Time flew by, and a month had passed in the blink of an eye.
“Alas, my enchantment skills are limited, and I wasn’t able to accomplish everything,” Sorcerer Ivan said regretfully at the Core Black Tower.
“Ivan, don’t be sad. You have already done enough, and that’s what matters,” Randall consoled from beside him.
Hearing their conversation, Madeline couldn’t help but roll her eyes. From her observations, this Sorcerer Ivan hadn’t even tried to use his full capabilities, otherwise, the Ant Being Barrier would definitely be a different scenario.
Until now, they had repaired various areas of the Ant Being Barrier several times, and the barrier’s defensive capability had increased significantly compared to its state after being damaged, but it had not reached 24 runes bundles, the critical change.
It was known that once it reached 24 runes bundles, the Ant King Barrier Array would transform into an intermediate runes sorcery array, which was incomparable to the elementary array.
“Steward Ivan, you’ve worked hard,” Teresa said as she hurried over.
“Not at all, the main effort was by Steward Madeline, Sorceress Mauline, Sorceress Heidi, and Sorcerer Randall. I feel ashamed that this repair did not meet the expectations of the academy,” Ivan responded modestly.
“No worries, there’s plenty of time in the future. Why don’t we head to the enchantment workshop to talk? Steward Madeline is there too; we can discuss the future development of the Enchantment Group.”
After leaving the Black Tower, faced with Teresa’s invitation, Ivan gave his mentor a reassuring look and followed her to the enchantment workshop.
Last time, Teresa said she would implement all the benefits for a steward, but then she forgot and kept delaying her arrangements, Ivan knew she didn’t want to let go of the power and resources in her hands.
Now that the barrier’s repair was concluded, she had no more excuses to delay.
The three of them walked around and arrived at a spacious workshop located centrally within the enchantment workshop, which could be called a high-energy research lab, even a ‘suite’ style lab.
“Steward Ivan, this is the workroom I have arranged for you, dedicated to you alone. No one is allowed to set foot in here without your permission. How do you like it?”
“It’s nice; thank you for your effort.”
By now, as one of the top three lead figures in the Enchantment Group, having his own dedicated research lab was quite normal, this was just one of the basic benefits.
“If you are satisfied, what are your thoughts about the arrangements for your role?” Teresa asked.
“Just do it as usual. I wonder what the previous steward, Sorcerer Barton—,” Ivan replied calmly.
“You are you, and Sorcerer Barton is Sorcerer Barton. He does not have your profound expertise in enchantment, unable to bear too much responsibility,” Teresa said, sinking inside, clearly something she did not want to see.
“What is this heavy responsibility you’re referring to?”
“For the safety of the academy, for the safety of all sorcerers, I hope you can continue the heavy responsibility of repairing the Ant Being Barrier, at least to elevate it to an intermediate runes sorcery array.”
“Deputy Dean Teresa, this makes no difference from before I became a steward. Don’t tell me my role as steward is in vain.” Ivan’s face looked unpleasant upon hearing this, but inside he was secretly pleased.
He hadn’t tried his best repairing the Ant Being Barrier before because he had a scheme in mind, and Teresa’s move actually played into his plans, but he couldn’t agree too eagerly, to avoid suspicion.
“Of course not, while you repair the Ant Being Barrier, you will receive 5000 credits monthly as remuneration, you can apply for some materials for research, have the privilege to buy rare materials and knowledge, and so forth.”
“You can also recruit two sorcerers as assistants, with equally favorable treatment. Of course, if you have other conditions, I will try to meet them,” Teresa said, her gaze fixed intently on him, the pressure emanating from her seemingly affirming her determination.
To keep Ivan from encroaching on other powers within the Enchantment Group, she offered quite generous conditions, in essence, binding Ivan to the task of repairing the Ant Being Barrier.
Ivan didn’t speak, his gaze meeting hers without yielding.
For a time, the atmosphere in the research lab turned somewhat stiff.
“If I elevate the Ant Being Barrier to an intermediate runes sorcery array, what arrangements will Deputy Dean Teresa have?” Ivan finally said coldly after a while.
“You will receive the same treatment as Madeline,” Teresa said resolutely after a pause.
“Good, I hope you don’t go back on your word,” Ivan continued, “However, I have a few minor requests.”
“Feel free to ask.”
“The Core Black Tower requires two chief stewards to open; I can’t keep looking for you to help like these days every time I need to repair the defensive barrier, can I?”
“I can agree to relax the controls and restrictions on your protection chamber.”
“That’s not enough, I hope to have it expanded.”
“No problem, I will discuss it with others and persuade them.”
“I would like to increase the quota of Shadow Ant servants, at least five squads, with materials paid for by the Enchantment Group.”
“Impossible; one squad of Shadow Ant servants per sorcerer, that is the custom.”
“Steward participation in department management is also customary,”
“Three teams, including your original one, will have materials purchased by yourself; the academy will not impose any restrictions or inquire why you need so many Shadow Ant servants.”
“——“
Soon after, the two reached an agreement to let him be a steward in name only, devoid of actual power; Teresa had no choice but to agree to some conditions.
In the end, neither was quite satisfied, and it could be said that they parted on less than amicable terms.
Returning to the Twin Towers, Ivan finally showed a smile. Now he could openly research the Ant Beings Sacred Altar, study the Shadow Ant servants, and search for the even more secretive Ant Beings’ secret vault.
“First, find the Ant Beings’ secret vault, then consider advancing to a Level 2 Sorcerer.”
Strength 13.9, Agility: 14.0, Body Constitution: 14.5, Spirit: 80.0
After taking the third Alva Night Spring potion, his power had increased significantly, reaching 80 graduated degrees of spiritual power, although a portion of the newly increased spiritual power had not yet elementalized—it wouldn’t take much longer.
Advancing to a Level 2 Sorcerer was never a simple matter with no detailed information to refer to—it all depended on personal exploration. Considering Christian mentioned the Ant Beings Sacred Altar could aid in advancement, these weren’t empty words; he decided to research the sacred altar first.
…
Since the disturbances at the academy, security had been tightened, and a new Guardian race was invited, also originating from spiders, known as the ‘Hundred-eyed Gory Red Spider.’
This race, bearing numerous red pupils excelled in scent differentiation and disguise, with their leader being a Level 2 intelligent creature, no less powerful than the previous Eight-legged Black Spider race.
With strengthened precautions, the academy remained tranquil.
This time, Teresa kept her word and swiftly implemented the agreed conditions, placating Ivan without heavily surveilling him.
“Indeed, even as the academy’s foremost Enchanter, one must bow before the Three Great Families.”
“It’s only human nature. I heard his treatment isn’t bad, not less than other stewards, and he doesn’t need to run around fulfilling various tasks like we do,”
“Ha, such a person becoming a steward is futile.”
At some point, some unfavorable opinions about Ivan began to circulate among many sorcerers.
Originally, some aimed to relish the spectacle, only to be disappointed by Ivan yielding to the intimidation from the Lidia family; they privately criticized him as spineless, failing to pursue the powers he deserved.
Ivan ignored the slander; mere words from others wouldn’t cause him any harm.
“Brilliant, indeed brilliant. That woman Teresa only focuses on her power, little knowing her actions have played into our hands,”
“It’s just a coincidence, the Lidia family is powerful, and I don’t wish to clash directly with them either,”
Christian, who was in the know, guessed that Ivan was strategically retreating. He made contact specifically to congratulate him, hoping to continue cooperation.”
“Sorcerer Ivan, if there’s anything you need help with, just say the word, and I’ll do my best,” Christian emphasized further.
“I won’t be shy. If there’s any new progress concerning the Ant Beings Sacred Altar, I’ll notify you immediately,” Ivan timely responded.
Christian awaited just this assurance. Given the potential benefits towards advancing to Level 2 from the Ant Beings Sacred Altar, he was not one to give up, but his enchantment skill was limited, so he could only hope for Ivan’s achievements.
Little did he know, Ivan had other intentions, researching the Ant Beings Sacred Altar was incidental.
In the dimly lit small space, Ivan quietly arrived and stood before the Ant Beings Sacred Altar.
With the loosening of controls and restrictions in the protection chamber and its subsequent expansion, he could visit here anytime through the Ant Being barrier, and even if discovered, he had the excuse of being there to repair the Ant Being barrier.
“Just a one-way sacrificial array, Christian’s information must have been wrong,”
“It seems I cannot pin my hopes on this so-called ‘Ant Beings Sacred Altar’; researching Shadow Ant servants is more reliable.”
Ivan, whose enchantment skill far exceeded Christian’s, realized after several days of study that the formation before him was indeed just a sacrificial array, completely unrelated to advancement; Christian’s information was certainly incorrect.
It’s difficult to truly activate a sacrificial array, as Christian’s experiences made clear—it was essentially life-threatening.
After fruitless exploration, he shifted his focus onto summoning the Shadow Ant servants.
The summoning of Shadow Ant servants was consistent; each summoning passed through the small space mysteriously producing three strands of peculiar energy which then integrated with the raw materials to create intelligent creatures.
The three strands of peculiar energy were worth exploring; their bizarre emergences made it hazy to observe, so he proceeded as if unraveling a secret realm, following traces in search of potential Array on Array.
Many traces indicated that the Ant Beings’ secret vault was hidden there, in an even more secretive location.
After extensive research and slow progress, Ivan grew more convinced that he was on the right path—finding the Ant Beings’ secret vault was merely a matter of time.