NOVEL NEXT Chapter 78: The new task.
Hex master Xenor said with a smile, "Now, let's talk about your future task."
Xane stopped thinking about the other stuff and placed all his focus on Xenor and stood straight.
Xenor smiled at his reaction, but wasting no time, he said, "Well, tomorrow you have Luna class, so no need to come to the lab."
Xane looked at him with wide eyes.
Even Zayn mumbled in his mind, [Wait, 2 days have already passed.]
Xane thought about it and realized he must have passed out for most of the second day.
Not caring about his reaction, Xenor suddenly asked, "Yeah, what happened to the first two books I gave you?"
Xane just shook his head. "Teacher, I came to the lab as soon as I regained my senses. I did not get the chance to read them."
Xenor nodded his head. "Ok, the very first thing I want you to do is to read those books. Most of the stuff in those books would resolve your doubts, and they also cover a few of the important topics that were discussed in the last two classes that you missed."
Zayn also said to him. [As far as I remember, those initial classes are more about the origin of Hex Masters and the Cursed World. So we should not have much problem understanding our next class.]
Hex Master Xenor then pointed two fingers. "Second, except for reading those books, you also have to become familiar with a couple of hex arts. I will recommend you at least learn a few 1-star hex arts and a couple of 2-star hexes up to Attunement level mastery."
Xane tilted his head. "Hex Master, what do you mean by Attunement level? Also, what is the difference between the different star hex arts?"
Xenor waved at him. "Don't worry about those things. Just learn the hex. I will tell you about the Hex Art mastery at our next meeting. As for the different star levels, your next class should be related to this topic. For now, I recommend you rest."
Xane just squinted at Xenor but then noticed how he was clenching the notebook in his hand. It was clear that Xenor had not lost interest in him; if anything, he looked more obsessed now.
Well, in the short term, it would be helpful to have Xenor teach him more.
Xane just nodded to him and then pointed at the new tattoo on his neck. "Teacher, what about the mark? Do you know any way I could hide it?"
Xenor casually waved his hand. "No need, just cover it—" halfway through, he paused as if thinking of something, and suddenly he pulled out a rough skin patch from his robe and handed it to Xane. "Place this thing on your neck."
Xane did not protest and just placed the processed skin piece on his neck. The next moment, he felt a thin fabric wrapped around his neck.
When Xenor casually took out the big mirror and Xane saw in the reflection that there was nothing on his neck.
Just a bit of loose skin that his pale complexion could explain.
He could not see the new mark at all.
Xenor said from the side, "This Shedkin's Skin will last for 2 days. After that, it will shrivel and fall on its own. Just make sure nobody touches your neck in these two days."
Xane bowed to Xenor. "Thank you, Teacher."
Xenor waved at him. "Oh, no need to thank me. You are my student. If I am not going to help you, then who will? But…"
Xane looked up as he sensed the change in Xenor's demeanor. The Hex Master had stopped smiling and was staring intently at him.
Xane stood straight as the scene of Xenor using illusion art on Zayn flashed through his head. The Hex Master looked more serious than that time.
Even though Xane had now gained control over his hex energy, he still dared not take this lightly.
The person before him had only been toying with him; he did not know what Hex Master Xenor was truly capable of.
He started to think about the reason behind the sudden change. Did the Hex Master actually catch something already? What now? Multiple questions came to his mind.
Xenor just continued to stare at him and said in a low tone, "Even though I don't care about the stuff between students, little Zenaris, remember that as my student, your reputation is linked to mine."
The moment he heard that, instead of bowing, Xane just smiled.
It was so sudden that even Xenor raised his eyebrow.
Not caring about that, Xane said with a smile, "Don't worry, Teacher. I didn't risk my life for nothing."
Xenor stared at him for a moment, then nodded. "Good."
The hex master did not say much and turned around. "In that case, you can go now."
Xane just smiled and walked out of the small room, all while shouting, "See you next time, Teacher."
Not waiting for Xenor's reaction, he calmly started walking out of the lab.
Soon, he climbed out of the casket and saw the sun already starting to set in the artificial inner world.
At this time, Zayn asked in an uncertain tone. [Hey, I am a bit confused?]
Xane walked toward the iron door and asked with intrigue, <About what?>
Zayn thought for a bit and asked, [Didn't you tell me about the illusion art placed by the Hex Master? Then why did you ask for the skin mask? Won't that increase our reliance on Xenor?]
Xane just smiled. <Well, I just chose the lesser of two evils.>
[The lesser of two evils?] Zayn mumbled in confusion, but then it struck him. No matter how powerful Xenor was, he was just a Level 2 Hex Master. One of the weakest mentors present in the academy.
There was no saying if those Level 3 or above Hex Masters wouldn't be able to discover the same thing.
Zayn cursed himself. He could not believe that he had failed to consider this possibility.
For him, who always relied on thinking a few steps ahead, it was a big hit as he started to curse himself loudly, all while thinking, Why.