Mandrake Siren, Bloodline Ability

"Sirens' songs?" Leo frowned and asked, "Wizard Nova, is this a wizard spell?"

"No. This is the Bloodline Ability of the magical creature known as the Mandrake Siren," Nova explained.

"The Mandrake Sirens are magical creatures of the Crimson Sea. Their songs are dangerous; through them, they can easily make those who hear them become stubborn and crazed within their hearts."

"These knights encountered Mandrake Sirens before and heard their songs. That is why they have now fallen into this frenzied state."

"It should be said that it is not only these few. The other knights aboard this ship have also been affected by the sirens' songs, including you two, Knight Aifel and Knight Kairila."

Hughes jumped in fright and said, "Wizard Nova, then what about Danville and me? Have we also been affected by the sirens' songs?"

Nova said, "The songs of Mandrake Sirens mainly consist of spiritual energy, so their effect on wizards is relatively weak."

Hearing this, Leo pointed the longsword formed by Arcane Hand in his hand at Aifel and Kairila.

Since they had both been affected, did that mean he should kill them outright?

That movement frightened Aifel and Kairila badly.

Aifel and Kairila hurriedly said, "Wizard Danville, we're fine. We truly haven't been controlled."

Seeing that their eyes were clear, Leo did not withdraw Arcane Hand. Instead, his gaze swept over the other knights.

As a result, he discovered that apart from the few knights who had attacked him earlier, the other knights indeed had clear eyes and seemed to have no problems.

Nova said, "Don't worry, Danville. The effect of the sirens' songs on them is not too strong. As long as their own will is slightly firm, they will not be affected. For Grand Knights, the effect is even weaker."

Hearing this, Leo slowly lowered the Arcane Hand sword.

However, Leo did not fully believe Nova's words. His fingertips moved slightly, and a Prismatic Dragon Scale appeared between them.

With the Prismatic Dragon Scale Codex, Leo could make simple use of this Prismatic Dragon Scale's abilities.

Leo discovered that the Prismatic Dragon Scale did not react to Knight Aifel or Knight Kairila.

However, when facing John and the other knights who had attacked him, the Prismatic Dragon Scale clearly sensed malice.

Only then did Leo confirm Nova's words.

Seeing Leo lower his sword, Aifel and Kairila also heaved a sigh of relief. They had no desire to fight an existence like a god of war; that would be courting death.

Aifel breathed a sigh of relief, but as he looked at the subdued knights, he nervously asked, "Wizard Nova, how long will it take for this siren song to be lifted?"

Nova said, "Once someone has been affected, unless the source is dealt with, it will never lift on its own."

"Then do you have a way to forcibly remove this siren song?"

Nova answered with certainty, "Yes."

Before Aifel could even rejoice, he heard Nova say, "However, it costs one hundred Magic Stones per person."

"There are six people here, making six hundred Magic Stones in total."

Hearing this, Aifel said with a bitter smile, "Wizard Nova, you're making things too difficult for me. I'm merely the captain of a small knight squad. Where am I supposed to find so many Magic Stones?"

"Then throw them into the sea to feed the fish," Nova said. "Or find another First-Rank Wizard Apprentice willing to save them without charging Magic Stones."

"We wizards follow the principle of equivalent exchange. If you cannot pay the Magic Stones, then solve it yourselves."

Nova spoke with an icy expression.

Hearing this, struggle flashed through Aifel's eyes. Then he waved a hand and asked, "Wizard Nova, could you let them regain consciousness for a short while?"

Although John and the others were insignificant ants in Nova's eyes, to the knight order, they were valuable fighting strength.

Nova said, "Yes. This one is simple. Ten Magic Stones will do."

Aifel let out a breath and said, "Alright, I'll pay."

He could still afford ten Magic Stones.

After Aifel gave Nova ten Magic Stones, Nova did not seem to make any move, yet the six knights regained consciousness.

The moment they came to, their faces were filled with misery.

"My heavens, what insane thing did I just do? I actually attacked a wizard."

"I must have gone mad. I actually lost my mind and attacked a wizard."

John also looked at Leo with despair written across his face and said, "Danville, believe me, attacking you just now was not my intention!"

Leo said nothing.

Judging from what Nova had said earlier,

if these people did not pay the Magic Stones, they were basically not far from death.

However, Leo took out the Prismatic Dragon Scale again with his fingernail.

The Prismatic Dragon Scale, which had previously sensed malice from John and the six others, did not react this time.

Seeing that Aifel had not gotten to the point, Nova reminded him, "This spell can only maintain their clarity for five minutes. Whatever you want to ask, ask quickly."

Aifel walked over to the knights and said, "Gentlemen, I know your minds must still be in chaos, but I have no choice but to say what comes next."

"I have a way to save you, but saving you requires each of you to pay one hundred Magic Stones. You must sign a contract and earn one hundred Magic Stones in the future to cover this expense. Although I am a Grand Knight, I cannot possibly shoulder such a large Magic Stone expense for you."

Leo asked curiously, "Wizard Nova, is one hundred Magic Stones a large expense for knights?"

Nova nodded and said, "Of course. You must know that Wizard Seedlings like you only pay one hundred Magic Stones in annual tuition to the Tower of Dawn, and many Wizard Seedlings regretfully leave the Tower of Dawn because they cannot afford the tuition, unable to become wizards."

"For knights, it might take them several decades to earn that many Magic Stones."

Leo understood as well.

Knights already held a lower status than wizards.

Chris and Molly had found earning one hundred Magic Stones so difficult. For these knights, it was surely even harder.

"However, that only applies to Ordinary Knights," Nova said. "For Grand Knights, or knights of even higher standing than Grand Knights, one hundred Magic Stones is still affordable."

Over here, when John and the other five knights heard that they had to pay one hundred Magic Stones to return to normal, all of them fell into hesitation.

One hundred Magic Stones meant they would have to become Grand Knights before they could repay it.

But becoming a Grand Knight was easier said than done.

John's eyes were clear, and a trace of resolve flashed within them. He spoke, "Danville."

Leo looked at John and said, "Yes, John."

"In your impression, what kind of person am I?"

Without thinking, Leo replied, "...A stranger."

If John had not appeared before him, Leo might even have forgotten there was such a person.

"A stranger... So in your eyes, from the very beginning, I was merely a passerby with no presence at all..."

John gave a bitter smile.

He felt that if Leo had called him a clown, he might have felt a little better.

Yet Leo had never paid attention to him at all.

John said, "Knight Aifel, I have made my decision."

"Give me the sword."

Hearing those words, Aifel's expression changed. He said, "John, you can think it over some more."

"No need. I have already made my decision."