Chapter 157: Exchange

Chapter 157: Exchange

I was listening, Stanimal says with a straight face.

And you are not going to beat this guy up? I ask, incredulous.

Stanimal just looks at me without blinking, slowly stroking his silvery beard.

Should I?

I mean, your nephews are getting bullied, not mine, a touch of anger reaches my voice.

Mh.

Stan doesnt want to beat up this Appius dude and his stupid brother bullying my two soon-to-be brothers-in-law. Is he testing me? Why do I get the impression hes testing me?

Are you testing me to see if Im going to smash this Appius dudes face? How old is this brother of his even? Twelve?

Twenty-one. Appius is thirty-two.

What? Im confused here, Stanimal. Are you telling me that a grown-ass man is bullying two kids?

Stan smiles and nods.

Oh, come on, Stanimal. Dont be so obvious.

Are you trying to rile me up for the duels?

Why would I?

I exhale, exasperated. I pace around Stans room, a spacious and clearly exclusive space. He has one of those big beds with a roof. I have no idea what they are called. And, if I have to be honest, the wood of the bed-thingy looks enchanted.

Are there enchantments to improve your sleep? I say, pointing at the object.

Ok, I shrug.

So, if you wish to prepare for the upcoming trials, Ill arrange a room with

What? Im already prepared. Werent we supposed to discuss magic? Come on, lets not waste time. Im on a schedule here. I need to go back to Amorium as soon as possible.

Marcus was quite baffled by my attitude, but he still acceded to my request. We went into a private exercise room. Its like a gym. But for magic. It was mainly layered with different protection spells to avoid exploding the place or yourself.

Fascinating, the humanoid says.

His multi-colored irises reflect the shine of my magic. Im spinning around twenty [Lights] in concentric circles. Perpendicular to them, Im rotating a couple more in orbits. They perfectly intersect the voids between the other [Lights].

So, this is the magic Titus has said would change the entire academy? And it comes from you. And a girl you were bedding stole that precious knowledge? And you are telling me?

The [Archmage] looked genuinely surprised at my revelation.

I mean, [Archmage], no offense. But Im just showing you my Cantrips. I barely explained how they work. And if its true that you can deduct some of this, I guarantee you that the inner workings of my magical theory are much deeper than this. Ill willingly share enough knowledge for you to incorporate all of this into your spell matrixesno need to torture me or stuff like that. Also, Im pretty sure that one of the artifacts I own would blow us up both if you tried. And its not my hat, I say while giving the Dragon both my signature wink and a now-signature hat-tip.

Bargaining with a Dragon after several months just being a baker and a Gold-rank. Joey Luciani, do you have any idea what any member of my race would do to you if you showed up with that hat in front of them?

Try to, I correct him.

The golden humanoid shakes his head.

Humans are so very brazen. It must be your short lifespan. Dragons cant afford the same degree of idiocy. But its the same idiocy Humans have that makes them level up so fast. Take the Vanedenis, for example. They throw themselves in danger like moths to fire But yes, lets make a bargain, Joey Luciani. What do you want from me? Is it the recipe for the elixirs that prolong life? Do you want information on your adversaries? A favor?

Nah.

What do you want, then?

Tell me, [Archmage] Marcus, do you know what radiation is?