Chapter 138: The Mysterious Experiment

Lin Wei felt a sudden surge of vigilance. With the recent, sensitive circumstances surrounding Celes’s death, the mention of his mentor’s name by this mysterious stranger was deeply unsettling.

"Who are you?" Lin Wei asked, meeting the formal wizard’s gaze.

"You are a Level 3 apprentice?" The formal wizard did not answer immediately, his tone laced with surprise. "I recall you being a freshman..."

"I accidentally ingested a Stone Milk flower sprout," Lin Wei replied.

The formal wizard nodded. "You have good luck. To survive with only a one-in-ten chance of success... that is quite remarkable."

"My name is Noritz, a formal wizard of the Shadow Forest," he answered, forcing a rigid smile onto his stiff face. "As a freshman, it is normal that you don't recognize me, as I have rarely appeared at the academy for the past two years."

"Lord Noritz..." Lin Wei offered a slight bow before asking, "What matter requires your personal attention to seek me out?"

Lin Wei sensed that Noritz’s visit was likely tied to the unexpected death of his mentor, Celes. His suspicion was confirmed as Noritz spoke:

"I am here because I hope you will complete the unfinished work of your mentor, Wizard Celes." Noritz’s voice was grating—hoarse and harsh to the ears.

"My mentor’s unfinished work?"

Lin Wei became increasingly cautious, sensing that Celes’s death was inextricably linked to this task. "What kind of work?" he asked, feigning confusion while mentally calculating his next move.

"An experiment. A great experiment," Noritz said, straining to make his voice sound seductive. "If you participate, you will surely consider it the highest honor! It is an experiment that no one has ever achieved before!"

"An experiment no one has ever achieved?"

Observing Noritz’s cold, dark eyes, Lin Wei retorted, "My mentor Celes was a formal wizard, yet I am only a Level 3 apprentice. How could I possibly possess the ability or level of skill required?"

"No, no, no. Celes often stated that you were the proudest student he had ever had. Since he recognized your talent, there is no doubt. He told us that even formal wizards specializing in biological mutation could not compare to your knowledge base and experience." Noritz’s smile was more grotesque than a weeping face. "Celes died at the hands of the Fanged Bloodshadows. He must have harbored deep regrets regarding this incomplete experiment. As his favorite student, shouldn't you fulfill your teacher’s final wish?"

By the end, there was a subtle, threatening undertone in Noritz’s voice.

*This is exactly what I wanted,* Lin Wei thought to himself. *Since the opportunity has come, I should not refuse. Perhaps I can soon uncover the hidden secrets of the wizard academy... Besides, the Fanged Bloodshadows backing Lorna also want to get to the bottom of this.*

"Very well, Lord Noritz. I accept your instructions to take over Mentor Celes’s experiment." Lin Wei feigned hesitation, gritting his teeth as he answered.

"Excellent!" Noritz’s expression shifted to one of satisfaction. "Come with me."

"Now?" Lin Wei asked.

Noritz had already turned around. "Yes, right now."

"Where to?" Lin Wei closed his door and followed in Noritz’s footsteps.

"Just follow me." Noritz’s pace was brisk.

Lin Wei watched Noritz’s back, lost in thought.

...

Once they left the dormitory building, Noritz walked with his head down, pressing forward in silence. Lin Wei followed closely, saying nothing.

Due to the recent war with the Fanged Bloodshadows, the population of the academy had dwindled, leaving the once-bustling campus feeling desolate and cold. Soon, Noritz led Lin Wei to their destination.

"This is..." Lin Wei stared at the scene before him in astonishment.

It was the core building of the Shadow Forest: 'The Tower.'

The dilapidated tower stood hundreds of meters tall, radiating a profound, desolate aura. The closer one drew to it, the more unsettled one’s spirit became. Surrounding the ruin was a circle of fractured black stones, arranged irregularly, tightly encircling the tower.

*Is this where the Holy Orb resides?*

When Lin Wei had first come here, he had felt the 'Tower’s' summons. He hadn’t understood the source of that eerie sensation until he met Gries and learned the truth. The 'summons' hadn't come from the tower itself, but from the Holy Orb stored within—a summons that was essentially an invitation to be consumed.

*Why come here?* Lin Wei wondered, though he wasn't worried about being sacrificed to the Orb; Lorna had already told him the ritual had been delayed for two years. *Is this still an important laboratory?*

Though his mind raced, Lin Wei kept his expression neutral. He looked at Noritz and said, "Lord Noritz, this is a restricted area of the academy..." He acted with extreme caution, watching Noritz warily.

Noritz waved a hand. "I am well aware that this is a restricted area."

Noritz pulled a slender candle from his sleeve. It was long and thin, like a noodle. He snapped his fingers, and a flame ignited on the wick.

Whoosh!

A pale cyan flame flared at the top of the candle. The light was soft but strangely eerie, casting an arc of illumination that enveloped Noritz. Under the shadows cast by the dense trees, the flame appeared exceptionally bright.

"Step into the circle," Noritz commanded.

Lin Wei hesitated for a moment before stepping closer to Noritz. Holding the candle, the wizard began walking toward the circle of irregular black stones.

"Stay close to me. Do not leave the circle of light cast by the flame, or you will die," Noritz said, his voice chilling.

"Yes, my Lord," Lin Wei replied.

As they drew closer to the black stones, Lin Wei’s anxiety grew. It wasn't simple fear, but a visceral, physiological defense mechanism.

"Step over together," Noritz said.

Lin Wei followed close behind, stepping over one of the smaller black stones. The moment his foot touched the ground inside the circle, a biting chill shot from the sole of his foot straight to his brain.

It was not the cold of winter, but a cold that touched the very depths of his soul. Immediately, he heard whispers—a relentless, maddening murmur.

*Stay awake!*

Lin Wei gritted his teeth, his powerful mental fortitude instantly resisting the bizarre, psychic-like attack.

Noritz looked at him with a hint of surprise. "Not bad. You recovered on your own... let us continue."

Noritz moved the noodle-like candle slightly closer to Lin Wei.

*I feel a bit better...* The discomfort began to fade.