Black Hearted Mage

After absorbing several strands of soul, Kaisas felt an indescribable sense of well-being deep within his soul. He stripped the corpse of any valuables and placed it in his storage ring. After a thorough inventory and sorting, he was pleasantly surprised to discover he had amassed over 160 sets of fine weapons and armor, as well as over 30 storage rings. Add to that the gold he'd found in the tomb, and there was also a considerable amount of precious magic copper. Such a bounty left Kaisas in awe!

Despite the expedition's remarkable success, Rodman never managed to find the other two locations marked on the ancient map. It wasn't because Rodman wasn't meticulous in his search; on the contrary, he left no stone unturned, searching for any clues. Unfortunately, the passage of thousands of years has drastically altered the topography of some mountain ranges, leaving the Yellowstone Mountains no longer resembling the landscape depicted on the ancient map.

Two days later, the four of them finally set out on their return journey together, successfully arrived at Violet City, and went straight to Caesar's small stone house.

"Oh my God! A great magician actually lives in such a shabby place? It's unbelievable!"

Beatrice stood at the door of the small stone house, her eyes wide open, her face filled with disbelief. She couldn't understand why a great magician like Caesar, who held such a high status and possessed such powerful strength, didn't live in the small castle in front, but instead lived in this unremarkable stone house in the backyard?

After hearing Beatrice's words, Rodman couldn't help but joked, "Beatrice, there are so many things that will surprise and unbelievable to you! Let me tell you, Caesar's uncle is still a baby who just learned to walk, and his sister still needs breastfeeding!"

Rodman looked at Caesars sitting on the recliner, describing the situation vividly to Beatrice while grinning mischievously.

Caesars rolled his eyes at Rodman. He stroked the smooth skin of the black snake with his left hand and gently patted the puppy's back with his right hand. The black snake felt cold to the touch, while the puppy's body was slightly hot, as if a volcano was hidden within it.

Under the temptation of various delicacies, the puppy also became very obedient. At least it would not howl at the black snake, let alone chase the black snake.

"During the years I was in deep meditation, they got married and had children. They don't usually come to the backyard, and I won't go to the castle unless it's something important!"

"Kaisas, can you build two more stone houses?"

Rodman looked at the wall and asked Caesar.

"Rodman, build it if you want. Build it next to the west wall and build the same stone house!"

“Why build it on the west side?”

"I'm a magician and need to meditate. When I don't use magic crystals to assist my meditation, it affects a large area, so I live in a small stone house!"

After hearing Caesar's explanation, Rodman immediately understood, and Beatrice also nodded.

At this moment, two people came over from the small castle. To be more precise, one person was supporting the other. Both of them were wearing gorgeous silk robes and walked very slowly.

The puppy lying on the armrest of the recliner suddenly stood up and looked at the person coming from a distance with vigilance. Caesars looked at the person in surprise and patted the puppy that was about to attack at any time.

"Don't be nervous, damn dog, they're not in danger!"

The puppy whined, wagged its thick tail, and continued to lie on the armrest of the recliner, but its little eyes were fixed on the person who came.

"Grandfather, Father, is there anything wrong?"

Caesar stood up, looked at the newcomer with a friendly expression, and asked. Beatrice and Stella were shocked. Old Ludwig was so old that he even trembled when he walked. Caesar's father had white hair and looked a little old.

"Kaisas, the nobles of Violet City heard that you were promoted to Grand Mage, and they all came to visit you!"

Old Ludwig was missing several teeth and his speech was a little slurred.

"Just accept the gifts they give you. I don't want to see them, so don't get involved in my affairs!"

Caesars could roughly guess the purpose of the two men's visit. The nobles of Violet City and Fire Maple City were the same people, they liked to pursue profits. The two Ludwigs had obviously become the middlemen between the nobles.

"Caesars, are we just accepting gifts without doing anything? There are many magic portraits of noble ladies here, you can take a look first!" Little Ludwig was silent, and Ludwig spoke on his own initiative.

"If you two have a noble lady you like, just marry her. Don't worry about my affairs. Just live your noble life peacefully!"

As Caesars said this, he sat back in the recliner and looked at his father and grandfather. They were both wearing prosthetic limbs, and you couldn't tell if you didn't pay attention.

"Forget it, we won't take care of this matter anymore! Caesar, when you have time, go sit in the front and get familiar with the two little guys. We are a family!" Ludwig reminded.

"Wait until the two of them can run away, let them come to the backyard and let the little black snake get familiar with them. From now on, when I'm not at home, the golden-eyed black snake will guard the backyard!"

Caesar waved to his grandfather and father, asking them to return to the small castle in front, saying that they would feel uncomfortable here. The two Ludwigs also understood that there was already a gap between them and Caesar.

"Caesars, your grandfather couldn't even walk anymore, and he still gave birth to an uncle for you!"

After the two Masters Ludwig left, Beatrice immediately exclaimed in surprise.

"Children, don't meddle in adult affairs. They are so old now, how can I still control them?"

Kaisas looked at the little mage and said casually.

"Kaisas, magic copper is hard to sell in Violet City and can't be fetched at the right price. There are too few magic pattern masters here!"

Rodman took out the spoils of the expedition and prepared to distribute them, and Caesars also took out more than ten boxes of gold coins.

“So many gold coins!”

The two women's eyes sparkled as they looked at the gold coins.

"According to what we agreed at the beginning, Caesars will take 30% and we will split the rest equally. Now that we are one person short, we will give Caesars an extra 50% and we will split the rest equally!" Rodman said.

Kaisas shook his head and said with a smile, "Rodman, just give me 30%, no need to give me the extra 50%. I killed the people from Roland's mercenary group, and the spoils are enough. You still have to find the other two marked points. It's hard to sleep in the open!"

Caesars didn't mind getting an extra half percentage point; he just had to do what was agreed upon. This would avoid creating a rift between them without getting much gold. If Rodman could find the other two marked points, he would surely reap significant rewards.

"Caesar, have you really decided?" Rodman asked.

"Rodman, even if you give me an extra half cent, it's not much gold coins. It's not enough for the magic crystals I consume in a month of meditation. The magic copper can be sold in Fire Maple City, or I can convert it into gold coins for you, because I won't leave Violet City in a short time!" said Caesars.

"Kaisas, you don't have to give us the gold coins now. Wait until you sell the magic copper!"

Rodman knew clearly that he was not familiar with the people in the magic world. If he took the magic copper out to sell, he would be lucky if he could get half the price. But Caesar was different. He was a powerful magician. No one would ask about the origin of the magic copper, let alone find excuses to lower the price.

The few of them quickly divided the gold coins, and everyone was happy.

The next day, Rodman asked someone to build a stone house. Rad from the neighboring Bano family also returned from the farm outside the city. He had some magical questions to ask Caesars.

"Rad, you are too polite. We are old friends, and you brought gifts!"

Rad came with gifts, which surprised Caesars.

"Kaesus, you are a great magician now. If we were in the Northland Tower, I couldn't call you by your name. I had to use the honorific title—you. These are not gifts at all. They are just a few bottles of wine!"

Rad was a very smooth person, a combination of his personality and lack of inheritance rights, which allowed him to take everything for granted. He never argued with others, observing with his eyes rather than speaking with his mouth. This also allowed him to remain peacefully in the North Tower for decades.

"They're all century-old wines! You're too modest, old man. I'll accept your gift this time, but don't bring any next time. If you have any questions, just tell me directly!"

Caesars looked at Rad's gift and then took it without hesitation.

"Kaesas, how can we cast spells violently without damaging the Demon Sea and Demon Veins?" asked the somewhat old Rad.

"Rad, you want to be promoted to an intermediate magician, right? Your physical condition is a little weak, so you can only do it bit by bit. Use violent spells to fill up the magic sea with magic power first, so that the magic sea will feel slightly swollen and painful. Use the spells you are best at, preferably instant spells. When outputting magic power, increase it slightly until the magic veins feel a slight pain. Just practice diligently every day!"

Violent spellcasting was not a secret, and Caesars had no intention of hiding anything, so he told Rad the steps of practicing violent spellcasting.

"It's that simple?"

Rad was a little confused. He felt that violent spellcasting seemed too simple, but few magicians could master it.

"Rad, violent spellcasting is that simple. The difficult part is that it consumes a lot of magic crystals. The magic sea and magic veins are hurting every day. Not many magicians can persist!"

"Kaissa, how long will it take to double your ability through practice?" Rad asked.

"Rad, this is hard to say. I have doubled my magic output after almost three years of practice. Some people have not doubled it after more than ten years of practice. This is mainly related to physical fitness and the ability to withstand pain!" Kaisas looked at Rad and said.

Rad nodded. He was already quite old. If he had tried to advance normally to the intermediate level, he would have had little hope. But even if it would take more than a decade of practice, Rad was willing to give it a try. All he had to do now was prepare the magic crystals.

"Rad, don't forget to drink the physical enhancement potion and vitality potion, they can enhance your physical fitness!" Kaisas reminded.

"I've been drinking it. They're all intermediate potions from the Thorn Flower Trading Company. I only get a few gold coins per bottle a year!"

"Rad, you can drink one bottle every six months, it will be more effective!"

"Kaisas, I listen to you!"

Rad, dressed in a magic robe, stood there with a broad smile on his face, his eyes narrowed to slits. Just then, a plump puppy entered his sight. Its soft, dark red fur, bathed in sunlight, shone like a burning flame, emitting a unique charm and radiance.

Despite Rad's extensive knowledge of Warcraft, he was unable to accurately determine the pup's true quality. This surprised and intrigued Rad, who was always confident in his knowledge.

"Kaisas, this puppy looks like a fire-type monster, but I have never heard of such a breed!" Rad did not hide his inner doubts and humbly asked Kaisas for advice.

Hearing Rad's question, Caesars couldn't help but chuckle inwardly. But outwardly, he feigned indifference and replied, "I picked up this puppy by chance in the southern continent. It's a bit mischievous, but fairly obedient." Then, Caesars added, "Rad, don't underestimate this little puppy. It has an astonishing appetite. It eats at least five or six meals a day, more than you do!"

Kaisas made up an excuse. He couldn't tell anyone about the puppy's true origins. This wasn't just any ordinary monster, but a high-level one far surpassing even a super monster. Even if he told Rad the truth, he probably wouldn't believe it.

"The Southern Continent is a mysterious and dangerous place. There's a very ancient legend about it. Once upon a time, mercenaries were exploring the Southern Continent. From a vast lava lake, a giant black bird soared into the sky. As it flapped its wings, red-hot lava rained down like a torrential rain. All the volcanoes in the Southern Continent erupted simultaneously, and wherever it flew, the rocks melted instantly. Of those who explored the Southern Continent at the time, only four or five survived!"

Rad slowly told the story, and Caesars was listening to a story he had never heard before. The puppy, who had been a little naughty just now, had already crawled under Caesars's recliner, covering its head with its sturdy forelimbs, its fleshy body trembling.

"Lad, the lava is dripping like a rainstorm. How big must that black bird be? The lava lake in the south continent is in the center, probably hundreds of miles in size!"

Kaisas had never been to the edge of the lava lake, but had only observed it from a distance. It was the most dangerous place in the southern continent, with many ground dragons living there.

"When the giant bird flew past, the entire sky went dark. It was so big that it blocked out the sun!"