Time flowed like water.
Within a few days, the two vice deans had called another meeting of the academy’s upper and middle management and activated a Crystal Ball in front of everyone. The silhouette that appeared was both unfamiliar and familiar to those present.
“All Peace, Dean.”
Many had seen Dean Watkin, and after being reminded by them, everyone hurriedly stood up to greet him.
“Good day, sorcerers,” Dean Watkin said with a smile, nodding to everyone before getting straight to the point, “Regarding the Power of Flash Vortex, I’ve been briefed by Victor and Teresa. I’ve heard there are various opinions, and I can very much understand. However, according to the agreement signed when the Flash Vortex Alliance was formed, when the Sea Race ravages the sea surface, and other academies agree to use the Power of Flash Vortex, we at Mongna Ant Land Cottage have no right to refuse. Otherwise, it would amount to a violation of the regulations, which is a very inappropriate choice.”
No one had expected that the two vice deans would bring Dean Watkin to appear in person.
Many were suspicious, including Ivan, who quietly observed the dean, whom he had not seen for many days, but could not tell from the Secret Technique projection if he was injured.
The dean’s effort to personally convince everyone to use the Power of Flash Vortex was in itself suspicious.
“We will heed your command.”
With Dean Watkin taking a stand, no one else objected, not even Christian, who had been strongly opposed before.
“Sorcerer Ivan, things have been rather unsettled outside lately. How is the repair of the Ant Being barrier going?” Dean Watkin’s gaze fell on Ivan standing beside him.
“About half a month more,” Ivan honestly replied.
“You have my thanks,” Dean Watkin nodded slightly, then turned to instruct, “Teresa, Victor, the repair of the Ant Being barrier is a top priority. You must support Sorcerer Ivan with all your efforts.”
“Understood.”
The two vice deans naturally agreed.
Hearing this, Ivan felt relieved. He guessed that the dean must know something.
And it made sense; even Christian knew part of the information. Having been the dean for so long, it would be abnormal for Monde to know nothing.
He likely knew about the matter of assisting the promotion to Level 2 Sorcerer and might also know about the information of the Ant Beings’ secret vault, but not necessarily about the swamp ant of the King-class bloodline, otherwise, he wouldn’t have allowed the swamp ant to develop secretly.
“Chief Steward Christian, now that we’ve reached a consensus, I hope you will cooperate with us well.” After Dean Watkin left, Victor stressed in a low voice.
“No need for your reminder.”
Christian was already irritated inside; upon hearing this statement, he left the meeting room without turning back.
A quarter of an hour later, Twin Towers.
Ivan looked somewhat surprised at the two groups of people standing outside the door.
“We just happened to run into Sorcerer Christian and the others at the entrance,” Randall explained. He and Gina had rushed over upon hearing that the academy was going to use the Power of Flash Vortex.
As it happened, they ran into Christian and Andaya nearby. Everyone had the same purpose, so they all ended up here.
Ivan welcomed the group into the living room. Apparently, Christian was quite angry just now, and he didn’t hesitate to come to him to discuss matters.
“With their method, Mongna Ant Land Cottage is probably doomed this time,” Christian grumbled before anyone else could speak.
“Is it that serious?” Randall said in astonishment. Read latest stories on empire
“You might not know, but in Miedar Forest, just half an hour away from the academy, a fierce battle broke out recently. Combining all the signs around, I suspect the dean was fighting with others, and the outcome—definitely not optimistic.”
Christian casually disclosed a significant piece of news, causing everyone present to widen their eyes. He continued:
“The dean didn’t return to the academy, probably went to recuperate at the residence of the Three Great Families, and even withdrew part of the elite forces of the Three Great Families. Advocating the use of the Power of Flash Vortex now is simply an attempt to further weaken the academy’s power, making Mongna Ant Land Cottage an even more conspicuous target.”
“That doesn’t make sense, why wouldn’t the dean come back to the academy? With the dean’s strength and the defensive force of Mongna Ant Land Cottage, wouldn’t it be easier to fend off external enemies?” Randall pointed out the contradiction.
“Don’t forget the encounter in the Night Forest.”
It had to be said, Sorcerer Christian was a man with intentions. After managing the academy for so long, he easily grasped the inclinations of the Three Great Families and perceived the enormous crisis lurking behind them.
Upon hearing his explanation and thinking of the many traitors that appeared in the Night Forest, several people fell silent.
“Sorcerer Ivan, why are you not saying anything?”
“I think your analysis makes a lot of sense, Sorcerer Christian.” Ivan then counter-asked, “Given the situation, what do you plan to do?”
“The Power of Flash Vortex is our most important means of resistance, we must not deploy it under any circumstances,” Sorcerer Christian paused, then stated emphatically.
Randall and the others watched him with a sort of tingling scalp, actually thinking of disobeying Dean Watkin’s orders, which was undoubtedly a reckless act.
Dean Watkin was a Level 2 Sorcerer, and once a misjudgment was made, the consequences would be unmanageable.
Ivan was also somewhat confused; at this point, Sorcerer Christian was still thinking of preserving the Power of Flash Vortex, which could drive the desperate Star Moon Alliance to really attack.
“Sorcerer Ivan, I need your support,” Sorcerer Christian said, looking intently at him.
“Let’s talk about support later, have you considered another issue?” Ivan pondered for a few seconds, feeling that he couldn’t let Sorcerer Christian continue this way.
The Ant King Rebirth Cocoon Array wasn’t completely repaired yet, he absolutely could not allow anyone to interfere.
“Please speak.”
“Doesn’t the appearance of that island seem mysterious to you? The Sea Race has been quiet for hundreds of years, and now they just suddenly emerge, clinging so closely to that island while doing nothing else.
You might as well boldly guess, what does it look like they’re doing?”
Upon hearing Ivan’s words, several people fell into contemplation.
In reality, magic stone mines are usually only useful to sorcerers; for the Sea Race or other races, they are far less valuable than element stone mines, making it strange for the Sea Race to guard an island with a magic stone mine.
“It’s like they’re waiting for us to attack the island with the Power of Flash Vortex,” Gina voiced a very bold idea, although she herself was somewhat reluctant to believe it.
Upon hearing Gina’s words, except for Ivan, the facial expressions of the others changed.
This perspective was something they had never considered before because involving the Sea Race and a magic stone mine, nobody would typically regard these as bait, or say, a hook.
“Sorcerer Ivan, is this your thought?” Sorcerer Christian wanted to hear his most genuine thoughts.
“Exactly, I suspect the Star Moon Alliance’s goal is to break into a certain secret land. The Twilight Stele in the Night Forest is used to find the secret land, and the Power of Flash Vortex is for unlocking it. Think about why Dean Watkin was attacked; it’s very likely because he came back at an inopportune time,” Ivan nodded solemnly.
The living room fell silent once again, the more they thought about it, the closer they felt to the truth.
“Do you mean to say, if we don’t utilize the Power of Flash Vortex to attack the island, it’s very likely that the Star Moon Alliance will come to attack the academy?”
“Exactly so.”
“Okay, I trust your judgment, Sorcerer Ivan.”
Having received his response, Sorcerer Christian and Andaya didn’t stay long, and both left with complex expressions.
Ivan was well aware, his words had assuredly aroused suspicion among the others. He did not explain much, as one could not outright say that he had an agreement with the leader of the Star Moon Alliance; such an extraordinary matter also required belief.