Chapter 100: The Wizard
TL: Etude
Three years ago, Marltz Kent was bitten by a strange bat while hunting. When he returned home, the wound began to fester and ooze pus. He endured it for a few days before developing a high fever and falling into a coma.
The doctors called to examine him simply shook their heads. According to them, the Kent family might as well prepare for his demise.
Just when the family thought the count was on the brink of death, a mysterious individual appeared.
This was a traveling doctor who called himself Barnett, claiming to have a cure for Count Marltz Kent.
By then, the Kents were desperate. Despite Barnetts odd appearance, more akin to a barbarian mercenary than a doctor, they allowed him to try his treatment, reasoning it couldnt worsen the situation.
Surprisingly, this Barnett indeed had some skills. With his mysterious medicine, Count Kent soon awoke from his coma.
However, before and after the counts awakening, Doctor Barnett allowed no one to witness his treatment process.
The Kent family, nevertheless, were extremely grateful to Doctor Barnett, treating him as an honored guest for over a month.
Only Count Kent knew that his lifesaver Barnett was not a doctor at all.
He was a wizard!
Yes, a wizard! This severe illness had made Marltz Kent realize a truth:
Wizards and magic werent just fabrications by the church to scare the ignorant; they genuinely existed in this world.
While his body was still in a coma, his consciousness was trapped in a relentless nightmare:
He found himself in a vast labyrinth.
He searched for an exit, but the maze seemed to move on its own. Whenever he reached a dead end and tried to return to a familiar path, he would find the route completely altered.
There were no terrifying scenes or frightening monsters, but something even more dreadful monotony, an extreme monotony.
The count saw nothing in the maze but himself and the brick walls that constituted it.
Kent was soon driven mad by this monotony. He prayed to the Lord of Light, wishing even for a terrifying monster to appear and frighten him.
After what seemed an eternity, a mysterious voice suddenly appeared out of nowhere, calling his name and guiding his steps.
To the count, this voice was a savior.
Following the voices guidance, he finally exited the maze in his dream. The moment he stepped out, he also awoke from his coma.
The first thing he saw upon opening his eyes was Barnetts face, marked with mysterious patterns.
For some reason, he was immediately certain that this man was the owner of the mysterious voice in his mind.
Hello, Mr. Barnett! These were his first words upon awakening.
Even he didnt know why he could name the man before him as if he had known him for a long time, although, on reflection, he knew nothing about him apart from the name Barnett.
The count had thought of turning this somewhat sinister doctor over to the church for examination, but subsequent events dissipated this idea completely.
During the follow-up treatment, Count Kent increasingly found the other party strange. When he mustered the courage to inquire, Barnett candidly admitted to being a legendary wizard.
Arent you afraid Ill inform the church? he asked, surprised by the frankness.
Barnett scoffed, I can save your life, and I can also make you die, or even wish for death. And thats not just you, but your entire family too.
Count Kent shivered. He had faced many threats and enemies over the years, but never had a single sentence instilled such fear in him.
Even stranger was that despite Barnetts initial sneer, his statement was delivered in an utterly normal tone. Did Marltz Kent become cowardly after his illness?
After much thought, he attributed his fear to Barnetts identity as a wizard. There must be some unknown method that instilled such dread in him.
He temporarily shelved the idea of notifying the church, as he couldnt do without the medicine Barnett provided.
At that time, his body was still weak, feverish, and he couldnt even get out of bed. Missing a dose of Barnetts medicine worsened his condition.
After a period of continuous treatment by Barnett, he developed a bizarre dependency on the wizard, feeling that his life would be in jeopardy without him.
Gradually, from this dependence, a sense of trust emerged, as strong as the one he had for his own son, and completely unconditional. Even the count himself was surprised by this change, as he had always been cautious of anyone outside his immediate family.
During their time together, he witnessed Barnetts various miraculous abilities, which piqued his interest in the legendary concept of magic.
Master! At some point, he started addressing Barnett with this respectful title. Can I learn magic from you?
He asked this with courage, driven by human natures two great instincts: the thirst for power and curiosity for the unknown, both of which magic perfectly satisfied.
Moreover, he had practical motivations. If he mastered this mysterious power, some matters could proceed more conveniently, like elevating his title or enriching his treasury.
When Barnett heard this request, he burst into a wild laugh, as if a long-awaited event had finally occurred.
But after his laughter, he gave a cold reply: No.
Why not? asked a disappointed Count Kent.
There are three reasons, Barnett replied.
First, youre too old. Youve missed the optimal period for enlightenment.
Second, studying magic is extremely taxing. Even if you hadnt fallen ill, your current mental state isnt as robust as in your youth, insufficient to support the study of magic.
Third, due to your mental state, even if you were a genius capable of understanding spell construction with minimal effort, your mental strength isnt enough to cast spells. Forcing it could be life-threatening.
Hearing these reasons, Count Kent felt as if a new world had closed its doors to him.
Then he heard Barnetts contemplative voice: However
He immediately became excited: Master, you have a way, right?
He had not felt this excited since turning forty.
Indeed, Barnett said: I have a secret technique that can strengthen your body and enhance your spirit. After using it, while you still cant compare with those exposed to magic from a young age, with some luck, you might achieve minor success.
Seeing a glimmer of hope, Count Kent eagerly asked: What is this secret technique, Master? Please teach me!
He was then taught a regimen: consuming animal blood raw with meals, taking a secret medicine, meditating before sleep, and breathing according to a specific rhythm.
Barnett explained: Its a long process, but this technique will halt your aging. You need not worry about time. Once your physique and mental state reach a certain level, Ill teach you some basic magic. Then, its up to your effort and luck.
Never stop, or all will be lost, he emphasized.
Count Kent assured him he would remember, feeling privileged to stop aging, a dream for many nobles.
In the following days, since the count had already stepped into the world of magic, Barnett gradually revealed more information.
Many wizards existed in the world, and a mysterious and powerful organization of wizards, the Arcane Society, had long been in a covert struggle against the church, providing shelter for many who joined it.
And Barnett was a member of this Arcane Society.
This sudden forbidden knowledge gave the count an inexplicable thrill, reminiscent of his childhood when knowing secrets made him feel remarkable.
What delighted him even more was Barnetts promise to recommend him to the organization if his magic reached a certain level.
Master Barnett.
Regardless of whether Barnett accepted the title, Count Kent began using it, and Barnett tacitly acknowledged it.
A month later, despite the counts pleas, Barnett left but promised to return to check his spiritual state and teach him magic once suitable.
Indeed, Barnett made several subsequent visits to Bayland Castle. Through these meetings, Count Kent glimpsed the grand plans of the organization behind Barnett.
However, unbeknownst to him, all these events had unfolded so naturally and inevitably.
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