Chapter 73: A Request

Lin Wei carefully manipulated his mental strength, shaping his sorcerous power into a simple, delicate framework.
“Next, all I need to do is place the shadow element particles one by one onto the framework…” Lin Wei controlled his actions with utmost caution.
He watched as the tiny cluster of shadow element particles condensed together, tightly enveloped by his sorcerous power.
“Synthesize!”
A faint smile of delight appeared on Lin Wei’s face.
He opened his eyes to see a black speck, no larger than a grain of sand, floating before him.
He reached out, gently lifting the black grain onto his fingertip.
“There’s a subtle, cool sensation…” Lin Wei murmured to himself. “Unlike the Eye of Dusk, Starlit Shadow Sand is a physical attack.”
“Let’s continue!”
Once again, Lin Wei calmed his mind.
…
The next morning.
In front of the luxurious loft where Lin Wei resided, Orien was quietly waiting with several high-ranking officials from the city of Gexoyas. Behind them stood a splendid carriage, attended by several beautiful maids, while dozens of guards stood by with their warhorses, keeping watch around the carriage.
Creak.
The door to the loft opened.
“Master!”
Orien and the others hurried forward, bowing respectfully.
Lin Wei carried a modest bundle in his hand, his luggage simply packed.
He nodded lightly. He had already instructed Orien the previous day that there was no need to prepare breakfast—they would depart at once.
“What’s this?” Lin Wei glanced at the convoy and guards behind them, asking the question.
Before Orien could reply, a plump, obsequious middle-aged man beside him grinned and said, “Master, this is the escort and carriage prepared to see you safely to the royal capital.”
“An escort for me?” Lin Wei nearly laughed. He patted the middle-aged man’s shoulder, “You’ve gone to a lot of trouble.”
The man was flustered by Lin Wei’s unexpected gesture; though Lin Wei smiled at him, he couldn’t help but feel a strange sense of dread.
Lin Wei ignored him and turned to Orien instead. “There’s no need for the convoy or the guards—just have the warhorses ready.”

Orien was evidently quite different from the sycophantic man beside him. He stood tall and stern, his bearing knightly even as he showed Lin Wei deference.
“Yes, Master,” Orien’s voice was low and hoarse. “In that case, we three shall ride out together.”
“Three?” Lin Wei raised an eyebrow.
Unhurried, Orien replied, “Yes, Master. Those responsible for escorting you to the capital are myself and my student, Kaiveline.”
“Master!”
As Orien finished speaking, a girl of about fifteen or sixteen stepped forward from the crowd. She wore ornate, openwork armor, a slender cross-hilted sword at her waist, and her youthful face still retained a trace of innocence.
“A promising talent.”
Lin Wei praised her offhandedly. With just a glance, he could discern the girl’s strength: a standard knight’s squire. Without the aid of the intelligent orb, Lin Wei’s own aptitude as a knight would fall short of Kaiveline’s.
He studied her further and immediately recognized that she was of noble birth; she carried a subtle air of aristocracy. Otherwise, she could never have become the pupil of someone as accomplished as Orien, a knight of great renown. After all, a knight of his caliber was highly respected even among mortal nobility.
“Thank you, Master.”
Kaiveline replied with composure, exuding a heroic aura reminiscent of Orien himself.
Lin Wei wasted no time. Once the horses were brought forward, he handed his bundle directly to Kaiveline. The poor girl had to carry not only her own belongings but also Lin Wei’s, yet she displayed not the slightest sign of weariness.
Mounting his horse in one smooth motion, Lin Wei—dressed not in a wizard’s robe but in plain clothes—set off.
Under the watchful gaze of the city’s leaders, the figures of the three quietly receded into the distance.
…
Their pace was unhurried.
“Are royal affairs truly so troublesome?” Lin Wei asked casually.
Orien’s expression was grave. “Yes, Master. In just the past half year, more than a dozen members of the royal family have disappeared—princes, princesses, even several of His Majesty’s queens. Not even the wizard stationed in the capital has been able to discover the cause. That is why you have been summoned to the capital.”
The wizard Orien mentioned was a graduate assigned from the Shadow Forest, usually an apprentice of little talent or background. Typically, such external appointments required the abilities of a second-level apprentice.
Lin Wei nodded, saying nothing further. He felt no particular concern for their safety on this journey. In a mortal kingdom, there should be no power capable of threatening him. And even if there were, Lin Wei could simply abandon the mission—after all, this assignment was merely a temporary measure.
“Master…”
Orien slowed his horse, his expression troubled as if weighing something important.
“Hmm?” Lin Wei glanced at him.

Orien seemed to make up his mind. “Master, when we reach the city of Ares, may I ask for a ten-minute pause?”
“Teacher!”
Kaiveline tugged urgently at Orien’s sleeve, fearing he might offend Lin Wei.
To her, the mysterious powers of a wizard were both unknown and terrifying. Although Lin Wei seemed kindly enough, thoughts of the wizard stationed at the royal court filled her with dread.
Orien ignored her, remaining silent and resolute.
“Are you making a request of me?”
Lin Wei’s tone turned cold, his gaze indifferent.
“I wouldn’t dare.”
Unconsciously, Orien felt as if a mountain weighed down upon his back; cold sweat beaded on his brow under the invisible pressure.
Just as Orien and Kaiveline were growing increasingly anxious, Lin Wei suddenly smiled. “It’s nothing—just ten minutes. Granted.”
“Thank you, Master!”
Relief washed over Orien. With Lin Wei’s approval, he trembled with excitement.
“How intriguing…” Lin Wei regarded Orien with a half-smile. “What could so move a knight of his stature? Ten minutes… Does he have pressing business, or is he hoping to see someone?”
Half a day later.
A towering city rose before them.
“Ares…”
Lin Wei narrowed his eyes.
“At last…” Even the usually stern Orien allowed a hint of joy to touch his lips.
“Let’s enter.”
Lin Wei spurred his horse onward, the other two following close behind.