109: Truth and Mission

Green lay in the healing pod, quietly waiting.

He was also thinking.

There were many mysteries surrounding this trip to the Maze Swamp; some Green had guessed, others he hadn't.

But it didn't matter, Green believed that Mentor Jordan would provide the answers.

Half an hour passed.

Mentor Jordan arrived and immediately dismissed everyone from the medical room.

“Everyone, I need to discuss some private matters with my student. Could you give us half an hour, please?”

“You can go rest at the Battle Axe Bar. Each of you can have a bloody mary, on my tab.”

“Thank you, everyone.”

...Once the surroundings were quiet and empty.

Mentor Jordan sat down, ready to talk with Green.

The cautious Mentor Jordan even activated a silenced magical item, the Ring of Silence, to ensure their conversation wouldn't be eavesdropped.

Green was somewhat puzzled but still waited for his teacher to clarify.

“Green, how are you feeling now? Are you better?”

“Much better. Physically, there are no major issues, it's just my head aches a bit. This is from overthinking and Spiritual Power exhaustion. I have experience with this, Teacher, you don't need to worry.”

“That's good, that's good...”

“Green, I suppose you've guessed something, haven't you? Do you not hate your teacher?”

“Mentor Jordan, what are you saying? Your kindness to me is as heavy as a mountain; I'm filled with gratitude, how could I possibly speak of hate?”

“Before I explain the full story to you, tell me first, are you about to break through? Have you broken your Mind Bottleneck?”

“Yes, Teacher.” Green answered affirmatively.

“Good, that puts my mind at ease.”

After hearing Green's affirmation directly, Mentor Jordan let out a huge sigh of relief... “Green, the first thing, you must promise me.”

“You must not tell anyone about your breakthrough, including Oakes, alright?”

Mentor Jordan stared intently into Green's eyes, speaking with utmost seriousness.

Green felt that seriousness and tension. Although he didn't know the reason, Green still chose to trust Mentor Jordan. Besides, Green was not one to be ostentatious; steady development was what Green liked most.

“Teacher, I promise you.”

“Good, I didn't misjudge you.”

“I'll move straight to the next topic. The Black Wizard in the Maze Swamp was arranged by me, and those traps in the inner perimeter were set by me and the Devil Squad members.”

“Currently, apart from the two Black Wizard whom you burned to ashes, there have been no other casualties. Of course, your injury isn't counted in that.” Mentor Jordan was in a rare good mood and even joked with Green.

“Then why was Adler's broken sword found in the stomach of the Swamp Croc?”

This was the point that puzzled Green the most. After the battle, when he saw Adler perfectly fine, Green had figured out some things, but this one point, he still hadn't understood.

“We put it there beforehand. Also, some distinctive items from other members of the Devil Squad, we put those in too, including some clothing fragments, weapon remnants, and partially damaged magical items...”

“The purpose was to make you believe that they had met with misfortune, rather than having run away on their own.”

“No wonder, Mentor Jordan. In this world, I suppose only you could calculate me so thoroughly.”

“When I saw Adler's broken sword, I truly thought he was dead. That Black Head Demon even arrogantly claimed he had eaten Adler. You don't know how much pain I was in then. I wished I could slaughter that fellow immediately to avenge Adler.”

... “This point was also what worried me.”

Mentor Jordan slowly said:

“This should be the last time I calculate you, Green.”

“Once you break through to Advanced Wizard Apprentice, I won't be able to calculate anything for you anymore. From now on, you can also take this as a lesson, reflect well, gain more experience, and then no one will be able to calculate you.”

“Teacher, I still have to thank you.”

Green felt a little embarrassed. He was the one who benefited, so he couldn't let his teacher take the blame.

“I know, I am a lazy person, a very passive person.”

“I always say I need to work hard, but in reality, I always wait, rely, and am pushed forward by reality.”

“If Mentor Jordan hadn't forced me into desperation this time, I wouldn't have broken through so smoothly. Perhaps I would have prepared for a very, very long time before daring to take that step. Maybe, I would never have dared to take that step proactively.”

“This is a kind of abuse, isn't it?”

“What abuse?”

“Never mind, let's not talk about that.”

“Teacher, what is the other matter?”

...Mentor Jordan was very pleased to see that Green wasn't dwelling on the previous matter.

“The reason I want you to hide your realm is that the academy has a very important mission, and we haven't been able to find a suitable candidate, so I thought of you.”

“Based on your situation, you should be able to break through in about a month, right, Green?”

“Hmm, roughly.”

“Half a month to heal, half a month to recuperate. In one month, I will definitely be able to break through to Advanced Wizard Apprentice.”

“That works. Once you break through, it will be September, leaving more than four months. That should be enough for you to initially master an Advanced Wizardry, right?”

“Shouldn't be a problem.” Green said after a moment of thought.

“That's good. Once you break through, I will send you the Advanced Wizardry you need.”

“Green, keep the news of your breakthrough hidden for now. This is something that can help you conceal your realm.”

“Advanced Magical Item — Ring of Spiritual Power.”

“At that time, you will still present yourself as an Intermediate Wizard Apprentice, understand?”

“Understood, Teacher, no problem.”

Green happily accepted the Ring of Spiritual Power. After activating it with his Spiritual Power, a special effect acted upon Green's Spiritual Power, and immediately, the intensity of Green's Spiritual Power dropped by one level, making him a Low-level Wizard Apprentice.

Green thought:

“This is a real treasure! As a steady and cunning old fox, how could I not have an item to hide my realm?”

“I must find an opportunity to get one of these treasures.”

Mentor Jordan warned:

“This Ring of Spiritual Power is very fragile and cannot withstand significant external impacts. You must use it carefully.”

“Also, this Ring of Spiritual Power has a Wizard Array for energy storage. Once you activate it to replenish your magic, you can wear it long-term. This is a magical item with passively solidified effects, possessing some characteristics of a formal wizard tool, making it very precious. Don't you dare break it.”

... “Don't worry...”

“Mentor Jordan, I will cherish it well.”

“From today onwards, this is my treasure.”

“Alright then, that's all for today. You have a month's leave.”

“In a month, I hope to hear good news from you.”

...