NOVEL NEXT Chapter 2: Mage Body
His brows twitched as he noticed something unusual in the moon hanging overhead. But he put that aside for now.
He pondered.
'The full moon in the sky links to the ritual that caused me to be in this state.
And it also affects the dragon too. Perhaps there is a deeper significance.
Will I live beyond 39 years in the beast's body, unlike the previous eight attempts in which I failed to do so?
Or there's a deep bond between Ashbane and me that could lessen the effect of the magical ritual on me. If that's the case, I'll pass.'
He pondered. Does this mean this reincarnation might favour him?
"You somehow feel distant," Aura studied.
"I guess. Why are you in the throne room, though? I did not summon you."
After all, she had many tasks to take care of and inspect daily.
"Your order got me on a scout through the entire Infernosphere," Aura began. "As of my current knowledge, none of the fire creatures have left the land.
Although the lava elementals are the most rebellious and uncontrollable inferno creatures... they didn't go against your orders to not descend to Earth.
Not to talk of harming anyone. I can tell now that your idea to reconcile with the down-to-earth creatures is halfway done.
But, I fear the Beast Tamers and Exorcists won't risk being vulnerable for a 'treaty.'
What's your plan for this, Lord Zmey? We can…"
Zmey mumbled under his breath, "Being the emperor is burdensome…"
"Pardon?" Aura toned, an edge to her voice showing her astonishment.
Zmey said nothing. His view reverted from anywhere near her.
Or also suffered what seemed an endless sorrow, it remains a beast.
And right now, Zmey knew he was in a body no other than that of a maniacal animal.
But what the companion uttered contrasted with his initial belief.
Could a ruthless being truly consider making peace with humans?
The bright light endowed her eyes; the two of them never left Zmey Ashbane.
He was busy rubbing his temples with his eyes shut, ignoring her.
Yet, she seemed even more at ease. Something quickened her heartbeat.
A rush of excitement ran through her. Each pulse echoed the same feeling.
The dragon emperor said his task was burdensome! Was this her century wish finally getting answered?
"Oh, my! I can't believe a day will come when you'll say you're tired of those hectic tasks.
Indeed, the tasks rarely help your mental stress a bit," her voice echoed through the throne room.
Zmey's eyes locked with hers in her instance. Her instincts gave her an urgent warning to stop talking.
Yet, this insight came before she sensed the emperor's hidden emotions.
Although she was the emperor's best friend, she wasn't allowed to talk about the things she noticed.
But unlike back then, he didn't have scowls on his face, not even a flicker of anything cold. He seemed interested.
But, as soon as her eyes reached Zmey's feet, her head tilted in shock. She fixated on what she had noticed.
'Lord Zmey always sits with his legs wide, not having his feet intertwined at the end like that.
He's different today… even the way he talks.'
"You were going to say something just now," Zmey said aloud.
Right away, Aura glanced up with a slight shiver. Their eyes met, and she broke into a sudden grin.
Zmey creased his brows in suspicion. Just now, her eyes were hard to see from a distance.
He wondered—what made her falter like that?
"Oh, yes, Your Majesty," she replied, shutting her eyes for a slight bow. "Everyone knows how hard you worked in the days before becoming our leader.
Moreover, you are the most powerful creature in this dominion... for attaining a Wraithbound Mage Body.
Though it causes you mental exhaustion and excessive life drain to meet.
It is not bad to take some time to rest. By doing so, you can regather your thoughts and build a strategy to sign a blood-free treaty with humans.
I will take care of everything in your absence, Your Majesty. This is all for the sake of our realm.
Besides, we are reinforcing our realm's barrier against intruders at all times. That's all thanks to you. You also have people on your raider.
So, you wearing out already would be disastrous for all inferno creatures."
"He attained the Wraithbound Mage Body, mm? "That should..." Zmey mumbled, rubbing his temples again. "...be the third rank in dark magic cultivation."
Having such a mage body enables partial transformation into a wraith-like form.
This allows them to phase and become intangible in shadows, and summon wraith minions. They can also slip between planes.
But, as the saying goes, every great power comes with a cost to pay.
He felt like the other ranks were shadowing his memory.
But he knew how tough it was to continue living with every ascension a sorcerer makes.
Yet, he put that off in an instant.
Most importantly, what did Aura say just now?
That... he should take a break from being the emperor? Should he still fool himself right now when he had got betrayed in the past?
....
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