I became a god through archaeology in the Wizarding World.

The process of returning to the ground was much smoother than the descent.

When the two pushed open the heavy iron gate of the logistics department's side door, a long-awaited influx of fresh air rushed into their lungs, dispelling the musty smell from the ground.

At this moment, the sky was just beginning to brighten, and the east was turning a pale white.

Although Professor Isaac was covered in mud and his hair was a mess, he was frighteningly excited.

He held the specimen bag full of starlight minerals tightly, as if he were holding his own grandson.

"Rhodes! Quick! Back to the office!"

The professor lowered his voice, but his tone was urgent: "I need to write a report immediately! These few pieces of ore will be evidence that will shock the academic world! I'll make those who mock mortal history swallow their pointed hats!"

Rhodes followed behind, his expression remaining vigilant.

He not only carried supplies on his back, but also the most valuable material from the one-ringed shadow cat in his arms.

"Professor, regarding the report..."

As Rod walked, he suggested softly, "Perhaps we shouldn't directly announce the discovery of an underground ecosystem. That would be too sensational and might attract a ban from the academic affairs office. How about we start with a paper titled 'On Special Underground Minerals and Ancient Light Sources,' showcasing only the physical properties of the minerals?"

Isaac paused, then stopped, looking thoughtfully at Rhodes: "You mean... to throw out a brick to start a fire?"

"It's for safety, and also a test."

Rhodes said meaningfully, "If we drop a bombshell, we might get blown up. But if we just drop an interesting stone, interested people will naturally come knocking, and those arrogant wizards will just think it's another boring discovery by mortals."

The professor's fervor cooled slightly, replaced by a seasoned shrewdness: "You're right, Rhodes, you understand the rules of survival in this academy better than I do."

The professor patted Rhodes on the shoulder: "We'll do it your way. You should go back and rest; you've had a hard time these past two days."

Rhodes nodded, exchanged a few pleasantries with the professor, and then rushed back to his cramped single dormitory room.

Instead of resting immediately, he locked the doors and windows, drew the curtains, and then took out the shadow cat materials wrapped in layers of oilcloth from his arms.

A pair of eerie green eyes still radiated a chilling light, along with several smooth, silky dark fur patches and forepaws sharp enough to cut through gold and jade.

"Materials from a first-level magical beast, and a rare shadow-type one at that."

Rhodes estimated the value.

At the academy's official exchange point, these items can be exchanged for about twenty magic stones.

But that would expose his strength. How could a novice apprentice possibly hunt a first-ring magical beast?

We have to go to the black market.

Moreover, it must be done without anyone noticing.

Rod glanced at the sky outside the window, which was gradually brightening.

He and the professor had spent the whole day in the sewers, so it was obviously not appropriate to go now; they had to wait until evening.

He hid the materials in a secret compartment under the bed, then sat cross-legged on the bed and began to meditate.

This underground trip not only allowed him to acquire the genes of the Moonlight Butterfly, but more importantly, it allowed him to validate his combat system in actual combat.

Although his total magical power is still only at the beginner level, his variety of methods far exceeds that of ordinary apprentices.

The day flew by in meditation.

As night fell again and the academy was once again shrouded in darkness, Rhodes opened his eyes.

He changed into a set of black casual clothes, instead of wearing the heavy camouflage cloak he usually wore.

This time, he's going to test a new ability.

Rod walked to the window, took a deep breath, and his mind stirred slightly.

[Moonlight Mimicry], activated.

hum~~

A faint ripple spread through the air.

As the moonlight streamed in through the window, Rod's figure began to fade rapidly.

His skin and clothes seemed to have turned into transparent gel, allowing light to pass through while leaving only a very faint shadow on the ground.

"This feeling... is like melting into the air."

Rod pushed open the window and flipped out like a nimble cat.

Instead of using the main entrance, he jumped directly from the third floor.

During the descent, the [Light Wing Gliding] on the back unfolds instantly.

The translucent silver wings sliced ​​through the air currents, carrying him in a silent arc across the night sky, and he landed steadily in the woods outside the academy walls, without alerting any of the patrolling construct guards.

Using this disguise, he quickly walked towards the black market in the darkness.

Soon, he arrived at Rat Alley, Jack's General Store.

Quick-Leg Jack was idly wiping a dagger; things had been tense lately, and business wasn't good.

Suddenly, the air in front of the counter seemed to distort.

A figure in black appeared out of thin air, as if it had walked out of the void.

"Who?!"

Jack was so startled he almost jumped off his chair, and instinctively thrust the dagger in his hand.

But the moment he saw who it was, he abruptly stopped.

Although the other person was wearing a mask, their calm demeanor and cold eyes reminded him of someone.

The mysterious person who tricked him with a pile of rotten bones... no, the person who did a big business deal with him.

"Is it you?"

Jack looked at Rhodes with suspicion: "You...how did you get in? The alarm runes at the door didn't go off?"

"Your runes need fixing, Jack."

Rod's voice was disguised, sounding low and hoarse.

He did not explain the existence of [Moonlight Mimicry], as this sense of mystery would allow him to maintain more control.

Rod threw a small cloth bag onto the counter with a dull thud.

"Will you receive the goods?"

Jack opened the bag with suspicion.

The next second, his pupils suddenly contracted.

"Hiss... Shadow Cat's eyeball? The quality... was it just dug out?"

Jack, a discerning man, quickly picked up the eyeballs and examined them closely under the light: "The magic circuits are intact, without any damage. This is... a one-hit kill? And it happened a second before it launched its mental attack?"

He looked up, a deep sense of apprehension creeping into his eyes as he gazed at Rhodes.

Those who can do this are at least seasoned battle wizards, or elite rangers who specialize in hunting magical beasts.

"Name your price," Rod said succinctly.

"Eyeballs cost 20 magic stones, claws cost 10 magic stones, fur... is a bit damaged, so that'll be 5 magic stones."

Jack quickly calculated, this time not daring to drive the price down like last time: "Thirty-five magic stones in total, that's a fair price."

Thirty-five magic stones, which is equivalent to three hundred and fifty gold coins, is a huge sum of money that Rhodes couldn't earn in ten years as a teaching assistant.

"make a deal."

Rhodes nodded.

Jack deftly counted out thirty-five shimmering gray stones, put them in a bag, and handed them to Rod.

"My friend, you've been spending more and more extravagantly lately."

Jack tentatively asked, "I heard there's been some activity in the history department lately. That crazy old man Isaac posted a new announcement saying he's discovered some kind of glowing stone... Is this related to you?"

Rhodes' heart skipped a beat.

The black market is indeed well-informed; the professor's article had barely been published when word got out that it was already circulating here.

"I'm just a materials seller."

Rhodes put away the magic stone and said calmly, "As for those scholars, I don't care."

After saying that, he activated [Moonlight Mimicry] again.

Under Jack's shocked gaze, Rhodes' figure slowly disappeared into the air, leaving only a faint voice: "If you find any high-level creature fossils, remember to save them for me."

Only after Rhodes completely disappeared did Jack breathe a sigh of relief, wiping the cold sweat from his forehead: "Invisibility... and a high-level invisibility spell with almost no magical fluctuations..."

Jack muttered to himself, "Who exactly is this guy? Is he a core member of some powerful family who's out here for training?"

……

For the next three days, the academy appeared calm on the surface, but undercurrents were actually surging.

Professor Isaac's article, "On Special Subsurface Minerals and Ancient Light Sources," was published in the supplement of The Truth Weekly.

As Rhodes predicted, most wizards scoffed at the idea.

"Ha! That old mortal is just trying to attract attention again."

"A few pieces of glowing moss-like minerals, is that really worth writing a paper about?"

"He's probably trying to scam some money to renovate his dilapidated building."

Such sarcastic remarks can be seen everywhere in the cafeteria and corridors.

But Rhodes keenly sensed the difference.

Since the article was published, there have been more strangers around the history department building.

There were apprentices pretending to be passing by, handymen lingering downstairs, and even a few magical messenger birds whose owners were unknown, perched on the windowsill.

For the past few days, the "danger perception" at the back of Rhodes' head has been in a low-frequency buzzing state.

Someone is watching this place.

Moreover, he's not some low-class character like Kane.

This gaze was more subtle, more profound, carrying a sense of scrutiny and assessment.

Late at night on the third day.

Rhodes was in his dormitory using a newly purchased magic stone to aid his meditation and purify the magic power within him.

Suddenly, a series of urgent knocks broke the silence.

It wasn't the kind of violent banging on the door, but rather a rhythmic three long and one short slaps—an emergency signal he and the professor had agreed upon.

Rod opened his eyes abruptly, a glint of shrewdness flashing in them.

He quickly got up, straightened his robes, hid the razor, and then opened the door.

The person standing outside the door was not the professor, but one of his mute servants.

The servant looked nervous and handed Rhodes a slip of paper.

The note contained only one line of text, hastily written: "Come to the office immediately, and bring that sample."

Rod rubbed his fingers together, and the paper strip turned to ashes.

He walked out of the dormitory and looked up at the night sky.

The moon is dark tonight, and the clouds have obscured the starlight. It's perfect weather for murder... no, perfect weather for negotiation.

Rhodes could sense that several powerful auras were lurking around the History Department building.

That was power far beyond that of an apprentice.

"Has it finally arrived...?"

Rhodes took a deep breath and strode toward the dark building.