Kapitel 54: Chapter 54: The Reunion
"What... what just happened?" a wizard murmured uncertainly, watching the battle.
"Was that a magical item?"
Another wizard shook his head, unable to see clearly. The crystal ball was merely a broadcast, lacking the detail of firsthand observation.
The wizards turned their attention to Jolord, who was smugly stroking his beard and casting a sidelong glance at Aejon.
"Aejon, why aren't you saying anything now?"
The soul fire in Aejon's eye sockets flared up, and a powerful magical aura erupted from him.
Yet, among wizards, such a display only signaled Aejon's agitation, having no other effect.
"Jolord, what exactly was that?" a wizard inquired.
Not being present, and solely relying on the crystal ball's broadcast, none but those with modified eyes could discern what transpired.
"Ahem, that's a type of magical item my apprentice researched. You've seen its effects, but I won't reveal more," Jolord explained, embodying the art of saying nothing, prompting a round of boos from the other wizards.
However, they all understood that genuine alchemists never disclose their personal magical items. Yet, those aware of the Joseph incident years ago began to form some theories.
Returning to the exam grounds...
After killing Sly, Richard found himself emitting a powerful energy pulse every few seconds. This pulse ensured that no apprentices dared approach him on his way to the center, even with Wuni's aerial view only catching glimpses of fleeing figures.
"Well, I suppose it keeps the pests away," Richard chuckled to himself, using his levitation spell to hasten his journey to the center.
The pulse not only repelled apprentices but also attracted ambitious risk-takers looking for quick success. However, these individuals often ended up fighting amongst themselves rather than challenging Richard.
With the aid of levitation and the mark's pulse, Richard crossed several kilometers within an hour, arriving at the exam's central point—a towering beam of light.
Upon arrival, Richard waited, knowing his pace outstripped Ellie's, who needed to hunt other apprentices.
While waiting, he not only restored his magic but also made some preparations.
As an alchemy apprentice, he had numerous gadgets to aid in battle.
...
"Ah!"
A scream pierced the night as an apprentice attempting to ambush Richard under the cover of darkness was ensnared by a mysterious bramble.
The apprentice's blood seeped from wounds inflicted by the thorns, which the bramble absorbed as nourishment.
The apprentice struggled briefly before a black greatsword ended his life.
"Another one without a brain," Richard yawned, watching the bramble drain the apprentice to a husk.
These brambles, known as bloodthirsty brambles, were a minor creation in biological alchemy, a subject Jolord only slightly explored, leaving Richard with just a superficial understanding.
But for wizards, knowledge is power, and even a little knowledge can triumph over foolishness.
With the apprentice mark transferring to him, Richard's energy pulse intensified further.
"If this keeps up, soon the whole exam ground will know I'm here."
Richard scratched his head, scavenging the apprentice's body.
He wasn't keen on looting corpses, finding them poorer than expected. Even Sly yielded only 200 magic stones and two finished magical items.
One item was tailored for necromancy apprentices, useless to other disciplines.
If not for acquiring some high-quality bones from Sly's skeletal puppet, the spoils from killing him would have fallen short of a year's potion sales.
And this was Sly's entire wealth.
Finishing his search, Richard was about to rest when a significant energy pulse, matching his own, arrived from the horizon.
Richard squinted, switching to Wuni's night vision.
"I feel like I know this person..."
Richard mused, activating his bloodline and transforming into a towering, muscular beast.
"Richard, why do you always refuse to transform in front of me?" The figure approached, "So this is what you look like transformed."
Startled, Richard recognized the voice.
"Ellie?"
Ellie, leaning on her staff, approached and curiously touched his scales.
"Not much to look at, but quite intimidating."
Richard deactivated his bloodline, circling Ellie in surprise.
"Is the elemental school that powerful? You've killed twenty apprentices."
Ellie rolled her eyes, "Even if the elemental school isn't that strong, it's better than being a brute focused on bloodline alchemy. You're an apprentice wizard; can't you learn some spells?"
She punched Richard playfully, expressing her exasperation.
Her mentor, Susanna, initially admired Richard upon learning he was Jolord's disciple, but her opinion soured upon hearing he followed the bloodline alchemy path.
"Bloodline alchemists are barbarians!"
So said Susanna, the Black Tower's grand wizard's apprentice, adept in both elemental magic and curses.
After some teasing, they discussed their plans.
"Your teacher must have told you," Ellie said, her expression serious, "The leaderboard rewards this time are extraordinary. It's likely we'll explore the principal's secret realm."
Richard nodded, aware of the unique nature of this exam's rewards through Jolord, who had heard from his friend Ereks.
"What do you plan to do next?" Ellie asked.
Richard drew the scroll outlining the exam rules from his waist.
"What do you think about hunting these high-level creatures?"
Ellie frowned slightly, "My mentor said these creatures are slaves captured by the principal from other worlds, not comparable to ordinary advanced beasts."
"But it's the best way to earn points," Richard pointed at the rules, "Each is worth fifty points. To earn that from apprentices, we need to kill at least two at our level."
Richard knew these creatures were formidable, but hunting them was necessary for a commanding lead in points.
He'd experienced the slipperiness of wizard apprentices firsthand. By the later stages, with marks broadcasting their presence, it would be harder to hunt them.
After a moment's hesitation, Ellie agreed with Richard's plan.
She had no better alternative.
With their strategy set, they rested in place.
The high-level creatures weren't unleashed at the start; they would enter the exam on the fifteenth day.
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Wöchentlicher Energiestatus
-- Power-
Rangliste 
-- Power-
Stein