Chapter 5 - Elara of Dragonspire

"Please, come in!"

Taron felt a strange unease about Elara. Her sudden mood shifts were intriguing. She had seemed distressed when he arrived, but now, there was something about him that excited her.

"Sit down!" she instructed, pointing to a chair. She sat down, crossed her legs, and closed her eyes. Immediately, a blue bubble enveloped her, and the smile on her face turned into laughter.

Taron felt chills down his spine as her soaring laughter filled the house. The laughter stopped abruptly, and what happened next made all the hairs on his body stand on end. She was now looking at him with her gem-like eyes, a senile smile plastered on her face.

"Are you interested in taking me as your master?" she asked, choosing her words carefully.

Realizing she meant him no harm, Taron finally relaxed. He took his time to analyze the situation. "What's in it for me anyway?"

Elara opened her eyes in surprise and responded, "Don't you understand? I am the one at a loss here. I am offering you my protection while you offer me nothing."

"Sigh." Taron stood up and walked towards the door, opened it, and walked outside. After he was five meters away, he turned back and stared at her for a full minute. Then he walked back inside and sat down with a smile. "You need me as much as I need you. You're sick, it's hard for you to concentrate on anything, and I can help you concentrate. If I have to guess, you were cursed by a very powerful sorcerer. By the bags under your eyes, it should not be more than two years ago. That means you were cursed when you were nineteen... Are you Elara of Dragonspire?"

Both Elara and Taron's faces showed horror and surprise. He took a step back subconsciously when he felt a gentle breeze blow past him. In just the blink of an eye, Elara was already in front of him. She grabbed his hand and dragged him inside. He was powerless to fight back as he was pulled like a child. Elara shut the door and led him to the center of the house, making him sit down.

"Who are you?" she demanded.

"A random boy from a small village," he replied.

"Hmm." Elara quickly realized he wasn't lying; he was really a nobody. "How did you know I was cursed, and how did you know who I was?"

"I read a lot and recognized the tattoo at the back of your neck. I remember seeing it in a book when I was five. You occasionally get attacked by demons spiritually, and as long as you keep getting attacked, you can't cultivate or use your magic. Atramentum Umbrarum Maledictio translates to 'Curse of the Shadows of Ink.' Am I right?" he said casually.

"You read and remembered all this from a textbook when you were five?" she asked incredulously.

"Yes."

"You are crazy!" Elara, who thought she had seen all kinds of amazing talents, was shocked by Taron's ability.

Taron saw that she was distracted and decided to strike while the iron was hot. "Something about me helps you ward off your demons. Now, I will take you as my master, but I want access to every book in your possession."

"Done!" Elara brightened up when she heard his condition, but his next words made her grab her robe in frustration.

"Relax, I'm just getting started. I will come to you for advice anytime my cultivation gets stuck, and I want access to fifty percent of your properties: money, pills, clothes... everything," he said with a sly smile.

"Ughhh, fine. You can have your wish!" Elara said, patting her forehead.

"I thought you wouldn't agree. I only need your advice and books. Your things belong to you; it would be inappropriate to rip you off."

"Follow me!" she said as she stood up and climbed the stairs.