Wizards: Starting with Fairy Crests

043: Friends

The crimson infant's pure black eyes darted around, seemingly sensing the chilling killing intent and extreme tension emanating from Lin Qi.

It quickly replied, "Don't be nervous... It's me, Mr. 'Shadow'."

Lin Qi was stunned. That voice… that tone…

He asked in confusion, "Shadow Raven?"

The baby seemed to sigh, and continued to explain in its flat, emotionless infant voice, "It's a long story. This is a... special life-saving secret of my family. During the mother's pregnancy, through a specific ritual, one or more 'backup embryos' can be prepared for oneself."

"If the body encounters misfortune, within a certain time and distance range, the core of the soul and the main consciousness can be transferred back to the backup, and with the help of the backup body... quickly 'reborn'."

At this moment, Lin Qi suddenly noticed that the baby's body was indeed growing at a speed that was visible to the naked eye and defied common sense!

In the short time it took to say those few words, its limbs had noticeably lengthened, and its torso had swelled up. Fine, dark red downy hairs had sprouted from its previously bald head, and small, sharp baby teeth could be seen rapidly emerging from its gums from its open mouth!

moment,

An ancient and unorthodox secret technique flashed through Lin Qi's mind like lightning—Embryo Puppet Parasitism Technique!

This is a bizarre method developed by certain ancient or powerful wizarding families to prolong the lives of their core members. Through secret intervention, multiple fetuses with the same soul potential can be induced to be born in the same pregnancy when a woman in the family is pregnant.

Ultimately, one is chosen as the "main body" to be born and nurtured normally, while the rest serve as unconscious "backup embryos," which are sealed and maintained in a minimal state of life using special methods.

Once the subject dies, the pre-existing mental imprint can activate the most recent or most suitable backup, forcibly infusing memories and personality into it, achieving an alternative form of "resurrection".

That's like having at least one more life!

Tsk tsk…

Even with Lynch's composure, a surge of intense envy welled up within him. An extra life—in the perilous wizarding world, what a precious safeguard that was!

The rapidly growing "Shadow Raven" pressed on, "Putting that aside... 'Shadow,' how did you survive? That monster...?"

Lin Qi quickly feigned a perfectly timed look of lingering fear and bewilderment, speaking at a slightly faster pace: "I... I was terrified at the time, and when I found a dry well, I hid inside. Inside... it was filled with bones, and the smell was awful."

"I don't know how much time passed, but when there was no more movement upstairs, I dared to climb out... and then I found in the hall... you were all... so I quickly escaped the way I came."

He paused, then asked in a trembling voice, "What...what happened? What was that thing?"

Shadow Raven sighed, "I never imagined... that what was sealed within those ruins was actually a wizard-level mutated monster. We were careless, no, our intelligence was seriously flawed!"

His voice was filled with regret: "If I had known this would happen, I shouldn't have accepted that damned family trial mission!"

"I thought it was just exploring an abandoned, medium-sized laboratory, and even if there were dangers, they would be within a controllable range... I never expected... that even this precious backup would be used up!"

"Wizard... Wizard level?!" Lin Qi gasped in surprise.

Shadow Raven nodded heavily, a bitter expression forced onto the baby's face. "It's absolutely true, that demonic pressure can't be faked."

He abruptly changed the subject, his pure black eyes fixed on Lin Qi, "Mr. 'Shadow,' my... relic, the spatial pocket, should be with you, right?"

Lin Qi stiffened slightly, paused for a moment, and did not answer immediately.

Shadow Raven immediately added, "I am a direct member of the Nightsong family from the Shadow Rift Witch Domain. I didn't bring anything too valuable this time. Besides a hundred or so magic stones, I mainly have a secret contract document concerning this exploration in my pocket."

"This is very important for some of my family's future arrangements. I hope you can return it to me. You can keep the magic stone as a reward for bringing out my relics."

The Night Song family is one of the rulers of the neighboring Shadow Rift Witch Domain, and its strength and influence are in no way inferior to the ten major families of the Abyss Witch Domain.

Lin Qi quickly put on a smile, took out the blood-stained spatial pouch that belonged to Shadow Crow from his bag, and handed it over: "Mr. Shadow Crow, what are you saying! Since you're still alive, of course you should return it to its rightful owner!"

It would be extremely foolish to antagonize a direct descendant of a behemoth over a hundred or so magic stones.

The infant-form Shadow Raven extended its hand, now considerably larger and slightly clumsy than before, and took the spatial pouch. It then nodded to Lin Qi: "You're good, 'Shadow.' This time… consider it a favor I owe you. The Night Song family remembers this convenience."

He paused for a moment, then said, "This place is not safe to stay any longer. I think we should leave here as soon as possible."

......

The two quickly left the Whispering Swamp and settled temporarily in a relatively dry and secluded coniferous forest nearby.

Lynch continued to guard the Shadow Raven for two more days.

For someone with such a background and status, it's definitely necessary to cultivate a good relationship with them to a certain extent.

During this time, Shadow Raven grew rapidly, and by the evening of the next day, it had grown to be nearly seven or eight years old.

On the morning of the third day, sunlight struggled to penetrate the dense coniferous forest, casting dappled spots of light on the ground.

The crossroads outside the black pine forest.

A dirt road, riddled with tire tracks, forks here, each leading in a different direction. The air is crisp and cool, carrying the scent of pine resin and earth.

Lin Qi and Shadow Raven, who had reverted to his boy form, stood at the crossroads.

Lin Qi looked at the "boy" beside him, who was dressed in ill-fitting clothes but had a straight back and calm gaze, and asked again, "Are you sure you're okay traveling alone in your current state?"

Shadow Raven stretched her slender wrists, which seemed a little uncomfortable, and nodded. Although her voice still had the clear tone of her pre-pubescent period, her tone was very steady: "That's enough. I've recovered a few spells, enough to handle ordinary troubles."

"Once we reach the next town, I will hire a reliable team of guards or contact the family's trading post directly."

He then turned to Lynch with a genuinely grateful smile: "This time, I really owe you a lot, Mr. 'Shadow.' Not only did you bring out my belongings, but you also... guarded me for the past two days."

In this perilous wilderness, how vulnerable is a "reborn" with no ability to resist?

He paused, then said solemnly, "Let me introduce myself again. My name is Edwin Cross. Seventh in line to the Nightsong family."

Lynch raised an eyebrow slightly beneath his mask. Directly revealing his real name and line of succession was already a considerable sign of trust and goodwill.

After a moment's thought, he raised his hand and gave his name: "Lynch Warren, Middle Apprentice at Grey Tower."

"Lynch..." Edwin repeated softly, memorizing the syllable.

His smile widened slightly: "I'll remember that. Lynch, you're a trustworthy partner."

At this point, he took out a badge and handed it to Lynch.

"In the future, if you have the opportunity to come to the Shadow Rift Witch Domain, or need any of the Nightsong family's... 'favors', you can mention my name. You are welcome to visit the Nightsong family's territory—as a friend, of course."

Lynch nodded, put his mask back on, and said in a low voice through the mask, "Take care, Edwin. Until we meet again."

"Until we meet again, Lynch." Edwin waved to Lynch one last time, then turned and walked alone along the dirt road leading to the human town.

Lin Qi watched his figure gradually disappear into the distance, and the smile on his face gradually faded, leaving only calm and indifference.

friend?

There are no friends in the wizarding world.

wizard,

I don't need friends either!