Strongest Mage with the Lust system

Max seemed as weak as a chicken in front of Durden and was beaten black and blue, without any chance to counter attack.

This frustrated him to no end, and also made him realize something–Durden wasn't a five-star mage like everyone thought. Although he couldn't be sure since he never fought someone above four-star, he had a feeling he was six-star or maybe stronger at his peak.

Why? Because he didn't believe any five-star mage, even someone like the elf commander, Ryan, could toy with him so effortlessly when he was injured like Durden. Furthermore, he controlled his strength exceptionally well. Although each attack was more than enough to cause him pain, none gave him a serious injury. Max was awed. But at the same time, he was incredibly annoyed because if he didn't give him time to fight back, this spar would be useless–if it could be called a spar. "This…" Suddenly, his eyes widened in surprise. His Barbarian God Physique had started circulating on its own, and the dozens of minor injuries that Durden left on his body in these short few minutes slowly healed, and his body started strengthening little by little.

"Oh?!" Durden also exclaimed in surprise at the same time. Then, the corner of his lips curled up, "A body refining technique? Not bad. It seems you are born to be beaten up."

The corner of Max's lips twitched when he heard this while astonishment filled his heart. This guy… how did sense it?

Unlike magic spells, the Barbarian God Physique technique didn't cause any abnormalities whatsoever in or around the user. That was why it was incredibly difficult, almost impossible for anyone other than the user to know that it was activated. Of course, Monarchs and Supreme realm experts were exceptions. But Durden sensed it almost at the same time as Max. What did that mean?

"You still have time to be surprised." Durden chuckled before slapping him away, and the second round, more intense than first started. Bang!...

Slap!...

Thud!...

Boom!...

…

Adam and Jasmine watched the miserable scene in front of them with looks of respect on their faces.

"Big brother is still so strong!"

"But that Max guy, he is too pitiful." Adam said, sighing.

Jasmine shook her head, "No, he isn't because he should be benefiting from being beaten up like this."

"That's true. Every time big brother sparred, his opponents always benefited greatly." Adam nodded and then wistfully said, "I wonder when I will be able to spar with him."

"Keep working hard. That day will come soon." Jasmine said, her eyes shining with expectations.

…

When Durden stopped over an hour later, he was out of breath while Max was on the verge of losing consciousness. Despite that, there was a brilliant smile on his face. He had broken through to level two of the Barbarian God Physique, and to his delight, it was very powerful.

Before he broke through to level two, his skin had turned blue and split apart in many places due to the beating. Even his muscles, and bones were on the verge of breaking despite Durden controlling his strength. However, it didn't take more than five minutes for the injuries to heal and skin tone to return to normal while his muscles and bones seemed to have strengthened a lot, and he was filled with power. He felt he could kill a high-stage four-star demon with a slap. Of course, he first needed to recover his stamina.

Durden rubbed his hands and gave Max a dirty look, "You really have a thick skin." He then patted his clothes, waved Adam and Jasmine over and left.

After Max overcame the euphoria of becoming stronger, he noticed Durden and others had already left and grumbled, "That bastard! He left me alone."

After cursing him for a good while, he tried to stand up but felt pain all over his body. "Damn, do I have to be beaten up like this to progress my body refinement?" He shuddered, "No, I have to find a suitable energy source. This can't continue."

Because of the pain he felt every time he moved any muscle, the walk back to his quarters, which should've normally taken a few minutes, took him more than half an hour.

His lovely system had already helped him upgrade his mana core to four-star level. Now, he only needed to reach the peak of three-star, purify and condense it to four-star level to reach the four-star realm. Although it sounded easy, he knew this process would take a lot of time and effort now that he had to do it himself. With the danger of the demons looming over them, he didn't have time to waste. That was why, despite his body urging him to rest and recover, he forced himself to sit down cross-legged, took out a few hundred mid-grade mana stones and started to cultivate.

…

A majestic silver hawk flew over the forest and arrived above Ninam city.

The city guards recognised it and let it land on the square near the City entrance. Whoosh!

Ryan arrived. When he saw the people jump down his beast companion's back, he frowned because he didn't see several of his subordinates, Emily and Max. Just when he was thinking Max and others may have met with an accident, he noticed his subordinates that arrived didn't look sad or downcast, which was abnormal if something bad had really happened. So, he sighed in relief in his heart and asked, "Why did only a few of you come back? Where is that kid, Max, that girl, Emily and the rest?"

Kamesh and others hurried over and bowed, "Reporting to Lord Commander, we met several groups of demons on the way to the capital city and in one battle, we lost a few of our brothers. Then…"

Kamesh slowly explained what happened and why they came back without Max and others.

After hearing everything, Ryan kept silent which made Kamesh and others feel uneasy.

Ryan glanced at Kamesh and others, before looking at mother daughter duo, Ella and Ellie, and said, "I understand. Go deliver what he gave you to the Garfield mansion and also take these two with you. They will stay with them. After that, you can rest before reporting back to your posts."

Kamesh and others sighed in relief and saluted, "Yes, Lord Commander!"

…

Esther, Amelia, Mina, and Anna were in Ashton's room. All of them looked very worried as they looked at unconscious Ashton in the bed. After he suddenly woke up a few days ago, his condition had been getting worse each day.

Since no medicine seemed to be working on him, their only hope was Max but based on his current condition, he would not last for more than two days but according to what Max told them before he left, he would return several days later.

Anna glanced at Esther and asked, "S-Should we inform Max and Emily about the current situation now?"

Esther frowned and glanced at Amelia and shook her head, "No. He doesn't want to rush them and put their lives in danger."

Anna went silent after hearing this. Just then, butler George arrived with a wooden box in his hands, and a nervous and hopeful expression on his face.