Chapter 4
1175 Words
Level Five Aptitude: A Notorious Name in Shuiyun Academy
Having entered Shuiyun Academy nearly four years ago without advancing to an official apprentice, Meilin was undoubtedly a well-known figure.
Generally, she kept a low profile and had grown accustomed to the ridicule of others. However, that didn’t mean she had a good temper. If someone publicly humiliated her or used unfair means against her, she would unsheathe her sword without hesitation. She had even dared to duel official apprentices capable of casting spells and had suffered numerous injuries over the years, yet her temper remained unchanged. As a result, most of those who mocked her knew better than to cross a certain line, aware that their fists were not as tough as hers.
This time, the old man deliberately handed Meilin two bottles of defective Concentration Potion. He wasn’t actually trying to pocket the proper ones; he simply wanted to provoke her. If she reacted aggressively, he could accuse her of causing trouble and preemptively expel her from the academy. However, Meilin surprised him by turning and leaving without making a scene. Even he couldn’t find a reason to punish her—after all, though those outside couldn’t see what had happened, they could hear everything.
The old man was frustrated!
Meilin was also irritated, but the note from Qianyu had put her on guard. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have cared about a mere first-level apprentice who was so old that his teeth were about to fall out.
Someone was scheming against her, and she refused to fall into their trap. Though losing two Concentration Potions was unfortunate, she could make up for it by working harder. However, if she still couldn’t advance in a few months, she would have to seriously consider her next move.
Back in her room, she initially planned to dispose of the defective potions. But after some thought, she decided to keep them. While they were unfit for consumption, they could still be used to irrigate certain special herbs—better to repurpose them than waste them.
After carefully storing away her magic stone, Meilin left her room. She was heading to her hunting grounds. Without more prey, how could she afford to buy Concentration Potions?
⸻
Shuiyun Territory: A Name That Inspires Fear
The name Shuiyun sounded poetic, but anyone familiar with it would never associate it with romance. It was not just because a mysterious wizarding academy resided there, but because the name itself symbolized secrecy and death.
Shuiyun was a land of marshes and dense forests, with the torrential Tuan River coursing through it. Whether it was the jungle, the swamps, or the river itself, the area teemed with countless savage beasts, venomous insects, and even terrifying plants lurking in the shadows. Even the long-established wizards of Shuiyun Academy dared not claim complete familiarity with every tree and blade of grass in the region. Each year, some apprentices met their end in the forests or river marshes.
The Tuan River, true to its name, surged ceaselessly with rapid currents. From above, it looked like a massive white serpent slithering through the jungle and swamps—an awe-inspiring sight.
Despite the blazing sun, mist still lingered over the forests and marshes along the riverbanks, undulating in the breeze and adding an almost surreal quality to the scene. The cries of beasts and birds echoed through the air, enhancing the mystical atmosphere.
Yet, a hundred miles upstream from Shuiyun, a lone boat was drifting swiftly with the current. A middle-aged wizard, his face filled with anxiety, maneuvered the vessel while glancing around in terror—like a beast being hunted.
As he scanned his surroundings, a massive black ship appeared in pursuit. Though its size was astonishing, its speed was just as formidable, rapidly closing the distance. Despair flashed across the middle-aged wizard’s face.
“Lin Lei, hand over the item, and we’ll spare your life!” a tall, gaunt old wizard bellowed from the black ship’s deck, accompanied by several other wizards.
“In your dreams!” The middle-aged wizard gritted his teeth and abruptly leaped from his boat, hurling himself toward the forested shore.
Mist shrouded the jungle, making escape into it difficult even for wizards of superior rank. Realizing this, the old wizard shouted, “Stop him!”
Simultaneously, he and the other wizards took to the air in pursuit.
Whoosh!
At that moment, a massive crossbow bolt shot out from the ship, streaking through the air like lightning.
Thud!
Blood sprayed as the middle-aged wizard plummeted like a wounded bird, limbs flailing.
“Curse you! Who told you to fire?!” the old wizard roared in fury, surging forward to catch him.
But it was too late. The heavy crossbow bolt had accelerated the wizard’s descent. Before the old wizard could reach him, the injured man plunged into the river with a plop! The turbulent waters swallowed him instantly, leaving behind only a faint ripple.
“Damn it! Idiots! Hurry, follow the current!” The old wizard and his companions returned to the deck, momentarily ignoring the archer in favor of urging the sailors to speed up.
“Grey, take a team and search the left bank. Clay, you take the right. I’ll handle the river. Be cautious—Shuiyun Academy is ahead. If anyone from the academy interferes… kill them on sight!”
“Understood!” The two named wizards acknowledged the order and led their teams ashore.
⸻
Meilin’s Hunt
Hiss! Hiss! Hiss!
After inspecting her hunting grounds, Meilin found it was already noon. She discreetly approached the Tuan River’s reed marshes in search of snow crocodile eggs.
Snow crocodiles were one of the river’s fiercest beasts. Their eggs were not only delicious but also enhanced physical constitution—practically a free-body-enhancing elixir for apprentices. Since it was peak laying season, Meilin, having thoroughly studied the terrain, easily located the nesting areas. With the crocodiles away hunting, she quickly gathered from three different nests.
She wasn’t greedy—she only took a third of the eggs from each nest. This ensured that, barring any unusual circumstances, the snow crocodiles wouldn’t relocate their nests.
“Still too slow,” Meilin muttered, sitting on the riverbank with a sigh. “At this rate, who knows when I’ll be able to carve my eighth Will Rune? Do I really have to take the final step?”
Even as she neared a desperate deadline, she refused to surrender. With her knowledge of Shuiyun’s terrain, she would rather flee into the wilderness—risking death in the jungle or sinking into the marsh—than become someone’s servant, at their mercy.
Splash! Splash!
Suddenly, she heard movement from the reeds near the water. But it wasn’t the sound of a snow crocodile coming ashore—it sounded more like… a large fish stranded in the shallows.
“What’s going on?”
Gripping her sword, Meilin cautiously approached. As she peered through the reeds, she saw a body floating in the swirling water.
The person was wearing a wizard’s robe.
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