Treasure Map

(So many people complained that the plot was heavily revised. The paragraph comments may no longer match. My sincerest apologies.)

Inside a resplendent palace, dozens of healers surrounded the King of Chaos, taking turns casting purification magic on him.

A full day and night of relentless curses had left the king utterly exhausted in body and mind. He looked weary and listless. Legendary fire-resistant equipment could help him withstand the Fire Curse Technique, but there was nothing to be done about the Plague Curse. After all, legendary equipment was not something found everywhere.

His eyes burned with fury as he snarled, "That damned curse mage—how exactly is he casting his curses?"

Xias had been to Lundria, so it made sense for him to be cursed. But the king had never left the palace. How could the enemy have cursed him?

Was he supposed to wage war against the Uruk Kingdom while enduring the Plague Curse?

Arthurx was both furious and frustrated.

He could not understand when the Uruk Kingdom had produced such a shameless yet cowardly mage.

Pfft!

The more the King of Chaos thought about it, the angrier he became. His rage overwhelmed his heart just as a fresh Plague Curse descended upon him, and he spat out a mouthful of blood.

In the blink of an eye, another month passed.

Hekate's Magic Level successfully broke through to 10-star Magus. She only needed one more breakthrough to enter the realm of Grand Magus.

Arthurx, the King of Chaos, had died before his grand undertaking was halfway complete. The new king was a child under ten years old, while the other princes feared that whoever took the throne would be cursed to death.

Hekate stopped while she was ahead. She had cursed him only because she did not want to see Betty sent over, nor did she want to see Teacher Ivin executed. Now that both goals had been achieved, it was best to restore peace as soon as possible.

News of the Chaos king's sudden death brought the unrest in various regions to a halt. Some of the teachers stationed at the border returned, including Teacher Ivin and Professor Emand.

Hekate went to visit them. More than two years had passed since they last met, yet Teacher Ivin still looked as calm and detached as ever.

Her petite body was wrapped in a professor-grade magic robe. Her golden hair, which had once reached her ankles, had been cut short to her shoulders. Her cool and aloof demeanor now carried a trace of war's chilling severity, yet at a glance, she still looked like an elementary school student.

"Hekate, what is your true strength now?" Teacher Ivin frowned.

Hekate froze. She had not expected Teacher Ivin's first question upon seeing her to be this.

"Uh... a 6-star Intermediate Mage."

Teacher Ivin laughed and scolded, "You can fool others, but not me. An Intermediate Mage would not make me feel threatened."

Hekate was stunned. She could sense that too? Wouldn't that greatly weaken the effect of Eternal Moonlight?

"This is my talent, so you needn't worry about anyone else seeing through you. Besides, if you can make me feel threatened, then there are not many people in this place who can hurt you. Why are you still hiding your strength?" Teacher Ivin asked curiously.

"Teacher, I can tell you, but please do not tell anyone else. It would cause trouble otherwise."

"Is it because of the bloodline within you?"

You have already given me an excuse. How could I not use it?

Hekate immediately went along with it and smiled. "Yes, because of my bloodline."

"A Legendary Bloodline would indeed attract covetous eyes. It makes sense for you to hide your strength." Teacher Ivin nodded and did not press further. "In that case, keep things as they are. When you feel ready to tell me, then tell me."

"Alright."

"Mm. Go back now. Once school starts, come to class when you have time."

"Alright..."

Hekate rose and left.

Teacher Ivin watched Hekate's retreating figure, a trace of confusion flashing through her eyes. Why did that girl seem not to have grown at all? Could that also be an effect of the Legendary Bloodline?

After leaving the Meditation Studies area, Hekate went to the Ancient Ruins Tower to visit Professor Emand.

The war had affected him greatly. The old professor, who had once radiated a free-spirited and carefree air, now gave off the feeling of someone in his twilight years. Even his once neat white hair and beard had become far more unkempt.

His eyes, which used to light up whenever Ancient Ruins or legendary creatures were mentioned, had become dull and vacant.

Professor Emand had turned into a grimy old man.

"Hekate, you're here." A happy smile appeared on the old professor's wrinkled face.

"Mm, Professor. I came to see you." Hekate smiled.

Professor Emand shared amusing stories from his time at the border with Hekate, and she listened quietly.

She did not leave until evening.

After returning home, Hekate let out a sigh.

After Fast's death, the second funeral she would attend would probably be Professor Emand's.

The war had accelerated the draining of the old man's life force.

The next day.

Hekate emerged from her Meditation State and performed her routine Gift of Fate draw.

Duang~

Gift of Fate: You have obtained a Treasure Map and lost 100 Gold Pounds.

A Treasure Map?

And it cost 100 Gold Pounds...

After all these years of saving, that was all she had. It had all been taken away in one go. What a greedy talent. Still, since the price of this Gift of Fate was 100 Gold Pounds, the reward should be worth far more than that.

Hekate accepted the gift. The money in her little treasury instantly vanished, and an old Treasure Map appeared in her hand.

She unfolded it and took a look, but could not understand it. Maps drawn in this era were truly abstract. Without specialized study, one might not even be able to read them.

But that was not a problem. She could simply ask Star.

Under the sunlight, the morning star was faint.

A while later, Star finally sent a message.

This was a Magus's treasure site in Monen City to the south. It contained Magic Power Crystals that he had picked up in the Ancient Ruins. Magic Power Crystals could allow mages below the level of Grand Magus to quickly advance to the next star rank. No more Magic Power Crystals were being produced now; they had all degraded into ordinary magic crystals.

Ancient Magic Power Crystals? Then they really were worth 100 Gold Pounds!

Hekate was delighted. Clutching the Treasure Map, she told her parents that she would be leaving for a few days.

Lady Audrey was very worried. "Hekate, where are you going? Why so suddenly?"

Hekate smiled. "I got a Treasure Map. I'm going out on an adventure."

Count Fortes asked, "Are you confident that you can protect yourself?"

Hekate said, "Of course!"

"Mm, then go."

"Thank you, Father!"

Hekate left happily.

Lady Audrey looked shocked, as though silently demanding to know why he had agreed.

"Hekate has never liked leaving home since she was little. Her social circle is far too narrow. Now that she wants to go out adventuring, isn't that a good thing? Children have to grow up eventually. You protected Revolen too well, which is why his outlook is so limited."

"But what if Hekate gets deceived? I heard one of her classmates was tricked into joining an evil cult and died," Lady Audrey said resentfully.

"She's an Intermediate Mage!"

Count Fortes repeatedly opened and shut the pocket watch in his hand. "Then arrange for a guard to follow her from behind."