Dago put away the exquisite storage leather pouch and took out a bulging, ordinary cloth bag.
He poured them onto the table and counted them: twenty-eight low-level magic stones in total.
Twenty of them were spoils of war from killing the Black Robe Wizard, which were the common property of the Forest Patrol.
They were used for the daily expenses and equipment replenishment of the three.
The Wizard Inn they found in the noble district of the Town last night had already cost nine, three low-level magic stones per person per month.
They had originally intended to find a place to stay in the residential area of the Town, but without exception, all were fully booked, so they had no choice but to come to the noble district to look for accommodation.
Finally, they found this Wizard Inn, which was more than ten times more expensive than the inns in the residential area on the outskirts of the Town.
It must be said, there is a reason for the high price; this inn was both quiet and safe.
It had specially built soundproof rooms to allow Wizards to better practice Meditation.
The inn was separated from the street by a tall courtyard wall, and the first floor also had a courtyard and a tea room for Wizards to calm their minds.
Additionally, Dago and his two companions were exhausted last night and only wanted to rest as soon as possible, so they chose this one.
Dago looked at the small pile of shiny pigeon-egg-sized magic stones on the table, feeling a bit troubled.
Judging by the current price levels in the Town, these magic stones were not enough.
Not considering food, just staying at the inn for three months would drain their magic stone pouches.
Dago stood up from the table, walked to the window of the inn room, pushed it open, and the bright moonlight streamed in.
He rested his hands on the windowsill, letting the breeze blow through his semi-dry long hair, contemplating his future plans.
It was late at night, but the tea room below the inn was still lit, with many inn staff moving about.
In the distance, the Aynak Wizarding Academy, illuminated by the moonlight, had a light membrane covering the entire Academy, emitting a faint glow.
If one looked closely, they could see the towering pillar of light emanating from the massive rock at the Academy's entrance, maintaining the light membrane.
Everything was due to the war brought by the Dark Blood Council, and in the coming days, both the Town and the Academy would become even more unsettled.
Dago calmly looked at the distant Academy, thinking about his improved and transformed Flame Core Air Bullet.
In the cruel Wizarding World, he could barely be considered to have a trump card for self-preservation.
Although activating this trump card would instantly drain all his mental energy, reducing his combat power to zero.
But with his progress, his Meditation would also undergo a transformation, and his total mental energy would greatly increase, giving him confidence.
At this stage, he could only use one Flame Core at most per battle; his total mental energy was too low to support such a large and frequent consumption.
While Dago was deep in thought, he suddenly heard a 'humming sound' like wind blowing through a bronze pipe from afar, entering his ears.
He looked towards the source of the loud noise.
He saw a silver-patterned wooden airship, dozens of meters long, slowly ascending from the Academy's castle.
The hull was covered with tree-like silver patterns, which glowed and sparkled in the night sky, like a flying silver tree.
The airship hovered in the air, its silver patterns flashing, passing through the Academy's light membrane from the inside out, creating a ripple.
Then, its tail sprayed high-temperature flames, and it quickly flew away into the distance, completely merging with the night.
Dago's worldview was instantly refreshed; for a moment, he couldn't help but be lost in thought, arriving in a dazzling new world, feeling wonderful.
..........
The next day at noon, Dago, Old Marico, and Serena walked out of the Wizard Inn side by side and went into a restaurant nearby that didn't look expensive.
The restaurant was filled with a buzzing of voices; Dago and his two companions casually chose a round table, sat down, and ordered their preferred lunches.
After a night's rest, Dago found that both of them were in good spirits.
Old Marico's complexion had visibly improved, and Serena's sprained ankle had also healed.
While the three were eating, several tables of Academy Wizards nearby were constantly chatting...
They were naturally discussing matters related to the Dark Blood Council's invasion; Dago pricked up his ears, catching the information contained within.
Some were discussing how many wandering Wizards had poured into the Town yesterday, making everything chaotic and a mixed bag of people.
Some were pessimistically discussing that the Dark Blood Council had already reached the city walls, advanced to the Town forest, and was about to breach the Town.
Some were excitedly discussing that the silver-patterned airship that flew from the Academy last night would surely defeat the Dark Blood Council.
Dago said to the two, "The Town should be relatively safe for a short period, but we cannot always live in the inn. We need to find a new temporary residence in a suitable location, but there's no rush; we have a month to slowly choose."
The two nodded in agreement, indicating no objections.
Dago also nodded and continued, "And we also need to carry out war preparations and supplies. We cannot be complacent. These are roughly the two tasks for the afternoon."
Then Dago took out six low-level magic stones, giving them three each for activity expenses, and agreed on a time to return to the inn.
After eating, the three walked out of the restaurant and went their separate ways for free activity.
During this time, Serena wanted to follow Dago, but he refused her.
Dago's intention was to train her timid and introverted personality, to make her independent.
Walking along the central avenue of the Town to the Wizard Hall, they saw the magnificent Wizard Hall crowded with Academy Wizards who had retreated from the front lines, fiercely protesting something.
"How can you say there's a possibility of a spy among us and not let us return to the Academy?"
"We have shed blood for the Academy; we want to return to the Academy."
"Give us our money back, you bastards, give us our money back."
Dago heard a few leaders shouting loudly, and a premonition of ill omen arose in his heart, so he hurriedly ran towards the Academy.
Not long after, Dago arrived at the Academy's gate and saw about a dozen Wizards in tattered robes sitting silently at the entrance.
In the middle of the gate stood a dozen or so cold-faced and serious Academy Wizards, all holding staves, staring intently at the Wizards sitting on the ground.
Among them were two of Dago's acquaintances, Raymond and Viser.
Raymond stepped forward and said loudly, "Someone among you has betrayed the Academy. Please forgive us for taking such a drastic measure to prevent you from returning to the Academy. Please wait quietly in the Town, and we will clear your names."
The Wizards sitting on the ground ignored him, apparently not satisfied with the Academy's explanation.
Raymond shook his head helplessly but then saw Dago waving and greeting him, and his eyes lit up.
However, at this moment, Viser also saw Dago, and his face instantly turned ugly, jealousy and panic flashing in his eyes. He walked over and whispered a few words into Raymond's ear.
After he finished speaking, Raymond's expression became calm, and he gave Dago a meaningful look before turning and walking into the Academy.
Viser, seeing Raymond wave his sleeve and leave, cast a few triumphant glances at Dago.
Seeing this scene, Dago thought to himself, "Looking at this situation, I won't be able to enter the Academy for now. I didn't expect Viser to be so narrow-minded. I'll have to find another way."
He didn't linger there, didn't even look at Viser, and turned to leave.
