Chapter 77: The Return of the ArchMage (3)
ZfNCan we get more details about the situation?BM6
i6DdBE8The incident happened a week ago. The escapee’s name is Lucas, a former deputy head of the Parrot Thieves’ Guild. The leader of the guild is still wanted.xrc
eNb71lBesides the escapee, do we know anything about the person who attacked Inferno?xkEMvJp
jLfWell, I only heard rumors. They say it was an old man with snow-white hair. I think there were two accomplices. They used dark magic to free the prisoners. What was it called again… something of darkness…UUxN
CxZG5VUMight of Darkness?Dsby8o
HP5r4WkYes, that’s it! You really are a teacher from a magic academy.mEg
t7t0nmAlthough Reina complimented him, Thadd didnt hear it. His mind was occupied with thoughts of a senior dark mage attacking Inferno using an advanced technique like Might of Darkness.J3JT
TawLzCould it be?bImAnLs
RReThadd suddenly looked up.iYVj7MB
MpkPW3Excuse me, I must go now.nUezRh
GShHf4Huh? Oh, okay.3GHLsC
1SAwVDZHis polite departure was almost instinctual. Thadd’s eyes no longer saw the party or the beautiful women around him.9GtZ
WfwtDamn it! Of all times, when Im away!9pc
5BGp0The breakout was a week ago. Even traveling non-stop from Bashuka, he could have already reached Creas with time to spare.zrF2
iq2WZwgA carriage! I need a carriage!bXzHFD
HLPExiting the estate, Thadd hopped into the first carriage he saw in line. He opened the driver’s window and shouted.yB8F
76u3To Creas, as fast as possible!LemOzI
nIiS-sir, all these carriages are booked for high-ranking officials. We cannot take passengers not on the listJhhH
kl9LKThese were carriages meant for high-ranking officials, unlikely to be swayed by a regular sum.wtF
NU6Thadd rummaged through his belongings and pulled out all his money.x4zjZno
g6ygYnHere! Take it. Will you go or not?zjLn3x
hWyThe coachman, after counting the scattered gold coins, immediately changed his expression and prepared for departure.y3JHG0z
HgfWe’ll get there as quickly as possible. Shall we drive through the night?6dYFgb
FCU7QqNo need for rest or sleep! Just go as fast as you can!zgK6AT
2D3DkEThe sound of horse hooves rhythmically beat against the night air.Hfch
5cW2LNlDamn it! I hope I’m not too late.8p4D
72L4Leaning back, Thadd pressed his forehead. He wished he could leap through space, but in unfamiliar territory, the risk was too high, even for him.vkq7zD7
LuITQHelplessness brought back his composure. As he pieced the situation together, questions arose.K11wDSq
vFmWhat could be the purpose behind his return to the world?PUulu5
rU0GmThadd had never met him or seen his face. But the dreadful connection he had heard from Alpheas remained vivid in his memory.6aKS
C2ApfgDViltor ArcaneeK71H
iSfDHis eyes ablaze, he stared straight ahead.jLaPix
gEq5SU* * *0iHLkbS
OSsJust past 4 AM, Canis’s group entered the training grounds halfway up the mountain at Alpheas Magic Academy.giY
xfyThough they had never attended a magic academy, being disciples of an archmage, they recognized the quality of the facilities.Md1Vc
hUwSsA frivolous voice broke the silence.xKI
fanY1zVWow, this place is well-built. Like it’s lined with gold. I wonder how much the land is worth?U7LelEo
kIgQJzwCanis frowned and turned away. Lucas, a B-grade wanted criminal and a member of the Parrot Thieves’ Guild, was carrying twin swords engraved with a parrot, lazily slung over his shoulder.DxVipCV
8SS1KKeep it down. Guards might be patrolling.zbV
hOr6LKWhat are you worried about? We’ll just kill them or bury them.dAd
ectCanis grew more irritated. Although following the master’s orders, he found nothing likable about this man.ghLb
BEy7You’re misunderstanding something. You’re hired by us. If you cause any trouble, I won’t let you off easily.ru9
Clv5ncHeh, the young ones are so bold these days. They even talk back to adults.TRzUpFE
X2xC5Lucas flopped down in the training field. As he was no longer interfering with the plan, Canis suppressed his anger.6IBl
a28XoRThe most important thing is the master’s revenge. I’ll have to tolerate him, no matter how unpleasant.8hYl
5UfBy the way, why are we waiting here? We’ll eventually have to go down to the academy.BzgbF94
Z5xArin expressed her disgust.32fO6
guj7ImMaster is about to cast a spell. It’s a wide-area magic, so we’ll be in danger if we’re within its range. You’re welcome to go down first if you’re confident.ZxO
vH5rm8Lucas shrugged. He certainly didnt want to face Arcane’s magic.Svo
wpgRHeh, dont be so angry, little lady. You look cuter when you’re not mad.r16jf
s3fjZRHmph, what others look like is none of my business.bqF9pr
OYKThen how about dating this old man? I can teach you something even more exciting than magic.jRwjT
7hSZLyAs Arin, blushing, was about to scream, Canis cut in.Quiet. It’s starting.tMl9PAd
L22zyRTheir gazes turned skyward. Arcane was floating in the center of the moon, casting Fly magic.WOsW
CWY6j8Fly, a fusion magic from the Air category, combines Press and Blow. First, it forms a solid air pressure using Press magic, then generates lift with Blow magic. Though classified as overpowered due to the merit of flight, it requires delicate sensation due to constantly changing winds.9ag5E8
DCv382As darkness gathered and obscured the moon, Arcane, concentrating, opened his eyes wide. Combining omniscience and omnipotence, he spread his arms wide and cast his life’s masterpiece, Abyss Nova.g6TW
qhP8hcaThere was no thunderous noise or violent aftermath, but the sight of dark energy enveloping the academy was magnificent.Suh
No6esAs the effects of Abyss Nova spread beyond the academy and dissipated, revealing the moon and brightening the surroundings, Arcane sighed deeply.vcp
BJrLYkArcane gasped for breath. Even for an archmage like him, the massive spell Abyss Nova consumed almost 90% of his mental energy.vcqLA
e19uiNz‘It will be hard to recover from this for a while.’tou
8aEmHe changed direction and headed towards the mountain. Maintaining the Fly magic was difficult, but his anger grew stronger.XL7TZ0i
08c7CTf‘With Abyss Nova spread, no one can stop me now. Besides, havent I prepared my disciples for such situations?’D7NI
vQgroHahaha, wait for me, Alpheas. I will make you taste the humiliation you gave me 40 years ago.f6xYZ
fzByAs the dark night passed, the first light of dawn began to rise in the eastern mountainside.T1QtG
dj5tCVIt was the last day of their suspension. After studying till dawn at the inn, Shirone and his friends woke up well past morning. They bathed after teasing each other about their disheveled appearances.Wjd
TfIHaving returned the books to the library, they entered the academy just as lunchtime ended. The campus was quiet, with only a few janitors sweeping the stone paths.oYITJe
w8ApHiBThat’s it, our last day of ‘vacation’.o1LS
IuseBhVacation? Since when is suspension a vacation?Wrldx
UKTStill, we had fun, right? Whats next?LMmjaw
8HE2C0As Shirone turned towards the dormitory, he said, “First, I need to clean my room. Classes start tomorrow, so I should tidy up today.”eaAk
dX1oYou’re always so meticulous. Alright, then. We’ll be in the research group, so come over if you get bored.pwT
5oESure. See you later.BGou
BJTfaHAfter parting with his friends, Shirone returned to his room. It was a mess since he hadnt been able to tidy it up during the presentation preparation period. He rolled up his sleeves and started cleaning, finishing by arranging his textbooks in order on the shelf.jdi
Nk6XyA week-long suspension that came without warning.rgqqD
7YLYdy1However, it was a time of significant learning, perhaps even more than what he had learned at the academy so far.yilQ3
CGIxca‘Finally, regular classes again. I can’t wait for tomorrow.’QMk5zC
locuPkKIt was natural that he was behind in his studies, and he planned to focus on classes, even if it meant reducing his research group activities.fwvOXQ
khTnBa‘Nade and Yiruki must be thinking the same.’xtC
wkOgITheir eyes burned with a zeal for learning at the inn. The clear goal of advancing to Class Four before the semester’s end had inspired them.A4EYU
AQBNAlpheas Magic Academy sets the promotion criteria at the end of each semester based on midterm grades, with a cut-off line of at least 80% in every subject. It was a daunting standard – not an average of 80%, but 80% or more in each subject.UtdMdZw
q4emnWhile it was a challenging target, it was a solid policy from the academy. Before specializing, students were expected to have well-rounded knowledge in all areas.xIGukf
qhMThus, graduates from the magic academy were well-equipped to use basic magic from each category, which was why they were favored in the magic society.uvt
coyaNot all active mages graduated from magic academies. Some were disciples of mages, achieved enlightenment on their own, or learned magic through darker routes. Their strengths lay in practical experience and combat-ready magic, but they often lacked a deeper understanding of magic and had limited potential compared to academy graduates.oO9
Fy1Whether to hire academy graduates depended on the nature of the job, but they generally had an advantage in employment. The 80% standard set by the academy reflected the contemporary societal context.Ci7
Bh5K7Hah. So, in my case, I need to raise my average by at least 30 points.I7eEq
8JBCWRegardless of his recent insights, this was still an academy. To advance, he needed a score above 80 in every subject.PqU
uJ7qNtUsing the core of knowledge he had could make it possible. Moreover, the knowledge gained from preparing for the presentation and studying the Particle of God could significantly boost his score.jenRr7
OuWYet, even considering these factors, the probability of advancing seemed to be around 30%.kBR
JRlAOvIIsn’t that impressive, though? A 30% chance of advancing to Class Four in just six months.Fkvtc
BynpShirone thought positively. It was a chance worth taking. The thought of being left behind in Class Five while his friends advanced was unbearable.gzR0Wr
NfL8Advancing to Class Four would also open the possibility of applying for the advanced class. That would mean keeping his promise to Amy.mtI4DK
mdviQPBAh! Right, Amy!M7quuz
1EVsHKHe hadnt seen her since the presentation. In his excitement back then, he hadnt even thought to look for her.GjGz
KHsI was too thoughtless. Amy was always a supportive friend during challenging times.q4No
GDoDetermined to be there for her this time, Shirone left his room with a playful twinkle in his eye.wG0UN4X
4vsLYHehe! Shell be so surprised!3aq81v6
jpMr* * *XNp
OKwrQKGShirone, carrying two cups of coffee, headed towards the advanced class. One was for Amy, and the other for Sharelle. Memories of running coffee errands for Amy made him smile wryly.5bvqs25
Si5Back then, I thought the world was ending.dJ9wqP
G0lgwIt was an ironic relationship. Who would have thought the troublesome girl he met in an alley at twelve would become a friend?12Hon2
NzhoHe climbed the hill to the advanced class. The massive structure, known as the Steel Gate, loomed at the entrance. It looked even larger up close than from a distance.6g8ix
VmbThis is the pinnacle of the magic academy.NAdZ
X3GrLLWalking under the structure symbolizing the spirit of a mage, Shirone felt a solemn reverence.GpdUn9T
ovs1GAs the sixth period ended, the students of the advanced class began to emerge. Shirone spotted Amy and Sharelle chatting at the main entrance and shouted, Amy! Amy!kFr1xVl
RjWThe students turned their heads, but Amy and Sharelle didnt seem to hear and continued their conversation. Seizing the opportunity for a prank, Shirone quietly approached from behind and presented the coffee right in front of Amy.7unStB
uS0xxmuTa-da! A surprise gift!rbqoSW
kTEv5Amys eyes widened in surprise. Shirone grinned and offered a cup to Sharelle as well.FO86
vN8INoUHere, for you too, senior. Enjoy!hvt3j3
w44nSharelle tilted her head in confusion. Amy blinked a few times, then scrunched up her face and asked, Whats this? Who are you? Why are you giving us coffee?JIaqe
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