Clockwork Bride

Page 56

The fact that the little witch is wary of them means that this "Graceful Three Goddess Witches" group, at least as a group, is not much weaker than Abigail, if not individually.

Ancient magic, whether in the East or the West, primarily relied on the power of deities. After all, magic and spells originated from rituals and shamanism, and cannot escape the influence of religion, or stem from simple nature worship.

As for magic that relies entirely on one's own abilities, most of it has only developed in modern times. And as everyone knows, it's still impossible for a magician to rely entirely on themselves. Modern arcane magic is built on the "system" of modern capitalist society, in other words, on the foundation of a modern new god.

Times have changed, and so have the gods. Modern arcanists use arcane arts built upon the foundations of a new divine society.

Those classical magicians who still exist today must also find new ways to survive.

There are basically three types of old gods left in modern times. The first type has joined the harmonious capitalist society and has essentially been rebranded as new gods. The second type of old gods has been forgotten by modern society, ignored, and is trying to survive on its own—this is considered relatively better.

In the worst-case scenario, the third type is those who are still opposing the new gods of capital and are being labeled as devils.

Some magicians followed their changed masters and became employees of the new gods. Some magicians eked out a living by clinging to the forgotten and weakened old gods. Some magicians became followers of the devil, establishing terrorist organizations in West Asia.

So, what about Hayden?

He never had a fixed god to rely on. He was a classical magician, a wizard, but at the same time, he was also an arcanist. He could use the power of both new and old gods, borrowing a little from here and a bit from there. He would even use the names of forgotten or dead gods to cast spells and absorb the remnants of their power.

Of course, this doesn't actually amount to much, so Hayden always seems relatively weak in magical power.

However, Hayden knew a lot about gods. He knew that the goddess Zorya was the star goddess in Slavic mythology, but unfortunately he hadn't really studied the ancient Slavic gods, and he wasn't sure what kind of gods they were now, or whether they were related to black magic.

If... well, if this had nothing to do with Hayden, he would definitely find it fascinating to watch an African shaman battle an Eastern European witch, and might even learn something from it. But Boss Soker was, after all, a friend. Hayden didn't really want to see his entire family cursed by dark magic, their hearts exploding and them all dying.

Hayden hates the Black Witch for the sake of the moon.

He at least dislikes most dark witches. He's recently come to think the old witch is actually quite nice. But that's probably because Abigail needs Hayden to help her develop potions… well, too much suspicion isn't good for mental health.

He checked his phone again; it was already past six. Angela must have already prepared dinner. Telling her now that he wasn't coming home for dinner was a bit...unreasonable. But Hayden felt that, just to be on the safe side, he'd better find out some things as soon as possible.

So Hayden first sent Angela a message telling her that he had something to do that day and had to eat out for dinner, and then made another call:

"Hey, Andrei, got some time to grab a bite?"

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Boss Sock is an orc, a purebred. Although he was born in the Federation of America, his parents were orc immigrants who had smuggled themselves over from Africa decades ago. Old Sock has pure African orc blood flowing in his veins.

He found a wife in the Federation of America, and following the tradition of African orcs, presented ten cows as a dowry. Of course, his wife was also an orc, born to immigrant parents in the Americas. Although the couple experienced many troubles after their marriage, their life was generally quite fulfilling. This was mainly due to the fact that Boss Sok possessed a talent for traditional shamanic magic, and although he was a pure-blooded orc, he had a knack for business.

That's right, the whole family of Boss Sok are orcs.

However, at this moment, the young man sitting in front of Hayden, the son of Boss Soker, looked exactly like a human being.

He didn't have grayish-green skin, long canine fangs that protruded from his mouth, or small, red eyes. His skin was somewhat pale, he had a broad back and a strong physique, thick eyebrows and large ears, but if you didn't know that his parents were actually pure-blooded orcs, you would never guess he was an orc.

But he really is. His genes did indeed come from the owner of the Sock and his wife.

So why does he look exactly like a human?

It's very simple, because he underwent genetic modification during his embryonic stage. Boss Soker spent money to treat him when he was still a fertilized egg, modifying his genes to look the way he does now, and even named him Andrei.

"Sock" is a thoroughly orcish cultural name, meaning "fangs".

What about "Andrei"?

Hayden was a practitioner of ancient magic, so he knew that the word meant "person" or "man" in Classical Greek.

So Hayden is now "Andre," who comes from an orc family but looks like a human male, is educated like a middle-class American man, and speaks like any other American man. He eats steak, potatoes, and green beans in a restaurant, surrounded by the rich aroma of meat.

"So, wizard, why did you suddenly decide to invite me to dinner?"

Andrei used his fork to pick up the steak, which still had a hint of blood on it, and put it in his mouth. He chewed it up in big bites and swallowed it. Then he picked up a large beer mug and gulped down half a mug of dark beer.

He is a genetic modifier.

Of course, not the Protoss-level adjusters. Those adjustments are far too expensive; even a middle-class family couldn't afford them even if they went bankrupt. However, the interesting thing about market economies is that in such situations, some companies start releasing cheaper, sub-products. And some middle-class people will go to great lengths to buy them for their descendants.

Within the company, they are referred to as "secondary adjusters".

However, the general public usually refers to these adjusters as "enhanced humans".

They are stronger than ordinary humans, but not as strong as true god-like genetic modifiers, hence the name "enhanced humans." They represent the pinnacle of the mortal class, and only the elite of the middle class can afford to purchase such services for their offspring.

Those who have received such enhancements are not yet qualified to be called "gods." However, although they are not yet qualified to be considered gods, their enhanced and modified genes have already enabled them to do things that mortals cannot even do with all their might. The eyes of an eagle, the speed of a leopard, the hearing of a bat, and the vibrational senses of a spider can all be found in these people. Each of them is extraordinary, and each possesses unusual power.

This is only the lowest level of enhanced human abilities.

People like Andrei are even more remarkable; he not only possesses such strengths.

“Wizard, you’re not the kind of person who’s always looking for people to eat and chat with when you’re bored.”

For example, Andrei is smiling now. He can tell that Hayden is the kind of person who only comes to him when he has a reason.

However, this also has its advantages, as it makes it easier for Hayden to inquire about him.

So Hayden swallowed two pieces of beef whole, took a sip of wine, and replied, "I went to your father's to buy medicinal herbs today and heard a little about your family, so I wanted to ask you out to find out the details."

He pointed to the large iron plate and steak on the table: "It's okay if you really don't want to say, anyway, I've already paid for this meal."

The two of them are currently at a restaurant in the city center that's perfect for drinking. Before Angela came into Hayden's life, he would come here whenever he felt stressed or had enough money for a nice meal.

The restaurant owner is also a classical magician, but only with a smattering of knowledge—the kind of skill passed down through a family. However, he's made the most of this limited family knowledge. The room contains thirteen tables arranged haphazardly, thirteen windows in the walls, thirteen mirrors, and thirteen wooden pillars carved with various images related to folklore. All of this decor is deliberately designed to disrupt the flow of magic, absorbing and interfering with external energy.

In other words, this restaurant offers a very interesting and powerful feature: it's difficult (though not impossible) for outsiders to eavesdrop on what's going on inside. This certainly isn't enough for the enemies of large corporations; the New Gods will always find a way to find out what they want to know, as long as they're willing to pay. But for ordinary, insignificant illegal activities, it's a perfect place.

On the contrary, Hayden's palate had been spoiled by Angela. Apart from things he couldn't cook at home, his interest in eating out had long since diminished.

That being said, Hayden and Andrei had no intention of doing anything illegal today.

What's been going on at my home lately?

Therefore, Andrei had no reservations whatsoever.

"You mean the marriage Dad arranged for me?"

Hayden nodded: "Didn't you just graduate a year ago and just started working at the Mitra Group? Why are you in such a hurry to get married?"

Andrei took a second beer and frowned. "To be honest, I'm not in a rush to get married. You should know that the company not only rebuilt the abandoned industrial area in the last six months, but also opened a new production line, right?"

Hayden certainly knew. Strictly speaking, he was the one who started it.

"I was promoted three months ago and transferred to the new production line as a team leader."

Andrei said that a strange, unusual expression appeared on his face.

"After that, my family immediately started working hard to arrange my wedding. Only three months have passed, and we've already agreed to get married in the first half of next year."

Wow.

These words made Hayden whistle. For someone who had only graduated from university a year ago, this was a job he couldn't have asked for. Besides the fact that Hayden and his team had suddenly revived the spiritual veins, forcing the Mitra Group to quickly get its new production lines up and running, it was also because the company valued Andrei's potential as an enhanced human, and his qualifications and conditions were all excellent.

Hayden disliked the Mitra Corporation and big corporations in general. But if his actions improved the lives of his neighbors, Hayden was relatively happy.

"But then again, since you've just been promoted, shouldn't you be even less eager to get married?"

He casually continued asking questions.

Andrei sighed: "Of course I'm not in a hurry, but my parents are. They keep urging me, saying that all their friends' kids are married, and I haven't even brought a girlfriend home yet."

This person studied Materials Alchemy in college. There were hardly any females in the entire building, let alone the entire department. Plus, college students these days have extremely heavy workloads; unless you're really rich, very few students can leisurely date in college.

Hayden found the story increasingly amusing as he listened to him: "So you weren't actually in a hurry to get married at all, it was all your family pressuring you. It's one thing for them to play matchmaker, but to force you into it? You could have just put it off, how did you end up being dragged into the graveyard of life?"

Andrei gave a wry, lifeless smile.

"This matter cannot be delayed."

He said dryly,

“I’m a enhanced human, so I’m not in a hurry and can live for one or two hundred years. But my parents are ordinary beastmen, with an average lifespan of about sixty years, and my dad is already fifty years old this year.”

But, as Hayden was about to say that, he suddenly realized something. "Boss Sok should be able to afford the potion of rejuvenation."

Sock and his crew could have afforded the Rejuvenation Potion, but they didn't. So where did that money go?

Isn't it obvious?

“They have spent too much on me.”

Andrei said calmly,

"Shouldn't I at least let them see their wishes fulfilled while they are still alive and have a physical body?"

061: Family & Private Property

So Hayden tried to get some information from Andrei, the son of the owner of the Sock, but the result wasn't good.

The two seemed to enjoy their meal together, but Hayden couldn't help but groan inwardly. The news Andrei had given him had made things even more complicated.

According to Andrei, it is reasonable to conclude that, regardless of the outcome, the old shaman's closure is probably inevitable.

They're getting on in years. If they really want to retire, close their shop, and enjoy a peaceful life, what's wrong with that?

Hayden and Karen can't cause trouble just because "if you close your shop, we won't have a herbal medicine shop to use," can they?

So now that things have come to this, even if they eventually discover that the owner of the shop's in-laws really have problems, "Sock's Natural Knowledge and Curious Things Shop" will most likely not stay open. They'll still be without a medicine shop.

There is nothing we can do about it.

Just consider it as doing a good deed not for yourself, but for your acquaintances, friends, and neighbors.

Having figured this out, Hayden calmed down. After finishing his meal and saying goodbye to Andrei, he lightly tapped his scepter, which transformed into the wind, and leisurely flew home.

As Hayden pushed open the door and stepped inside, he worried for a moment that Angela might be upset because he had suddenly announced he had something to do and left her dinner uneaten. However, it was clear there was no need to worry. Angela was sitting in the living room, browsing through Hayden's collection of old paper books. Upon seeing her master enter, she immediately smiled and said, "Welcome home."

Then she sniffed, a thoughtful expression on her face. "My olfactory sensors detected the scent of herbs, Miss Karen's scent, and the aroma of steak and baked potatoes. Did you go out for dinner with Miss Karen?"

For some reason, Angela had an expectant look on her face when she asked this question.

How strange! Hayden simply couldn't understand it: Did she really enjoy going out to dinner with Karen? Sometimes Hayden had no idea what this artificial intelligence was thinking.

"No. Although I did run into Karen at the herbal medicine shop, I had dinner with a man."

Just to be on the safe side, Hayden quickly explained what had happened that day to Angela. After listening, the smile on Angela's face vanished. She put down her old fairy tale book and frowned: "I never imagined marriage could be such a dangerous and difficult thing."

Hayden immediately retorted, "Isn't it a bit strange to put it that way? Marriage has never been a trivial matter, much less an easy one. Do you think marriage should be something simple?"

“Completely giving yourself to the other person, becoming one. What could be more complicated than marriage?” Angela looked puzzled. “Although it is indeed a bit more troublesome than kissing, it shouldn’t be that difficult, right?”

What did she mean by that? — Hayden was about to ask that when he saw the paper fairy tale book Angela had just been reading. It turned out to be the Sleeping Beauty picture book he had gotten his hands on by chance before; no wonder Angela had said something about kissing.

Even so, Hayden still felt that Angela's theory was untenable.

"Marriage cannot be completely separated from things like family relationships and economic wealth."

So Hayden shook his head.

“These are things you always have to consider when you get married. Even in fairy tales, the union of a prince and princess is a union of power and wealth, and may even bring about a more powerful kingdom.”

Angela tilted her head: "Master, is this how you think about your own marriage?"

Now it was Hayden's turn to be speechless.

Do you remember what he said more than half a year ago after the Adam incident? — "If I get married and have a family, even if someone piles half of Mitra Corporation's stock in front of me, I won't hurt my family for it."

That's just one example.

Secondly, if Hayden really would consider these things when he got married, why would he spend all his savings to make a wind-up bride?

One of the conditions for becoming a powerful wizard is an extraordinary memory. The key to many mysteries often lies in an ancient scroll you read ten years ago, or a strange ring worn by someone you've only met once. Now that Angela had reminded him, Hayden naturally wouldn't forget what he'd said before so easily.

He couldn't very well tell his wife, who was still very much hoping that marriage would allow him to earn money and generate economic benefits.

"Okay, you're right. All I need is for my wife to love me—that sounds a little sad."

So Hayden answered somewhat dejectedly.

"However, one thing is one thing. As you can see, I can never represent the views of the general public."

Angela nodded in understanding.

Nothing particularly noteworthy happened at Hayden's house that evening. After calming down, Hayden first organized what he had learned from Andre that day, wrote a short report, and sent it to Karen. Then he got back to work, tinkering with potion research in his workshop and testing the new herbs he had just bought that day.

Karen said she was going to look into the background of the woman in-laws of the boss, but it seemed there were still no results by nightfall. So before midnight, Angela urged Hayden to take a shower and go to bed, and the healthy day quickly came to an end.

The next morning at eight o'clock, Hayden had just opened his eyes (his biological clock had been trained by Angela over the past six months) when his phone rang.

It's not surprising that the caller was Karen.

"What's wrong?" Hayden immediately answered the call. "Any new information?"

[There's bad news.]

Karen on the screen was frowning.