Solomon was busy with research on the Frostflame Flower and the advancement of a Level 3 Sorcerer, so he did not stay long in the Rapid Wood Tower. Only after he had left did Ivan open the treasure box to check the situation.
As expected, Dira’s letter of apology lacked sincerity.
The compensation was a box full of lower-grade Crystal Stones, neither too many nor too few, but Ivan had long since had no need for such things, which likewise seemed insincere.
“An apologetic gesture forced by the circumstances, not a true recognition of fault, combined with expectations for future reckoning,” Ivan muttered to himself indifferently.
For him, Solomon’s visit was just a minor episode; he still had many matters to attend to.
In the following days, he continued to immerse himself in the exploration of various academic disciplines, occasionally fulfilling his duties by crafting some high-level magicalized items “Pure White Eyes” for others.
After over a month, Runes Skill was advanced to a Level 11 discipline, becoming the second such discipline after Enchantment Skill.
His additional gains were as before, receiving a Small Light of Wisdom and a Level 11 Light of Wisdom.
During this time, he opened a Space Ring that he had acquired from the Lightning Tribe.
Regrettably, the most valuable items were still the two Space Rings themselves. Although the space inside each was only ten cubic units, Ivan could tell that the materials used to create them were quite good.
Because of the Lightning Tribe’s crude crafting techniques, the potential value of the raw materials had not been fully utilized, which naturally allowed for expansion in his hands.
As for the contents within the space, most were Lightning-type, with a minor part being Wind-type, precisely what he had no use for.
There was still a portion useful to him, including some beast eggs and remnants of magicalized creatures, which would help him with his studies in Biology Expertise.
Several days later, Curse Skill was elevated from Level 4 to Level 5.
Apothecary Skill grew from Level 8 to Level 9.
On the Academic Prodigy panel, the accumulated Lights of Wisdom gradually increased.
Ivan never slacked off. In addition to delving into academic knowledge and continuously improving himself, he was incessantly arranging other aspects of advancement, collecting auxiliary resources through various channels to ensure infallibility.
Busy and bustling.
He seemed to have forgotten the passage of time, and in the blink of an eye, another four months passed.
Curse Skill was promoted from Level 5 to a Level 6 discipline.
Meanwhile, Biology Expertise and Linguistics Skill both jumped two levels, the former from Level 8 to Level 10, and the latter from Level 6 to Level 8.
To date, Ivan had amassed a total of seven Lights of Wisdom and two Lights of Great Wisdom, replenishing the previous extensive consumption.
All his sleepless nights and hard work had not been in vain.
…
Black Ant Tower.
Ivan had not yet entered the living room when he heard voices inside. One belonged to Randall and the other to Monde Watkin, who was the Dean of Mongna Ant Land Cottage.
“Dean Ivan,” Monde stood up upon seeing him.
“Dean Watkin, I apologize for any neglect. I was busy with urgent matters these past few days and refrained from seeing visitors,” Ivan said, not surprised by his visit since it wasn’t the first time. Enjoy new adventures from My Virtual Library Empire
“Not at all, I actually didn’t have anything important. I mainly wanted to express my gratitude to you for inquiring about the Bloodline Alteration on my behalf.”
“It was nothing, as long as it was useful to you.”
During a previous visit to the Red Cloud Realm, Ivan had promised to help Monde inquire about the Bloodline Transformation Array and Bloodline Purification Array. While gathering information from Pengdala City, he had done so, and had already passed the message to Monde.
It appears now that Monde must have found something useful.
However, Monde still bore a distinct air of decay; his breath slightly erratic, and his appearance had not changed, indicating he had not undergone Bloodline Alteration yet.
“It was indeed useful, I truly appreciate it,” he responded earnestly.
“At the beginning, the feeling wasn’t very real. It wasn’t until I came to East Capital that I truly witnessed your prestige, Dean Ivan. It’s really wonderful that a figure like you, renowned throughout the sorcerer world, could come from the Mongna Ant Land Cottage.”
“With the emergence of your prestige, Dean Ivan, our academy will be able to recruit so many talented students in the future who knows how many more. Sooner or later, we might surpass all other academies on the Moon Pincer Peninsula.”
“——“
This person, if not for caring about face, could really pull off complimenting others earnestly and make it feel genuine, and this was exactly what Monde was like in front of me.
From the moment Ivan entered the living room to the time Monde bid farewell and left the tall tower, I had lost count of how many kind words he had said.
As the subject of the flattery, even Ivan began to feel a bit uncomfortable.
“Mentor, this isn’t the first time Dean Watkin has come looking for you, is it?” he asked Randall after everyone had left.
“Of course not, thanks to you he’s met with me several times now. Dean Watkin has put aside all pretences. In the past, let alone a dean, even a steward from the Watkin family loved to look down on others with their nostrils flared. Now, it’s simply unimaginable,” Randall said with a chuckle.
Thanks to the treatment with Jade Sweet Juice, as well as a period of rest and adjustment, the Golden Beetle General and the Nine-Colored Bugs clan had recovered much of their vitality, which had invigorated him.
Over the months, Randall had emerged from the shadow cast by the Black God Society.
“Things deep in one’s bones are hard to change. I reckon Dean Watkin must have some ulterior motive.” Ivan pondered for a moment before speaking. It’s generally understood that one who offers unsolicited kindnesses either has a scheme or is a thief, and he understood this principle well.
“Indeed, I think so too,” Randall nodded in agreement.
“Let’s hear it.” Seeing that he seemed to perceive something, Ivan couldn’t help but ask.
“Bloodline Alteration,” replied Randall frankly. “I figured it out; he’s trying to win me over to embark on the path of Bloodline Alteration together with him.
Think about it too, my current state practically predestines me for Bloodline Alteration; it would truly be a consummation most natural.”
Speaking, Randall gave a wry smile.
Hearing these words, Ivan couldn’t help but frown slightly.
He had heard from Chairman Narnya that the craze for Bloodline Alteration hides a great secret that could even threaten the safety of the entire sorcerer world. The waters behind it ran deep.
In the past, the craze hadn’t spread to him, and although he had kept it in mind, he didn’t pay it much heed. Now, things were different, with someone targeting Randall, he had to think more about it.
It looked like he would have to take this more seriously in the future, not to remain ignorant of the organization behind it and to keep an eye on Dean Watkin’s movements.
Better if there were no schemes, but should anyone dare to target his mentor, he would not hesitate to relegate the Watkin family to the dust of history.
“What’s wrong?” Randall noticed the change in his expression.
“I’m considering another issue. In the sorcerer world, there isn’t a clear-cut stance on Bloodline Alteration. Whether to venture down this unconventional road is entirely at the discretion of individual sorcerers.
If the mentor is interested, I could offer some assistance,” Ivan ventured.
“Forget it, I’m not particularly interested in Bloodline Alteration. I’ve come to realize over this period that I should continue to follow the path of Insect Control and cultivation by my own efforts, to breed more types of insects. Just like you said before, I strive to carve out my own path in sorcery,”
Randall shook his head and revealed his inner thoughts.
“That’s quite good,” Ivan nodded slightly.
Regardless, whatever path Randall chooses in the future, he would not interfere too much.
The two talked for a while about the insights on breeding insects and also saw the Golden Beetle General, who had recovered from hibernation. He also shared some insights on the Black Beard Chapter with Randall.
As for the black magic ritual, Ivan did not impart it to Randall.
For one thing, the new Meditation Method hadn’t been truly verified yet, and it was risky to let others practice it; for another, it was impractical for Randall to abruptly change his meditation method, especially as he was on the verge of advancing to a Level 2 Sorcerer—a single action might affect everything.
Therefore, Ivan only provided insights and with his understanding of the Black Beard Chapter, even these insights would benefit Randall greatly.
Before leaving the Black Ant Tower, Ivan informed Randall he would be away for an extended period.
Hearing his words, Randall seemed to realize something and exhorted him to take good care of himself and wait for his return to East Capital.