CH123 - CH124

CH123

[Strength 8.0 (2.8) (2.3) (2.1), 

Agility 7.1 (1.7) (1.2) (2), 

Constitution 8.8 (3.4) (3.5), 

Mental Power 18.6]

"In summary, Strength 15.2, Agility 12, Constitution 15.7, Mental Power 18.6."

Helag calculated that if he applied all his enhancement spells, his physical stats would reach these numbers.

With such stats, he could easily overpower any third-level apprentice unless they had some special means.

After constructing these spell models, Helag returned to his routine of meditation, study, and work.

Half a month later.

Helag's rune stone lit up with a message from Larry: "Come over, I have something to discuss."

Helag quickly headed to Larry's place.

Seeing Helag, Larry began, "Today, I want to talk about your plans after becoming a formal wizard. Have you thought about what you'll do next?"

"Formal wizard? What do you mean by plans?" Helag asked.

Larry explained, "Will you stay in Moonlight Forest or leave?"

Helag understood. Once he became a formal wizard, his current contract would automatically expire, and he would need to sign a new one.

If he didn't sign a new contract with Moonlight Forest, he likely couldn't stay there.

Not staying in Moonlight Forest would mean losing many conveniences, like access to potion materials, casting materials, and other resources.

However, staying would require signing a new contract. 

The contract for formal wizards would be more binding and demanding than that for apprentices.

As a third-level apprentice, he already had to accept tasks assigned by Moonlight Forest.

As a formal wizard, signing a contract would bind him even more to Moonlight Forest, leading to many unavoidable obligations.

Helag valued his freedom and didn't want to be overly constrained or have his fate controlled by others.

He wasn't a renowned potion master like Larry, who could negotiate an equal employment contract with Moonlight Forest.

"What are the terms if I stay in Moonlight Forest?" Helag wanted to know the specifics.

Larry sipped his coffee and said, "A hundred years. You'd need to stay in Moonlight Forest for at least a hundred years."

"A hundred years?" Helag immediately lost interest in staying.

Larry nodded. "Many wizard organization's are like this. Formal wizards must serve the organization for a hundred to a hundred and fifty years before they can leave freely. The resources required for formal wizards are significant, and the organization invests a lot, so it's a fair exchange."

A hundred years was about a third of the lifespan of most first-level wizards, which wasn't very long.

For newly advanced formal wizards without any background, staying in Moonlight Forest was a reasonable choice, as they wouldn't have to worry about resources.

Typically, it took a long time for a first-level wizard to advance to the second level, and most never did.

Even powerful first-level wizards like Dino and Malcolm had only approached the threshold of the second level after many years of cultivation.

But for Helag, the situation was different. With Deep Blue, his advancement speed would be faster than ordinary wizards.

For normal wizards, learning and constructing spell models took a lot of time, but Deep Blue saved Helag that time.

Staying in Moonlight Forest for a hundred years could slow his cultivation.

More importantly, signing a contract meant his life and death would be in someone else's hands.

When he first entered Moonlight Forest, he didn't know this, but now that he did, he didn't want to sign such a contract again.

Fate should be in his own hands. 

"Larry, I don't think I'll stay in Moonlight Forest," Helag replied.

Larry nodded and said, "I figured. Moonlight Forest asked me to talk to you. If you choose to stay, they'll provide you with an Ancient Potion and an Amanda Potion for free."

"Free?"

"Yes, for ordinary apprentices, saving enough magic stones for an Ancient Potion takes a long time. Advancing to a formal wizard should be done as soon as possible, so Moonlight Forest's offer is very tempting for them."

"But for you, it's different. You have enough magic stones to buy them directly."

Larry smiled. He hadn't told Moonlight Forest much about Helag.

He was just working there and didn't have a close relationship with them.

Moonlight Forest's offer was almost irresistible for ordinary apprentices, especially those without a background.

An Ancient Potion and an Amanda Potion cost over a thousand magic stones, and it was hard for ordinary apprentices to save that much.

Helag asked, "Larry, can you get Ancient Potions and Amanda Potions?"

He felt the need to prepare in advance in case something went wrong with Moonlight Forest.

Ancient Potions and Amanda Potions, unlike Dawn Dusk Potions, had a long shelf life, lasting decades and were very stable.

Larry understood and nodded. "Yes, I recommend you prepare three Amanda Potions. You won't need more than that. You're young, and three should be your limit. I don't have them in stock, but come back in a few days, and I'll get them for you at market price, with a small discount, totaling 1,200 magic stones."

"Thank you, Larry!" Helag expressed his gratitude.

"I'll tell them you're still considering it and will decide closer to your advancement."

Larry wanted to avoid causing Helag trouble by saying he wouldn't stay.

As a third-level apprentice, Helag couldn't refuse any assigned tasks. 

*** 

After leaving Larry's place, Helag continued to think about his future plans.

Since he decided not to stay in Moonlight Forest, he needed to learn more about the Karag Continent.

Shortly after returning home, his rune stone lit up again with a message from Bessie: "Got time to chat? I'm still recovering and can't move much. Can you come to my place?"

Helag replied, "Sure, when and where?"

He didn't know where Bessie lived, and she was one of the few acquaintances still alive.

"Today works. I live in the northern forest area, K Zone, House 16, not far from you."

CH124 

Helag barely had time to sit down before heading to Bessie's place.

Her house wasn't far, just through two patches of forest.

"Number 16…"

Helag found a red wooden house.

He knocked on the door, and soon heard footsteps. Bessie opened the door.

The moment she opened the door, Helag's eyes were drawn to her.

Bessie was wearing a small tank top that barely covered her ample chest.

She wore black stockings, revealing a section of her fair thighs, making her look particularly alluring.

Bessie was tall with long legs, creating a striking visual impact.

"You said you were injured? You look pretty good to me," Helag said, realizing his gaze was inappropriate and quickly changing the topic.

Bessie smiled lightly. "I'm almost healed. Come in."

The interior structure was similar to Helag's house, as most wooden houses here were built the same way.

The first floor was a living room with some sofas and a fireplace, which was burning brightly, making the room warm.

Bessie brewed a pot of coffee and bent over to pour Helag a cup.

As she bent over, a magnificent view was revealed.

Helag hadn't realized before how impressive her figure was. He had only noticed her long legs, not the hidden beauty.

Of course, he only glanced briefly before looking away.

The first look was involuntary; staring would be impolite.

Bessie seemed unaware, sitting next to Helag after pouring the coffee.

A light, pleasant fragrance wafted over, not too strong, making him feel comfortable.

"I heard from Mr. Larry that you advanced to a third-level apprentice. I didn't expect you to do it so quickly," Bessie said softly, leaning slightly closer to Helag.

"You're also a third-level apprentice and have been for longer than me," Helag replied, feeling the warmth and softness next to him.

Bessie's expression turned somber. "Even though I'm a third-level apprentice, my injuries mean I have no hope of becoming a formal wizard."

She then hugged Helag's arm, pressing her softness against his right hand. "But you're different. You have great talent, advancing so quickly. With Mr. Larry, a master potion maker, as your teacher, your future is bright."

"No hope of becoming a formal wizard?" Helag suppressed his inner turmoil, staying composed.

He was more concerned about why Bessie couldn't advance. She seemed fine now.

"In the recent war, my mental power was severely damaged and can no longer improve. Without improving mental power, I can't become a formal wizard," Bessie said, her voice low.

"No improvement? Did Mr. Larry check?" Helag asked.

Bessie nodded. "Mr. Larry tried to help, but it didn't work."

If Larry couldn't help, it was likely a difficult problem to solve.

Helag didn't know how to comfort her. For a young third-level apprentice, losing the hope of becoming a formal wizard was devastating.

Third-level apprentices lived slightly longer than ordinary people, but formal wizards had lifespans of at least 300 years.

Just one step away, leading to completely different lives.

The room fell silent, with only the occasional crackle from the fireplace and their breathing.

After a long silence, Bessie suddenly leaned against Helag, hugging him tightly. "Helag, let's live together."

"Uh?" Helag was surprised.

Bessie looked at him. "Don't you want to? Am I not pretty enough or is my figure not good? If you think something's wrong, I can learn some beauty spells…"

Helag interrupted, "Wait, wait. You're very pretty and have a great figure. I'm just wondering, why?"

He was just a third-level apprentice. Even if he became a formal wizard, he couldn't solve Bessie's problem.

With Deep Blue, there was a slight possibility, but even Larry couldn't solve it.

If he did, it would be too suspicious.

Deep Blue was his biggest secret and most important trump card, not to be revealed.

"I need a protector," Bessie said directly.

"A protector? Even if I become a formal wizard, I have no background and can't help you much," Helag shook his head.

Bessie continued, "No, I know my situation. Besides my looks, I have nothing to attract powerful formal wizards or those with deep backgrounds. In the wizarding world, beauty means nothing."

"But you have great potential and talent. I believe in your future. If we're together, I'll do my best to help you go further. My talent is 82. With our talents, our children would have good potential. We could establish a pure-blood wizard family."

Bessie knew her limitations. Powerful wizards wouldn't take her seriously. Even if they did, she would be a plaything, discarded when bored.

After much thought, she felt Helag was the best choice.

He had talent, potential, and Larry as a teacher, but no background, making him the perfect candidate.

Helag hadn't expected Bessie to think so far ahead. Her words showed she had considered this for a long time.

But he had no interest in establishing a pure-blood wizard family. To him, personal strength was more important than having talented descendants.

As long as he was strong enough, he wouldn't need to rely on anyone or anything else.

Helag shook his head. "I'm sorry."

Bessie's eyes filled with tears. "Why…"

Helag couldn't tell her he didn't plan to stay in Moonlight Forest, so he said, "All my focus is on preparing to become a formal wizard. I'll think about these things later."

He planned to tell Bessie after he became a formal wizard.

Of course, he could take advantage of her now and then leave after advancing, but that felt too shameful. Bessie, even if not a friend, was an acquaintance.

In the wizarding world, friends and acquaintances were precious.

Bessie was already in a bad situation; Helag didn't want to make it worse.

He couldn't help much, but he wouldn't kick her while she was down.

TL/n - 

You can read up to chapter 183+ on p@treon.