Chapter 78

Murphy POV

Brilliant rays of sunlight lit up the path with a beautiful golden light as Murphy starred toughtfully out of the window.

He is dressed in his formal attire, his trusty black cane in his hand, as the luxurious carriage driven by his servant rolled deeper into the city.

The current atmosphere made a truly beautiful sight outside of his window. But Murphy is unable to truly enjoy it.

Other things are plaguing his mind. For some reason, he had this strange gut feeling.

It started with the arrival of a specific group in Extereme Night City.

A group filled with knights and even great knights not weaker than the city lord himself.

According to the information Murphy managed to gather, there was even an Acolyte amongst that group.

He even managed to take a look at her, but she had only recently broken into the level of a Rank 2 acolyte.

Nothing he had to fear; even with the few spell models he could use and his current state, he could take care of a freshly advanced acolyte.

Still, there was this strange gut feeling.

If he were younger, he probably would have packed his things and left from Extreme Night City.

Unfortunately, he was too old now. He had built a comfortable life for himself here, having long since given up on the chance to become a magus.

Instead, he had decided to pursue his scholarly interests and the luxuries of mortal life itself.

Even if he was targeted by some different party, he had not much of a real interest in other acolytes beyond his knowledge.

And he probably was overthinking things; after all, that group had become personal guests of Viscount Jackson himself.

It should be fine.

"We have arrived, sir!" His servant called out from the driver's seat.

Murphy had been so deep in thought that he had missed the fact that they had already arrived at the Viscounts Castle.

The castle was right in the heart of Extreme Night City, guarded by the personal guards of Viscount Jackson himself, the Black Iron Guards.

"I probably won't be out for too long today. So be ready in case you need to depart." Murphy ordered just in case he needed to make a quick escape as he stepped out of the carriage.

In his vicinity were several other horse carriages, as Gentelmen in lavish attire and Ladies in Ball gowns arrived for the City Lords Banquet.

"Murphy, old friend! You finally arrived!" A familiar voice called out.

Viscount Jackson personally arrived to greet him.

"Little Jackson, it's good to see you! Is everything fine with you?" Murphy asked, taking a close look at the person opposite him but not noticing anything wrong.

"It sure is! Why are you asking, old friend?"

"I was a bit worried for one of my smartest students. After all, you are currently housing rather unique guests." Murphy pointed out.

"Ah, you mean Lord Potter and his retinue! You will meet him soon! He is the person who was sent to take care of the Withering Woods! Which he already did. But he needs a place to stay for a while, so I invited him to stay here." Jackson explained honestly.

Murphy had heard that the woods around Extreme Night City had begun to recover. It was a great relief for him.

He had studied the dried-out plants himself and came to the conclusion that the origin of the threat was beyond his level.

Still, it had worried him that the Viscount would one day ask him for help in handling this matter.

On one hand, he was indebted to Jackson, who made things in Extreme Night City rather easy for him, and Murphy was rather fond of the man since he had been his student since his youth.

But the other side was a threat that could threaten his life. He had been split on that matter.

"Since you are talking so highly about this new arrival so highly, I can't wait to meet him." Murphy responded now, more calm.

It seems his gut feeling was reacting to the true strength of this new arrival.

Being able to handle the threat of the Withering Woods made sure this so-called Lord Potter wasn't ordinary.

Murphy hadn't even known that there had been another Acolyte beyond that woman that had originally led that group.

No rumors had spread through the city.

"Oh, you will quite get along with him. He is very knowledgeable. Quite reminding me of you. In fact, I made sure to prepare a separate hall where your people can gather to socialize amongst themselves for now." Jackson explained as he let him towards another banquet hall than the usual one.

"Sounds appropriate. It will be a bit more relaxed to talk amongst other athletes at the start. Am I very late?" Murphy asked, as he had been rather slow today.

"Fashionably!" Jackson laughed loudly, "But you are the last one to arrive!"

They walked through the lavishly decorated halls of the castle until they arrived at a large pair of massive wooden doors.

"They are inside." Jackson said, "I will leave you here. I still have to take care of the other banquet; the host shouldn't be absent too long."

As Jackson left, Murphy turned towards the doors and pushed them open, entering the banquet hall.

It was filled with long tables covered in white cloth.

On these tables were golden and silver platters filled with various fruits, meats, and other dishes.

A huge chandelier hung in the center of the large hall, illuminated by the light of different candles shining through the colored crystals hanging from it.

As Jackson had said, all the other Acolytes living in Extreme Night City were already present. But the person that caught his eye was standing casually in the center of the hall.

He had wild black hair and quite the sharp ethereal look to him.

But the most eye-catching feature were the Emerald Green eyes, which seemed to glow slightly.

Nobody was talking to him; for some reason everyone kept their distance from him.

The moment Murphy had entered the hall, the youths eyes landed on him. It felt like the youth saw right through every secret Murphy had.

He felt naked.

Now that Murphy thought about it. The hall was rather quiet.

Usually these acolytes were wilder. And his gut feeling had returned, much stronger than before.

But it was too late now. He was in the presence of a predator. The moment he had stepped inside this room, he knew he couldn't escape.

Whatever this boy was, he definitely was not a Rank 2 acolyte.

"It seems everyone has arrived." Said the boy, seemingly speaking normally, but his voice reached into every corner of the hall. "If you didn't learn of me yet, let me introduce myself first. After all, I am the newcomer."

He grinned, but nobody was reacting to his joking manner. Everyone felt how dangerous this boy is.

"Why so tense? Anyways, I am Harry Potter. Currently a Rank 2 acolyte from the Abyssal Bone Forest Academy on a mission to take care of the Withering Woods. You may call me Lord Potter." Lord Potter introduced himself.

Murphy knew of the Abyssal Bone Forest Academy; it is the organization truly in control of the Poolfield Kingdom.

The biggest one in this region.

But why was Lord Potter telling them all of this?

Even if all of the Acolytes present got intimidated by his strength, they still could spread the truth once they were outside, just to take revenge for his arrogant style right now.

According to recent intelligence Murphy had gathered, Abyssal Bone Forest Academy was at war with Sage Gotham's Hut and Whitewoods Castle.

Wait, if they left here. This is bad.

Murphy noticed that Lord Potter had been observing him and was grinning.

"Some of you may have already realized, but I have an offer for you." Lord Potter said calmly, "An invitation of sorts."

Finally someone else managed to talk; it was an acolyte with acne on his face, whose name Murphy had actually forgotten, "I have no interest in any invitations."

Harry was unimpressed by him; Murphy wasn't surprised. None of the acolytes living in Extreme Night City were particularly talented; most of them wouldn't even become a Rank 3 acolyte in their lifetime.

In fact, Murphy could be considered the most talented one.

He even had a Rank 1 spell model, but he never managed to acquire Grine Water to become an official magus.

Now he was too old.

"I said an Invitation of Sorts. But in fact, you have no choice in the matter." Lord Potter said coldly as his eyes glowed more intensely and strange runes Murphy had never seen before glowed all around the room.

Suddenly they were trapped inside of a Circle of Sickly Green and Black Flames.

Murphy was certain he would die if he touched them.

Lord Potter was no Acolyte; he had to be a Magus. Such a feat was beyond any acolyte, no matter the level. They stood no Chance!

"Excuse me, Lord Potter. May I ask exactly what kind of offer you are making us?"

"Murphy right?" Lord Potter once again looked at him before nodding approvingly, "Not bad. The offer is, in fact, more than you ever would have gotten. Even Acolytes belonging to the Abyssal Bone Forest Academy would envy you."

What could cause Acolytes of any bigger organization to be envious?

As long as they were smart enough and worked hard, they could get everything to become a Rank 3 acolyte.

The only thing would be…

"I am offering everyone of you an advanced meditation technique." Lord Potter said with an impish grin.

This couldn't be true. "What is the catch?" Murphy asked carefully.

"Well, you don't really have a choice in that matter; you just can choose to die. All you have to do is sign this contract of loyalty to my organization, and you get the chance to become a Rank 1 magus with an advanced meditation technique, not grine water, which uses up your lifespan." Lord Potter said as a scroll appeared with a green glow in his hand.

It was probably a binding contract under the Trial Eye.

Many of the Accolytes were already excited about the chance of becoming an official magus, while they probably had no idea what the real difference between grine water and a advanced meditation technique was.

They were not stupid.

Murphy was not so easily blinded. "Will this contract make us your slaves?"

"No. It is a contract of loyalty. You will become regular members of my organization; you will have to follow it's rules and contribute to it. But it also binds me with Clauses that I will have to treat you fairly." Harry explained honestly.

At least as far as Murphy could tell.

It wasn't like he really had a choice. Murphy didn't want to die.

He had long since given up to become an official magus.

Grine Water was rare and would just use up his remaining lifespan, but an advanced meditation technique was impossible to get.

Murphy had already made up his mind, but there was one other question he had to know: "What's the name of your organization?"

"Dragon's Gate."

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