On the eve of 62

  "Your mouth shape is wrong, repeat after me - Enzuil~."

  This is the Eternal Insight Institute, the headquarters of the renowned Red Robe Divination School. Deep within this research institute, two male Red Robes are engaged in a heated discussion over several scrolls of spells. To be precise, one is teaching and the other is learning.

  “Enz~”

  "No, no, that syllable was too light, start again." Penny had only read half of it when she was abruptly interrupted.

  "This is the forty-seventh time already." Penny shook her head, looking at Hughes with some helplessness: "Do you have to recite it accurately? This is someone else's spell after all."

  "Of course, in this practice, you can experience the process of other mages learning this spell, which is a very important experience." Hughes stretched out his hands and said: "As long as you can master this process, then in the future when you learn any magic, it will be twice the result with half the effort."

  "But the problem is, I've already learned this spell," Panni said, reciting half a sentence of incantation. The arcane energy around her fluctuated slightly, and several clear, crisp sounds echoed around her, extinguishing the candles that were sustained by magical power.

  Dispel Magic

  "Oh? How did you...?" Hughes stared at Penny in surprise.

  "Of course, I used up six scrolls for research on this magic," Penny said with a pout.

  "Huh...?" Hughes was stunned for a moment before asking, "Are all low-ranking mages as wealthy as you are nowadays?"

  Extracting data from formed spells can indeed greatly shorten the time it takes to learn spells. However, third-level spell scrolls are already selling for a high price, and studying magic by burning through scrolls in large quantities is something that even wealthy families cannot afford to support.

  "I don't mind wasting a bit more to master this spell quickly." Penny spread her hands, which was also the attitude of ancient Qigong masters towards arcane research. They usually relied on the ocean of magical images and bizarre magical machinery to blast their enemies away, so they didn't have much energy left for spell research - although their mastery of the operating principles of arcana gave them enough ability to study advanced spells, but they would rather learn how to cast directly from spell scrolls than spend time studying the essence of a spell.

  "This way you will become a very incompetent arcanist researcher." Hughes' words carried a hint of sourness, it was clear that he also didn't have the conditions to learn magic in this way, or rather, had the conditions but hadn't used them.

  Because learning a spell from scratch is indeed a good opportunity to gain arcane experience and insights.

  "It's also fine being a simple spellcaster." Pani said nonchalantly.

  "Maybe you're right. You'd be better off wielding a staff at the forefront of battle, never able to sit comfortably in the wizard's tower controlling everything." Hughes' face was even more sarcastic, when he suddenly saw someone appear from around the corner of the corridor and hastily called out: "Ligeti, is dinner ready?"

  Pan Ni saw a female lawyer walking over from one side and felt a strange sensation in her heart.

  These days, he has been studying the spell system of magic on his own, and at other times, he has been exchanging sword moves with Hussey. The red robe of the transformation system is also not reserved, and the two have had a very in-depth exchange on defensive system spells.

  They are defensive because the two of them can only exchange a limited number of spells - as an incantation master, and to alleviate the pressure of complex spells on his talent, Panni gave up transformation and illusion spells. After formally advancing to red robe, he will have to give up another system, likely prophecy spells - because he has not yet learned the high-difficulty spells in this system, and he is also hesitant about whether to abandon this type of magic.

  Hues is unclear what the three-system law of Panney is.

  Because it's a secret.

  To what extent is a foolish wizard who would casually tell others which spells he can't use?

  So among the Red Cloaks, unless they are particularly close, open and honest exchanges of magical techniques basically will not occur.

  Most protection-type spells are not used in confrontational situations, so they can be discussed to a limited extent without touching on sensitive topics. Of course, if there is a conflict with an unconventional red robe that opposes the protection type, it is also a low-probability event.

  Through his interactions with Hughes, Panni gradually discovered that this red robe's disgust towards the Mages Association was indeed genuine. This wasn't reflected in his words and deeds - he rarely expressed his feelings about the Mages Association - but rather in some small details. For example, he would habitually avoid other red robes except for him and Lijit, and his words and actions avoided discussing matters related to the Mages Association; apart from studying history, he was always researching magic. In short, this was also a guy who didn't fit in with the atmosphere of the Mages Association.

  Apart from being a bit too laid-back, Penny has a somewhat dazed look of having seen it all before.

  So the two got along very well, talking only about magic and history, and Penny wouldn't bring up any other topics on her own initiative.

  As for Lijit Tower, Penny's feeling was a bit strange.

  For desire and emotion, Penny was very clear. He understood that the dew after a transaction that had not started would not be true, and neither side took it seriously. However, the character and history of the woman in red gave Penny a deep impression, reminding him that this dangerous woman absolutely could not be touched again.

  This is a person with strong control desires, although not intelligent enough, but calm in the midst of madness, a typical red robe mage.

  This left a very deep impression, and it's hard to ignore it now. Every time Penny sees the Leaning Tower, she feels a sense of awkwardness in her heart from this.

  "Oh no, it's Xien's mentor who has arrived."

  "So that's how it is." Panni let out a breath, then stood up and adjusted his black apprentice robes before leaving the room.

  "Alas! ~" Seeing Penny walking away, Hughes started shaking his head: "What a pity, it's rare to have someone who isn't annoying."

  "Isn't this great? From now on we'll be colleagues." Lijitah suddenly smiled.

  "Uh, I'd rather not."

  "I said you always like to escape reality..." Lijita glanced at Hughes, turned around and walked away, the high-heeled leather boots on her feet clicking against the floor.

  Hues let out a helpless sigh.

  ……

  Dehumidify.

  Black Horse and Cangyue.

  In the early morning, the girl was wiping the bar counter when her hand slipped and a wine glass fell to the ground, making two loud noises. Fortunately, the wooden floor wasn't very hard, and the wooden wine glass wouldn't easily shatter into pieces. However, the noise was enough to startle the boss lady who walked out from the back room.

  "What's wrong, baby?" She walked up to her, looking at the girl who picked up the wine bottle from the ground with concern, noticing the distraction and pallor on her face, putting her hand on the girl's forehead: "You don't look well."

  "I have a bad feeling." Hickok exhaled: "I don't know what's wrong, but I'm just uneasy."

  "Oh? Let me guess~" Veeka hugged the girl from behind: "Are you thinking of him?"

  "This... he's with my father, won't they run into some kind of danger?"

  "What are you always worried about? Don't you have any faith in them at all?"

  "It's just that I'm powerless." Hickel sighed and raised his head: "I have no magical talent, nor can I wield a sword to fight on the battlefield. Most of my best training time has been wasted. If I could reach where they stand, at least I would know what they are facing."

  "......Well, things that are beyond one's own power are also not worth forcing, if you're worried just go pray for the gods' blessing!" Vika patted Hikaru on the head.

  "Oh? Is it prayer day again?" Hickel blinked his eyes.

  "Idiot, it's the last day of March, Wealth Festival!" Vika let out a breath, patted her own forehead, and dragged the girl to the door.

  The streets were thronged with people.

  "How lively it is!" Hickory exclaimed with shining eyes.

  "Ah, the new mayor is one of our fellow believers, and just recently renovated the Grand Market and the Lady's Temple." Vika leaned against the pillar of the tavern, hugging Shikorl's neck: "The Lady's Church has been gaining more and more influence in this country in recent years..."

  Ever since the governor of Tethyr twenty years ago was a sufficiently cunning Waukeen priest, the church of Waukeen has had some degree of development in Selgaunt due to his relatively wise rule. Although it is far inferior to those traditional evil gods such as Bane and Shar, let alone the status of the Kossuth Church of Fire Elements in Selgaunt, it is still much stronger than before when no one asked about it.

  The Rhem family, who once dominated the entire Varys faction, is also vigorously promoting the faith of Lady Wealth - this is related to their family's political line - they are staunch practitioners of business expansion strategy.

  But the affairs of the upper class generally have nothing to do with the common people at the bottom, and now there is only a group of pilgrims heading towards the Temple of the Lady.

  A majestic fountain stands in the center of the market, silver coins flying from the hands of strollers into the clear pool water, splashing out bright cheers, fresh flowers surround the temple, a grand carnival.

  Xikeer gazed at the tightly closed temple gates, and a sense of solemnity suddenly rose in his heart.

  ……

  "Quiet!"

  The gavel sounded on the chairman's desk, and the entire hall fell silent.

  This is the highest temple within the borders of Sel.

  This is an undisputed fact because this temple sits on the top of the Ser Mountains.

  Those who can get here are formal members of the Red Robe Society, of course, there are sometimes exceptions, on the condition that they can enter the venue under the seemingly loose but actually tight guard, such as apprentices brought by teachers.

  Panni was shrouded in a long, flowing cloak, standing in the shadow of this great hall, high above the faces of those seated below. He could not make out their features clearly, nor did he dare to show any unusual movement in front of these powerful beings - heaven knew how many superior spiritual lights were enveloping this place.

  "What happens here is very important for you." These were the words spoken by Zhan Hua when he brought him in.

  In his hand was a stack of materials given to him by the instructor, written in magical language, which could produce sound and light effects through recognition. Although he didn't dare to look up, by referring to the materials, he knew that the person on the chief's platform was Lulan Bouval, Deputy Director of Protection Department. Although this identity is not the most honorable in the Red Robe Society, his surname is particularly eye-catching in the history of the society. He is a direct descendant of Isazz Bouval, the leader of the Red Robe Society and the great magician who sparked the Sel independence war 400 years ago.

  This family has been the leader of the six major nobles since its independence from Sare.

  Although the Necromancer-in-Chief once had a hand that covered the sky, now that witch has lost a lot of prestige and is gradually less involved in the politics of the Mages' Association. In the Upper House Council, which is responsible for mediating disputes between noble families, this Protector holds the highest authority.

  Although his power was not the strongest, the forces standing behind him were enough to support him in loudly voicing his own voice. Now, he severely rebuked the person sitting on the other side of the seat: "Santalder, I represent the Senate of Serl to interrogate you, it has been a year now, and your family's intelligence unit still hasn't found the source of the Unminded. You know that last month another master was attacked due to your delay and slowness. Now, even the Rhyme family is beginning to question your ability to act."

  Pan Ni heard the inquiry from the big man and quickly flipped through the documents.

  Santalder, from the Vras family, a high-ranking Ringmaster, who controlled the largest intelligence network in Ser, was a person of the same family. He tilted his head and looked at Zhan Huaishi, suddenly understanding the origin of that task back then.

  Although many people think that the prophecy school's mages are Ser's largest source of intelligence, in fact it is not so. The power of prophecy magic is strong, but traditional scouts and spies are still indispensable, so Ser has a specialized intelligence agency.

  The leader of the modern spy group is Santalde, who comes from the Department of Illusions.

  "Oh, esteemed colleagues of Rhyme." This illusionist was short and ugly with a large red nose, but the gruesome scar above his tattooed forehead made one completely overlook his comical appearance. Now he faced the eastern part of the seating area with an exaggerated expression: "You don't even trust us anymore?"

  "Santaru, it's not that we don't want to trust you, but two high-ranking mages in our family have already died." A male mage with an unclear face on the other side of the seat spoke up: "Fulas' actions are really hard for us to continue trusting. If your family can no longer bear the responsibility of the intelligence system, then let those who are more capable do it."

  Roberts Rhyme, Penny found the name corresponding to this voice in the materials in her hand, one of the four seats of the Rhyme family, Penny noticed that there were very few chiefs attending this speech conference.

  Upon seeing this, Penny suddenly discovered that the materials provided by his mentor did not mention any of the Chiefs, apparently because the Chiefs would not or rarely attend such meetings.

  He thought for a moment, perhaps for the leaders of various factions who have reached the peak of political status in Sel, it would be enough to send only one spokesperson to this meeting.

  "Your intelligence department is a load of crap, Santalder dwarf." Robers Rhyme expressed his dissatisfaction, and on the other side, Mekensom, the spokesperson for the Odysseon family, said.

  The people around him were outraged, Penni frowned and understood that this was an opportunity for other families to take advantage of the situation and try to seize power from Flas.

  Santal's expression didn't look too good, but the cold smile at the corner of his mouth never disappeared.

  "Haha, a group of high-ranking mages, acting like a bunch of kids, quarreling and bickering here. I wonder what others would think if they saw this?" At that moment, a low voice spoke from the darkest corner of the seats.

  The people in the venue cast their eyes on him, and the speaker was NosNoah, the second seat of the Dead Spirit System. Here, he represented the will of that one.

  "Nors Noroa! What do you mean? There isn't a single member of the Dalamos family who has died!" Mekensom's eyes narrowed in that direction, revealing a hint of anger: "I am well aware that Santalde is your clan leader and chief proponent, but please don't ignore the opinions of other members of the Magisterium."

  "Oh? We Daramos indeed have no one dead, but Mr. Meckensor, your family also has no one dead, so why are you acting so agitated?"

  "Nobody died?" Mekonsom seemed to suddenly become agitated, shouting from his seat: "My nephew Sutemerk just died a few days ago, and it's unclear how he died."

  "Is it unclear and unjust to put it on the head of an unintentional person?" Noah laughed scornfully.

  "What does that sentence mean? Nors Noia." Mekensom narrowed his eyes, staring at Santalde: "You should know, the prophecy department's Ye Fa'an has already calculated the identity of that demon a few days ago. Now the entire mage association knows who it is. What? Want to shift the blame for your master?"

  "This is a problem." Norsom grunted, and his tone suddenly became suspicious: "Lord Meikensom, this demon wants to develop followers within the territory, and even develop to the extent that our intelligence organization has not detected it. Is someone secretly supporting them?"

  A murmur rose from below, and Penny had already put away the documents. She glanced at the still silent Zhan Huashi, then lowered her head, knowing what was about to happen next.

  Mekansom's expression stiffened for a moment before he calmly turned to Santalder: "That would be a question for our little dwarf lord."

  "In fact, I just found out the cause of your nephew's death." Santalde expressionlessly tossed out a package, which landed in the center of the court and scattered open, revealing a demonized human head. The seated mages all polished their Angelic Eyes to get a clear look at the deceased's appearance, and they all burst into an uproar.

  "Lord Mekensom, this person has been secretly colluding with the Unseen Church in the North to disrupt the Laisemann civil war, attempting to create a pretext for military action. Of course - these are just the speculations of my intelligence officers. But in any case, the voluntary demonic markings on his head are quite clear. I'd like to ask -" The short illusionist said with a smile that didn't reach his eyes, staring at Mekensom's increasingly stiffening face: "He is your nephew, isn't he?"

  The hall of parliament immediately became noisy.

  ;