Chapter 106

“Nothing, I just worked really hard” Rezen replied casually

Others only have to consume resources and sit prettily while reading magic theories to advance in rank

As for Rezen, he has to plant his own resources. If he wants to learn magic and advance his rank, he has to offer some ‘nourishment’ to his farm (mana stones or corpses)

Even the combination of Spirit Plants and Mutated Plant of Gold Sage Tea also has its own limit

The first time that Rezen used them, he received enlightenment. But after that, although the tea’s effects were quite good, Rezen’s comprehension skills are too lacking

His subordinates received a greater ‘learning boost’ from the tea than himself

To put it into perspective, the tea has a multiplier effect. Rezen’s subordinates let’s say has 100 points of comprehension skills

With the help of the tea, that 100 points turned into 200 points

As for Rezen… saying that he has 10 points for comprehension is already being kind to him. Even if 10 is multiplied by two, the effects were not great though Rezen still drinks the tea to help him in his cultivation

Rezen can only hope that he can trigger another enlightenment soon. As such, he really thinks that he worked ‘really hard’ though others would definitely disagree

“That’s bullshit!” Maze exclaimed before he realizes his own mistakes and he hurriedly covered his mouth with his palm

“Y-young Master!” Rem called out anxiously. Rezen was the one that killed the enemies they couldn’t kill, being disrespectful to him is the last thing that they should do

“I-I’m sorry, i-it was a slip up” Maze apologizes with a pout

Rezen can feel the veins on his forehead popping and he raised his fist

“Can I punch you? One punch will suffice” Rezen asked with a smile

Saying that it was a slip-up doesn’t make things better! To think that Rezen would receive the b-word from the person he just saved

“N-no, brother, I was wrong! Don’t hit me!”

“Y-yes, please forgive my Young Master, esteemed sir”

In the end, Rezen can only sigh and he waved his hand at them. “Fine, fine, you can go now”

“T-then, we thank you, esteemed sir” Rem said politely and he tried to pull Maze away but he failed

“Big brother, please tell me how you become strong this fast!”

“Kiddo, don’t call me big brother, I think we’re at the same age”

“You say that but you are calling me kiddo…”

Rezen has a strong urge to hit a certain someone in the face. This Maze kind of reminds him of his best friend. There are also many instances where he wants to punch Neil in the face

“Y-Young Master, please mind your words”

“But I’m just telling the truth though. Besides, he looks older than me” Maze said while pointing a finger at Rezen that felt like someone just stabbed him in the heart

O-older? Rezen looks older? Does this mean that he looks like an old man?

“Strong and mature, that’s the kind of man I aspired to be!” Maze continued and Rezen had a 180° reversal in attitude

Strong, mature, and a ‘man’… aren’t those the characteristics that Claude has that made Rezen admire him (aside from that heavenly handsome face)

After receiving compliments, Rezen’s mood instantly improves. Who doesn’t want to be admired?

However, Maze’s next words brought Rezen back to a state of rage

“I want to be as strong, no, stronger than you! I aspire to be the strongest mage and I decided that you’ll be my first stepping stone!”

“When I saw your video, I felt weak and little! I thought that I improved greatly and left you in the dust now but you are actually still stronger than me”

“To become the strongest mage, I have to overcome and beat you with my strength!”

The way Maze spoke was very genuine and his tone was filled with the burning fire of youth

His face looks very much serious while he stares at the person that he wanted to use as a stepping stone

His expression showed both admiration and the desire to surpass Rezen

Unfortunately, while Maze was filled with enthusiasm and optimism, Rezen on the other hand was filled with rage

Stepping stone? Who the hell would be who’s stepping stone?

Pa!!

“Oppss, sorry, it was an accident” Rezen apologizes half-heartedly after he ‘accidentally’ raised his fist to give Maze’s face a punch

“Young Master!” Rem immediately went to check on his young master while glaring at Rezen

He even controlled his mystic gem to float in front of him as if he was giving Rezen a warning

“Don’t glare at me, it was really an accident. My hand was just itchy” Rezen insisted, a complete bullshit

No matter who saw what he had done, they would all think that he did it on purpose

“As expected of you, so decisive! Is the secret to your fast growth your attitude?! Do I have to be as fierce as you?!” Maze that was holding his bruised cheeks said in admiration

Even though Rezen punched him, he was not angry at all. In fact, it just made him admire Rezen more and more

“The fuck? You’re weird, I’m out of here!”

Since Rezen already collected his ‘quest materials’, there is no need to stay and he decided to flee from his ‘weird peer’

——

Rezen’s Farm

“So… tell me again… why the hell am I cooking food for the two of you?!” Rezen said angrily while aggressively chopping the meat in front of him

“As expected of big brother, even your hospitality is top-notched!” Maze exclaimed with a thumbs up

For whatever reason, this Maze decided to follow Rezen back to his humble home. Even though Rezen tried to shoo them away, Maze insisted on following him for ‘learning purposes’

Since Rezen has his last ten corpses to upgrade his farm, he decided to cook food and have a small celebration later with his subordinates that are busier than him

Five of the Tattoo Warriors are in the Rising Sage Academy to learn magic while the remaining six always have the task of hunting magic beasts that Rezen then uses as nourishment for his farm

Since Rezen failed to shake Maze and his guard away, he was forced to cook for them. After all, they are already in his home, and it would be inhospitable of him not to serve them food

“Grrrr, what do you want from me?!”

“I want to learn your secret! I want to be stronger!”

“Why don’t you just, I don’t know, read your books and train?!”

“I always do that but I’m still weaker than you!”

“Can I punch you again?”

“Absolutely not, my face still stings”

Rezen is now thinking of what he did wrong to receive this karma

It’s not like Maze is a bad person. In fact, he was quite alright. It’s just that, he doesn’t know what he should or shouldn’t say, very similar to Neil

He always managed to say something that would irritate Rezen. As for Maze’s guard, Rezen labeled him as useless

That old man can’t even convince Maze to stop following him!

If only Maze and Rem would show hostility and attack Rezen so that he could teach them a lesson

Too bad that Rezen still has some kindness in him. As long as others don’t do him harm, he’ll just let them be

“Sigh… I want to poison your food” Rezen muttered

“You can’t! A real man wouldn’t stoop that low!”

“Foolish! A real man is a living man! If you are dead, can you still consider yourself a man? In this world, resorting to the usage of poison or other tricks should be the standard if you want to continue living!”

To hell with being righteous! This world has no room for that

Just look at the time when Rezen almost died from Leon’s hands. If he didn’t trick him into eating the poisoned apple, Rezen wouldn’t still be alive right now

“Oh… I see! You’re right! I can’t be the strongest mage if I’m dead. I knew it, following you is the right decision! This is just the first day yet I already learned something!”

“Young Master… please stop now…”

First day? Does this mean that there would be the second, third, and so on days?

If Maze continues to stick to him, Rezen might die from annoyance

This isn’t good, Rezen should prevent that from happening. How can he shoo this annoying man away?

“Hmm?” Rezen suddenly thought of something as he smiled evilly

“Hey, you, are you rich?” Rezen questioned as this might be a chance for him to earn a bit more money

There is no such thing as having too much money. The more money, the better! And what is the quickest way to get rich? One of them is definitely exploiting people!

“Well… I’m at least above average. My father is a 5th fusion rank mage and is also the Patriarch of our Clan” Maze answered honestly