Old Marico saw Dago looking distracted, so he patted his shoulder and said, "It's alright, the Town patrol missions are relatively safe, so don't worry."
"Fine, we'll think about running away when the Dark Blood Council invades the Town."
Dago's favorability towards the Academy had now turned negative, and he was thinking of ways to leave the Academy.
Currently, he was under someone else's roof, so he had to bow his head.
At noon, after the three of them had lunch, they set off for Aynak Wizarding Academy.
They walked into the Academy without any obstruction, and it still looked the same as before, except there were many more wandering Wizards in tattered gray robes walking around.
Some of them were overjoyed, some were dejected, and some even had missing limbs.
Dago led the two directly to the Academy castle's guard post, where Raymond and Viser were already waiting inside.
Raymond was the first to step forward and speak, "Dago, your previous Forest Patrol performance was excellent. Viser told me that you jointly killed quite a few Black Robe Wizards."
Viser gestured from behind him, telling Dago and the two others not to speak carelessly, or they would face dire consequences.
Dago naturally understood that they were master and disciple. Even if he exposed Viser's lie, what could it change in Raymond's mind?
It was better to avoid trouble.
Dago calmly said, "It was all the credit of the Patrol members. We were just lucky and managed to kill a few insignificant nobodies."
"For Wizards who have rendered meritorious service, the Academy will bestow rewards. The three of you can take my written order to the Academy's equipment department and choose a magical artifact."
Dago then smiled broadly and said, "Then we thank the Academy for its kindness to us."
"Viser has already spoken to you about the Town patrol team. He recommended the three of you to join. Wizards who contribute to the Academy will be rewarded, each receiving thirteen low-level magic stones per month."
"Killing Black Robe Wizards also comes with additional rewards. I hope you will unite as one and work together for mutual success."
After Raymond finished speaking, he went to the walnut desk, took out three written orders, and handed them to the three individuals. He then kept Dago, allowing the others to leave first.
Dago stood respectfully in front of the desk because Raymond, who was sitting in the chair, was a Half-step Formal Wizard.
Raymond stared at Dago and slowly said, "Dago, you are very capable. You have strength, intelligence, and the patience to endure Viser for so long."
After hearing this, Dago's heart stirred. It seemed that Raymond was not simple either.
He replied sincerely, "Thank you for your praise, Wizard Raymond."
"Viser is the sole heir of the Hailam Wizard Family. His father was kind to me. I know his arrogant and conceited nature, but I still hope you can be more tolerant and take good care of him during the Town patrol."
Raymond said to Dago in a benevolent tone.
"The reason I put you together on this mission is also in hopes that you can help him change his personality."
"Understood, Sir Raymond."
Only then did Dago realize that Viser was actually a young master from a Wizard Family. No wonder he never looked people in the eye.
Then Raymond waved his hand, signaling that he could leave.
Dago turned and left, closing the door behind him. During this time, Raymond kept watching him, which made him a little uneasy.
Walking out, he saw Old Marico and Serena still waiting for him, but Viser was nowhere to be seen.
Old Marico told Dago that Viser had already made arrangements; the three of them only needed to meet him at the Academy gate at seven in the evening.
Dago pouted. Of all the people this young master could have chosen, he picked the three of them. He wondered what tricks he was up to.
Next, they were going to the Academy's equipment department to choose a Wizard's magical artifact. After discussion, the three unanimously decided to choose a Wizard's Magic Wand.
Magic Wands had two benefits: one was energy focusing. When a Wizard used mental power to manipulate energy particles, the Magic Wand could more quickly concentrate the energy particles at a single point, making the magic spell more precise.
The second was that high-quality Magic Wands (such as those inlaid with gems or made from magical wood) inherently contained natural magical energy, which could combine with the Wizard's energy, greatly enhancing the power of the magic spell.
Next, they would be undertaking Town patrol missions, which could enhance their combat effectiveness in the short term.
Magic Wands could be said to be essential magical artifacts for Wizards, expensive and usually costing no less than ten low-level magic stones.
High-quality Magic Wands started at a minimum of forty low-level magic stones.
Not long after, the three of them, holding Raymond's written orders, each selected a Magic Wand from the Academy's equipment department.
Dago chose an Ice Crystal Magic Wand, about one meter long, polished from transparent crystal, with a deep-sea pearl at the top. Its effect was to amplify ice-element magic spells. With it, Dago no longer needed to manually cast Ice Crystal Cannons.
Old Marico chose a century-old oak Magic Wand, with a moonstone embedded at the top that changed its luster with the rotation of the stars and moon.
Serena chose a Thorn Vine Magic Wand. The staff was solidified from living thorn vines, its surface covered with tiny thorns, and a never-fading blood-red rose was entwined at the top.
One could only say it was truly a Wizarding Academy, with profound heritage. The three of them were spoiled for choice in the equipment department before finally selecting the Magic Wands that best suited them.
Then they went together to the Academy Square to purchase some magic potions and also bought heated cloaks that only required a small amount of mental energy to provide warmth.
The three of them then returned to the Wizard Inn, beaming with joy.
..........
Soon, it was seven in the evening, and a rare double moon was visible in the night sky.
Dago and the two others, dressed in gray robes and wearing heated cloaks, were standing at the Academy gate, waiting.
Six magical crystal lamps on the tall, exquisite stone gate illuminated a large open space at the Academy entrance. At this time, dozens of people were still standing in the bright open space, constantly stomping their feet and exhaling.
They were almost all mercenary Wizards, male and female, mostly dressed in thick gray robes, chattering in the open space.
Dago walked over and asked one of the middle-aged Apprentice Wizards; they were also waiting there for the patrol mission.
He had a bad feeling that patrolling such a large Town with so few people might be a bit difficult.
Not long after, nine Wizards walked out from inside the Academy and stood side by side under the stone gate, including Viser and Raymond.
Raymond, in the middle, took a few more steps forward and said loudly, "I apologize for keeping you Wizards waiting for ten extra minutes. Next, I will be arranging your newly formed Town patrol team."
"First, the newly established patrol team is divided into eight groups, with ten Wizards per group, patrolling the outer perimeters of the eight directions of the Town. The group facing the Academy will serve as a mobile unit."
"Standing behind me are the eight captains of your patrol teams. Each of them is equipped with a communication crystal."
"Small groups of Black Robe Wizards have already infiltrated the forest surrounding the Town. To prevent them from causing damage to the Town, please be sure to stop them."
"Now, let's assign personnel to carry out the mission."
After saying this, Raymond turned and returned to the Academy, letting the eight Academy Wizards come forward to lead their people for the patrol mission.
Viser walked directly towards Dago and the two others, motioning for them to follow, then picked seven mercenary Wizards from the crowd. Just like that, they formed a small team.
Viser led them towards the eastern direction of the Town and told them, "This time, we are responsible for patrolling the southeastern area of the Town."
"Watchtowers and wooden hut outposts have already been constructed there."
"During this time, as your captain, I have only one requirement: obey my commands."
The nine Wizards listened quietly. Many of them were meeting for the first time, not knowing each other, and silently walked on the snowy path under the moonlight.
After walking for about several tens of minutes, they reached the outskirts of the Town, where a ten-meter-high wooden watchtower stood.
Below the watchtower was a small wooden hut of about ten square meters. Through the window, a bonfire could be seen burning inside.
At a glance, a large area of fallow farmland separated the outskirts of the Town from the forest. A cold wind blew, stirring up a thin layer of snow covering the fields.
Some people in the team, unable to bear the cold, directly ran inside to warm themselves by the fire. Viser's expression turned somewhat ugly, and he muttered, "What a bunch of disobedient rats."
Dago's expression darkened when he heard it, but he didn't say anything.
He then followed the remaining people into the small wooden hut, waiting for Viser's next arrangement.
Viser looked at everyone and directly stated, "My plan is to divide the nine people into three patrol groups. Two groups will patrol back and forth along the sides of the wooden hut, and one group will take turns resting."
Dago immediately disagreed upon hearing this and said bluntly, "What about you, my captain?"
Viser looked at him displeased and said, "I'm responsible for keeping watch from the watchtower. Do you have any objections?"
"You and Old Marico will each lead two people to form a group. Serena and two others will form another group."
"Begin operations according to my instructions."
Dago originally wanted to say more, but seeing Old Marico shake his head at him, he gave up.
Just like that, their patrol mission began. Dago led two young second-level Apprentice Wizards towards the left side of the wooden hut, while Old Marico walked towards the right side of the wooden hut.
Then they would turn back upon reaching a stone tablet. It took about an hour for one round trip. After two rounds, they could take turns resting, acting as a mobile unit, awaiting rescue and replenishing their stamina.
It wasn't until two in the morning, when the next round of patrol teams took over, that they finally completed their mission and could gather back at the wooden hut to disband and return home.