After work, start to speedrun the other world-Chapter 170 - 50: The Number of Souls is Not... Fixed

Chapter 170: Chapter 50: The Number of Souls is Not... Fixed

Magic Kingdom.

The Great Library.

The heavy doors slowly opened, and the cold wind rushed in with snowflakes, greedily snatching every bit of warmth from the library.

Xi Mu, clad in silver armor, walked in, followed by the tall Mist, one after the other, heading toward the library’s center.

As if following invisible commands, the heavy doors automatically closed, keeping all the wind and snow outside.

Upon reaching the center of the library, they saw Hecate sitting at a tea table, putting down her magic book, showing a gentle yet helpless expression.

"Apprentice, you really don’t take care of yourself."

"..." Xi Mu smiled, unshocked by the blame in Hecate’s words, well aware that his actions were indeed rather outrageous.

Despite his already short lifespan, he had accepted a deeper power of death, causing his life to be reduced to less than a month.

"Teacher, I’ll be fine." He explained, coming to Hecate’s side and pulling out a chair to sit down.

Hecate picked up a book from the table and gently tapped her apprentice on the head, only to see Ahtal holding his head, showing a pitiful expression.

"Your teacher is not a woman to be softened by feigning pity." She revealed an affectionately annoyed expression but still put the book down.

She then looked toward Mist and said:

"I can’t predict everything. To know where Michael has been taken, I need some preparation."

Xi Mu asked with curiosity, "What preparation is needed?"

"It depends on the relationship between you and Mist," Hecate stated plainly, explaining in response to her apprentice’s questioning gaze.

"If she is your undying love, your future partner, then I can tell you the whereabouts of the God of Blood right now."

Her voice was cold.

"If she is only your... friend, then she would have to pay a certain price, dependent on your relationship." 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝙚𝔀𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝒐𝒎

"..."

Xi Mu gave no answer, his hands intertwined, elbows propping on the table, seemingly in thought. After a moment, he asked:

"Teacher, what price would you want Mist to pay?"

"Haven’t I said it depends on your relationship?" Hecate shook her head, indicating she would collect a fee according to how much her apprentice valued Mist.

After all, there were many in the world who sought her prophecies, and without any limitations, she simply wouldn’t be able to cope.

"..."

Xi Mu showed a conflicted expression upon hearing this, then turned to look at the tall Mist beside him, asking:

"Miss Mist, you... what do you think our relationship is?"

Mist: "..."

She didn’t know how to respond. Judging by Hecate’s reaction, saying they were partners would surely get the quickest answer.

But she couldn’t just declare herself to be Ahtal’s partner.

After all, according to stories sung by bards, Ahtal had his own lover, and she was not well-acquainted with Ahtal.

After a long pause.

"It’s... it’s... up to what Lord Ahtal thinks." She left the decision to Ahtal.

In response.

"This is for Miss Mist to decide on her own." Xi Mu shook his head, earnest in his demeanor.

"Partnership indeed requires careful consideration." Hecate sipped from her teacup, smiling at the troubled pair.

After all, she was the Destiny Witch, and teasing her unruly little apprentice was effortless for her.

However.

"If it’s a partner..." Xi Mu pondered, his gaze moving to Hecate beside him. Despite the teacher’s magical robe, it couldn’t conceal her mature figure. That intellectual and mysterious aura involuntarily fascinated him.

He seemed to joke as he began:

"I would probably choose someone like the teacher."

The atmosphere fell silent.

Hecate paused mid-sip, eyeing her apprentice as he inadvertently turned away his head. She set down her teacup, parting her lips as if to speak.

But Xi Mu quickly spoke up:

"Teacher, I... and Mist, are probably friends for now, not ruling out the possibility of becoming lovers or partners in the future."

"Is that so." Hecate nodded thoughtfully, seemingly sidetracked by Ahtal’s words. She pondered, holding her chin.

"Then your teacher will make an exception for you this one time."

"Once I rescue my brother, I will definitely repay you." Mist said earnestly, despite feeling that Hecate agreed to help with the prophecy mainly because she didn’t want to continue the discussion on partnerships.

"If you can manage it." Hecate didn’t seem expectant, handing over a map she had prepared earlier.

After Mist took it, Hecate said:

"Only the power that stands against the gods can help you save your brother."

"..."

Mist instinctively looked at Ahtal beside her, knowing he had approached the Witch of Death and even received her favor.

Xi Mu shook his head:

"The Witch of Death wouldn’t care about a nobody like me, and since my life is almost over, I probably won’t be able to help you much."

"No, you have already helped me more than enough." Mist shook her head, her expression guilty, "I’m sorry, I... don’t know what I could give you in return."

For someone with so little time left, she couldn’t think of anything she could offer Ahtal in return.

"Then it’s of no importance to me." Xi Mu stood up, supporting himself on his knees, patted Mist on the shoulder, "What you need to think about now is rescuing Michael."