Picked up by the Protagonist of a Tormented! MC Novel

Translator: Kleep

TLC: Sen

The feasibility of his plan had been well established in his brain, but matters hadn't even begun to take shape. Zeno did not intend to inform Xi Wei so early, instead wanting to give him a nice, big surprise.

After confidently greeting Xi Wei, he cryptically dragged a baffled Suji away.

He asked about the direction to the alchemy shop. Then, while walking, told Suji, “In a bit, tell me which alchemical medicines can treat illnesses.”

Suji asked suspiciously, “Is the little master sick?”

Zeno lowered his voice, “I am not the one sick. Let’s go take a look first. You do as I say, and then when we go back I'll explain everything to you.”

Suji didn’t think too much, and concentrated on following Zeno, imparting her knowledge of various pharmacies.

As a powerful magician, not even mentioning anything else, his memory alone could not be compared to by the vast majority of people. Without needing to take any notes, he could more or less remember everything Suji said.

They spent the day in the alchemy shop. The owner had no objection at all, and from time to time came over to talk with Suji solicitously, but in a short time that kind of diligence became reverence.

Suji’s knowledge of alchemy was truly frightening.

As the largest alchemy shop in the capital of the Violet Empire, the owner had never met any alchemist with such insight. No matter how remote the medication was, Suji could explain it in great detail, and she could even deduce a list of other things from it that he had never heard of before.

That type of reverence reached its apex when he learned that Suji was a teacher of the School of Alchemy in Providence College. After all, the founder of Providence College was Princess Asil from the Violet Empire, and her statue was still displayed in the imperial palace.

They continued to have a harmonious discussion and were learning well. All the while they were unaware that a good show was being carried out on the Mercenary Guild's stage.

Xi Wei threw down the gauntlet before Belle¹.

The name Xi Wei was not unfamiliar around the Mercenary Guild. He was the person who issued the S-rank mission more than three years ago, and one of the great heroes who destroyed the plague demon not long ago. Now, only a few days before the formal competition, he was challenging a girl to a one-on-one battle.

Xi Wei’s expression did not change. If it was not for his deal with Belle, and the fact that fighting was forbidden in Roland City, he would not fight Belle before hundreds of staring eyes.

Belle had been missing for so many years, yet Principal Colin had never given up looking for her. Thus, a magical photo of her, along with a reward for her rescue, was posted on the mercenary guild's task board. She stood on the tall platform in such a high-profile manner, and soon enough someone recognized her. Once that happened, those in the crowd began whispering amongst themselves.

“Isn't that Miss Belle, who was taken away by the plague demon, the former Light Saint candidate? It seems that she was saved.”

“That's definitely her. But is there some enmity between her and Xi Wei, to issue a challenge? That is a life and death matter, he certainly bears no tender feelings for the fairer sex.”

“Oh my, ​​Miss Belle is indeed noble and glamorous. She looks much more beautiful than what her magic photo showed. Goddess, marry me!”

“Yeah right! Even if she was a candidate for the Saint. She was held captive by that demon, just how pure could she still be? The current Saint is Miss Xiao Wu.”

The two protagonists on the stage were not moved by the idle gossip below.

Belle's mouth twisted into a sneer, "What, did you forget our deal?"

Xi Wei lifted the Chen Yuan sword until it pointed at her slender neck. He was already able to use Chen Yuan Sword skillfully. “It's nothing more than a fair competition, do you dare?”

“I don’t believe you should dare to provoke me. I am afraid that when it comes to an end, you will be begging me for mercy and destroy your image as the hero.”

When she thought of how it was this person, with this sword, who killed Res², Belle felt angered. If he hadn't brought a sword of the gods, as well as a demon with the blood of the royal family, how could events have unfolded as they did. Without those things, it never would have turned out this way.

In order to find the Stone of Destiny, she had been restraining herself. However,since Xi Wei was delivering himself to her door, she certainly would not be polite. She absolutely had to teach him a ruthless lesson.

The atmosphere was on the verge of igniting.

The air pressure was building up, and a heavy feeling of killing intent lingered in every inch of space on the stage.

Under the imperceptible transforming influence of the ring after all these years, Xi Wei’s physique was already very strong, and the attributes of any element could be tolerated. Therefore, the magical properties of Belle’s light attribute magic were much less effective.

Zeno's thoughts had been right. At this point of time in the novel, Xi Wei was no match for Belle. Now, Belle even got the power of a demon early.

However, Xi Wei was not the original Xi Wei either. He obtained his ring five years in advance, and also entered Providence College in advance. As an added bonus, he had also received the Chen Yuan sword. Xi Wei’s change and growth were incomparable.

Due to the concealing ability of the ring, no one was aware of his hidden power. Although sometimes they felt that his performance was beyond his actual realm, it was just a bit strange. No one pondered on it too deeply, after all, the ring was held by masters in past dynasties. No one would guess of its existence, much less that he possessed it.

Evan squeezed his way through the crowd almost until his head was going to be squeezed flat, before finally reaching the front. The radiating killing intent was so intense that his hair stood on end. He rubbed his arm and looked at Belle lying on the stage without surprise. The Chen Yuan sword was pressed down against her seemingly fragile neck, and there was already thin line of blood on her skin. Blood flowed down onto the stage from the cut.

Xi Wei was as cold and detached as ever, “You know why I am challenging you.”

Everyone listening from the audience below perked up their ears.

Evan was excited and quickly took out a magic crystal ball to record the scene before him.

Belle lost bitterly. Her expression as she lay there silently was exceptionally unsightly.

Xi Wei continued by himself, “First, this cut on your neck is for yesterday, when you injured Zeno. Second…” As he spoke, he removed the sword and stomped on Belle’s elbow. The sound of bone shattering echoed as he continued, “This is for choking him. Third…” He stabbed the Chen Yuan sword into her shin bone, “This is for more than three years ago, when you kidnapped my daughter. I return it all to you.”

It was rare for Xi Wei to say so much, and in addition, the words he spoke were so callous and cold. There was not even a trace of emotion, and even Belle looked terrified.

For the first time, she felt that she had pushed a person who should not be provoked.

Evan sighed in his heart, he just knew that this would happen. He'd thought that Xi Wei had been too magnanimous, he'd clearly been biding his time to unleash his vengeance all at once. Furthermore, in a fair and aboveboard manner, he had challenged her to a life or death match. Even if the other party was a woman, the rules were rules. Even if he used his sword to kill Belle, no one could say anything.

Belle had been too arrogant, and had not expected that this waste peasant from a few years ago would be able to humiliatingly have her dying at his feet.

Belle’s pain caused a cold sweat that covered her from head to toe, saturating all of her clothes. This outlined her seductive figure, and the sound of saliva being swallowed down came from the surrounding audience.

Xi Wei looked down at her below him, their positions completely reversed compared to before. He whispered the last sentence, “I won’t kill you because you still have some use, but don’t challenge my bottom line.”

Zeno was his bottom line.

Xi Wei walked away, and a peal of thunder rumbled. Huge raindrops fell down, and Belle was left cutting an exceedingly sorry figure. She had a broken arm and leg, her hair was stuck to her cheeks, and she actually had a type of abused beauty.

The large group below the stage began to move, and Belle’s expression calmed down. It was her carelessness. After recovering her memory, she suffered too much shock, which nearly drove her mad. That was what led to her current embarrassment. She lowered her eyes and moved her pale lips. The name she spoke slowly was Xi Wei.

It seemed as if she chewed those two words up just as they passed the tip of her tongue and swallowed them down.

Evan stopped the crystal ball recording and sent a message to Xiao Wu.

He was a bit sorry, but he had always hated Belle. Especially the current Belle, who was without any faith. It was just that, when he thought of how strong Xi Wei was now, he felt like the blood in his whole body was boiling up, and he just wanted to tip his head back and scream. He went and ran ten laps around Roland City in the heavy rain before slowly calming down.

Xi Wei walked down the street in the downpour, ignoring the mercenaries who approached him to strike up a conversation. His only thoughts were that it was raining, and the sky was dark.

Unconsciously he headed to the alchemy shop. Zeno was crouched down in front of a shelf looking at something, his eyes sparkling. Xi Wei’s gaze softened.

At that time, Zeno seemed to make up his mind, carefully picked up some things from the shelf, and brought them to the counter. The shop owner looked at what he wanted to buy and the corners of his mouth twitched, but he still carefully wrapped them up.

Zeno shouted, “Suji, it's raining outside, are you going with me or are you going back to the guild by yourself?”

Suji was flustered as she poked her head out, unexpectedly seeing Xi Wei outside as she said without even thinking about it, “You can go back first.”

Then she quickly shrunk back.

Zeno went out on his own.

The moment he stepped out of the door, he was pulled to the side by his arm. When he looked up in surprise, it was Xi Wei. Zeno felt his heart ripple and asked elatedly, “You came to pick me up?”

Xi Wei stroked his soft hair and nodded.

Zeno was even more pleased. He could definitely have used his magic to form a barrier from the rain. But he didn't. He lowered his head and breathed heavily as he headed back to the palace with Xi Wei.

As he sat in the room, rubbing his hair with a towel, Zeno couldn’t help but tease Xi Wei. He kicked him with his toes, “Guess what I bought!”

Xi Wei grabbed his ankle and prevented him from flailing around. He was very cooperative. “What have you bought?”

Zeno opened the small bag that was well protected in his arms. In it was a crystal clear medicinal material, shaped like a woman, the one called 'xue nu'.

At one time, they had almost sold themselves into slavery for some of that medicine. It really made him feel that things may have remained the same, but people have changed.

However, Xi Wei is Xi Wei after all. He didn't think Zeno bought this solely for the sake of nostalgia.

Sure enough, Zeno said with great enthusiasm, “Although we can afford alchemy materials, many people can’t afford them. Xue Nu is a basic material for many alchemy agents, in addition to treating people with fever. That's why it's so expensive. However, there is not only fevers in the world, and the medications needed for other conditions are more complicated.”

Indeed, if civilians were ill, it was expensive to buy alchemic medications or to find a light or water powered healer. Xi Wei quickly found the key point in his words, “Do you want to lower the price of medicine?”

Zeno nodded hard. The world’s magical civilization was very well developed. In contrast, the underlying natural sciences were suppressed into the dust. If new scientific advances could be made, in addition to benefiting 80% of the mainland’s population, the prestige and benefits would also be extremely significant.

Not to mention anything else, a single piece of human medicine is a great blessing. Although magic was good, it was not something that everyone could enjoy.

However, the journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. At present, he shouldn't think so far out. It was still necessary to study whether it was feasible. Before, while he was in the alchemy store, he discussed it with Suji. They had many ideas that could be implemented.

Xi Wei looked at the brilliance on his face and suddenly realized that he could no longer look at him as a child. This was an independent person who had the ability to take on responsibilities. Xi Wei suddenly felt like a soft cotton plug in his heart. He felt uneasy yet had no way of doing anything about it, but he did not know why.

The author has something to say:

Originally, I was worried about whether writing smut of Zeno at this age would be considered pedophilia. His physical thoughts were of an adult, rather it's his actual age in the world that's problematic. Then, I found out that the we aren't allowed to describe any erotic acts from the neck down, it looks like they completely don't need to tangle anymore–.

Resuming this story is just so that I can finish writing the final last bit , although this scum of an author was on hiatus for so long the trust has probably fallen to the negatives. I've forgotten a lot of my previous trains of thought, so there's kind of a feeling of 'where to even start.' But I'm still sticking by what I said before, I will finish what I'd promised to finish. Please believe me that this entire time, that's always been on my mind. Also, having these lovely readers share in this story together with me, and moreover have been waiting for me all this time, is something very blissful.In addition, the next part is going to be an adrenaline rush, please prepare your hearts.

Oh my, well it’s been exceedingly long since my last update. Real life is kicking my butt so hard. But in a good way. If you’ve been reading these notes you’ll know that I, of course, had a baby, and that we sold our house and bought a farm. We are still renovating it, so living in a temporary two bedroom house with our now five person family. The oldest two are in Grade One and Pre-kindergarten.

Soooo…you’ll have to forgive me for not having time or energy to be on here as much. Let’s just say that I spend a lot of time painting and feeding the baby. As a bribe (distraction? Treat?) I’ll show you a picture of my new backyard.

1. In case you're unfamiliar with this term, to throw down the gauntlet is an idiom that means you're challenging someone to a fight. There's probably some historical significance, but who cares. Important point is, he didn't throw a glove on the ground. ↩
2. Affectionate name for the plague demon ↩