Reincarnated as the Lady Prodigy

Twenty-One

Portal and Ogres

ZAIRE LEVI'S POINT OF VIEW

          I spent all my days outside of the Vesaurius mansion because of two reasons. First, Felicia and Clarence irritate the living s**t out of me, secondly, Mom, I mean the second mistress, Kate Bluerose is currently out of Griselda, from what I heard from Felicia, Mom is serving the temple called Pons Castra, I personally have no idea what that temple is or where in Pralea it is but what I know based on Jozine's memory is that Felicia requires Mom to attend that temple and she often returns after a few days. I wonder how long she will be away; I hope that she remains safe even though she's away from me. Good thing I gave her a bracelet enchanted with a protection spell that can withstand one classic level attack spell and protect her in case of accidents, aside from that I will be able to know whether she's in danger because I will be notified once the spell is used along with her location.

"My lady, Blake said that you were looking for us?" Elise greeted me as soon as she entered the room I'm renting where I and Blake often change into our disguises.

"Elise, Fema, come here and seat." I gestured them to the seat in front of me.

"So, why were you looking for us suddenly when you've been staying outside the mansion for two days now?" Fema asks now seated next to Elise with a raised eyebrows. Ah, she still has that snobbish attitude of hers.

"I have a job for you, especially you, Fema." Elise glanced at Fema then she cleared her throat.

"How about me, my lady? Do you have any job for me?" She asks then she leaned closer, "perhaps you need me to arrange your clothes like usual my lady! I can also replace Blake because he seems tired these days!" She added enthusiastically both her hands fisted in front of her showing a determined expression.

I chuckle at that. She looks eager to be helpful. "Thank you, Elise, I appreciate your willingness but I'd like you to stay in the mansion, like always. By the way, what about the thing I asked you regarding Clarence?"

Elise pouted then shakes her head shifting to her professional mode. "According to what you asked me, my lady, Lady Clarence seems cooking something up her sleeves. I'm not entirely sure what schemes she is planning but it has something to do with the upcoming banquet. Also, I once saw her secretly talking to a masked man behind the mansion. Sadly, I do not know who the man is, my lady."

Clarence talking to a man in secret? I don't think she's planning to elope with someone because she wants Duke Franklin's son this time, if that's the case, who is the man she was talking to? Could it be...

Heh. I can't help but smirk. I ruffled Elise's hair, "good job, Elise."

Elise's eyes widen before she bowed while blushing embarrassed from getting a compliment. This girl... really.

"I'm glad to be of assistance, my lady!"

Now, now. If that's how Clarence wants to play, then, isn't it right to just follow her lead while having a trick up my sleeves just as well? Hehe!

I gave Fema's new mission, after receiving it, she left at once, well, not after giving me a sassy remark, nonetheless, Fema followed without question. I'm then left with Elise while waiting for Blake's arrival.

"My lady," Blake greeted when he appeared out of nowhere. I nodded my head, "The preparation is now complete."

"Oh?" I stood up and tap his shoulder, "good job. Now then, let's go!" With a wide grin, Blake and Elise followed me as we exit the inn.

The title of the land arrived earlier than expected along with my identification verified by the Duke and the Marquis, that being the case I am now Istorya, the owner of the soon-to-be-opened auction house, Faceless Auction House and for that purpose, I ordered Blake to gather fifty people that can fill requirements of having aptitude in magic or has potential in physical combat even without magic. Blake being Blake, he gathered fifty of them instantly after I gave the order last night.

Man, I have such a capable man beside me. I might just stay idle and the job will finish regardless because of them.

I heaved a sigh thinking about that. I can't have that happening, as their master I have to show off a little too.

"This way, my lady." Blake ushered us inside a pub located in a secluded alley in the western part of the city, it's a bit farther from the main market but there are still frequent people passing by as we go along. Let me just add that all three of us are wearing masks and cloak to keep our identity hidden.

We climbed to the pub's second floor where Blake opened a private room filled with the people he gathered, all of them are stood up when we entered. I just noticed that majority of them are wearing almost rag-like clothes while some are wearing common clothes.

"My lady, forty of these people are bought from slave traders while ten of them I found on the street. As you said, they are all desperate for money." Blake whispered to me.

Yep, I told him that if the slaves bought from slave traders are not enough then he has to find someone from the street, those that are in dire need of money. Yes, desperate, because desperate people can do anything for money. To survive.

I observed them through [Heavenly Eyes] and I can say that although some of these people did not receive proper training or education about their magic they possess adequate magic energy that will potentially grow stronger when trained.

"Raise your heads," I stated to which they silently obliged.

The slaves that Blake bought looked at us warily but there is no hint of objection. It seems that they gave up their freedom already and is accepted whatever their fate in my hands will be. To be honest, I don't know if I should be glad or not.

"Blake, you hold their lives in your hands, don't you?" I questioned which Blake nodded his head in a reply. I see, since Blake is the one who bought them, the slave traders handed Blake their life contract.

Slave Life Contract, as the name implies, the life of the slave under this contract is at the hands of his contractor, his or her buyer and it is not an exaggeration to say that they can kill them whenever they feel like it.

"Break the contract," I commanded.

"Yes, Master." Out of nowhere, a brown glowing scroll appeared in front of Blake, and without saying anything, he tears the scroll into two, after that, the scroll dissolved into nothingness while the slaves under the control fell on their knees while their necks are glowing, like the scroll, seconds passed by and the glow on their neck disappeared.

Realizing what happened, the slaves that are released from the contact muttered to themselves, whispering lowly full of confusion.

''Why did they release us?"

"We're free?"

"What are they planning?"

"They can't kill us?"

...and many more. It's a mixture of confusion, relief, and also suspicion. I can't say I can't blame them, considering the nature of the Slave Life Contract these people must have been through a lot under their former contractor.

"You're free from that unfair life contract but I bought you, meaning, you are mine and I'm not planning on letting you all go because I'm not a saint. Sorry to break it to you." f**k, I sounded so mean and bitchy but it's too late to take back what I just said. I'll have to act it out thoroughly.

Elise pulled a chair for me, "thank you," I thanked her before I look at them one by one. I sigh. "I broke your slave contract for you not because I'm a kind-hearted person, no," I smiled at them, safe to say that smile doesn't look too kind in their perspective because most of them looked away in fear. Gah! "I broke your slave contract because I don't want that contract interfering with the contract I'm about to show you." Then, I snapped my fingers, on cue, a red glowing paper appeared in front of the slaves Blake bought. They eyed the glowing paper in front of them curiously.

"I don't want to sound too domineering or tyrannical in front of you so before you sign that you have to listen to what I have to say." I adjusted my seat before I placed my hand on the armchair and placed my chin on the back of my palm. "The moment you sign that paper with your blood, you will become my subordinates, my employee. You will no longer become a slave but rather an employee of Faceless Auction House. And trust with this, being an employee under Faceless Auction House will let you live a life of comfort and protection, of course, that is if you do your job, properly."

After that, the slave muttered to themselves again arguing whether to sign the new contract or not. Should I say they don't have a choice? Nah, as much as I want to come out like a super cool Master, forcing someone to work under me is just not my forte, but, yes, BUT, that doesn't mean I will waste the money I spent on them by letting them free, nope, I at least have to get what I bought.

"However, I will not force you, if you are unwilling to accept to work under me with this {Faceless Employment Contract}, I'll let you work as a worker or as slaves that you are under Faceless Auction House for two years, after that you are free, just don't expect to receive the same treatment that my subordinates will receive."

Another buzz of mutters sounded, I just let them go on like that until they eventually quiet down. I smirked, "I assume you have made your decision?" All forty of them nodded their heads.

"Those who want to sign the {Faceless Employment Contract} may raise their hands," Hm, hm, 33 out of 40 is willing to sign the contract, not bad. What I can say is that they made the right choice regardless of their reason.

I let Blake handle those who wanted to sign the {Faceless Employment Contract} while I let Elise handle those who did not, considering that they didn't want to sign the contract, I had them sign a {Temporary Employment Contract} instead, the contract entails all the conditions and the length of the contract which is 2 years while the first contract is a lifetime contract.

I walk towards the other ten people, those that weren't brought as slaves. They all look up to me, compared to the ex-slaves, these people have a better physique and, oho, someone in this crowd rather has peculiar magic energy, all ten of them has aptitude in magic. My luck is overflowing! I can't say I hate it, though.

"I will be straightforward, if it's money that you want I can give it to you, the question is, what can you give me in return?" I ask.

Silence. They gave me silence in return.

Suddenly, one of them stood up. He has Persian blue hair fixed in a Side Fringe haircut, his face is smudged with dirt but I can tell that this guy is a looker. His face and the air around him feel radiant.

"I... I..." he's fumbling his hand around his shirt while looking everywhere but me.

Oh damn, I must have scared him but he looks cute fumbling like that so I guess it's not a total loss on my part.

"I... I CAN GIVE YOU MY BODY!!!" he exclaimed.

I blink, "Eh...?"

Oh. His body?

I blink again, "Eh...?!"

...he wants to use his body as payment to me...

Whaddafuck!!! "EHHHH??!!"

~

My face still feels hot because of that innocent but outspoken dude. My goodness! Do I look like someone who does that sort of thing? Do I look like a sugar-mommy or something? Jeez. Blake offered to settle them while Elise and I left the pub in utter silence although I can feel Elise's eyes diverting on me from time to time. I can tell that she's worried about me but I'm not entirely sure what she's worried about.

"My lady, will you be fine handling an auction house?" Elise finally asks. Ah, so that's what she is worried about.

"Of course. I have you and Blake, oh, let's include Eufema too." I tell her while smiling.

Elise still has a worried expression but she eventually sighs a sigh of relief smiling to herself too. "If my lady says so. I have complete trust in your decisions, my lady."

"Much appreciated, Elise." I retorted still smiling.

Elise and I continued walking while still wearing our masks as our disguises when the ground suddenly shakes, minutes after that, a woman's scream echoed from our east then it eventually quiets down, another minute passed when continued screams followed that with the ground shaking a little. From our east side, several people came running their faces stricken with fear, eyes wide, and the color on their faces drained.

What the f**k is suddenly going on? I look around ready to ask someone when Elise pulled me, her eyes displaying fear, I look at her hands gripping my arms before I look at her face again.

She shakes her head, "We have to go, my lady..." her voice trembles.

Go? Where?

I turned in the direction where the constant screams of terror resonated before I look back at Elise again. I heaved a deep sigh. "Let's go find Blake." Without saying more, I pulled Elise with me and returned to the direction where the pub is, and just like I expected, the pub too is in chaos. I expected that much but the good thing is there are fewer people here than usual pubs. Elise and I climbed the second floor where Blake is only to find the room empty.

Shit. Where did that guy go? Did he leave already? Man! I did not expect him to settle them so quickly! This is one of those circumstances where I wish Blake is not too diligent.

"Let's go!" I pulled Elise again and left the pub when someone grabs my wrist from the left.

"Master!" Damn, I thought it's Blake. It wasn't him but one of the 50 people he brought. This woman too has fear painting her entire face, she's covered in sweat and is also gasping for air. "Sir Blake is near the portal... he... he ran after Soka when Soka realized that a portal appeared."

My eyes widen. That overly diligent Blake! Why does he have to run after an unknown dude! Who the heck is that Soka?!

"Hey Lise, listen to me. Go and find your family then evacuate to the nearest safe place. The mages must be doing something, go!" I slightly pushed her but she remained still with her eyes wide in shock.

"I can't leave you, my lady! I won't!"

Fuck. I closed my eyes and massaged the bridge of my nose before my eyes flash at her dangerously. I heaved a sigh, "Lise you are safer within the protective location placed by the mages. I'll be fine, trust me."

I did not mean to eye her too threateningly but the more we stay in this place without doing anything, the more dangerous it gets not just for Blake but also for her.

"Suzi, come forth." On our side appeared a purple magic circle and from there, Suzi exited. She purred before bowing to me. I kneeled to look at her. "Suzi, this girl," I pointed to Elise, "she will be your master but since I can't perform the contract right now, I order you to listen to her for me. Can I trust you?"

"Of course, Master. Meow~" Satisfied by her answer I turned to Elise then nodded my head with a stern expression.

"Go," I commanded. I can see that Elise is hesitant to leave but she has no choice.

"Please be safe, my lady." She whispered with a short sniffle before she runs off with the supposed new employee of the auction house.

I sigh before I run in the direction where the portal is supposed to be based on the intense shaking of the ground and loud noises.

When I finally reached the place I realized that it's the plaza where most people are and because of that, bodies are scattered everywhere. I won't say I'm used to seeing this kind of scenario but compared to the first time I witnessed blood splattered everywhere, I may have improved but I probably won't be able to recover my appetite anytime soon after this.

"GRAAAAAAA!!!"

I whip my head where that monstrous voice came from and I audibly gasp. The... f**k.

Standing before me is a dark-brown with a big head and around ten feet tall creature holding an inhumanely large mace raised to the air ready to hit Blake and... wait, Blake?!

WHAT THE f**k!!!

"ROU!!!"

Behind the raised mace, a magic circle appeared where Rou came from. His purple and white wings flap violently while creating wind blade penetrated the ogre's body creating cuts that resulted in the ogre suddenly screaming furiously while swinging its huge mace to attack Rou but my familiar flew away, the distance safe for him from the ogre's attack.

An ogre's blood is dark green, gooey, and smells worse than s**t.

"Continue attacking that son of the unknown, Rou," I ordered while I run to Blake. He's wounded but it doesn't seem life-threatening. He couldn't move because his legs seem broken, I don't know who that man is behind him, ah, the man looks familiar to me.

I crouch with one of my knees kneeled before I check Blake's condition. "I don't know the reason why you run off to your close death but let's move you first," I tell him before I helped him stand up then moved him to a safe distance from the battle, I then did the same to the unconscious man behind him.

Once settle I placed a barrier on them.

[Hymn of God of Light]

I stood up ready to help Rou when Blake spoke in a gruff voice. "I'm sorry, Master." He apologized then winced because he tried to sit.

Such a stubborn guy.

"I get it. Let's discuss this matter after this is settled. How many bloody Ogres are there?"

"Five of them, Master. One of them is twice bigger than the rest."

Five. That's tough. An ogre is a monster without intellect but despite that, it is considered a High-level monster because of two reasons. One, their ability to heal themselves, and two, their bodies are sturdy that simple weapons like dagger, sword, and even arrow can't hurt them. It will only aggravate an ogre and once they're mad, their ability to heal themselves increases too.

Ogres are natural-born man-eaters that's why I'm f*****g wondering where the f**k are the reinforcements and where those other shitty ogres are.

The devastating outcome of these ogres rampage is everywhere and right now there is only one here, if that is the case, this scenario can also happen some part in Griselda. AGH!

"Master, I'm done," Rou said. I look at him and he is done, the ogre's huge body is sliced into two while there's a hint of dark crackling electricity on the sliced body.

Nice. That dark electricity seems to stop the ogre's healing ability.

"Ymar, come out and help your future master." The shadow panther obliged and carried the shaken Blake. I paid him no mind while I instructed Ymar to take Blake and the unknown man to a safe place while I climbed unto Rou and instructed my summon to go to the other ogre.

I'm not trying to be a hero, I just want to at least have a peaceful day before the banquet but no, I have to experience this and this fucker also has to ruin my perfectly peaceful day. I sighted three ogres on the northern part, rampaging while the other one, the bigger one is rampaging towards the Marquis' mansion.

"There," I pointed to the three ogres fighting familiar faces. When Rou descended I ordered him to attack the ogres the same way he attacked the former one. I placed a barrier on the three bodies laid on the ground, all three of them severely wounded but Liam's wounds are too severe. His side is ripped open while both his legs looked crushed.

Fucking hell. "Rou,"

"Master,"

"Don't hold back and torture that son of bitches." I commanded. I felt our connection intensified while Rou's magic energy skyrocketed. My summon has been holding back because he thinks I'll be joining the battle. I'd rather not because I'm too pissed to hold back myself. If I use elemental magic they might discover me even though I'm wearing a mask, especially Odalf. He's wounded too but he's faring just fine, Ice is nowhere to be found.

Odalf looked at me but did not say anything.

"Aya, give me the most effective healing potion for Liam."

A golden scroll appeared before me, [I'm sorry. No potion can be used for the hunter named Liam.]

"What? Why?"

[The hunter named Liam is confirmed to have passed away minutes before you arrived. The magic power around his body is starting to diminish and return to the world.]

"...hah...!" I exhaled violently.

I was too late. Damn it! Is there anything else that I can do?

[Unfortunately, your current state cannot withstand the repercussions of resurrecting someone. I'm sorry.]

That's not what I... ah. I heaved a deep sigh. "Give me a potion for the other hunters please," I tell her feeling upset with myself. I'm too late, if I only arrived sooner Liam will probably still be alive.

One bottle of red potion appeared on my hand. I fed Helda, Liam's sister, and Kazzie, his cousin. The potion worked effectively while I handed Odalf the remaining potion without saying anything.

The ground shake then followed by a loud thud, when I look behind me, the ogres are now dead on the ground covered with their blood and headless.

Their dead bodies don't make me feel any better, not even a bit.

Rou flew towards me, I smiled at him while petting his head. "Wonderful job, Rou. You may take a rest."

My summon flew while the same magic circle appeared in front of him mid-air.

Once done, I observed the surroundings and sure enough, the place is as devastating as the one where we came from, if not, worse. Threw ogres were too much for the hunters, I noticed other dead bodies of the hunters through their badge, there are about twenty or more bodies.

I turned to Odalf. "You're a hunter aren't you?"

Odalf coughed twice before he nodded his head.

"What happened?"

He looked at the dead bodies of his comrades before he closed his eyes to stop his tears from falling while gritting his teeth. "These twenty hunters were out on a break around here when a portal appeared. At first, nothing appeared that's why these hunters tried to check it but then suddenly, three ogres walked out of there and crushed them instantly. We were able to arrive here because of the distress signal they sent but almost half of them were dead when we did while these ogres remained unscathed. Some of the civilians were evacuated but some still died." He foretold while looking down.

I see. I can hear the relief when he said that some civilians were rescued and that also means that these dead hunters died for the civilians, they did their job, no, actually if these hunters want to they can run away but they didn't. Instead, they died protecting them.

Such resolve and such heroic action. I can simply admire them and praised them for their bravery.

"Let me help you," I offered to help him stand. He tried to carry the other two hunters but I stopped him.

I snap my finger, two brown leaves come out and expand into the same size as Helda and Kazzie that served as their bed, then; the leaf levitated lifting Helda and Kazzie.

Odalf refused to rely on me and walks to the safer place when a magic circle appeared in front of us, from there five people wearing a white cloak, each of them carrying a staff.

I caught a glimpse of Odalf clenching his hand into a fist.

I activated [Heavenly Eye] to perceive their magic base and measure their magic energy because the aura around them caused Odalf to tense.

Two of them, the one on the middle and the one on his left are Superior level while the remaining three are Mid-Advance.

Mages. These five are mages from Konseho. The magic council of the Kingdom of Magia.

"Halt," the middle one said using his hand to gesture us to stop. Let's call him Daddy-finger.

I sigh.

"Tell us your names, your affiliation, and what happened. Leave no information behind." He demanded.

My face crumpled incredulously. The hell...?

"... what?" I gasped unable to stop myself.

Daddy-finger turned to me then released an intimidating amount of magic energy.

Ha?

Is that supposed to scare me?

I shake my head internally. Okay, so these late assholes are demanding us to answer them while we're basically carrying people with us who are in critical condition.

Calm down... calm down...

"I'm sorry but can we reschedule the interrogation? We'd like to take the wounded to the Healers first." I hope they can't hear the restraint in my voice. I'm restraining myself from cursing these assholes.

"Rejected. As mages we have to know what happened —"

"Portal appeared with ogres. Five of them. These hunters died protecting the civilians because reinforcement seems to take the time of their lives. Now, f*****g excuse us." I snapped gritting my teeth.

Fuck.

"YOU LOWLY...!!" Daddy-finger screamed, or whined? Whatever. He pointed his hand ready to order the four other mages to seize us when...

".. Let them through." Duke Franklin appeared, behind him are several knights clad in silver and lined with black full-armor.

The five mages bowed in his direction while Duke Franklin ignored them and paseo to my direction. "Young Master Istorya, I'm relieved to see that you are safe," he greeted then turned to Odalf, "you too, hunter Odalf," he said with a nod. I'm surprised to know that that he knows who Odalf is considering that he's a noble and a Duke at that.

"Istorya, let my knight take the wounded hunters while you go and take your rest." Duke Franklin suggested.

I reluctantly nodded my head, I handed Helda and Kazzie who are still unconscious to his knight.

"Thank you, Duke Franklin." I slightly bowed my head and turned around when a surge of magic energy came rushing in my direction.

The pressure directly aimed at me.

[Impeccable Enchantment of Secrets. Spell, granted.]

I look back and directly met the eyes of the mage, realizing what happened, his eyes widen ready to take back his spell but it was all too late. The invisible barrier activated within me and the magic energy that came surging in my direction penetrated my barrier only to return to him.

As result, "Ah... AHHHHHHH!!!" The mage screamed in agony while covering his now bleeding eyes, he then fell on his knees. The other mages with him were quick to aid him but they don't know what to do, or rather, they cannot ease his pain.

What was that spell that he used? [Vision of the 13th Scholar] was it? Tch, weak.

"Rou, come."

The magic circle appeared mid-air and my summon, Rou flapped his wings in my direction sending a violent gust of wind that rendered the mages and even knights to cast spells to protect themselves. Before I leave, I looked back to Duke Franklin's place and slightly bowed my head.

"Let's go," I whispered to Rou tapping his head.

"Hey, Aya..." I sigh.

[...]

"You suddenly granted me that unknown spell. I was super shocked, but... thank you."

If it wasn't for her, that mage almost discovered my magic base. His ability, more like an exclusive spell enables him to see someone's magic base and intimidate them using his magic that leads to some accidents. It's like my own ability [Heavenly Eyes].

I don't know where I learned this, I just did when Aya activated the spell.

A golden scroll appeared. [... I do not deserve your thank you, Zaire, rather, it is my duty as your guardian. Heed no mind next time I do such acts.] Was Aya's response.

I couldn't help but laugh at that. Really, she talks like an old woman as always. I wouldn't say I don't like it though. It's actually entertaining reading her replies.

Now then, I wonder how Elise, Fema, and Blake?

Sigh.

~

IMPORTANT BOOK NOTES:

First, the skill/ability {CELESTIAL EYES} from CHAPTER 18 turned to [HEAVENLY EYES] and will be used for the upcoming chapters.

Secondly, the name origin of Zaire's alias "Istorya" was spelled in the earlier chapters as "Isthoria", on that note, we will then continue using "Istorya"

***PLEASE READ AUTHOR'S NOTE FOR ADDITIONAL CLARIFICATION***