"Plunk!" A clear sound of something entering the water echoed.
Immediately followed by the sound of splashing water, "Whoosh, whoosh!"
Unlike what Cyril had expected, where he thought he would crash onto dirty soil, his entire body fell into a warm and cozy pool, turning him into a drenched chicken.
What's going on? Wasn't I in the forest of Rose Manor? Why did I fall into the water?
In an instant, countless thoughts raced through his mind.
Cyril choked on a mouthful of warm water and flapped his white, straight legs like a little penguin, testing the ground beneath him. Finally, his feet touched the soft sandy bottom of the pool.
As he regained his balance, he gradually calmed down.
The pool's water wasn't deep, and the warm, steamy water reached only up to his chest.
Little snake Grin slowly crawled out of Cyril's pocket and onto his shoulder.
The warm water enveloped his body, dispelling the cold and dampness from the rainy night. Though Cyril's clothes still clung to him, they felt far more comfortable than walking in the chilly drizzle.
He pushed aside his wet hair from his forehead and cautiously looked around.
This was undoubtedly a magnificent bathhouse.
A huge dome with colorful stained glass adorned the ceiling, revealing a hint of the deep night sky beyond. The clear water in the pool shimmered, and tall pillars surrounded the area, exuding an air of luxury.
Gurgling hot water continuously flowed from a massive brass mermaid's mouth into the spacious pool. The water's surface was shrouded in a light mist and rainbow-colored bubbles, creating a dreamlike atmosphere.
The entire space was serene, with only the crisp sound of flowing water.
Could this be one of the hidden gems in Rose Manor?
Did I accidentally trigger the entrance to this bathhouse secret when I entered?
Cyril pondered silently.
He carefully observed for a few minutes, realizing that no one else had entered, and there was no sign of the two teams that were fighting earlier.
[Based on my scanning and analysis, you are currently in an independent magical space, and the reason is unknown. However, I can detect a high concentration of elemental energy in this pool, which should be beneficial for enhancing your spiritual power!] The system's voice remained composed.
[Since you're here, why not stay and enjoy it?]
"What a 'since you're here'..." Cyril couldn't argue and found himself unable to retort.
Cyril took off his soaking wet clothes and hung them on a sculpture by the pool. As he walked in the pool, he noticed a large clam resting on the pool's bottom nearby. He was surprised that the clam had also entered with him.
Cyril retrieved the clam and placed it by the pool. Then, he leaned against the smooth pool wall and closed his eyes to relax.
Little snake Grin, with its slender, emerald-green body, coiled around Cyril's neck and nestled its small head against his collarbone, lazily lying there.
The temperature of the pool was incredibly comfortable, making Cyril feel like his entire body had gone soft and relaxed involuntarily. The rhythmic and melodic sound of the continuously flowing hot water created a soothing atmosphere, nearly lulling him to sleep.
[System, please remind me if there's any danger.]
Cyril mumbled to the system, half-asleep.
[Sure thing! No worries!]
The system noticed that he had closed his eyes and unconsciously lowered its volume.
Cyril heard the system's response and his long eyelashes fluttered slightly, finding solace and drifting into sleep.
Not long after, Brian once again felt the sensation of his soul being torn away, as if his soul and body were incompatible, each yearning for freedom.
He could clearly feel the excruciating pain of his soul being torn apart to its core.
An uncontrollable surge of violent emotions filled his entire being.
Brian's vast mental and magical powers seemed to experience a massive tsunami, raging wildly within him.
At this moment, he exuded an indescribable aura of terror.
If someone were to meet Brian's gaze at this moment, they would find it even more chilling than being stared at by the most dangerous venomous snake. His gloomy eyes exuded a horrifying coldness that sent shivers down the spine.
With just one look, it could make one's scalp tingle, and cold sweat pour down.
It was as if their throat was being strangled, and their skull was being ruthlessly sliced by a blade.
Everything in the room was affected by the chaos. The furnishings shook violently, and the luxurious crystal chandelier on the ceiling was the first to give in. It fell to the ground, exploding into countless tiny fragments on the clean and polished floor.
The destruction of this beautiful object seemed like a signal, further fueling Brian's inner desire for destruction.
In an instant, everything in the room "bang" exploded, like a grand fireworks display starting prematurely, with a crisp and rhythmic burst.
Even the nearby skeleton servants couldn't withstand the overwhelming and powerful magical energy. Their white skeletal frames disintegrated one by one, starting from their heads.
However, amid the chaos, no fragment could approach the handsome wizard at the center of the vortex. He seemed isolated from the entire absurd drama, calmly observing it all.
When there was nothing left to destroy in the room, Brian's dark boot gently tapped the ground, and the scattered remnants of the room disappeared instantly.
The room's pristine furnishings and decor slowly restored themselves. The shattered crystal chandelier pieced itself back together, looking as if it had never been broken. The tall brass cabinet rose from the ground and stood against the wall.
The scattered sheepskin parchment floated in mid-air and neatly arranged itself on the walnut desk in order.
Everything returned to its original state.
Only the fine powder beneath Brian's feet remained motionless, silently reminding everyone that something extraordinary had happened here.
Brian's shoe lightly tapped the ground, causing the fine powder to disappear instantly.
The mirror-like floor reflected the handsome face of the man, his eyes still filled with a suppressed madness.
At this moment, Brian's face was still somewhat pale. He extended his slender fingers and pressed his temples, which still throbbed with a faint ache.
Perhaps I should take a dip in the hot spring, Brian thought casually.
The hot spring was something he had obtained a long time ago from the remains of an ancient wizard. The endlessly gushing pool contained rich elemental energy that could enhance, nourish, and restore one's spiritual power.
Although the hot spring didn't have much effect on him as a high-level wizard, it was better than nothing.
Brian leisurely changed into a black silk robe.
The loosely tied belt hung casually around his sturdy waist, and the front of the bathrobe was lazily half-opened, revealing a large expanse of thin yet well-toned muscles.
Brian had just entered his private hot spring bath when he sensed something was amiss in the atmosphere.
Someone had intruded.
He raised a slender eyebrow slightly, his irritable mood surging once again. Normally, the magical wards he had set up would ensure that anyone daring to enter uninvited would never leave.
After all, he wasn't a benevolent host.
In such a situation, there was actually someone fearless enough to break into his domain...
Brian let out a soft, contemptuous scoff.
As he walked toward the pool, his gaze locked onto Cyril, who was leaning against the edge of the water.
Ah, it turned out that a naive little lamb had intruded.
Unknowingly, Brian's mood improved all of a sudden. The young man seemed to be asleep, his whole body hanging by the water's edge, resembling a soft and wet rose.
His fair skin was tinged with an enticing pink hue due to the steam rising from the pool. His long, curly eyelashes trembled slightly with each breath, like delicate and fragile butterflies.
Brian approached Cyril silently.
Just as Cyril's snake-like birthmark, a serpent, raised its head, it was accurately hit by a spell and fainted, flopping softly into the water.
Brian disdainfully picked up the small snake with two fingers and threw it onto the shore. He only became somewhat satisfied when he saw Cyril's perfectly exposed collarbone.
Brian leaned over Cyril, who lay beneath him, his head slightly tilted as he observed him. The youth's cheeks bore a lovely rosy blush, and his wet hair clung to his pale face in a few clumps.
His long eyelashes cast faint shadows, and the corner of his eye was adorned with a small teardrop mole that added an indescribable charm, mixing innocence with desire.
His lips were pale with a hint of pink, slightly upturned at the corners, and plump.
Overall, he looked obedient and soft, like a little rose sleeping quietly in the moonlight.
Brian soundlessly approached Cyril, gently brushing his soft and delicate cheek with his fingertip, as if stroking the edge of a delicate rose petal.
The touch was unbelievably soft and tender.
In an instant, his violently turbulent mental energy seemed to have found a satisfying outlet. He squinted at the lamb-like youth before him, and an inexplicable emotion flickered in his heart.
Brian grasped Cyril's wrist, feeling the firmness of his flesh and bone. He held it close to his lips, lightly brushing it, then released it and encircled the young man's waist.
He couldn't wait any longer; he wanted to unwrap this gift in advance.
Cyril's beautiful exterior could be turned into a doll, with exquisite bones made into his most beloved skeleton. Extracting his innocent soul and imprisoning it in a translucent cat's-eye cufflink would be exquisite.
A long-lost sense of satisfaction welled up in Brian's heart, and his deep blue eyes were full of smiles.
He lowered his head, adopting an intimate posture as if between lovers, his warm breath caressing Cyril's ear.
Cyril felt something soft and smooth touch his cheek, and a warm breeze brushed against his ear, causing him to shiver.
Where am I?
Cyril thought drowsily.
He remembered that he had entered a strange bathhouse in the Rose Manor.
Huh? Why couldn't he open his eyes?
System?
"Oh my! Cyril, wake up quickly! How did he appear all of a sudden? I didn't notice at all! It's terrifying!" The system's voice rang out in panic, filled with pure astonishment.
Cyril panicked instinctively. He sensed danger.
In the next moment, he used all his strength to open his eyes and met Mr. Scott's beautiful and dangerous eyes, which were so close, almost within reach.
The wizard Mr. Scott wasn't wearing his iconic monocle, and he seemed a bit different from his previous demeanor.
Cyril couldn't pinpoint the specifics at the moment, but he vaguely felt that Mr. Scott's presence had become even more powerful.
His unique aura wafted around him, cunning and charming.
For a moment, Cyril felt overwhelmed and even flustered.
He wanted to step back but had no room to do so.
He realized that Mr. Scott had tightly confined him within a narrow space. His entire body was practically encircled!
Mr. Scott's hand was around his waist, while the other was braced against the pool's wall. The hand blocking his way was long and had distinct joints, filled with strength, while the hand around his waist was hot in the palm, brushing against his waist.
Cyril felt his skin touched by an astonishing heat, as if a fire was spreading, burning straight to his core.
They were so close that Cyril could feel the almost imperceptible warmth emanating from the other person's body. His eye corners turned red from this warmth.
Cyril could smell a faint, refreshing rose fragrance mixed with a hint of icy crispness from Mr. Scott's body. It was a scent that he couldn't ignore.
Cyril's gaze inadvertently fell on Mr. Scott's chest, and he knew his cheeks must be turning terribly red now.
The man was loosely draped in a half-open black bathrobe, which clung to his body, revealing a lean and powerful physique. His collarbones were sharp and prominent, and his abdominal muscles were thin and well-defined, with perfectly balanced contours.
Cyril's breathing became increasingly rapid, and his fair neck took on a pretty blush.
Why was Mr. Scott here?
Suddenly, he recalled the dream he had on the steam train earlier. He straightened up abruptly.
Cyril felt a shiver run down his spine. This was his body's instinctual response to danger after calming down.
"Mr. Scott... Good evening," Cyril said after calling the man's name, not knowing what else to say, so he casually greeted him. Looking at Mr. Scott's bathrobe, he felt like he was the intruder.
Brian was somewhat surprised. Cyril had managed to wake up promptly under his magical spell. His eyes grew even darker and more mysterious.
This was initially something that would have made him angry, but his mood improved after seeing Cyril's reaction.
With clear, almond-shaped eyes and a flushed face, Cyril gazed at him in a daze for a while. His long eyelashes trembled desperately, giving off an innocent and adorable vibe, like a little rose blooming in the snow.
"Good evening, little Cyril. But I'm curious, why are you here? In my private bathhouse, no less." Brian said lazily, emphasizing the words "private bathhouse."
Cyril dryly recounted his experiences tonight, trying to maintain an innocent expression. He blinked his beautiful almond-shaped eyes, repeatedly swearing that he had no intention of intruding into Mr. Scott's bathhouse. It was all just an accident!
He noticed Mr. Scott's amused expression and immediately shifted the conversation to the enormous Storm Eye Clamshell, hoping to divert the wizard's attention. After all, it was a magical item marked as "rare" by the system, so it should be somewhat unusual.
Brian's gaze shifted to the massive clamshell placed by the edge of the pool, and his eyes showed a hint of surprise. Such a large Storm Eye Clamshell was indeed quite rare.
Rose Manor prepared a variety of items for new arrivals, but they were mostly common magical items in the wizarding world. Those items might have some utility for wizard apprentices, but they were not very effective for regular wizards.
However, the Storm Eye Clamshell was a genuinely rare item, with its market price increasing every year, and it was in high demand.
Such a large Storm Eye Clamshell was even rarer...
Brian gave Cyril a slight sidelong glance.
Cyril's face was filled with confusion as if he had no idea what this was. Mixed in that expression was a touch of self-pity for spending the entire night searching for a decoration only to find disappointment.
Brian found this increasingly amusing. Since it was the "last supper," letting little Cyril enjoy a Storm Eye Clamshell's crystallization would be quite nice.
Brian let out a soft, magnetic laugh, his voice resonating like a deep, rich cello.
Cyril, upon hearing this light laughter, felt a bit uneasy, unsure if his disguise had been successful.
Showing vulnerability was generally effective in making people lower their guard, giving him time to think of a plan.
Then, he saw Mr. Scott lightly snap his fingers.
The huge clamshell seemed to receive some command, and its tightly closed halves rhythmically and slowly opened.
This clamshell, which Cyril couldn't open no matter how hard he tried, was effortlessly opened by Mr. Scott.
Cyril was amazed and expressed his envy.
Indeed, only someone with strong magical abilities could open it.
Then Cyril saw Mr. Scott make a light wave with his hand, and a skeleton emerged from the ground.
What was most incredible was that the skeleton held a frying pan in its left hand and a spatula in its right.
Cyril watched in awe as the skeleton's bony fingers skillfully removed the only fist-sized, pure white... egg from the enormous clamshell.
The skeleton took a small, bright blue flame from its empty eye sockets and placed it under the frying pan.
Then, it cracked the egg open on the edge of the pan and expertly began to fry it.
Before long, Cyril smelled a delicious aroma of frying eggs. This fragrance was more tempting than any other fried eggs he had ever tasted, including the lavish dinners at Rose Manor.
He couldn't help but salivate.
The skeleton fried the Storm Eye egg to a golden brown on both sides and placed it on a clean bone china plate. Then, it set the plate on the edge of the pool.
Next, it placed delicate silverware on top of the plate.
After doing all this, the skeleton gave them a courteous bow and disappeared on the spot.
Cyril watched all of this in amazement. For a moment, he couldn't tell who was out of place here.
Distracted by this unexpected turn of events, his nervousness subsided.
Cyril's thoughts even wandered to whether the "Monster Cookbook" had any recipes for Storm Eye Clamshells.
"Go ahead," Brian nodded slightly, indicating Cyril to eat the fried egg. His voice was gentle and elegant, carrying a hint of leisure, suggesting he was in an excellent mood.
However, Cyril couldn't help but interpret it as, "Go ahead, this will be your last meal."
He felt a shiver down his spine at the thought.
His hand in the water clenched slightly for a moment.
"Zoro was a palace chef in his lifetime, and he was always good at his craft," Brian kindly added.
Cyril listened to Mr. Scott's smooth and silky tone, and his long eyelashes fluttered lightly.
How did Mr. Zoro, a palace chef, become a skeleton servant for a wizard...? This line of thought only made Cyril more uneasy!
Cyril tried to appear calm, nonchalantly picked up his fork and knife, and cut the egg on the plate into small pieces.
Then, he raised his head, looked at Mr. Scott with innocent, clear eyes, and asked, "Mr. Scott, won't you join me?"
His voice was soft, his gaze clear.
Brian was momentarily surprised, and he felt a strange emotion welling up inside him.
The little rose in front of him had eyes as clear as the most beautiful black diamonds, gazing at him with a mixture of innocence and anticipation.
Looking at him so intently, his soul unexpectedly felt an unprecedented calm.
Now that the gift had been unwrapped, and there were no other fresh surprises in the short term, Brian casually thought to himself.
Maybe he could let the little skeleton continue to bounce around for a while...
He casually twisted the ring on his pinky finger as if he were thinking.
"But there's only one set of cutlery," Brian raised an eyebrow slightly and said slowly, his tone sounding genuinely troubled.
"How should we handle this?" The wizard's lips curled slightly, and his voice, still low and elegant, carried a hint of seduction.
Cyril keenly sensed that Mr. Scott seemed to be subtly pleased. His eyes brightened with thought.
So Cyril immediately picked up a small piece of the fried egg and brought it to Mr. Scott's lips, showing thoughtfulness.
He noticed that the man's eyes grew even deeper.
The handsome wizard gently squinted his eyes, opened his lips, and bit into the offered morsel.
It had to be said that Mr. Scott's lazy action was extremely alluring!
Seeing Mr. Scott leisurely chew the fried egg, Cyril gradually let go of the tension he had been holding.
He also picked up a piece of the egg, which emitted an enticing aroma, and put it in his mouth.
The crispy outer layer gave way to a soft, flavorful interior. The taste was indeed excellent!
After sharing the plate of eggs, Cyril finished the last piece and let out a small satisfied burp.
Brian beckoned for a clean white napkin and gently wiped the corner of Cyril's mouth.
Turning his head, Brian's warm breath wafted over Cyril's nose, making him inexplicably weak in the legs.
At this moment, Brian's gaze was scorching, each detail of Cyril's face being meticulously traced.
The atmosphere, which had just relaxed, suddenly became tense again.
Cyril's eyelid twitched, and he suppressed the tremor of danger he felt, asking in a calm and seemingly casual tone, "Mr. Scott, I heard there will be a wizard apprentice grading trial afterward?"
"Yes, the grading trial. Little Cyril, be careful," Brian replied as expected.
He leaned against the pool wall, seemingly indifferent.
His gaze fell on Cyril's trembling eyelashes and then moved downward to his porcelain-white neck. The blue veins on his neck accentuated his skin's fairness and delicacy. Further down, his collarbones had a particularly beautiful shape.
Brian made a soft sound of approval and continued to appraise Cyril's fair skin visible above the water's surface. The young man's skin had a slight blush from the warm water, resembling rose juice spreading in the snow.
In the next moment, Brian conjured a fine silver chain out of thin air. Hanging from it was a rose-shaped pendant with intricate silver filigree, adorned with a crimson gem exuding a serene glow. He effortlessly placed the necklace around Cyril's neck, allowing the small rose pendant to rest gently against the youth's skin, nodding in satisfaction.
The icy necklace hung on Cyril's neck, and he felt a shiver course through his body, as if branded by a demon. He raised his head, puzzled, and looked at Mr. Scott.
However, the man didn't offer any explanation, just a hint of amusement in his eyes, seeming quite pleased with the situation.
Well, never mind that for now!
Cyril cautiously asked, "Mr. Scott, should I... go back now?"
"Hmm," he heard the lazy sound escaping Mr. Scott's throat.
Cyril looked a bit embarrassed as he glanced at his clothes hanging on the shore. Did he have to climb back up completely naked under Mr. Scott's gaze?
Brian, on the other hand, seemed completely oblivious to Cyril's discomfort. He reclined against the pool wall, appearing comfortable and nonchalant, with a mischievous smile on his lips.
They were both men; what was there to be shy about?
Cyril mentally convinced himself and prepared to climb out. Suddenly, a soft, white towel enveloped his body perfectly, saving him from any further embarrassment. Cyril knew Mr. Scott had finally intervened, and he felt a touch of surprise.
He quickly seized the opportunity to get out of the pool and stood near his own clothes. In the next moment, the white towel vanished, replaced by his previously worn clothes. They were neat and dry, every wrinkle perfectly ironed out. Little snake, Gren, was curled up comfortably in his pocket.
Cyril politely thanked Mr. Scott. At this point, the wizard held a wine glass filled with red wine, elegantly savoring its clear and fragrant taste.
"Go that way," Brian raised an eyebrow, gesturing behind Cyril.
Cyril looked behind himself and saw a blurry halo forming a small door. He once again bowed respectfully to Mr. Scott and stepped into the glowing entrance.
A feeling of weightlessness passed in an instant, and Cyril's vision darkened. When he woke up again, he found himself lying on the bed in his room. Everything was eerily silent, and the room's decor was just as it had been before he left, as if he had merely taken a nap in his bed.
Cyril got out of bed and opened the window. The rain outside had stopped, and the post-rain freshness filled the air. The cold breeze on his face brought him back to full consciousness.
[System?]
Cyril called out, wondering why the system had remained silent after giving him that warning.
[Here I am, here I am! You're finally back! I was worried something inappropriate might happen, debating whether to block it!] Cyril could clearly hear a gossipy tone in the voice.
"You're thinking too much; that's impossible!" Cyril replied, slightly annoyed.
[Hehe, okay! But I've noticed that your physical data has improved! That pool must be amazing. Next time, you should have another soak. Maybe it's because of that Storm Eye Scallop!] Cyril looked at the screen displaying his physical data.
[Name: Cyril Lawrence
Age: 15
Stamina: 11
Strength: 10
Mental Power: 30
Magic: 15
Achievement: Lovey-Dovey Bath
Explanation: Wow, you met in a bath, and I thought something unsuitable for children might happen. I was contemplating blocking it!]
Cyril rolled his eyes at the system. Lovey-Dovey Bath indeed!
He then thought about his improved physical data. With the boost from the Storm Eye Scallop and Mr. Scott's pool, all his stats had increased. He closed his eyes and could sense the changes in his mental power. It was like having a small cup of water before, and now it had turned into a small bucket, filled to the brim.
"Burning Flame!"
Cyril quickly traced the magic runes for the Fireball spell. With the stronger magic support, the process became more natural and familiar. In the next moment, two fireballs the size of heads appeared in the center of the room, emitting a bright glow.
Cyril controlled the magic to sustain the Fireball spell while the system counted the time. When he felt the exhaustion creeping into his mind, he guided the magic runes to disperse, causing the fireballs to disappear.
"Fifteen minutes! Not bad, you could roast a rabbit in the wild with that!" praised the system.
Only fifteen minutes; he was still too weak. Cyril gave a long-suffering sigh.
He then undid a button on his shirt and looked down at the necklace hanging around his neck. The cold item had absorbed his body heat, no longer icy but now showing an almost lifelike presence.
Whether it was his imagination or not, Cyril felt like the intricate silver filigree on the rose-shaped pendant had become slightly more vibrant.
He frowned and tried to remove the necklace, but it seemed impossible to take it off his neck. He couldn't find any mechanism, but he was sure there was some sort of magic or enchantment associated with it.
Cyril felt a frustrating sense of defeat. He pursed his lips and asked, "System, is there any way to take it off?"
"Unfortunately, there isn't one for now, dear! You couldn't even open the Storm Eye Scallop; this necklace has much stronger magic. Maybe you should just wear it; it looks pretty!" the system suggested.
Cyril stared at the pendant's crimson gem in the center, still unable to remove it. It made him feel like Mr. Scott would be observing him all the time.
Although he didn't think Mr. Scott would be so idle as to monitor a minor like him, Cyril had a strange feeling. He seemed different to Mr. Scott.
This thought both excited Cyril (maybe he could gain more opportunities) and frightened him. It was like there was a sword hanging over his head, and he didn't know when it might fall.
Little snake Gren slowly slithered out of his pocket, sensing an inexplicable attraction to the necklace around Cyril's neck. It wrapped around Cyril's neck and nudged the beautiful pendant.
In the next moment, Cyril watched in astonishment as Gren was drawn into the crimson gem. The originally pure red gem now had a small, dark green "S" pattern inside.
This dark green "S" was even adorned with fine silver patterns, unmistakably resembling Gren's body.