Chapter 78: Arrangements Under the dim glow of the lamp, the dark shadow of a round mahogany table was cast.
The four table legs stretched long, dark shadows onto the wall, resembling the limbs of some monstrous beast with an ominous sheen.
Leilin stood before the table, his own shadow stretched out dramatically.
On the red wooden tabletop, a black scroll lay quietly. Upon its surface was the pattern of a crow. Currently, the crow seemed to come alive, continuously cawing and emitting a chilling sound.
"No matter what, I'll check the contents first!"
Leilin made up his mind. "Even if it's a trap, with some kind of tracking spell inside, I have more than enough time to escape!"
Despite this thought, Leilin still gripped one of the newly concocted Tirve's Whirlwind Shield Potions in his palm.
His expression turning solemn, Leilin spoke in the Ancient Byron Language: "In my name, Leilin Farell — open!!!"
Caw! Caw! Caw! The black crow cried out, then its form twisted, and many black lines recondensed to form the pattern of a black skull.
Leilin took a red gemstone from inside his robes and tossed it into the skull's mouth.
Crunch! Crunch! The black skull flew straight off the parchment and devoured the red gemstone.
Boom! After finishing the gemstone, the entire black skull exploded. The scroll trembled and began to burn from the bottom, emitting a green flame.
The green flame coalesced in the air into individual letters.
Leilin's eye twitched slightly. These green letters were written in a cipher code that outsiders would be utterly unable to decipher, but he had learned the corresponding methods of encryption and decryption at the Black Bone Forest Academy.
Below the green text was a scarlet seal. Beneath the name written in Ancient Byron Language was a pattern depicting a black snake crawling out of the skull.
"To think even the Academy Head's seal has appeared. It seems the information is not false!"
Leilin's expression shifted ceaselessly with the green cipher text, alternating between shadow and light.
After a long while, the flame finished burning. The green characters vanished into the air, leaving only a pile of ash on the tabletop.
Leilin let out a long breath, but his brow immediately furrowed tight.
"They've actually issued the highest-level order, commanding all apprentices in the field to abandon every mission and return to Black Bone Forest Academy at once!"
"Furthermore, the punishment has been set to an extremely harsh degree — anyone who fails to arrive at the Academy within three months will be declared a traitor, wanted and hunted by the Academy's enforcement squad!!!"
"I'm afraid I have no choice but to go back!" Leilin murmured to himself.
As for whether this might be some kind of enemy trap, Leilin wasn't the least bit worried.
First of all, he was merely a lowly apprentice — the enemy couldn't possibly go to such lengths just for him. Besides, the Dean of Black Bone Forest was a legendary figure, a second-rank
"Black Bone Forest Academy…" Leilin sighed, thinking of Mentor Guofate, Biji, Niss, and the others. He had no idea how they were doing.
His decision to leave in such a hurry back then had indeed been somewhat selfish, but his strength was less than that of an ant in the eyes of the two
"Who would have thought that after three years, I'd finally be going back!"
Leilin suddenly commanded, "Chip, bring up my current status!"
"Ding! Leilin Farell — Third-rank Apprentice, Official Knight. Strength: 3.1, Agility: 3.3, Constitution: 3.7, Spiritual Power: 13.1, Mana: 13 (Mana determined by Spiritual Power synchronization). Status: Healthy."
Over a year had passed, and the new-type
However, the drug resistance in his body had already reached its limit — no matter how much more Azure Potion he consumed, it would have no further effect.
Unless he could formulate an entirely different type of Spiritual Power potion, there was no way for Leilin to continue raising his Spiritual Power the way he had these past few years.
"After the third-rank apprentice stage comes the realm of an Official Wizard!" Leilin murmured to himself. "The gap between a third-rank apprentice and an Official Wizard is a massive hurdle — far more difficult than advancing from second rank to third."
The information surrounding Official Wizards seemed to be deliberately controlled by the entire Wizarding community. Even if Leilin spent a fortune in Magic Stones, he couldn't collect any useful content.
The harrowing scene from his last breakthrough to the third rank suddenly flashed before his eyes.
"The powers that be in the Wizarding World tightly guard the key knowledge of Wizard advancement. No matter how talented the independent Wizards out there may be, as long as they don't join the organization, they can never access the knowledge needed to advance — all to suppress rebellion from the lower ranks and maintain their rule…"
Leilin had experienced the dire consequences of this system firsthand last time. If it hadn't been for the Chip, he would have been long dead, not even bones left behind.
"Black Bone Forest Academy! I must go back at least once and obtain the knowledge about Official Wizards!"
This was the only location Leilin could think of where he could relatively easily obtain the required knowledge. Other marketplaces and such had absolutely no content in this area.
The path of a Wizard is laden with thorns. Any misstep can lead to irreversible consequences.
Last time, when Leilin had risked ascending to the third-tier apprentice level without receiving systematic instruction from the Academy or a mentor, relying solely on the Chip's deductions, he had encountered two unforeseen complications in a row. Had the Chip's capabilities not been so formidable, coupled with a bit of luck, Leilin couldn't have been so fortunate as to advance successfully without any lasting side effects.
"Just... regarding the arrangements for my subordinates, that still needs more thought!"
Leilin stroked his chin. "Perhaps, setting up a fallback route here is not a bad idea..."
"Pass the word—I will dine with my subordinates tonight!"
After leaving the secret chamber, Leilin instructed
"Yes, Young Master!" Leilin had always been quite solitary, completely delegating matters concerning his subordinates and other trivialities to Anna and Gelin and the others. He spent his entire days immersed in the laboratory, rarely venturing out. The sudden order obviously surprised Anna, but she was a clever woman and asked no further questions. She curtsied, holding the hem of her skirt, presenting her graceful curves to Leilin before quickly withdrawing.
Within the manor, there was naturally a grand hall specifically for the lord and his subordinates to dine together.
The hall was constructed entirely from massive red stones and bricks. The windows were relatively small, making the usual lighting rather dim, but the beautiful silver chandeliers in the center, holding hundreds of candles, completely solved this problem.
In the middle of the hall stood a long, red table. Pages and kitchen maids dressed in black formal attire were placing high-backed chairs in their respective positions and covering the long table with a thick white cloth, along with silver soup ladles, knives, forks, cups, plates, and other dining utensils.
By the time Leilin arrived, the table was already laden with all sorts of delicacies. In the very center was a roasted lamb, surrounded by many purple and red berries. The combination emitted an alluring fragrance.
Leilin sat directly in the most honored seat, briefly glancing at the assembled people below.
To Leilin's left and right were Gelin and Fuleisa. As Knights and the earliest to follow Leilin, their status was naturally high. Directly behind them were Steward Walker and Felin, the leader of the Roland Eagle Mercenary Group.
As for Anna, she stood quietly behind Leilin, like a diligent maidservant, but no one present truly dared to regard her as such.
Everyone knew that Anna had won considerable favor with the Young Master. She not only had frequent access to Leilin but also held the key to the treasury! This had even drawn some muttering from old Steward Walker, but Leilin paid it no mind.
After receiving a plot of land from Leilin, Felin had relocated his entire family here, effectively becoming a vassal bound to Leilin.
Then there was the Roland Eagle Mercenary Group. The contract Leilin had with them had also expired not long ago, and nearly half of the mercenaries were attracted by the generous terms Leilin offered, settling within the manor.
There were many others at the long table, but Leilin was only familiar with these few. The others looked familiar, but Leilin could only recognize their faces and names—a feat only possible thanks to the Chip's memory.
Leilin had always been indifferent to the trivialities of daily life. The path of Wizardry consumed the vast majority of his mental energy; he simply had no heart to spare for such matters.
Of course, Leilin's attitude was much the same as that of many Wizards — and entirely in keeping with how ordinary people viewed them.
In the minds of most people on the South Coast, Wizards were a breed who possessed mysterious power yet were supremely reclusive, dwelling deep in dark forests and hidden swamps, venturing out only when they needed materials or other supplies.
"Young Master!"
Everyone around the long table rose to their feet and bowed.
"Ding!!" Leilin tapped the cup before him with a silver spoon, producing a pleasant, clear ring.
"Everyone! I've called you here today to make an announcement!" Leilin swept his gaze across the room. His Spiritual Power had already reached 13.1, and the light in his eyes was piercing — as if carved from the finest gemstones. Anyone caught in his stare felt a sharp sting in their eyes, and tears welled up unbidden.
Even Gelin and Fuleisa, both Knights, could only bow their heads deeply under that gaze.
"Please give your orders, Young Master!"
"I will be leaving for a period of time, and there is no set date for my return. While I am gone, all matters concerning the manor and the apothecary will be decided jointly by Anna, Gelin, and Fuleisa!"
Leilin spoke slowly, looking down at the assembled people.
"What?" A murmur of shock rippled through the crowd. Heads turned, and peculiar, searching gazes fell upon Anna, Gelin, and Fuleisa.
Under the weight of all those stares, Gelin and Fuleisa held firm enough, but Anna — as the only woman among them — fidgeted uncomfortably, tugging at the hem of her skirt.
"Silence!" Leilin struck the silver cup again, and the room fell still at once.
"From this day forward, their words are my words. Whatever they decree, you are to carry it out — completely and without question."
"We obey!" Leilin seldom involved himself in day-to-day affairs, but his presence only grew more imposing with time. Rumors had already begun to circulate that he was some kind of mysterious figure, which only deepened the awe he commanded from those beneath him.