A great fish was hooked and hauled in.

Saul waved his hand, sending Little Algae to carry it down to the basement laboratory. He himself hefted a mushroom stool and strolled toward the lakeshore.

“It’s been a while, Jiajia Gu.” First he greeted an old acquaintance, then turned to a newcomer—a Second-Rank wizard—and bowed. “Greetings.”

“Greetings.” The Second-Rank wizard bowed in return. “Wizard Saul.”

Saul discreetly appraised the stranger. His robes were more elaborate and solemn, unlike the local styles of the Stat Continent.

Jiajia Gu hurried to introduce him. “Wizard Saul, this is Second-Rank Wizard Justin. He’s come to see you—uh…uh…”

Jiajia Gu faltered.

Justin stepped in, stating his purpose plainly. “I wish you to heal both my wounds and my pollution.”

“I’ve done some research into purging pollution,” Saul said, “but you are a Second-Rank wizard. My methods might not meet your needs.”

“And I’m not very adept at healing injuries. Since you’re Second Rank, surely you excel at curative magic more than I.”

Saul hadn’t had a patient in six months and wanted to retain this one—but he had to temper expectations so the client wouldn’t turn hostile.

“Jiajia Gu’s already briefed me on your abilities,” Justin continued, “though my case is…unusual.”

He paused and glanced at Jiajia Gu.

Jiajia Gu blinked. “My lords, I’ll fetch Steward Hope to transfer your supplies.”

Politely excusing himself, Jiajia Gu left the two alone.

Justin then slowly removed his metal mask.

Saul’s eyes widened. The man’s face was deeply hollowed inward!

His nose bridge was recessed deeper than his eye sockets—as if someone had chiseled away his nose and then smashed it again with a hammer.

At the deepest point of the hollowed nose were yellow-green stains.

“I come from Nephret Continent,” Justin said evenly, “and five years ago I entered the Borderland—technically, I fled into it.”

He spoke with such calm detachment it felt as though he were recounting someone else’s story.

“I’m a wanted fugitive under a Purge Edict from the Judging Tribunal.”

Saul had heard of the Judging Tribunal, but a “Purge Edict”…

He thought of Jassim, the wizard who’d killed two fellow wizards with a black blade before taking his own life—also from the Tribunal.

Noticing Saul’s change in expression, Justin understood he’d heard the Tribunal’s name before.

“Don’t worry that treating me will anger the Tribunal. They won’t set foot in the Borderland—that’s why I risked coming here.”

That statement carried weighty implications.

The Judging Tribunal never entered the Borderland.

Why not? There are no barriers or checkpoints here—apprentices and commoners alike can come and go, so long as they avoid lethal dangers.

Clearly the Borderland’s name wasn’t just due to its pollution and deadly rules—there must be other reasons.

Justin paused, giving Saul time to ponder, then continued.

“While fleeing, a Tribunal arbiter wounded me. My metal-bodied defenses were nearly destroyed. After I entered the Borderland, the local pollution ate at my wounds.

“For years I’ve tried every cure to heal myself and suppress the pollution, but my body is nearing its limit. Without further help, I fear I won’t survive another year.”

Whether from habit or resignation, Justin remained utterly composed even as he spoke of his impending death.

Saul couldn’t help but admire his poise.

Few could remain so calm while feeling death creeping closer.

“Wizard Saul, your reputation has spread throughout this region,” Justin said, “but frankly, few dare to seek you out for healing.”

Saul stroked his chin and admitted with a laugh, “True.”

“Purging pollution means exposing your own weaknesses to others. Most wouldn’t risk coming to you.”

“That’s right.” Saul nodded in agreement.

However, working as a doctor was just a cover for him. If too many people came looking for him, it would become a nuisance.

“But I’m different. I’ve basically tried every method I could. What’s left is either too dangerous or simply impossible. That’s why I came to you. This is probably my last attempt.”

Saul did not give any promises. “Can you let me see your wounds and pollution first?”

“Sure, but I’ll need some protection,” Justin said calmly.

Saul agreed.

Without a word, Justin silently muttered an incantation. A shimmering golden liquid appeared beneath his feet.

The liquid spread outward in all directions under their feet, forming an equilateral triangle. From each side, it grew diagonally upward, eventually creating a closed regular tetrahedron.

Saul observed Justin’s magical energy fluctuations throughout the spellcasting.

He noticed that Justin’s casting technique was heavy and steady, but within his energy waves lurked a subtle tremor and unease, like an anthill inside a dam, a worrying sign.

Then Saul stepped forward, ready to examine Justin’s injuries, but the latter suddenly turned around and sat down on the ground.

Slowly, he peeled back the scalp at the back of his head.

A harsh, tearing sound like ripping tape echoed.

Saul forced himself to stay calm and appear professional.

Justin’s scalp was an artificial skin treated with magic. From the back of his head down to his neck, it was all metal.

Not the metallic sheen of Keli’s skin, but truly hard, cold metal.

Yet this metal, which should have been smooth and glossy, was covered in a thick layer of yellow-green grime.

Irregular in shape, rough on the surface.

Saul took out a glass rod and lightly swept it across, watching some fine fragments fall.

He hurriedly caught them with a petri dish.

“If you don’t mind, may I run some simple tests on these samples first?”

“Of course.” Justin raised his hand, his fingernails sharp as metallic blades, and cut off a sliver of the metal surface covered with grime for Saul.

Saul noticed that beneath Justin’s metal scalp was still metal, leaving uncertain whether any traditional flesh and blood remained.

This newly exposed metal layer was smooth and bright, but after being exposed to air for a few seconds, it began to darken and quickly turned the familiar yellow-green color.

The surface also started to roughen.

Saul compared the substance in the petri dish with the material newly growing on Justin’s head, visually they were the same.

“Looks like metal rusting,” Saul said.

Justin replaced his scalp and stood up, still with his back to Saul.

“Yes, my major is metal-element wizardry. Your description of rusting is actually very apt. Right now, I’m rapidly, continuously, repeatedly rusting. This phenomenon started at my nose and has now spread across my entire skull.”

When his back faced Saul, a flicker of vulnerability showed in Justin’s eyes.

But when he turned around, that vulnerability was completely hidden.

Saul no longer stared at Justin.

He lowered his head and began studying the properties of the substance in the petri dish.

He could already tell that this wizard, who appeared calm and composed on the surface, was deeply proud.

Though brave enough to expose the most vulnerable part of his body, he refused to show any psychological weakness.

Since that was the case, Saul naturally chose to politely avoid the topic.

(End of Chapter)

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