Supreme Magus

Chapter 2069 First of His Kind (Part 1)

”I didnʼt ask them to do anything.” Lith shrugged. ”I think it has become a habit for the Royals to screw with me ever since they scared the crap out of me during the Archmage ceremony.”

One after the other, Lithʼs friends and allies shook his hand and congratulated him on his achievement.

”I canʼt believe it! Your call name of six years ago just turned into reality and I was here to witness it. Well done, White.” Lith was surprised when after Jadon Lark and Baron Wyalon, Red stepped forward as well.

”Thanks R-”

ʼFor the godsʼ sake, that was just his call name during the academy training.ʼ Solus hated it when Lith forgot about anyone he couldnʼt profit from. ʼHe is Great Mage Linden Gorth and the woman with him is his wife, Phrenna.ʼ

ʼWho cares! Red would have sufficed.ʼ Lith thought.

”I mean, Great Mage Gorth.” He actually said, pretending that the name had any significance to him.

”Just call me Red.” The young man was clearly honored by his idol remembering him, but tried to play it cool. ”I consider it an inside joke between us.”

ʼTold you so.ʼ Lith inwardly grinned.

”Red, allow me to introduce my wife Kamila Yehval to you and Phrenna. Kami, these are Great Mage Linden ʼRedʼ Gorth and his wife, Phrenna.”

”Nice to meet you.” Kamila nudged at his ribs for using her moniker in public. ”Itʼs always a pleasure to meet one of Lithʼs friends, especially someone who didnʼt chicken out after learning about his true nature.”

She shook Redʼs hand while Phrenna hesitated for a second to extend her own, almost afraid that Kamila might shapeshift at any second into a hideous creature. Unlike her husband, she couldnʼt stop staring at the horns, the fangs, and the third eye that seemed to pierce through her soul.

”What do you mean?” Lith asked.

”Even though I never met Great Mage Gorth in person, I knew him by name. He was one of the few who always signed Jirniʼs petitions in your favor.” Kamila replied. ”I hope that when the Verhen Mansion is complete, you will come to visit us and tell me the story of how you two met.”

”It will be my pleasure, Lady Verhen.” Red replied, smiling from one ear to the other for having been invited to their home even before the Royals.

The Royals, instead, didnʼt like it much.

”Well, is the jury still out on that?” Kelia asked as soon as the magic in the room faded and she could talk again. ”Did Verhen do the right thing by sticking with the Kingdom or not?”

”Maybe, but itʼs not going to be easy. At the moment, his title isnʼt worth much.” The Empress replied.

”Yet if he survives the war and the political struggle that is bound to ensue when the Royals will have to purge the traitors who have willingly sided with the Mad Queen, the sky is Verhenʼs limit.

”Heʼll be the first Supreme Magus and the first member of a new race that people will either fear like monsters or worship like gods. From my point of view, itʼs an incredible victory.

”I canʼt offer him anything better and if Verhen makes it through the war, heʼll shape the future of the Kingdom no less than the Royals.”

After a while, Lithʼs group moved to the nearest buffet table. The tension had made everyone work quite some appetite.

While they chatted, many people tried to jump on the bandwagon and congratulate Lith, but most of them failed to move past the small crowd that surrounded him since the end of the ceremony.

Even the few who succeeded didnʼt manage to say a single word due to his beastly features striking terror in them and making them run away with the same determination they had come.

Except for one of them.

”Excuse me, Supreme Magus, but the music is about to start, and is customary for the main guest of a gala to open the dances with their partner. Here is the list of those who have reserved a dance with you tonight.” Royal valets had to perform their duty or be charged with treason.

The youth in front of Lith needed sheer willpower to not stutter. He handed the Magus a small cylinder of paper, waiting for him to take it.

”The what now?” Lith unfolded the scroll that turned out to be over twenty centimeters (8ʼ) long and filled with a close-packed list of names that started with the Queenʼs.

”There is only so much time for dancing so reservations are needed to avoid disputes that would spoil the mood.” The valet clicked his heels and gave Lith a bow before taking his leave.

”I know what a dance card is.” Lith grumbled, sighing in relief when he noticed that most of the names belonged to people he cared for.

A few minutes later, the orchestra started playing and a spotlight gently prompted the Verhen couple to reach the center of the stage. Kamila blinked thrice in quick succession, their convened signal for a mind link.

Physical contact would make it invisible even to Life Vision and kept their conversation a secret.

ʼWhatʼs the matter, Kami? Jealous much? Horns or not I still have a list of suitors longer than my arm.ʼ He said with a smug grin on his face.

ʼHa Ha.ʼ She replied with a deadpan tone. ʼNo, smartass. I just wanted to ask Solus if she wants to dance with us. This is her ceremony as well and it would be a shame if she didnʼt get to enjoy it.ʼ

ʼWhat do you mean?ʼ Solus asked after Lith let her take part in the conversation.

ʼYou can slip from Lithʼs finger to mine and then fuse your ring with my clothes. It still wouldnʼt be the same as dancing with your own body but itʼs the best I can offer you. Sorry.ʼ Kamila said.

ʼReally?ʼ Solus would have jumped with joy, if only she had feet.

ʼReally. Lith and I will have just one dance together and the other dames will probably just try to get something from him. I trust you to keep his dirty mind in check.ʼ Kamila inwardly chuckled.

ʼThanks! It means the world to me.ʼ Solus covered Kamilaʼs dress, letting Lith experience the warmth of the two women he loved the most at the same time.

ʼThanks for allowing for this little three-way, Kami.ʼ

ʼLith!ʼ Kamil and Solus rebuked him in unison.

ʼDance! I meant a three-way dance.ʼ

ʼGods, you were right about his dirty mind, Kami.ʼ Solus chuckled.

ʼMagus my ass. More like the Supreme Pervert.ʼ Kamila shook her head in irritation.

Lith remained silent until the music stopped, knowing that whatever he said could only make the hole he had dug for himself deeper.

”Magus Verhen.” The Queen tapped his shoulder, waiting for Lith to give her a bow before returning it with a curtsy.

”Your Majesty.”

”What do you say if we exchange dance partners? It will allow your wife to take part in the conversation, were she to feel the need to.” Sylpha said while Meron offered Kamila his hand.

Refusing the invitation of the King would have been incredibly rude and stupid. Whatever the Royals wanted from him, they had to listen.