Branded Swordsman

After many discussions, the major Magisteriums in South Coast had all unanimously agreed to restrict the advancement to an official Magus.

Under the purview of the treaty, all guilds must abide by it solemnly, to control the acolytes' growth. Even if it was a magic academy or family absorbing newcomers, they must swear to strict secrecy.

Yet, there was an exception — information found within historical items and places.

In the expanse of the South Coast continent, there were many traces of the Magi remnants from forgotten eras. All of them were located in extremely perilous locations. Even official Magi had to risk their lives to search for a piece of them. Moreover, even if they were remnants, one could not be sure of their contents.

Take Leylin for example. Previously, he had spent a countless amount of resources and effort searching for information regarding the subject of advancing his cultivation, yet he obtained nothing in the end. It was an extremely common situation.

However, once Magi discovered a trace of ancient remnants and obtained their inheritance or other precious resources, it would be the start of another legend. Although searching for remnants had many unforeseeable dangers, it still drove many Magi to seek them.

The restrictions on the knowledge to advance to an official Magus were signed by all Magisteriums and guilds of South Coast. Hence, any remnants that existed before the agreement were very likely to contain information regarding official Magus advancement. This was the reason for the birth of a few guildless official Magi.

According to the information gathered from Leylin's inquiries, Dorotte became an official Magus only after he discovered a piece of information related to advancement while adventuring.

Although the amount of information missing was over 60% of the original and it was definitely not possible to become a Magus just by relying on it, it was still very precious.

Moreover, Leylin was only a level 3 acolyte. Before he became a Magus, he was not qualified enough to conduct such an important transaction with any staff member directly, other than his professor. According to the academy's regulations, if Leylin wanted to obtain this piece of information, it could only be carried out through Kroft.

"Very well then. However, you should know the rarity of information concerning the advancement to an official Magus. What are you planning to exchange for it?"

"Whilst the more advanced methods to breakthrough are extremely valuable, single-use records drawn from mysterious sources are vastly different in price. I believe that this will leave Professor Dorotte satisfied." -Leylin said as he put a hefty bag in Kroft's hands.

Towards Leylin's suggestion, Kroft only raised his eyebrows, not saying anything. But when he opened the bag, he could not help but sigh. "When presented with this… that old bag of bones would most likely not be able to reject you."

Leylin smiled quietly. In the bag he handed to Kroft, not only was it filled with a large number of magic crystals and precious ingredients, but there was also a Flourishing Flower.

This ingredient was extremely difficult to obtain and had regenerative abilities for magicians with broken or missing limbs.

As for the environment required for the Flourishing Flower to thrive, it must be in a place with a large number of vengeful spirits. Every day, it would be watered with the blood of dying people in order to grow.

These ingredients were not common even in Abyssal Bone Forest Academy. After all, in the breeding of artificial spirit bodies, the research done by Abyssal Bone Forest Academy was far less suitable compared to Leylin's.

After all, he was an expert on the matter thanks to his years of tireless work, his unique attunement to the Darkness element granted by his Tree Demon DNA, and his immense edge of having Aralis to rely upon.

If not for the general student recall issued for the Bloodbath, Leylin would have already completed his nurturing experiment and spawned an artificial spirit body. As for the Flourishing Flower, it was merely a by-product of his experiments at Extreme Night City. He had used the blood of his test subjects to feed the Flourishing Flower sprout.

Currently, Dorotte was looking all over for materials to regenerate Merlin's arm, which had been grievously damaged by an enemy acolyte. These materials were an enticement that Dorotte simply could not refuse.

Although he knew this, Leylin was still apprehensive about giving away such a precious material. Not due to the ingredient's value, mind you, as he viewed it as little more than lab waste. If he wanted to, he already had a perfected formula to grow hundreds of these specimens.

No, his worries stemmed from the fact that he had ostensibly produced a Void Flower elixir in the past, in order to advance into a level 3 acolyte. And now that he had produced another precious ingredient, the Flourishing Flower, it would be hard to prevent suspicion.

But if he wanted a favor from Dorotte, he could not avoid bringing out this Flourishing Flower. And he was fortunate that this item was rare.

Within the Magus World, there were many examples of frustrated and destitute acolytes who had stumbled across ancient remnants of Magi and turned into an official Magus, henceforth becoming an overlord of a region.

Compared to them, Leylin's luck could only be regarded as average. But it was risky nonetheless.

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Three days later, within a poorly-lit enchanting workshop.

A tall and broad individual wearing the gray robes of an acolyte was currently face-to-face with a shorter and much thinner figure, which had a black hooded robe covering it.

Once it was time to close the deal, Leylin had been expecting to receive an invitation to Dorotte's lab. He was not mistaken.

"Student Leylin Farlier… Yesterday, I received a visit from your professor, and analyzed the items you wished to exchange for information about the secret to becoming an official Magus… I must say, I am duly impressed by your resourcefulness." -The figure draped in black clothes spoke up.

"Were it not for your close relationship with Kroft, I would've offered you a place at my side. Truly, the abilities of your former senior Merlin pale in comparison to yours. I might even say I am disappointed."

In Dorotte's voice, Leylin could almost hear the grief over the loss of Jayden, and the unspoken offer to become his new personal apprentice. Upon hearing these words of recognition, Leylin could only do his trademark gentlemanly bow, and smile warmly.

"You humble me, Professor Dorotte. Though we may not share a master-apprentice bond, we are still respected members of this honorable academy, are we not? And as such, it is only natural that we support each other in our time of need. With this ingredient, Merlin's recovery is all but guaranteed."

At Leylin's response, Dorrotte scoffed loudly. "I grow tired of your affable pretense. Take this book and leave. I have much work to do."

'That idiot assumed I would be seduced to betray Kroft as Merlin had. Alas, I have no desire to become an expendable puppet for this skeleton.' -Leylin smirked as he turned to leave.

Not bothering to spend any further moment here than what was necessary, Leylin accepted a huge black tome that had the phrase 'Branded Swordsman' engraved on its hardcover. His fingers tingled with anticipation as he stored it away inside his robes.

With a humble bow, the Farlier heir swiftly abandoned the premises. His wish had at last been fulfilled and now he held the key to his plans.

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Within an hour, Leylin was sitting on the floor of his room in the lotus position. Aralis had already finished recording and sorting the whole tome.

Leylin's eyes opened to reveal their blood-red iris and black reptile slit. He used only his stare to ignite the ancient book in purple flames. As each of the thick pages was reduced to ashes, he reflected on his newly acquired knowledge.

'Magicians are people who possess mysterious powers. In ancient times, those with greater power were often labeled as Magi. As for a Branded Swordsman, through the alchemical runes, a magic spell formation would be branded on their body, allowing them to gain incredible power. It is a branch of the ancient Magi...'

'At present, I am a Grand Knight. And probably the strongest one yet. Therefore, as far as I'm concerned, it is indeed appropriate for me to pursue the cultivation route of a Branded Swordsman.'

Leylin was peering through a piece of information in his holo display.

'Branded Swordsmen seem to emphasize a more physical type of training which focuses on raw strength and speed. Through regular practice and alchemical branding, nature's strength would be stored inside their body. In crucial moments, the energy would erupt explosively…'

[Why does it seem to resemble… a Knight Technique?] -Aralis inquired.

Leylin's eyes flashed with a new deduction.

'Well interpreted. Part of the information regarding the inheritance of the ancient Branded Swordsmen was obviously widely spread. After some modifications, it was suited more toward regular humans. This resulted in the creation of Knights and Grand Knights.'

[Which is to say, a Branded Swordsman is the more advanced version of a Grand Knight.]

'Not quite. Rather, it is the original form. A Branded Swordsman's power is uncorrupted by the limitations of a pathetic mortal.' -After skimming through the book's content, Leylin had already gained a full understanding of the topic.

[However, it's a pity that more than 60% of the information is missing. Especially the part about branding and spell formation setting. It is almost all gone. Attempting to forcibly brand a spell formation on the body will only cause the Magus' arcane core to be disrupted.]

'In ancient times, the powerful combination of Branded Swordsman and Magus abilities was a nightmare to enemies of many other worlds…' -Leylin unconsciously licked his lips as he savored how glorious it would be to reach such a level.

[Perhaps, I can compute the remainder of the information? Using everything we gathered in the Library, my processing may be able to fill in the gaps.] -Aralis suggested.

'It would still take you a considerable amount of time. Fortunately, I always prepare a few backup plans.'

The advanced meditation technique in the Dylan Gardens, which were in turn located inside the Zither Moon Mountain Plains… was only a rumor. To Leylin, it was barely a hopeful dream.

It was derived from a few broken pieces of information from the spirit body he kidnapped, which almost had zero credibility. If not for Leylin having seen similar content back in Alfonse's experiment lab, he would most likely not believe in it.

Moreover, if the Dylan Gardens existed, what assurance could Leylin have that a piece of the Great Magus Serholm's inheritance had been left behind? Even if there was, Leylin did not know if the advanced meditation technique was suitable for him.

Picking up a high-grade meditation technique that was suited to him; Leylin did not dare bet on his luck twice again so soon.

Hence his earlier preparation of a backup plan.

Aralis was currently simulating an optimized version of the Advancement Grimoire he had received following the Bloodbath, as well as a perfected model for the Rank 1 spell he got.

Now, he had managed to obtain priceless information concerning the Branded Swordsman Technique. All these would be simulated into a completed piece of information regarding advancement.

Leylin decided that if he failed to discover anything in the Zither Moon Mountain Plains, he would apply for graduation from the academy. He would then roam the South Coast continent, searching for old remnants and obtaining information on high-grade meditation techniques.

If he did not obtain a meditation technique suited for him once his body reached 30 years of age, he would forcefully use the information in his hands to advance into a Magus, despite the lesser power he would attain.

Rising to his feet and then walking to the hot bath which had already been readied by his shadow slaves, Leylin undressed showing his chiseled physique.

'Aralis, how is the progress on the simulation of my Optimized Advancement Grimoire?' -Leylin demanded as he entered the water. It was boiling hot, and it would surely kill any regular human. But to him, it was comfortable.

[I estimate its completion in approximately 765 days, Doctor.]

Previously, Leylin had ordered his A.I. to optimize the Advancement Grimoire's method, using the high-grade Rank 1 spell he bought using contribution points as its foundation. Aralis gave a significantly long duration for the achievement of her task. However, Leylin was extremely pleased with this.

Previously, his A.I. assistant was not able to estimate the progress of a successful simulation. However, after recording the massive amount of information in the forbidden wing of the Library, Aralis finally allowed Leylin to see a glimmer of hope in a completed method for a breakthrough.

'Two years? I can afford it.' Leylin smirked. He was mentally prepared to spend decades before advancing his cultivation. What mattered to him were flawless results.

Two years later, Leylin would only be 19, still in the prime of a level 3 acolyte. This was the benefit of youth, never fearing that time was not enough.

'What about the optimized formula of the Grine Water?' -Leylin inquired. Of course, he would want to brew his own rendition of this elixir, as his mastery of Potioneering had surpassed that of the one responsible for creating the one he had been granted by the academy.

//

<Optimized Grine Water Formula>

- Status: In progress (5.32%)

- Estimated ingredients: Fruit of Thousand-Eyed Tree, fresh blood of a Giant Tidal Snake…

- Estimated effect: A huge consumption of acolyte's life force, in order to stimulate breakthrough of the Spiritual Force bottleneck.

//

Looking at the analysis, Leylin finally knew why the academy viewed a level 3 acolyte below 20 years of age as a potential Magus.

The Grine Water's effect was to consume a magician's lifespan in exchange for a stimulated breakthrough. The younger the acolyte, the more life force there is for consumption. Thus, the higher possibility of a breakthrough.

Once an acolyte has an aging body, he wouldn't be able to break through even with Grine Water. This was because his physical body no longer had any more life force to be consumed.

Leylin drank from a golden cup filled with exotic wine.

'It appears the matter of searching for a high-grade meditation technique will have to be pushed forward. Moreover, I cannot wait till Leylin Farlier's body reaches old age. If I haven't managed to become an official Magus by 50, I might as well kill myself.'

After firming his resolve, Leylin exited the hot bath and wore his clothes once again. He left his room and made a beeline for Kroft's private experiment lab.

When he entered the lab, he closed the metal door behind him and set various security charms all around him. As it were, even if the professor would not be stopped from accessing his own facility, it would still alert Leylin to his presence.

Forthwith, Leylin took out an ancient Potioneering scroll.