Chapter 97 - 96: Experiment, Risk, and Bargaining Chips

Chapter 97: Chapter 96: Experiment, Risk, and Bargaining Chips

"What kind of work?"

Fevik gestured with her chin toward the unconscious, green-skinned creature on the wall.

"See that goblin there?"

"I think I might have accidentally killed it, and I can’t be bothered to run out and catch a new one."

She sized Hesia up and down, a "friendly" smile spreading across her face.

"So, you’ll take its place and help me finish my experiment."

"That way, I won’t have to waste any more effort trying to figure out that damned goblin language."

Whether the goblin deserved to die or not wasn’t important. What Hesia knew was that if he foolishly agreed just for a Magic Wand, he would very likely be the next one to die.

Who knew what kind of experiment this strange Female Half-Elf would perform?

An explosion? Transformation? Or Mind Control?

Thinking of these horrifying possibilities, he quickly waved his hands in refusal.

"Uh, Lady Fevik, thank you very much for your kind offer, but I have some other things to take care of..."

"Your expression tells me what you’re thinking," Fevik interrupted, pursing her lips. "Relax, it won’t kill you. I wouldn’t use a living person for those dangerous and tasteless experiments."

"I recently found an ancient Scroll with a very interesting Small Spell recorded on it."

"—Pain Shield."

"Sounds nice, right? But the spell’s effects and duration are a bit... hmm, unstable. So I need to test its actual performance."

"I posted a bounty at the Adventurer Guild to recruit test subjects, but for the life of me, I can’t figure out why no one has taken it in over a month."

"So, I grabbed a goblin to try it on. If these things die, they die. Nothing to cry about."

Hesia’s heart jolted when he heard that.

His gaze drifted uncontrollably to the goblin in the corner, its tongue hanging out, its state of life or death unknown.

’What do you mean, if it dies, it dies? Didn’t you just swear up and down that it wouldn’t kill me?’

’And what’s the point of posting a quest at the Adventurer Guild? What normal person could even find this godforsaken place!’

Fevik saw Hesia’s eyes darting toward the goblin’s corpse, his face a mask of disbelief, and knew he was still hesitant.

But she had already delayed this test for too long. The young man before her was full of Spiritual Power, and his Physique looked decent enough. He was a perfect test subject.

She decided to up the ante.

"Relax! I swear on the name of Xilaurani, the Fireplace Guardian, that I will be as careful as I can possibly, possibly, possibly be! I will absolutely, absolutely, absolutely not let you suffer any serious, irreversible harm! At most... hmm, just a tiny, harmless little accident?"

"Besides, if you cooperate and the test goes smoothly... not only will I give you some good material for a wand, but afterward, I can also offer you some personalized guidance based on your Physique and Magic Power characteristics. You know, not just anyone gets the chance to be personally instructed by me, Fevik QuickThought!"

When Fevik swore on the name of the Divine Spirit she believed in, the scales in Hesia’s mind began to tip.

He knew that Half-Elves were a Race that placed great importance on Faith and reputation. Swearing in the name of their goddess, especially on matters concerning their own area of expertise, was almost equivalent to an unbreakable contract.

With that reputation as a guarantee, Fevik’s offer became exceptionally tempting.

The confidence in her words suggested that what she called a "tiny little accident" was indeed within a controllable range.

And at his current earning rate, a decent piece of material for a Magic Wand was indeed a long way off.

Not to mention, the "guidance" of a veteran Mage was something whose value couldn’t be measured in money.

[Assessment Skill]

From Hesia’s perspective, a deep crimson halo appeared above Fevik’s petite frame. The color of the halo was so rich that it was almost black.

A Professional!

Moreover, the intensity of this halo far surpassed that of anyone he had ever seen! Combined with the casual fluctuation of Magic Power she’d used to burn the book earlier...

This Female Half-Elf’s power was unfathomable!

He was desperate to increase his own power right now. If he could get her guidance...

But Hesia didn’t agree immediately. Instead, he asked again:

"How can I trust that you will ensure my absolute safety during the experiment?"

Fevik seemed to have expected this question.

She put her hands on her hips and puffed out her practically nonexistent chest.

"Who do you think I am, Fevik QuickThought? Some third-rate Mage?"

"No one cares if you kill a goblin, but killing a Human Mage Apprentice..."

"Actually, it seems no one can do anything to me about that either."

"But rest assured, I hate all that damn investigation and paperwork. I’d rather go catch ten more goblins than deal with that kind of mess!"

"I’ll have a Healing Potion ready for you, though we probably won’t even need it. In any case, for my own peace and quiet, I won’t let anything happen to you! Got it?"

Hesia nodded.

Her oath was a guarantee of her credibility, and these words were insurance for the actual procedure.

"Alright, Lady Fevik. I trust your professionalism. I’m willing to participate in your experiment."

Hearing his agreement, Fevik’s mood visibly brightened, and a smile returned to her face.

"Excellent, a wise choice. Come by tomorrow morning at seven. I need to prepare the things we’ll be using."

"Okay."

"Be on time! I hate waiting for people!"

Fevik added, then waved her hand to dismiss him.

Hesia gave a slight bow and turned to leave the cluttered and peculiar Wand Shop.

* * *

By the time he returned to his residence in Feipu Lane, night had already fallen.

Under Lady Cassandra’s meticulous care, Bruce had been living quite comfortably these past few days. Right now, its belly was round from a full meal, and it was sprawled on its back on the soft carpet, legs in the air, enjoying a post-dinner leisure.

Suddenly, its ears twitched alertly.

Familiar footsteps and a familiar scent drifted through the air.

It shot to its feet with a start, its previously stuffed and rounded belly not affecting its agility in the slightest.

Its tail wagged like a propeller as it excitedly ran to the door.

CREAK—

The wooden door swung open, and Hesia’s figure appeared in the doorway.

Bruce was about to pounce on him joyfully, but it suddenly froze.

It tilted its furry head, its nostrils flaring. It sniffed quizzically at the air behind Hesia, then craned its neck to look down the empty hallway.

"What’s wrong?" Hesia asked, seeing its odd behavior. "Do I smell weird?"

"Where’s Zoya? You two clearly left one after the other this morning."

"Left one after the other?" Hesia paused for a moment, then recalled. "Oh... I guess we did. But we weren’t together. I was with Belte in the morning, and I was by myself in the afternoon."

Seeing the human-like worry on Bruce’s doggy face, Hesia also felt a flicker of doubt, but he didn’t dwell on it.

He casually reassured the dog, "She probably took a solo quest, or maybe had some personal business to attend to."

’I have to be a test subject at Fevik’s place early tomorrow morning. No time to think about this.’

He closed the door, walked straight to his bed, and flopped down onto it.