Sovereign of the Ashes

Understanding the concept of battle qi, a power system that existed alongside the magic elements in the Magus World, would take more than just a simple anatomical study for a humble initiate like Sein to grasp.

His experiment had barely scratched the surface. It only revealed the source of Leif’s power and granted Sein a somewhat vague insight into battle qi.

The true nature of battle qi remained elusive to him.

How does it enhance the abilities of human knights?

In what ways does it differ from magic elements?

These were two of the many questions for which Sein currently lacked answers.

Improving his knowledge and insights required not only theoretical understanding but also practical experience with numerous experimental subjects.

Unfortunately, Sein could not simply find knights and squire[1] for such studies.

He lacked the strength of a full-fledged black mage to face the retaliation of the full-fledged knights and the Orders of the Knights.

The encounter with the bandit leader was a minor episode in Sein’s journey to the northern part of the Gloomhaven.

Nevertheless, it yielded a sum of the common currency of the surface world—three gold coins, a little over a dozen silver coins, and dozens of copper coins.

Autrum, produced by the black mages from Mystralora City, served as currency limited to usage within that city and the nearby regions in the Underworld.

Sein hesitated to even bring them out in his current location.

With his newfound wealth, Sein decided to explore the next human city on his journey.

His objectives were not only to observe human life on the surface and gain insights into the knights and mages, but also to refresh his wardrobe.

Berthold City, situated in the heart of Gloomhaven on the surface, was an ordinary city named after the family ruling it.

On one of the busier commercial streets in the city, Sein, who had just recently entered the city, stopped in front of a tailor’s store.

“Hello, are you looking to have clothes made?” A young girl with a freckled face approached Sein with wide, curious eyes.

She was the seamstress working in the tailor store.

The bustling atmosphere of a surface human city was difficult for a black magic initiate like Sein, who had just come out of the Underworld, to get used to.

Despite his mental preparation, the years of living in the quiet and gloomy environment made him feel somewhat out of place.

The attire Sein was currently wearing looked strange in this world, and gave him an unapproachable aura.

Yet, his blond hair and fair skin, partially concealed under the hood, carried a certain magnetic charm, especially to the freckled girl standing before him.

Every girl from a commoner’s family dreamed of ascending to nobility.

They hoped to capture the fancy of handsome noble youth and become the envy of all.

Unfortunately, the likelihood of such dreams coming true in Berthold City and its neighboring human cities was astronomically low.

Even so, wandering bards and mercenaries who traversed the world often spoke of such tales, igniting fantasies among the city’s youth.

Blond hair was a rare sight in Berthold City, and according to the stories of the wandering bards, it was the hallmark of a nobleman’s son who had ventured beyond his hometown.

“Could I be the woman he’s destined for?” Martha, the young girl from Berthold City, wondered as she boldly approached Sein.

Sein, completely oblivious to the freckled girl’s inner thoughts, responded to her sudden inquiry with a slightly nervous expression.

“Uh, yes. I need a black robe and a pair of leather boots,” he said.

Sein ended up acquiring more items from the freckled seamstress than initially mentioned.

It seemed that gold and silver held very significant value on the surface.

He bought two sets of black robes, two pairs of leather boots, and various shirts and pants.

The overall cost amounted to only a few silver coins.

The freckled girl watched as Sein gradually vanished at the far end of the bustling commercial street in Berthold City, secretly hoping for him to reconsider and turn back.

Unfortunately, her anticipation remained unanswered.

As Sein strolled through most of the streets in Berthold City and was gradually getting used to the city’s lively atmosphere, the laughter of an old man suddenly reached his ears.

“Hehehe. Are you the mage who just arrived in Berthold City?”

Turning his head around, Sein spotted an old man in a gray robe smiling at him from a few blocks away.

The elderly figure seemed to be a respected figure in Berthold City, as people would bow to him as they passed by.

It seemed like his voice reached Sein through magical means.

Rather than an advanced magic, it fell under the category of magic tricks.

Nevertheless, it was a very useful trick to learn.

Despite having his identity exposed, Sein remained composed.

Although Sein was uncomfortable in the presence of the enthusiastic seamstress, he was able to act naturally and calmly in the presence of a mage like the old man.

Observing the old man, Sein discerned that he was also a magic initiate, likely weaker than himself.

Sein gathered his focus as he steadily approached the old man and responded calmly, “Yes, I arrived in Berthold City not long ago. How did you discover me?”

“Hehe, only us mages would dress like that. I came to take a look after hearing from William, the gatekeeper, that a youth suspected to be a mage has entered the city,” the old man explained with a faint smile.

While Sein’s black-robed attire was not exclusive to mages, it remained a minority among ordinary surface dwellers.

Most of the people here preferred linen while nobles adorned themselves in gorgeous silks and mercenaries typically wore leather armor.

Upon entering Berthold City, Sein discovered numerous human mercenaries wielding battle qi.

It seemed like battle qi was far more common than magic in the Magus World.

The only legitimate mage Sein encountered in Berthold City was this old man.

Initially engaging Sein in friendly conversation, the old man’s expression changed when he sensed Sein’s focus level, which was comparable to a senior initiate.

The smile on his wrinkled face quickly transformed into respect.

Among mages, respect was given to those with achievements.

Since Sein’s focus level surpassed that of the old man, it implied Sein’s mastery of magic and knowledge exceeded his own.

The gray-robed old man was only an intermediate initiate.

Considering that he was over the age of sixty, the prospects for further advancement were bleak.

In contrast, Sein, still in his youth, had already attained the status of a senior initiate.

Apart from respect, a subtle hint of envy also appeared in the old man’s expression.

1. A squire is akin to a magic initiate. ?