CHAPTER 103: CATCHING UP TO SPEED (1)

The process of using the seal was very easy. Simply, both of them had to touch the seal on the same time, and utter the keyword, to activate it. Of course, in the process, both had to be very willing, otherwise, the seal would fail, and the scroll would be wasted.

As the seal was activated, Ramie could feel a concentrated magic energy travel to his body from the scroll, and condense inside his conscious. After sending his magic energy into it, he could feel a strong sense of connection to this man, Cyril. He could perceive that this pulp of magic energy gave him a one way authority and control over this man.

As the contract was completed, two, connected, pulps of magic energy were condensed inside both Ramie's and Cyril's consciousnesses.

Ramie agreed to use this method because he intended to make use of Cyril, to make him pay for his attempt to kill him. After getting the information he needed, and some guidance in the place that this man came from, he'd abort the contract and let this man go. After all, even if this Cyril went after his life, roping someone off his freedom and will was too extreme. In comparison, 'taking' some 'compensation' for the attempt of murder would be more useful to Ramie.

"Let's start with this, how long has it been since the beasts first showed up in this world?" With gleaming eyes, ramie asked the question he wanted the answer for the most. The moment he uttered the words, his heart started bounding hard, he was filled with nervousness to the brim.

As the contract has been established, Cyril finally relaxed. This way, he had 'escaped' the jaws of death. Although the bitterness in his heart had reached new heights… however, faced with the prospect of losing his life, there was nothing that he wasn't willing to do to avoid or even delay death.

His life was sustained by committing atrocities. There was no type of crime that he left out, committing all of them, to a point beyond saturation. He had absolutely no doubt, the moment he dies; all of hell's gate would open up for him, calling.

Now that the death prospect has been pushed away, he felt relieve. He'd scheme for his freedom later on.

Right now, he decided to do anything that he can to obtain the utmost trust from this mage, to give himself a head start. The first step toward that goal was to first understand his new 'master.'

Showing a deep look of respect, he answered: "Reporting to master, the first eruption of beasts happened exactly 40 years ago. Before that, the world has no prior knowledge of any sort regarding these beasts' existence." Even though he was prepared… however, he himself saying the words 'master' that he was anticipating to hear from that woman felt immensely bitter to his mouth.

Finishing his answer, Cyril swallowed the discontent, and looked at the mage. Right now, both of them were sitting at a high tree branch. The reason for it was because this was nighttime, and the night lurking beasts had already filled the forest to its brim. So, the ground was the most dangerous at this period.

Seconds ticked by, and Cyril frowned inwardly.

The moment the mage heard his words, he shifted his gaze at the light coming from the plants below, and went still.

Minutes ticked by, one after another. However, still, the bloodline mage didn't show any reaction at all

He was merely sitting still, like a statue, without showing any sign of movement at all. There weren't even the minor breathing movements. It was like this mage was part of the tree, not even shifting his sitting posture.

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At such pace, three full hours passed.

"Bloodline freaks!" Cyril cursed in his heart.

Generally, when bloodline mage's suffers setbacks, and have their bloodline progression advances, some of the beasts, from which the injected bloodline came from, habits starts appearing in their behaviors. Apparently, this was the case here with this mage.

…

40 years!

Ramie wasn't shocked, but overwhelmed, incredibly overwhelmed!

When he chose to cast Rooting, under circumstances similar to when he casted morphing spell for the first time, he knew that there would be consequences. He didn't know what they'd be, or how severe they can be…? But, he casted it anyway…

He didn't regret casting, not at all. As if he didn't, then he'd definitely be dead by now. He didn't have a choice at the time. And even if he knew about the consequences in advance, he'd still choose to cast it anyway.

However, forty years was huge number, a life time! It sounded heavy to his hearing, it wasn't not something to accept with ease.

Is his aunt still alive till now? How did she spend these hard years? Did she suffered, or did she have an easy life?

And, what about the rest…? Lance, Reem, Neil…? Are they still alive, or dead?

What about these 4 decades? Were they cut off of his age just like that, or what?

Ramie started at the glowing plants below, lost in his own gaze.

He knew that this man wasn't lying, as he couldn't. However, the number was too large.

It wasn't that he couldn't accept it. On the contrary, he was processing it. He knew that no matter what he does now, things couldn't possibly be reversed, or changed. This was the consequence of a decision he made, so, he had to accept the outcome.

However, it wasn't as if there was no hope at all. For instant, according to the artifacts knowledge, those who awaken their magic talent or their life energy, instantly gain a tremendous increase in longevity. The information wasn't too clear on the details; however, the term 'tremendous' gave Ramie some hope. He hoped that his aunt, somehow, managed to awaken a magic talent, or managed to get her hands on a beast's core, and ignited her life energy.

It wasn't much to go on, but for the time being, it was enough.

As for the years… his appearance was still exactly the same. And he didn't feel like being older or something. His body status was the same, not stronger, nor weaker. Most likely, these years weren't cut off his lifespan, at least, that what it seemed to him.

Of course, there was always the possibility that his bloodline had given him so much lifespan that merely 40 years were considered nothing to him.

Snapping from his reverie, ramie realized that he had sat motionless in his very position for long time. However, it didn't surprise him. As apparently, after having the bloodline progress to 18%, he seems to have an abnormal increase in his patience.

Now, he could literally sit in one place motionless, staring at a wall for days without feeling any discomfort or getting bored at all. Obviously, this psychological effect came from the plant aspect of his bloodline, and not the ghost aspect.

As a psychological change, this wasn't bad thing, it wasn't bad at all. Especially when comparing to the bloodline mage that had attacked the compound, who inherited the savageness, killing tendencies, and bloodthirsty behavior from his bloodline.

'So, the dream has come true after all..! 40 spike, 40 years…!' Ramie thought to himself, wryly.

Prior to the bug disaster, Ramie had kept seeing a certain dream, repeating itself day after day after day, all in the same way. The key points in the dream had come true. Being swallowed by earth… having forty spikes penetrate his limbs and bound him to the ground… All of these things came true, except for the part where he wakes up and sees Reem and Neil waiting for him.

'Does this have something to do with my soul perception innate spell…?' Ramie wondered. 'Anyway, if this dream came true, then… was the dream about the white-robed mage and the dragon also true? And… what about the wind magician's scene I saw before blacking out…?'

The artifact information said that his ability enables him to sense ill intents. However, if this was all it could do, then, what is the explanation for sensing the looming danger that had eventually befallen the compound… what about it?

At first, he had believed in the artifact's information, however, after suffering the consequences of the artifact's deficiencies, he started believing that the artifacts' aren't all that reliable. They are powerful tools, but not completely dependable.

Turning his gaze toward the 'his follower,' Cyril, Ramie spoke:"why did you come after my life? We are strangers, with no enmities. Is this common sense now, like mad max movies? Anyone and everyone you see is an enemy?"

"I…" Cyril hesitated. In his mind, he was a bit confused. 'What kind of question is that? Isn't it clear? I attacked you to obtain the artifact.'

Obviously, the metaphor went missing on Cyril.

However, Cyril didn't dare to sound out his thoughts, and didn't loiter too long before answering: "Master, I was too stupid, and attacked you to… to obtain the artifact." Being bounded by the contract, Cyril wasn't able to lie. "I was blindsided by my greed, and wasn't able to perceive your magnanimity! Please master, don't hold it on me. I will spend the rest of my useless life to be of service to you, to make up for my mistake."

Ramie frowned a bit: "For the artifact? What's your use for it? I can sense that you have a strong magic aura on you, meaning that you too have an artifact. More ever, artifacts can't be taken, only the gemstones." Saying so, Ramie casted a focused look at Cyril, to see what type of artifact he has.

- Rank-1 magician

- Path: Summoning Magic

- Class: Weapon Summoner

- Magic Energy: 160

-Artifacts in possession: None

Ramie's gaze immediately hardened at the reading he received. This was very different from the stats he usually gets.

…