Dezen had to wait almost 2 weeks for someone to fulfil his assignment. Besides developing, he got an idea how to fight with skinwalker. It wasn't about detecting him. Dezen had some ideas how to do this, but he knew they were too disgusting, so he didn't share them with no one.
Dezen focused on the fact that skinwalker is terrifying people with ability to wear human flesh, and act like one. He knew that it makes people feel unsafe and paranoid, scared. Thus, he thought about doing similar thing to him, keeping it away with fear, by using his own undead skinwalker to waer body of the skinwalker, or, even better, take over skinwalker's body, making it his puppet which keeps consciousness.
The first idea was easy to fulfil, only requiring him to do few modifications. However, with the second one, Dezen didn't even know which path to follow to achieve this. Thus, he had to put it aside for the future.
During this almost 2 weeks, Church of Alen created a few ways to detect the skinwalker, and found out that there are other species of it, partly immune to them. Along with this discovery, they decided to call that race "mandies", from words "many bodies".
***
As first noraza, Dezen chose one of his undead birds. He cast the spell and watched the poisons spread through its body, observing whether everything is going as it should. It did, so he repeated the process with other undead, but not all of them. After all, some of them work on his farm, and if they got hurt, plague magic would do some damage, before he would stop it.
Overall, the next week was uneventful for Dezen. Besides making norazas, he was slowly saving for the mind magic, and cultivating. In the forest, creatures learnt to not attack his servants, so his new type of undead couldn't be used.
The next week started, and something he didn't expect so soon happened - Alex also became a mage.
Statistically, people who have close relations with mages, are more likely to also become mages. Thus, Dezen wasn't too surprised, he just expected it to happen in few years, since normally, it happens in a few weeks, or few up to 10 years.
They both sat at the table in their living room, where Dezen gave Alex all the media of knowledge about the magic, he bought. He also shared his experiences, and own knowledge. This process wasn't short, and took a few hours.
- Now, on which magic you want to focus the most? You can chose few of them, like I focus bith on necromancy and body magic, and when I get mind magic I will add it to these 2.
- Nature and body magic. I will focus on developing our farm, so we will have more money. Though I'm not sure if there will be some real use of it.
- Famine may happen due to all the Replacements and creatures coming with them, then we could fight with it. But it is only some possibility, it doesn't have to happen. Is there any other reason you chose these 2 magics?
- Not for the body magic. But nature... It is more than just controlling plants, and making them grow faster. Much more... And I want to see wehre are its limits.
Dezen thought about special magics, but didn't mention them, bound by the contract with the Church.
- Like? You have any ideas?
- For instance, disasters are part of the nature, so what if I could make them or stop them? Also, nature, what if I could change nature of creatures?
Dezen thought about it, and started wondering how he himslef could develop this magic.
- It would be outstanding. If it succeeds. If not, you can try to create a magic that will do it.
- Not like it is easy to do, but maybe.
They didn't talk about revenge on the nobles, because it was obvious Alex will help him, and they both lacked too much knowledge to plan it. Thus, they just ended talking and focused on their development.
***
Since they both were using magic to speed up growth of their crops and animals, Dezen and Alex could sell them more often than normal people. Because of it, they had to find out if someone will buy it.
Dezen tasked one of his undead to get to the Aren and find potential buyers. When it came to talking with them, he was possessing him.
When he was leaving building of one of the merchant companies he talked with, powerful mage came in. Seemingly not intresed in the undead.
Dezen glanced at him, and left, wondering if the mage was following him. It was possible, because the mage could sense the mana inside undead, and think he is some creature from the Replacements. Therefore, Dezen's consciousness stayed in the undead, waiting to see if the mage will approach him.
Few minutes passed, and sitting on the horse, Dezen heard.
- I am impressed there are still people willing to go and look for opportunities to do business, even in such a harsh conditions, it came for us to live under. Especially if people doing it are not mages, and are alone.
Dezen looked at the man, blonde, so high their heads were at the same level. Since he was standing, Dezen get off his horse, as a sign of respect.
- If there is some way to earn, I am ready to use it.
- That's what I like to hear! Now, let me introduce myself, I have a feeling we will be working closely together, and we will be glad from doing so. I am baron Juicew Goldberg, noble tasked with caring about this city, in the name of Lord Aren.
Dezen bowed quickly, as the etiquette requires.
- My name is William Carter. I work under a mage Dezen Astord. I assume you have not heard about him, baron. He is a new mage, working closely with the Church of Alen. Although he is not official member of the Church, he is valued highly, due to his ability to make new and useful spells, both by himself and on commission. - Since Dezen wasn't a member of Church of Alen, hiding him from the world wouldn't be possible, thus they made him a false "identity", to explain why he is so precious for them.
- I would be glad to use his services, if it is possible. But the manners are not so important, I do not tell you to forget about the culture, but calling me "baron" is enough. It will make our cooperation more convenient. Now, tell me, what are the things your employer wants to sell?
Dezen listed all the food he wants to sell, and their amount. Then, baron offered his price, and Dezen wrote it down in a notebook.
- I am intrigued by the reason why your employer didn't join the Church of Alen. Do you know it?
- No. And I have never asked him about it.
- Well, perhaps it is a difference in ideologies. Although the Church is truly righteous, some people do not like the limits it puts on their members. I personally prefer individuals to be philosophically free, combined with freedom of their actions, unless it means forcing their own view on the world on the others. I will no longer be taking your time. If Dezen decides to trade with me, go to the city hall - The baron gave him something looking like a four-pointed star made from gold, with emerald in the middle. - and show this. Farewell.
- Farewell baron.
Juicew took 2 steps and teleported himself. Dezen seeing it, could finally sigh from relief. He ordered the undead to go back, and started thinking about what happened. He was more than sure that baron knew he is listening to their conversation, and these words were addressed to him. Dezen assumed baron wanted to convince him to work for him, thinking Dezen is limited by Church, and seeks freedom. Obviously, Dezen wouldn't even want to trade with any noble, not to even mention working for them.
- But why did he do this? Trying to steal someone from the Church of Alen, is becoming enemies with them. Although they won't destroy baron actively, other people would cut all of their ties with him, not wanting to insult the Church... - Dezen started tapping his foot, thinking. - I should ask Alex. Maybe he has some idea.
Dezen went to the room where Alex was cultivating, and told him what he experienced. He stayed silent for a while, before speaking.
- I have no idea. Really, unless he just wants to make some good impression on you, so you will be open to make him spells on commission.