I became a god through archaeology in the Wizarding World.

The Lightforged family's manor is located in the heart of the Upper Town. Unlike the surrounding aristocratic mansions that pursue retro luxury, the architectural style here presents an almost obsessive cleanliness and rigor.

The white stone wall emitted a faint glow in the night, a result of the presence of luminous stone powder mixed into its interior.

No tall trees were planted in the manor, only neatly trimmed low shrubs. All the shadows were dispelled by carefully arranged magical lamps, making the entire manor seem to be in eternal daylight.

Rod followed the old butler through the long corridor.

The marble floor beneath their feet gleamed, reflecting their elongated shadows.

There was no incense smell like in the homes of ordinary nobles; instead, the air was filled with a dry, scorching heat.

This environment made Rhodes feel somewhat uncomfortable.

The [Abyssal Dragon] bones and [Ancient Siren] genes within him both possess attributes that lean towards darkness and dampness, and at this moment they are instinctively producing a rejection reaction.

But he controlled this physical discomfort very well, maintaining a just-right restraint and calmness in his facial expression.

"We've arrived, Lord Rhodes."

The butler stopped in front of a mahogany door carved with a sun emblem, knocked three times gently, and then pushed the door open.

This is a spacious study, with bookshelves on all four walls filled with heavy classic books.

Instead of candles or kerosene lamps, a fist-sized ball of light floated in the center of the room, emitting a soft yet bright white light.

Behind the desk sat a middle-aged man dressed in a white silk robe.

He had a head of brilliant blond hair, a handsome and dignified face, and the years had not left many marks on his face; instead, they had given him a sense of composure befitting a person in a position of authority.

His hands were clasped together on the table, his fingers long and slender, with two rings on his knuckles that radiated intense magical energy.

The current patriarch of the Lightforged family, a third-ringed light wizard, Lucius Lightforged.

"Please come in, our hero."

Lucius raised his head, his pale golden eyes fixed on Rhodes, a gentle smile playing on his lips, but the smile didn't reach his eyes.

Rod walked into the room, and the door behind him closed silently.

"Greetings, Lord Lucius." Rhodes bowed slightly.

"Have a seat," Lucius said, gesturing to the chair opposite the desk. "Don't be shy. There are no outsiders here tonight; this is just a private... chat."

Rod sat down as instructed.

He noticed that the chair was positioned precisely within the direct range of the suspended sphere of light.

The bright light shone on his face, making any subtle changes in his expression impossible to miss.

"First of all, on behalf of the Lightforged family, I would like to thank you."

Lucius's voice was magnetic, and he spoke at a measured pace: "If you hadn't exposed Mortimer's crimes in time and provided that list, the remains of our family's fallen soldiers would probably still be being desecrated. This is a favor the Lightforged family owes you."

"I only did what I was supposed to do, sir," Rhodes replied. "Mortimer's actions crossed the line for wizards."

"Bottom line..." Lucius murmured, the smile in his eyes fading slightly. "In this chaotic era, a bottom line is a luxury. But since Mortimer has been mentioned, I'm curious about something."

Lucius leaned forward slightly, and the originally gentle aura of light element instantly became sharp, like invisible slender swords piercing Rhodes's mental sea.

"My intelligence network tells me that before the Necropolis collapsed, you were the only person, besides Sieg who always hid in the shadows, to have entered the top-level laboratory."

Lucius stared into Rhodes' eyes and asked, word by word, "Motimer's entire body of research data, especially the core data about that so-called biological beacon... have you seen it?"

This is the real purpose of tonight.

The Lightforged family doesn't care how many Mortimer people have died; what they care about is the technology that can create plagues and even communicate with the deep sea.

This kind of strategic, taboo knowledge is something no major family wants to fall into the hands of royalty or other forces, much less disappear.

Rhodes's [Danger Sense] did not trigger an alarm, meaning this was just a probe, not a direct attack.

But he could sense that if his answer had even the slightest flaw, the third-ring wizard might turn on him at any moment.

"I see, sir."

Rhodes met Lucius's gaze without flinching: "But I couldn't get it."

"Oh?" Lucius raised an eyebrow.

"The situation was extremely chaotic at the time." Rhodes began to recount the script he had rehearsed countless times in his mind: "In order to initiate the ritual, Mortimer sacrificed himself to the monster in that alchemical pool. That monster... that is, the Beacon Mother, went berserk after absorbing Mortimer."

Rhodes' face showed a hint of lingering fear: "It turned into a giant stitched-together giant. Lord Sig and I joined forces and exhausted almost all our means to barely destroy its energy transmission node. At the last moment, the giant disintegrated, and the acid and necromantic energy inside it triggered a chain reaction of explosions."

"Everything, including the control console, lab notes, and samples, was reduced to ashes in the explosion and the subsequent collapse of the tower."

Rhodes spread his hands and said with a wry smile, "If I had really obtained anything, the envoy and the Iron Duke would have already found it on me. You know, under that level of search, an apprentice can't hide any items with high-level magical reactions."

Lucius fell silent.

He continued to stare at Rhodes, seemingly trying to determine the truthfulness of his words.

There are no logical flaws.

Sig's serious injury is a fact, and the ruins of the tower are also a fact.

Moreover, although Rhodes' current strength is not bad, it is already a miracle that he was able to survive in the face of the self-destruction of the third-ring wizard and the collapse of the tower. Trying to salvage the data in that environment is indeed asking the impossible.

But that doesn’t mean Lucius would easily believe it.

"What a pity."

Lucius leaned back in his chair, tapping his fingers lightly on the table. "That was priceless. But... since the data is gone, how did you develop the silencing potion? As far as I know, the principle behind that potion is very ingenious. It not only suppresses necromantic toxins but also utilizes some kind of special biological rejection reaction."

"That's exactly what I wanted to report to you."

Rod pulled a folded parchment from his pocket and handed it over with both hands.

"This is an improved formula for the Silence Potion, along with some rudimentary insights into ancient bio-alchemy that I discovered in underground ruins."

Rhodes' voice became sincere and earnest, like a pure academic researcher demonstrating his work to an elder: "Although I didn't obtain Mortimer's core data, I collected some tissue samples during the battle with that monster. By analyzing these samples, I deduced the components of the inhibitor."

Lucius took the parchment and glanced at it.

The paper was filled with alchemy formulas and material ratios, with the section on the neutralization reaction between [Thunder Frog Bone Powder] and [Silver Nitrate] being particularly detailed.

This is a genuine recipe, and it's more effective than the versions available on the market.

"I am a scholar, sir."

Rhodes added at the opportune moment, "I have no interest in political struggles or world-destroying weapons. I'm only interested in alchemy and unknown knowledge. While Silence Potions can be profitable, with my abilities, it would be difficult to retain such a large profit. If the Lightforged family were willing..."

Rod paused, a shrewd smile playing on his lips. "I'm willing to transfer the exclusive production rights to this improved formula to you. In return, I hope to receive some... preferential treatment from the Lightforged family regarding rare materials in future research."

Lucius looked at the formula in his hand, then at Rhodes' face, which was filled with greed and thirst for knowledge.

The doubt in his eyes finally dissipated considerably.

A skilled alchemist who knows when to advance and retreat, is greedy for profit, and possesses genuine talent is far more lovable than a scheming schemer.

Moreover, this recipe is indeed very valuable.

Although the plague has been suppressed, the subsequent cleanup and prevention is a long-term process. Mastering the most effective medicine is equivalent to mastering a continuous flow of cash and prestige.

"You're very smart, Rhodes."

Lucius put away the parchment, his smile finally becoming more genuine: "The Lightforged family never mistreats its friends. I grant your request. Starting tomorrow, you will have partial access to the family's materials archive."

"Thank you, sir." Rhodes bowed again.

"but……"

Lucius abruptly changed the subject, his tone now carrying a hint of warning: "As a friend, I must warn you. Being an honorary scholar of the royal family isn't easy. His Majesty Edward's paranoia is notorious. If you really do discover something else underground..."

"I understand." Rhodes frowned slightly and lowered his head. "I only found stones and dust."

Lucius waved his hand, and the floating orb of light dimmed slightly: "The butler will see you out. Also, take two cases of Radiant Wine back with you as a return gift."

……

I left the study and walked out of the main building.

The night breeze outside brushed against my face, carrying away the heat from inside.

Rod took a deep breath of the cool air, and his tense nerves relaxed a little.

This hurdle has been overcome.

He traded a replicable potion formula for the Lightforged family's temporary trust and access to materials, while also dispelling their suspicions that he was hoarding core information.

This is a good deal.

Moreover, through this test, he also confirmed one thing: although various forces were watching him, there was no concrete evidence. As long as he continued to play the role of this greedy scholar, he could survive in the cracks.

Rod walked along the stone path of the manor toward the gate.

Then, as if remembering something, he changed direction and headed towards the lower city.