Mongna Ant Land Cottage.
That day, the Twin Towers welcomed a special guest.
“You were too impulsive, we and the Rapid Flow Twin Towers Academy are both members of the Flash Vortex Alliance, and Dorando after all is the only son of Oz Trollope, how could you have someone kill him directly?” Dean Watkin said with some anguish.
“Many people know about this; he placed a bounty on me using a spiritual power potion in the black market, and when that failed, he even increased the reward, leading to multiple attempts on my life. If it hadn’t been for my resourcefulness, I surely would have been the one to die.
As things stand, do you think I should have spared him? I didn’t personally intervene, and that was out of respect for the Flash Vortex Alliance.” Ivan said coldly.
He had become the target of this bounty through no fault of his own; he was no pushover and had harbored a bellyful of anger, waiting for the right moment to take his revenge, not caring whether the other party had a Level 2 Sorcerer as a father.
Yesterday, the Hunting Team and those dispatched by the Lidia family returned.
When they reported that Dorando had been killed, it satisfied him. If the first order he issued went awry, Ivan would have reconsidered the value of these people.
“Then you better be more careful in the future, Trollope will certainly not let this go.”
“If he dares to trouble me, I will ensure he cannot return.”
Upon hearing this, Dean Watkin gave a bitter smile, almost forgetting that this man had always been fearless and reckless, bold enough to imprison him, the Dean, even when he was just a Level 1 Sorcerer. What could be more dangerous than that?
Moreover, he had a formidable power backing him; there was no need to worry on his behalf.
“Dean Watkin, is there something else you came here for?” Ivan asked.
“You never come to the dean’s office, and I can’t find you when I go there,” Dean Watkin retorted, glancing around. “I just came to ask about the expansion of the Twin Towers.”
“Is there a problem?”
As the residence of the vice-dean, it couldn’t be too shabby; he could either relocate or expand, and Ivan had chosen the latter option and had already started work.
His requests were not high, all materials would be provided by the academy.
“Based on your expansion plan, it looks to me a bit like a miniature Ant Being barrier. Will it eventually form a runes sorcery array?” Dean Watkin pondered aloud.
“You want to ask if my runes sorcery array might draw on the Power of Rebirth from the Ant Being barrier, correct?” Ivan guessed his intention immediately.
“I won’t lie to you, indeed, I’ve thought about it,” Dean Watkin admitted, as he wasn’t really concerned about the runes sorcery array itself.
“We had an agreement; all matters regarding the Enchantment Group are left to me,” Ivan stated, somewhat displeased.
“Sorcerer Ivan, don’t blame me for meddling, after all, it’s a matter concerning the advancement to a Level 2 Sorcerer, something many are hopeful for. If possible, I hope you can leave some hope for everyone,” Dean Watkin said earnestly.
Advancing from a Level 1 to a Level 2 Sorcerer was not easy, and for the sake of the Watkin family, he felt compelled to offer some advice to prevent the new dean from severing that power on his own.
“Well, I’ll tell you the truth: considering the speed at which the Ant Being barrier accumulates the Power of Rebirth, I estimate it will take at least a century, a century for a single opportunity to advance to Level 2,” Ivan explained.
“It’s still better than no chance.”
“Alright, I promise you, I won’t use the new Power of Rebirth fostered by the Ant Being barrier,” Ivan considered for a moment before agreeing, though he had initially planned to use that power to cultivate the rapid wood silkworm race. Since Dean Watkin strongly requested, he had to alter his original plan and find another solution.
“Haha, I knew you would be a better dean than me,” Dean Watkin praised.
“I’m currently planning to create an ‘Ant King’s Shield’ based on the Ant King Barrier Array; I lack some key materials. I wonder if—” Ivan started.
“As long as the academy has them, the academy can provide all materials,” Dean Watkin quickly understood, then added: “I wonder if it’s possible to craft an additional one? It might become a treasure of the school.”
“Alright, provided it can indeed be crafted successfully.”
“Sorcerer Ivan, you’re too modest. When have you ever failed?” Watkin said.
Despite having been imprisoned by Ivan once, after he became a Level 2 Sorcerer, Dean Watkin harbored no intention of settling scores; their relationship was relatively harmonious.
Dean Watkin knew very well that he would spend his life as a Level 2 Sorcerer, whereas Ivan was clearly different; possessing talent and the support of a potent force, he was destined to reach greater heights, fated not to stay in Mongna Ant Land Cottage for long.
Once Ivan rose to prominence and became a Level 3 Sorcerer, the entire academy might benefit.
Realizing this, Dean Watkin naturally became more accommodating, ready to offer power and resources. If it had not been for his juniors begging him to come, he would have certainly pretended not to notice.
“Dean Watkin, take care. No need to see you out.”
“Dean Marichadon, if there’s anything else you need, just let me know. The Watkin Family will surely give its full support,” Dean Watkin replied.
The two conversed amiably, and when Dean Watkin left the Twin Towers, Ivan even walked him to the door.
Ivan always believed in ‘returning courtesy with a mile for an inch.’ If the other party was not confrontational, he was willing to negotiate and give some face where possible.
In fact, their relationship was so harmonious for another deeper reason: in terms of resources, let alone Mongna Ant Land Cottage, even the entire Moon Pincer Peninsula had scarce resources suitable for a Level 2 Sorcerer’s cultivation.
Without major conflicts of interest, their relationship was naturally harmonious.
… Enjoy new chapters from empire
As the days passed, Ivan never left the academy, waiting for the Silkworm Queen’s transformation.
The transformation of the Silkworm Queen prolonged for over a month.
That day, the sky above the Twin Towers was enveloped by elemental phenomena, with blue mists and colorful halos stealing the spotlight; at times, they lay still like mountains, at other times, they roiled ceaselessly, and occasionally terrifying beastly silhouettes would emerge, truly shocking many onlookers.
“This Dean Marichadon is truly fortunate, one capable assistant after another, it’s hard not to envy him,” Dean Watkin noticed the unusual commotion immediately.
With his keen vision, he could tell that it was a sign of a powerful magic creature’s transformation.
It was not advancing to a Level 2 creature, but rather to a Level 3 creature. Considering that the other party already possessed a Level 3 Ant Beast, and now there was another unknown Level 3 creature, he felt somewhat displeased.
“Extraordinary people meet extraordinary circumstances, which is normal, very normal.”
Dean Watkin slightly shook his head, retracting his gaze, adopting an ‘out of sight, out of mind’ approach.
Others had, of course, also observed the elemental phenomenon, intimidated by Dean Marichadon’s authority; no one dared to approach, nor did anyone dare to make rash comments.
In the silkworm house of the Twin Towers, Ivan directly used the Ant Being barrier to channel energy, providing for the Scented Butterfly’s consumption.
The light cocoon trembled and expanded and shrunk continuously in an alternating cycle, clearly indicating that the Scented Butterfly’s transformation was not going smoothly.
“Is it due to a lack of space energy?”
“Or is the Insect Breathing Method too low in level, no longer sufficient to stabilize the power needed within the Scented Butterfly?”
Ivan witnessed this scene and could not help but frown; he knew this transformation of the Scented Butterfly was somewhat rushed and carried much greater risk than when it had advanced to Level 2.
Back when he had just become a Level 2 Sorcerer, high in spirit, he had given the surplus Power of Rebirth to the Scented Butterfly upon seeing its enviable form.
He had thought that the Power of Rebirth would suit the Scented Butterfly well, but thinking about it now, it was indeed a bit improper to be so absolute about an unverified matter.
And now, the Scented Butterfly had to endure even more hardship, which was worrying.
As time passed, the external elemental phenomenon was pulled into the Twin Towers, pouring entirely into the light cocoon.
Accompanied by a sound like a shell breaking, the Scented Butterfly completed its transformation, albeit narrowly without danger.
“Ivan, I think I’ve lost weight,” the Scented Butterfly’s figure reemerged and immediately rushed towards Ivan, who stood nearby.
It indeed had slimmed down, now resembling a slender green snake, no longer possessing its former plump appearance; fortunately, its lustrous, crystal-clear quality remained, not affecting its aura.
“Being a bit thinner isn’t bad,” Ivan observed it; the Scented Butterfly was undoubtedly a Level 3 creature now, though its aura was weaker than that of the swamp ant.
“I still like my original appearance, but it seems I can’t change back,” the Scented Butterfly coiled around his palm, the standing part reaching about twenty centimeters high.
Being unable to continue reducing its size troubled it.
“And also, I can’t conceal my aura anymore, it’s just—”
“Just that the Insect Breathing Method isn’t sufficient anymore?”
“Yes yes, I’m not blaming you; it’s our tribe that is unworthy. Despite our collective efforts, we couldn’t thoroughly understand the Insect Breathing Method; we probably lack talent in research.”
“I will follow up with the development of the Insect Breathing Method. As for concealing your aura, I believe that won’t trouble you; it’s what you are best at,” Ivan was not merely flattering; the rapid wood silkworm tribe had always excelled in the ‘art of enduring.’ Their abilities in concealing aura and disguise were innate, already at a notable level back in Mulberry Valley.
“Ivan, look at my new ability; I don’t think it’s very powerful,”
“Hold on, let’s go to the magic testing ground,”
Seeing that the Scented Butterfly was about to demonstrate its new ability there and then, Ivan hurriedly intervened; the silkworm house could not withstand the antics of a Level 3 creature.
After reaching the magic testing ground, the Scented Butterfly displayed its ability. Following a surge of energy fluctuations, it disappeared from sight, and suddenly a large mulberry tree appeared, the ordinary kind from Mulberry Valley.
“There’s more,” the voice of the Scented Butterfly came from the mulberry tree. With a slight sway of the tree, it transformed into a magical mulberry tree from the Moon Pincer Peninsula.
Both mulberry trees were lush with branches and leaves.
“Sorcerer Ivan, these are real mulberry trees, just like the ones we used to eat,” Wind Moth approached and sniffed, while Scented Butterfly also hovered around, nodding incessantly.
When it came to the knowledge of mulberry trees, the rapid wood silkworm tribe was exceptionally skilled.
“You two worthless creatures, better not have any strange ideas, or I won’t forgive you,” the Scented Butterfly said in a low tone.
“How could we, Mother? You worry too much,” Wind Moth was startled, instinctively wiping its mouth with its wings as if trying to remove the saliva there.
Seeing this, a branch of the mulberry tree swept out, knocking Wind Moth flying.
As a Level 3 creature, the Scented Butterfly had developed a new ability—Plant Transformation Skill.
The Plant Transformation Skill, as its name implies, allows it to transform into a genuine plant.
Compared to its other two abilities, ‘Power of Crowd Control’ and ‘space worm nest,’ this Plant Transformation Skill seemed not as strong.
Ivan didn’t think so; based on the Scented Butterfly’s past abilities, all required further development. With his guidance, it would soon become more versatile.