188. The Cost of Freedom II
Clay pressed the side of his head against the transparent window of a locomotive train as he gazed on the moon hovering on the horizon. It has been six hours since he got his freedom and from his estimate, he should arrive home by daybreak. Counting the time since he got taken away, it should around fourteen month and through series of luck, he finally gets to go home.
If there is one thing he regrets, that is the opportunity to establish connection with Dr. Reubin. It would have been nice if he gets to an actual school this time and delve on the world of physics.
(Arriving at Baston Port in two minutes.)
(Arriving at Baston Port in three minutes. Please secure your belongings if you’re dropping off on the next station.)
Clay moved his head away from the window and stretched his hands in boredom.
“You alright?”
“I’m doing well. Thank you.” Clay turned to his right where Terrence is seated whilst reading a newspaper. Sometimes he wonders what kind of life does Terrence has. Based on the image projected on his Godly Eyes, Terrence is a 2ND Circle who has integrated with an Unawakened Spirit Essence and judging from his strength, Terrence should be of equal footing from the Elves they met before but sadly, this supposedly powerful man is like dog on a leash by the royal family.
Exactly why he did not want to follow the prince.
“Here, drink this.” Terrence opened his briefcase and took out a bottle of a seemingly regular water. “Bear the slight bitter taste. It helps remove the exhaustion from your body.”
Clay looked at the bottle on Terrence’s palm and after a second, he stretched his hand and gladly accepted the bottle. He is not particularly thirsty but it would be bad not to appreciate the offer of someone who he will be parting with.
Clay placed the bottle to his side and was about to stand since they are about to drop off on the next station however, a scent assaulted his nose making him extremely thirsty.
“Now I feel like I’m thirsty as well.” Terrence made a casual remark and took out another bottle from his briefcase then twisted the cover to open it up.
*Mssshhh
Terrence cleared his nose before drinking from the bottle.
Clay on the other hand almost laughed. Back at Elifar City when city before he was administered the booster medicine, the unknown mage did something similar to make him feel thirsty. He did not want to over think but that moment when Terrence cleared his nose, he saw him smirked and grinned. While he could not read what Terrence is thinking, Clay is already having a bad premonition.
Clay forced a smile then opened up the bottle then drank from it as well however he had already sent his mana into his throat and stomach to contain the unknown liquid. After a few gulps, he put the lid back then got to his feet.
(We have now arrived at Baston Port. You have five minutes to un-board.)
(We have now arrived at Baston Port. You have five minutes to un-board.)
Clay acted normally and like a regular kid, he showed excitement from getting off to another station.
“Stay close and don’t move too far.”
“Mhhh” Clay nodded then followed.
Upon exiting the train station, Clay waited not far away from a telephone booth where Terrence is making a call. Since the man is not looking at him, he took the chance to expel what he drank earlier. As well, to make it look like he drank from the bottle again, he poured a few of its contents on the ground.
As for what the liquid is for, he did not want to take chances. If this was his previous world where he had an Essence Flame to neutralize the poison, he would gulp everything on the bottle without any worries.
Support the creativity of authors by visiting the original site for this novel and more.
After a few minutes, Terrence got out of the booth and looked at Clay.
“We’ll hit an inn before the next train.” Upon seeing the bottle is almost half empty, Terrence grotesquely grimaced and said, “Come here. Our ride has arrived.”
Clay ignored the suspicious actions of Terrence and entered the cab. He can already tell this man is up to no good but he will wait and see if he could escape without him being tracked nor his family being implicated.
A few more minutes and the cab parked near a tavern at the end of an alley. For a moment, Clay could not help but appreciate the surroundings. Had the building been painted black and had there been no lamppost illuminating the area, he would feel as if he is on a lair of some gothic cult.
“Stop gazing around and come here.”
Clay came back to his senses when Terrence called him then started walking towards the entrance of the inn.
*Cling
*Clang
Like a convenience store where little bells are hung on the door, Clay was surprised again as he walked into inn. From first glance, it looks like a medieval pub. There were small bulbs all over their yellow light make them glow like candles.
The place is empty except for three bulky men and the fourth, a thin and bald bartender. They look intimidating and could easily be ignored but the fact that they are all facing towards Terrence, Clay had already guessed they have arrived at the place where everything will be revealed.
“The first prince will arrive any moment and while I want to eliminate him, the future king wants to see if we could still make him one of us. I trust we are clear on this matter.” Terrence took out a small pouch from his pocket then threw it on the table.
“And if he resist to death?”
“Then by all means….”
“Stop!” Clay interrupted as he stood behind not far from Terrence. Deep down, he was hoping it was just him being paranoid but hearing them talk, he can already see where this is going to end. He finds it ridiculous how things quickly escalated from being acquainted to being enemies.
“Ha ha ha ha. Oh boy. I really admire how smart you are. If you wanted freedom, you could have had just asked me. But you actually had to give the Spirit Essence to the second prince? You’re lucky …”
“I said stop. Whatever this is, you’ll regret it.” Clay immediately understood what he did wrong then interrupted Terrence again.
“What a stupid brat. Do you think you can still utilize your mana after drinking the Larma Potion? Give him the collar.” Veins started protruding on Terrence’s forehead and commanded one of his lackeys to move however, just as he finished his sentence, he felt a sudden burst of power and the next thing he knew, two sharp tentacles made of mana appeared in front of him and went straight through his throat and to his chest.
*Zzzzzk!
*Zzzzzk!
The complexion of Terrence’s face became aghast. It was too fast he could not even react.
*Argggh!
Pain and horror could be painted on Terrence’s face. He had always thought he is among the best of Mages in the kingdom and an assassin at that yet something so minor escaped him. It just never occurred to him that Clay was actually an expert in hiding. He cannot even circulate his mana.
In instinct, Terrence moved his tongue and retrieved a small marble safely installed at the back of his third molar then cracked it with his teeth.
Crack!
He knew escaping is impossible so to prevent anyone from interrogating him to his last breath, he must poison himself before anyone can move.
*Argggh!
Terrence body began to twitch and as his final moments ticked, he looked Clay in the eye. He regrets his carelessness.
*Argggh!
Blood spurted out of Terrence’s mouth. With his heart pierced coupled with a potent poison, the last of his strength left him. As a spy, he was at least grateful his death came easy and swift.
*Argggh!
Terrence hands fell indicating he had already passed away.
*Drip
*Drip
Clay coldly watched as blood slowly dropped on the floor. Unlike Terrence, the bartender and the other three men had their head pierced. He was hoping Terrence would struggle and say something melodramatic but Terrence did not even hesitate to kill himself.
Clay retracted his aura then looked around with his Godly Eyes. Like he predicted, there was no one was around.
*Sigh
Clay let a sigh of relief. Here he thought everything had been going smoothly yet here he is again, killing. He planned on revealing a portion of his strength and threaten Terrence but he knew this will just invite more troubles in the future.
Recalling Terrence’s actions, this man had to make phone calls a few times since they started travelling. From his guess, it should be to pass on a message to the first prince and to contact these thugs he just killed. If what Terrence said is true, then he will wait for the first prince to arrive and negotiate.
Clay looked around. Even if he knew there are no surveillance cameras around, it is still best to be careful. He spread his mana and operated it to function like a divine sense and searched every corner of the pub.
From his observation, everything looked normal except for that hidden cellar where he was probably meant to be tortured and brainwashed.
Clay extended his mana and grabbed a few expensive-looking wines then walked towards an empty seat at the back and relaxed himself.
Before taking a sip, Clay connected all the Mana Nodes from his Beast Spirit Essence then looked at his palm and tried conjuring a Level 4 Simplified Spell. Having killed Terrence, even he was surprised as to how much had he underestimated his 200,000TH year Spirit Essence. It just felt like he killed an ant with a grenade.
At least he now understands why Mages needed to upgrade their Spirit Essences as each Mana Node added creates a gap in power. Taking into consideration what transpired today, he reckons that activating 5 of the 97 Mana Nodes from his Spirit Essence would have been enough to deal with Terrence.
*Plop!
As he uncorked a bottle, a sweet and refreshing fragrance greeted his nose.
“Not bad!”