Dark Wizard: Rise! My undead army!

Lynn felt much more at ease after successfully completing the mission.

This is the right way to experience the academy genre! No more showing off and getting slapped in the face.

But he was soon proven wrong.

After demonstrating the modified witchcraft, a burly second-class apprentice started shouting in the mission hall.

"Hmph, what a lousy method! Your approach is completely useless! My [Skeleton Armor] defense hasn't improved at all!"

"We agreed on double compensation if it doesn't work, so hurry up and give me back the magic stones!"

The apprentice stretched out his right hand in front of Lynn, releasing his mental pressure in an attempt to force Lynn to comply.

Alright! The fish has taken the bait!

These second-class apprentices... they're all so confident...

Lynn pretended to be timid and couldn't say a word.

Seeing this, the burly apprentice became even more smug and loudly proclaimed to the surrounding apprentices:

"Everyone, come and see! Remember this kid's face. A mere first-class apprentice dares to accept an optimization task from me, a second-class apprentice. He really doesn't know what he's getting himself into!"

"He even said he would compensate me double the magic stones if he couldn't solve the problem, but he just talked a bunch of nonsense. Not only did it have no effect, but it almost caused my sorcery model to collapse."

"Hmph, today I'll teach him a lesson and show him that he should always maintain a sense of awe towards the strong!"

The burly apprentice had a loud voice, and his shout immediately attracted the attention of many people in the mission hall.

Many apprentices who were selecting or handing over tasks gathered around, looking at this side with curiosity.

Seeing that the one being accused was a first-class apprentice wearing a black ironwood nameplate, while the one who started the trouble was a second-class apprentice with considerable strength, the onlookers' opinions instantly shifted.

"A first-class apprentice dares to take on an optimization task from a second-class apprentice? He really doesn't know his own limitations!" A weasel-faced apprentice was the first to sneer.

"Hmph, he's probably obsessed with magic stones. He doesn't even know his own limitations." Someone chimed in, their tone laced with contempt.

"Optimizing the witchcraft model? That requires a deep accumulation of knowledge. What does a newcomer know? He's definitely making it up!"

An apprentice who looked a bit older shook his head, as if he were someone who had been through it all.

"Horton may be reckless, but he's not weak. This kid is unlucky to have run into his line of fire," someone recognized the burly apprentice and whispered to his companion.

"Double compensation? Heh heh, well done! He tried to steal a chicken but lost the rice instead. Let's see how he gets out of this." Gloating voices were everywhere.

"That's exactly right! Let's teach these clueless newbies a lesson; the mission lobby isn't a place for them to cause trouble!"

An apprentice, clearly a senior student, stood by with his arms crossed, watching coldly.

The surrounding chatter surged like a tide, almost unanimously condemning Lynn's overestimation of his abilities and his deceptive behavior.

Among these voices, Lynn seems to have become a typical negative example, a fool who tried to swindle but ended up bruised and battered.

No one doubted Horton's words; after all, the difference in their levels was undeniable, and for the weak to question the strong was itself a kind of "original sin."

"No...that's not it...he's lying!"

Lynn's voice was drowned out by the clamor of the crowd. No one cared what he said; everyone only believed what they considered to be "facts."

Hearing the surrounding chatter, Horton grew even more smug. He extended his hand further forward, almost poking Lynn's nose, and intensified his mental pressure, grinning maliciously:

"Did you hear me? Kid! Hand over the magic stone and get out of the quest hall. Don't let me see you take on quests you're not qualified for again!"

Upon hearing this, Lynn lowered his head even further.

"I...I don't have any magic stones."

"No magic stones? Then what the hell are you pretending for! Daring to mock me? I'll beat the shit out of you today!"

After saying that, Horton reached out and grabbed Lynn by the collar, ready to give him a good beating.

Lynn covered his head with his hands and cried out urgently, "No...don't hit me...I still have a few magic stones hidden in my dorm, I'll give them all to you!"

Upon hearing this, Horton immediately stopped, a greedy glint flashing in his eyes.

A few magic stones? That's dozens of contribution points! Much more than double compensation.

"Good lad, you should have said so earlier. Let's go, lead the way."

Horton shoved Lynn hard, causing him to stumble.

And so, the two walked silently toward the dormitory area, one after the other.

Horton's face held a playful, cat-and-mouse expression, his darting eyes constantly scanning Lynn's body, as if he had other ideas.

This kid certainly has a handsome face; he looks even more delicate than some of the female apprentices...

Lynn, walking ahead, appeared particularly "thin" and "helpless" from behind.

Upon arriving at Lynn's dormitory, Lynn pushed the door open and went inside first.

Horton, being cautious, did not immediately follow. Instead, he stood at the door and quickly chanted a detection spell—[Energy Perception].

The spell's feedback indicated that apart from Lynn's faint life force, there were no other living beings in the room, nor were there any obvious energy traps.

"Hmph, you're smart to know what's good for you."

Horton felt somewhat relieved and then confidently stepped inside.

As soon as he stepped into the room, he saw Lynn with his back to him, squatting by his stone bed, seemingly digging at something with the nameplate in his hand, making a soft rustling sound.

Is he picking at magic stones? Or is he looking for something?

Horton sneered inwardly, but his vigilance remained high. He craned his neck, trying to see what Lynn was up to.

Just then, something unexpected happened!

Lynn, who was squatting, suddenly turned around, raised his hand, and threw a handful of stone powder at Horton's eyes!

"Kid, I knew you wouldn't be honest!"

Horton seemed to have anticipated this and reacted very quickly, immediately turning his head to the side, closing his eyes, and raising his arm to protect his face.

Although he was somewhat disheveled by the stone dust, he was not seriously injured, and [Bone Armor] quickly condensed on his body.

"Hehehe... Looks like you're really asking for trouble. You'll be in for it when I catch you!"

"I hope your small frame can withstand the impact of my fleshy bombs!"

Horton grinned maliciously and prepared to take down Lynn.

He was about to gather his magic when he saw Lynn's calm expression, showing no sign of fear.

This kid's up to no good!

Horton became wary and, with his [Skeleton Armor] on, rushed towards the door.

Let's leave the room first!

"Trying to leave? Too late!" Lynn hissed.

The prepared Soul-Sealing Bag was opened wide, and the Death Knight rode out on his skeletal warhorse!

The cramped dormitory space was almost instantly filled with them, forcing the Death Knight to charge forward while crouching low.

The skeletal warhorse reared up, its forelegs glowing with eerie green flames, and unleashed a barrage of [Charge] and [Stomp], the ferocious power surging straight at Horton!