Miss Witch’s Devotion Has Gone… Twisted

”Farewell, Pope Pastus.”

After seeing Pastus off, Loren continued to stay home playing with his birds. There really wasn’t much going on lately.

Pastus had indeed kept his word. The number of Blackened had decreased significantly these days, to the point where Loren no longer needed to control Gwen to help the Outer Gods spread their faith. The name Ligoss was now known to everyone in the Royal Capital.

This peaceful period lasted until the Ember Radiance was successfully brewed, and it was precisely at this time that the fleeing King finally made his way back.

Although Midas was the King, Loren never truly regarded him as one, considering him more of a village chief at best. So, in Loren’s view, his direct escape to avoid the Blackened wasn’t something difficult to accept.

Today, both Midas and Eldrin gathered in Loren’s office. Their eyes burned with fervor as they watched Loren perform the final steps. After the last few medicinal ingredients were added, the cauldron suddenly erupted with a dazzling light. Loren had put on sunglasses in advance, but the King and the Headmaster weren’t so lucky.

Loren managed to annoy them one more time in this insignificant way. By the time the King’s vision recovered, Loren already held a bottle of magical potion in his hand.

The potion was an emerald green, interwoven with faint golden veins. These veins formed a pattern resembling a sprouting seedling. Even though it was a potion, the King felt as if it were alive, emanating a vibrant, surging vitality.

”The first bottle. Who wants to drink it?”

Both the King and the Headmaster stared fixedly at the potion in Loren’s hand. Loren could even hear them swallowing hard.The two men with the highest status in the entire kingdom were like children drooling over candy at this moment. However, they ultimately didn’t fight over it, still placing their pride above their desire.

This was exactly what Loren wanted. The first bottle was originally intended for the King. No matter how high his status, he was just an ordinary person, capable of a few spells at best, similar to the students of the Gedlan Royal Magic Academy. Forget rejuvenation, even if he returned to his prime, Loren could kill him with a single slash.

But Eldrin was different. If he became younger, his combat power would genuinely increase significantly. Although Loren was confident he could kill a rejuvenated Eldrin, it was still better to weaken him a little if possible.

”The first bottle should go to His Majesty the King. He deals with countless affairs daily, not only needing to handle the Plague Believers but also constantly guarding against the Blackened. Unlike the Headmaster, who only needs to research magic... on days the Headmaster takes a holiday, perhaps fewer people disappear in the Royal Capital... So, this is what His Majesty deserves.”

Loren’s words were superficially praising but secretly disparaging. The King could understand the underlying meaning, and could only respond with a smile.

They still needed Loren, so even though he was practically tearing off the facade now, they had to endure it.

Eldrin’s face grew darker and darker. He had already decided that once his potion was brewed, it would be Loren’s death day.

On this point, Eldrin and Loren had reached a consensus.

”Thank you for your assistance, Master Mentor.”

Since things had reached this stage, the King no longer concealed his greed. He took the potion Loren handed over and drank it in one gulp.

It was less like the King drinking it and more like the Ember Radiance burrowing into the King’s body on its own. The moment it went down, the King’s complexion became ruddy. Although his outward appearance didn’t change dramatically, Loren could sense the King was now brimming with vitality. The aura of twilight that had clung to him before was completely swept away.

Eldrin naturally sensed the change in the King as well, and the greed in his eyes grew even stronger. He had heard of the Ember Radiance’s true effect: as long as the heart doesn’t age, lifespan can be extended to a great extent. Eldrin, nearly a hundred years old, was still researching Crimson Magic. How could his heart possibly be old?

”I need several weeks to prepare for the next brewing session. However, we must not waste the restored Tear of Condensed Wishes. Please, Headmaster Eldrin, give the Tear of Condensed Wishes to me.”

Loren made no attempt to hide his purpose. But having personally witnessed the effect of the Ember Radiance, Eldrin became even more deferential toward Loren.

”The Tear of Condensed Wishes is not on my person at the moment. I will personally deliver it to you tonight.”

To research Crimson Magic, Eldrin had spent who knows how many years. Waiting another month was no big deal.

”Alright, that’s settled. You two can leave now. I still have a class to teach.”

”Until tonight, Master Mentor.”

This time, Eldrin didn’t throw out any threats before leaving, but that didn’t stop Loren from holding a grudge. Eldrin’s name was still recorded in his little notebook.

After seeing the two off, Loren returned to the classroom for the first time in a while. Quite a few students were missing, perhaps having fled and not yet returned. Loren didn’t pay it too much mind.

Before class started, Loren glanced at Luna in the back row. She immediately lowered her head. After her friend beside her nudged her, she offered an awkward smile and waved at Loren.

”By the way, I wonder if everyone knows Teacher Simone.”

During the lesson, Loren suddenly brought up Simone’s name. If he wanted high society to start ostracizing Simone, it was actually quite simple. Loren just needed to mention it during class. All the second-generation heirs of the Gedlan Kingdom were gathered here.

Loren didn’t say much else, merely recounting the things Simone had done one by one, repeatedly emphasizing that he disliked her intensely.

The students who could attend here weren’t necessarily brilliant, but they had some degree of perception and could understand Loren’s meaning. They just needed to know that Loren wanted someone to deal with Simone. As for the deeper implications, Loren believed their parents would figure it out. If Loren simply wanted her dead, it wouldn’t be this complicated.

...

”What’s wrong, Luna?”

The friend next to Luna noticed her unusual state and quickly asked.

”I’m thinking about something. Who do you think are the real monsters? The Blackened? Or the people who cause others to become Blackened?”

What Loren said in class today reminded Luna of their previous conversation. Back then, Loren had said the best way to deal with the Blackened was to deal with the people who turned others into Blackened. And Simone was clearly such a person.

”What’s the use of thinking about that? Anyway, both you and I are ordinary people. Even if we eventually become mages, we’ll at most reach the third or fourth tier. We’re simply not enough to face those important figures.

”Do you think you’re that super popular superhero? Rather than pondering this, you should think about how to talk more with Master Mentor. I’m sorry I used to think you had no chance. Looking at it now, Master Mentor not only doesn’t care about others’ backgrounds, but he’s also genuinely good to you. Do you remember how he confronted Sylvia when she framed you? So cool!

”I almost want to be your rival in love... Hahaha... Stop...”

Luna interrupted her friend’s words by tickling her. The two began to playfully fight until they felt Loren’s gaze upon them and quieted down.