Chapter 163: Arrival
“Continue your research here for now. Don’t rush to rebuild the laboratory. I have a new idea about how to rebuild the magic laboratory. Our future laboratory will be integrated with the place where the Wizard Apprentices study, achieving the integration of production, learning, and research.”
“In the legends of my past life, every powerful Wizard had their own high tower. It is time to make the legend a reality!”
Ace said to the mirror image, a hint of longing in his eyes, the plump cowlick on his head swaying weakly.
“Also, one more thing. Go immediately to the open space by the river outside the settlement and quietly set up the Covenant Ritual. It is necessary for us to sign a magical covenant with the family and friends brought by the apprentices, as well as all the barbarians—a Loyalty and Secrecy Covenant!”
“Your will is my command, my host.”
The mirror image bowed in response.
On the mountain range at the edge of the valley, the exhausted apprentices and their family and friends, encouraged by the gray-robed Bayen, were slowly descending the mountain.
“The environment here is indeed very different from other parts of the Larr Mountains. There is no ice, snow, or cold wind. Seeing green in the depths of winter is truly delightful!” An apprentice exclaimed excitedly.
“But don’t you think this is just a primitive jungle in a valley?” Another apprentice said, slightly disappointed.
“Hmph! You people have never experienced the pain of being hunted like dogs. As long as there is a place, a place where we can live safely, it is already excellent.”
A lean, handsome Enchanted Wizard Apprentice approached, holding a short sword.
His features should have been handsome, but scars and anger twisted his face somewhat. He walked like a cheetah, seemingly ready to strike and injure someone at any moment.
The two apprentices were quite frightened by him and awkwardly moved away.
“Caruso, they are just too young and inexperienced. Why scare them?”
Polina walked forward a few steps and said to him.
“Precisely because they are young, I need to say a few words to them! A new life, a bright future—we can create these ourselves.”
“His Excellency the Torch-Bearer has given us a new, free land to live in. We should not demand more, but strive ourselves!”
He paused, then continued: “When I was their age, I was still fighting desperately in the gladiatorial arena for a spot to be liberated from slavery!”
Polina looked at Caruso. The scar on his cheek was left from his gladiatorial days. In the Larr Mountains, the Torch-Bearer had told him he could heal it with magic, but he refused. What a stubborn man.
Ancestar and Arno, who had been providing warmth to the ordinary people along the way, finally got to rest. Ollie tenderly wiped the sweat from Arno’s brow. Donna followed suit, wiping Ancestar with a lady’s handkerchief.
Xavier followed behind Ancestar, carrying bags large and small, diligently training as a knight’s squire.
Ace had already led a group of barbarians to prepare water and food, waiting for everyone nearby. Everything looked so wonderful.
Betty drove the Apprentice Model 1, clattering forward. Suddenly, she sensed a chaotic Mana disturbance. The steam power prototype engine on her back seemed to have reached its limit. The accumulated heat and high-pressure steam were about to explode!
She quickly threw off her parents from her back, rushed toward the jungle away from the crowd, and swiftly constructed the Lesser Spell Leap, jumping off the Apprentice Model 1.
Betty bounced and rolled awkwardly, moving about ten meters away from the Apprentice Model 1. Boom!
The magical steam power prototype engine finally succumbed to the burden. The long-accumulated, compressed heat exploded. The entire Apprentice Model 1 instantly detonated where it stood.
Various Mana-contaminated parts flew apart like hidden weapons, shooting out at extreme speed.
Seeing this, Ace did not hesitate. He instantly activated Advanced Magical Trickery. His body twisted dramatically, following the Mana rhythm, and his lips trembled rapidly as he shouted:
“Seven-Layer · Continuous Generation · Ultra-Large · Defensive Mana-Crystal Ring!”
Accompanied by his rapid, strange cadence, Mana gathered and pulsed. A triangular Mana Crystal ring, large enough to cover almost everyone, appeared facing the explosion. The triangular ring then rotated, generating a new Mana Crystal ring, and moved forward.
The Mana Crystal ring generated by the triangular ring turned into a square Mana Crystal ring. The ring generated by the square ring turned into a pentagon, and so on, up to a nonagonal Mana Crystal ring.
Thanks to Ace’s spell, the massive shockwave from the explosion and the scattered parts flying like bullets caused no casualties.
The greatsword held by the mechanical hand of the Apprentice Model 1 was blown away by the intense shockwave, piercing straight into the seven-layer defensive Mana Crystal ring with a loud clang.
About half a minute later, the shockwave from the explosion ended. Ace canceled the spell and chanted an incantation: “Greatsword, Return!”
The Wonder greatsword flew into Ace’s hand, following the Mana rhythm brought by the incantation.
Ace, shouldering the greatsword, walked to the side of the blonde, twin-tailed, flat-chested, short pseudo-loli Betty. Using Mana to help her up, he stabbed the greatsword into the ground in front of her and said gently: “This is your sword. Hold it well.”
Betty looked somewhat dazed. She looked at the wreckage of the Apprentice Model 1, then turned to look at the gentle Ace. Mechanically leaning on the greatsword Ace had planted in the ground, she murmured:
“Why did this happen? The parts I saved for over a year, the metal I painstakingly magified every day… My heart hurts so much!”
Ace paid no more attention to the bewildered Betty. Meeting the adoring gazes of the crowd, he listened to several Wizard Apprentices whispering.
“His Excellency the Torch-Bearer is truly, truly so cool!”
“Exactly! His Excellency the Torch-Bearer chanted a mysterious language, turned his body, and created such a huge, multi-layered Mana Crystal Protection Membrane!”
“The defense is so strong. I really want to learn it. Why isn’t it on the Grimoire’s exchange list?”
“Could this be the unique spell rumored among apprentices that only the strong possess?”
Listening to the crowd’s discussion and feeling their praise, Ace felt a burst of pleasure in his heart. This is human nature!
It is precisely because of complex human nature, desires, emotions, and bottom lines that an independent self is formed. And the pursuit of pleasure is an eternal aspect of human nature.
Ace maintained his composure on the surface. He quietly activated the Soul Spell Suggestion, speaking gently to the crowd:
“My apprentices, and the family and friends of the apprentices. You have endured hardships and finally arrived at our new home. Now, please have some simple food, then rest well in the settlement.”
“Although the new home is simple, it holds infinite hope. A beautiful future is in our hands. Now, please enjoy the food.”
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