Warlock of the Magus World – Redux

As Martin approached Leylin, his voice was filled with a mixture of joy and excitement, almost vibrating through the air. "This is shocking, isn't it?" he exclaimed, his eyes sparkling with an intensity that reflected the vast, awe-inspiring wonder of the landscape before them. "Welcome to the Four Seasons Garden's secret plane, which spans over four hundred thousand acres. It's a place teeming with resources, but fraught with peril if you venture beyond our protective measures."

Leylin's eyes widened in genuine awe as he contemplated the sheer volume of mana energy required to sustain such an expansive realm. "Four hundred thousand acres? Impressive," he echoed, his voice tinged with a sense of wonder.

Martin nodded, sweeping his arm towards the horizon where small clusters of towns and villages dotted the landscape like tiny jewels. "This plane not only harbors magical creatures and priceless artifacts but is also home to ordinary humans. They assist us in farming and plantation work, forming the backbone of our resource management. The entire plane is a marvel of magical engineering, with intricate systems in place to maintain the delicate balance of nature and magic."

As they walked, Martin continued, his gaze filled with a mixture of pride and avarice. "This entire plane is the backbone of the Four Seasons Garden, an endless source of treasures. The maintenance, cultivation, and harvesting of this plane's resources are what truly underpin the strength of the Light Magi. We have developed sophisticated methods to harness the plane's energy, from advanced irrigation systems to intricate networks of magical conduits."

Leylin stood silent, his mind racing as he contemplated the enormity of the landscape and the dense concentration of mana energy it held. He thought to himself, 'Such a high concentration of energies... With proper organization, strategic planning, and investment in human resources, its output could be significantly amplified...' He felt a stark contrast between his secretive past, where he navigated the shadowy corridors of the Magus World, and his current situation, which vividly showcased the ideological divide between Light and Dark Magi.

Here, the Light Magi cultivated the land, animals, and magical plants of the secret plane to harvest its abundant resources, while the Dark Magi opted for a path of violence and plunder. "Lord Leylin, do you understand why the security check we passed through was so rigorous?" Martin asked, his curiosity evident in the slight raise of his eyebrows.

Leylin responded, his voice calm, carefully concealing his connections to the dark arts. "Clearly, it's out of fear that Dark Magi might infiltrate this realm," he said, his voice measured.

Martin's expression hardened, his eyes flashing with anger. "Those vile creatures, they're either too lazy or too cunning to manage their own secret planes. Instead, they scheme to steal from ours."

The gnome beside them added with disdain. "Those Dark Magi seek only quick gains, exploiting the hard work of others."

Martin's expression turned grim. "Every year, we suffer at least one raid from them. They take whatever they can and flee immediately. And while the plane does eventually recover, our losses are considerable."

Leylin was undoubtedly well-versed in the reasons behind the stark contrasts between Dark and Light Magi. Having started in a brutal, blood-soaked environment, Dark Magi possessed raw, survival-honed power that often surpassed that of their Light counterparts. For them, the resources of the Light Magi represented not just wealth but a strategic opportunity. Each battle served as training, sharpening their skills and tactics.

As they walked further into the plane, Leylin couldn't help but notice the intricate details of the landscape. The rolling hills, the sparkling lakes, and the lush forests all seemed to be a testament to the ingenuity and magical prowess of the Light Magi.

The air was filled with the sweet scent of blooming flowers, and the soft chirping of birds, a stark contrast to the dark, foreboding atmosphere of the Magus World he was once familiar with. Leylin's mind was filled with a sense of greed, and a hint of excitement, as he contemplated the endless possibilities that this secret plane had to offer.

He thought to himself, 'With the right set of conditions, a mundane secret plane like this could be a game-changer for the cultivation process of any Magus. It doesn't have to contain an ancient remnant; as long as it is as profitable as this one, it more than makes up for its lack of relics and secrets with its sheer size and resource production...'

As the Dark Magi gazed out upon the realm of the Light Magi, they saw a veritable treasure trove of untapped resources, ripe for the taking. The Light Magi's meticulous organization and unity had long been a thorn in the side of the Dark Magi, preventing them from exploiting the weaknesses that lay hidden beneath the surface. However, if the Light Magi's cohesion were to falter, or if the Dark Magi's own internal conflicts were to subside, the delicate balance of power along the South Coast might shift in a dramatic and profound way.

Meanwhile, within the heart of the Light Magi's stronghold, Martin stood at the forefront of the gathering, his voice ringing out as he addressed the members of Team 3. "Alright, let's allocate the next task! Our mission today involves pest and disease control in the north division, where we'll be clearing out any insects and diseases that have taken hold. Additionally, we need to address the issue in the east division, where black spots have begun to appear on the Horse Milk Grass. We'll be utilizing the First Jacklin Potion to treat the affected areas."

With the tasks outlined, Martin proceeded to assign duties with his characteristic precision, his eyes scanning the group as he spoke. "Fire Eyes and Hakob, you're headed to the north division! Oak, you'll accompany Lord Leylin to the east division. His expertise will be invaluable in assessing the situation and determining the best course of action."

The diminutive Magus, Oak, nodded respectfully as he guided Leylin with a gentle gesture. "Right this way, my lord. We'll need to be careful, as the black spots on the Horse Milk Grass may be indicative of a more sinister issue at play."

In fact, Leylin doubted it. So far, there had been little indication of any real danger in the secret plane. Aralis had performed a deep scan, and most of the stronger beasts made their nests outside of the secure perimeter established by the Four Seasons Garden. All that talk of danger and beasts seemed to have been an attempt at discouraging him from participating in the mission, thus letting Martin and the others earn a bit more protagonism in front of Decarte.

'How silly of them, to think that I would be so easily manipulated into giving up easy rewards.' Leylin hid a smirk under his mask.

As the members of Team 3 dispersed, their silhouettes blending into the horizon, Oak led Leylin to the edge of a small wooden building. He retrieved two green metal plates, the control devices for the Dragon Crown Nighthawks, and handed one to Leylin. "There's quite a trek to the east division, but Martin has arranged mounts for us, so we'll be able to cover the distance swiftly. The Nighthawks are magnificent creatures, and with these control devices, we'll be able to navigate the skies with ease."

"Yes, I've had the pleasure of riding one myself before, when I first arrived at the Institution," Leylin said, growing bored with the conversation and overall with the fact that he had to tag along on what promised to be an extremely boring task. But still, not everything was battling monsters or brewing master potions. He needed the 50 contribution points.

With a sharp cry, the Nighthawks tied to the nearby stone posts spread their vast wings, soaring towards the east as Leylin and Oak mounted their respective birds.

The wind howled past Leylin's face as he sat atop his Nighthawk, his gaze sweeping over the breathtaking landscape below. The secret plane, with its abundance of energy particles, was a realm of surreal beauty, where vegetation flourished in vibrant colors and patterns. The view was a tapestry of lush green fields punctuated by patches of blue Honey Milk Flowers, their sweet fragrance wafting up to mingle with the air.

As Leylin gazed out at the landscape, he noticed the tiny figures of workers tending to the fields with meticulous care. Beside these natural wonders were man-made structures, clearly dedicated to the surveillance and protection of these valuable plants. Using his Aralis, Leylin observed the workers, noting the way they moved with precision and purpose.

[Regular humans manage the plants used by acolytes, while level 3 acolytes and official Magi guard the more precious ingredients in carefully controlled environments that mimic the wild,] Aralis explained, highlighting the layered security and cultivation practices of this world. [The Light Magi's attention to detail is impressive, but it's also a testament to the value they place on these resources. The Dark Magi would do well to take note of these practices, and perhaps learn from them.]

As the Nighthawks soared through the skies, Leylin's thoughts turned to the task at hand: the black spots on the Horse Milk Grass. He wondered what could be causing the issue, and what the consequences might be if left unchecked.

After flying for nearly half an hour, Leylin and Oak descended into the outskirts of the quaint, small town. The warm sunlight cast a gentle glow over the thatched roofs of the cottages, and the sound of children's laughter carried on the breeze. The air was filled with the sweet scent of blooming flowers and the earthy smell of freshly tilled soil.

The town's residents, a mix of regular humans and low-level acolytes, emerged from their homes, their faces filled with a mix of curiosity and respect as they caught sight of the two Magi.

"Greetings, my lords Magi!" the mayor, a stout man with a bushy beard, called out, his voice booming across the town square. He was flanked by the elderly acolyte, who nodded in respect as he handed over the identity tokens to Oak.

The acolyte, whose name was revealed to be Edwin, carefully examined the badges, his eyes scanning the intricate symbols and runes etched into the surface. As he murmured an incantation under his breath, a soft white light emanated from the badges, projecting images and profiles of Leylin and Oak into the air. The light danced across the faces of the onlookers, who watched in awe as the Magi's credentials were verified.

"Lord Leylin, Magus Oak, please follow me," Edwin said, his voice filled with a sense of pride and responsibility, as he led them towards the tall stone tower that stood sentinel over the town. The tower's walls were adorned with intricate carvings, depicting scenes of magical creatures and powerful spells. The air around the tower seemed to vibrate with magical energy, a testament to the importance of this structure in the secret plane's defense.

As they entered the tower, Leylin's eyes adjusted to the dim light within, and he noticed the austere interior, with its somber ashen grey walls. The ground floor served as Edwin's living quarters, with a small kitchen and a cozy fireplace, where a kettle hung from a hook, emitting a gentle whistle. The second floor was cluttered with various magical stones and crystals, used for the upkeep of the tower and the secret plane's defenses. Climbing the spiral staircase, they reached the top floor, where the magical security measure, a painting of a lizard, guarded the entrance.

"Give me the password," the lizard hissed, its painted eyes seeming to follow them as they moved. Edwin chanted the password, his voice echoing in the confined space, "The Great Mother Earth has bestowed upon us her powers." The lizard replied, "Password confirmed," and the door creaked open with a sound like the sigh of an ancient guardian.

As they entered the room, Leylin's gaze swept across the compact space, taking in the four walls lined with windows, and offering a panoramic view of the surrounding landscape. The room was filled with an array of magical devices, each one humming with energy, as they worked to maintain the delicate balance of the secret plane's ecosystem.

Oak moved towards a black device, which hummed with energy. He donned a red gas mask and inserted several test tubes containing First Jacklin Potions into the device.

"Rain!" he commanded in the ancient Byron language, gathering water element particles in his palm. The apparatus then amplified them, releasing them into the sky in a controlled burst. The air seemed to vibrate with magical energy as the device worked its magic, and soon, dark clouds gathered above. A green rain started to fall, lightening the black spots on the Horse Milk Grass, signaling the beginning of recovery.

Leylin watched, a wave of nostalgia washing over him, as he remembered his past life, where he had built a device that used magic to mimic science for weather manipulation. He appreciated the blend of magic and technology, and his mind began to racing with ideas and strategies for improving the secret plane's management.

"Managing a secret plane is an art," Oak continued, explaining how different species could benefit each other. "For example, Night Lotus Flowers paired with Midnight Bees not only boost flower production but also enhance the bees' vitality, potentially leading to a Bee King. The honey from these flowers is also a prized cosmetic among female Magi." Leylin listened intently, absorbing the information, and mentally noting everything for future use.

As they worked, Leylin's thoughts turned to Aralis, and he wondered how he could apply her methods to improve the secret plane's productivity. He thought to himself, 'If I could let Aralis get to work here, I could boost productivity by at least twenty percent.' His mind was already racing with ideas and strategies.

The sun began to set, casting a warm orange glow over the landscape, as Leylin and Oak finished their task. The Horse Milk Grass, once plagued by disease, now showed signs of renewed strength.