Picked up by the Protagonist of a Tormented! MC Novel

Volume 1 Chapter 17

Zeno begins growing nervous. Some familiar elements from a plot line in “Curse” are beginning to emerge. After his powers developed in the novel, there was a story about Xi Wei as a mercenary. He was on a mission to investigate a village where, for no reason, many citizens were going insane without any determinable cause. Xi Wei's mercenary squad was almost annihilated, but the protagonist escaped due to the protection of the ring he wore. Not only was he able to escape, but he also found an extremely talented young girl.

As for what happened between the young lady and the protagonist after that event, that is something to be discussed later. The main point is that the self-proclaimed dark magician, Gray, is not deceiving Xi Wei—what he is saying is true.

Even though he has gained his own gold finger in the form of incredibly powerful mental power1, Zeno does not feel happy if the price of having this gold finger is being separated from the protagonist. Rather, he feels an inexplicable sense of loss.

Yes, the protagonist has his ring, and so he does not have to worry about being affected by Zeno’s mental power, but only Zeno knows this—and he cannot just tell anyone. Since he cannot tell, Xi Wei has no way of knowing he is protected.

For Xi Wei, this is a life-or-death decision, not just a casual choice to make.

But if they are separated for a few years, will the protagonist give Zeno the same trust and kindness when they reunite as when he was a child?

As he grows older, Xi Wei will eventually become more and more indifferent. He will continue to build walls around his heart, and ultimately, he will destroy himself and everything along with him.

Gray does not urge him, but instead continues to fiddle with his pile of strange gadgets, looking very confident.

Xi Wei bows his head and silently ponders, his eyes falling onto the cracked and worn straw sandals that barely manage to cling to his feet at this point. He does not know what is causing him to hesitate. Although Gray looks weird, there is no question that he is indeed very formidable. That type of indescribable gulf is an entire world apart from a small beggar such as Xi Wei.

If Zeno goes with Gray, not only can he live as a noble, he will not have to work himself to death, or worry about which cold and icy lane he will starve to death in next winter, or whether the tattered little wooden boat will make it through another seasons.

There is no need to ask why Grey would not bring Xi Wei with him. Xi Wei, who grew up in Ye Sa City, knows very well that while a Noble may be willing to take in a gifted child, no such allowances would be made for an ordinary beggar.

Xi Wei slowly exhales and lifts his face, his eyes clear and once again indifferent.

Xi Lun, who has been watching him to see if he thinks it over well, asks Xi Wei, “Boy, did you think about it? How many crystal coins would you like? I will tell you right now that a top talent wizard is worth more than you can imagine, so think of the highest value possible. To tell you the truth, Gray does not wish to separate the two of you, but it can't be helped since the place they're going after is not suitable for you."

Xi Wei closes his eyes and thinks of the snowy night that he picked up Zeno. His mother’s words still rang clearly in his ears. If the enemy had not been too powerful, and the woman had not been so desperate, what loving mother would hand her child to a small beggar who can guarantee neither safety nor stability?

If Zeno is allowed to return back to the aristocratic world, then while he may be able to become a so-called magician, his mother's enemies may also find him. He could avoid death if he was lucky, but Xi Wei never believes in luck.