Chapter 1105: Luck
"Diras, I have no idea where you heard that from, or who told you, but I can assure you I've never heard such a thing in my life."
Diras nearly choked on his own breath, almost suffocating from the frustration...
Damn it, wasn't it you, that idiot, who let it slip and told me? Who else could it be?
Now you're denying it? If it wasn't true, then why are you even here negotiating?
Damn bastard, aren't you just trying to squeeze out some benefit, some advantage for yourself?
"Morgan, we are the closest of friends, aren't we? Surely you wouldn't just stand by and watch your dearest friend fall on this filthy Blazeforge Battlefield?
With greater power, we could fight side by side again, facing those muscle-brained, stupid orcs together...
Of course, if you have any requests or need anything, just say the word. I'll absolutely meet Archmage Leon's demands.
Ah, I just remembered, I think I once obtained a Dark Mana Essence. Unfortunately, I don't have it with me now, but next time I see you, Morgan, I'll give it to you.
Something like that would just go to waste with me, but Morgan, you've already broken through to Sky Rank—you're the one who can truly make use of the Dark Mana Essence. It could also boost all our strength, so we stand a better chance against the orcs..."
Morgan's face showed a flicker of surprise when he heard 'Dark Mana Essence.'
Dark Mana Essence—while it's just a rare material for most mages, for dark mages, especially those who've laid their foundation in the laws of darkness, it's the most precious thing imaginable.
And for those dark mages who rely on the dark magic monsters spawned in their demi-planes as their main fighting force, this Dark Mana Essence is the best possible nourishment.
Morgan's path to Sky Rank was different from that of other dark mages...
Normally, a dark mage aiming for Sky Rank has to keep purifying their dark mana, refining it to the purest state before they can undergo their transcendent transformation...
But once they've broken through to Sky Rank, the side effects of dark mana disappear. All those negative emotions and magical side effects become nourishment for the dark magic monsters in their demi-plane.
But ironically, before advancing to Sky Rank, all those negative things get purified away, so the growth and nurturing of dark magic monsters ends up about the same as for ordinary mages...
But Morgan—he didn't purify his dark mana at all. He just broke through directly, and all those negative emotions and side effects were forcibly stripped away by rule runes, then dumped into his demi-plane.
That guaranteed Morgan's dark magic monsters would grow incredibly fast, and when they emerged, they'd be stronger than those of any other dark mage.
Dark Mana Essence is meant to be invested in the demi-plane, to accelerate the growth and boost the potential of dark magic monsters.
For a dark mage, this is absolutely the most important thing.
Potential is worth far more than raw power...
Morgan couldn't help but smile. Now that was a bribe with some sincerity. And with Diras's attitude, Morgan understood—Diras was finally bowing his head. The message was clear: name your price, I won't haggle.
Looking at Diras, who just days ago strutted around like a proud dragon, now lowering his head before him, Morgan felt a wave of satisfaction...
Damn, this feels good. Diras, that guy, always says we're close comrades-in-arms. Hah, does he really think I'm some idiot who'd fall for that?
Back in Northend, we only crossed paths a few times because of the Henry Family's business. Every time, that guy was arrogant beyond belief.
If it weren't for his uncle, would he have gotten so many resources to break through to Ninth-Rank Title Archmage?
Don't kid yourself. If his uncle didn't hold a decent position in the Shadow Tower, those shadow mages would've finished him off ages ago...
Or he'd have been killed off somewhere outside...
Foolish guy, did you forget how things used to be? I sure haven't...
And that bastard—when he targeted Archmage Leon before, he tried to drag me into it too. Damn, that's just setting me up. If he wants to get himself killed, he wants to take me down with him. Good thing I'm sharp enough not to fall for it...
Hmph, since you've stuck your neck out for me to chop, it'd be a waste not to bleed you dry. Otherwise, I'd be letting down the Henry Family motto.
In business, you have to make the other side understand how precious your goods are, how hard they are to get. That's the only way to sell at a high price...
Seeing Diras bow his head, Morgan felt even better. Only then did he hesitate a little, finally relaxing his stance.
"Diras, it's not that I won't tell you, but Archmage Leon really can't guarantee anything. After all, aside from fate, who can promise a Ninth-Rank Title Archmage will definitely complete the final transcendence and break through to Sky Rank? Am I right?"
Morgan loosened up, and Diras nodded without hesitation.
"Morgan, you're absolutely right. No one can guarantee it. But you understand, don't you? All we can do is prepare as best we can, just to increase our odds of success by a tiny bit...
In the end, whether we succeed or not, isn't it all up to fate?
Right now, I just want to increase my odds a little, so maybe fate will favor me a bit more..."
Even Diras himself was convinced—Morgan's breakthrough to Sky Rank was mostly luck. After all, guaranteeing a Ninth-Rank Title Archmage could definitely ascend was just too unbelievable, completely impossible...
Too bad Leon isn't here. If Leon knew what Diras was thinking, he'd just scoff...
Back when the Northend World was at its peak, thanks to the appearance of Baptism Potions, everyone was a genius. Title Archmages filled the streets, and in any capital city, you could toss a brick and probably hit a Sky Rank powerhouse...
During the great colonial age of the Northend World's planes, that era of wild expansion, even the Abyss and Hell were invaded by countless mad mages...
Aside from gods and demons, no one could stop the march of those mad mages from Northend.
At the height of that era, as long as you had money and didn't care about potential, breaking through to Sky Rank wasn't all that hard...
Diras kept bowing his head, lowering his posture. The pride in Morgan's eyes only grew, his lips curling up more and more.
"Diras, I'm only telling you this because we used to fight side by side. Don't go spreading it around...
Archmage Leon does have a way to increase the odds for a peak Ninth-Rank Title Archmage to complete transcendence, but it's extremely difficult.
Every time, it drains Archmage Leon's energy. During that period, he can't fight at all. Last time he helped me, the exhaustion was so great that now, apart from research, he can't do anything else...