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Mr. Elkeson admired the Wind Falcon perched on the windowsill, clucking his tongue in amazement.

Outside the castle, Douson, tethered by a chain, suddenly sneezed for some reason.

“Do you mean to say that eagles and falcons can’t be commanded?” Liszt furrowed his brow, his idea was to train the Wind Falcon to be as loyal and obedient as Douson.

“They can become close to the person who feeds them, but there’s no way to force them to recognize a master except by subjugation. Taming an eagle or falcon essentially involves applying constant external force to force it to change its natural habits as a bird of prey.”

“How do you change it, and how do you train it?”

“Endurance!”

“Endurance?”

“Yes, enduring is the most important step in subduing the proud nature of eagles and falcons. By preventing them from sleeping and keeping them hungry, you can completely shatter their spirit and change their habits. Only then will they hunt prey in the designed manner and not flee after being set free.”

Mr. Elkeson, with many years of falconry experience, expounded on this in front of Liszt.

He explained all details including the tools used for training, the steps involved, as well as different approaches for various eagles and falcons. Later, he planned to take forty days to summarize the training methods for the Wind Falcon, aiming to break its spirit completely and turn it into a puppet on strings for the falconer, thereby achieving total subjugation.

After hearing this, Liszt felt an inexplicable discomfort.

Especially concerning the methods used for taming.

Enduring—to prevent the eagle or falcon from sleeping and thus break its spirit; Starving—by wrapping twine around meat, causing the eagle or falcon to eat and then clean its stomach, followed by the removal of the twine to maintain a state of hunger; Restrain—placing a hood over the bird’s eyes so it wouldn’t dare escape even when untethered; Hobble—tying strings to its legs so it couldn’t extend its legs to hunt.

The entire training process was nothing but an endless torture for the bird of prey.

He couldn’t help but ask, “Mr. Elkeson, is an eagle or falcon trained this way still an eagle or falcon?”

The ever-talkative Mr. Elkeson paused abruptly, then laughed and said, “Baron Liszt, an eagle or falcon is just a wild beast. When humans tame wild beasts, they either eat them, ride them, or use them for farming, treating them all as tools. Falconry is merely a more complex way of using a tool.”

“Isn’t there a relatively more humane method?”

Liszt did not consider himself to be of the tender-hearted sort, as he had treated the Earth Matron quite cruelly. But Juan Fu was different from the Earth Matron, Juan Fu had been cared for bit by bit by him and was not just any magical beast.

Besides, it was also a reward from the Smoke Mission, with a not-so-common cachet.

“I’m sorry, my lord,” said Mr. Elkeson calmly, “I understand your thoughts. Indeed, the means of falconry can be cruel, but compared to the rewards, what is a little cruelty? The Wind Falcon is merely a magical beast. If you do not tame it, it will eventually rebel and escape, only causing you trouble.”

Thinking about it, after a moment,

Liszt tucked away that shred of kindness in his heart and replied, “Fine, from tomorrow on, Juan Fu will be in your hands for training.”

“I will need your cooperation as well, ideally five hours a day, to train with me. Only by doing so can it truly submit to you.”

Juan Fu was still chirping away on the windowsill.

Completely unaware that its fate was about to plummet.

Liszt took a deep breath, suddenly changing his mind, “Mr. Elkeson, how about we wait another two days? Help me make the crystal lamps first. Mr. Grandini alone will have a hard time finishing the crystal lamps quickly.”

He half wanted Juan Fu to enjoy two more days, and half wanted to accelerate the progress on the Thorn Bug chain mission.

“If you truly need it, I’d be happy to serve you.”

In the evening.

Mr. Elkeson met with Mr. Grandini.

He greeted him warmly, “Grandini, I’m delighted to see you again. It’s been half a year since our last meeting. I’ve wanted to visit Moss Town several times, but kept being delayed by other matters.”

Mr. Grandini, however, was cold-faced, “If Baron Liszt didn’t need a falconer, I wouldn’t have bothered writing to you.”

“It seems you have quite a prejudice against me, which is truly regrettable. Baron Liszt hopes that we can work together to finish making all the Crystal Lamps as soon as possible.”

“Work together with you? You must be joking!”

Baron Liszt, who had been letting the two magicians introduce themselves, saw that things were about to become unpleasant, so he said, “Mr. Grandini, rest assured that you will not be shorted on your compensation. I simply hope to accelerate the production of the Crystal Lamps, for the Black Pearl Magic Equipment needs to be made as soon as possible.”

“I don’t think working with him will speed up the progress. Not every magician knows how to make Magic Equipment.”

Mr. Elkeson maintained his smile, “Lord Grandini, I acknowledge your craftsmanship is excellent, but please do not belittle me. Even if my skill is not as good, we’re only making Crystal Lamps after all, and it’s very common for two people to collaborate on such a project. Besides, Baron Liszt has said that he will pay my salary separately, so it won’t take away from your business.”

Seeing that Mr. Grandini was about to speak again.

Baron Liszt said impatiently, “Enough, this matter is settled. Now, let’s begin the banquet to welcome Mr. Elkeson, with hopes that he’ll enjoy his upcoming days in Fresh Flower Town.”

Mr. Elkeson, still smiling, bowed in thanks, “Thank you for your hospitality. I’ve taken a stroll around Fresh Flower Town and have already fallen in love with its beautiful landscape and people, as well as its thriving atmosphere.”

Look at that.

The way he spoke made even Baron Liszt blush.

He had assumed all magicians were like Mr. Grandini, but now he knew that there were indeed magicians with the elegance of nobles.

When the banquet began, town officials joined in.

The atmosphere became even livelier, with Mr. Elkeson’s wit, humor, and erudition quickly winning everyone’s favor. Mr. Grandini, however, kept a cold face throughout the entire event, focusing solely on his own eating and drinking, and not fitting in with the festivities.

In the following two days.

With Mr. Elkeson’s involvement, the making of the Crystal Lamps indeed sped up, and by the morning of the third day, they successfully finished making ten Crystal Lamps.

All of the Crystal Lamps had been installed in the castle.

“Mr. Grandini, next, let’s quickly forge the Black Pearl Magic Equipment,” said Baron Liszt, who was in fact already regretting choosing to have him make the Magic Equipment. Still, maintaining a basic level of integrity was necessary, so he did not show any significant emotional change towards Mr. Grandini.

Mr. Grandini, with his usual indifferent expression and a hint of pride in his eyes, said, “What do you plan to name it? It’s certainly going to be an exquisite piece of Magic Equipment. It deserves a name that reflects its character, so as not to waste my Magic Equipment crafting skill!”

“Calming Sea Pearl, I’ve already thought of it.”

“Calming Sea Pearl?” Mr. Grandini, after pondering for a moment, replied without courtesy, “It’s a mediocre name. How about ‘Eye of the Storm’ instead? It has a stronger presence and fits its role better than Calming Sea Pearl.”

Eye of the Storm?

Calming Sea Pearl?

Deep down, Baron Liszt had to admit that the name Mr. Grandini came up with was indeed more impressive than his own, but he was displeased with Mr. Grandini’s attitude, “It will be called Calming Sea Pearl, no, Calming Sea Divine Pearl!”