He massaged his eyes and sighed at Flintwaters compliance with the Kraken’s request. Still, he somewhat understood him.
His prized ship sank into the dark depth of a dead zone and with the creature’s offer of an antic relic on the magus’ level, even he was tempted... to keep his life by rejecting it.
Meanwhile, Marina slapped her legs, bursting into laughter.
"Who’s this fool trying to destroy a Gate barehanded?"
"The crew’s captain. I don’t know why he’s more resilient than regular humans."
As his answer lingered, he rushed to Flintwaters and knocked him out without a second thought.
With the burden Marina imposed on his mind, he had no desire to waste time talking with a delusional man.
’Do you really think the Kraken will gift you a ship powerful enough to rule the sea? What’s next? Will the magus offer tier-eight staves, too?’
Rolling his eyes, he gripped the man by the shirt and threw him before the Gate.
Then, he turned to Marina, scratching his cheek.
"Can you send them to the College of Alchemy and Transmutation? I’ll use the opportunity to tell Shepard not to worry about me."
Marina nodded in response before shaking her head.
’What is it supposed to mean?!’
Fortunately, she explained herself a second later.
"Just write a letter and follow me to the palace. Shepard will close the Gate behind himself or tremble all night long."
Her lips stretched into a wistful smile as she remembered the arcanist’s youth.
Then, her shoulders lept up and down, and her cape fluttered as her laughter echoed.
"That fool once challenged me to claim the title of best alchemist. I don’t need to elaborate on the result, right?"
She shrugged as she activated the Gate, and the familiar hum of mana engulfed the place.
Without wasting a second, he retrieved a piece of parchment and wrote two short sentences.
"I’ll stay with Marina for a year. Use those pirates as a foundation for your future navy and ask Julius to speak with them."
Even if a sliver of reluctance still pulsed in his soul, he would benefit from this arrangement.
’I also got favorable conditions and will develop my two jobs using her materials, not to mention her ancient and forbidden knowledge.’
With a nod, he wrapped the parchment around Flintwaters’ neck and threw everyone through the Gate.
Casting a last glance behind, he followed Marina through Kumari Kandam’s streets for ten minutes until he gawked at the impressive palace.
Despite its moderate size compared to recent buildings, the style was just out of this world.
Each wall his eyes landed on was a piece of art on its own, filled with magnificent engravings.
The verdant garden and trees sent a wave of relaxing freshness into his mind as the arching doors and incredible columns inspired him.
Like pavilions serving different purposes, the structure was divided into several places and connected by open corridors displaying the garden for all to see.
As he scrutinised every part, Marina pushed the doors open, revealing the pristine interior.
A red carpet wafting the sweet scent of soap extended from the entrance to an ancient throne that sent his mind into chaos.
Blue scales pulsing with sky-blue mana and ending in a terrifying open maw crowned the magic mineral chair. Its tail coiled around the armrests as if claiming it was his and only the person it chose could sit.
"Close your mouth, little apprentice."
Noticing his open jaws, Marina slapped his back, forcing him in, and spoke as she walked.
"That’s Kraky’s mother. I don’t know where she is since no one documented her appearance in the past ten thousand years. But one thing is for sure. She is alive."
He saw her point at the pulsing scales before turning and walking to a side corridor.
"The abyssal terror, the ocean apex, or the ruler of the seas. This beast has many titles, but its name was lost in the meander of time. Ah! But it doesn’t matter since she’s probably sleeping somewhere."
As his eyes enlarged in shock and his thoughts swirled in a confused mess of questions about that creature, she pushed the door open and led him down a flight of stairs until they reached a golden door.
With a slight push of her slender fingers, she revealed the riches littering the ground in a canvas of dancing colors and artefacts from an era long gone.
"What creature tendons do you want? Some are better fitted for flexible creations, while others are much harder. Their properties are not the same either."
Her dismissive tone contrasted with the excitement gripping his soul and shaking his legs.
Yet, the wealth didn’t matter to him. Only the tendons did.
’The biggest asset living beings possess is not the money they earn or the jewels they buy. It’s a body! And with the tendons, I’m three pieces short of having mine!’
He clenched his trembling fists and raised his head, noticing Marina rummage through a pile of old tendons.
Determination fueling his solemn voice, he spoke without care.
"I want the ones that would adapt best to a human body."
At his words, Marina’s hands froze, and a deep furrow creased her brows.
"What are you trying to do? Revive? Ah! Only the magus knows how. Did you find an alternative method?"
Eyes lighting up in curiosity, she grabbed one tendon and charged at him.
"This one is almost human-like but has better elasticity, and the tensile strength is much higher. The best part? It’s a natural energy conduit! Forget about obstacles. Your mana circuits will pass through them as if they were a part of it!"
Shoving the supple tendons into his hand, she grinned mischievously and continued.
"Tell me how you plan to revive! I’m dying to know!"
He snickered at the question.
"I never died in the first place!"
A wistful smile stretched his lips as he reminisced about his life in this magic world for a second.
Defiance burned in his eyes as his fingers tightened around the alabaster tendon and scrutinised the notification.
[Tier-five mythical tendons detected. Soul binding available. Proceed? Yes/No]
As he pressed yes, his voice thundered in Marina’s treasury.
"Instead, I’ll reincarnate!"