The Chase
In a grassland filled with blood-red pastureland.
An old male Magus with a head of white hair and a kind smile was guiding a few acolytes along the pasture. In their hands were a few metallic items used for harvesting.
“The reason for our existence is to seek truth! The path of a Magus is a continuous search for the truth, researching about phenomena and objects, and finding the rules in them and applying these concepts to ourselves. This is the source of motivation and strength for Magi!”
While walking, the old Magus taught the acolytes who were following behind him.
“I’ve already told you about the unique characteristics of the Bloody Grass. However, you’ve only seen pictures and samples. Now, I’ve brought you here, where it is naturally grown…”
“Arnold! Take a look at this. Is this Bloody Grass any different from the rest?”
The old Magus asked a male acolyte with freckles on his face.
“Yes! It’s thinner than others of its kind, and the veined pattern of blood on the surface isn’t very clear. It might have met with some natural predator, specifically… specifically…”
Arnold was still a large boy, with some hair growing above his lips. He walked ahead and extended his right hand towards the Bloody Grass, wanting to take a closer look.
*Xiu!*
In that instant, a red shadow shot out from the Bloody Grass, heading straight for Arnold’s face!
“Ah…” Arnold staggered and fell back, alarmed.
*Pak!* A black flash of light was shot out from the old Magus’ hands, striking the shadow down.
It was a red beetle-like organism with grey spots on its back. Its sharp mouth let out cold glints, its teeth that were half the size of its body still moving.
“This is the Sawtooth Beetle, the natural predator of the Bloody Grass! It loves to gnaw at the roots of the Bloody Grass. If it is cultivated by hand, one must patrol every day and eliminate this sort of insect!”
“Arnold! You didn’t even perform the most basic defence before observing the grass. This carelessness will cost you your life in the future!”
The old Magus shook his head and then headed off into the distance.
Arnold turned a little red as he rubbed his head, quickly stood up and caught up.
“Hey, big guy! You really are lucky! The spiral sawtooth attack of the Sawtooth Beetle is something even level 2 acolytes might not be able to take on! If not for mentor, you would now be a cold corpse…”
A female acolyte approached him, snorting in disdain.
“Hehe…” Arnold scratched his head, making him seem even more thickheaded.
“Let’s go! How could you even become an acolyte with that level of intelligence? It’s basically a disgrace to us and to our mentor!” A boy wearing fancy clothes and seemed to have received education on the etiquette of the nobility walked past, leaving Arnold far behind.
“Mentor! The Bloody Grass can strengthen one’s body to a certain extent, and is a huge temptation to some high-energy beings. It is usually found in places where high-energy beings hunt, so should we be a little more careful?”
The acolyte of nobility ran in front of the old Magus.
”You’re on the right track, but I’ve already scouted the area. The only high-energy being here is just a Gale Shackled Weasel, which is about the limits of what you are able to handle with your abilities!”
The old Magus nodded, praising him.
“Though Bloody Grass can strengthen the body to a certain extent, its poison is too strong for us humans. It needs to be processed before it can be turned into a potion! Your mission now is to harvest enough Bloody Grass to brew a standard portion of body-strengthening potion, as well as remove the poison within!”
The old Magus began to issue the task.
“Understood, mentor!” A few acolytes immediately brought out their apparatus and separated, with the old Magus at the centre so that he was able to help every one of them in time.
“Good!” Seeing this, the old Magus nodded in satisfaction.
*Xiu!* A Sawtooth Beetle shot out of the Bloody Grass, brushed past Arnold’s face and scared him so much that he fell.
“Haha! Look at that idiot! Mentor had already demonstrated that there could be beetles hidden in the Bloody Grass that looked less healthy, and yet you still try to harvest it!”
The acolyte of nobility coincidentally walked past. He raised his hand and chanted a few syllables, and a corrosive ball shot out, putting an end to the beetle before mocking him relentlessly.
“Look! I’ve almost gathered the required amount of resources, and you haven’t even filled the bottom yet!”
The acolyte opened his bag and proudly showed it to Arnold.
“Don’t bother with him! Levi, come help me! The roots of this Bloody Grass are too hard!” The girl from before hummed in dissatisfaction.
“Alright, alright, I’ll be right there!”
Levi quickly cast Arnold away, approaching the girl and being particularly attentive to her.
Though they were still children, the youngsters of the south coast usually matured early. There were already indications of this early on.
Upon seeing this, the old Magus reminiscenced, “This is youth…”
A huge suction power exploded from the light Magus, and Leylin was involuntarily dragged closer to him.
“As expected of a rank 3 Magus! Though this light domain is but an imitation, it is still slightly able to suppress my strength!” Feeling the rapid increase of the number of light elemental particles in the air and the huge decrease in dark elemental particles, Leylin’s expression became grim.
“Die!”
A white bundle of light carrying with it a terrifying destructive power rose from the rank 3 light Magus’ hand, advancing towards Leylin.
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