“`
News about the Night Forest and the Star Moon Alliance was spreading like wildfire. With only thirteen official academies on the Moon Pincer Peninsula, the sudden obliteration of one was an upheaval that had not occurred in a millennium.
Since the news arrived at Mongna Ant Land Cottage, there was a noticeable stir among the people, with some feeling anxious, others delighting in the misfortune, and still others seeing an opportunity in the chaos.
“It’s gratifying, truly gratifying,”
said the chief steward, Christian, to a few trusted members of the Hunting Team, making no effort to hide his schadenfreude.
In his view, institutions like the Night Forest and Mongna Ant Land Cottage had long become tools for sorcerer great families to profit from. Such academies need to be broken down and rebuilt to eradicate the deep-seated decay and be reborn full of vigor.
“Chief steward, does the destruction of Night Forest Academy invalidate the century-long contracts we had?” someone couldn’t help but ask.
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“Of course, the contracts lose their purpose when the academy itself no longer exists,” Christian responded after considering the information he knew, “However, their actions could easily result in a backlash from the contract.”
The century-long contracts stipulated that sorcerers had compulsory duties to defend their academies. A betrayal like that of Night Forest was highly illogical.
If they had no means to counter it, daring to betray their academy would lead to severe and indelible harm from the contract’s backlash.
Such means to counter the backlash were not readily available, especially on the Moon Pincer Peninsula. Those traitors from Night Forest must have received assistance from the Star Moon Alliance.
Even with the help from the Star Moon Alliance, it wasn’t always possible to bring down an academy. Once branded a traitor while the academy still stood firm, the subsequent troubles would be even more dangerous.
“I thought it would be minor skirmishes as usual. I didn’t expect the Star Moon Alliance to have such a significant background. I wonder what their true intentions are; surely they aren’t just after resources,” Stewart Andaya expressed her doubts.
In the past, it wasn’t uncommon for wandering sorcerers to band together, nor was it unheard of for some forces to set their sights on official academies. But no such uproar had ever matched this scale, where both an academy and the associated families were annihilated in an act of sheer brutality.
Such influence and rallying power made it a worthy question why they would bother competing for resources in a place like the Moon Pincer Peninsula.
“Whatever their intentions, if they can stir the waters of the Moon Pincer Peninsula, we might not be unable to cooperate with them,” Christian pondered, foreseeing that the other party must be after something.
Christian had no intention of joining them; doing so would be like jumping from one contract into another, only to be directed by others. He wished to rebuild the order of the Mongna Ant Land Cottage.
“The academy will surely send someone to investigate the Night Forest. Let me handle it when the time comes,” proposed Andaya.
“No, this time I will go myself,” Christian rejected her offer.
At the same time, members of the Three Great Families also found an opportunity to gather.
The elimination of the two major families controlling the Night Forest was a sharp provocation, especially to the Three Great Families. If Mongna Ant Land Cottage had been the target, they too might have been on the brink of collapse.
Not this time, but what about the next?
This situation undoubtedly served as a warning, compelling the Three Great Families to tread carefully. Consequently, the number of those gathered to discuss the situation was substantial, including Deputy Dean Teresa, Victor, chief steward Ove, and several other stewards.
Wayne of the Steele family arrived.
Heidi of the Lidia family also made an appearance, now a full-fledged sorcerer, her hair a peculiar frosty blue, adding an air of aloofness to her demeanor.
Before long, all those who were expected had arrived, filling a room with nearly thirty people—all carrying the blood of the Three Great Families.
“Let’s hear about the situation and your opinions,” Teresa initiated the conversation, breaking the silence.
“I’ve contacted Dean Watkin. He’s occupied for the moment but will return to oversee things after he settles his affairs,” Ove said. In Mongna Ant Land Academy, she spoke on behalf of Dean Watkin.
Dean Watkin, a veteran Level 2 Sorcerer, could surely suppress any upheaval by the Star Moon Alliance if he returned to oversee things.
Without the Dean’s immediate return, the others couldn’t help but feel somewhat disappointed.
“There’s a report that no Level 2 Sorcerers were seen among those who attacked that night, but whether there were any hiding nearby, unseen, remains unknown,”
Victor relayed, adding, “Moreover, an unspread piece of news: Half Moon Alliance’s ‘Gradum’s Shield’ Academy had a small magic stone mine, didn’t it? It’s said that yesterday it was raided by the Star Moon Alliance, who stripped it of its remaining magic stones.”
“The ‘Scorching Watch Tower’ Academy, under the Highland Alliance, clashed with the Star Moon Alliance, resulting in mutual casualties. Those wandering sorcerers should not be underestimated.”
With more extensive information networks than regular sorcerers, the Three Great Families had access to additional details about the Star Moon Alliance. Various reports continuously flowed in as the three families took joint action.
They compared the plight of the other academies to their own, ensuring no detail was overlooked or unprepared for.
The magic stone mine did not worry those present, for the Mongna Ant Land Cottage’s magic stone mine had been depleted years ago. The empty mine held some value, but not enough to entice the Star Moon Alliance.
Regarding secret realms, the Flash Vortex Secret Realm, jointly controlled by the Flash Vortex Alliance, housed permanent sorcerer guards.
As for other plantations, either they held little value or were located within the academy premises, ensuring significant safety unless the academy faced a predicament like Night Forest.
“Should we try to enlist more sorcerers? The situation now is unlike before; we should be cautious to prevent a repeat of the same scenario.”
“How else are you planning to enlist them? If they intend to betray, they’ll betray regardless. We must be wary and vigilant for any irregular actions, ready to eliminate them if necessary.”
“We can replace all critical positions with our people, not giving them any opportunity. Particularly, we should pay attention to the academy’s defensive sorcery array.”
“Can we find a way to further bolster the academy’s defensive sorcery array? Ideally, it could be integrated with the Power of Flash Vortex, to deliver a heavy blow to enemies when needed.”
“Sorcerer Wayne, you’re oversimplifying. If it could be bolstered, we would have done so long ago; there would be no need to wait until now.”
“——“
“`
The people of the Three Great Families always acted together, and those present did not keep their thoughts to themselves. In short, they agreed on one thing: Mongna Ant Land Cottage belonged to the Three Great Families and absolutely could not end up like the Night Forest.
As for the Night Forest, the academy must send a team to conduct on-site investigations. Seeing things with their own eyes was always better than hearing about them from others. It would be even better if they could find traces of the Star Moon Alliance.
…
“Sorcerer Ivan, I hope you can represent the Enchantment Group on a trip to the Night Forest.”
“Is this an academy mission?”
“Yes.”
“No problem.”
By this time, the territory of the Night Forest must be in turmoil; investigating it would not be an easy task.
In the eyes of Victor and the others, Ivan was the type of sorcerer who did not know any better. Sure enough, they thought of him first when there was an investigating mission. This mission was somewhat special, as all departments of Mongna Ant Land Cottage had sent people. Leading the team was the chief steward of the Hunting Team, Christian.
The next day, Ivan found many familiar faces among those who were departing. He saw Wolban from the Hunting Team, Wayne from the Talent Nurturing Team, and Bernardson, the steward of the Policing Team.
Another steward was present as well, Sorcerer Abel from the Patrol Team, along with a sorcerer from the potion group, making a total of seven people. Such a large group for an investigation was quite a significant mobilization.
This time, the mission was a long journey. Not every sorcerer had the appropriate flying mounts, so they needed to ride on giant birds specially bred by the academy, which had simple houses on their backs for the sorcerers to rest in.
“Depart.”
Following Christian’s command, the giant birds flapped their wings and soared into the sky.
The ride on the back of the giant birds was somewhat bumpy but posed no problem for the sorcerers.
“One person per day, we take turns keeping watch.”
“No problem, I’ll take the first day.”
“I’ll take the second day.”
“——“
In just a few words, they allocated the duty shift for the journey.
Ivan casually chose the fourth day when he would need to keep an eye on the giant bird to prevent it from straying off course, and also be prepared to deal with any other possible contingencies.
He then chose a small room that had only seating space, with no room to lie down.
It wasn’t long before Wolban came knocking. Without waiting for him to say anything, Wolban waved his hand around, and a layer of invisible energy enveloped the room.
“Is that necessary?”
“At such close range, it’s hard not to be overheard by others when chatting. Better not to disturb them.”Wolban glanced around.
The small house was made of wood, and the soundproofing was very poor.
“You’re right.” Ivan nodded, agreeing with him.
“You know, there are replicas of that array dais you made before, right?” Wolban asked.
“I gave the blueprints to others, it was bound to happen sooner or later.” Ivan said. He knew that the Lidia family was now making the Black Magic Wind Bundle Array, and it had nothing to do with him anymore.
“The academy?”
“Yes, and the Rapid Flow Twin Towers as well—this matter is quite complicated.”
“There’s also some bad news concerning you.” Seeing that his expression remained unchanged, Wolban brought up a piece of news he had recently received.
“Let’s hear it.” Ivan thought for a moment but couldn’t figure out what it could be.
“Ivan, you’ve been offered a bounty. Someone put up six sets of Level 1 mental power potions, but there’s no trace of who’s targeting you,” Wolban said gravely.
Conflicts between sorcerers were inevitable, and whether due to contracts or status, there were some issues they could not handle personally. In such cases, they could offer resources to secretly commission others to act on their behalf, resulting in the shady market of unsanctioned bounties.
Hearing his words, Ivan learned for the first time that he was offered a bounty of six sets of mental power potions.
In a place as resource-starved as Moon Pincer Peninsula, six sets of mental power potions were quite valuable, enough to attract many sorcerers to take action.
The first person he thought of was Dorando, a man of unconventional methods, and not lacking in mental power potions; it was indeed possible for him to do such a thing.
“Thanks, I’ll be careful.”
“As long as you’re aware.”
The two didn’t dwell on this topic but switched to discussing the Star Moon Alliance. The emergence of this new force had truly opened the eyes of the sorcerers of Moon Pincer Peninsula.
After a while, Wolban left, and Ivan continued studying advanced enchantment knowledge, learning the enchantment methods within, the key elements of making high-level magicalized items, the advanced techniques of rune deciphering, and so on.
This time, he finally got his hands on the Transfer Sealing Runes he had been longing for. However, lacking suitable materials, he could not yet begin crafting a Transfer Sealing Scroll.