"Yes." Aria nodded.
"How? Wasn't that demonic essence from a five-star demon? How could he, a two-star mage could expel it?" Old man Raku asked.
"I don't know…" Aria shook her head and sighed. "I couldn't see through it." She also found this strange. Practically speaking, she should be able to see through a two-star mage's techniques, but she failed to do so.
Old man Raku went silent. Although he knew Max was mysterious, it was only because he had resources which shouldn't be available in the green leaf kingdom.
Suddenly, he recalled something and asked, "I remember you were surprised after scanning him. Why was it so?"
Aria gave her father a look and joked, "Foster father, you seem to have quite a lot of interest in him."
Old man Raku smiled and nodded, "Yes. I feel he is a special person and forming a good relationship with him would be good for us in the long run."
Aria nodded and said in a serious tone, "You are right, foster father. He is indeed special. You might not believe me, but his foundation is as strong as three-star mage's and in terms of quality, it's even better. If he doesn't die prematurely, and has a good enough talent in cultivation, reaching monarch realm isn't difficult for him."
"M-Monarch realm?" Hearing her words, old man Raku was stunned before he became excited and asked, "Are you sure he has so much potential?"
In the current world, monarch ranked mages could be called absolute rulers because the number of supreme mages was pitifully low and they weren't concerned with worldly matters, only caring about finding ways to increase their lifespans or their strength or living out their days in peace.
So, if you could become a monarch mage, you would be one of the strongest being in the world and could do almost everything you wanted.
However, very few people had the talent and fortune to reach such heights. In fact, most couldn't even reach the king or emperor realm let alone the monarch realm.
So, if you had a connection with a monarch ranked mage, then you wouldn't have to worry about anything lest you offended another monarch ranked mage.
That's why the old man Raku almost lost his calm when he heard her daughter say that Max had the potential to become a monarch ranked mage.
"Yes. I'm sure." Aria nodded with a sigh.
…
Since Max only wanted to buy some talismans, it didn't take them much time. After an hour, they returned to the city lord's mansion to bid little Arya's family farewell.
Old man Raku had already returned and was waiting for them.
After a while, little Arya's parents, grandma, uncle, and aunt also arrived.
Elena, the city lord, glanced at Max and sent him a mental message. [I see you weren't just fooling around with that girl, Maria. I apologise if you offended you, but you know that I'm responsible for my employees.]
She then continued to communicate through consciousness, [I've tasked people to prepare a good house near the mansion and they will be relocated there in one or two days. You don't have to worry about her safety, I'll take care of it.]
Max nodded in acknowledgement. Although she had scolded him a little, he wasn't angry with her at all because from the conversation he had with her previously, he could see that she genuinely cared a lot of her subjects.
That's why he wasn't worried about Maria. Moreover, she also promised to take care of Rima although there would be no need since her master was one of strongest beings in the kingdom and strongest in the city.
Ryan, Elena's father, glanced between his wife and Max while they communicated. After seeing she was finished, a playful smile appeared on his face as he looked at Max and sent him a metal message, [You kid, I hope you aren't trying to charm my wife, are you? I won't mind teaching you an unforgettable lesson if you have such thoughts. Hahaha. Oh yes, good job treating that girl's parents. Despite being a playboy, you at least have some conscience.]
Max smiled wryly. Acknowledging the later part of his words, he chose to ignore the first half.
He then glanced at everyone present and bowed slightly, "Thank you everyone for your hospitality for the past few days. We had a good time here and I hope you will take care of Rima until she is here."
Ryan was the first to respond. He laughed out loud and said, "Haha, kid. You don't have to be so modest. You are savior of our family after all, it's our responsibility to take care of you. You are welcome to come and visit us any time you want. The Ninam city has its door open for you always.
He then added in a mental note, [Of course, it would be best if you don't work your charm on any more of our cities' innocent girls. However, if you want, I don't mind introducing a few to you. Hahaha!]
"Thank you, uncle! I'll be sure to visit soon!" Max nodded, ignoring the mental note entirely.
Belen and Leticia also followed suit and thanked them.
After exchanging pleasantries with them and bidding their farewell, Max and the group walked out of the mansion with old man Raku and little Arya and saw a luxurious-looking carriage waiting for them. A strong-looking Elvin man in reddish green armor was sitting on the driver's seat.
"Grandpa, there is no need for the carriage. We bought a flying mount yesterday. We will use it to travel back." Leticia said after seeing the carriage.
Old man Raku shook his head. "I know about that. But you know our city is situated deep inside this forest and many two-star and three-star beasts roam around this area.
If you fly here, there is a great risk of getting attacked by vicious flying beasts. That's why everyone travel in carriage when coming or going out of the city. After travelling to the outer fringes of the forest, you can use your flying mount for the rest of your journey."
