The crowd’s faces changed dramatically upon seeing that figure.
The master of this place had returned.
Li De’s sharp gaze swept across the area, silencing the nearly two thousand people gathered in the small square.
No commoner dared to defy an advanced mage, especially one who had just demonstrated powerful magic.
The dark mage boots made faint sounds as they stepped on the slate floor. To the crowd, who were holding their breaths, the noise seemed deafening.
Li De paid no attention to these powerless commoners. With a calm expression, he walked toward the little girl.
The girl curled up her body, still frightened by the sudden explosion.
Seeing the mage lord in the long robe approaching her, she felt as if her throat was being squeezed tighter and tighter. Despair almost overwhelmed her chest.
Was this mage lord here to kill her too?
A faint smile appeared at the corner of her lips.
Yes, a monster like her should consider it a blessing from the Goddess of Life to have lived this long.
Let me return to the embrace of the God of Death. I’m so tired, so very tired.
The girl forced her eyes wide open, wanting to take one last look at this black-and-white world.
"I am Li De Kachar, the master of the Crimson Mage Tower. No one decides another's life or death on my territory."
Standing before the frail figure on the ground, Li De repeated his earlier words.
The scorching aura of magic still lingered in the air, and no one dared to voice any discontent.
After scanning the terrified crowd, his gaze shifted to the frail girl beside him.
Upon seeing her crimson pupils, Li De was momentarily taken aback.
Those pupils weren’t a harsh blood-red but instead glowed with a warm ruby-like light, complementing her delicate and lovely face. She looked like a goddess stepping out of a two-dimensional world.
A girl , if placed on Earth, would likely attract an entire division of suitors—especially otakus, Li De thought they’d go wild.
But that wasn’t the point. Recalling the attribute panel he had seen for this girl, his eyes revealed a meaning incomprehensible to others.
Truly, fortune favors the prepared mind; gold coins fall from the sky.
This time, he had found a treasure.
Bending down, he offered the gentlest smile and helped her up amidst her bewildered gaze.
"Can you tell me your name?"
"I, Isha," Isha stammered, looking fearfully at the mage lord before her, her hands tightly gripping the hem of her dress.
"Do you want to become an apprentice of the Crimson Mage Tower?
I, Li De Kachar, swear on my life to protect you for the rest of your days."
Do you want to become a mage apprentice? I will protect you for life, sworn on my life.
It was as if lightning had struck inside Isha’s mind.
Her ruby-like eyes flashed with disbelief. Instinctively, she covered her gaping mouth, tears streaming down her pale cheeks.
At this moment, Li De’s handsome, smiling face imprinted itself into the girl’s soul, into her blood.
When the entire world had abandoned her, even when she herself had given up, this noble mage lord had vowed to protect her with his life.
An indescribable warmth surged from the depths of her heart. The once-gray world regained its colors in that instant.
"S, Sir, s-she might be a vampire! Her eyes are red!" A parent of a boy who had just been rejected spoke up, their voice filled with jealousy and reluctance.
Li De turned his head, his sharp gaze more piercing than a hawk’s.
He didn’t bother to explain. Extending one hand, within seconds, a basketball-sized fireball appeared in his palm under everyone’s watchful eyes.
Fear instantly filled the hearts of the crowd. Shouts and cries erupted, making the scene extremely chaotic.
Li De raised his hand, and the fireball soared into the sky like a newly risen sun, dazzling and magnificent.
At a height of 100 blades, the fireball exploded with a thunderous boom.
In that instant, the brilliance surpassed that of the sun, and waves of scorching heat erupted.
Many in the crowd had their hair curl instantly.
Under the fiery sky, Li De’s towering figure clad in a white mage robe resembled a deity descending, exuding immense majesty.
At this moment, the crowd fell utterly silent.
The air became deathly still.
The surrounding people gazed at Li De with awe. He had declared his dominance in the most direct way possible.
Turning around, he ignored these ignorant commoners, lifting the frail girl into his arms. Under everyone’s watchful eyes, he strode into the mage tower step by step.
As he entered the mage tower, he subtly turned back, his tone imbued with immense authority.
"Miss Isha is a genius mage blessed by the Goddess of Magic. Those beautiful eyes of hers are a million times more precious than rubies because they are a manifestation of mana condensed to an extraordinary degree.
Commoners under my protection, do not slander a future genius mage lightly. You cannot bear the responsibility.
I reiterate: From today onward, Miss Isha is under my protection and will be a member of the Crimson Mage Tower.
Anyone harboring ill intentions toward Miss Isha will be considered a challenge to the Crimson Mage Tower, and I will personally execute them!"
His cold and domineering words left the crowd trembling with fear. The person who had spoken earlier quickly turned away, too afraid to meet Li De’s gaze, fearing the powerful mage lord might hang him.
The scorching aura still lingered around them.
The information conveyed through Li De’s solemn words dispelled many doubts. It turned out those weren’t the eyes of a devil but a blessing from the Goddess of Magic!
The fear and disgust they had felt toward Isha’s eyes moments ago now transformed into intense envy.
How strong must the talent favored by Lord Li De be?!
Many now regretted not stepping forward to rescue Isha earlier. If they had, perhaps they would have gained the friendship of a mage?
Li De observed the now-silent crowd, his expression softening slightly.
"Not only Isha, but the Crimson Mage Tower will also protect all apprentices. Any remarks or actions harmful to the apprentices will be severely punished by the Crimson Mage Tower!"
"You shouldn’t be so shortsighted. Your children who haven’t been tested yet may also have the chance to be protected by the Crimson Mage Tower.
As for those who have already been tested, those who are quick-witted and literate can apply to join the Golden Wheat Merchant Guild.
In the future, as long as you contribute enough merit, even working in the Golden Wheat Merchant Guild will earn my favor.
Moreover, I will select some outstanding individuals from the Golden Wheat Merchant Guild and grant them the ability to cast spells, elevating them to the status of lofty mages."
Li De’s words were akin to a deep-sea bomb, immediately releasing the dissatisfaction that had been brewing in the crowd. They began murmuring excitedly among themselves.
Even those who had been rejected still had a chance to become noble mage lords. This undoubtedly invigorated the crowd.
A slap followed by a sweet treat—he wielded this tactic with perfection.
Isha lay dazed in Li De’s arms, her mind swirling with the domineering words spoken on her behalf. She drifted into a peculiar state.
That heart which had never known care was now brimming with warmth.
Instinctively, she leaned closer to Li De, wanting to etch the figure that gave her infinite security into her soul.
Goddess of Life, is this the divine messenger you sent to save me, Isha?
Isha was so, so happy.