"But I don't recommend casting spells here. If you have a talent for magic, the commotion will be significant when you display it."
Triss smiled confidently, then said… Ten minutes later, in a suburban forest several kilometers outside Vizima.
"Boom!" With a loud bang, an orange, swirling portal appeared in the void.
Immediately after, the portal vanished, and two figures emerged.
"Hmm, this place is sparsely populated, perfect for testing your spell-casting talent."
"Come, extend both your hands, and keep your mind peaceful." Triss said to Karl with a serious expression.
This was not something she could afford to be careless about; even a slight error in control could result in a backlash for both of them.
Especially for Karl, facing a powerful mental Impact could cause his mind to collapse, turning him into an idiot or even killing him.
So, she planned to try a light attempt by only touching his hands, a method that kept her far from his brain.
This way, if there was any adverse reaction, it could be immediately detected and interrupted.
Karl nodded, obediently following Triss's instructions, and extended his hands for her to hold.
Triss gently held Karl's palms, then closed her eyes, delving her will and magic deep into Karl's consciousness and body.
As Triss's magic and consciousness deepened, she gradually discovered that Karl's heartbeat was not only unusually strong.
His physique was also far more robust than an ordinary person's, and in some sense, he wasn't even a biological being.
And when her will delved into Karl's consciousness, gradually touching his memories.
She sensed the surrounding temperature rapidly rising, a feeling of an impending volcanic eruption, an energy feedback that made her heart pound with trepidation.
"Ah? What is this? Such immense energy."
The next moment, Triss shrieked, a hint of fear on her face, and suddenly released Karl's hands.
At the same time, Karl opened his eyes, looking at Triss with a bewildered expression.
"Karl, there's a vast energy within you. From its characteristics, it's not the chaotic magic I'm familiar with."
"Roughly estimating its destructive power if unleashed, it's almost equivalent to casting two to three level four offensive spells."
Triss calmed her inner fear, her beautiful eyes wide, and said with immense surprise.
"Uh… is that good or bad?" Karl's eyes flickered as he asked, puzzled.
He could roughly infer what energy Triss was referring to.
It was most likely the energy stored in his cells after absorbing sunlight.
"I cannot give you a definitive answer. Based solely on its feedback and reserves, even the top talents among Source Sorcerers have far less magical source reserves than you."
"But the nature of the energy in your body is completely different from chaotic magic. I can't measure it with the knowledge I possess."
"I've never seen a case like yours in any book. Perhaps… perhaps my knowledge is insufficient."
When she said this, Triss felt deeply ashamed.
Her cheeks flushed, and she lowered her head slightly, like a little girl who had made a mistake.
However, Triss quickly adjusted her mindset and raised her head again.
"Karl, I may need to report your situation to the Brotherhood of Sorcerers."
"And discovering and reporting individuals with spell-casting talent is the duty of every member of the Brotherhood."
"The Brotherhood will record the contributions of Sorcerers who report talented individuals, until one day they are nominated for the Council."
"But considering your identity… to avoid causing you trouble, I will find a member who is not involved in politics. How does that sound?"
Triss showed a hint of difficulty, her eyes flickering, and she bit her lip as she asked.
Her latter half of the sentence was clearly seeking Karl's opinion. She had to carefully consider whether to report it. If Karl refused, she would prioritize respecting his choice.
However, if she didn't report it, she would inevitably be held accountable by the Brotherhood of Sorcerers afterwards.
"Hmm, report it. Find that member you mentioned who doesn't get involved in politics."
Karl looked intently into Triss's eyes, then smiled faintly, noticing her troubled expression and understanding her predicament.
She also had her own small selfish motives, but Triss chose not to deceive him, but to tell him truthfully, so he could understand and accept it.
Now, he and Triss had just established a relationship and were officially beginning to get along, in a stage of understanding and adjustment.
He could tolerate some minor, inconsequential flaws in a partner, but he could not tolerate deception and betrayal.
Sorceresses are very independent; they have their own ideals and goals, and they will strive for them, using various means.
Triss was naturally no exception. Compared to other sorceresses, she was clearly more sincere and genuine.
As long as he wanted to learn spells, the Brotherhood of Sorcerers was unavoidable; he would have to interact with them sooner or later.
Moreover, his situation was different from a magical source, which might draw a little attention, but not enough to make everyone notice.
"Hmm, let's go back. I need to transmit a message using a magic crystal ball." Triss smiled slightly and patted Karl's arm.
Joy welled up inside her. She knew Karl must have seen her selfish motives.
But clearly, Karl did not hold it against her, but chose to be understanding and tolerant.
Currently, their interactions were exceptionally pleasant and relaxed, with almost no conflicts occurring.
Triss focused her attention, made hand gestures, and then waved forward.
"Boom!" In the void, the orange, swirling portal reappeared.
"Let's hurry! The successive magical fluctuations might attract the attention of Keira and Fercart."
She grabbed Karl's wrist and pulled him into the portal.
And Triss's guess was indeed correct; less than three seconds after the two left through the portal.
Several meters from where she had opened the portal, two portals appeared simultaneously, one after the other.
Immediately after, the portals vanished, and a figure emerged from each; one of them was Keira.
The other was an unknown male Sorcerer with a sinister aura, his bangs covering most of his forehead, dressed in a dark blue court gown, and he was Fercart, whom Triss had mentioned.
The two arrived at the scene, briefly exchanged glances, then averted their eyes and began to examine the area without a word.
As royal advisors, they not only had to provide appropriate "advice" to the king.
They also had the duty to monitor all magical fluctuations occurring nearby.
"Hmm, the residual magic carries the scorching heat of fire. Among those in Vizima skilled in fire magic… Triss."
"It was merely opening a portal; there are no other traces of spellcasting…"
Fercart extended his hand, made two grasping motions in the air, and sensed the chaotic magical fluctuations in the space, analyzing the situation.
"Keira, you are quite familiar with Triss. Has she been acting unusually recently?" Fercart opened his eyes and asked her without ceremony.
"Hmph, so what? Just because we're familiar means I have to tell you everything? You're too sensitive, Fercart!"
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