"If a Wizard had done only one of these things, he could still be called a genius. But for all of them to happen to one person at once, I can hardly avoid becoming suspicious."
A thick scrutiny flashed through Augusta's eyes.
His magical pressure seeped into every part of Leo's body along with his words.
Leo's current state could aptly be described as a bird startled by the mere twang of a bowstring.
"Leo, tell me. Are you hiding some secret?"
Terrifying magical pressure, a chilling interrogation.
Leo experienced it firsthand.
This was far more perilous than facing Sajia back then.
When facing Sajia, Leo had not worried about his own safety in the slightest.
Even if Stofen had not acted, Augusta would have.
But now that he was facing Augusta directly, no other Formal Wizard would be willing to lend him a hand.
If Leo answered directly without any preparation in this situation, then what awaited him would likely be the endless greedy craving of other Formal Wizards.
With the Compendium Manual, Leo would undoubtedly become the thing these Formal Wizards desired most.
And when that time came, the Formal Wizards' attitude toward Leo would certainly not involve an equivalent exchange, but endless greedy plunder.
Of course, that was only if Leo had made no preparations at all.
Cold sweat beaded on Leo's forehead as he stammered, "Lord Augusta, this concerns my secret. Could I perhaps not speak of it?"
Augusta said, "You may refuse to speak. But if you do, then should other Formal Wizards take an interest in you later, I will not help you either. Stofen will indeed protect you, but only for one year. After that year is over, he will no longer continue protecting you."
"If you want to remain under my protection