In the centre of the Mission Area was a black coloured rock wall, where various missions were arranged.
Green-coloured words glowed against the black wall, and it looked a little eerie.
Among the many missions, some were written in blood red and gave off an ominous feeling. Most of the missions listed were dangerous, but the rewards were also better.
In the corner of the square, a few people stood around patiently as if they were waiting for someone.
“Leylin hasn’t arrived yet?”
Raynor crossed his arms in front of his chest, seemingly a little bored.
“It isn’t the designated time yet, what are you in a hurry for? Since he already agreed, he will definitely be here.” Kaliweir replied as he polished a black cleaver, the smooth blade stained with traces of blood.
“Leylin? Are you talking about that Potioneering acolyte, Leylin?” A green-haired girl’s eyes shone.
“It is said that his Potioneering talent is only second to Merlin. Furthermore, he has already begun to brew potions and earn a huge amount of money, why would he still want to join our team?”
“He originally came from the same area as us, so it’s only natural to join us for missions!” Raynor laughed.
“Then you guys must definitely introduce him to us later. If we are able to approach an acolyte who knows Potioneering, we might not need to risk our lives on missions in the future anymore!” A red-haired girl laughed heartily. Her body was extremely voluptuous.
Raynor’s eyes unconsciously scanned over this girl’s perky chest, and then he suddenly felt parched.
“My apologies! I’m late!”
Leylin wore leather armour with his robes on the outside, which looked a little bulky. A Cross Blade hung down on his waist, and a crossbow was slung on his back together with a large black sack.
“We have just arrived too!” Kaliweir sheathed his cleaver and smiled.
“It’s just us five?” Leylin looked at the group. He recognised Kaliweir and Raynor, but did not see Beirut and the rest.
“Beirut and the others are third-grade acolytes, but they have not advanced to Level 2 Acolyte yet. They only have a bit of resistance to magic spells, so the outside is too dangerous for them. This is also our first time going out after the previous failure and I don’t wish for any more casualties!”
Kaliweir explained.
Leylin suddenly understood. Although he was a third-grade acolyte, his talent was comparable to a fourth-grade acolyte with the A.I Chip’s help, and he might even surpass them in learning spells.
Beirut and the others were only in the Level 1 Acolyte range. Bringing them out was no help at all, and they might even be a burden. Hence keeping them within the academy was also good for them. It was realistic, yet cruel.
“Come! Let me make the introductions!” Kaliweir smiled.
“The green haired girl is Lilisse, and the one beside is Neela. They are both apprentices under my mentor and advanced to Level 2 Acolytes two months ago……”
“Hello! Sir Leylin!” Neela’s eyes shone and she took the initiative to approach Leylin.
“It is really lucky to be able to go on a mission with you this time!” Neela stuck out her chest and spoke coquettishly in a very nasal pitch.
Seeing this scene, Raynor looked elsewhere, his expression a little gloomy.
“I only have a little talent in Potioneering and I must even thank Mentor Kroft, it was him who……” Leylin rubbed his nose. He knew that he only needed to reveal a bit of desire and this beautiful girl would pounce into his arms. However, he had been concentrating on cultivation lately and had very little wants in this aspect.
Furthermore, after so many of his wild trysts in his previous world, to him, Neela was only a girl who was good looking.
“Alright, what are the contents of our mission?” Leylin took the initiative and asked, interrupting what Neela was going to say next.
“As this is our first time going on a mission together, I am preparing to take on the simplest one: patrolling the academy’s perimeters and cleaning up a few Red-Eyed Ravens, what do you all think?”
In fact, the four of them had discussed this before so Kaliweir was really only asking Leylin.
“Alright! My Rank 0 spells have not been fully grasped yet!” Leylin agreed.
This team of theirs was newly formed, so taking on a simple mission to improve their teamwork was within reason. From this, it could be seen that Kaliweir had matured a lot after Hank’s death and his way of doing things was now better thought out.
“A.I Chip! Scan!” Leylin commanded silently.
[Beep! Raynor. Strength: 1.8, Agility: 1.9, Vitality: 2.5, Spiritual Force: 3.7. Status: Healthy]
[Lilisse. Strength: 1.9, Agility: 2.5, Vitality: 2.4, Spiritual Force: 4.3. Status: Healthy]
[Neela. Strength: 2.7, Agility: 3.4, Vitality: 2.9, Spiritual Force: 4.6. Status: Healthy]
“Ever since the processing capability of the A.I Chip increased, its perceptive ability has also increased. Not including the Magi, all the acolytes in the academy right now are unable to escape the readings of the A.I Chip.”
Leylin thought silently. These readings must naturally prioritise not alarming the other party. As official Magi have a layer of force field around them constantly, the A.I Chip would definitely be discovered if it was to attempt to take readings of them.
However, as long as regular acolytes are within Leylin’s scope, their every stat will be read by the A.I Chip.
“From this data, everyone has indeed advanced into Level 2 Acolyte. However, I never thought that Neela was the strongest of them. It seems like this girl has also practiced the Knight’s breathing technique. Her body and strength are not to be underestimated!”
These few people had just advanced, and even if they had bought spell models before, they might not be able to comprehend it. Furthermore, the models have to be constructed in the mind, so they were definitely unfamiliar with it. After all, Rank 0 spells are still very dangerous to a Level 2 Acolyte. Without complete control of them, there is a chance of failing and even causing a backlash!
Based on just their physical strengths, Neela could possibly defeat the three of them in one fell swoop if no one was to use any spells.
This Neela, who seemed to be infatuated with and wanted to approach him, was actually the strongest out of the team of four. It was likely that even Kaliweir did not know of this. The corners of Leylin’s lips arched into a smile.
To be in full control of Rank 0 spells, regular Level 2 Acolytes must practice for at least 3 months to half a year. However, for him, he will learn the spell in a flash once the A.I Chip has completely analysed the spell model and transmitted it to his hippocampus.
As for the might of any of the Rank 0 spells, they are not something the level of a Knight can resist. Perhaps Grand Knights have a slight chance at that.
Obviously, Neela’s data was only at the level of a Knight. Even if she had a secret technique, Leylin was not the slightest bit afraid.
While Leylin had been taking the readings, Kaliweir had already run to the counter and accepted the patrolling mission.
After the discussion with everyone, they set off and left the academy.
Leylin’s eyes could not help but squint as the piercing sunlight shone down.
“Come to think of it, I have already stayed underground for over a year. Now that I have come out, it does seem a bit like a thousand-year-old corpse rising from the ground again.
Leylin used his hands to block the sunlight. His snow white hands were a sickly pale colour, like an ill person who lost too much blood. It was due to him staying underground the whole time and spending very little time basking in the sunlight reflected from the mosses in the gardens.
Of course, most acolytes from the Abyssal Bone Forest Academy have this problem.
In any case, as long as their strength increased and they used their Spiritual Force, raising a point of two of their Vitality was no
t a problem at all. Therefore, they did not need to go out everyday to bask in the sunlight.
“Let’s go!” Kaliweir took the lead.
Looking at the huge graveyard behind them and the two statues of the protectors, Leylin turned his head and followed the rest of the team.
“We are going to patrol the southwest area of the academy, where quite a few Red-Eyed Ravens have been showing up recently. We need to clean up their numbers, as well as a few other living organisms. Of course, all of the materials that we acquire will belong to us. Moreover, everyone receives a remuneration of 3 Magic Crystals.”
After the five of them walked out of the graveyard, Kaliweir picked a spot and took out a huge map and spoke as they crowded around.
On the faint yellow parchment paper, the Abyssal Bone Forest Academy was located in the centre and occupied about ten percent of the total area.
There were a few simple routes around it, and there were descriptions of the places written in black colour. A few dangerous places were also marked in red with warning signs.
032 Red-Eyed Ravens
“Red-Eyed Ravens? We met with some when we first arrived at the academy but they were easily killed off by Professor Dorotte. He used a spell that seemed similar to Acidic Aqua Shot.” Leylin stroked his chin and recalled the scene of when he first entered the academy.
“We had better hurry there and begin our patrolling. This mission requires us to bring back the right claws of 10 Red-Eyed Ravens as evidence of completing the mission……Do you guys have any other questions?”
Kaliweir ended with a question, displaying the bearings of a leader. After he saw Leylin and the others shake their heads, he continued and said: “Since we are teammates, let us not hide anything from each other. Each of us should report our general strengths so the others can have a better understanding! I’ll go first!”
“I’m Kaliweir, I have a Knight-level constitution and know a secret technique. I also know a Rank 0 spell!”
“Kaliweir, I never thought that you’d have learned a spell already! It seems like you’re ahead of me…… I’m Neela, I have Knight-level physical qualities and a secret technique. I am still learning the Rank 0 spell “Weary Hand” but I’m unable to use it yet!” While saying this, Neela looked at Kaliweir with a little surprise.
“I’m Lilisse, I……I am still training to be a Knight, but my instructor says my dart-throwing isn’t bad. I don’t know any secret techniques as of yet!” Lilisse said shyly.
“Raynor, Preparatory Knight. I don’t know any spells but my archery skills aren’t bad!” He never thought that Kaliweir and Neela would have already begun to learn spells and was a little embarrassed. Patting the wooden bow on his back, he continued, “Don’t worry, I will not be a burden to all of you!”
“Leylin, Preparatory Knight. Right now I have learnt a spell!” Leylin rubbed his own nose.
“Even you have learnt a spell……Oh! I’m sorry!” Raynor said a little disconcertingly. He originally came together with Leylin so he knew that Leylin’s aptitude was only a third grade acolyte. Never did he think that Leylin’s accomplishments would already exceed his aptitude as a fourth grade acolyte.
“No worries!” Leylin shook his head and indicated that he did not mind it.
In fact, Raynor’s meditation efficacy was much faster than Leylin’s. It was simply that he did not have enough Magic Crystals to exchange for information and other precious resources. Hence, he was gradually losing out to Leylin.
“You are indeed worthy of being called ‘Sir Leylin’! You know what outsiders are calling you now?” Neela said in admiration.
“Oh? I don’t mind hearing about how others are evaluating me!”
“A Potioneering genius who is seen once every fifty years! If you did not already have a mentor, the other Potioneering professors would have invited you to be their apprentice!” Neela’s pitch was very high and sparks almost seemed to jump out of her eyes.
Seeing Neela’s fiery gaze, as well as the expressions of Lilisse and the others, Leylin smiled bitterly.
To sell his potions faster, he could not help but take on the role of a Potioneering-genius acolyte. Fortunately, he had his senior Merlin to take the brunt of the attention off him. If not for this, the attention given to him would be much greater.
“Oh right! Leylin, you should have enough resources if you always sell potions right? Why would you still need to come out?”
Raynor asked softly.
“About this? I felt bored being cooped up in the academy. Besides, I have just learnt a spell so I need to familiarise myself with it!”
Leylin’s main purpose was to gain more experience and make preparations for travelling out alone to look for a black market in the future. However, such a thing could not be mentioned.
“Alright! Let the gossip end here! Our destination is not far away but it will take some trouble to get there! If we don’t move out soon, the sky will turn dark!”
Kaliweir pat his hands, picked up his cleaver and led the party.
“Let’s go!” Leylin followed behind.
“I want to walk with you!” Neela walked by Leylin’s side, not masking her intentions in the slightest.
Lilisse followed next, with Raynor at the back.
“Be careful, the area near the school is vacant land, but now that we have entered the forest, there will be a lot more danger!” Kaliweir continued walking as he reminded the party.
Leylin did not bother with Neela who was beside him. Instead, he paid more attention to his surroundings while also maximising the A.I Chip’s detection range.
This was his first time coming into contact with the dangerous world outside of the academy so he could not help but be more alert.
Abyssal Bone Forest Academy was built in the depths of a black forest and there was a forsaken graveyard on top of the school. There were only small shrubberies and short trees around the school so the danger was not that great. However, after entering the forest, the countless trees acted as natural camouflage. It had always been the hunting ground of many predators. Leylin could still recall that when they first arrived here, they met with a sneak attack.
[Alert! Alert! An unknown creature is approaching. Threat to the Host’s body: Mild!]
As the A.I Chip’s voice sounded, light blue lines formed an image in Leylin’s vision. From the projection, Leylin could very clearly see a red line snaking its way to them.
“Whoosh!”
A black shadow suddenly leapt out from the grass and viciously bit at Kaliweir’s neck.
Kaliweir’s expression did not change as the black cleaver in his hands swung down, knocking the black shadow away.
The black shadow fell on the ground and revealed its true appearance. It was a snake that was one metre in length, with faint traces of blood on its body and only one eye on its triangular head.
“This is an Iron Thread One-Eyed Snake, be careful of its poison!” Neela warned.
Right at this moment, Lilisse, who was behind them, suddenly struck and three throwing knives were launched towards the beast.
The Iron Thread One-Eyed Snake’s body coiled to avoid two of the blades but the last one slashed at it as it passed, leaving a gash.
“Heh!” Suddenly, Kaliweir ran forward and swung his black cleaver down on the snake’s head. With a cold flash, the head of the snake was cut off instantly!
Warlock of the Magus World 1-596 Page 26