Chapter 62

Chapter 62

Luo Ci’s pointed ears drooped in dismay, his face a mask of confusion.

The staff member couldn't bear it—the little white-furred, pink-eyed kitten looked so forlorn, its eyes brimming with tears, enough to melt anyone's heart.

Luo Ci had never undergone an association review and didn’t understand the process, but Kevin was more experienced. Few mages and dragon knights ventured into remote areas, so some regional magic associations and wyvern associations were merged.

Clearly, it was that petty dragon knight they had encountered earlier, deliberately ensuring they failed the academy's review.

The association was biased, mixing personal grudges with official matters.

The Kevin of old would have stormed in long ago, but recent experiences had tempered his temper slightly. He narrowed his eyes and said, "Perhaps it’s just because it’s closing time today. Let’s come back tomorrow."

Luo Ci tilted his head up and nodded.

He puffed his cheeks in regret. "If only I had paid attention during Uncle Violet’s lessons..."

Uncle Violet had once taught him a spell to summon dust sprites. It was said these tiny creatures, which fed on dust, existed all over the ancient continent. Unfortunately, he had dozed off halfway and missed the complete incantation. Otherwise, he could have summoned them to gather information about Khamusokis.

Jia Xide adjusted his glasses and suggested, "Why don’t we split up to gather information? Maybe we’ll find something useful."

That was a good idea too.

Khamusokis was enormous. Dividing their efforts might yield information more efficiently. Kevin glanced at him. "Rare for you to have a good idea."

Jia Xide rubbed the back of his head.

So they agreed to split up and gather information, then regroup at the designated inn later.

Luo Ci wandered the streets with Little Black Furball in his arms, curiously looking around. True to its reputation as a big city, it was far more bustling than the border town they had visited before.

Especially as evening fell and the lights came on—the Southern District night market was about to begin, filling the streets with lively energy. Upon asking, he learned that these days marked Khamusokis’ famous Holy Light Festival, celebrating the birth of the Holy Temple's Paladin.

During this time, the church not only distributed free food but also opened parts of its grounds to the public, allowing more people to visit.

Every now and then, white-robed people passed by. They stood out in the crowd, solemn and dignified, one hand holding scriptures while the other wrist bore a rosary of white beads with cross-shaped charms. Luo Ci got a quick look—it somewhat resembled Ash’s greatsword, but much smaller, like a commemorative ornament.

These white-robed people were likely church members.

They seemed to hold high status in the city, with passersby frequently bowing or saluting them.

While observing, Luo Ci suddenly heard a mysterious, aged voice whisper in his ear: "Little one, come here."

He looked around but couldn’t spot the caller. Little Black Furball nudged him and pointed in a direction.

There, by the roadside, stood a lonely astrology stall. The stall owner wore tattered black robes, their face hidden beneath a wide hood.

Luo Ci tilted his head in confusion. "Were you calling me?"

"Yes, little one, come closer."

He walked over. "What did you want me for?"

The stall owner asked mysteriously, "Little one, want your fortune read?"

Luo Ci thought for a moment. "That depends on how accurate you are."

"You’re quite sharp, little one," came a hoarse chuckle from beneath the hood.

Suddenly, the stall owner raised a holy cup high and began chanting.

Luo Ci, seeing an astrologer for the first time, stared unblinkingly. Little Black Furball arched its back and leaped onto his shoulder, perching like a soft, agile little puffball, looking down at the cup.

Little Black Furball's warm belly pressed against his shoulder, its body heat radiating comfort. He poked it playfully, and it nuzzled his finger in return.

After a lengthy incantation, the stall owner reached out, grasped a strand of starlight, and dropped it into the cup. The liquid rippled like water, gradually revealing Luo Ci’s reflection.

Next, the fortune teller crushed seashells and sprinkled them into the cup. The vision inside grew increasingly mystical. Leaning in, the stall owner studied the images intently.

Slowly, they spoke: "Little one, I see chaos and light within you. You have bound the beast of chaos and brought light back to the land. Go now, and dispel the shadows over Khamusokis."

Luo Ci's eyes widened in surprise. The astrologer had actually gotten it right—the "chaos" probably meant Da Fa, while the "light" pointed to Ash. But Ash hadn’t even appeared—how had they known?

Still... what were "the shadows over Khamusokis"?

He tilted his head up to the sky—there wasn’t a single cloud in sight.

When he looked back, the astrology stall had vanished.

Huh?

His mouth formed a little "o."

What just happened?

In its place now stood a souvenir shop. Luo Ci stood there stunned, wondering if he had imagined it all—when the same aged voice whispered in his ear again: "Remember... do not accept gifts from strangers today..."

---

When they regrouped at the inn, Luo Ci shared his experience with his companions. As soon as Jia Xide heard this, he exclaimed excitedly, "That might have been Archmage Chokefuchi!"

"Who’s that?" Luo Ci asked curiously.

Kevin gave him a thoughtful look. That strange feeling returned—Archmages were so rare across the continent they could be counted on one hand. Out of reverence, their names were common knowledge, yet Luo Ci seemed to have grown up completely unaware.

Jia Xide explained, "Archmage Chokefuchi is a dwarfish Archmage. Was the fortune teller you met very short?"

Luo Ci thought back. Indeed, the stall owner had been sitting cross-legged, shorter than him—standing might have put them at the same height.

He nodded.

"Then it must have been him!" Jia Xide said. "This Archmage has lived over 500 years, notoriously elusive and eccentric. Many nobles and even kings have offered fortunes for his divinations, yet none could find him. Occasionally, someone might stumble upon him by chance—some paid bags of magic crystals, others just a single silver coin, yet all received his divination. What did he charge you?"

Luo Ci looked surprised. "He didn’t ask for any gold before leaving."

Jia Xide choked, envy written all over his face. To have an Archmage read your stars for free—what incredible luck! Though he knew the opportunity had passed, he still regretted not taking that route himself.

At the time, he had been on White Queen Street—just three blocks away from Archmage Chokefuchi.

Would such an opportunity ever come again?

Luo Ci propped his chin on his hands. "If you met the astrologer, what would you ask?"

Jia Xide pondered. "I’d ask when I can complete the Encyclopedia of Magical Plants."

"Enough small talk," Kevin cut in impatiently, clearing his throat. "Let's report what we've found. I’ll go first—vampires have been spotted in Khamusokis."

At the mention of vampires, Luo Ci’s ear tips perked up, the points twitching under his snow-white hair. Little Black Furball lifted his head too, finding his little motion adorable, his tail swaying unconsciously.

But the next second, the tips of the cub's ears drooped down. Kevin continued, "Moreover, the vampires are preying on blood indiscriminately, slaughtering innocents. Almost every week, someone falls prey. Not long ago, it was a 15-year-old girl living at No. 7 Kenfu Street. So far, over 300 people have died in Khamusokis, which is why the people of Khamusokis live in terror and revulsion of vampires."

As he spoke, he glanced at Jia Xide. "You're from the Polaris Region—you must have heard about this too, right?"

"...Yes," Jia Xide hesitated. His hometown was in the western part of the Polaris Region, while Khamusokis lay to its east. The two places traded regularly, and he had indeed heard many rumors. "About a decade ago, when I was still young, I heard plenty of stories about vampires appearing at night and slaughtering innocents. I remember the neighbor's aunt even sang a lullaby to the children, warning them not to go out at night and to stay away from the terrifying vampires..."

That was why he was deathly afraid of vampires and swore by the bizarre legends about the Blood Roses of Hassen Castle and the Bone Garden.

Kevin summarized, "So, vampires are indiscriminately hunting and killing across the entire Polaris Region."

"If we want detailed information, we might have to go to the Mage Association..."

Luo Ci missed the rest of the words. His mind was in a daze—the vampires who roamed at night, slaughtering innocents, were nothing like the vampires he remembered from Hassen Castle. The thought of vampires harming innocent people made him heartbroken, his heart heavy. Yet, he couldn’t shake the feeling that there might be some misunderstanding, given how ironclad vampire society was. These conflicting thoughts clashed in his mind, leaving him dazed and conflicted.

Back in the room, sensing the cub’s low spirits, Little Black Furball couldn’t help but grow anxious too. Its tiny paws padded anxiously on the bed, pacing like a caged animal, even tugging at its own fur.

This went on for several minutes before Little Black Furball finally burrowed into the cub’s palm, rubbing its ears against his hand and making rumbling purrs in its throat.

Luo Ci sat curled up on a small chair, lost in thought—or maybe just numb.

Feeling something wet on his fingers, he looked down to find Little Black Furball licking his hand. The problem was, his hand was so small that the round furball, larger than the curve of his palm, had to squeeze in awkwardly, flattening its round form.

The sight amused Luo Ci, lifting his mood a little. He realized Little Black Furball was trying to comfort him.

Dwelling on it endlessly wouldn’t help. He decided to wait until tomorrow to look up more information—he *needed* answers.

Just then, three sharp knocks echoed at the door, followed by Kevin’s voice: "Please open the door."

Luo Ci found it strange—Kevin was never this polite.

When he pulled the door open, there was no sign of Kevin. Instead, a mint-green present box sat on the doormat.

"What’s this?"

The box rested on a layer of plush velvet, tied with a simple gem-studded ribbon. Ornate gift scissors and an exquisite card, infused with lavender, were placed neatly beside it—as if carefully prepared just for him.

He picked up the box and shook it lightly. It was light as a feather, emitting a faint, hollow clinking sound.

Suddenly, Luo Ci remembered Archmage Chokefuchi’s warning: *Do not accept gifts from strangers.*

He hesitated, unsure what to do. If this truly was a cursed object, leaving it at the door wasn’t an option either.

The cub’s gaze lingered on the box. Just as he was about to burn it, the strange patterns on its surface began oozing like liquid shadow, defying gravity to form an eerie curse script—a powerful enchantment of mental control.

His pink eyes widened like saucers as if ensnared. Despite himself, he picked up the scissors and snipped the ribbon.

The moment the box opened, a foul stench wafted out.

*Thud!* A heavy sword ablaze with holy light slammed between the cub and the box, jolting Luo Ci back to awareness. Before him stood a Paladin clad in radiant armor.

Ash, sensing the cub’s danger, had materialized. With one hand gripping his greatsword and the other pressed to his chest, he chanted lowly, forming a sacred seal in his palm. The divine light cleansed the air of the foul stench instantly.

Even against the Chimera, Ash had never revealed himself—proof of how dangerous the box’s contents were.

Little Black Furball had somehow transformed into a black wolf, its tail coiled protectively around the cub’s waist. Luo Ci clung to its fluffy tail as Ash and the wolf, both massive, filled the room entirely. Standing on tiptoe, he barely saw the wolf fish out a charred shard of tusk from the box. "What is...?"

"A curse," Fariel’s voice, rarely heard, echoed in Luo Ci’s mind—a velvet growl, laced with amusement. "Divine elephants were once revered as the purest beings, sacred creatures of the temples. Once corrupted, their innate light transforms into darkness. Their tusks naturally accumulate curses and resentment, especially when nine fragments fuse into a tusk bone—the perfect medium for sorcerers. A single touch, and the victim’s soul would instantly corrupt, screaming in torment until their body becomes the caster’s puppet."

Luo Ci’s eyes widened in horror, his tail bristling. He frantically grabbed the wolf’s muzzle. "Spit it out! Now, now!"

Fariel nuzzled the panicked cub reassuringly before rolling the tusk bone with his tongue and swallowing it whole. "This thing is harmless to me."

Born at dusk, the giant wolf was impervious to both light and dark magic. In fact, his sheer toughness rendered nearly all magic ineffective. Centuries ago, the Dragon Clan’s leader, fueled by hatred, had spilled the blood of his clan to unleash the final *Dragon Speech*—only then did Fariel succumb to slumber, though partly by his own will. Endless, empty years were better spent in eternal sleep.

To him, this cursed tusk bone was nothing more than a snack.

But the mental enchantment on the box... seemed specifically tailored for vampires. Fariel narrowed his eyes, studying the script.

Luo Ci was nearly frantic, his lashes glistening with unshed tears. The wolf curled its tail around him, murmuring explanations until the cub finally calmed, reassured that no harm would come to Fariel.

His chubby little hands cradled the massive wolf’s head, leaning back to peer worriedly into its eyes. "Really... no problem?"

The cub’s puffed-up cheeks were heart-meltingly cute.

Fariel’s heart melted. He instinctively butted the cub gently—only to knock him over accidentally, given his current size.

While they were enjoying this warmth, the caster was suffering immensely.

The moment his connection to the cursed tusk bone was severed, he retched up blood violently. The backlash wrenched his organs as if they’d been rearranged, aging him a decade in seconds. Worse yet, his power was severed forever.

---

The next morning, Jia Xide asked Luo Ci about the loud noise he’d heard the previous night.

Luo Ci explained the gift incident.

Jia Xide paled, muttering, "As expected of Archmage Chokefuchi—he truly foresaw this. Who could be so vile...? We should change inns today. If we stay here, I won’t sleep a wink..."

Luo Ci also asked if Kevin had knocked on his door.

Kevin’s jaw tightened, his expression icy. "It wasn’t me."

His pride wouldn’t allow further explanation.

Luo Ci nodded, resting his chin on his hands. "I knew it wasn’t you. That person was... politer."

Kevin: "..."

Laughing and chatting, they arrived at the Mage Association, only to be turned away by a different receptionist.

"Sorry, you haven’t passed the association’s screening."

Kevin crossed his arms coldly. "Then let us witness the screening process."

"Uh—"

"Enough. If you’ve failed, why cause a scene?" A familiar voice cut in. A young man in dragonrider attire, accompanied by a middle-aged man, approached with an entourage of riders—the same wyvern knight they’d met in town.

Today, however, his uniform was more formal, as if for an important occasion: dark riding gear, high combat boots, and a crimson cloak marking his rank as vice-captain of the Wyvern Cavalry. Beside him stood the middle-aged man, his cloak a deeper hue, his weathered eyes sharp—none other than the local head of both the Wyvern Association and the Mage Association, and captain of the Wyvern Cavalry.

"Petty as can be, it was indeed you who did it on purpose," Kevin said.

The deputy captain gave a derisive snort but didn’t deny it.

Kevin raised his voice and recounted the deputy captain’s misdeeds in the small town—pilfering shipments, and intimidating the mayor and residents. The other members were half-convinced, all turning their eyes to the association president.

The president narrowed his eyes and waved his hand dismissively. "Hurry up and chase them away. What kind of impression will this make when the inspectors arrive?"

The deputy captain immediately complied, while Kevin saw red. With a swift motion, he drew his sword from his waist.

The air crackled with tension, thick with hostility.

Jia Xide panicked. Offending both the Mage Association and the Wyvern Association would spell trouble—they might even be blacklisted, making future jobs impossible! He opened his mouth, wanting to say something to defuse the situation, but his mind went blank, and no words came out.

The association president frowned. The inspection team was about to arrive, and he didn’t want any unnecessary disturbances now.

With a soft whistle, an arctic gust whipped across the association square. A massive, snow-white figure loomed in the clouds, and amidst a collective gasp, a frost dragon—as majestic and solemn as the ones in minstrels' ballads—descended onto the square.

The onlookers’ eyes filled with admiration and envy. Even those who had seen this frost dragon countless times were still struck with awe by its noble and fierce appearance.

The dragon's bellow reverberated, hoarfrost crawling across the stones as snowflakes began to drift through the air.

Among all draconic creatures, the frost dragon was universally acknowledged as the most powerful and noble—looming like a glacier, aloof and untouchable, the leader of its kind.

The crowd gazed mesmerized at the frost dragon, its crystalline scales gleaming like carved crystal under the sunlight, beautiful yet sharp as blades.

Its temperament was icy and prone to fury. With each earth-shaking bellow, waves of frost surged forth, freezing the ground beneath and even the ornamental braziers around the square in an instant.

No one could resist the overwhelming draconic presence upon first sight. In the president’s mind, these puny interlopers would surely flee in terror.

"Kreee—"

The president made a silent gesture. With another deafening roar, the frost dragon’s massive, rime-crusted wings unfurled, and it advanced toward Luo Ci’s group with its sharp, clawed limbs, its crushing presence weighing down mercilessly.

Jia Xide’s face turned as white as fresh snow, and he was the first to collapse to his knees under the pressure.

Draconic might naturally exerted a top-down dominance, and the frost dragon, as the leader of its kind, was no exception. When its enormous, glacial eyes bored down at Kevin, the chilling aura forced him to brace himself with his sword planted firmly on the ground.

Yet the unyielding cold continued to pour forth, intent on forcing them to kneel and submit.

Luo Ci grew angry too. He had never met such unreasonable people—clearly in the wrong, yet abusing their authority to bully others and even trying to drive them away. Both the adults and the so-called leaders were just awful! He stood his ground stubbornly, planting his feet defiantly.

"ROAR—"

Then, a deafening bellow pierced the air. It took everyone a moment to realize it had come from the little black furball cradled in the child’s arms.

The small furball leaped down. It was a round, pitch-black fluffball, no bigger than a teacup—utterly dwarfed by the frost dragon’s colossal size. It was hard to believe such a tiny creature could produce such a commanding roar.

The association president: "..."

But what happened next defied all expectations.

The proud and noble frost dragon suddenly shuddered violently, its eyes widening in sheer terror—as if it had glimpsed some unimaginable monstrosity. Its ice-sculpted bones, joints, and wings trembled uncontrollably, and in its extreme fright, even its majestic frost-white scales stood on end.

The little black furball advanced slowly, and the frost dragon retreated step by step in fear, not daring to utter even a whimper.

The furball’s shadow stretched and twisted against the wall, swelling into a grotesque, towering silhouette—far larger than the frost dragon, a monstrous, yawning chasm of darkness deeper than the void itself.