Faced with Neya’s continuous questioning, Frode didn’t answer but instead asked, "Did you see the letter I had the Royal Knight send you a few days ago? How is your investigation progressing over there? Who is using living people for sacrifices?"
Neya frowned, knowing Frode was referring to the matter in the Silver Heron Duchy. But given how little time has passed since she sent someone to investigate, how could they possibly have gotten information so quickly?
Frode should know this... Yet, why did he specifically mention this matter?
Suddenly, Neya recalled that in the letter Frode sent, it clearly stated that the human sacrifices were discovered by an Honorable Wizard passing by, hoping that it would be taken seriously.
At the time, Neya was still pondering who this so-called Honorable Wizard was, but no matter how much she thought she couldn’t figure it out, so she simply put it aside. Now that Frode mentioned it specifically, is there a deeper meaning?
With this thought in mind, Neya looked at Frode again, only to find that he was using his peripheral vision to continuously glance at the red-haired man beside him, making the hint very obvious.
As Frode’s old friend, Neya’s heart stirred, and she immediately understood.
"There’s no news from there yet. Once it comes, I will inform you immediately."
With that said, Neya respectfully approached Angel, expressing solemnly: "I was too impatient earlier and did not immediately recognize the Honorable Wizard. I hope for your forgiveness, Sir."
Neya’s words left her old apprentice behind her puzzled, but Frode on the other side was smiling.
Angel was also somewhat surprised that Neya directly assumed he was an Honorable Wizard, even though he had disguised himself... Angel thought of something and glanced at Frode, immediately understanding the situation.
Angel was silent for a moment before speaking slowly, "No harm."
Upon hearing Angel’s acceptance of her respectful title and his calm demeanor, Neya immediately understood that her assumption was correct. This person, who appeared to be like a mortal, was indeed an Official Wizard.
Given Frode’s social network and his emphasis on this Wizard, Neya even vaguely guessed the identity of the other party.
However, if this person was indeed who she thought, then since he concealed his appearance, there must be a reason, so Neya dared not directly ask and simply treated him as a passing Official Wizard.
At this moment, a cold mountain breeze filled with chaotic energy blew from afar, making the candle flames in the wooden house flicker, shadows in the forest dance; it also chilled Neya to her bones.
Neya glanced at the red-haired Wizard, seeing no signs of blame, and couldn’t help but ask, "The atmosphere in the castle over there is dense, there must be undead causing chaos. Sir, do you need our assistance?"
Angel naturally understood what Neya wanted to ask, and he shook his head lightly, "No need. For specifics, you can ask Frode."
Neya nodded and walked over to Frode, exchanging a glance with him before asking in a low voice, "Didn’t you say in your letter that you planned to retreat for soul trick training? How come you are here?"
Frode replied with a smile, "I’m here for the training."
Neya looked at the castle in the distance, with its ghostly shadows, and seemed to understand something: "You’re planning to use undead to quickly master soul trick? Don’t you know that the soul force of undead is filled with chaos and negative emotions? Doing so could easily lead to your downfall."
Frode: "I know, but the undead in the castle make it worthwhile."
Neya was perplexed.
Frode: "Inside is a Special Undead."
In Neya’s astonished expression, Frode slowly explained the entire situation, not even hiding the existence of Little SEM, even though he knew that Neya, as a member of the Silver Heron’s royal family, had a feud with Little SEM’s kin.
Neya listened, indifferent to Little SEM’s identity, but surprised by another matter—
That Special Undead within Star Lake Castle is actually a child’s trial?!
Since it’s a trial, Neya naturally assumes it’s an initiation trial.
The initiation trial for a child is to directly confront a terrifying Special Undead, and what is more excessive, they are required to kill the Special Undead!
Is the initiation trial for Barbarian Cave this brutal?!
This isn’t just Neya’s thought, but also the unspoken thought of that silent old apprentice.
Even if the child has a method to restrain the Special Undead, allowing a mortal who has never previously engaged with souls to directly bypass ordinary undead and spirits to kill a Special Undead is still extremely difficult.
It’s like an infant wielding a sword; can it kill an adult? Right now, Little SEM is like an infant holding a sword.
Neya knew the Illusion Master had once let Talented Ones endure extremely cruel Nine Chambers Bloodsport. Unexpectedly, even more horrifying trial tasks have now appeared, and the trial-taker is very likely this disciple of the Illusion Master... A Chaowei Wizard unmatched in talent and skill!
Neya previously thought Angel was relatively approachable, but now looking at Angel, her gaze carried a bit of reverence.
The Academy Faction’s exterior is a facade; internally, it is certainly the same as the Illusion Master, all black once peeled open.
This is definitely a ruthless person.
Neya lowered her eyebrows, her gaze no longer daring to be as uninhibited as before.
After recovering from the initial shock, Neya also understood the entire process.
She didn’t understand the significance of the trial, but since the trial continued under Angel’s watch, presumably it wouldn’t cause greater chaos.
Neya thought for a moment and said, "Since the Honorable is watching over this, I suppose there’s nothing to worry about. I’ll take my leave now."
After speaking, Neya glanced at Frode beside her, mouthed a thank you to him, and expressed her hopes for his training... The Special Undead indeed significantly benefits soul trick training; however, Frode’s risk of downfall is greater, and she doesn’t wish to see Frode become an undead.
Frode understood Neya’s meaning, and he smiled: "Don’t worry, I’ll be fine."
Neya didn’t know where Frode’s confidence came from, perhaps it was Angel’s presence? Neya said no more and prepared to leave with the old apprentice.
"Wait." As Neya was about to leave, Angel called out to her.
Neya looked back only to find a piece of black Magic Copper Ore in front of Angel, appearing out of nowhere. This Magic Copper Ore continuously burned, transformed, and underwent purification in Angel’s hand, quickly turning into a dark yellow bronze bell two people tall.
At the moment the bronze bell took shape, Neya noticed a cluster of holy radiance appearing on Angel’s Hand of Magic.
Before Neya could discern the nature of the radiance, Angel thrust it into the bronze bell.
The bronze bell seemed to receive enchantment; its brilliance was restrained, and it looked extraordinary at a glance.
After completing all this, Angel tossed the bronze bell to Neya: "Take this and place it at the highest point of Saint Sem City."