Shadow School, Library.
A deep black shadow slowly writhed on the ground, not even illuminated by the moonlight.
The shadow, enveloped in thick darkness, silently integrated into the library.
It avoided the sleeping Fermi Meyer and went straight to the third bookshelf in the leftmost corner of the library.
“Information is wrong?! Damn it! Do those wandering wizards dare to lie to me?”
The shadow on the ground began to collapse into the size of a pellet, then extended dozens of black tentacles, sweeping towards hundreds of bookshelves.
After some time, the mysterious person, whose shadow had searched fruitlessly and then re-formed into a small ball, hidden in the shadows, had a grim expression.
After erasing all traces, just as he was about to leave, the mysterious person hesitated for a moment as he passed Fermi Meyer.
His pair of red vertical pupils changed several times, but he ultimately let go of the librarian in front of him.
The next day, official wizard Uluoge came to visit Fermi Meyer to give the School new instructions.
As it was nearing the end, he seemingly casually asked a question.
“Has anyone been to the leftmost corner of the library these past two days?”
Fermi Meyer was startled, then replied:
“Those are all Zero-Order Tricks, even Low Apprentices don’t bother with them, but a new kid did browse through them earlier.”
Uluoge was slightly silent, and said in a low voice:
“Fermi Meyer, don’t forget your duty. Your life was saved by the School; always remember the Dean’s cultivation of you.”
Fermi Meyer showed a wry smile and nodded.
“Precisely for this reason, I will never leave the library for the rest of my days.”
“Very good.”
Uluoge nodded, his expression calm, showing no joy or anger.
According to previous intelligence, the leaf of wisdom had always been there, only disappearing within the last two or three days.
“Who else did those wandering wizards leak the information to? Damn it, I knew these people couldn't be trusted at all!
Now that the leaf of wisdom has been snatched first, when will I be able to finish cultivating 【Bone Dragon Roar】 and advance to a first-order intermediate wizard?”
Uluoge thought of many possibilities. It wasn't that he hadn't suspected the new apprentice, but the probability was too small.
To accurately pick out a leaf that fell into a crevice from hundreds of bookshelves?
Uluoge shook his head; this was even more horrifying than Fermi Meyer advancing to an official wizard.
Therefore, he believed in his heart that those wandering wizards had leaked the information, selling the same news twice.
However, the innate caution of an official wizard prevented him from overlooking any clue.
He made up his mind to instruct the apprentices to conduct a simple investigation of those reserve members later.
Fermi Meyer didn't pay attention either, only thinking that Uluoge had mentioned it casually.
And Salun would never know that because he took the leaf of wisdom, the apprentices of his cohort encountered trouble.
Even if he knew, he would not regret his decision.
Whether out of selfishness or to obtain a reward, he did not want Fermi Meyer to die innocently.
As for being resented by an official wizard, although Salun was an existence that could be easily crushed within the School, he was, after all, protected by a layer of armor.
To openly kill him in the School would always arouse suspicion in other wizards, and that would be his opportunity.
At that time, Salun could very well hand over the leaf of wisdom in exchange for protection.
Moreover, he still had a golden finger.
He couldn't see his own death, but he could foresee the future trajectory of others.
As long as Salun stayed with others, he would definitely be able to obtain some information.
This was a new use of his golden finger that he had discovered.
It just so happened that there were still three days until the external mission.
Leaving the School at that time might be a very good choice.
So Salun, seemingly reckless and impulsive, had actually already thought out his retreat.
At this time, Salun was sitting cross-legged on the wooden bed, cultivating the Abyssal Meditation Technique.
As his cultivation ended, he also opened his eyes.
Salun habitually pulled out his pocket watch from his chest, wanting to check the time.
Suddenly, his pupils sharply contracted.
“Two hours! I actually cultivated for two hours!”
Salun lowered his voice, speaking with some excitement.
He finally understood the true value of the Abyssal Meditation Technique.
It could actually improve a wizard’s aptitude!
In the wizarding world, everyone shared a common understanding.
Aside from extremely precious magical plants and talents, it was a fantasy to think that a wizard's aptitude could be improved.
Now, his meditation technique had achieved it.
Salun also didn't need to worry about being exposed; there were many apprentices in the entire School who didn't cultivate the “Shadow Meditation Technique.”
While this was rare for a reserve apprentice, it wasn't unexplainable.
After all, Salun still had one School point, which he could exchange for a meditation technique at the extraordinary gathering.
“This way, the time it takes for me to become a Low Apprentice will be greatly shortened.
This won't do; I must find a reasonable excuse to deal with it.”
Salun fell into deep thought.
Others were still agonizing over how to earn magic crystals and become a Low Apprentice as quickly as possible within the time limit.
And he had already begun to find ways to hide his secret.
“Half a year! At this rate, I only need half a year to break through to a Low Apprentice.
But to better face the upcoming mission, I still need to focus on knight cultivation.”
Salun recalled the warning from the apprentice who had snatched his points earlier, and a hint of gloom rose in his heart.
Given the School's style, he didn't think it would be a pleasant journey.
Just like that, time flew by.
On the morning of the eighth day, Salun appeared early in the School's square.
But he still found that he wasn't the first to arrive.
As the sunlight shone directly down, it gradually dispelled the night's chill and dampness.
Thirty people had gathered in the square; they were all reserve apprentices.
Yes, they had only arrived a month earlier than Salun and his group.
This was their second mission, and only these twenty-one people were left alive.
Salun's expression remained unchanged; this was information that came with the bracelet.
The vast Shadow School naturally had other ways to acquire fresh blood; it was impossible for only nine of them to be in one cohort.
Salun, Beirut, and Danik were grouped together, chatting about their respective experiences.
Beirut had been diligently studying the Flame Spell and had also started cultivating a meditation technique.
Danik, perhaps pressured by the mission, had already broken through to an intermediate knight, capable of fighting three of his former selves.
He had also tried making luminous crystals several times, but all ended in failure.
This frustrated Danik, who had originally thought he had found a way to earn magic crystals.
However, since he had already invested, he had to grit his teeth and learn it.
Salun remained silent but greatly admired the other's tenacity.
When they asked Salun, he brushed them off.
He only said he was practicing breathing techniques.
“It seems everyone is here. Our mission is to go to the Swamp Magic Crocodile territory to pick starry vine.”
The leader was a High Apprentice with sunken eyes and a pale complexion, walking like a floating dandelion seed.
It seemed even cotton could easily injure him.
The other person didn't say much and directly led the thirty apprentices to the Death Swamp.