The Allure of the Pirate King

The initially exuberant newcomers’ expressions shifted dramatically upon hearing Provence’s words, giving way to sighs and lamentations. They had envisioned themselves as favored by heaven, chosen by mages for their exceptional talent, destined for an effortless journey to greatness.

However, the revelation that selection didn’t guarantee enrollment, and further tests awaited them at the academy, dampened their spirits. The thought of regular school evaluations, where failure meant losing their mage qualifications, cast a shadow over the bright futures many had already imagined.

Nevertheless, some individuals remained unconcerned. These were either those supremely confident in their abilities or those who simply planned to learn a few tricks and then leverage their mage status for deception, much like Oreo.

In this world, possessing even a couple of magical abilities granted widespread influence. Wild mages like Oreo, who had somehow acquired a mage inheritance and mastered a few first-tier spells, could traverse the continent unimpeded, never wanting for food or clothing, and earning considerable respect.

This wasn’t an isolated phenomenon; most mages were, in fact, unqualified. Yet, even so, they surpassed ordinary people. A strict rule prevailed on the continent: commoners were no match for mages, no matter how weak the mage. Only knights equipped with superior weapons might stand a chance against a mage apprentice.

It was a pity firearms didn’t exist in this era; otherwise, those freeloading mages might have truly experienced the power of being utterly overwhelmed.

Provence departed after delivering his words, leaving the remaining newcomers in an atmosphere that grew subtly melancholic, as if tinged with newfound sorrow.

****

At mealtime, Ai Ou and Elena were feasting.

Magic artifacts, crafted from some unknown special materials, adorned the dining hall. Dozens of long tables were spread with cloths, laden with a dazzling array of delicacies: deep-sea lobster, imperial abalone—the empire’s most exquisite cuisine. Many items, even for Ai Ou, a lord’s son, were only occasional treats. A single meal like this could equal several centuries of a common family’s income.

Yet, such lavish treatment was the standard for every meal. Once the delicacies on the cloth were consumed, the cloth would glow, and the food would automatically replenish, as if inexhaustible. Ai Ou observed that even after everyone had eaten their fill, the tables remained fully stocked.

“Young Master, eat quickly! Finish up and continue telling me the story from last time!”

Despite enjoying such luxury daily for several days, Elena still devoured the food as if she had never tasted it before, her gluttony insatiable.

After the initial novelty wore off, the constant sight of the sea horizon had made Elena quite bored. Upon accidentally overhearing Ai Ou’s stories, she became utterly captivated, pestering him daily to recount more tales.

Upon hearing Elena’s words, a group of teenagers felt their curiosity stir. They were still children, their youthful innocence not yet shed. However, they quickly adopted a facade of disdain, looking at Elena dismissively. ‘How old are you? Still wanting to hear stories? We’re all going to be mages now; stop being so childish. Can’t you act more like adults?’

“Alright then, today I’ll tell you the story of the Pirate King. A long, long time ago, a man who possessed wealth, fame, and power—everything in this world—the ‘Pirate King’ Edward Teague, uttered a single sentence before his execution, sending people worldwide flocking to the various mountain ranges. ‘Do you want my treasure? If you want it, then go find it in the mountains; I’ve hidden it all there!’ The world then ushered in the ‘Great Mountain Pirate Era’….”

Cultural development largely hinges on material abundance. Only when material wealth is plentiful do people seek to cultivate spiritual wealth. In this world, people toiled for survival, and mages busied themselves with enhancing their power and researching magic.

Consequently, spiritual culture lagged significantly. A simple tale of a hero slaying a dragon could captivate a crowd, let alone Ai Ou’s ‘modified’ version of an incredibly popular, passionate story from his past life. No one could resist.

As the great philosopher King Jingze once said, the essence of humanity is ‘true fragrance’—succumbing to temptation after initially resisting.

As Ai Ou narrated with vivid flair, his storytelling somehow created an immersive effect. The youngsters who had initially disdained listening to his stories, caught between shame and curiosity, swiftly chose curiosity. They re-enacted the ‘true fragrance’ law, gathering around Ai Ou and listening with rapt attention.

Mages, initially amused by the children’s antics, soon pretended to eat while discreetly eavesdropping on Ai Ou’s narrative.

“Then, Luffy, who would become the King of the Mountain Pirates, rescued Sohai, who was trapped in the earth. Together, they dealt with the local thugs, becoming companions. It was at this point that a woman appeared…”

Suddenly, Ai Ou’s words came to an abrupt halt.

“Oh, Young Master, hurry up! Who is this woman?” Regardless of age or gender, no one appreciated being left hanging. After Ai Ou’s deliberate cliffhanger, Elena suddenly found the food in her bowl unappetizing.

“Ah, that! I’m tired. I’ll tell you later, come to my room in a bit and I’ll finish the story.”

At this, the children were half-dead with exasperation. This cliffhanger was too cruel! To stop at the most exciting part was akin to a man losing his manhood.

Thus, they could only watch Ai Ou with death glares, then helplessly see him off as he departed. ‘Why are his stories so captivating, so thrilling, and so immersive?’ they wondered.

Over the next few days, Ai Ou would tell Elena stories during lunch and dinner, but always stopping halfway, right at the most thrilling point. Then, he would leave with Elena.

This tactic infuriated the newcomers, making them feel both love and hatred for Ai Ou. It wasn’t just the newcomers; even the mages became engrossed in Ai Ou’s stories, driven to distraction by his cliffhangers.

Soon, someone couldn’t take it anymore. Among the dozens of children, a young lady, dressed in opulent attire, exuding an air of nobility, with a beautiful face that nonetheless revealed an inherent haughtiness—clearly a wealthy and influential scion—stepped forward. She approached Ai Ou and spoke coldly:

“Hey, what’s your name? You’re being really annoying!”

For such a spoiled young girl, Ai Ou naturally wouldn’t indulge her. Mimicking her tone, he retorted:

“Hey, who are you? What are you saying? I don’t understand, you’re being really annoying!”