83: Chapter 83 Under Control

After staggering from Elena's slap and regaining his composure, Colin saw Elena like this and could only shake his head with a wry smile, saying nothing.

"Colin, I'm more familiar with Dylan and the others, so I'll contact them. You contact Byron."

Elena did not delay any further; once she had made up her mind, she acted with swift resolution.

After speaking with Colin, she pulled out a delicate iron object with a Fallen Sun pattern on its surface.

Through the gaps on the surface, one could see its complex internal structure.

This item was the communication wizard artifact used by the Fallen Sun Council for internal contact; as long as the fluctuations of the other party's wizard artifact were recorded within it, they could communicate within a limited range.

Its effective range wasn't particularly large, but it wasn't small either; it had a diameter of three kilometers.

Within this range, communication could be connected.

Anyone who joined the Fallen Sun Council could receive one for free, which was considered one of the benefits of membership.

This object was also created by the Wizard World, modeled after the mechanical world they had conquered.

Just as Elena was trying to connect with Dylan and the others, Colin was also trying to contact Byron.

Unfortunately, even by the time Elena had contacted Dylan and finalized the plan, Colin still hadn't been able to reach Byron.

This cast a shadow over their hearts, and even the joy they had just felt diminished significantly.

Elena sighed softly, "Sigh, I hope Byron is safe and sound."

Meanwhile, Elena and Colin were not the only ones who had thought of the idea of regrouping; members of other apprentice organizations, upon finding safe havens, also began trying to contact those they trusted.

After all, they weren't fools; they understood the principle that there is strength in numbers.

...

On the other side, at the academy's plaza.

At this moment, a dozen or so wizards had gathered in the originally empty plaza, frowning as they looked at the dissipated teleportation array.

These wizards were all mentors from the Dark Eclipse Wizard Academy, and the reason they had gathered here instead of being busy with their own affairs was simple.

It was mostly because the students under their supervision should have returned an hour ago but had failed to do so on time.

This situation was clearly very wrong.

After all, for a group like wizards who are very particular about time, this situation looked wrong no matter how you viewed it.

However, now that the teleportation array had vanished, they could not teleport over to investigate the situation, nor could they contact the six team-leading wizards, so they could only wait here for news from above.

Just then, a middle-aged man with a rugged face, dressed in a black wizard robe, suddenly appeared among the crowd.

When the wizards present saw this person, they all lowered their heads respectfully; even those few who did not lower their heads nodded slightly to acknowledge him.

Among the few who did not lower their heads was Byron's mentor, Isolde.

"Master Wizard Conrad."

The person who arrived was none other than the Vice Dean of the Dark Eclipse Wizard Academy, Vice Dean Conrad.

"Vice Dean Conrad, what is going on?"

After the greetings, an old man with an elongated face and a treacherous look suddenly asked.

This person was none other than Gray's mentor, Alchemy Dept. Mentor Edgar Thorne.

The reason he was so anxious to ask was that every day his alchemy workshop remained closed, he lost a day's worth of magic stones.

To him, this was even more painful than having his flesh carved off or his blood drained.

If it weren't for the fact that student participation in mandatory missions was an order issued by the Dark Erosion Stigmata, he would have even wanted to keep his students from participating.

Meanwhile, Isolde looked at Vice Dean Conrad with her beautiful eyes, her red lips parted slightly, and her cold, clear voice sounded.

"Vice Dean Conrad, I also really want to know what exactly happened. Why haven't the students who participated in the mission returned?"

As Isolde and Edgar spoke, the other few wizards who hadn't lowered their heads also began to ask.

Seeing these individuals asking, Vice Dean Conrad's eyelid twitched slightly, and he forced an ugly smile onto his rugged face.

Although his strength was significantly higher than theirs, in terms of status, they could be considered his equals.

There were even one or two individuals among them who, let alone him, would give even the Dean a headache if they met.

"Everyone, do not be impatient. The reason the students from the academy did not return at the agreed-upon time is that someone has been meddling in the shadows, using technology to interfere with spatial teleportation."

Once these words were spoken, the crowd instantly erupted in an uproar; they hadn't expected that the students failing to return on time would involve factors related to Dark Wizards, or people connected to Dark Wizards.

This was truly outrageous!

Isolde spoke again, "Then what should we do now? Are we just going to watch those students die?"

As she said this, Isolde stared straight at Vice Dean Conrad, making him feel uneasy.

The other wizards, hearing Isolde's words, silently praised her in their hearts; she had asked the question they didn't dare to ask.

She was truly worthy of being a wizard sent by the Potion Alliance to teach at the academy; she was much bolder than ordinary wizards like them!

Sometimes they even sighed to themselves, wondering why they hadn't chosen to study potions, alchemy, or similar subjects when they first embarked on the path of a wizard.

They really regretted it!

Facing Isolde's question, Vice Dean Conrad understood why she was so concerned.

After all, among the students in danger was someone she favored, someone who might even join the Potion Alliance in the future, allowing her to end her teaching assignment and return to that prosperous land.

Thus, hearing that person was in danger, how could she not be anxious?

Honestly, if it weren't for the fact that the Dark Erosion Stigmata paid well and promised to help him achieve the Stigmata with full effort, he wouldn't want to continue working in this godforsaken place either.

But since he had taken this job, he had to be diligent and responsible; it really was hard to earn money, and even harder to swallow the bitterness!

Vice Dean Conrad's thoughts raced, and then he forced a smile as he looked at Isolde.

"Wizard Isolde, please rest assured. Things are not as bad as you think."

"To be honest, I actually knew about this matter as soon as it happened, and I have already figured out where the students are."

Once these words were spoken, instead of putting everyone at ease, it made them even more confused.

Since he already knew the specific location of those students, why hadn't he rescued them yet? They were still waiting for those beasts of burden to do the work; wasn't this just wasting time?

Vice Dean Conrad seemed to have guessed what everyone was thinking and explained again.

"Actually, I also want to bring those students back, but this matter is not urgent."

"According to the wishes of the Dark Erosion Stigmata, this unexpected situation is a good opportunity for these students to gain experience, prepare for the upcoming academy competition, and secure greater benefits for the academy."

"Furthermore, the Dark Erosion Stigmata also wants to see if we can use this incident to fish out the rats hiding in the shadows."