Lu Mingfei, become the King of Elden!

Chapter 263 Sezi Asks the King About His Plan
Lu Mingfei stared intently at the brilliance stone.

He tried hard to recall the theories he had crammed into his head that afternoon: resonance, magic, focused will...

He tried to understand and construct things using "thinking," just as Seren said.

He imagined magic as tiny stardust, slumbering within the brilliance stone, needing him to gently "tap" it with the frequency of his will to "awaken" it, then flow along some invisible "channels," eventually gathering in front of his palm to form the shape of gravel...

His brows furrowed more and more, and beads of sweat appeared on his forehead.

In this state of extreme focus, his mind was highly tense, which was even more tiring than swinging a greatsword for hours on end.

Several minutes passed, and the brilliance stone in his palm remained silent, without emitting even a faint light.

"……no."

Lu Mingfei slumped down, feeling as if his brain had been completely emptied.
"I feel nothing at all. Theory is theory, and practice is practice... They're fighting in my head and can't be put together at all."

Seren looked at him quietly for a while, his face hidden by the witch's hood, so his expression was unreadable.

"Sure enough."

Seren wasn't disappointed; instead, she said thoughtfully:

"Your willpower is strong enough, even formidable, but too brutal and direct. You are accustomed to conquest and destruction, but find it difficult to weave and guide the delicate details required for magic."

"Therefore, sheer strength cannot be converted into a shortcut to exploring magic. Different paths lead to vastly different fundamental styles."

As Lu Mingfei listened to Serian's words, he felt that something was not quite right.

After a long silence, he raised his head, a hint of suspicion flashing in his golden eyes:
"You... you actually treated me as an experimental subject from the very beginning, didn't you?"

Serian waved his hand casually and said lightly:
"You think too much."

Lu Mingfei secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

But then her magnetic voice continued to ring out:

"It's not just you. I myself am also an experiment on the path of seeking truth."

She ignored the instantaneous freeze on Lu Mingfei's face and continued speaking:
"On the path to finding the origin, one must be prepared to give everything. Body, soul, cognition... all can be sacrificed."

“It is rare to find a strong person like you who is powerful, clear-thinking, and able to communicate,” she said, turning her hood slightly toward Lu Mingfei. “Observing your various reactions to magic and brilliance stones is an extremely valuable research sample.”

Her tone was extremely calm, yet Lu Mingfei could detect a martyr-like fervor in her words.

But I neither want to explore the origins, nor am I willing to sacrifice myself in the pursuit of them.
Lu Mingfei thought to himself.

“Speaking of which,” Seren suddenly asked, “what are you planning to do next?”

Lu Mingfei was stunned.

This sudden leap in thinking caught him off guard.

One moment they were oscillating between magic instruction and fanatical faith, and the next they were suddenly plunged into topics about the future and planning, such as "What kind of life do you want to live?"

This woman, who appears wise and knowledgeable but is actually filled with madness, truly has a thought process that is beyond the comprehension of ordinary people.

"Probably, like the other faded ones, I'll try to become king."

Lu Mingfei said vaguely.

To everyone's surprise, Serian turned his head slightly upon hearing this answer. The stone shield seemed to scan him from head to toe, as if to say, "What nonsense are you talking about?"

Lu Mingfei's powerful senses told him unequivocally:

She wasn't surprised; she was looking at a dim-witted fool.

"You stupid apprentice."

Her voice seemed to carry a hint of helplessness:

"Who asked you that? I was asking if you have other things to do right away, since basic teaching isn't something that can be done overnight; it requires a gradual approach..." "However, since you've said that..."

Serian's tone suddenly became quite interested, as if he had discovered an unexpected and fascinating topic:
"Then I cannot simply ignore your wish."

"Then tell your teacher."

Her voice lowered, becoming alluring, as if she were a true witch:
Why do you want to become the King of Elden?

Lu Mingfei's expression froze.

He was really confused.

The light in those golden eyes shifted slightly, as if examining the fog-shrouded wasteland within his own heart.

He didn't seem to have a clear answer.

The reasons for embarking on this path are inherently complex, aren't they?
Various threads intertwined and crisscrossed, guiding him toward this path.

But this time, he was not confused.

He was silent for a few seconds, then looked up with a serious expression.

Why do you want to become the King of Elden?

He repeated the question while sorting out his true thoughts from the depths of his heart.

"Actually... it's not that complicated, nor that grand."

“Many people have placed very important things on me. Trust, expectations, and even... the future.”

“They believed I could get to that point, believed I could change something.”

He thought of many people and many things.

"I don't know if I'm truly worthy of this expectation, nor do I know what lies at the end of that path to the throne."

"But if this is my path, if this is the only way to respond to their feelings..."

Lu Mingfei paused, a burning light igniting in his golden eyes.

"Then I will become king."

"and"

He continued:
"Only by standing at the highest point and wielding the strongest power can you truly protect what you cherish, right? I don't want to see anyone sacrifice because of my powerlessness, nor do I want to passively endure loss anymore."

Becoming king...maybe that will end it all.

Seren listened quietly.

After a long silence, she finally spoke:
"The king that everyone is waiting for?"

"Is it not out of a thirst for the law, nor obedience to the supreme will, nor pure desire for conquest... but driven by 'bonds' and 'responsibility'?"

She gently rested her chin on her hand and said with great interest:
"This kind of motivation... is indeed not common among the faded ones who pursue power. You're quite an interesting fellow."

She stood up, focusing all her attention on Lu Mingfei, her tone cheerful:

"Then, you foolish apprentice, go and become king."

"I have nothing more to teach you before you learn the basics. I have already imparted all the theoretical knowledge for beginners."

"Go, embark on your path to becoming king."

"Come back to me when you can control your magic at will. I, the witch Seren, am always ready to accompany you."

(End of this chapter)