Ashen Lord

Chapter nine: Bribery

"The little ones these days are quite capable of causing trouble."

"Indeed, that little girl is quite interesting. She has mastered dark elemental magic. I remember that kind of magic is only known by the old witch in Mothrabla City."

As Sain and Lena were subdued by the academy's inspectors, two psychic voices communicated with each other in the depths of the black street. Being able to communicate directly with psychic power, the two parties must be formal black mages. As rumored, there are indeed shadows of formal black mages behind some businesses in the black street. But what is strange is that these two powerful black mages, who have the means of formal black magic, could have intervened in time to stop Sain, Lena and Scarface Joq and others when they clashed, but they remained indifferent and treated it as just a good show. The occurrence of this situation is related to the cold and cool nature of the black mage group. After all, the battle did not involve these two black mages, and they were too lazy to intervene.

On the other hand, Mothrabla City has been calm for too long, and the two black mages are really bored, just watching as a pastime while conducting dull magic experiments.

"Huh? They didn't execute them on the spot to deter others? Could it be that those two little ones have some backing?"

"Quick, look, the old witch has appeared. That little girl does have some connection with her. But I haven't heard that she has taken any apprentices?" The two psychic voices continued to communicate.

But with more academy inspectors and formal-level black mages arriving, the farce that took place in the black street finally ended.

"Extremely detrimental impact!" In a dark dungeon, a middle-aged black mage in black robes angrily rebuked.

At this time, Sain and Lena were both handcuffed by the Chains of Wind, but the main target of the middle-aged black mage's reprimand was not them, but an obese old witch who appeared in front of him.

"Three intermediate apprentices died, one was severely injured, and more than ten low-level apprentices were also injured. The losses caused to the black street are incalculable. These apprentices who blatantly violate the rules of the academy should..." The middle-aged black mage's tone was stern.

Not all dark magic practitioners have a laissez-faire attitude towards their apprentices. As a black magic academy, there should be corresponding rules in place, which is also the purpose of those academy monitors. If the Black Magic Academy in Mosbura City cannot even maintain superficial peace, then what kind of magic academy is it? The middle-aged dark magic practitioner had just decided to sentence Sain and Lina to death when the bloated old witch in front of him interrupted with a hoarse voice, 'Vice Dean Dadelong, it's just a few useless apprentices who died. They were outnumbered and killed three, which can only be attributed to their own incompetence.'

'Our black magic academy has limited resources, are we supposed to keep these useless people?'

'As for the damage caused to the Black Street, I will provide compensation in black gold. I'll cover it,' the old witch cackled, not caring about the three intermediate-level apprentices who had already died.

'This is not about compensation in black gold. The dean has been in seclusion for many years, and as the vice dean, it is my responsibility to maintain the stability of the academy...' Before the middle-aged dark magic practitioner named Dadelong could finish his sentence, he was interrupted by the energy crystal emitting a bright orange light that the old witch had taken out in front of him.

Indeed, this was not a problem that could be solved with black gold compensation, but if it were a first-level energy crystal, the result would have been different. Sain had a energy crystal in his hand, which he had taken from the dead Ilk. But the earth-element energy crystal in Sain's hand, compared to the one the old witch was holding, was like the difference between ordinary dust and pure starlight. Because his knowledge system was not yet complete, Sain did not yet realize that the earth-element energy crystal in his hand was at best equivalent to the crystal nucleus of a low-level monster, while the first-level energy crystal in the old witch's hand was a true treasure. It was worth as much as a magic nucleus provided by a first-level creature, which was also the minimum standard for formal dark magic practitioners.

Dadalong, as one of the three vice deans of the Black Magic Academy, is a second-level black magic user stronger than the average first-level user. In the wizarding world, and even in the entire star realm, a one-level difference often represents a fundamental gap in life essence. If he were a normal second-level magician walking in the sunshine, he might not even bother with the first-level energy crystal in front of him. But unfortunately, in the dark realm deep underground, poor and without any decent energy crystal veins, a first-level energy crystal is enough to allow him to get away with it.

After all, conducting experimental research for wizards is also very expensive. Except for those who are wealthy in the field of alchemy or pharmacology, the situation of other magicians is not as decent as outsiders imagine.

Is it worth trading the lives of three intermediate apprentices for a first-level energy crystal?

Of course it is!

As for the losses in the black street, it was only a few shop fronts that were burned and could be replaced with a few black gold. Vice Dean Dadalong's scolding fell silent completely after the old witch produced a first-level energy crystal. The indifference of black magicians to human life is undoubtedly evident here. However, what the old witch guaranteed was Lena, and it had nothing to do with Sain.

Just as Vice Dean Dadalong was about to crush the low-level apprentice with his hand, Lena, who was shackled by wind elements, spoke up first, "Uncle, please save Sain."

Uncle?! This old witch is actually Lena's uncle!

It makes sense. Lena actually had a mentor in the past, but she died unexpectedly in an experiment, and Lena also suffered irreparable damage. The old witch in front of her is a fellow student of Lena's mentor, no wonder she would pay a high price to save Lena. However, the fact that the old witch is willing to use a precious first-level energy crystal to save Lena does not mean that she is willing to pay the price to save Sain in front of her. Vice Dean Dadalong appears to be upright, but in fact, he wants to be bribed, and he won't let Sain go without shedding some blood.

The old witch sneered, "What's wrong, is she your little lover?"

"Just an apprentice, addicted to meaningless love at the apprentice stage. I really don't know how you became an advanced apprentice!" The old witch said coldly, apparently having no intention of rescuing Sain.

Faced with this situation, Sain could only save himself. Sain hurriedly said, "I am the fifth disciple of Master Mosido, and I have a magic medal as proof!"

Sain's words made Vice Dean Dadalong and the old witch look at each other in surprise.

"When did Mosido take on another disciple?" The old witch squeezed out a strange sound from her throat.

At the same time, a "hoot" sound came from inside the dungeon, coming from one of the owls that were escorting Sain.