The Regressed SSS-Rank Water Mage Wants To Live a Calm Life-Chapter 41: Request for an Audience

Eithan had also noticed this fanboyism of the mercenaries, and he teased Maxwell endlessly about it. Vin just laughed it off.

Maxwell touched his stomach.

If only they knew that Maxwell was just a normal 2nd-circle... No, not quite right.

Maxwell had ascended to the 3rd-circle about three days ago. It took some time to remember the enlightenment and gather mana through mana breathing, but he did it. He figured he could also increase his level step by step.

So, if only they knew that Maxwell was just a normal, weak 3rd-circle right now.

He removed his hand from his stomach, tracing his chest as he walked.

Frilo was still in its cyclical slumber. Although Maxwell predicted it’d awaken sometime between tomorrow and the next.

Maxwell smiled.

"Wake up soon, buddy."

Suddenly, Maxwell glanced backwards, as if gazing at something that he couldn’t quite see.

’Because it’s times like these that I greatly value your existence.’

He shrugged, facing forward.

Eithan and Vin were probably still waiting for Maxwell at his house. Maxwell had introduced Eithan to Vin a couple of days ago, and the two had connected immediately. Although Maxwell reckoned it was just Eithan using his superior chatty, extroverted skills to worm into Vin’s chatty side. The three had bonded over cooking, eating and drinking in Maxwell’s house.

Who knew that even Eithan was also a drink lover? Maxwell certainly didn’t. It seemed the blond young man came with various flavors of surprises. Maxwell liked that.

But he didn’t quite like the fact that Eithan had been taking fewer and fewer tasks at the guild to hang out in Maxwell’s house, claiming he’d soon leave altogether, and Vin, who Maxwell thought was a responsible man, had also stopped taking tasks and even commissions to stay at Maxwell’s house until evening when he went home to his family.

The sudden richness had made Vin lazy, it seemed. And also the fact that he was an executive now. He could just sit down at home and still earn more than most A-rank mercenaries every month.

Maxwell smiled, though. He knew deep down that those two were only being like this because they were all about to go their separate ways. Maxwell had even told the trio that he’d be leaving soon, whenever he finished his five commissions. And he guessed that was why they wanted to spend as much time with him as possible. Especially Vin.

Maxwell’s smile morphed into a knowing chuckle.

Those two.

It seemed one week was enough for a man to gain really good friends. Maxwell had grown quite fond of them. Frilo would probably faint in joy at the sight of Eithan and Vin together whenever it woke up.

’And that’s exactly why you should wake up soon!’

A faint whoosh sound whirled past Maxwell’s ears, and his eyes widened subtly as he raised his head, looking away from the cobblestone ground.

’Aha.’

He glanced backward.

Then faced forward.

Suddenly, Maxwell’s smile faded from his lips, and his internal monologue died immediately.

He halted in the middle of the street.

Max’s expression turned cold and icy. There was no frown on his face and no crease in his brows that suggested anger, annoyance or any extreme emotions. His face was blank and unnervingly calm.

It felt like Maxwell had reverted to an instinct that he’d honed for eons as a Cacospheric guardian. The instinct of a perfect mask.

Suddenly, his eyes glowed a bright blue hue.

With hands still in his pockets, Maxwell spoke out in a voice that oozed with grim, undeniable authority:

"You’ve been following me for a while now," he said. "Come out."

The moment he uttered these words, the winds around Maxwell stirred and wavered.

Finally, the breeze became calm as a black hooded, white-masked figure slipped out of nowhere and stood behind the standing Maxwell.

Maxwell still didn’t look back.

"All of you."

The figure flinched slightly. Then nodded and raised a black robe covered hand.

As if harkening to his gesture, the winds stirred and vibrated once more.

Four more hooded and masked figures seemingly appeared out of nowhere.

Max’s cold facade almost faltered, the annoyance climbing up his heart. 𝕗𝕣𝐞𝐞𝘄𝐞𝚋𝚗𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹.𝚌𝕠𝚖

These figures had cast a 7th-circle air spell on themselves: Windcloak. They wore the wind around them like a robe, blending into the atmosphere like chameleons. The Windcloak hid their presence and physical features.

Their presence was almost completely undetectable.

But that meant nothing to the senses of a god, however weakened. Maxwell had detected them earlier, even before he got here.

The first hooded figure stepped forward, wind cascading around his body.

So he was the 7th-circle air mage amongst them.

However, Maxwell still didn’t turn back.

"Are you Sir Maxwell?" The hooded figure asked with a low and deep voice.

Max’s mask finally lit up. These people bore no killing intent. If they so wanted to attack, they would’ve done so earlier.

But Maxwell raised a brow.

’Sir?’ He thought, frowning now. ’You stalk a specific man, then ask him about his identity when you’re caught?’

He didn’t ask that out loud.

But he finally turned his neck over his shoulder, casting a glowing blue gaze at the five hooded figures behind him.

The moment the supposed leader caught sight of Maxwell’s gaze, he gulped and instinctively inched back.

Some sort of pressure had pressed down on him. Pressure that only those above the 5th-circle could feel.

This blue-haired youth in front of him was dangerous.

Slowly and coldly, Maxwell asked:

"And you are?"

The figure trembled. Even his voice had a striking effect on him, and the weight of his words carried quiet dignity that he couldn’t explain with words.

Slowly, the figure bowed. And as he did, the other hooded figures behind him, as awestruck as he was, bowed too.

Maxwell frowned. He’d seen that sight too many times across eons. The sight of people bowing down before him. He hated it.

But just before he could say anything about it, the leader raised his head.

"Gelru Sebastian Lee. A representative of His Highness, Emperor Kelmont Derianis Jalozi. I humbly request an audience with you," Gelru smiled widely, "Honored Sir Maxwell."