The Blue Mage Raised by Dragons

Book 6: Chapter 55

Thats a bummer, Tafel said upon reentering the Temple of the Frost Lord. Although there wasnt a pile of rubble in the center of the building, there also wasnt another tetrahedron with riddles inscribed on its faces. Instead, there was just a slight crater that the group hadnt filled in before leaving. As for the rubble, all of it had been placed in Lindyss pocket, including the shard that had been embedded in the ceiling.

Waste of food, Vur said and nodded. Despite the temple being broken, it still required a months worth of food and water to enter. Vurs eyes narrowed as he looked around. Where does it go?

If I had to take a guess, the food probably maintains the functionality of the temple, Lindyss said. Maybe excess food is converted into mana that nurtures a hidden piece. Either way, I doubt youre getting it back no matter how hard you look.

That settles it then, Tafel said. Well go to the other temples and look for hidden pieces there as well. Hopefully, not all of them require breaking the trial to obtain them. Itd be nice to get all the skills, but I dont want to spend a whole ninety days here.

Excuse me, Kim Hajun said from the back of the group. If you do discover more hidden pieces with skills, by any chance, would you be willing to part with them? Rather than monopolizing the skills for yourself, wouldnt it be more advantageous for you to gather subordinates by using those skills as a reward?

Lindyss raised an eyebrow before gesturing towards Kax. I already have a loyal subordinate, and it didnt cost me anything. A slight smile appeared on Lindyss lips as she stared at Kim Hajun. Do you think youre worth a rare skill just because youve taken a peek at the future?

Kim Hajun straightened his back and puffed his chest out, taking a step forward while maintaining eye contact with Lindyss. Absolutely, he said. My prophetic dream didnt just inform me of the timeline of events; it was extremely realistic. You can say I have a lifetime of experiences under my belt. Ive fought alongside dragons and gods. Ive

Been imprisoned by a dragon too, Stella said, her head popping out of Vurs chest.

Kim Hajuns speech faltered, but he cleared his throat and ignored the fairy queen. Ive seen the inner workings of the tower; I know how the different factions are aligned. Where I come from, things you can get for free are nowhere near the quality of things you have to pay a premium for. Im worth paying for.

So, youre saying youre better than Kax, Lindyss said, the small smile still on her lips. She turned her head to the side to observe the red-haired mans expression. What do you think about that, Kax? Agree? Disagree?

The red-haired man narrowed his eyes at Kim Hajun. In Kax home world, weaklings know their place; those who dont, they lose everything, life included.

Ooh, those are fighting words, Stella said. She retreated into Vurs chest and reappeared with a handful of sunflower seedswhich, admittedly, wasnt that many considering how tiny her hands were. Should we have another bet? Kax Ammer against Kim Hajun, who wants to make the first wager?

Kim Hajun stared at Kax. The well-dressed mans eyes narrowed. Wasnt this the perfect chance to eliminate a future threat? I dont engage in petty squabbles, Kim Hajun said. If you want to fight me, youll have to put your life on the line.

Youve never sparred someone before? Stella asked, cracking open a sunflower seed with her hands by squeezing it. She took out the seed and nibbled on it, letting the empty hull drop to the ground. Shows how much experience you have.

A tiny crack appeared on Kim Hajuns poker face, his left eye twitching once. If the fairy queen werent literally attached to a humanoid dragon, he wouldve thrown a fireball at her. Kim Hajun turned his gaze away from Kax and met Lindyss gaze. If I soundly defeat Kax, will you consider entertaining what Ive said?

Sure, Lindyss said with a bright smile. If you can defeat Kax, well consider giving you a hidden piece as an investment, but what if you lose? She took out a piece of parchment from her pocket. How about you bet your soul?

A shiver ran down Kim Hajuns spine upon seeing the beautiful woman offer him a piece of paper to sign. Every cell in his body shouted at him to refuse the offer, but could he do that? He already missed out on the rudimentary wind magic and Constitution of the Lightning Lord. His future plans had gone far off course. If he wanted to correct them, he needed a skill equivalent to those two abilities to make up for it. Wasnt it just his soul? If the future he had seen came to pass, hed wish he only had to give up his soul. Kim Hajun narrowed his eyes. Opportunities only came knocking once. He stepped forward and grabbed the quill that Lindyss offered with the parchment before signing his name on the blank line.

Quite confident, arent you? Lindyss asked, the smile still on her face. She turned towards Vur. Will you do me a favor, Vur?

Vur blinked and tilted his head.

Would you be a dear and buff Kax for me?

Sure, Vur said, causing Kim Hajuns eyes to bulge. Vur pointed at Kax, and a stream of silver mist flew out of Vurs finger, wrapping around Kax before surging into the red-haired mans temples. The four runes representing the elementals lit up on Vurs body, and Kax grunted as heat flooded his body, surging from the top of his head to the tips of his fingers and toes. The red-haired man let out a low growl as he hunched over, the veins on his muscular torso enlarging like thick, wriggling worms. With a roar, Kax raised his head, revealing a pair of bloodshot eyes with crimson irises. He exhaled through his nostrils, shooting two jets of thick steam towards the ground, and yanked on the bone shaft of the axe hanging from his waist, tearing the leather strap holding it in place as he wielded the weapon.

W-wait a second, Kim Hajun said, doing his best to maintain his poker face. This isnt what we agreed upon.

Go get im, Kax! Stella said through a mouthful of sunflower seed. Rip his heart out!

Vur blinked and looked down at the fairy queen coming out of his chest. He tapped her head, lightly admonishing her. Dont speak while chewing.

Stella swallowed. Right, sorry. I got too excited.