Steampunk Era: Mad Abield
Chapter 40 - 35: Newcomer Process

Chapter 40: Chapter 35: Newcomer Process

"I’ve lived for quite some time, but I’ve never played as big as today," Leon panted heavily, looked at his old friend with a sigh, and then leaned back into the chair, asking through the ceiling, "Malin, how are those different kinds doing?"

"I can’t see them anymore, they’re too far away," Malin’s response let everyone breathe a sigh of relief as Leon poked his head out to glance at the rear of the carriage, where a massive burning object was emitting pure white flames, "Why are the flames white?"

"It’s Holy Energy, Malin, what on earth is going on with you?" Richard looked at Malin, who seemed troubled, "I’m wondering if offering you a thousand gold as a life-saving reward is an insult to your worth and my status."

"I blessed with seven moldings, and among the third ring of molding, there is an energy conversion Spell Formation. I used it to convert lightning Spiritual Energy into Holy Energy, so this Holy Energy beam should be a fourth ring Spell Formation."

"Damn it, how old are you to be using fourth ring spells already? Hasn’t your Spiritual Energy been exhausted... I’ll give four thousand, you guys split it, today my life was saved by you," Jon reluctantly took out the last fragment from his mouth and spoke hurriedly, "Leonidas, say how much you want."

"Stop figuring, we all owe Malin," Leonidas wiped his face, "I’m just a Coachman, Richard and I will give Malin five thousand."

"I’ll give Malin three thousand, to be able to have a giant of the seventh molding save us from hell, this money is well spent," Raguel said wearily, "I’m just a jinx who can’t do Spells, I almost thought I was going to die in that forsaken fortress today."

"I’ll add another three thousand. Malin, do you think that’s okay?" Leon poked his head out again to look at Malin on the roof of the carriage.

Malin nodded with a smile—the sum was too large, so he stopped his wild thoughts, gave the young masters a smile, and just sat back to collect the money.

"Alright, settle down, I’m going to make the carriage speed up again. With so many different kinds in the forest, the Punishers and Demon Hunters will be busy later on," Leonidas said before whipping the reins.

Malin checked behind them once more and set off two illumination flares, ensuring that the different kinds had indeed given up the chase, before collapsing on the roof of the carriage.

"What a thrilling adventure," Malin exclaimed with feeling, having only agreed to come for some excitement, to kill a few unlucky Spectral Phantoms, without expecting that damned place to be a dragon’s lair.

"I can’t handle that kind of excitement," Richard commented, patting his head, "Once we’re back in the city, I’m going to tell everyone I know about what happened today. In Thanan language, I could boast about this for a year. By the way, Malin, would you come if I asked for your help again next time?"

"No problem, but please, nothing like today’s task, it was really too thrilling," Malin answered with a smile.

"Who would want to go through such misfortune again," Richard said, wiping his forehead.

And looking at the starry sky, Malin began to miss his little Leopard sister.

Then he frowned with some worries—how was he going to explain to the little Leopard the origins of those ten thousand gold when he got home today.

Tell her it was the money her brother had risked his life for?

That would definitely make the little Leopard bite her tail bald.

.........

Standing outside the northern city gate, Colin felt like time was crawling by—in such a night, the wilderness wasn’t safe, so he couldn’t plunge into the forest with his men. If the information was correct, then that area might as well be hell on earth right now.

Therefore, he had to prepare a great deal of equipment for the Punishers, likewise, the supply carriages from The Temples were on their way to help.

But the problem was, Malin and those kids had gone to the forsaken castle, and he didn’t even know whether the boys could survive.

There’s a good chance they’re dead by now.

Damn it, what’s he going to tell his mentor when he sees him tomorrow morning?

I’m sorry, mentor, your little apprentice played himself to death last night.

...the mentor would surely flay alive his useless older Apprentice.

Just at that moment, the Guards on the city gates suddenly shouted out, and Colin raised his head, noticing they were pointing towards the north of the city, seemingly having spotted something.

What, could it be that the Undead had seized this chance to start attacking the city?

Colin grew anxious, the Punishers also took note of the situation, and amidst the heightened vigilance, Colin saw a bright sphere of light rise from within the distant woods.

It was an illumination Spell Formation, spherical—it had to be Malin’s variant Spell!

Colin moved forward a few steps and then saw a carriage hurtling around the bend at breakneck speed, his sharp eyes catching sight of a kid still managing to hold onto a sphere of light.

"They’re back!"

"The Goddess of Fortune must be smiling on them," remarked a Punisher, marveling at the kids’ good luck.

And Colin raised his hand, "Stop the carriage!" His voice, amplified by a spell, carried through the air.

The youngster driving the coach obediently brought the vehicle to a halt.

Colin walked up, confirming that it was indeed Malin sitting on top of the carriage: "Is everyone here?"

"We’re all here." Malin unfastened the rope around his waist and jumped down from the carriage: "I’ve brought them all back. There are lots of different kind at the ruined fortress. We’ll talk specifics once we’re in the city. Their numbers are great; it’s best to have the guards close the city gates." Having said that, the lad headed towards the city gate.

"Don’t move just yet, there’s a process we have to follow." Colin called out.

This statement made Malin pause, then the youngster tilted his head, a look of confusion as if to ask, "What process?"

"...Alright, I really haven’t told you about this, but just stand still for now. Someone will come to inspect you, and if you pass, then you’re safe." As Colin finished saying this, realizing he hadn’t actually mentioned this before, he turned to the noblemen’s sons lined up, "Seems you’re quite well-informed."

"Isn’t that the truth? I may not have seen a Sharlan beast run before, but I’ve eaten its meat," Leonidas replied with a wry smile.

"That’s right. Jack, go to The Temple and call for Old Ferrero. Tell him his precious dear apprentice has been found." Colin sent his Church Proxy on an errand, then began sizing up the youngsters before him.

First was Malin, hale and hearty, looking quite spirited.

Then there was the lad named Leon, seems like he’s a relative of Logan? His face was somewhat pale, likely due to Spiritual Energy exhaustion; he must have fought desperately to escape with his life.

Next was Leonidas, rumored to be a viewer from Sage Path Step Nine. He seemed fine considering he just went through a harrowing experience, but since everyone survived in the end, this lad must have had quite a show to watch, hitting the jackpot – viewers of Sage Path Step Nine claim to experience the full spectrum of human emotions, which sounds nice, but viewers are only there to observe, not to personally taste life’s bitterness.

Ragel, another with a pale complexion; but seeing that he could still support the lad named Jon, he must’ve just been spooked. It’s said he lacks natural talent for spellcasting, and the only reason he became a Transcendent Apprentice is due to his lineage – Ragel’s family has giant blood, with four giant ancestors in their history. This half-blood may look like a regular person, but he’s quite strong.

As for the last one, Jon... the boy seemed unsteady, his face ashen, as if he had been possessed. Yes, that’s it, a possession. Without someone to help him undo it, these youths wouldn’t have made it back alive.

Colin was mulling over this when he noticed Malin approaching. The young boy tugged at Colin’s trouser leg, so Colin followed him to one side, "Colin, the ’process’ you mentioned is to check for Chaos contamination, right?"

"Of course." Colin frowned, thinking that Malin had never seemed to care about anyone other than his sister before. Today, his gaze was fixed on Jon from start to finish... could it be that the boy was truly in trouble?

"I’ll say it first then, Jon has been possessed..." Malin gestured for Colin to bend down, then recounted Jon’s predicament in detail: "I saved him with Holy Water. There shouldn’t be any problems, right?"

That’s a huge problem. Who uses Holy Water for exorcism by pouring it in the mouth? Isn’t it supposed to be poured on the head?

But then again, the lad managed to survive, and it was Malin who quickly reacted, so that’s to his credit – without his prompt intervention, ten Jons would be gone.

Still, these boys needed to learn a lesson, lest they think clinging to Malin’s strong legs would shield them from all troubles: "Possessed? Then he’s doomed. He’s been contaminated by Chaos and must be burned to death," Colin said sternly, on purpose.

That was the tone used by his Church elders to scare him back in the day, and several of the Punishers nearby almost broke into laughter – most churches had this kind of tale to warn the newbies.

The young lords trembled like quails in the wind, and Jon clutched at his hair: "I was saved by Malin, wasn’t I?! Why do I have to be burned to death?!"

Malin’s lips thinned. He seemed a bit disappointed but considering his lack of understanding about the consequences of possession, he didn’t feel qualified to say more and stayed silent, lips pursed.

What a pitiless young fellow, but on the other hand, Colin was very pleased to see his apprentice being so sensible – sometimes such cold-heartedness was necessary.

For sometimes kindness to one person could be the gravest cruelty to an entire city of innocents.

The silence lingered, with Jon nearly going mad as he held his head.

"Buddy, I’m sorry, it’s my fault," Ragel suddenly reached out and hugged him.

"If only I had known, I would’ve paid more, even if it meant hiring a couple of eighth-graders to help us," Leonidas sighed deeply.

"It’s all my fault for the divination. If it hadn’t been for that, we might have been more cautious," Richard said as he slumped to the ground: "It’s all over."

Watching the genuine distress shared among the youngsters, the Punishers finally couldn’t help but laugh out loud, and the boys turned to stare at them in amazement. Colin finally caught his breath and laughed, "I was just kidding."

"Who jokes like that?!" Jon cried out in relief and then yelled.

"Malin said he gave you Holy Water right away, so your life was spared." Colin approached, lifted his eyelid to check the color beneath: "However, due to the Spectral Phantom’s possession, you’d better avoid using Spiritual Energy spells for the next three months. Otherwise, if it affects your Spiritual Energy talent, then you’re indeed doomed."

"I really don’t have to be burned?" Jon glanced at Malin and then back to Colin.

"Of course not. Besides, my advice for you is to go to your church and buy some more Holy Water. Treat it as water and drink it regularly to help purify any residual Chaos in your body." Colin finished speaking, patted Malin’s head who was next to him: "Now that you’re fine, you might as well tell me about what happened in the woods."