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“. . .Don’t be surprised. It’s a question even a three-year-old could anticipate. I usually don’t answer such questions.”
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“Is it related to the secret of magic?”
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“No. The more mysterious, the more gold I can receive. The nobles think I can summon thunder and lightning and cause floods. At least they think I can do about a tenth of that. But what I can do is. . .”
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Suetlg ran his hand over the basin, and the water inside began to boil.
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“Is this a magic to boil water?”
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“. . .Do you call opening your mouth and making a sound magic? This is just preparation. I know a bit about controlling water after listening to the river’s secrets. Water can tell you a lot. Let’s see. . . Is there someone whose news you’re curious about? Someone you haven’t heard from in a while?”
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“. . . . . .”
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This time, Johan was lost in thought. The only people he was curious about were his family members, the half-brothers he left behind.
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“If you’ve chosen a person, put your hand in the water and think about them.”
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‘𝘐𝘵’𝘴 𝘨𝘰𝘰𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘐 𝘥𝘰𝘯’𝘵 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘢𝘬,’ Johan thought to himself as he dipped his hand into the water. It was boiling, but not hot. The water created ripples and changed its shape. Suetlg squinted his eyes, trying to read the patterns.
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“Let’s see. . . a quiet, secluded place. . . silence. . . a symbol of the sun. . . I see. Perhaps they’ve entered a monastery? It seems like they’re staying in one.”
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If they had successfully taken refuge in a church, a priest might have sent them to the monastery. Johan was beginning to believe this.
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“I’m not sure about that.”
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“Hmm. Anyway, this is all I can read. And don’t rely too much on this. As I said, water is fickle.”
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After clearing the basin, Suetlg said,
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“As you’ve seen, I can read the present and future in water and purify tainted water. With enough preparation, I might even be able to make it rain occasionally.”
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“Isn’t there anything more powerful?”
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Suetlg seemed slightly offended.
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“Isn’t this powerful enough? You’re only focused on the visible, like a true knight. I understand what you mean. Creating fire, rolling stones, breaking walls━that’s not my specialty, and those who research such secrets can’t do it easily.”
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“I’m sorry if I offended you. I was just curious how you would confront an enemy.”
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“Of course, my slaves would fight in my place, wouldn’t they?”
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Suetlg looked at Johan as if to say, ‘𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘵𝘢𝘭𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵?’ A wizard like him wouldn’t personally fight, would he?
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‘𝘈𝘩, 𝘐 𝘴𝘦𝘦.’
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Johan realized his mistake. Thinking that a wizard would fight directly was a prejudice. It seemed more plausible, as the old man said, that he wouldn’t fight at all.
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“Tsk tsk. It seems you want to learn magic to use in fights?”
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Misunderstanding, Suetlg shook his head.
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“Give up on that thought. Nature won’t reveal its secrets to those with such shallow intentions. Even if you learn, it’ll be hard to use in battle. . . Here.”
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“?
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Suddenly, Suetlg took out two small glass bottles from his robe. The bottles, sealed with cork and beeswax, contained shimmering liquids. One glowed white, and the other emitted a sticky red light.
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“What is this?”
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“I said I’d give you a gift. This is river water infused with secrets by me. One is for healing wounds, and the other is for poisoning or applying on weapons if you want to kill someone.”
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“Water of Blessing, Water of Rage.”
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Johan read the labels on the bottles, written in the ancient imperial language.
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“I wrote that for distinction. No real meaning. Can you read the script? Were you planning to become a priest?”
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Even Johan, who didn’t know much, could tell these were valuable. Especially the “Water of Blessing,” which could heal wounds.
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“Is it alright for me to accept such a gift?”
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“I swore to the Ipaël River, so I have no choice. If I give a trivial gift, the river won’t share its secrets with me anymore.”
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Suetlg spoke with a regretful expression, as if he had lost more than he expected in a casual game of Go.
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“Then, I’ll gratefully use it.”
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“Have all your questions been answered?”
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“Yes.”
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“Then let’s play another game.”
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“. . .Ah, yes. How many points should I give you?”
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“. . . . . .”
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Suetlg, blushing, pondered for a moment.
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“Just. . . give me two points.”
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“Two points will be enough?”
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“. . .Three points.”
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🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸
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As Iaon appeared, a staff member rushed over to inform him that Johan and Suetlg were waiting. Surprised, Iaon asked,
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“Why didn’t you report this immediately?”
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“I-I’m sorry. Both of them insisted not to tell you. . .”
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Suetlg might be eccentric, but Johan too? Shaking his head, Iaon said,
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“From now on, it would be better to prioritize the company’s interest first. What are you planning to do by exploiting their kindness?”
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“Ah. . .!”
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Iaon clicked his tongue and quickly walked away. Johan might be unknown, but Suetlg was an odd old man who would wait for him to arrive and then throw a tantrum.
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“. . .???”
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“I-I’m going to back down.”
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“You have already backed down three times.”
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“I swear on the Ipaël River, this is the last time!”
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“Doesn’t it anger the Ipaël River to use it like that?”