Chapter 137: Chapter 136: The Complex Wizard World
Dark clouds veiled the moonlight, and a sudden cold wind blew from the head of the street. The air stirred, deepening the darkness of the night.
It was a moonless, windy, late night.
A wooden window, two people, four eyes, staring at each other.
Staring for a long time.
As Richard gazed at the eyes of the Black Robed Man outside the window, his muscles tensed, his bones trembled lightly, and power accumulated within his body, ready to respond to any situation at any moment.
With a slight downward motion of his hands, unseen through the window, his left hand had already grasped the Crystal Skull, while his right hand clutched a White Jade Plate. Energy Elements surged from the Magic Origin, circulating within his body, preparing to unleash the most potent attack in the shortest time, with the fastest speed, to combat the enemy outside the window.
Richard had a feeling that the Black Robed Man lurking outside might very well be the same person responsible for Hua’er’s murder, specifically targeting White Stone Tower. And the opponent’s strength, it was possible, exceeded that of the Mysterious Wizard who had killed Gregory.
With that in mind, even the utmost caution and full effort would not be an excess.
Otherwise, it was very likely he would not even make it past a first encounter with the opponent.
But why… Why would the opponent appear here?
According to criminal psychology on Earth, indeed, some criminals return to the scene after committing a crime or linger in the vicinity.
The reasons for this are varied:
First, to erase any latent clues that could reveal their identity, thus preventing pursuit.
Second, by observing other people’s reactions to the crime, they gain a sense of satisfaction.
Third, to follow the latest developments of the case and obtain firsthand information.
Fourth, to use the scene as a trap, waiting for subsequent victims to appear.
Which kind could the opponent be?
If it were the fourth kind, things would be decidedly troublesome. From the opponent’s perspective, Richard’s own investigation into Hua’er’s death could easily mark him as a member of White Stone Tower or at least related to it.
Continuing to keep eye contact with the Black Robed Man outside the window, Richard gripped the objects in his hands even tighter.
But… the Black Robe outside didn’t move at all.
After a long time, the Black Robed Man glanced over meaningfully and then twisted his figure, vanishing from sight.
Richard was stunned and waited a good while without sensing any abnormality, then finally confirmed that the other party had left.
But why had the opponent spared him? What did that meaningful glance before leaving represent? Appreciation? A warning? Mockery?
Richard frowned, unable to fathom the answer.
He was not a god, and even with intelligence, deducing certain things also required a great deal of information as a supporting premise. In the current situation, he could only spread his thoughts and make some bold conjectures.
Could it be that, aside from seeking revenge on White Stone Tower, the other party had other plans? And if so, had White Stone Tower sensed this? If they had, how would they respond?
“The Wizard World certainly seems complex,” Richard murmured to himself. He turned, preparing to leave this dangerous place.
But before he left, another thought crossed his mind.
Glancing out the window at the spot where the Black Robed Man had stood, he estimated the distance from his room and narrowed his eyes. He recited a Spell, with multiple “Wind Light Spirit” and “Wind Force” augmentations cast upon himself.
With a “thud,” his foot stamped the ground, and he shot out of the wooden window like an arrow. After ricocheting off the wall outside, he leapt up high, swiftly approaching the rooftop of the two-story shop across the street.
As his momentum waned and he began to fall, Richard was within half a meter of the shop.
He then forcefully gripped the wall, producing a “bang” as his body flew upon the rooftop. After a few quick steps, he arrived at the spot where the Black Robed Man had been standing.
Unsurprisingly, he found a black powder similar to what he had seen in Hua’er’s room at that spot.
“So it was left by the other party, likely related to a corporeal dissipation, a form of Transformation Magic perhaps, but I’m not certain of the principles behind the Spell,” Richard spoke aloud. He collected the powder into a glass vial, affixed a label to it, and hurried back to the room where Hua’er had died.
After erasing all traces of his presence, Richard left quietly. He planned to wait for White Stone Tower’s arrival to see their reaction to Hua’er’s death and observe what actions the Black Robed Man might take.
In the blink of an eye, several days later, deep into the night.
A large wooden boat in the center of Jade River moved like a floating island, causing all the smaller boats to give it a wide berth.
On the deck, under bright lights, stood only two figures.
One figure was clad in a Black Robe, showing an earnest face of over forty years and a stern expression. Without saying a word, he watched the water ahead, lost in thought.
The other figure also wore a Black Robe. Much younger, under twenty, she had a somewhat pretty face and a cold demeanor, although she displayed respect in front of the other figure. Both stared at the water in front of them for a long while until the girl tilted her head slightly and said, “Mr. Siv, in a few hours, when it’s the middle of the night, we’ll be nearing Cuijin City.”
“Hmm,” replied Mr. Siv with a nod, speaking softly. “I wonder how Hua’er is doing.”
“Hua’er…” The girl’s eyes flickered, “Mr. Siv, Hua’er is your most satisfactory student. Having sent him to Cuijin City for so long, I believe he must have completed the task you assigned to him.”
Mr. Siv shook his head, “Not necessarily. I have a premonition that the issue concerning White Stone Tower in Cuijin City won’t be simple. Hua’er might not be able to handle it. Frankly, I’m pondering whether I should have dispatched him to investigate in advance. It would have been safer if I had conducted the investigation personally.”
“Teacher, you worry too much,” the girl’s eyes flickered again. “I have faith in Hua’er’s abilities. After all, even I am no match for him.”
“Heh, Demi, are you still holding a grudge about last year’s incident?”
“Alright then. We’ll see Hua’er once we arrive at Cuijin City and hope he’s unharmed,” Mr. Siv muttered to himself. “Everything seemed normal with this recruitment mission; I hope it doesn’t end with an accident. Otherwise, I’d lose face in front of the others, especially Louis and Quinton.”
Demi, the girl, hesitated to respond for a moment, then inquired, “By the way, Mr. Siv, since our boat has nearly completed the recruitment, do we still need to recruit those who are exempt from examination?”
“Continue as planned,” Mr. Siv said. “After all, it’s the rule, established by the academy.”
The two ceased their conversation, with Mr. Siv continuing to gaze at the water ahead. Demi joined him, as though trying to pierce the darkness.
In the distance, the night thickened, and faint cries of battle drifted over.