Chapter 102 - 101: Are You Comfortable?

Chapter 102: Chapter 101: Are You Comfortable?

As for why the reading was "paralyzed"... it was because he struggled just to lift the Black Ebony Staff Material with one hand.

He took a closer look. Wasn’t this the very "weapon" Fevik had used to bludgeon that goblin to death yesterday?

Fevik had clearly seen the result as well. She sighed softly, an "as I expected" look on her face.

"It’s about what I expected. When I sensed the characteristics of your Magic Power earlier, I had a feeling Black Ebony Wood would be the most suitable for you."

"I wasn’t planning on letting you try this one, since it’s the last sample I have."

"I made it on a whim and it came out a bit too large, so I was planning to keep it for my personal collection."

"But I promised to give you the most suitable one, and as it happens, your Magic Power is the most compatible with it. So, it’s yours."

"It can’t compare to those priceless, ultra-rare materials, but Black Ebony Wood is certainly the most expensive of this common lot. You’re not getting a bad deal, for a goblin."

The moment he heard the words "most expensive," Hesia instantly found the Wooden Staff much more appealing.

’But... how am I supposed to use this thing?’

’Carrying it on my back is fine for daily use, but what about in actual combat?’

’It’s far too unwieldy.’

Fevik saw through his hesitation at a glance, looking at him as if he were a real goblin.

"I saw that pathetic strength of yours when you were moving the wood earlier. Mages may rely mainly on Wisdom, but your Strength Attribute... it doesn’t even meet the average for a normal human, does it? You’re a disgrace to your species."

Hesia’s face flushed at her words, but he couldn’t argue.

It was true. With his pathetic 8 points in his Strength Attribute, he couldn’t even compare to an average adult man, let alone an Adventurer.

If his Strength were just a few points higher, this Black Ebony Staff Material wouldn’t be so difficult to wield.

After all, in this world, even Mages undertook some physical training for self-preservation and to handle emergencies. Their Strength Attributes were far higher than his.

Fevik had no interest in waiting for his self-reflection. She continued impatiently, "However, only an idiot frets over a problem that can be solved with Magic. Why not just use [Mage’s Hand] to help you control it in a fight?"

"[Mage’s Hand]?" Hesia froze. "I haven’t learned that."

At his words, Fevik’s eyes widened in disbelief. "You’re a Mage Apprentice and you haven’t even mastered the most basic [Mage’s Hand]? Then what on earth have you been practicing?"

"[Earth Spike Technique]," Hesia answered honestly.

"[Earth Spike Technique]?!"

"What kind of Giant was your mentor? Who teaches something so brainless?"

"Instead of teaching you simple, practical Magic, he had you start with a difficult offensive spell like that? Besides, if you don’t learn [Mage’s Hand] first, how are you supposed to conduct experiments or handle materials? Not to mention..." She seemed to think of more but ultimately waved her hand in frustration. "Ugh, forget it. It’s none of my business."

"Since that’s the case, I’ll just teach you [Mage’s Hand] first."

Hesia hesitated. "[Mage’s Hand]? But... didn’t you already teach me the [Identification Skill]? Does that not count?"

Fevik looked as if she’d heard a joke. "That? All I did was help you correct a novice mistake and fix a crippled spell. You call that ’instruction’? Of course not! I’ll teach you [Mage’s Hand] first. Once you’ve gotten the hang of it, I’ll see what to teach you next."

"Then I’ll learn [Mage’s Hand]."

[Mage’s Hand] was both simple and practical, so naturally, he had no objections.

’And from the sound of it, this Half-Elf Mage was planning to teach me even more Magic?’

’Why was this eccentric shopkeeper so enthusiastic about teaching me? She seems to have a real passion for being a mentor.’

Still, for Hesia, this was an opportunity he couldn’t have hoped for.

Seeing him agree, Fevik continued, "Alright, come back tomorrow morning at the same time. I still have a bunch of chores to do today." She pointed to the heavy Black Ebony Staff Material. "You can take this now or pick it up tomorrow after you’ve learned the spell. It’s up to you. It’s yours now, anyway."

Without waiting for Hesia’s reply, she walked off to another part of the shop.

She held out her small hand and made a gesture toward a high wooden shelf.

A dark brown ceramic jar floated gracefully onto the table.

She uncorked the jar, and the rich, sweet scent of honey immediately filled the air.

Then, Fevik extended her index finger and began drawing continuous circles in the air before her.

She quietly chanted an indistinct Spell, "Shining wings and gentle light, hear my plea..."

A faint ripple, like a disturbed water surface, appeared in the path her finger traced through the air, and a shimmering, circular Teleportation Gate materialized.

A moment later, a palm-sized Little Elf with translucent, cicada-like wings emerged from the Teleportation Gate, flapping them gently.

She had nearly transparent wings, and her large, amber eyes were full of life and curiosity. A soft glow emanated from her body, and specks of light dust swirled around her as she flew, making her look quite adorable.

After emerging, the little fairy hovered in the air, looking around curiously for a moment before spotting Fevik.

She then flew straight toward her, as if wanting to leap into her arms.

Fevik put up a hand, expertly stopping her.

With her other hand, she pushed forward a prepared envelope.

"Nimo, take this letter to Fernandez for me. The recipient is Es Kulum."

As she spoke, she drew a single, crystal-clear drop of honey from the jar, levitating it with Magic Power over to the little fairy named Nimo.

"Your payment this time is honey. I’ll play with you next time, when I’m not so busy."

Nimo’s tiny fists clenched, and she pouted slightly, clearly expressing her displeasure.

Nevertheless, she quickly absorbed the drop of honey.

Then, with some effort, she picked up the envelope, which was nearly as big as she was, and turned to dive back into the circular portal before it vanished.

Watching the little fairy disappear, Hesia marveled to himself, ’Magic Messengers are so convenient.’

Seeing that Fevik was already busy with her own tasks, he didn’t want to disturb her any further. Besides, he had two "little tails" waiting for him outside.

’I’ll just leave the heavy Black Ebony Staff here for now. I’m not leaving for the guild quest until the day after tomorrow, so there’s no point in lugging it back home yet.’

’I hope I can master [Mage’s Hand] tomorrow without any trouble.’

He rubbed his lower back, still sore from moving all the heavy items, and turned to push open the shop’s rather heavy wooden door.

THUMP!

He had just pushed the door open a crack when it seemed to bump into something soft.

Hesia poked his head out and saw Bruce and Zoya pressed right up against the door, clearly having been eavesdropping the whole time.

Caught off guard by the door, Bruce wore a strange expression on his dog-like face.

Zoya, however, just frowned slightly, her purple eyes filled with obvious concern.

"Why were you two standing so close to the door?" Hesia asked, squeezing out and pulling it shut behind him. "Come on, let’s go back."

The person and the dog obediently followed behind Hesia.

After they passed back through the transparent wall and onto the path of Feipu Lane, Zoya could no longer hold back. "Did it hurt? How was the effect of that Shielding Spell?"

Hesia was about to reply, ’It hurt a little at first, but then it was fine,’ when Bruce cut in, his voice a mixture of shock, anger, and pity.

"Shielding?! Hesia, she... she even shielded your ’pleasure’? Is it because your body is... too sensitive?"

Hesia: "???"

He understood Zoya’s question, but what on earth was Bruce rambling about? He couldn’t understand a single word.

But after hearing Bruce, Zoya suddenly recalled the theory he had explained to her earlier: "The more pain humans sound like they’re in, the more pleasure they might actually be feeling."

She immediately realized her question might have been poorly phrased and adopted a more serious tone.

"Hesia, my question was wrong. I want to know too... was it... pleasurable for you?"