From Hogwarts to Strixhaven.

Chapter 436 Ilminster

"Move this magic cannon away?" Gale scratched his beard. "That's a great idea! And your mediocre treasure chest can ignore its enormous size and weight!"

“Burning to death in the Losanda sun, I think Katheric would love that way of dying.” Minsara smiled, already imagining Katheric screaming in agony in the flames. “I wish I could control it myself.”

“There are many similar demonic creations in the Battle of Avernus, except they usually fire poisonous smoke and metal fragments instead of pure beams of light…” Karak, carrying a pile of crystals and metal components, came to Ivy’s side. “So… should I go back to camp and bring the Mediocre Chest over?”

“No need.” Ivy had already managed to remove the pedestal that was originally used to hold the Blood of Losanda from the ground. “We can use magic to move all of these things back to the camp and stuff them into the mediocre treasure chests.”

"Oh! Let me guess, you're planning to use Tansen's Floating Disc spell?" Gale guessed with interest. "It is indeed a good spell for moving objects. Although the carrying capacity is limited, if you prepare multiple scrolls, you can take all these things with you."

"No." Ivy had already used her flight spell to lift herself up to the top of the pillar where the power crystal was placed. These facilities were simply fixed to the pillar. As for the mechanism that would raise the pillar from the abyss, Ivy guessed it was located in a deeper place.

Ivy used levitation to transport the dismantled solar machine back to the platform before telling Gale his answer: "It's the Ottiluc Magic Seal Sphere."

Ottiluc's Containment Sphere is a fourth-circle Evocation spell that creates a force field that blocks attacks and damage from both sides of a magical barrier, similar to the invulnerability or freeze effects in various MOBA games.

The only difference is that the creatures trapped inside the Ottiluc Magic Containment Orb can still move around, or use disintegration and dispelling spells to break through the force field barrier from the inside.

“Ah! Objects encased in the spherical barrier formed by the Ottiluc Magic Sealing Sphere are unaffected by gravity; even a child could lift them and roll them freely. It's indeed suitable for packing up and taking these devices away.” Gale, as an academic mage, immediately understood Ivy's intention, but he still raised another question, “However, the duration of this spell becomes a problem… Even with super-magical techniques, it's difficult to maintain the spell's effect for too long… How do you plan to solve this problem?”

“Of course, it’s a more special super-magical technique.” Ivy packed up everything on the platform, pointed her finger at the portal that had been used to transmit solar energy, and reopened it.

“Come on.” Ivy waved for everyone to follow. “Let’s go take down Losanda’s Dawn Cannon too.”

Ivy's special supermagical skill, of course, refers to the [Persistence Spell] which can extend the effect of spells to twenty-four hours. Since acquiring this supermagical feat, Ivy hasn't actually used it much. After all, the battles he's experienced haven't really required him to apply buffs to himself beforehand. Therefore, more often, Ivy uses this feat to temporarily transform objects into magical items.

For example, a teleportation array base that can be temporarily maintained for 24 hours.

Ivy used this method to transport a considerable amount of supplies for the Strychian Academy and the Mihua Academy. Of course, he himself was not present; only the teleportation base connected to the academy's teleportation array was there. Otherwise, Ivy would have used the Grimoire of Destruction to store everything in the Room of Requirement.

No matter how many times, Ivy still marvels. Magic truly can make everything simple.

It was nearly midnight when the adventurers returned to camp with the Ottiluc Magic Seal Orb equipped with the Dawn Cannon and functional devices.

But the Tifflin children, who should have been asleep, were not lying in their bedding; instead, they were sitting around the campfire with the Archdruid.

“I didn’t know you also had a talent for telling children’s bedtime stories, Halsin.” Yingxin quickly stepped forward. What she least wanted to hear right now was the lewd words that used to occasionally come out of the Archdruid’s mouth.

If it were a group of adventurers exhausted from battle, a dirty joke could indeed quickly put them at ease and relieve their tension through laughter. But now, sitting around the campfire are a group of Tifflin children. What if the archdruid corrupts the children?
“I actually have quite a bit of experience taking care of children,” Halsin said, standing up from the campfire to welcome his companion. “In fact, you can win over most children’s hearts by simply becoming a big, furry animal. It’s even easier if you’re willing to carry them on your back.”

“But I’m not the one telling bedtime stories tonight,” Halsin said, gesturing to direct the adventurers’ attention to the other side of the campfire.

There sat an old man wearing a wide-brimmed pointed hat, his hair and beard all white, smoking a pipe that looked quite old.

The moment Ivy saw him, she thought of Gandalf the Grey, but this uninvited old fellow was much more respectable than Gandalf the Grey.

Although his cloak looked travel-worn, it could not conceal the fact that it was made of the finest silk. He strung together a large number of silver badges inlaid with gemstones and wore them on his chest, pressing down on the embroidered shawl on his shoulders that constantly shimmered with magical light.

Of course, in Ivy's arcane vision, the magical aura was nowhere to be hidden, but in the eyes of other adventurers, he was just a weary old man.

Until Gale recognized him, the efficiency-minded people in the group frowned to themselves—why did another freeloader come along, and one who ate a lot at that?

On the wooden tray in front of the old monk, there were at least three pieces of cheese wrapping paper piled up.

“Elminster!” Gale recognized the old mage in surprise.

Adventurers who heard this name couldn't help but stop in their tracks. Even those in the astral plane, like Lyezal, had heard of the sage of Shadow Valley.

“That’s right, Gale.” Elminster exhaled a puff of white smoke and squinted his eyes with delight. “Thanks to these lovely people, the old mage’s little bit of annoyance has been extinguished by the delicious cheese and sour wine!”

“Nearly thirteen centuries have passed, and he’s still thinking with his stomach.” Gale shook his head, giving Ivy a cryptic look. Ivy believed he was trying to convey—see, the goddess has come knocking.

"Let me introduce you. This is Elminster Omar," Gale introduced the Shadow Valley sage to the adventurers. "He is my good friend, and of course, he has an even more important identity: the most famous and respected mage in all planes."

“Really? I’m more like the most famous and respected errand boy.” Elminster also stood up from the campfire, put away his magic pipe, and seemed ready to get down to business.

Incidentally, in Ivy's arcane vision, the pipe that Elminster held in his mouth emitted a magical aura similar to that of the blood of Losanda.

This is certainly not to say that the pipe was a magical object imbued with divine power. The main reason for this effect is that the mace merely borrowed a small amount of divine power leaking from the amber.

“I was instructed to come to you at all costs,” Elminster’s tone became serious. “She sent me, Gale. You know I’m talking about… oh—you removed the Dawn Cannon from the top of the Rosemary Abbey in Losanda?”

Even the renowned Elminster, whose fame resounded throughout the planes, found it difficult to remain calm in the face of Karak, who was wielding a giant force field glass sphere. Although the Ottiluc Magic Containment Sphere eliminated the weight of the object inside, its sheer size still took up a lot of space, so Karak was the last to enter the camp.

"You guys chat, I'll go set up the Dawn Cannon." Ivy nodded to Gale and then left the campfire.

Gale was pleased with the expression on Elminster's face. He glanced back and said casually, "That's right, we have an alchemy master in our team. He's planning to reassemble Losanda's Dawn Cannon in front of the Tower of the Moon and fire it at its foundation."

“By the way, Elminster. What did you just say the esteemed Goddess of Magic wanted to see me about?” Undoubtedly, Gale had gained a slight advantage in this conversation.

“Ahem!” The old mage coughed, shifting his gaze from the Dawn Cannon of Losanda. “Yes… I, that is to say… I did bring you her message and orders.”

"Great!" Evil Thought exclaimed excitedly. "Finally, someone's gone to deal with the giant bomb on Gale! I'd like to ask, is there any compensation for the magical items he swallowed?"

The well-intentioned reminder from the wicked mind made Gale's expression tighten, and he couldn't help but emphasize, "I'm so grateful for your incredibly thoughtful reminder... Could you let Elminster finish what he was saying first?"

Evil Thoughts shrugged and wisely headed towards the area where the Iron Hand Dwarfs were gathered. The Mediocre Chest was there, and it was also the destination for Ivy and Karak.

Unless there are magical items or shiny objects, evil thoughts generally don't show any particular interest in a person—except for the interest in playing with their internal organs.

Of course, she is now trying her best to restrain this kind of quirky taste that is not understood by the world.

The conversation around the campfire continued.

“You know where you went wrong, Gail. We don’t need to go into detail about that here and now. But even so, you are still given a chance to atone.”

Gale asked incredulously, "Would Mystra consider... forgiving me?"

"She will consider her definition of forgiveness."

“You must know one thing: the danger posed by the Supreme God far exceeds anything you can imagine. It threatens the safety of all living beings—even the immortal ones. It threatens the gods, the magic network, and the very fabric of the universe.” Elminster’s expression was grave. “This is the command I am giving you, Gale: Destroy it. Mystra believes only you can do it.”

“Only Gael? He’s probably the worst mage I’ve ever seen.” Leezel shook his head disapprovingly. “We already know that the Supreme God cult’s headquarters is beneath the Tower of the Moon, and we now have the Blood of Losanda and his Dawn Cannon. Whatever the Supreme God’s true form may be hidden beneath the Tower of the Moon, we will destroy it!”

“If Losanda knew that his Dawn Cannon was used for this, he would be overjoyed. But compared to Gale’s advantages, the Dawn Cannon’s power is still a bit lacking.” Ilminster did not completely deny Leizer’s words, but looked at Gale’s chest.

“Destruction Orb.” Gale sighed.

“Absolutely correct.” Elminster nodded heavily. “Mystra granted me the power to pause the Orb of Destruction’s suppression of you. Then you can unleash its deadly power as you wish.”

“Although I’m reluctant to say it, yes… Mystra wants you to be the sacrifice to destroy the Supreme God.”

“However,” Elminster changed the subject, “Mistra also made a promise—your sacrifice will also be your redemption.”

“Having said all that, I have expressed my regret. Now, all I need to do is bestow upon you the spell she entrusted to me.” Elminster raised his palm, and a series of runes belonging to the goddess of magic lit up in the air.

As the old mage chanted incantations, the tide of magic nets surged in from all directions, almost materializing above the camp.

A magical light linked to the Orb of Destruction beneath Gale's collar—a resonance, and also a seal. Mystra used intricate magic to encase the Orb of Destruction in a protective shell, severing its connection with Gale.

Just as wrapping gunpowder tightly only increases the power of an explosive, Mystra's magic has the same effect.

The only merciful thing the goddess of magic did was hand the switch to the bomb to Gale.

The magic tidal wave and the destruction orb returned to calm.

Gale sighed. "It's hard to say whether I should feel relieved or burdened. I'm no longer a mediocre mage, but the archmage who built the mage tower in Waterdeep. But my time is running out... Perhaps other good fortune awaits us... who knows?"

“Just as the moon causes the ocean of matter to rise and fall, so too do the gods who fill the sky determine the fate of mortals.” Elminster reached out as if to grasp the moon in the night sky. “However—a thought will be born in lonely times—Come, rise, come, let everything beyond our control come. Become your own moon.”

"Goodbye, my friend!" Elminster said goodbye to Gale.

"Leaving now?" Gale was a little surprised. "I thought you'd at least say you'd have breakfast before you left..."

“Oh! Of course I’ll have breakfast at your camp!” Elminster’s eyes widened, seemingly quite annoyed by Gale’s assumption. “I’m just going to catch up with some other people. I noticed Varo is in this camp too…”

"Wait! Wait!" Gale hurriedly grabbed Elminster. "Since you're not in a hurry to leave, why don't we chat a little longer? I need the wisdom of the Shadow Valley sages!"

“Alright… but let’s make this clear first, I won’t detonate the Destruction Orb for you.” Elminster stroked his beard half-jokingly.

“Mystra certainly wouldn’t want you to do it for her…” Gale shook his head helplessly, then asked his question, “I just wanted to ask, have you heard of Streihaven? A magic school located in another dimension?”

(End of this chapter)