, feeling helpless and envious.
"You brought your own chair."
But Asda did not respond to his joke.
The Mystic gently pointed at the window, and the mountain wind, which had been making rattling noises, immediately stopped.
Asda's tone was gentle and his voice was pleasant. "You're different."
"What?"
Asda's tone was cold, and the mysterious blue light in his eyes seemed to have some power.
"I mean, you're different."
Thales sneered.
"Yes, I've grown up."
The corners of Thales' lips curled up. He leaned back and crossed his arms.
"By the way, after returning to the country, you're probably the twentieth person to say this to me. Unfortunately, only the top nineteen get a prize."
Asda did not move. Only his eyes looked straight into Thales' eyes.
"No."
The Air Mystic's voice was mechanical and hollow.
"Child, you are far from being as relaxed and relaxed as you appear on the surface.
"On the contrary, at this very moment, you are impetuous, confused, and uneasy.
"Troubled by a fog that I can't see clearly."
Thales subconsciously stopped smiling.
Impetuous, confused, and uneasy.
His pocket, which contained the Covenant Ring, suddenly felt heavy.
"The place where you've become different is in the depths."
The Mystic was still staring at Thales. A strange blue light overflowed from his pupils and filled his entire eye sockets.
"Deeper.
"The deepest."
At that moment, Thales subconsciously tensed up. He had the illusion that his soul was being peeped at.
The Sin of Hell's River surged uneasily.
"God."
"What?" Thales was stunned.
"When you hear this word," the Mystic said coldly, "what do you think of?"
Thales came to his senses. This was the 'training' they did in Dragon Clouds City.
"But …
"Answer me, now!"
Asda's attitude was uncharacteristically strict, almost like a command.
"God?"
'Damn it.
We haven't seen each other for a long time. We should at least exchange some pleasantries, but we're already taking a test in class? '
Seeing that the Mystic was insistent, Thales could only sigh and answer the question.
"Indistinct, illusory," the teenager lazily muttered the words' God '. He racked his brain and said whatever came to his mind. "Indistinct, distant …"
But as he spoke, Thales felt a little strange.
"It seems to be there, but it isn't. The future of Tathagata is real, but it can't be that the coming has already come …"
Thales frowned. 'Strange, I used to describe these things …'
But Asda did not allow him to think too much.
"The world."
The Air Mystic spoke quickly, and his words were unprecedentedly heavy. He seemed to be urging Thales.
"The world, what will you think of first? Quickly! "
Thales' expression became solemn.
"Everything, everything, accommodate, contain, fill." The words popped up from the bottom of Thales' heart, making him even more puzzled. "Extend, remake, continue, all kinds of things, everywhere …"
'Damn it, why can't I say a complete sentence in such a short time?
'Why are all these disjointed words appearing in my mind?'
Thales wanted to continue, but Asda raised his finger gently.
"Stop."
Thales asked in surprise, "Mister Sakern, what happened? I think …"
The Mystic raised his head. His eyes shone like blue lightning.
"You're indeed different."
Thales' heart sank.
Asda stared at him solemnly.
"A few months ago, a Mystic tried to knock on the Door," the Air Mystic said in a deep voice. "But it was different from the time you were in Dragon Clouds City.
"This time … it was very cautious."
'A few months ago, knocking on the Door …'
Thales' heart tightened.
"Cautious?"
The Mystic nodded.
"It was like standing in front of the door, touching the door with a finger, and withdrawing it before knocking even once.
"It was more like a test."
The scene in the Prison of Bones appeared before his eyes. Thales gulped.
Asda stared outside the window. His gaze was unfocused.
"It even made me think that it was an illusion for a while."
But he immediately turned his head and looked at Thales, who was still feeling uneasy.
"At first, I didn't think it was you, because only a complete Mystic can have that kind of control. But now, after I saw you again …"
Asda repeated his conclusion solemnly.
"You're different, aren't you?"
Thales could only sigh deeply, feeling as if he was exposed for doing something bad.
"Yes."
Asda was expressionless.
"I warned you before, it's very dangerous to show mystic energy in front of others."
Thales nodded helplessly.
"I ran into trouble. I had no choice, so I tried, but I found that I kept evolving and could not stop …
"Reckless."
Thales was a little unhappy, but he persisted.
"At first, I was close to knocking on the Door, but thanks to …"
He stopped talking and thought of the Mystic at the Critical Realm.
[I am your earliest senior.]
"The worst role model.
"The worst future."
Asda's words seemed to come from afar.
"Thanks to what?"
Thales returned to his sight, but what appeared in his mind was another Mystic's reminder.
"Be careful of Asda."
Thales gulped and forced a smile.
"It's all thanks to you, Mister Sakern."
A blue light flashed in Asda's eyes.
"Those questions of yours — Gods, the world, they suddenly appeared," Thales said cautiously. "With each question, I became a little more clear-headed, and in the end … I came back."
The Mystic was silent for a while.
"That's it? Nothing else? "
"Maybe." Thales recalled the technique he used when facing the Black Prophet and tried not to lie. "But, like a dream, everything is vague and hazy. After I wake up, I don't remember."
Asda was silent for a long time.
"Matter, observation, chaos, purity," the Mystic said faintly. "Your progress is much faster than I expected.
"Matter, observation … Mind saying more?"
But Asda only raised his finger slightly.
The air around him became fresh and cold. It went straight into his lungs, causing Thales to shiver and become much more clear-headed.
'What's going on?'
"Get rid of all distracting thoughts."
Asda said solemnly.
"Now, every time I say a word, you have to answer with another word — the one you think of first. Do not hesitate, do not hesitate, answer with your instincts."
Thales could only nod while shivering.
"Sun?" Asda asked.
"Shatter," Thales quickly answered.
'Wait, destruction?'
Thales came to his senses and frowned.
'How could it be this?'
If he was given a few more seconds, he would definitely answer something else, such as heat, endless, light, eternity, and so on.
'But … shatter?
"Starry sky?
"Touch.
"Time?
"Destruction.
"Fog.
"Call.
"End?
"Pause.
"Death?
"Oblivion.
"Sky?
"Imprisonment.
"Power?"
At that moment, Thales opened his mouth to speak, but his mind went blank.
'Power? What should power be connected to?
Why didn't he think of it? '
He gritted his teeth and dug out a relevant term from his memory, "Power of Eradication."
Asda lowered his finger.
The air around them became warm again.
"The last one doesn't count," the Air Mystic said faintly. "You hesitated."
Thales was silent.
He did not need to ask to know that these answers were not quite right.
"What is this?"
"Primordial Question — this is the name Taurus gave it later. It was also the test he first designed."
Asda did not hide anything and answered straightforwardly, "People first discovered the abnormalities of Mystics not through their abilities, but through their thoughts and knowledge."
Hearing the familiar name, Thales rolled his eyes. "Who is Taurus?"
"A senior." Asda did not want to say more.
"Because of the Mystic Ability First Covenant, I cannot delve into your mystic ability. I can only use a series of the most primitive images to explore your understanding of external objects and identify the stage of your mystic ability advancement. It is like using a needle to prick the skin and bring out the blood. I obtain a diagnosis with the least amount of damage and cost."
Primordial Question.
Thales probed.
"So what is your diagnosis? Am I still alive and well, eating and drinking well? Or am I in the late stages of my illness and am preparing for my funeral? "
The Air Mystic shook his head.
"I do not know. Obviously, you have already come into contact with mystic ability when you 'lost control'. That is why your answer changed. This is proof that you have reached the 'Thing' stage. We usually call it 'Contactee'. "
'But the problem is, in history, there has never been a case of someone coming into contact with mystic ability after knocking on the Door.'
Asda thought silently.
'Just like a beginner without any foundation, only after completing a series of complicated and advanced calculations, he learned that "one plus one equals two".'
'Contactee.'
Thales ruminated on this word. At the same time, he compared it with the knowledge he heard when he knocked on the Door. To be precise, it was from the kind senior named Taurus, whose face he could not see clearly.
Asda continued, "But you are very lucky.
"But you're very lucky. You lost control and evolved at the 'Thing' stage, but you were able to return in time from the critical point of knocking on the Door … In history, half of those who came into contact with the Door intentionally or unintentionally became idiots, lunatics, or even monsters."
Thales frowned.
'Idiots, lunatics, monsters?'
"What about the other half?"
Asda shook his head.
"I do not know. They disappeared."
'Disappeared.'
Thales felt a chill in his heart.
"Then, under what circumstances do I need to worry? When one day, I answer every primitive question with 'f * ck you'? "
Asda turned around and glanced at Thales.
His glance was very strange, even … unfamiliar.
"When I am completely unable to understand or even hear your answer," the Mystic said faintly.
'Unable to understand or hear.'
Thales was puzzled.
"I don't understand?"
Asda nodded.
"That's it."
Thales became even more puzzled. "What?"
But in the next second, the Mystic changed the topic. His tone was cold.
"And, that's right. If someone really dares to answer me with vulgarities, you should really be worried — worried about my temper."
Thales shrank his head.
"Then, I am already a so-called 'Contactee'. What should I do next?"
"I do not know."
"Oh, you do not know … what?" Thales widened his eyes.
Asda shook his head. "Based on the examples I know, from this step onwards, the Contactee of mystic energy must learn to observe step by step while he meticulously prepares to lose control of mystic energy. He must resist the temptation and impulse of blindly evolving. Only then can he reach the level of 'observation' and become an Epiphany."
'Wait, wait, wait. There are too many unfamiliar terms. I need to find a notebook …'
But just as Thales reached for the pen, a breeze blew the pen and paper off the table.
Thales raised his head gloomily and looked at the indifferent Asda.
'Alright, I can't leave a record.'
"As for the Epiphany, they must carefully and restrain themselves from trying to evolve. During the evolution, they will see themselves clearly, search for a specific threshold, and enter the state of 'chaos'. We call them Fused.
"The Fused will take the last dangerous step. They will reach out and knock on the Door for the first time, break through the threshold, and completely integrate into their original state, which is the level of 'purity'," the Air Mystic said softly. "If they succeed, they can find and define their own name of origin, which is the Mystic."
At this point, Asda paused for a moment.
"But …"
Thales came to his senses and said in a daze, "But I have already lost control, evolved, and even knocked on the Door. So, what does this count as?"
"Exactly."
Asda nodded. "So, normal standards cannot define your stage and level. They are not applicable."
"Then, what should we do?"
"It doesn't matter," the Mystic said faintly. "Although Mystics who do not take the normal path are rare, there are still a few."
'Hmm, one, or two?'
When he heard that he could still be saved, Thales' spirits rose.
"Is that so, can we refer to them?"
"No."
"What? Why? "
"What is the First Pact of Mystic Energy?"
"Uh, learn from each other?"
"Say it again?" The air around them froze, making it difficult to breathe.
"N-not delving into each other's affairs!"
"Very well." The air flow returned to normal.
"So, if you don't know what to do next, then what use do I have for you?
"Say it again?
"I mean, respected Mister Sakern, may I know how you intend to explore the unknown and guide me step by step?"
Asda was silent.
He looked at the moonlight outside the window.
"I don't know. But we can explore together.
"So, Thales, let me ask you again. Are you willing to let go of worldly restraints and come with me?"
The Mystic said faintly. "The path of mystic energy is extremely arduous and dangerous. We need to explore the unknown with more freedom and efficiency."
'F * ck.
Here it goes again. '
Thales immediately became vigilant, preventing himself from flying out of the castle again — just like in Dragon Clouds City.
But fortunately, Asda was no longer so violent when communicating with him. He no longer dragged him out to be a human kite at the slightest disagreement.
"But we talked about this seven years ago, and you agreed," Thales said sternly. "If Mystics do not want to be hated by the world and be beaten by everyone, and do not want to be called a 'calamity', then we have to use another method …
"The crown in my left hand, and mystic energy in my right."
Asda's words were concise, and he summarized his explanation in one sentence.
"I can somewhat understand your commendable but childish ideals. I also more or less understand your naivety in wanting to have the best of both worlds, or your reluctance to leave when you are in a high position, and your greed for power."
Thales could not help but raise his eyebrows.
"But you think this way, child, because you still do not understand mystic energy."
"That is also because you have always been secretive and unwilling to reveal everything," Thales immediately retorted.
Asda was silent for a while before he changed the topic.
"Then why don't you think about it from another angle? On this trip back, since you knocked on the Door, did anyone find anything wrong with it, or even suspect your identity?"
'If anyone found anything wrong with it, and suspected my identity …'
Thales shuddered.
A few faces floated in his mind.
Quick Rope.
The former prisoners of the Royal Guards, led by Barney Junior.
And … Zakriel.
Thales looked into Asda's eyes, forced a smile, and told the truth.
"Yes."
The Air Mystic stared at him quietly. In Thales' eyes, the occasional flash of blue light in the Air Mystic's eyes was filled with "I knew it".
"Give me their names and information.
I will help you wrap up. "
'Wrap up.'
Thales' heart skipped a beat. The image of Quick Rope being made into a human meatball appeared in his mind.
"Thank you, but I have already taken care of it."
The prince pretended to be calm.
"It is a pity, but also very unfortunate. Those who know my secret …"
Thales could not help but imagine Shadow Shield's Stake's expression. A sinister smile appeared on his face.
"They will never be able to tell anyone else."
This time, Asda did not answer immediately. Instead, he stared at him for a very, very long time.
It was so long that Thales felt goosebumps.
Fortunately, the Mystic finally spoke, but his tone changed.
"Very well, you escaped this time. But what about next time?"
Thales tensed up.
Asda said coldly, "Why do you think I disappeared all these years, and only came to you in the sixth year?"
'Lazy? Coward? Delay? Forget? Death Thread Awakening? '
Thales buried these speculations deep in his heart and put on a humble and eager face.
Asda's pleasant voice suddenly became tense.
"Seven years ago, an unfamiliar rookie Mystic knocked on the Door blindly in the middle of the night. Also seven years ago, Giza appeared in Dragon Clouds City and fought against the Great Dragon who descended from the sky. Do you really think that no one will connect the dots? "
Thales frowned.
"Such as … the Two Empresses?"
"They are just one of them." Asda's tone was worrisome. "And in the past seven years, they have visited Dragon Clouds City countless times."
Thales held his breath.
"During these seven years, I had to put in a lot of effort and use every method I could think of to make them look away from you. Fortunately, you are very special. Fortunately, all the Mystics believe that the person who knocks on the Door definitely has a name of origin, and a brat definitely doesn't have this ability."
Thales' heart sank.
"Fortunately."
The Air Mystic's attitude softened.
"That was not the only thing that happened in the world that night."
Thales looked up.
"What do you mean?"
The Mystic shook his head. "Swampy Land, the Sea of Eradication, the Great Desert, Sunset Forest, Rayerden, Qilin City … That night, many places were not peaceful. Dragon Clouds City and Giza were just two of the suspected targets."
Thales was puzzled. "What?"
Asda nodded.
"That's right. So sometimes I even suspect that you were not the only Mystic who appeared that day."
'Not the only one …'
Thales was deep in thought.
Asda snorted coldly.
"Of course, if there really is one, I hope he is not like you, stubborn and reckless."
Thales could only show a polite smile.
"But you are now back in Eternal Star City." Asda spoke faster and faster, making people's hearts race. "This is the center of politics that attracts the attention of the world, and you are the heir to the kingdom. Every move you make will attract attention. If you have another accident here, whether it is evolving or knocking on the Door, if you attract unnecessary attention …"
'Unnecessary attention.'
Thales recalled the scene at the royal banquet and could not help but clench his fists.
Asda warned, "Don't worry.
"For the sake of your safety, reconsider my suggestion. When that time comes, it will be too late for you to leave with me."
Thales was silent for a long time.
'For the sake of my safety.
'Safety …
'But.
'But …'
Thales remembered the covenant he made with the king in Ballard Room and could not help but clench his teeth.
Asda quietly waited for his response.
After a few seconds, Thales took a deep breath and looked up at his guide.
"Thank you for the reminder. I admit that it may be safer and more convenient for a beginner to go with you. "Thales paused." But I still have a question. "
Asda nodded. "Very well, at least we have a pretty good consensus —
"Who is Freuland?"
The Air Mystic's words came to a halt.
'Freuland.'
Thales stared at him.
But Asda did not react.
He was expressionless and did not move.
But Thales knew that a Mystic's reaction could not be measured with common sense.
"Or I should change the question." Thales leaned against the desk and narrowed his eyes. "You and the Sensory Mystic, or should I say the former Queen Fiosa, why and how did you work together?"
The silence lasted for a long time.
The blue light in Asda's eyes flickered back and forth.
Thales was unmoved. He gradually increased the stakes.
"And how did the former Three Disasters Alliance infiltrate Constellation's court and bewitch the former king?"
Asda still did not say a word.
Until the next question.
"Just for a legendary anti-mystic equipment that could threaten the Two Empresses?"
At that moment, Asda's eyes shone with a dazzling blue light!
Thales had to raise his hand to block it.
A few seconds later, the blue light dimmed.
"You."
Like a statue, Asda regained his vitality.
"Where did you hear that name?"
'Damn it.'
Thales put down his arm and exhaled.
"Don't forget, I'm not just your student. I'm also a Jadestar. I have the crown in my left hand and mystic energy in my right." The prince shrugged and spread his arms. "I'm in such a high position, but it's not just because I'm reluctant to leave and greedy for power."
Thales' smile froze.
"Mister Sakern?"
The blue light in Asda's eyes flowed rapidly.
"It's been a while. You've learned a lot of new things."
Thales curled his lips.
"Not as much as you've hidden from me, Mister Sakern."
The atmosphere in Jackal's study room suddenly became tense.
The Duke of Star Lake and the Mystic looked at each other in silence.
But Thales was not afraid.
In Ballard Room, after experiencing the difficult game with the Iron Hand King, Thales felt that he had grown.
At least, he was getting better at seizing the initiative and leading the situation.
Even when facing a Mystic.
This was the true meaning of having the crown in his left hand and mystic energy in his right hand.
The Sin of Hell's River surged and flowed through his body in agreement.
But the teenager's gratification only lasted for three seconds.
"No."
Asda snorted coldly.
"If you really learned of this name from someone in a 'high position', Thales, why do you need to ask me?
It's precisely because you know nothing that you're here to sound me out and try to learn more. "
Thales' expression froze.
The Air Mystic curled his lips and mocked.
"From this, it can be seen that you can't touch the crown with your left hand, and you can't use mystic energy with your right hand …
"You can't do anything with either hand."
He said bluntly.
"A prince who has lost his power without mystic energy."
In the old and dilapidated study room, Thales sat on a broken chair with a corner missing. He was silent.
Actually, he did not have to be so harsh.
A few seconds later, Thales sighed.
"Alright, you're right."
But the teenager's expression changed.
"But at least, you should know why I'm not willing to go with you, right?"
The Mystic fell silent again.
"You're rebelling.
I'm not telling you precisely because you're not willing to go with me. "
Asda opened his mouth again. There was a hint of difficulty in his words. "If … I can teach you all these things from the past."
Thales smiled. He shook his head and leaned back (the wobbling chair let out a painful groan).
"So, you won't tell me the answer, will you?"
"No."
"Can I ask why —"
"No."
"But —"
"No."
"At least —"
"No."
Asda rejected Thales' questions one after another. He raised his head and did not waver.
"No matter what the reason is, if you're not willing to give up your worldly ties, I won't tell you more about Mystics."
Thales immediately felt bored.
But at least, he achieved his goal.
Freuland's news had diverted his attention. The Mystic no longer insisted on taking him with him.
"But you know, child, you always have that choice."
The Mystic leaned forward. His words were bewitching.
"I'll always be here, with an open embrace.
Forever. "
As he listened to this familiar tone, Thales snickered.
He suddenly thought of Quick Rope and Asda. Could they be a pair of golden salesmen? The former would deliver a carrot with flowery words, while the latter would wield a stick with a ferocious expression?
"Alright, then let's each take a step back." Thales proposed a solution and set the tone for this conversation that was heading towards an unpleasant one. "I won't ask you who Freuland is, and don't force me to go with you."
Asda did not speak.
But based on Thales' understanding of him, a certain someone was obviously not very satisfied.
Thales snorted and stood up.
"By the way, speaking of this, I still have something to ask you …"
Thales walked straight to the window before turning around to look at the Mystic.
Asda snorted softly.
Under the moonlight, the prince smiled faintly and raised his hand gently.
* Thud! *
The chair behind the desk suddenly trembled, and a corner bent.
But Asda did not pay attention to the chair.
At some point in time, he had already stood up.
The Mystic's glowing blue eyes were fixed on Thales' hand. Between the teenager's fingers was a folded sky-blue cardboard ball.
Thales smiled and waved his hand at the Mystic.
In the next second, the blue light in Asda's eyes suddenly intensified!
Thales only felt a light breeze. He could not hold the paper ball anymore, and it flew out of his hand!
The sky-blue piece of paper flew over as if it had a life of its own and stopped in front of Asda.
It unfolded in the air, flattened out, and resumed the appearance of an invitation card, revealing the beautiful writing on it.
[Turn around]
"This is …"
Asda's eyes were obscured by the blue light. It was as if he could see through the invitation card in front of him and look at the air.
"No change, no trajectory, no momentum, not even …"
His words were emotionless, but they were filled with a strange echo.
Thales revealed a mysterious smile.
He bowed and spread his arms, as if he was thanking someone after a performance.
The crumpled invitation card floated to the ground.
The Mystic turned his head and stared at Thales' right hand.
"Again."
There was an unusual fluctuation in Asda's words.
"Whatever it is, do it again. Now."
The blue light in his eyes no longer flowed, and it was always bright.
"Of course, of course, I will." In the face of Asda's rare eagerness, the teenager was a little overwhelmed. "But before that …"
The Duke of Star Lake crossed his arms and smiled coldly.
"Who is Freuland?"
Thank you for your support, I have been working hard on my writing!
(End of this chapter)
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