Because of the characteristics of the Red Eyes Crystal, what appeared on the membrane of light was precisely what Wolban wanted to see.
“This is Stone Creek Town.”
An image of a town appeared at the beginning, with civilians living in peace and happiness. A five-person squad in disguise arrived, including Yosef himself. They strolled around the town and then came to a desolate graveyard outside the town.
A female apprentice paid her respects at a remote grave in the graveyard, digging out some decayed bones and an iron box from the mound.
She found a stone engraving in the iron box, which seemed to contain a map.
The scene shifted, and the five people entered a narrow tunnel, crouching and moving onwards until they reached a spacious underground cavern, filled with curious stones and magicalized mushrooms that emitted a faint glow.
“This is inside the Kanda mine.” Seeing this scene, Heidi’s face seemed to be covered by a layer of gloom. She felt it absurd that the other party easily made their way into the magic stone mine.
The five of them continued through the dim cavern until they arrived at a pit layered with white bones. They began to inscribe rune lines around the pit, likely to set up a runes sorcery array using the white bones pit.
Seeing the others look towards her, Heidi shook her head slightly. She didn’t know what this place was, either.
The scene flashed again, the runes sorcery array was already formed, and there appeared to be a beast egg as tall as a person inside the white bones pit, its pattern vaguely visible. The five activated the runes sorcery array and knelt before the white bones pit, their mouths opening and closing, as they spoke some sort of sacrificial text.
Suddenly, wisps of gray-black mist were drawn into the cave, enveloping the white bones pit and the five people within it.
The gray-black mists continued to change shape, with the shadow of a beast circling within them, occasionally revealing scales and claws, seemingly a python-like creature of immense size.
Immediately after, the scene changed again, and the few people emerged from the Kanda mine, but only three were left.
“Great Sky Black Demon, supreme above all!”
Suddenly, the bound Yosef shouted loudly, his spirit visibly withering away.
Cracks appeared on the Red Eyes Crystal, which then exploded into powder, causing the apprentices to quickly step back a few paces.
When they looked at Yosef again, he had a bloody hole in his forehead and seemed to have lost all signs of life.
“He’s dead.”
Wolban stepped forward to check.
No one else spoke, all pondering the memory flashes that had appeared. The images were intermittent, yet they revealed a lot of information while also missing many key details, giving the whole process an odd feeling.
A few minutes later, Heidi broke the silence, asking others their thoughts.
“What is the Great Sky Black Demon?”
“From the scenes, it should be that python creature, or a higher being related to its bloodline. The atmosphere of the magic stone mine is quite special, not excluding the possibility that they summoned the power of a powerful creature from an alien world.”
“Would the Red Eyes Crystal suddenly explode?”
“Usually not, it would break into small pieces.”
“Was there anything special about that mound of earth?”
“According to records, a large number of civilian miners were hired during the excavations of the Kanda mine. It might be the grave of one of the miners.”
“——“
The group discussed the memory flashes for quite some time.
Unfortunately, Yosef was dead, and their trail of clues had broken.
After leaving the cell, everyone returned to the residence arranged by the City Lord.
“This is of great importance. I will try to contact the sorcerers from the academy. Let’s leave it at that for now,” Heidi told the others, reluctant to make any decisions on her own regarding the specially situated Kanda magic stone mine.
According to the academy regulations, they were not allowed to enter the Kanda magic stone mine on a whim.
The other apprentices naturally had no objections.
Heidi was bound to have something to announce shortly, unable to go far, Gina followed her into Ivan’s bedroom.
“When did you buy your insect nest?” Gina asked offhandedly.
“Before the task, the mentor said it was second-hand,” Ivan casually answered her question. He still owed the mentor 260 magic stones for the insect nest.
“It’s probably from some senior apprentice,” Gina speculated as she stood up. “You wouldn’t carry it tied to your body like Mieyan, would you?” Enjoy more content from empire
“I learned from you, carrying it on my back,” Ivan gestured with his hand, signaling her not to think about fiddling with it.
“You’re a 3rd Class Apprentice now?”
“Yes.”
This wasn’t actually something worth hiding. He had realized that only with strength was he respected, otherwise these guys really dared to treat him like a mere underling.
There were, in fact, noticeable differences between 2nd Class Apprentices and 3rd Class Apprentices, reflected in many aspects. The most basic being the use of spiritual power and energy particles. During the previous battle, he had revealed the qualities of a 3rd Class Apprentice in every aspect, which was easy to discern for anyone who was paying attention.
Gina gave him a thumbs up, truly impressed that her junior had achieved the rank of 3rd Class Apprentice so quickly without the support of a sorcerer family.
“However, your luck is a bit poor.”
“That’s right, the first task away from the academy and I encounter a tough challenge.”
“With the scene just now, did you feel anything unnatural?”
“There’s an indescribable sense of strangeness.”
They exchanged a glance, both of their expressions turning solemn.
If the scene hadn’t originated from Yosef’s memories, they would have certainly questioned its authenticity.
However, it wasn’t up to them to decide here; they would see what the academy’s sorcerer had planned next.
Half an hour later, Heidi gathered all the sorcerer apprentices again and directly announced something.
“Pack up, we will depart for the Kanda magic stone mine in a quarter of an hour.”
“No problem.”
Wolban responded on behalf of the Hunting Team; after suffering such a huge loss and embarrassment earlier, the members of the Hunting Team naturally wanted to reclaim their honor.
As for the Enchantment Group, there was no need to say more; Heidi could represent them.
“Additionally, the task reward has changed: if we can resolve the disaster at the Kanda mine, each person will receive 200 credits and 300 magic stones upon completion of the task,” Heidi continued to announce.
This news brightened the eyes of the other apprentices. The original reward for the task was just 50 credits. Now it was three times the original amount, which was enough to buy a 3rd Class Mental Power Potion.
What task doesn’t carry danger? Now, anyone who tried to prevent their participation would face their fury.
Many of them understood that such a good deal was only possible because of Heidi, and it wouldn’t necessarily have been the case with anyone else.
…
Outside Swamp Forest City, on the side of the road leading to Stone Creek Town and some distance away from the road, behind a hillside, two people were hiding, keeping an eye on the movements on the road.
A Gale Magpie flew swiftly over and landed on the shoulder of one of them from midair.
“They rush to their deaths so readily,” the speaker was clearly Melinda.
Not half a minute later, a group of people riding eight-legged beasts swept past on the road.
“Nine people in total, not one less,” Allen commented from beside her. “Looks like no sorcerers will come, and the Kanda mine will surely be their grave.”
Unexpectedly, after escaping with their lives last night, the two did not hurry to leave but stayed in the wilderness and witnessed the apprentices from the Mongna Ant Land Academy heading to the Kanda mine.
After the apprentices left, the two turned and went back into Swamp Forest City.
Waiting not far from the City Lord’s Residence for a while, a prison guard self-thieved and delivered Yosef’s body.
“Just wait, they will all be offered to the supreme Great Sky Black Demon.”
Seeing the pitiful body of her companion, Melinda’s gaze turned icy cold.
With Yosef’s body, the two also headed towards the Kanda mine.