Sovereign of the Ashes

Leena’s blunt inquiry left Martin with no room for evasion.

Sein was here to settle matters and had little time to waste on pleasantries.

While Martin could perhaps afford to be evasive with Sein, given that Sein had no leverage to exploit Martin’s vulnerabilities, the situation with Leena was different.

He had to consider the Black Tower of Cinderbones and its influence behind her.

“I did indeed promise to assist Sein with the matter, but the agreement was for after thirty years. There are still five years remaining...” Martin murmured.

Seeing the obvious displeasure on Leena’s face, he continued, “To be honest, Rank Three black mage Gandra also has shares in this medium-sized black market.”

“I can indeed contact him now, but I’m not certain if he’ll agree to this duel,” Martin explained, putting his hands up helplessly.

Just as Sein could not use anything against Martin, Martin, despite being a Rank Three black mage himself, had limited influence over Gandra.

Historically, Martin and Gandra had been adversaries.

When Martin’s mentor bequeathed Blackhaven to him, Gandra seized nearly half of the territory.

The fact that these two adversaries could hold shares in the same black market illustrated a critical point—there are no eternal enemies, only eternal interests.

For these black mages, extracting profits from each other with forced smiles was merely part of the game before an inevitable fallout.

In response to Martin’s answer, Leena said, “I can ask the Black Tower of Cinderbones’s dean to officiate this duel. Even if the dean himself cannot attend, his magic messenger or an elemental projection should be able to participate.”

Leena’s suggestion visibly excited Martin.

The Black Tower of Cinderbones’ dean was renowned as a demigod-level black mage.

Among these demigod-level powerhouses, there were distinctions in strength.

Martin’s mentor, now deceased, had served as a dean for a Rank Four black mage’s black tower during his lifetime.

Given that the Black Tower Master of Cinderbones was rumored to be a Rank Five black mage, the overall influence of this tower undoubtedly surpassed that of the lesser black towers on the outskirts of Blackhaven.

A demigod-level dean from such a prestigious black tower was certainly no ordinary figure.

Upon hearing that a demigod-level dean would be involved, Martin quickly nodded and said, “If it’s someone from the Black Tower of Cinderbones, I’m certain I can persuade Gandra.”

“May I ask which dean will be attending this time?” Martin ventured.

“Master Gypson, the Scarlet Hand,” Leena replied.

***

“Can you really call upon a demigod-level black mage?” Sein asked Leena through mental focus as they left Martin’s magic tower.

Until that moment, Leena had not revealed much to him.

“I should be able to. Of the three deans at the Black Tower of Cinderbones, Master Gypson has been the most supportive of me. He was the one who first informed my mentor, Master Fareena, that the tower master had taken an interest in me and might consider me for apprenticeship,” Leena explained.

In the Magus World, having two mentors simultaneously was unusual and contradicted traditional customs.

Dean Gypson’s decision to inform Fareena was likely intended to expedite the dissolution of Leena’s apprenticeship with her, making way for the Black Tower Master of Cinderbones to take over such a promising apprentice.

Given the tower master’s exalted status as a Rank Five mage, it would be beneath them to handle such matters personally.

Thus, Gypson’s role as a “loyal subordinate” who adeptly anticipated the tower master’s wishes was particularly crucial.

It was no wonder that although Gypson was the least powerful and talented of the three deans, his position remained secure and unchanged, while the other two deans had seen multiple replacements.

Leena believed that if she relayed the request, Dean Gypson would likely grant her this favor.

After all, overseeing a duel between two Rank One mages was hardly a significant task.

The duel between Sein and the Rank One black mage Daelis was scheduled for two months later.

This prompt arrangement was largely due to the influence of the Black Tower of Cinderbones behind Leena.

After conveying the request through the black tower badge, Gypson did not decline Leena’s request for assistance.

Although Gypson, being a busy demigod-level mage during the opening of the Knight Continent, would not be present in person, he promised to send an elemental projection.

The ability to create a clone was exclusive to demigod-level powerhouses and above, a means not available to Martin and Gandra, both of whom were merely Rank Three grand mages.

The duel was set for two months later to allow time for Gypson’s elemental projection to travel to the location.

This period also provided Sein and Daelis time to prepare themselves to peak condition.

During these two months, Sein encountered Daelis a few times.

It turned out that she was in another small black market not far from their location.

Daelis, once remembered by Sein as a beautiful and mature Rank One female black mage, now appeared with frizzy dirty blonde hair. Although half of her face was obscured by a metal mask, it did not hide the fact that she now looked like an old woman.

The metal mask was covered by complex engravings of black magic arrays.

Sein, with his considerable knowledge of soul magic, recognized that the mask likely served as a medium specialized in enslaving souls.

The knowledge contained in the Mirage’s Almanac of Souls that Sein had mastered was evidently more advanced than the soul magic known to Gandra.

Even the secrets of soul magic he had uncovered from the peak Rank Two black mage he had defeated on the southern coast appeared to surpass Gandra’s expertise.

This demonstrated that greater strength and a higher life level did not necessarily equate to a deeper breadth of knowledge.

It was unclear which field of magic Gandra specialized in, but in terms of soul magic, he seemed to be lacking.

After considerable negotiation, the venue for Sein and Daelis’ duel was set at the easternmost edge of Blackhaven’s public waters.

Given the opening of the Knight Continent, the public waters’ free market was highly valued by many black knights and black mages in Blackhaven.

A battle in the heart of the public waters could have undesirable repercussions.

Thus, the group made an effort to head to the far east.

In the distance, the waves churned above jagged reefs.

As Rank One black mage Daelis slowly came into view, Sein sneered coldly. “The once esteemed Apothecary instructor from the Black Magic Academy in Mystralora City... Look at what you’ve become—a crazy woman enslaved by another.”

“It must not be easy, having your soul dominated and tormented. I heard you were almost turned into a puppet too. How pitiful!” He chuckled coldly.

Sein’s gaze was icy as he watched Daelis draw nearer.