章 21: Chapter 21: Barnis’ Strange Behavior and Joan Michelle's Luxurious Estate!

As Dean Bruce pondered, he found himself near the logistics warehouse and couldn't help but think, Should I drop by and relax with Joan Michelle for a bit?

Without a moment's hesitation, Dean Bruce walked straight up to the warehouse door and pushed it open. Just as he was about to speak, he heard a voice from inside: "Barnis, here's the Tier 3 crystal core you asked for!"

Hearing this, Dean Bruce froze in his tracks, surprised. [Barnis? What does he need a crystal core for?]

Crystal cores are a rare and special material, formed only after the death of high-grade beasts, and they have various uses. They can power a mage's staff or be used in the creation of magical potions.

That much like the alchemists in those novels from his previous life.

But it nothing for others.

[Barnis just recently replaced the core in his staff. And he's not an alchemist, so why does he need a new crystal core? This stuff isn't supposed to be sold casually!]

Dean Bruce blinked, not dwelling too much on it. Since he wasn't particularly close to Barnis, he continued walking forward.

At that moment, Barnis George seemed extremely nervous, like a thief afraid of being caught. He quickly grabbed the crystal core, his voice rushed, "Thanks! I'll treat you to a meal sometime."

Before Joan Michelle could respond, Barnis stuffed the crystal core into his cloak and turned, only to nearly collide with Dean Bruce. The shock made him yelp, stumbling back several steps.

Dean Bruce's eyes narrowed as he sensed something amiss.

That reaction isn't normal, he thought. Even if someone's startled, they wouldn't act like this!

"D-Dean! Dean Bruce!" Barnis George stuttered, his body trembling as if struck by lightning. "Dean, you're here to pick up something too?"

Dean Bruce smiled and countered, "Why? Can't I be here?"

"Of course you can!" Barnis' throat bobbed as he hurriedly said, "You must be busy, I—I have something to take care of…"

With that, Barnis sidestepped and practically fled the scene, leaving in a panicked rush.

As a fellow instructor, Dean Bruce naturally couldn't stop him, but suspicion brewed in his mind. Narrowing his eyes, he fixated on Barnis George's retreating figure, thinking to himself, [This guy's acting weird, avoiding eye contact with me completely. There's definitely something off here. Could he be like Xerath Cade, another assassin sent to kill me?]

Shaking his head, Dean Bruce quickly dismissed the thought. [With the way he just panicked, there's no way he's an assassin. But still, I should be cautious around him in the future. When something seems off, there's usually a hidden reason. Even though I can cast high-level spells now, my body is still fragile—I need to stay vigilant!]

Gathering his thoughts, Dean Bruce turned his gaze to Joan Michelle, a smile creeping onto his face.

Joan Michelle noticed Dean Bruce as well, her face lighting up with a smile as she softly asked, "Teacher, did you come to check on my progress?"

"That's right!" Dean Bruce responded with a smile.

Joan Michelle's eyes sparkled with excitement. "Teacher, I've already managed to use multiple elements to cast The Compassion of Heaven and Earth. Why don't you come home with me so I can demonstrate it for you? If I've done it right, would you teach me a new spell?"

Pausing for a moment, Joan Michelle bit her lip and added in a low voice, "My probationary assessment is coming up in about half a month. If I could learn one more spell before then, my chances of passing would be much higher."

"..."

Raising an eyebrow, Dean Bruce saw no reason to refuse. This was the perfect excuse to visit her home—maybe even stay the night!

Besides, with the speed at which Joan Michelle was mastering spells, Dean Bruce was eager to pass on more incantations to her.

If she succeeded, his own power would be multiplied several times over.

Excited at the prospect of learning a new spell, Joan Michelle practically dragged Dean Bruce out of the logistics warehouse, locking the door behind them and hanging up a "Closed" sign. She was so eager she didn't even care about skipping work.

Not that anyone in the logistics department would notice—unless it was a day for handing out supplies or paying wages, the place was usually deserted.

Dean Bruce and Joan Michelle shared more than just a teacher-student relationship; there was a certain familiarity between them that allowed for a more relaxed interaction.

As they walked, Dean Bruce occasionally stroked Joan Michelle's soft hand, barely paying attention to the route, instead engaging in light conversation with her.

Once they had exited Notting City, Dean Bruce finally sensed that something was off and looked curiously at Joan Michelle.

Joan Michelle, snuggling closer to Dean Bruce, giggled and said, "My home is outside the city, Teacher. Don't be too surprised when you see it!"

"Surprised? What do you mean?" Dean Bruce recalled what she had mentioned earlier and asked, "How wealthy is your family?"

Joan Michelle blinked and replied, "We're not as wealthy as we used to be, but our ancestors were quite prosperous. Back then, even the lord of Notting City might not have been as powerful as the Michelle family."

"But over the years, our descendants lacked the talent to maintain our standing. Now, we can't even compare to many families… All we have left is a manor outside the city to keep up appearances."

As she spoke, Joan Michelle sighed, her face filled with worry. "To preserve what's left of our family legacy, we have to work hard, increase our power, and elevate our status."

Hearing this, Dean Bruce finally understood why Joan Michelle was so determined. He nodded and reassured her, "As long as you keep learning magic from me, I promise you'll not only preserve your family estate but also surpass your ancestors."

"Really?" Joan Michelle's eyes lit up, and she instinctively leaned even closer to Dean Bruce.

It wasn't that she was easily swayed; it was that she had genuinely learned advanced magic under his guidance.

Despite her family's once-great power, surpassing even the lord's family of Notting City, her ancestors had only reached the level of a Grand Mage and had mastered a single advanced spell.

If she could achieve what Dean Bruce promised—master The Compassion of Heaven and Earth to the level of a super-tier spell, learn two or three more advanced spells, and raise her magical rank—she would undoubtedly surpass her ancestors!

This only strengthened Joan Michelle's resolve: [To preserve my family's legacy and restore the glory of my ancestors, I must serve Teacher well. Whatever he asks of me, I will do my utmost to fulfill!]

Though the manor was outside the city, it wasn't too far. Before long, its outline came into view.

Even though Dean Bruce had been in this world for some time, this was his first time seeing a manor, and he couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation.

Unfortunately, the Michelle family had long lost its former glory. Although the manor remained, it had few servants, and the decorations were noticeably outdated.

Upon entering the house, only an elderly man in his sixties, accompanied by four young women, came to greet them. Their attire was simple, quite different from the grand reception Dean Bruce had imagined, with a dozen well-dressed servants lining up to welcome them.

Of course, even this level of reception was impressive; there were likely fewer than ten households in all of Notting City that could manage it.

However, compared to the grandeur of a luxurious estate, it was a bit underwhelming.

"Welcome home, Miss," the elderly man said respectfully, bowing. "What would you like us to prepare?"

In the presence of her family's servants, Joan Michelle's demeanor changed instantly. Even as she continued to lean on Dean Bruce, her expression grew serious, and she calmly instructed, "Prepare a lavish dinner and have the bathhouse cleaned and the water heated."

Whether in a technologically advanced world or a magical one, people's desires for comfort and luxury in their daily lives remain largely the same.

The elderly man bowed again, and the four young women knelt before Dean Bruce and Joan Michelle, their heads lowered, hands extended in offering.

Dean Bruce wasn't surprised by this display.

The magical world, unlike the technological one, still had a system of slavery. These people's lives belonged entirely to the Michelle family, and such acts of subservience were not unusual.

As he removed his mage's robe and handed it to one of the girls, another girl immediately rose to smooth out the creases in his clothes, attending to him with meticulous care.