Yarra’s Adventure Notes
Chapter 820 - 85 Two Mages

Chapter 820: Chapter 85 Two Mages

Behind the partition, other guests in neighboring seats were dining, a fact the seven of them were quite aware of. Even though the soundproofing within the partition—essentially the application of air magic for noise insulation—was very effective, with the girls’ Legendary Rank professional physical condition, they might not be able to hear the low conversations of the adjacent seats, but they could at least discern whether someone was there. As for Pannis, with his highly sensitive sixth sense, he could still hear the neighboring conversations if he concentrated a bit, even with the soundproofing air magic. However, out of politeness and morality, he refrained from doing so. Nevertheless, after an exclamation from next door, Pannis naturally focused his attention on listening, and could clearly hear the conversation at the neighboring table.

"Shush, what are you yelling for?" The voice of the neighbor’s companion seemed older, with a tone of indifference and detachment unique to Mages, "You could be a little louder, that way, you’d wake up everyone sleeping in the inn."

"It was your words that were too surprising," retorted the voice that first exclaimed, sounding even older but quick-spoken, obviously an impatient character. If a Mage, likely specialized in combat as a Battle Mage, "To think there could be such a bizarre group death event, it’s simply unbelievable. This must be causing quite a stir; I bet those big shots can’t sit still now."

"Has the experimental potion burned your brain out in these last two years?" Another Mage said without mincing words, "This isn’t the first time this has happened. In the last year, there have been at least four or five similar incidents of mysterious group deaths."

"You’re joking." The surprise in the aged Mage’s voice was almost tangible, and forgetting to control his volume again, he exclaimed loudly before his companion’s glare made him lower his voice and continue, "Don’t lie to me. If there really have been four or five similar incidents in the last two years, how could I possibly have not heard of a single one?"

"What? The Third Epoch has ended? The War of Gods is over?" The calm Mage responded with a tone of mock surprise, then quickly returned to being nonchalant, "Are you an idiot? If you want to doubt my words, first get the year right. Someone who doesn’t even know it’s the year 3630 has no right to complain or doubt."

"I’m warning you, if you keep calling me an idiot with such certainty, I’ll break off our friendship," the aged Mage complained weakly. Nevertheless, being accustomed to his companion’s habitual behavior, he didn’t take it to heart and muttered a few words before dismissing it, hastily adding, "No, I need to go inquire about this. If it’s true, I’ll see it for myself."

"What would you do there?" the composed voice disdainfully asked, "What’s the point of you, a shaping energy-specialized Battle Mage, following along? If you want to join the scholarly Mages in their research, learn your addition and subtraction above ten first. Hah, hah, hah, imagine someone calculating the result of eight plus nine wrong, causing an experiment to fail and almost blowing up their own magic laboratory. Such a person is a disgrace to Mages, hah, hah, hah, this joke is just too funny, right?"

"I really will end our friendship," the aged Mage responded with a mix of shame and anger, "I’ve told you, I wasn’t fully awake that time, and you’ve brought up this small issue to mock me for twenty years. Isn’t it enough by now?"

"I’ll enjoy this joke for the rest of my life." The calm Mage scoffed, then suddenly asked, "What are you doing?"

"Of course I’m going to inquire about the news," said the aged Mage, "Such a strange event, aren’t you curious? Let’s go back and ask Lofis and the others; they’re always well-informed. If we have time, let’s go have a look ourselves, it’s hard to imagine just by your description."

"Foolish," adjudged the composed Mage, "This matter has a deep conspiracy and seems to be related to other significant issues. I’ve heard that over one-third of the Demigods in Yarra are watching that place, including a few old fellows from the Mage Guild, which shows what level we’re dealing with. Forget you, a Gold Rank Mage; even a Legendary Rank Mage had best not get involved, or else you might be casually killed by the Demigods in their skirmishes. Then who will I have for amusement?"

"So, I’ll go back and gather information; I just won’t go to the scene," the aged Mage brushed off his companion’s initial comment and last words, mumbling, "Like you said, since so many people already know about this, if I just gather information, no one will come over and casually kill me. Besides, Demigods aren’t giant beasts with hands big enough to kill me, right? Come on, come with me, I can’t wait any longer."

"Excuse us, gentlemen Mages," Pannis said while listening, collaborating with Muir, the two of them whispering the conversation of the two neighboring Mages. When they reached this point, Catherine and Pannis exchanged a look, Pannis nodded, and Catherine raised her voice slightly, "Could we ask you gentlemen to wait a moment? If I’m not mistaken, I might have some information about this matter. Would it be convenient for you to allow me and my companions to join you?"

The hushed voices at the neighboring table also vanished. After a silent ten seconds, the composed mage raised his voice and said, "Madam, please come over. We are at your and your companions’ service at any time."

"You go, big sis," Lina waved her hand nonchalantly, clearly uninterested, and said, "I don’t want to meet those strangers. I’ll just wait here for you—aha, it looks like Ava will keep me company, so you have even less to worry about."

"I won’t go either," Freya, resting against the chairback with her head down, said, "After all, we’re right next to each other. If anything happens, just call out, and I’ll be right here with them."

"We’ll be back soon," Catherine said without further ado, taking Vivian with her as the four of them rose from their seats and headed to the compartment next to theirs. In the Kingdom of Mages’ taverns, not only was each table partitioned off, but also the distance between tables exceeded four meters, which explained why the tavern was always so quiet. Catherine adjusted her scale armor and straightened Pannis’s collar, shooting him a glare in the process before leading the way into the neighboring compartment.

"Why did she suddenly glare at me?" Pannis asked Muir innocently, "You saw, right? I didn’t say anything, didn’t do anything, and out of the blue, I got a glare."

"Stop yapping, you slowpoke," Muir retorted gruffly, feigning a kick at Pannis and pushing him forward, "An idiot like you who can’t even understand that should be burned alive by shaping energy magic. Hurry up and get inside. Don’t block the path."

Upon entering the partition, they saw two mages wearing gray Mage Robes. The two mages, one fat and one thin, appeared to be over fifty years of age. The fatter mage, likely the older of the two, constantly patted his round belly as if by habit, while the thinner mage looked somewhat younger, his demeanor brisk, his eyes always carrying a hint of suspicion when he looked at others. Seeing the four people come in, the two mages, who were sitting, nearly rose to greet them at the same time. Among professionals, age and status weren’t as important as one’s own strength. The strength of the three at Legendary Rank was enough to command respect from strangers, regardless of the strangers’ greater age.

"So it’s the masters," Although it was impossible for the thin mage to see through the young girls’ and Muir’s power, being unable to gauge their strength was evidence enough of their capability to any Gold Rank professional, so the composed thin mage quickly summoned a waitress to add a few more chairs, "Please, have a seat, masters, and you, sir, please join us."

"Gentlemen mages," Catherine began after everyone had settled again, "I am Catherine from the City of Knowledge, the leader of Nellie’s adventure team. This is Mage Vivian, and this is Pannis, both members of our adventure team. And this esteemed Elf gentleman... Thank you, sir. The Elf gentleman is Muir, a chanter from the temple of Art and Music, a follower of Lord Yeda."

In truth, there was no subordinate relationship between Muir and the adventure team. Conventionally, following Catherine’s lead in speech, Muir should have introduced himself, and if Catherine had done it prematurely, it would have been both presumptuous and impolite. However, when Catherine paused to cue him, Muir gestured for Catherine to introduce him instead, which, on one hand, indicated that Catherine would lead the conversation and, on the other, showed trust and friendliness towards Catherine, hence her grateful smile to Muir midway through her introduction.

"So you are the esteemed adventurer masters," the fat mage had not heard of Nellie’s adventure team and was about to say something when his companion kicked him, leaving him to retreat to the side in hurt resignation. With a clear of his throat, the composed thin mage said, "It is indeed Master Catherine, hailed as the model for the new generation of knights; the name and exploits of Nellie’s adventure team are not unfamiliar to us, even from afar in the Kingdom of Mages. I am Samoer, an Array Mage from the land of Jukayse, and this is Jonas, a Mage specializing in shaping energy, from the land of Orlan. We both happened to come together to the Cammicarra Territory to deal with some official matters and had not expected to meet you masters here. It is our honor,"

"It is a pleasure to meet you, gentlemen mages," Catherine said with an apologetic expression, "My apologies for inadvertently overhearing your conversation earlier. I must first ask forgiveness from you both."

"Not at all, it is our fault for speaking too loudly." As the thin mage Samoer was speaking, he suddenly paused, realizing something, and said, "I understand now. No wonder you masters mentioned having news about this matter. It is said that the first tragic incident was discovered by you masters."

"It seems we guessed correctly," Catherine and Pannis exchanged glances, and the knightly young lady nodded, "You gentlemen are referring to the large-scale aging and death incident."

(To be continued. If you enjoy this work, please visit Qidian (qidian.com) to cast your recommendation votes and monthly votes. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please read at m.qidian.com.)