Badge in Azure

Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio

Isabella was only clad in her personal clothes as she sat cross-legged in the magic array, feeling a little shy.

Logically speaking, since everyone present were professionals, Isabella should not be experiencing such awkward emotions. Her clothes were tighter than the others who were wearing several layers of beast skins. Nailisi's whispers into Saleen's ear made her face turn scarlet.

"Master, Isabella has removed her long robe and her breasts are huge!"

Saleen's mouth parted slightly, but he did not say anything. He roughly understood the thoughts of a demon, "Nailisi simply wanted to identify Isabella's weaknesses. If I continue the conversation, I will appear frivolous."

Luckily, treatment began immediately. Nicholas first cast a level-1 treatment spell on Isabella. This treatment only enveloped the surface of Isabella's body, but it did not seep into her skin. Saleen observed closely and realized that this treatment spell did not really come into contact with Isabella. He had noticed some profound mysteries within Isabella's body though.

There seemed to be another space inside Isabella's body, coincidentally, it was in the shape of a human. "Could this be the principle behind the existence of a soul? A parallel space within the body? No, it isn't a parallel space, but it is a space which is totally unlike the elemental world. Originally, this space was one with the elements, but Isabella was affected by the curse. The contours of this space have become very pronounced."

Magic above level-7 did not just consist of the understanding of the elements, it also touched on the study of the soul.

As a grade-9 holy master, Nicholas was still very adept at treating this curse. Slowly, he injected low level divine spells into Isabella's body. Saleen clearly saw that Nicholas was giving Isabella the Power of Life and the Power of the Soul. The Power of the Soul had been drawn from Nicholas' Soul Bead.

When the Power of Life and the Power of the Soul came together, it was like an inborn three-dimensional magic pattern, as they brought out a little bit of contractual power from Isabella's body.

"It is actually contractual power!" Saleen was really astounded.

The power of this contract was really weak, even Saleen could get rid of it if he had grasped this technique. The fundamental of this contract was made up of rules.

The essence of a curse would use a tinge of rules.

This had exceeded the concept of normal magic or divine spells. One could only come across such content when they had reached grade-10. Saleen observed patiently. Nicholas could remove all the power of the curse in one go, but he had split the treatment process into a few hundred phases so that Saleen could observe it a few hundred times.

He was a grade-9 holy master. With a very mighty mental strength, he could endure the whole process.

Isabella could not feel anything, the treatment process was painless. There was even a comfortable feeling about it. Nicholas was a genuine holy master, he had never practiced any dark-type skills. If a person from the inquisition was treating Isabella in this manner, Isabella might be on the verge of going insane already. The suffering of the soul was way more intense than the amputation of limbs.

"Rules can actually be forcefully changed using one's powers!"

At the same time, Saleen was enlightened, "A contract is the most common form of a rule power and the contract between myself and the three kings gradually loosened, eventually causing Banchajanna to rebel. The kings' grade was way higher than mine, so it was almost impossible for the contractual rules to be maintained permanently, especially for such a compulsive rule. A follower's contract is more stable, because the power of this contract is supported by the parties who had signed the contract. It will be exponentially more difficult to destroy such a contract."

Nicholas took six hours to remove every last strand of the curse's power from Isabella's body, using the Soul Bead to absorb it. The soul shards within the Soul Bead could digest the curse's power naturally.

Saleen observed for six consecutive hours. Even though he still could not learn such a skill, his knowledge about the soul had strengthened by a large magnitude. It was very beneficial for his advancement to a grade-7 sorcerer.

"Nicholas, it's been tough on you," Saleen said with a smile.

"Mm, I don't think she has any more underlying problems, it is better that way too." Nicholas appeared somewhat tired, he was clearly short of breath when talking.

"Then go and rest first, I have something to say to Isabella."

"Okay." Nicholas got on his feet and walked out of this empty room.

Isabella opened her eyes and bowed towards Saleen, then said, "Thank you my Lord, I never expected that a treatment divine spell to greatly strengthen my knowledge about the elements. I think I can surely advance to a grade-7 sorcerer in at most ten years!"

She was overjoyed, this outcome was simply unexpected. Originally, she thought that she would have to spend ten years regaining her grade-6 abilities after removing the damage from the divine spell. It was amazing that Nicholas' treatment speed was so high and his treatment was so thorough. The magic chords in her body had actually begun growing and recovering gradually.

In at most several months she could regain the pinnacle state of her grade-6 powers. It would not be onerous for her to become a sorcerer in ten years.

Her age was not considered old. If she became a grade-7 sorcerer before forty years old, then she could possibly go one step further and charge towards grade-9. Of course, Isabella did not know that Saleen had the Six Elements' Space for use. Had she known about it, she would not have tried to sound out Saleen, she would have dedicated herself faithfully.

If one advanced to a grade-7 sorcerer before reaching forty years old, then they had a fifty percent chance of breaking through the limits of grade-9. A normal mage was already considered a prodigy if they could attain grade-9 before reaching two-hundred years old. Most people who attained grade-9 before one-hundred years old had spent large amounts of money and received guidance from a wise teacher. They also had to have help from a magical tower.

"Ten years?" Saleen was laughing now because the speed of magic training in his temple was much faster than the outside world. "Isabella has more talent than me, but she lacks the guidance of a good teacher."

"Sir, I wasn't…"

"I know you aren't boasting. I mean to say that I can guarantee your advancement to a grade-9 sorcerer within ten years," Saleen said in a mysterious manner.

Isabella's astonishment made her forget to put on her outer coat, she simply looked at Saleen doubtfully. "Saleen is at least a grade-5 mage, but he seems like he is at grade-6 already. A mage of this standard will not spout nonsense. Since Saleen is my superior, it is less likely for him to deceive his subordinates. Deceiving a follower will incur a backlash from the contract."

"Isabella, are you tired?"

"I am fine," Isabella answered subconsciously.

"Put on your outer coat and let's talk." Saleen was not tired at all, he wanted to know whether Isabella was willing to impart her technique of cultivating magic and martial arts at the same time. This skill was extremely valuable, if it could be mastered, it could greatly increase the survivability of mages.

Mages, especially low grade mages, were very afraid of an assassin getting close to them. Even if a sorcerer had run into an assassin who was at Bain's grade, they would be very troubled too.

Fortunately, the advancement of an assassin was more challenging, so a mage would ultimately stand on the peak of power. Before reaching the peak a mage would be harassed by assassins and they could fall easily.

This situation was like the cub of a grade-9 magic beast who might very likely be devoured by a low grade magic beast.

Saleen brought Isabella to the cafeteria on the second story. It was already late into the night, luckily, half of the waiters were spirits. As long as these spirits received energy replenishment, they would not need to sleep.

Isabella was not tired, but she was ravenous. After getting treated by a holy master as skilled as Nicholas, a normal person would not need to sleep for the following three to five days, not to mention a mage with such a strong mental strength.

Saleen was also hungry. He and Isabella consumed some food, while Nailisi served them. Isabella could not help but steal a glance at Nailisi, using a memory spell to commit Nailisi's appearance to heart.

"Why are you looking at me? I am Nailisi, Master's contract creature. I am from the demonic plane." Nailisi's identity was no longer a secret. Back at the city entrance, she had revealed her original form in order to kill the spirit kings.

Isabella stopped short of choking, then Nailisi continued, "You are Master's follower, so I will not create trouble for you, unless…"

"Nailisi, don't scare her," Saleen interrupted.

Nailisi lowered her head telepathically, then said, "Yes, Master."

"Introduce Isabella to the followers around me, help her get familiarized with this environment," Saleen said.

"Yes, Master." Nailisi appeared obedient, but Isabella did not dare underestimate this elegant and mesmerizing maidservant anymore.

"Mm, Master doesn't have many followers. The lousiest one is Daniel, the guy who hosted yesterday's competition. Even though his powers are average, he is very loyal and he helps Master manage the daily affairs of Metatrin City. You have to maintain a certain degree of respect for him."

Isabella nodded her head, showing understanding.

"As for the rest, you cannot afford to trifle with them. If you have any conflicts with them, you better clarify with Master. I know that battles aren't allowed to take place between followers, but you are a mage, so I guess should have a trick or two to circumvent the contract."

Isabella kept mum, she also knew that being a mage's follower had its benefits. At the very least Saleen would provide full support for her future training. Isabella was just very worried that Saleen would treat her differently from the other followers he had subdued previously. If there was no fairness, then she would feel indignant even if she was receiving the best welfare.

"Master has a follower who isn't in Metatrin City, he has followed County Queen Lex to battle in the Bitter Water County. That man is called Su, a Silver Grand Swordmaster. Besides that, I have four under me, they are all demons, you better be careful. Of course, if you are wronged, you can come look for me. On account of Master, I will help you lecture those few fellows."

Isabella could no longer stomach her food anymore. Listening to Nailisi's narration, she realized that Saleen did not cheat her. Saleen's followers were really powerful. The weakest of them all were of course the mages from Sregl Island, but those mages were very united. If one of them got offended, it meant that all of them were offended too. Of the mages from Sregl Island, five of them had advanced to grade-6 already. Even though the remaining mages were relatively weaker, these five grade-6 mages could sufficiently control any situation.

Seeing that Nailisi had more or less affected Isabella, Saleen then said, "Isabella, can you impart your skill to other people?"

This was not some hint, Saleen was blatantly telling Isabella that if she could impart her skills, she would receive a proportional reward. If she could not do it, then she would have to rely on her own capabilities to cement her position beside Saleen.