Chapter 165: Shackled Magic
This is exactly where Leon fails to understand the nature of these family factions...
These family factions are bound by blood, and compared to ordinary powers, they are greedier and more exclusionary. They are used to keeping everything firmly in their grasp.
For them, having to obtain the Nether Iron Ore through negotiation brings with it a deep sense of crisis.
By contrast, they would much rather have direct control over the Nether Iron Vein themselves.
It's a common flaw among all family factions—the Merlin Family, the Watson Family, even the Monty Family of Seaview City... all the same.
"I can give you an opportunity now." Leon Merlin glanced at the other's ugly expression, feeling the timing was just right, and finally extended the olive branch he'd prepared.
"What?" Leon was secretly plotting how to teach the Merlin Family a lesson when he suddenly heard the word 'opportunity' and looked at Leon Merlin in confusion.
"I can let you return to the Merlin Family. I can also let you continue to own the Nether Iron Vein..."
"Heh..." This time, Leon finally understood clearly.
So after all that, it turns out Leon Merlin is trying to recruit me.
For a moment, I could only laugh and cry at the absurdity—how had things gotten so low? Just an hour ago, it was Star Sage Joey himself trying to recruit me in the alchemy lab, and now, only a first-tier mage is extending the offer.
Moreover, if you return to the Merlin Family, you can serve directly under me—helping manage finances and operations..." At this, Leon Merlin shot William Merlin a commanding glance. "You can ask William—my circle isn't open to just anyone."
"I..." William Merlin almost wanted to curse.
Damn it, if you're looking to get yourself killed, could you please not drag me into it?
And all that talk about managing finances and operations—aren't you just eyeing the Gilded Rose's wealth?
Seriously...
The old guys on the Elder Council are only coveting the Nether Iron Vein, but you—you're going after the whole Gilded Rose and making it sound so dignified. Do you really think the person in front of you is that easy to deal with?
I'm begging you, please, just stop talking...
Just look at the expression on the person in front of you—it's already pretty ugly. If you keep going, I can't guarantee you'll leave the Gilded Rose in one piece...
Unfortunately, Leon Merlin had no idea what I was really thinking. He just glanced my way, then redirected his gaze with that usual swagger: "I've given you an opportunity. It's up to you to seize it."
Uh, Mage Leon, may I ask something...?
"Hmm?" Leon Merlin frowned, his eyes settling on me with a hint of irritation. No surprise there—Matthew Merlin, apparently, didn't know his place. Generous terms, and I'm still hesitating.
People from small places like Seaview City really don't know when to quit.
Probably thinks I'm a pushover, so he's fishing for even more...
That thought alone made Leon Merlin deeply unhappy...
In Leon Merlin’s world, subordinates ought to act like subordinates. Take what you're given, sure—but if you start demanding more, you're clearly not respecting me.
With that, Leon Merlin's frown deepened. He didn't say much, but he'd already made up his mind: once he had Matthew Merlin under his thumb, he'd make sure to teach him a lesson. No one likes a subordinate who keeps reaching for more.
I just wanted to ask—are you awake yet?
"What?" Leon Merlin was caught off guard. That was definitely not the question he'd expected, and it sounded awkward as hell.
What I mean is, if you’re not fully awake, I can recommend a few inns where you can sleep until your head is clear…" I clapped my hands, stood up, and called William Merlin over. "Cousin, help entertain Mage Leon for me. I have something to attend to, so I’ll be leaving first. Also, next time a guest like Mage Leon comes by half-asleep, book them a room at the Oak Inn across the street—let them come back when they’re properly awake…
Alright, alright… William Merlin nodded over and over, cursing Leon Merlin’s whole family in his heart. Damn it, what did I ever do to you? Go chase your own dreams, but don’t drag me into the mess! Now you’ve ticked off the guest, and I’m the one catching flak…
But whatever, at least today’s guest was in a decent mood—didn’t flip out or start a fight, which is rare enough. I’ll take the loss and the trouble, since we’re all Merlins here. I’ll make sure you get out of here in one piece…
Matthew Merlin, what kind of attitude is that?" Before William Merlin could even speak, Leon Merlin exploded, slamming his palm on the long table and nearly knocking over several water glasses.
Don’t lose your temper, don’t lose your temper… William Merlin jumped in, not caring that this was the future patriarch of the Merlin Family. He grabbed Leon Merlin’s arm and pleaded, "Leon, Leon, let’s talk this out—please, don’t get worked up, don’t get worked up…"
Let go.
Just talk it out, please—really, just talk it out…
I said let go." Leon Merlin shot him a cold look. "William Merlin, watch your place. If you side with an outsider at a time like this, it’ll affect how I see you…
William Merlin nearly burst into tears on the spot…
To hell with your evaluation—I’m saving you, you know! And you want me to mind my place? If I really cared about my place, I’d let go right now, let you slam the table and yell, and then you’d learn why Revan Watson and Allen Watson disappeared the moment they got back to Auckland.
It’s all because they were scared of him…
Unfortunately, Leon Merlin had no clue. Even as William Merlin held his arm, he turned to my retreating figure and called out, "Matthew Merlin, I’m telling you—if you refuse me today, you’ll regret it. Before long, Aubrey Merlin will come to take the Nether Iron Vein from you, and then we’ll see who can help you."
It's over, it's over…
William Merlin heard this and immediately felt his vision go dark…
"Oh?" Sure enough, just as the words left his mouth, I turned around at the door. "Are you saying the Merlin Family will send more people?"
Heh, you’re so naive. Do you really think that, with your strength as a fifth-level Grand Mage, you can protect a priceless Nether Iron Vein? Let me tell you—don’t kid yourself. Without my protection, you won’t just lose the Nether Iron Vein, you’ll lose the Gilded Rose too.
You do have a point…" I nodded, then extended a hand.
Suddenly, it was as if a giant vortex had appeared in the lounge. Leon Merlin didn’t even have time to react before he was pulled in front of me. I simply raised a hand and grabbed him by the throat.
What… what are you doing!" Leon Merlin was startled, quickly channeling his magic to resist the terrifying force.
Unfortunately, just as Leon Merlin began to channel his magic, an even greater force crushed it. His prideful magical power was suddenly as helpless as a child's—utterly unable to contend with the overwhelming force.
Th-this can’t be happening!
Leon Merlin nearly lost his mind—how could this be? He was a real mage; how could he be so powerless before a fifth-level Grand Mage?
I want you to deliver a message.
After I spoke, I uttered an arcane incantation. Leon Merlin felt as if his magic had been shackled—no matter how he tried, it wouldn’t budge.
Wh-what’s happening?
Leon Merlin’s eyes filled with terror. Decades of meditation and magical accumulation had been sealed in an instant. He’d fallen from mage to ordinary man, panic and despair flooding his heart.
Isn’t Matthew Merlin supposed to be just a fifth-level Grand Mage?
How could this happen…
How could a fifth-level Grand Mage possess such terrifying power—able to suppress a true mage in an instant? And what was that incantation he uttered, that sealed my magic?
A proud mage, reduced to an ordinary man in an instant—the feeling of having his life in someone else’s hands shattered Leon Merlin’s facade. For the first time, the young mage showed fear, his voice trembling as he spoke.
Wh-what message?
Go back and tell the Merlin Family—they can come for the Nether Iron Vein when they’ve figured out how to break your seal.
After I finished, I released Leon Merlin’s throat, gently brushed the dust from his face, and left the lounge. As I departed, I instructed William Merlin, "Cousin, please escort Mage Leon to the Oak Inn for some rest."