Chapter 110 Rehearsal (2)
Basil and the female Priest kept staring at each other, until someone interrupted them.
"Do we have a problem here?"
The female Priest threw her gaze to the direction of the voice. She was met with a grey haired and fit old man wearing the Randalvine Magic Institute's Vice Headmaster robe. It was none other than Lawson Lansdowne.
He came with some of the professors as his entourage.
"No, Mr. Lawson. There is just a slight misunderstanding between us." The female Priest bowed her head politely. "May I know the root of the misunderstanding?" Lawson asked.
"I was merely asking this student about his injury. However, instead of answering me, he ignored me instead." At that, Lawson mildly glanced at Basil, who was brushing the Chibi Deacon's fur. "Well... he has never needed the help of a Priest to heal his injury."
Lawson was referring to Basil's ridiculous regeneration, and his healing ability. However, the female Priest could never know it.
Therefore, the female Priest was bewildered. However, she didn't pursue the matter any further. She merely bowed her head, and left to treat the other student while carrying her staff.
"Ho-ho-ho. Is this the student you were talking about, Vice Headmaster?"
One of the professors coming with Lawson, the one wearing glasses with a bushy white beard, turned his head to Lawson.
"Yes, he is, Professor Alcott. He is Basil Pacifer." Lawson nodded his head. "Hoh? I have never heard of his family name yet." Alcott went to inspect the tall young man in front of him.
Every renowned Mages rarely stayed update with the news. They were too busy with their research to advance their mastery, they couldn't care less with what was happening with the world. Therefore, Alcott didn't know anything about Basil.
It was also the same for his colleagues, as they were also inspecting Basil in interest.
Suddenly, Basil looked into the eyes of one of the professors. It was the youngest professor with long reddish brown hair and a nonchalant expression. "I believe [Appraisal] is something taboo between Mages." At this, the professor who had been staring at Basil laughed.
"Oh my. He is quite something. Not even his senior managed to detect whenever I am using [Appraisal] on them yet. But, he could deduce it in a glance! Bravo!" The professor clapped his hand in delight. "Still, I have to apologize." He bowed his head lightly.
Everyone who was watching the scene gasped in shock. They couldn't imagine a professor bowing his head at Basil, a mere student. However, not even the other professors or Lawson frowned at the display. They knew about the rule already.
[Appraisal] was used to deduct a value of something. If one used [Appraisal] on a Mage, it was the same as comparing their value to a thing. It was an insult to a Mage, who prided in themself in their worth. Therefore, [Appraisal] became a taboo between Mages.
Surely, there was actually no problem if one did that discreetly, so the one being Appraised was unaware. However, if one was caught doing that, apologizing was the best way to diffuse the "misunderstanding".
"Well. I like you already, so let us know each other." The professor extended his hand. "I am Brayden." Basil looked at the extended hand briefly, before grasping it. "Basil Pacifer at your service." Brayden smiled.
Deacon, who was latched onto Basil's shoulder, felt a bad premonition. Therefore, he quickly got down from Basil's shoulder.
As if proving his premonition right, a shocking scene that attracted everyone's eyes unfolded right after.
Hum.
Spark!
A blue electricity came out of the two people's clasped hand, and it was frolicking wildly in the air. The sound produced by the electricity was audible enough to grate one's ears.
"Hah! Eugene is right. You have a Lightning affinity." Brayden chuckled merrily. "I thought he could only speak nonsense. He is surprisingly observant towards his surrounding," Basil replied disinterestedly.
Brayden chuckled awkwardly at that. "He is right about your attitude too." Basil quirked his eyebrow. However, he didn't have any intention to pursue the matter any further.
His attention was focused on the electricity coursing through his hand. It was getting stronger in each second. He knew Brayden was pranking him. However, he couldn't let himself being tested like a kid.
Therefore, he decided to surprise Brayden a little. "[Electric Shock]!" He muttered softly.
Brayden suddenly felt the alarm in his head goes off. However, he discarded it, due to his carefree nature. Sadly, he had made a wrong decision this time.
Basil tightened his grip, and a ridiculous amount of electricity was expelled out of his hand. This time, the sound it produced was enough to hurt one's ear.
Screech!
Brayden widened his eyes. However, Basil didn't give him any time to escape. The electricity was transmitted directly to Brayden's body.
Boom!
Luckily, Brayden was experienced enough to redirect the electricity transmitted to him to his surrounding. Therefore, the electricity hit the ground instead. As the aftermath, the ground was dug out and charred.
"Kuhum!" Brayden turned his head slowly at the direction of sound, and looked at Lawson. "I hope you are aware you will be hold accountable for this mess, Professor Brayden." With bitter smile, he nodded his head. "I do, Vice Headmaster."
Lawson merely nodded, before looking at Basil. "You won't hold any responsibility regarding this matter, Basil. Therefore, you can rest assured." Basil merely nodded his head as a response, while Deacon returned to his Master's shoulder.
Lawson, along with his entourage moved to inspect the other students. While Lawson was assuming his Vice Headmaster mode, his entourage was snickering at Brayden. They were simply glad Brayden had finally had a taste of his own medicine.
"Darn, those old bastards!" Brayden cursed at them. He looked to Basil, and sighed. "Huuh... You are really something, my friend. But, can't you loose yourself a little bit? Don't ever prank the one who is pranking you!"
At the absurdity of the word, not even Brayden could keep a straight face.
"Anyway, you are really good." He shook his head.
Then, Brayden motioned Basil to lower his head. He wanted to whisper something to Basil. As Basil was taller than him, he wouldn't be able to do so, if Basil didn't lower his head.
When Basil lowered his head, Brayden quickly inched closer. "Listen, I am 38 and I already have 6 Magic Circles. That means, I am a genius. Those old farts will die soon, they won't be able to teach you anything," he whispered conspiratorially.
He pulled his head back, and grabbed Basil's collar instead. Staring deeply into his eyes, Brayden said, "If you want to learn something, be my disciple! I will guarantee you will not be disappointed."
He let go of Basil's collar, and straightened Basil's uniform once again. With a nod, he returned to be Lawson's entourage. Of course, he also felt the need to wink at Basil, and giving him a thumb up as if they had made a deal.
Basil merely shook his head faintly. Brayden was as eccentric as he had been in Basil's past life. Brayden had been Chester's mentor in Randalvine Magic Institute. Basil had met Brayden when he had attended Chester's funeral in his past life.
Brayden had never believed Chester's assassination hadn't been premeditated. Therefore, he had desperately sought the truth behind Chester's death. Unsurprisingly, Brayden had met the same fate as Chester too in the end. He had been also assassinated.
Basil frowned. He was instantly reminded of the fact that his enemies weren't just the Demons, but also his fellow human.
The Kingdoms and the Empires might look peaceful currently. However, they had been long corrupted. Even while he was preparing himself to face the upcoming predicament, there was something going on up there.
Basil sighed to himself. The more he thought about it, the more urgent the situation became. He shook his head faintly to clear the unnecessary thought.
Thinking about the future too much wouldn't give him anything other than the feeling of being overwhelmed. Rather than focusing too much on the future, he should focus on the present instead. Therefore, he moved his feet toward his dorm room.
The day hadn't ended yet, and he had plenty of time to train himself harder. He would finish Carving his fourth Magic Circle as soon as possible.
"Brother Basil! Where are you...?" Xiu Li looked at Basil in puzzlement, before nodding his head in realization.
Basil had ignored him. He was sure Basil had something important to do — training. Therefore, he didn't bother calling Basil for the second time.
Today's event had once again opened his eyes. He had thought having an amazing fighting capability was already enough to get stronger. However, the Doppelgangers he had faced today had made him realize something.
To be a strong Mage, a strong mind was needed.
Basil could face tens of Doppelgangers at once, and not even once he had blinked his eyes in fright. Xiu Li had been amazed by Basil's display of fearlessness. Therefore, he would train his mind from now on.
With determination, Xiu Li also returned to his dorm room.
"What is wrong with those two?"
Kimberley, who was watching the two from afar, was flustered.