After the swamp ants recovered to Level 3 realm, their flying speed far exceeded the past, and it only took them a bit over three hours to travel between Bellou Town and the Academy, saving Ivan a great deal of time.
“Swamp ant, slow down and go at a leisurely pace, I’m waiting for someone.”
While the Mongna Ant Land Cottage was in sight, Ivan had the swamp ant slow down.
It turned out that his mentor Randall was also coincidentally returning to the Academy. A few seconds later, riding the Golden Beetle General, Randall’s gaze was inevitably drawn to the swamp ant.
“Mentor, are you visiting friends or on a mission?”
“Neither, remember what I told you? The person who also practices the meditation of the ‘Black Beard Chapter,’ someone sent me a message saying that guy appeared again, so I specifically went to have a look.”
With Randall’s discernment, he could, of course, see that the four-winged swamp king ant was no ordinary creature. He estimated it likely ranked above the Golden Beetle General and the Silkworm Queen. He clicked his tongue in admiration, his own disciple was becoming more and more unfathomable.
“Then why didn’t you notify me? We could have gone to confront him together,” Ivan said.
“Hey Ivan, don’t think that just because your strength is increasing, you can look down on me, your mentor. I’m not at the point where I need you looking out for me,” Randall said, pretending to be displeased.
“How could I? Everyone knows you’re the number one Insect Control Master of Mongna Ant Land Cottage.”
“With you here, that might not hold true anymore.”
“It’s different, I’m not purely an Insect Control Master; Enchantment is my main profession. Becoming the number one Enchanter is my vision,” Ivan replied.
“So, is Randall still the number one Insect Control Master of Mongna Ant Land Cottage? Haha, I’ll shamelessly accept this first place,” said Randall, laughing.
After the mentor and disciple exchanged a few jokes, Randall began to share his gains.
This time, after a bit of probing, he became friends with that person, who was also a pure Insect Control Master; they hit it off quite well due to shared interests.
Hearing this, Ivan was not surprised; his mentor had a bold yet delicate character that easily won others’ favour and forged friendships.
“He invited me to join the organization he is a part of,” Randall hesitated before continuing.
Ivan was momentarily stunned; this felt so familiar. Hadn’t he also been invited by Solomon, and not long ago, joined the Five Leaves Spear? The experiences of mentor and disciple were strikingly similar.
“It’s a very pure Insect Control organization, with an extremely complete ‘Black Beard Chapter’ Meditation Method, and a vast amount of corresponding resources for practice,” Randall added.
It was clear that Randall was tempted, and there was a hint of regret on his face.
Ivan knew where the problem lay.
“But it’s not within Moon Pincer Peninsula?”
“Exactly, so I could only express my regrets,” Randall affirmed.
“You shouldn’t be too regretful. There will eventually be a way to resolve the hundred-year contract,” Ivan consoled.
Randall just nodded symbolically at his reassurance but didn’t take it to heart; after all, over the years, almost no sorcerer had managed to terminate a contract prematurely.
After entering Mongna Ant Land Cottage, Ivan and Randall went their separate ways, and Ivan headed straight back to the Twin Towers.
“Ivan, how did it go, did she become an official sorcerer?” Justine, hearing the commotion, came over immediately.
“She did,” Ivan nodded lightly.
“I knew it. With you involved, there was no doubt,” Justine said, not sure if she felt happy or disappointed, gazing at him with eyes that seemed to speak.
“It’s good that you know.” Ivan reached out and ruffled her sleek hair. “But, you’ll have to wait a bit longer.”
“Alright, just don’t make me wait too long, otherwise—that woman will definitely come to bully me. When I can’t fight back, I’m sure to be bullied miserably,” Justine said, looking up at him with an expression close to tears.
“That won’t happen; I’m on your side.”
“You promise?”
Hearing his words, Justine’s teary eyes broke into a smile, and she burrowed into his embrace.
Compared with Pearney, whether in talent or spirit, Justine was quite lacking, and naturally, the difficulty of becoming an official sorcerer would be much greater. Ivan needed to prepare more meticulously to ensure nothing could go wrong.
Justine followed him all the way to the Academy, and naturally, Ivan would protect her as much as possible.
Being held tightly by Justine, Ivan could feel her strong affection and dependence, which moved him to comfort her in a practical sense, filling the bedroom with a delightful harmony.
The next day, Ivan gathered his thoughts and focused on the matter at hand.
[Knight Breathing Skill: lv8(11/4000)]
[Apothecary Skill: lv7(68/3000)]
In recent times, the Academic Prodigy panel saw the promotion of two subjects; Apothecary Skill first crossed the threshold of level 7, then Knight Breathing Skill crossed level 8.
Correspondingly, he had acquired two Small Lights of Wisdom, one level 7 Light of Great Wisdom, and one level 8 Light of Wisdom.
Now, the Academic Prodigy interface still displayed the Light of Wisdom: one Level 6 and three Level 8 items; Light of Great Wisdom: three Level 7 items.
These were undoubtedly a great help in repairing the Ant King Barrier Array into the Ant King Rebirth Cocoon Array, granting him a unique advantage.
However, to achieve his goal, besides knowledge and comprehension of the Formation, the corresponding repair materials were necessary, otherwise, it was all empty talk.
“Christian? Lidia family? Star Moon Alliance? Floating Clouds Square?”
“First, I should talk with Deputy Dean Teresa. Repairing the defensive barrier is a matter for the academy, and they can’t expect an Enchanter like me to contribute both effort and funds without recompense—that would be outright bullying.”
In a place like Moon Pincer Peninsula, acquiring materials to repair the defensive sorcery array was a difficult task. After considering the possible ways he might obtain materials, Ivan decided he would fleece the academy’s resources.
Before that, he certainly needed to gain a more thorough understanding of the ‘Ant King Rebirth Cocoon Array’ recorded in the rhombic crystal, a matter pertaining to his promotion to a Level 2 Sorcerer, allowing no room for negligence.
In the days that followed, he used one Level 6 Light of Wisdom and one Level 8 Light of Wisdom, reaching a profound understanding of the Ant King Rebirth Cocoon Array.
A month went by, and Ivan arrived at the office of the Deputy Dean.
“Steward Ivan, your timing is unfortunate. Deputy Dean Teresa is discussing important matters with Chief Steward Ove.”
“It doesn’t matter, I also have important matters to report.”
Ivan, of course, knew Ove was there—he had learned this through the swamp ants. It was better that Chief Steward Ove was present, sparing him from Deputy Dean Teresa’s troublesome meddling.
Seeing his firm stance, the maid went to report.
“Steward Ivan, I’ve heard Deputy Dean Teresa assigned you to repair the Ant Being barrier. How goes the progress?”
Among the representatives of the Three Great Families, Ove had her own pride and a better sense of the bigger picture.
Ove held a measure of appreciation in her heart for Ivan, who possessed a high level of Enchantment skill.
“I was just about to report on that matter,” Ivan said opportunistically: “After some time exploring, I have devised a plan to upgrade the Ant King Barrier Array with Intermediate Runes Sorcery Array, hoping to receive full support from the academy.”
“Steward Ivan, do not speak nonsense. Upgrading the defensive sorcery array to intermediate is not a simple task,” Teresa said, her voice tinged with displeasure.
In her view, Ivan was just angling for more resources, displaying insatiable greed.
“Difficulty does not mean impossibility. I ask you, Deputy Dean Teresa, are you questioning my Enchantment skills or your own decision? If I recall correctly, was it not you who entrusted me with the task of repairing the Ant Being barrier?
I’ve worked hard for several months to come up with a suitable repair plan, yet you seem unwilling to even listen before rejecting it outright, is that really appropriate?”
Ivan knew Teresa would be evasive, so he openly challenged her without any reservation.
“You—how dare you!” Teresa had not expected him to confront her so directly and her face grew longer.
“I’m simply stating the facts. Currently, the situation on Moon Pincer Peninsula is unpredictable, and the sooner the defensive barrier is fully repaired, the sooner the academy gains additional security. We lost quite a bit of face the last time intruders breached the academy, and we do not want a second occurrence. Chief Steward Ove, would you agree with this statement?” Ivan said with assurance.
“Indeed, we cannot afford a repeat of the last incident, otherwise our Mongna Ant Land Cottage will lose all face, unable to maintain our position on Moon Pincer Peninsula,” Ove nodded slightly, clearly still chagrined by the previous mockery.
A Sorcerers Academy of such standing, housing so many sorcerers, yet it had been infiltrated at will by a band of thieves—no different than the Wandering Sorcerer Fellowship.
“Moved by this concern, I’ve been racing against time to think of a repair method, and finally perfected it yesterday. I only hope to pick up the academy’s face, which lies on the ground, as soon as possible,” Ivan said with genuine earnestness.
“Steward Ivan has been working hard. May I ask what materials you require?”
“I’ve compiled a list. I would request the two of you to review it.”
Following Ove’s inquiry, Ivan promptly took out a material list written on an entire piece of beast hide.
Seeing the densely written material names on the beast hide, Teresa’s face grew even darker.
“This matter requires more in-depth discussion,” Ove commented after a brief look, her brow slightly furrowed. She said in a grave tone: “Additionally, we need to know the specifics of your repair plan and the changes to the Ant King Barrier Array after the repair. Would you be willing to present it?”
“Certainly,” Ivan replied without hesitation, as he took out a Crystal Ball he had prepared and passed it over before leaving the office promptly.
Seeing him agree so readily, which contrasted sharply with his previous behavior, Teresa grew suspicious there was a catch.
“Ove, we cannot trust this sorcerer Ivan.”
“Is it his Enchantment skill you do not trust, or his allegiance?”
Teresa was at a loss for words; it was an obvious issue. Ivan’s Enchantment skill had already been proven superior within the academy during the previous repairs, and she could not deny this.
“As long as his Enchantment skill is trustworthy, we should let him proceed with the repairs. Once the defensive sorcery array is upgraded to intermediate, we will be the ones who benefit,” Ove said confidently, seemingly undeterred by Ivan. “As for his allegiance, he most certainly cannot cause any waves.”
“But—”
Teresa was about to say something when Ove made a more ambiguous comment that caused Teresa’s eyes to light up, and she broke into a smile.
Before long, Chief Steward Ove convened the academy’s senior officials, and after a brief discussion among six members, they approved the repair plan, unanimously agreeing to allow Ivan to upgrade the defensive sorcery array to 24 runes bundles, transforming it into the Intermediate Ant King Barrier Array.