Chapter 16: I Don’t Need Special Services
Chapter 16: I Don’t Need Special Services
“Thank you for saving me, sir.” Saul climbed up from the floor. His legs were still a little shaky, but he forced himself to stand tall and look the pink-bandaged man in the eyes.
“New apprentice,” the man said in a low but incredibly clear voice, “until you gain sufficient knowledge and strength, never stay alone in the East Tower. At night, only your dorm is safe.”
“I’m sorry, sir, I didn’t kn—”
“Don’t tell anyone you saw me.”
Saul’s words were cut off.
The bandaged man waved a hand, and a gentle breeze swept past. Saul instinctively blinked and when he opened his eyes again, he was already standing outside the door to dorm room 604.
He glanced up and down the corridor. Dim candlelight flickered in silence.
No time to think. Saul rushed inside and slammed the door behind him.
…
Midnight passed.
The blue hourglass in the room flipped itself over, and the settled sands began to fall once more. Time resumed its slow trickle.
On the eleventh floor of the West Tower, two dormitory doors opened at the same time.
Mark stepped out of his dark room into the even darker hallway and looked across at the door opposite.
“It’s past midnight. Our agreement ends here. I’ll only act once. Whether he lives or dies, from now on, he’s just another junior.”
Mark’s face held no trace of irritation, nor even the hint of a smile.
Syd walked out from the door opposite, wearing a faint smile.
“Of course, that was our deal from the beginning. But… aren’t you curious why I’m so determined to kill that brat?”
“Not interested.” Mark turned and went back into his room. Bang. The door shut.
“Tch. So boring. People who deal with corpses all day really are like this.”
Syd’s golden hair looked dull in the candlelight. He lowered his head, the shadows slicing his face into pieces.
For a second, his expression twisted then returned to a cold calm.
“That diary must be on him. It only appears when its previous owner dies. Damn brat, too lucky for his own good. The diary I spent years searching for just happened to land in your hands.”
He flexed his right hand, as if he could still feel the texture of the hardshell book he once held.
Unfortunately, in a moment of habit, he had thrown it—only realizing afterward what it was.
But when he kicked Saul’s body aside and frantically searched him, the diary was already gone.
And Saul… had started breathing again.
There was only one explanation: the diary had saved him.
Syd had imagined countless times what it would be like to kill Saul with his own hands.
But he couldn’t.
According to his grandfather’s records, the diary would never go to someone who murdered its master with their own hands.
He’d have to plan something else.
Syd stepped back into his dorm and closed his eyes tightly.
“Death Wizard’s Diary… just what power do you hold? Why did my grandfather kill every friend and family member just to find you?”
Syd had many questions—but even more conviction.
Anything his brilliant grandfather had once pursued to madness, he had to possess too.
…
After a day of chaos, danger, and madness—Saul still had to wake up early tomorrow for class.
Reality had no mercy.
It was midnight. He lay in bed, forcing himself to sleep.
But the grotesque scene in the lab replayed in his mind over and over.
Was all that tied to Mark? Why did he try to kill me?
And who was that man in pink bandages? Was he one of the five mentors?
“Calling him ‘pink bandage guy’ feels rude,” Saul distracted himself with nonsense to keep from spiraling. “He’s so strong, took care of all the horrors in an instant… Let’s call him Big Pink for now.”
Sleep finally crept in.
Knock, knock, knock!
Someone was at the door?
Had morning already come? Was Keli here to find him?
Saul scrambled up and turned up the lamp—only to find the time was just a little past one.
Knock, knock, knock!
The knocking continued.
Saul really didn’t want to open the door.
After everything tonight, his nerves were shot, and he was scared of shadows.
“Sir.”
A soft voice called from outside—it was the maid from earlier.
Saul walked to the door and opened it just a crack.
Sure enough, it was the same maid.
She wore a flowing pink silk cloak, revealing only her elegant face and pale neck. Below that…
It looked like she wasn’t wearing anything at all.
Saul stayed behind the door.
“Why are you here?”
“Sir,” the maid smiled, cheeks flushed, “I know you’re still young… but wouldn’t you like to… touch me?”
As she spoke, she let the silk slide off her shoulders, revealing—
A wooden, carved body.
Saul recoiled, slamming the door shut.
But her head slipped through the gap, lips stretching wide.
“Save me… kill me! Kill me! Kill me!”
…
Knock, knock, knock!
Again with the knocking.
Saul snapped awake, gasping for breath.
“A dream?”
He jumped out of bed, turned up the lamp, and looked at the hourglass clock.
12:30 AM.
Definitely a dream.
He picked up the crystal orb beside the table and approached the door slowly.
“Who’s there?”
Silence.
“I don’t need any special services.” Saul raised his voice.
“…It’s me. Kongsha.”
“….”
Saul didn’t really want to open the door.
Was it truly Kongsha out there or something else?
But he couldn’t hide forever.
He cracked open the door—just enough to slam it shut if needed.
Outside stood a woman in a hooded gown, showing only her delicate chin.
“Lady Kongsha.”
Saul stepped aside.
Kongsha walked straight in, sat down in Saul’s chair, and pulled off her hood.
Her head was still terrifying, but after what he’d seen tonight, Saul felt oddly numb.
“Your apprentice life’s really something, huh? So young and already someone’s trying to climb into your bed?”
She crossed one leg over the other, resting her chin on one hand, her stunning figure on full display.
If not for that half-ruined head, she’d be more alluring than any maid.
“You finally came to find me.” Saul closed the door behind him.
“I assume you’ve figured out your situation now?”
“If you mean the fact that my strongest elemental sense was somehow altered into Dark Element… then yes, I’ve figured it out.”
“Hmph.” Kongsha scoffed. “You think you have strong elemental perception? If not for me, you wouldn’t have even been able to pick a main element.”
Saul hesitated.
That might be true.
When he meditated, he could perceive all elemental particles—but none particularly well.
He stepped forward, softening his tone.
“Senior Kongsha… are you here to help me?”
“Of course. Why else would I come—offer you special services?” Kongsha smirked and spread her hand.
In her palm appeared a familiar small vial—the same healing potion from before.
“Senior, what is this?”
“A potion that temporarily enhances your Dark Element perception.”
“The same one I drank last time?”
“Not exactly. This one—you take a drop before each meditation. It’ll give you high-perception for a few hours. After a month, I’ll give you the next potion to help you reach 10 Joules of magic for your first evaluation.”
She knows about the 10-joule requirement? Who told her that?
Saul stared at the potion, tempted—but didn’t take it right away.
“Senior, may I ask… does this potion have any side effects?”
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(End of Chapter)
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