Chapter 52

After Gordon crossed over to this world, he also encountered many beautiful girls. His sister, Sienna, was full of vigor, the ranger Shelly was gentle yet strong, and the paladin Ryness was holy and dignified. But in this grand and luxurious banquet hall, the daughter of the Rod Lord who was staring straight at him was different.

Her gaze was piercing, like a wild and untamed beautiful female beast, out of place in the brightly lit, luxurious, and warm hall.

"You must have mistaken me for someone else," Gordon shook his head.

"No, I trust my eyes and memory," Faria's gaze was unwavering, sharp enough to pierce straight into Gordon's heart.

"Alright," Gordon said, "I did subdue that giant bear. If I hadn't, I don't think I would be sitting here talking to you now. After all, a mage's body can't withstand the impact of such a beast."

"It's because you always beat around the bush and don't tell the truth that I hate mages," although she said this, Faria's gaze softened, and her expression eased, "This morning, you did the right thing by promptly stopping the berserk Flame Claw, preventing greater destruction."

Faria continued, "Even though I hate you robed, mysterious thin men, I will still reward you. What do you want?"

Robed, mysterious thin men... Although Faria's evaluation of mages was a bit biased, it was indeed quite apt. For Faria, who grew up in a barbarian tribe and was used to seeing muscular men, calling mages "thin men" was already quite polite.

"Stopping that bear this morning was just for self-preservation. I didn't do it to get a reward from you, Miss."

"You and that person are both hypocritical," Faria glanced at Robert, who was sitting at the head of the table, but there was no respect or affection in her eyes.

"It seems the relationship between this father and daughter... isn't very good, and I've been implicated. A humble statement was seen as hypocrisy by Faria," Gordon mused.

"I'll take that as a compliment," Gordon didn't want to argue with the girl. He finished the last piece of cheese pudding and put down the silver spoon.

"Hmph!" The silver-haired girl said no more.

After dinner, Robert, who had been whispering sweet nothings to his beautiful wives, called Gordon over: "Young man, have a drink with me."

Gordon nodded and followed the boss.

The two entered a small study on the second floor, where a water elemental maid was already waiting with mint tea. Gordon and Robert each took a cup of tea and sat on a dark red velvet sofa.

Robert swallowed a large mouthful of the green tea, looking relaxed, "What do you think of this place?"

"It's a good place. The environment is comfortable, very suitable for retirement."

"Retirement?" Robert fell silent. Gordon had only spoken his true thoughts, but from the other's reaction, it seemed he had said too much.

"You're right, young man," Robert continued, "I still have a few hundred years to live, but due to that injury, I lost my legendary power and it's difficult for me to advance further on the path of magic. For me, the days ahead are indeed for retirement."

Gordon didn't know exactly what had happened to the Rod Lord, but he had vaguely heard that a long time ago, Robert Antelore was severely injured in a fierce battle, falling from the legendary rank and never recovering.

"For an old man like me, the path of magic has reached its end. So I want to help some promising young mages. Of course, those who can become my students can only be beautiful women, and most of them will end up as my wives, so you can only be an assistant." Although Robert called himself an "old man," he looked like a vigorous, charming middle-aged man. However, high-level mages always had various ways to extend their lives and maintain their youth, which wasn't surprising.

The Rod Lord was not at all ashamed of his criteria for selecting students. If this were on Earth, a university professor who only admitted beautiful female graduate students and slept with all of them would be drowned in the media and public's condemnation.

Gordon said, "I don't understand. I'm just a lowly second-level mage, and there are many mages of my age who are stronger than me."

"Do you think I haven't investigated you? The duel at the Platinum Square and the disruption of the Ritter family's smuggling operation in the sewers—these two events alone are enough to prove your abilities. Magic is a tool for solving problems, so I don't think much of those talkative academic mages," Robert said with disdain, "Besides, didn't I say I like the ring you made?"

When he was hired as a magic assistant by the Rod Lord, Gordon was a bit uneasy, thinking the other party might have some ulterior motive. After this conversation, he accepted Robert Antelore's reasons and decided to accept the appointment with a clear conscience.

After finishing the mint tea, Robert stood up and stretched comfortably. In this private study, he didn't seem like the powerful Lord of the North, but rather a relaxed elder in front of his juniors.

"I don't need you for the next two days. You can walk around the estate and get more familiar with the environment. By the way, don't forget to soak in the Rainbow Hot Springs tonight. This morning, you looked exhausted, so you must have played too hard with the girls during the Harvest Festival. We mages are not like those muscle-headed warriors; we need to take better care of our bodies." Robert winked at Gordon meaningfully.

Gordon knew the Rod Lord had misunderstood, but he didn't explain.

After bidding farewell to Robert, Gordon left the mansion and returned to his residence. He took out "Dasson's Notes on Evocation Spells" from his dimensional bag.

After the duration of three magic light orbs, Gordon received a system notification: "Reading of 'Dasson's Notes on Evocation Spells' completed. Gained Arcane Knowledge 5, Spellcraft 5, Concentration 3. Learned Feat: Basic Evocation School Specialization. Learned Evocation School Spells: Dasson's Cool Breeze, Dasson's Cold Prison, Dasson's Hot Furnace."

"Finally finished this book," Gordon sighed, "But those Netherduran scrolls will take some more time."

"System, character sheet," Gordon murmured.

The dark green data reappeared on his retina.

Name: Gordon Freeman

Class: Mage

Character Template: Unknown

Race: Human

Attributes: Strength 10, Dexterity 13, Constitution 12, Intelligence 20, Wisdom 12, Charisma 11

Racial Traits: Quick Learner

Level: 4 (Character Experience: 6000/10000)

Experience Pool: 1207

Mana: 80/80

Arcane Skills: Spellcraft 15, Concentration 18, Arcane Knowledge 21, Magic Circle 8, Runes 8, Use Magic Device 5

Crafting Skills: Enchanting 8, Alchemy 8

Knowledge Skills: Nobility 6, Geography 5, History 4, Nature 3, Local 2, Planes 1, Religion 6

General Skills: Ride 5, Appraise 6, Diplomacy 2

General Feats: Mage Weapon

Arcane Feats: Shallow Meditation, Basic Evocation School Specialization

Crafting Feats: Wondrous Item Creation, Scroll Scribing, Potion Brewing, Flexible Craft

After reviewing, he had a new understanding of his current strength. The newly learned arcane feat "Basic Evocation School Specialization" was excellent, increasing the power of evocation spells by 10%. Each missile in his unique spell "Gordon's Missile Storm" would be more powerful, and the cumulative effect was significant.

It was getting late, and Gordon, who had stayed up late the previous night, decided to go to bed early. But before that, he decided to experience the famous Rainbow Hot Springs in the estate.

Following the path Dorn had shown him, he arrived at the hot spring area on a small hill, where the air was filled with steam. The spring was at the highest point of the hill, and the warm water flowed down, filling the terraced pools. There were several small wooden houses for changing and resting, and even a kitchen that served various snacks and drinks.

"Baron Freeman, please follow me," a water elemental maid led him. It was best to have someone familiar with the way, otherwise, he might accidentally enter the private hot spring reserved for the Lord and his wives, which would be very awkward.

"Ah!" As soon as he entered the hot spring, Gordon let out a long, comfortable sigh, and the fatigue in his body dissipated in the warm water.

When he first entered the pool, the water was a clear green, and the rising steam carried the scent of green grass. But after a while, the water turned a bright rose red, and the fragrance became more fragrant. It turned out the water was called "Rainbow" because it changed colors continuously through seven hues.

"You have gained the 'Rainbow Blessing' effect, temporary Constitution +4, lasting one hour. If you gain this effect for seven consecutive days, your Constitution will permanently increase by 2. Note: The permanent Constitution increase effect can only occur once."

Gordon was slightly surprised by the sudden system notification. Such a powerful buff was a pleasant surprise. No wonder Lord Robert liked living here; soaking in the hot spring could increase his Constitution, making him vigorous and ready to indulge with his wives. Perhaps the amorous Duke was currently enjoying a romantic bath with his women.

For a weak mage, the opportunity to permanently increase Constitution was rare. The unexpected gain made Gordon very happy, and he even swam in the large pool.

However, his leisure time didn't last long. He suddenly heard a voice outside the fence surrounding the pool. It was a young woman humming a melodious song, a unique tune that was likely an Orlandos heroic epic.

The sound of rustling clothes made Gordon anxious. If he were to meet one of Robert's wives in such a situation, it would be a case of being in the wrong place at the wrong time, and it would be hard to explain.

"How could I have taken the wrong path? The maid personally led me here," Gordon's thoughts raced, "Unless... the maid deliberately led me wrong to frame me."

But the maids were water elementals, completely loyal to Robert. If they were human, they might do such a thing under threat or temptation, but how could elemental beings? Unless... another mage skilled in summoning magic had tampered with the water elemental maid.

Gordon immediately thought of a name, the guild mage who disliked him, Yoland Dumic.

But thinking too much now was useless. He needed to find a way to get out of this crisis. Fortunately, his clothes were by the pool, and Gordon quickly ran over, pulling out a transparent gel-wrapped eyelash from the inner pocket of his robe—this was the material component for the Invisibility spell.

Just as the spell succeeded, a delicate, fair-skinned female body entered the hot spring.