Published at 30th of January 2026 6:43 am

Chapter 1457: Play the Part

This chapter is updated by JustRead.pl

Almost an hour later, they arrived at their destination.

Standing atop a cliff, hidden from view by a giant banyan tree, the group of Magi looked down at the orc settlement below.

The orc settlement was enclosed by sharpened wooden fences, with armed orcs patrolling along the perimeter. Inside, others went about their daily routines, moving between crude huts and fire pits. And at the center stood a massive hut, larger than the rest, which housed the orc chief.

Kenny displayed a shocked look on his face. "How did you find it so fast? I’ve been searching for them for months!"

The Acolytes cast awkward gazes towards the boy. Lebu, on the other hand, offered a knowing smile. "You don’t know any spells, do you, Kenny?"

"Spells?" Kenny tilted his head. "I guess not. I know how to wrestle, though."

As I thought. Lebu’s eyes gleamed momentarily.

He’s a fine seed indeed.

"Well then," Lebu began with a smirk. "Let us show you how a Magus truly fights."

He then gave strict instructions to the other Acolytes, telling them exactly what they needed to do and when to do it. Under this battle formation, Lebu was certain that they’d be able to take the orcs out in but a few minutes.

Time. If a Magus had enough time to prepare, they could take on enemies of far greater number and strength.

"What do I need to do?" Kenny asked excitedly.

"Nothing." Lebu smiled. "You’ll be observing us."

"But—"

"Kenny." Lebu interrupted him sternly. "Do as I say, and I promise you will have avenged your loved ones."

The dusky-skinned youth gnashed his teeth and finally nodded. "F-fine!"

The Agent of the Brotherhood left four Acolytes behind with Kenny to guard the caravan, then led the rest towards the orc settlement.

The attack began without warning as a massive Fireball slammed into the center of the camp, obliterating the orc chief’s hut in a single blast. Before the orcs could recover, a hail of ice arrows swept through the settlement, cutting down those caught off guard by the ambush.

Lebu and his Acolytes moved in immediately, pressing the advantage and finishing off the remaining orcs in close combat. From start to finish, the battle lasted no more than five minutes.

With only a handful of Magi, Lebu had slaughtered tens of orcs.

Standing atop the cliff, Kenny’s brown eyes glimmered with shock and fascination.

"So this... this is how a Magus fights?!" he exclaimed in awe.

Kori, who stood beside him, watching the battle conclude, couldn’t help but turn towards the boy and ask, "Kenny, have you never seen a Magus fight before?"

"Never seen one fight." Kenny shook his head. "I’ve only seen one Magus in my life, and he was old and frail. Totally unlike Lebu, who is so full of life and strength!"

Kori’s lips twitched. He cleared his throat and offered a friendly warning, "You should address the Captain with the proper prefix. Not only is he older than you, but he’s also an entire rank above you."

"Rank?" Kenny tilted his head. "What’s that? You mean height?"

Kori was dumbfounded. And so were the three other Acolytes standing guard.

"You... don’t have any idea about arcane ranks, do you?" he asked.

Kenny shook his head innocently. "I know how to hunt and cook, though," he said with a toothy grin.

This guy’s a complete bumpkin! Kori thought to himself incredulously.

He sighed helplessly and began, "Okay, listen. Magi like you, me, and everyone else on this team, apart from the Captain, are at the Mana Foundation Rank. This is the first arcane rank a spellcaster reaches when they step onto the path of a Magus."

"Mana Foundation..." Kenny murmured with a thoughtful look on his face.

"Yes." Kori nodded. "It is further divided into five minor ranks..."

The Acolyte continued to give Kenny a crash course on the Magi power system. On the surface, Kenny listened attentively, but inwardly, Adam was bored out of his mind. Still, he appreciated Kori’s willingness to help.

About fifteen minutes later, Lebu and the rest returned to the caravan after retrieving the spoils of war.

"Did you see it?" The Agent asked with a smirk on his face.

"Yes!" Kenny nodded excitedly. "I’ve never seen someone command fire and ice like that before! It was amazing!"

Lebu chuckled. He then nonchalantly said, "Well, then, now that I’ve kept my word and helped you deal with the orcs, it’s time for us to part ways."

The joy on Kenny’s face was instantly replaced by a pale look. "Part ways? But—"

Lebu interrupted him with a smirk. "But what? Did you expect us to take you with us?"

"N-no, of course not!" Kenny blurted out in embarrassment. "I just..."

"You just what?" Lebu’s smile deepened.

"I..." Kenny’s eyes turned slightly teary. "Nothing."

He paused as he lowered his head, not wanting anyone to see the tears forming in his eyes. To them, he was a sixteen-year-old kid, so naturally, he had to play the part.

"Kenny." Lebu smiled gently as he crouched before the boy.

"...What?" the boy sniffed and wiped his tears away. "There’s dust in my eyes. Uhm, smoke and all that. I’m definitely not crying."

Lebu patted the boy’s head and ruffled his hair.

"How about leaving the Sea of Green?" he asked with a warm smile. "If you’d like, you can come with us. And who knows, you might even learn a thing or two about being a Magus."

"Leave the Sea of Green?" Kenny’s eyes slowly widened. "But I... I’ve never left the forest. How can I..."

"Eventually, all birds have to leave the nest," Lebu said. "If they don’t learn to fly on their own, they’ll never survive."

Kenny glanced at the sincerity in Lebu’s face and almost felt bad for deceiving him. Well... almost.

"You’ll take me with you?" he asked softly, his gaze scanning Lebu, then all the other Acolytes, who were looking back at him with encouraging smiles.

"I don’t see why not." Lebu shrugged. "Besides, you’ll have far more room to grow among like-minded Magi than among birds and animals."

Kenny didn’t hesitate at all.

"Okay!" he beamed. "I’ll go with you, Lebu! Uh... I mean, Proper Prefix Lebu!"

Kori couldn’t help but bury his face in his hand, inwardly scolding the boy.

Lebu’s lips twitched.

"...Just call me Magus Potts."

"Okay, Magus Potts!" Kenny said excitedly, clenching his fists. "So where are we going?"

Lebu’s lips curled into a smile as he said:

"We’re going to the Seat of the Sovereign Union, to the City of Everlasting Warmth, Spingdale!"

Share