Chapter 6 The Dark Mage: I Will Remain in This World.
Lan Qingju was an abandoned child who grew up in an orphanage. His life couldn't be described as exceptionally happy or miserable, because he was neither the most bullied nor the most adept at winning over adults.
He lived an ordinary life, grew up steadily, achieved mediocre grades, and got into a decent university. The money he earned from scholarships and various part-time jobs was enough for his living expenses, with some left over.
After that, I entered society, found a decent and stable job, and then lived a peaceful, uneventful, and unchanging life.
He lived for twenty-five years, and those twenty-five years of life were extremely bland and boring. He was just that kind of person, ordinary and average. He was neither exceptionally talented nor particularly bad. He was just in the middle. There are at least six or seven ordinary people like him out of ten.
Lan Qingju was a very self-aware person. Even though he was bound to the system, he did not have any inappropriate thoughts. He did not think that he was favored by the heavens or was the so-called chosen one. Such thoughts were too arrogant and conceited.
He was just an ordinary person. If he were to die, he would accept it calmly and peacefully, since it was an unchangeable fact. However, the system's binding gave him a new life and allowed him to experience death once. No one can accept death calmly and peacefully again; it was ultimately his own choice.
He was just an ordinary person, he really was just an ordinary person. He felt fear, he was afraid, he feared death. He was despicable and selfish... He possessed all the worst traits that humans have.
Lan Qingju took a deep breath, raised his head and gasped for air, like a fish that had just come ashore and was about to die of thirst.
His vision blurred, bizarre and fantastical scenes appeared and disappeared. He gripped the flesh of his leg tightly, trying to calm himself down as quickly as possible. The pain called for his clear consciousness, and his breathing gradually became steady.
Lan Qing straightened his curled-up legs and lowered his head. "I want to live," he uttered in a hoarse voice. He was just an ordinary person who couldn't bring himself to give up his life.
Even though this world is dangerous, chaotic, and absurd, and he could die at any moment, he still wants to live. He'll live one day at a time. If he were to die in this world, so be it. After all, he's always been alone. It doesn't matter where he dies or where he lives.
"Host, don't be sad, nothing is absolute," the system comforted.
"No, you don't understand." It's not something that can be easily ignored when someone admits that they are despicable.
"I'm fine. From now on, I'll be Esther Felix. This world isn't so bad. It's a Western fantasy world, and there are many creatures that can only be seen in fantasy novels that I can actually see in person. Plus, you've given me a cheat code. What more could I ask for?" Lan Qingju didn't know if he was trying to convince the system or himself. He wasn't particularly obsessed with going back, but when it came down to it, he couldn't quite put his finger on it. It was complicated, contradictory, and empty.
[Host, are you sure? Why don't you eat something first?] Don't humans always say that you can think better when you're full?
Lan Qingju shook his head. "That's fine."
[Host, how about we play it safe a little longer? Let's not contact Earth yet. What if a senior system comes to our rescue soon?]
Lan Qingju stood up, leaning against the wall. "Putting everything else aside, what happened not long ago proves that accidents can happen at any time in this world." Who would have thought that such a desolate and remote place would be sealing away a great demon?
"Please confirm this again, host," the system said sternly.
"I'm sure I'll stay in this world." Lan Qingju closed his eyes, a faint smile on his lips, masking all the bitterness. From now on, he could only be Ister.
【Host verified.】 This is the system's cold, inorganic sound.
Less than a minute later, the system said: [Host, all ready. I can enter Earth at any time.]
East thought something special was going to happen, but he didn't feel anything. He just felt empty and a little lost, nothing more.
Easter gazed at the beautiful planet before him. "Go check on things first, I'm getting a little hungry."
[Host, please follow the ball of light.] The light screen disappeared, transforming back into a ball of light.
East tried to reach out to stop him, but in the end he just curled his fingers and followed the ball of light.
Previously, East hadn't paid much attention to observing the cellar, but now he had the mind to observe it carefully.
This is actually a basement, and it's bigger than I imagined. It has a bed, wardrobe, bookshelves, alchemy table, dining table, and even a shower room, yet it doesn't feel cramped.
East followed the ball of light to the dining table, which was filled with food: meat, bread, vegetables, etc., all served on exquisitely carved silver trays. At each end of the table was a bottle of wine and a set of cutlery. In the center of the table was a gilded seven-headed candlestick, which was engraved with intricate and gorgeous patterns.
Overall, it clashes with the drab basement and would be more appropriate to place it in a dazzling palace.
“System, seeing this scene reminds me of a world-famous painting.” East walked around the dining table to the bookshelf. Strange books filled the bookshelf, messy and crowded. The bookshelf was very old, with large and small scratches on it, making it easy to see the difference between it and the dining table.
[Host, you have to trust me, the food is all fresh and non-toxic, you can eat it without worry.]
"Is this dangerous?" Easter pointed to the bookshelf in front of him, deciding to find out more about the situation first; he wasn't that hungry yet.
"No," the system replied. "According to the system's analysis, a dark magician once lived here, but suddenly left for unknown reasons."
"How's the situation over there?" East pulled out what appeared to be a notebook and began to examine it, also looking for something else to do in hopes of calming his agitated emotions as soon as possible.
"Very smoothly," the system replied, "I can recruit people right now, as long as the host wants."
After finishing reading the journal, Easter returned to the dining table and sat down in a chair. As the system described, this was the residence of a dark mage.
Black magicians don't just refer to magicians specializing in dark magic. While most are dark magicians, a small number are from other systems. Anyone who uses cruel methods to enhance their power, performs evil rituals to sacrifice or summon monsters, or manipulates souls is considered a black magician. Therefore, there are no necromancers in this world, because the soul belongs to the realm of gods, and mortals who dare to touch it will die.
The person living here is a great mage, who is already among the high-level experts. According to his notes, he came for the monsters in the nearby mountains and forests because he heard a rumor that there is a magic circle in the mountains and forests that seals countless monsters.
He investigated everything and confirmed that the rumors were true. He found that his own strength was insufficient, so he invited his friend, another dark magician. After discussing it, the two decided to use a sacrifice to break the seal on the magic circle, which would then release the monster.
The journal didn't record what they intended to do with the monsters after releasing them. Based on Ister's limited understanding, it would only create countless problems. How could a normal person know what a black mage was thinking?
Judging from the traces of their departure, the unactivated sacrificial magic circle, the untouched celebratory dinner, and the various books and documents... it seems they are unlikely to return.
East paused slightly, raising his left hand, which was wrapped in a luxurious silk ribbon, and covering his face with his palm. The most prestigious and powerful duke in the Sinclair Empire was named Sansette.
East could roughly guess who that person was yesterday: Areper Sansette, the Duke's son, first in line to the throne. He was even eligible to contend for the Sinclair Empire's imperial throne because his mother was the sister of the current Sinclair Empire's monarch.
Most importantly, he was an exceptionally talented prodigy, the chief knight of the paladins trained by the Cathedral of the Sky God. There were rumors, whether true or not, that he had received blessings from more than one god, that he was the most dazzling gem in the world, the most unique work of art, and a treasure that even dragons wanted to possess.
Ister made this absurd guess for two reasons. First, the demon had said that he was very talented. Considering the comments about the scents of the crimson sun and the flames, the only person in the Sanset family with a name and extremely high talent is Areber. Second, the duties of a paladin include eliminating dark mages.
However, these are all just his guesses, fleeting ideas, without any concrete evidence.
[Host, would you like to watch some videos to watch while eating?] The system quietly chimed in. This unreliable system had really messed up the host's life. Once it reconnected with its senior system, it would do whatever it took to benefit the host. But that was all for the future. Right now, the most important thing was to keep the host from getting too emotional, to make him happy, to eat properly, and to take good care of himself.
East felt bewildered, but he didn't go against the system's good intentions. After all, the system had saved him, given him a new life, and was doing its best to help him.
The small orb of light transformed into a screen once again. This time, the screen projected not the Blue Star, but the scene not far away. There were four main characters: two knights wearing silver-white knight armor holding shields and swords, a mage wearing white mage robes holding a magic wand, and a demon who had just left. The two sides were in a stalemate.
East's gaze fell on the two knights, and with just one glance he knew that neither of them was the man he was looking for.
Ester focused more on the plot. The demon raised his scepter, which began to transform, elongating and covered with mysterious patterns. Finally, the scepter grew to almost human height, with a black and red gem embedded at its top. Asan, holding the now more majestic and mysterious scepter, slammed it into the ground. "I, the Great Demon Asan Belial, the leader of the Nine Demon Lords, declare my return." A red halo emanated from the scepter.
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