Chapter 535: Chapter 535
Chapter 535
ONE WEEK LATER!
It has now been one week since the day Grey came back to the Noxarian faction and went into a portal that took him to where he battled a mythical phoenix.
And during that week, Grey hadn’t seen the outside at all, as he was busy crafting pills after pills. He took it slow and steady, with Thalos’ warning still fresh in his mind.
So, he paced himself while crafting the pills, occasionally modifying his storage pendant whenever boredom struck, and bickering with Thalos whenever he felt like stirring trouble. After seven long days, he had finally crafted the most pills he had ever made in one stretch.
After speaking with Dame, he had realized which of the two pills were in the highest demand. Though both were hot cakes in the market, he needed to know what the people truly desired more. It turned out that the purple pills were the most sought after, because they restored Ki fully for five whole minutes, something many warriors craved desperately.
Hence, Grey focused on crafting more of those. Out of the two hundred cores given to him, he produced one hundred purple pills and fifty blue pills, all neatly sealed inside a brown pouch, awaiting collection from Dame.
"Pheeew! I can’t wait for Dame to come take these, and then it will finally be time we return to Aetherian Academy. We need to prepare for the tournament and the assessments too," Grey exclaimed, a wide grin spreading across his face.
"I wonder what the assessment for the tournament would be," Thalos muttered with a deep frown on his stone-like face.
"Are you participating?" Grey asked, one brow raised.
"Of course not. If I did, even the direct descendants wouldn’t be able to land a single hit on me. That is why I’m going to find a way to dodge the assessments so I won’t be forced into the tournament," Thalos replied in a matter-of-fact tone.
"Good," Grey muttered as his gaze drifted toward the ceiling. "Because on that day is the day I fully reveal my magical abilities and finally put those damned kids in their place."
"What happened to staying low? Are you sure about letting all the eyes of the clan focus on you? Wouldn’t that be disastrous? I mean, for something like this, the major clans would most likely send representatives, usually their vice leaders, to scout for potential talents. Are you really sure you want everybody’s eyes on you?"
"If I wasn’t sure, I wouldn’t be doing it. I’ve had enough of hiding. It’s time I show them all who the boss is, and only then will my name carry true weight," Grey declared with his fists clenched tightly.
Knock, Knock, Knock!
After three firm knocks, the door creaked open and Dame stepped in.
"I hear there’s something for me," Dame said with a wide grin as Grey tossed him the pouch.
Catching it with ease, Dame felt its weight and instantly knew the Supreme Magus had cooked hard for him this time.
"One hundred and fifty pills. I’m expecting huge sales from this batch soon," Grey declared, his voice slightly altered by the mask on his face.
"Beautiful. Looks like we’re about to gather a little pile of wealth. Because trust me, everybody wants their hands on these pills. And most especially, they want their hands on the person who prepared them," Dame said, tucking the pouch safely away with a glint of excitement in his eyes.
"Whatever." Grey waved his hand tiredly, his tone laced with exhaustion. "And I also want to inform you that I’m... we are leaving tomorrow. I don’t know when else I’ll be coming back since I’ll be quite busy back in my faction, which is why," he said as he dipped his hand into his pocket and pulled out a bracelet. Without much warning, he tossed it towards the warrior.
Dame caught it neatly and examined it with a raised brow.
"This will flash brightly whenever I step foot onto that beast hunting ground. So instead of me wasting strength fighting through hundreds of beasts just to summon you out, this is the next best bet," Grey explained, his voice calm yet firm. Dame gave a small nod as he slid the bracelet over his wrist.
"Supreme Magus," Dame called out softly, his gaze locked on the intimidating mask. There was a hint of curiosity in his eyes, almost as though he was struggling to keep his words measured. "Can’t I at least see the face of the person I’m doing business with?"
"Nope." Grey shook his head firmly. "I can only reveal my face to those I trust... and also to those who won’t live past that day. So if you ever see me without this mask, just know it means one of two things. Either I trust you completely, or I’m about to send you to your ancestors."
"As if you could actually do that." Dame chuckled loudly, the sound echoing in the room, though there was a trace of unease hidden behind his laughter. He shook his head as if dismissing the thought.
"You’re a good person, Dame. Or at least, I hope you are. So I won’t do anything to harm you, as long as we don’t cross each other’s boundaries. I’ll show you my real face when the right time comes. In the meantime though, I need more money." Grey grinned beneath the mask, and Dame could only sigh deeply at the blunt response.
"I will hand this over to my aide for distribution then. I wish you safe travels back home tomorrow." Dame said, turning towards the door. His steps were measured, but his voice carried a strange heaviness to it.
When he reached the door, he paused, one hand resting on the knob. Slowly, he turned his head back to Grey with a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes.
"Kindly wish me luck."
"Huh?" Grey muttered in confusion but casually shrugged. "Best of luck then." He said, thinking Dame was simply referring to the pill sales.
"Thank you." Dame smiled faintly before opening the door. His thoughts, however, were heavier than his words. ’Because I will be needing it in the battle I’ve just been thrust into. Five days left before the moment I have to confront Beatrix and her army of six hundred men... with only three hundred on my side.’
He sighed deeply, the weight of responsibility pressing down on his shoulders, before shutting the door behind him and disappearing down the hall.
"He looks to be in some kind of trouble." Thalos muttered, his tone thoughtful as he studied the faint traces of worry Dame left behind.
"As long as it doesn’t affect my business, it doesn’t concern me." Grey replied casually, shrugging without the slightest hesitation.
---
{A/N}
Hey Magus Legion! I received a complaint that I’ve made this cultivation arc drag on too long, and some of you feel it’s draining. Which is why, with a determined heart, I’m bringing the tournament arc forward, where things will finally start moving in the direction you’ve all been waiting for.
Don’t worry, I’m not skipping the assessments for the tournament. I’ll cover everything fully. I just hope you bear with me, because everything I do is for a reason. Sooner or later, you’ll see my vision clearly, and I only hope you won’t drop the story before then. Thank you for your patience ☺️🫶