CH131 - CH132

CH131

"Administrator? Hello, Mr. Salin," Helag greeted, slightly puzzled.

Salin sat on the sofa opposite Helag and said, "You were attacked by Malcolm recently. There are some things I've been wanting to ask you, but I waited because you were severely injured. Do you mind if I ask now?"

"Go ahead," Helag nodded.

Salin continued, "Why did Malcolm specifically come after you? Barty said it was related to his brother's death. Is that true?"

"To be precise, I witnessed his brother's death, but I had nothing to do with it. At that time, I was just a first-level apprentice, and Luen was a third-level apprentice. I didn't have the capability to kill him," Helag explained.

Lying to a powerful formal wizard wasn't wise, so Helag told the truth, omitting some details.

Salin didn't press the issue, as it wasn't his main concern.

He continued, "From my observation, it seems you don't plan to stay in Moonlight Forest?"

Helag thought for a moment and nodded, "I prefer freedom."

Salin said, "But there's a problem. Once you leave Moonlight Forest, it'll be hard to escape Malcolm's pursuit. Knowing this, do you still want to leave?"

This was something Helag had been contemplating. He knew that even if he advanced to a formal wizard, defeating Malcolm immediately was unrealistic.

Without a contract with Moonlight Forest, he couldn't stay. Once he left, Malcolm could come after him anytime.

Staying meant signing a hundred-year contract with Moonlight Forest.

The time wasn't the issue; it was the contract's binding nature, with his life and death in someone else's hands.

Seeing Helag's hesitation, Salin said, "Take your time to think about it. But remember, once you advance to a formal wizard, we can't keep you in Moonlight Forest without a contract. We can't allow a formal wizard who doesn't belong to us to stay."

His message was clear: even a newly advanced formal wizard was still a formal wizard. Without trust, they couldn't stay in Moonlight Forest.

And trust requires a contract.

Helag didn't rush to decide. "Mr. Salin, I need more time to think about this."

Salin nodded, "You have time. But consider your best interests carefully."

"Thank you, Mr. Salin."

***

Salin didn't stay long, leaving after gauging Helag's thoughts.

Helag realized that an ordinary third-level apprentice wouldn't have an administrator from Moonlight Forest asking such questions.

Perhaps his prolonged resistance against Malcolm had brought him to the attention of Moonlight Forest's leadership.

Helag pondered whether to stay in Moonlight Forest, planning to seek Larry's advice.

Without Malcolm's threat, he wouldn't consider staying.

But Malcolm had retrieved Luen's soul, complicating matters.

Helag suspected Luen had died in the Abyss Plane, with his soul not in this world, explaining Malcolm's difficulty in summoning it back.

"Abyss Plane…"

Helag thought of the wooden disk in his space ring, still puzzled by his encounter with Shivara and the strange space he entered.

Shortly after Salin left, Larry arrived.

After a brief conversation, Larry glanced at Bessie, who sensibly went downstairs. "You two talk."

Larry smiled apologetically and, once she left, said to Helag, "Your dilemma is that staying in Moonlight Forest means a hundred-year contract, and leaving means facing Malcolm's threat. There's a way to solve both problems."

"What is it?" Helag asked.

Larry smiled, "Work for me."

Helag thought about it. Even working for Larry wouldn't allow him to stay in Moonlight Forest without a contract.

"Come to my family's potion garden in Kent Valley. After you advance to a formal wizard, you can manage the garden for me. Sometimes, you'll handle potion orders and get a share of the profits."

"We won't sign any contracts. Just let me know when you want to leave. You can practice safely there, as it's my family's territory, and Malcolm won't dare trouble you."

Larry spoke confidently, backed by his family's strength.

Only families with at least three consecutive generations of formal wizards were considered pure-blood wizard families, each with deep foundations.

They didn't belong to any wizard organization, as they were organizations themselves, with complete systems.

Larry's contract with Moonlight Forest was merely an employment contract, which he could terminate any time. He was invited to join Moonlight Forest.

Helag liked the idea. It offered freedom and a relatively safe environment to practice.

He believed that with enough time, his efforts, intelligence, and Deep Blue's help, surpassing Malcolm was inevitable.

Though Helag had made up his mind, he asked, "Are you sure it's safe there?"

Larry laughed, "Pure-blood wizard families are more cohesive than typical wizard organizations. It's common knowledge that no one messes with them lightly."

Pure-blood wizard families were known for their protectiveness. Though Helag wasn't related by blood, he'd be considered one of them.

If Malcolm dared to attack Helag on their territory, he'd face the family's wrath, a severe provocation.

"Then I'll follow you, teacher," Helag smiled.

Larry patted his shoulder, "Train hard and advance to a formal wizard soon. Once you're strong enough, you won't need external help."

CH132

Larry's words echoed Helag's own thoughts.

Only by becoming strong could he rely on himself to face any challenge.

Two days later.

[Helag Merlin: 

Strength 8.6, 

Agility 7.7, 

Constitution 9.3, 

Spirit 19.7, 

Mana 100%.]

Helag had completed the meditation for the twelfth star, but his injuries hadn't fully healed yet. He still needed Bessie's help to walk.

He checked his space ring and found he had over 2,300 magic stones left.

"Since I've decided to leave after becoming a formal wizard, I need to make the most of my time here," Helag thought.

Moonlight Forest offered valuable resources and knowledge.

Helag planned to use his remaining time and magic stones to acquire as much as he could.

Many types of knowledge were easier to obtain within a wizard organization. Once outside, it would be much harder.

The first thing Helag wanted to learn was necromancy, a field he knew little about.

To learn necromancy, he needed to find a formal wizard in Moonlight Forest who could teach him. It would be costly, but Helag could afford it.

***

Ten days later, in town.

"How are you feeling?" Larry asked.

Helag stretched a bit. "Almost fully recovered."

"Your strong constitution is a big reason for your quick recovery," Larry nodded.

Helag smiled. "Thanks to the potions you made, otherwise I'd still be bedridden."

Larry had prepared special potions for Helag's injuries, which had been very effective.

"You should also thank Bessie. She's been taking care of you," Larry said, sipping his coffee.

Helag sighed. "I'm destined to leave. Even at your place, I probably won't stay long."

He was confident in his advancement speed, knowing that higher levels would require more resources.

As a first-level wizard, he could still find what he needed here. But for second or third-level wizards, he'd have to go elsewhere.

Bessie, a third-level apprentice, couldn't follow him everywhere.

Moreover, Bessie had given up her own cultivation to build a pure-blood wizard family, a long-term goal.

Helag didn't want to be tied down. His focus was on improving his own strength.

Thinking about necromancy, he asked, "Do you know any wizards here who teach necromancy?"

"Necromancy? Lady Moran is quite skilled in it. I can ask if she's available. But why do you want to learn necromancy? Too many fields can lead to being a jack of all trades, master of none," Larry cautioned.

Helag understood. For most apprentices, balancing multiple fields was difficult.

One field, like potion-making, could consume most of their time and energy. Necromancy was even more complex.

"I'm preparing for the future. I want to gather the knowledge now and digest it later," Helag explained.

Larry agreed. Once outside, acquiring such knowledge would be harder.

He sent a few messages with his rune stone and said, "Lady Moran agreed. Basic necromancy knowledge costs 100 magic stones. You can visit her at D-6 this afternoon; she's available."

D-6 wasn't far. Helag arrived after a ten-minute walk.

Following the signs, he found Lady Moran's house.

Unlike Larry's, it was a three-story building with a small yard filled with carnivorous plants.

The plants sensed Helag's approach, raising their heads and opening their mouths, dripping with saliva.

Helag hesitated at the gate, unsure whether to enter.

He wasn't afraid of the plants but worried they might damage themselves on his shield.

"Come in. They're just curious and won't bite," a pleasant voice called from inside.

Helag cautiously walked in, keeping an eye on the plants.

If they attacked, he could dodge in time.

The plants watched him intently as he reached the door.

Helag knocked. "Lady Moran, I'm Helag, Larry's student."

"Come in."

The door opened automatically, and a cold breeze blew out, giving Helag a chill.

Inside, the lighting was dim, with only a few oil lamps in the corners.

The room smelled strongly of preservatives and kerosene, which was quite pungent.

Helag wondered why there were kerosene lamps instead of the usual fluorescent stones.

Ahead was a table with a book and a bottle of green liquid, bubbling slightly.

Behind the table sat a small figure in a black robe, their features obscured.

Helag didn't dare probe further, being cautious around a formal wizard.

"You want to learn basic necromancy?" the melodious voice asked from beneath the robe.

Helag nodded. "Yes, here's the fee."

He handed over a small bag containing 100 magic stones.

Feeling a pull, he released the bag, which floated to the table.

Lady Moran waved a hidden hand, and a glass bottle floated to Helag.

He caught it, finding it filled with a beer-like liquid.

"This is the basic necromancy knowledge. Drink it here," Moran emphasized the last part.

Helag understood, knowing she wanted to ensure he didn't resell it.

He uncorked the bottle and sniffed. It smelled like beer but with a stronger fermentation scent.

Helag downed it in one gulp.

The liquid dissolved instantly, with none reaching his stomach.

Soon, Helag felt his head swell as information flooded his mind.

[Knowledge transfer.] 

Helag controlled his mental power, absorbing the information.

Half an hour later, his mind was filled wit

h necromancy knowledge.

He now knew about malevolent spirits, evil entities, and basic soul principles.

"You've mastered the basics. You can now learn basic necromancy spells," Moran's voice was as pleasant as a song, her final laugh uplifting.