"Leylin, what are you... you're still here?" Jayden asked with a faint frown.
It wasn't exactly concern that drove him to ask the question, rather, the weight of that one surname made him watchful and wary. In a sense, he and his family are still subjects under the Farlier banner.
By the time anyone from the isles began digging for answers, the Farlier family had already stepped back from the spotlight and moved all their true strength into the shadows.
Fragments of truth and rumors suggest that the new ruler who unified the entire Chernobyl Archipelago only had one legitimate heir when he began his rise.
'Agewise, this young man Leylin… could very well be him,' Jayden thought quietly.
Though Leylin was known to be favored by his teacher, it seemed like it was not enough to be chosen for the 'to be saved' slot.
This is understandable since he's not his teacher's sole disciple unlike Jayden, who could practice his magic safely from the rear under the protection and guidance of his Master.
From the looks of it Leylin seemed destined to be sent out as disposable fodder in the coming war.
"Well, greetings to you too, fellow Apprentice," Leylin replied while turning, his gaze clear and bright with genuine amusement. "Where else do you believe I should be? Please pray tell."
Jayden hesitated briefly, then spoke in a low, serious tone. "I'll make an exception this once… listen well, Your Highness. Something terrible is approaching. I wouldn't want to be anywhere near this place when it arrives. Leave this place."
He mouthed the latter parts leaving Leylin to lip-read the message and without waiting for a response, he turned and walked away, leaving Leylin standing alone with a bewildered look.
'I suppose I've been recognized…' Leylin smiled gently, watching his 'loyal subject' depart. 'He truly is a good man.'
Jayden was once the number one contributor of knowledge within the Abyssal Bone Forest Academy, and the undisputed source of data on soul research and necromantic spells.
In truth, Leylin had the urge to simply march his forces forward and seize every academy, every territory, every resource point, one by one. But reason held him back.
The possibility of a hidden Rank 3 or even Rank 4 protectors backing these academies was far from zero.
Even when rank 3 is manageable, dealing with such high‑ranking magi would not only be troublesome and dangerous, it would also cost his organization huge amounts of resources.
It's not the most efficient move to take. Going in blind without understanding who or what you're dealing with lies along the paths of looking for an early death.
These higher ranked magus possessed ancient, mysterious methods he could not yet fully predict or counter.
'Slow and steady expansion until I am certain of absolute victory,' he reminded himself. 'Time is on my side.'
With so many things on his plate, Leylin didn't want to bury himself with tasks that can gradually be delegated to his growing organization. What he focused on are the most important researches that greatly piques his interest.
The conquest of Poolfield Kingdom is already at the phase of rapid covert expansion across the kingdom. With infiltration units replacing of key officials, economic control, and covert elite strikes, the transfer of ownership is estimated to be within another six months provided that the Abyssal Bone Forest doesn't go out of its way to interfere in the matters of the mortals.
On Leylin's long list of targets is to locate the Dylan Gardens. It is a legendary, secret realm once known for rare ancient herbs, spirit plants, and legacy inheritance records.
Leylin gained information about it by researching traces in the library and secret archives of the Abyssal Bone Forest academy after finding Roman's diary in the secluded mansion in the forest.
For the upcoming war, he also has plans to introduce the mass producible nano‑induced Healing Potions. These nano‑induced Healing Potions use enhanced formulas with microscopic restorative agents. These potions are designed to heal internal damage faster, close wounds better, and reduce mana backlash far beyond the standard potions.
As for supplying both sides with improved weapons, enchanted gear, and rune‑reinforced armor, things remains to be seen if mass production can be achieved in time.
His research on magical flora now focuses on growth cycles, mana absorption, environmental adaptation, and active properties of magical plants. This is used to optimize ingredient cultivation, build private high‑yield plantations, refine potions with higher purity, and create specialized toxin/defense vegetation for bases.
Magical Fauna research on the other hand still focused on analyzing physiology, mana circulation, innate spells, bloodline traits, and evolution triggers of magical beasts. These data is applied to better capture, breeding stronger mounts/guardians, replicating natural abilities, and perfecting biological enhancement procedures.
The research on ancient bloodlines dealt with deep study of powerful, inherited lineages (like Kemoyin Serpent), tracking origin, evolution paths, dormant markers, and awakening requirements. Safe extraction, transfer, replication, or combination of such powers to create elite personal forces and boost Leylin's own foundation.
The research on mutant bloodlines focused on variations, hybrids, and artificially altered bloodlines; how mixed traits interact, strengths gained vs. defects, and stability limits. Discovering how to customize powers, avoid degradation, and create unique, tailored soldier variants like the Corvinus twins.
Theres also research on the Runic Language and its applications. As the fundamental building blocks of systematic magic, runes are widely used in energy storage, mana flow, protection, and activation.
Advanced runes on the other hand involves complex combinations, precise conversion, sustained effects, multi‑function arrays using basic runes to achieve a desired effect.
Then there's natural runes that forms or develops naturally within living beings, crystals, or mana‑rich environments without manual carving.
Understanding how they arise from growth, adaptation, and resonance is key to affinity acquisition, ability integration, passive mana absorption, and evolving from within which Leylin preferred.
The research on spirit bodies examined how pure energy or the so called 'spirit‑form' comes into existence, consciousness retention, intangibility, flight, and resistance to physical harm. The goal is to seek ways to preserve intelligence, sustain independent existence, or re‑integrate into new forms that are useful for elite scouts, remote observers, and survival even if the physical body falls.
Lastly is the research on undead creation, where one raised/remade servants while retaining usable combat skill, reducing mindless decay, and increasing control precision. Combined with tech/bio‑augmentation to produce obedient, durable, low‑maintenance elite guards and enforcers rather than weak, uncontrollable hordes.
Leylin let out a quiet, amused sigh. 'The unending pursuit of truth is going to be a very long pursuit indeed. I need to get laid or something...'
He leaned back on his comfy chair to relax. He can only imagine the struggle if he did not build the foundation from when he was younger. Hiding his abilities like they're a curse of some kind. Doubting and expecting betrayal everytime.
'That's not a life worth living.'
Despite the troubles of being the leader of an entire organization, Leylin really had a leisurely schedule within the academy. Brewing potions, testing spells, purchasing knowledge, hanging out with acquaintances, making real connections.
*****
"I have relayed your interest to Professor Dorotte, and he agreed to sell a copy of the knowledge you require." Professor Kroft wiped his hand on a towel as he told Leylin the good news.
"Though the price he quoted is already discounted, he still asks for six thousand magic crystals. As a bonus, he agreed to give you a copy of his own findings on the ancient Branded Knights."
His master had once brought up the topic of Branded Knights himself as he once heard Dorotte speak of research and experiments on recreating the long lost path of the Branded Knights in passing.
Leylin nodded thoughtfully, his own research in the slowly converting Great Knights into units made entirely of machine-phase matter kept advancing steadily, every additional reference, theory and ancient method could only refine his results further.
Branded Knights sounded like the lost art of magic tattoos from the records within the academy library.
"Six thousand… that is a considerable sum all at once," Leylin replied with well‑placed hesitation. "May I pay in installments, Professor? My research into mass‑production methods already shows great promise; given a little time, I can guarantee I will pay every crystal owed."
Truth be told, that amount was nothing to Leylin's current wealth. But suddenly producing such riches out of nowhere would only raise questions, invite scrutiny, and force him to explain sources he preferred to keep secret. The inconvenience outweighed the advantage. Besides… he already knew he had quieter, more effective ways to secure what he needed eventually.
"I'll have to ask him that, but I assume he wouldn't agree to that mode of payment. He's been looking for similar articles for years because his copy is an incomplete one. Be that as it may, six thousand is actually a fair price for it. I will inform you of his reply." Kroft explained while returning to his work on preparing materials for potion brewing.
"I understand Master, I'll be troubling you then. You'll have to excuse me, I have classes on schedule." Leylin waited for approval before he bowed and turned to leave.
'Jayden, truly, my most loyal subject… I'll be counting on you again,' Leylin thought with a faint, private amusement.
*****
Already, the looming shadow of war was beginning to shift the academy's markets. Raw magical ingredients like herbs, mineral ores, essence crystals, and beast extracts are sold at a bargain before supplies are delayed or cut off entirely.
Stockpiles of strategic materials like healing potions were being hoarded, supplies grew scarce, and common trade goods were becoming harder if not impossible to find within the normal price range.
Those with foresight already bought up whatever they could while those short on resources were already feeling the pinch of being poor.
Later that evening, Leylin stepped out of a private chamber, fastening his robes as he went. Inside lay a female acolyte motionless amidst tangled sheets, eyes glazed and dazed, still catching her breath.
For Leylin, sexual intercourse is a sharp, effective release from constant planning and mental strain. Beyond that, he had a clear, calculated purpose in mind. He wanted to test how his advancement into an Official Magus altered his capacity for procreation.
[Fertilization Procedure Successful]
'That's the third one today,' he noted calmly. 'Maybe I should slow down… then again, didn't he say- the more the better?'
Before he left, he set ten magic crystals on the bedside table, it is more than generous payment for a single night, a fortune to unbacked young acolytes who might have accepted far less.
Still, Leylin never acted recklessly or randomly.
Every woman he chose to be with already signed a binding agreement, Leylin would pay ten crystals per copulation session, and a lifelong monthly allowance of one hundred crystals if one successfully carried and gave birth to his child.
In addition to being good looking, rich, and a personal disciple of Professor Kroft, Leylin himself is publicly a third rank apprentice at 16 years of age despite having initialy deemed as someone with a third grade talent.
This combined made many women with and without backing willing to take part in his 'fertility testing activities'. With Leylin's physique and vitality, getting it up is not the issue. It was holding back that became a necessity.
These low‑rank acolytes were far too fragile to endure his full strength. A moment of his control slipping would mean disaster for these lovely ladies. Despite his frustrations, it is what it is, he walked away with a widening, amused smile while thinking of his father, John Farlier.
'Hahaha… Let's see you keep nagging me about marriage and grandchildren when I send you a whole line of Farlier descendants,' Leylin mused.
For years his father had pressed him to take a woman and secure the continuation of their bloodline. Leylin had brushed it off before but now he understood the risk.
The deeper he pursued truth and power, the more his body and soul would change… making it harder, perhaps impossible, to naturally sire children later on.
*****
Jayden worked steadily, his fingers moved with practiced precision as he pulled the fine, enchanted thread taut and knotted it, neatly closing the last incision along the Rank 2 acolyte's pale chest.
He set down his forceps, wiped his hands clean with a cloth, then turned to his teacher.
"Master… what did Professor Kroft seek this time?" he asked curiously.
Dorotte shifted in his tall chair, dry bones clacking and rattling softly as he leaned forward, hollow eye sockets fixed on Jayden.
"His disciple Leylin wishes to purchase my complete notes and research records on the recreation of Branded Knights," the skeletal magus rasped, voice echoing faintly.
"But it seems the price still proved too high for someone who just stepped in the world of Magus like him. Six thousand magic crystals… the young man could not produce it all at once. This poor poor boy may just be another casualty in the upcoming war. I remember seeing him alongside you back on Death Beach. Are you positive he possesses some powerful backing? He could not even gather that sum."
Jayden set his instruments aside, resting his hands on the edge of the dissection table, his expression serious.
"I cannot swear to absolute certainty, Master," he explained calmly.
"Old records list House Farlier as nothing more than a minor Barony before the great unification. Yet… he is the only one of that name I have encountered. If my guess is correct then he is the sole heir of the new Emperor, the one who now rules absolutely over the entire Chernobyl Archipelago. That kind of influence and resources… should count as significant backing for a single person. But I guess it isn't all that much after all..."
Dorotte tilted his skull slightly, as if weighing those words.
"It is true… he has spent freely these past few months, so clearly he has ways to gather wealth," he mused, tapping a bony finger against the armrest.
"Unfortunate as it seems, these coming months may well be his last. What a waste, you even went out of the way and warned him... tsk" Jayden stiffened, eyes widening in sudden alarm. He bowed his head quickly, ready to speak of his apology.
He felt bad not heeding his master's instructions but his duty bound him to the Farlier. He was about to explain when Dorotte waved a skeletal hand to stop him before he could utter a word.
"Peace, Jayden. No harm has been done," Dorotte said in a gentler, rambling tone far removed from his terrifying public demeanor.
"I have already smoothed matters over with the chairman, you need not worry. Though… now that I think on it, doesn't this research interest you as well? Like that Leylin, you're also a Grand Knight..." He gestured vaguely, bones clicking as he spoke more loosely, as old masters often did when only their trusted student was near.
"I keep forgetting just how extraordinary you are… still so young, yet already standing firm as a true Grand Knight, even in my time, such a thing can only be stuff of legends..." he rambled on, sounding half‑amazed, half‑musing.
"That Emperor of Chernobyl who hides in the shadows really is something else… to manage mass production of such powerful warriors… combined with the Branded Knight methods in my hands… there may just be a chance to truly make something beyond the old ways…" Dorotte fell quietly musing for a moment, gaze drifting as if lost in scattered thoughts, no longer the imposing, and feared necromancer who cheated death itself.