Chapter 107: The Gathering

“Optimal analysis and construction time for the rune fragments’ disintegration and cohesion… Estimated completion: 126 days, 15 hours, 19 minutes.”

The response from the intelligent core sphere completely caught Lin Wei off guard.

“That long?!” Lin Wei inhaled sharply. “That’s over three months—longer than it took me to advance from a mortal to a third-level wizard apprentice… And the worst part is, this is just the projection for the optimal analysis method, excluding the actual time it’ll take me to physically construct it. By that calculation, from now until I become a first-level wizard, it will take at least two years, possibly as long as five…”

He recalled his promise to Herrick—to become a third-level wizard within thirty years—and now it truly seemed an extraordinary challenge.

“This is even with the intelligent core sphere assisting. If it were normal third-level wizard apprentices, they would have to grope their way through the disintegration and cohesion of the rune fragments, risking total failure if they made a mistake…”

Thinking this through eased Lin Wei’s mind somewhat.

“I originally only planned to transplant the Deep Blue flesh and implant vitality, but unexpectedly, I broke through to a third-level wizard apprentice…” Lin Wei pondered silently. “Next, I need to find a way to acquire the Lotus Grass Ice Crystal…”

Though transplanting the Deep Blue flesh cost Lin Wei the chance to continue his high-precision biological mutation experiments, he was not overly disheartened. Every choice involves trade-offs; he had chosen one he was satisfied with.

Lin Wei paused thoughtfully, then with a flick of his hand produced a brand-new set of clothes from his spatial ring.

Soon, he was dressed and ready.

The moon-white robe draped over him accentuated the sinister aura he now exuded with striking clarity.

…

At the entrance to the underground chamber.

Bansaini paced anxiously, hands clasped behind his back, as if something urgent weighed heavily on him.

“Senior.”

Lin Wei stepped out of the chamber and immediately saw Bansaini’s restless figure.

“Lin Wei!”

Bansaini hurried forward, but the moment he saw Lin Wei, he suddenly froze.

Vaguely, Bansaini sensed a tremendous change had taken place in Lin Wei, both outwardly in his appearance and aura, and inwardly in his strength.

If the Lin Wei of before had caused Bansaini’s heart to flutter, the current Lin Wei’s mere presence filled him with dread and unease.

“Lin Wei… have you broken through?” Bansaini stammered uncertainly.

Lin Wei smiled gently and nodded.

This was no Shadow Forest Academy; Lin Wei had no reason to hide his talent. Besides, Bansaini didn’t know the specific length of Lin Wei’s cultivation, nor his age.

“Hiss…”

Though Bansaini could not be sure of Lin Wei’s exact age, the life force emanating from him suggested he was certainly under fifty. Compared to himself, a second-level wizard apprentice over ninety years old, Lin Wei was incomparably stronger.

“Lin Wei…” Bansaini suddenly felt that calling him by his given name was somewhat inappropriate, but for the moment he was unsure how else to address him.

Lin Wei seemed to sense his embarrassment. “It’s fine. Just call me Lin Wei.”

Bansaini nodded sheepishly.

“Were you waiting here specifically for me? I saw you pacing just now. Is something urgent?”

Lin Wei asked.

At this, Bansaini furrowed his brow and gave a bitter smile. “There’s no peace for us anymore.”

“What do you mean?”

Calculating the time, Lin Wei instinctively felt that what Bansaini was about to say was related to the Fang Blood Shadow’s sudden assault.

“Just not long ago, I received news from the Academy…”

As the permanent envoy of the Leyton Kingdom, Bansaini had special communications channels to contact the Shadow Forest.

“The Academy was attacked by the Fang Blood Shadow,” Bansaini sighed.

“As I thought…” Lin Wei’s eyes showed understanding.

Bansaini paused, then continued, “According to the Academy’s message, this attack has escalated into a prolonged war. It’s not just the main Academy; the surrounding controlled territories are also engulfed in conflict.”

“Hm?”

This exceeded Lin Wei’s expectations. He had not imagined the Fang Blood Shadow’s ambitions and actions to be so extensive.

“So what you’re saying is… we’re in trouble?”

Lin Wei frowned, addressing Bansaini.

“Exactly…” Bansaini’s face was drawn with worry. “The Academy has issued an order.”

“An order?” Lin Wei asked.

“All dispatched students must return to the Academy’s headquarters or to the frontline battlefields. As for the two of us, we’ve been assigned to the nearest battlefield by Lake Segavi.”

Bansaini’s tone was full of reluctance.

“We’re going to the battlefield?”

This completely disrupted Lin Wei’s plans.

He had originally accepted the Leyton Kingdom’s mission to avoid direct confrontation with the Fang Blood Shadow. Now, after all this time, he was being summoned back to the Academy and directly sent to the frontline to face them.

Lin Wei felt helpless. Strictly speaking, he was more of a reserve member for the Fang Blood Shadow than a loyal disciple of the Shadow Forest.

But at this moment, he had no other choice. It was not yet time to reveal his hand; the play had to continue.

“When do we depart?” Lin Wei asked.

“Within seven days, we must reach Lake Segavi, or else we’ll be treated as traitors by the Academy,” Bansaini answered, his tone even more resigned. He had long grown accustomed to mortal life, yet now was forced onto the battlefield of wizards.

Lin Wei’s pupils contracted sharply. “The situation is far more severe than I imagined… Not only have they opened a new front, but they’re forcibly recalling all dispatched students and even invoking the traitor charge. The Wizard Academy Alliance is truly in deep trouble this time…”

“When do we leave?”

Bansaini looked to Lin Wei, seeking his opinion.

“No time to waste. This can’t be delayed. We leave first thing tomorrow morning.”

Lin Wei answered swiftly.

Bansaini hesitated briefly, then nodded heavily. “You’re right. If we get delayed on the road, we simply can’t bear the consequences.”

“After decades of peaceful life, I never thought I’d have to return to the battlefield.”

A wave of sorrow washed over Bansaini. Strictly speaking, with his poor talent, he was merely a discarded pawn from the Shadow Forest, sent as an envoy to the mortal kingdom. Now, at the Academy’s command, he had to march headlong into uncertain flames of war.

Lin Wei said nothing, gently patting Bansaini’s shoulder in silent consolation.