Wizards begin by accessing the Inspiration panel.

Chapter 170 Vine House

When the four entered Ophelia and Melo's temporary resting place, Richard and Stephanie were both surprised by the scene that greeted them, as it was their first time there.

Because of the illusionary magic array covering the outside, it's completely impossible to tell from the outside that the inside has such an exotic atmosphere.

However, the next second, Richard suddenly realized that this must have been done by Ophelia, after all, she had some elven blood.

The entire rest area is decorated with furnishings that reflect the idea of ​​elves coexisting with nature.

Within this small, illusory magic circle, Ophelia used her expertise in plant manipulation to transform it into two exquisite green vine cottages and a small courtyard.

The fence surrounding the courtyard is made of tightly intertwined thorny vines, so dense that it resembles a thick wall. It is believed that even if the illusionary magic array outside fails, this thorny vine wall, which is more than two meters high, will provide excellent concealment and protection.

As the four entered, the thorny vine wall seemed to sense Ophelia's command and opened a gap in the middle, wide enough for a person to pass through.

After passing through, it quickly closed again, just like a living thing.

Upon entering, Richard and Stephanie were greeted by a small house entirely constructed of vines. However, these vines appeared to be quite different in type from those used as fences. The vines that built the house had no thorns and instead possessed a unique, fresh, herbal fragrance that subtly repelled insects.

Green leaves also grow on the slender vines, and under the morning dew, the leaves are so green that they almost shine.

This makes the two vine-covered cottages look like the dwellings of flower fairies in a fairy tale.

Between the two vine-covered cottages is an open-air courtyard, where various flowers of all kinds are planted, and several vine chairs and a sturdy wooden stool used as a table are placed.

The rattan chairs here are all made of interwoven green, still-growing vines, and their size and style can be changed at will.

Unlike ordinary rattan chairs, the seat is made of cut vines, the outer skin is scraped off, dried and woven.

The wooden stump seemed to have originally been the remnant of a dead tree, two meters in diameter. It was unclear whether it had died of old age or broken accidentally, but under the influence of Ophelia's nature-based magic, it seemed to have come back to life, as several tender buds had sprouted from the small branches around the stump.

On the wooden stump were some fruits, each one with a moist surface and bright color, as if they had just been picked, making one want to take a bite. Li realized that their freshness was most likely due to Ophelia using some kind of natural magic for preservation.

As Richard sat down, the green rattan chair automatically adjusted its size slightly, making Richard feel more comfortable. The height of the chair also changed to the perfect position, allowing Richard to comfortably reach the fruit on the wooden stool.

Richard was overjoyed to have found Mero and Ophelia. He casually picked up a bright red fruit, popped it into his mouth, and took a big bite.

It's sweet with a hint of sourness, but very refreshing.

"Ophelia, your nature magic is truly amazing. My impression of nature magic is still from the plant combat squad you summoned during the freshman ranking competition," Richard praised.

Ophelia smiled gently: "Actually, these are the normal uses of nature magic. Only a very small part of nature magic can be used in combat."

"During the freshman ranking matches, I actually used mostly shadow magic, such as mutation growth, etc."

Richard agreed wholeheartedly. Elves are a peace-loving and nature-respecting race, so many nature-based spells were created not for combat, but for better harmony with nature.

Looking at the pleasing greenery, Richard couldn't help but think that it would be very pleasing to the eye to have such an elven girl as a gardener in his own castle garden!

But the thought didn't last long before Richard banished it from his mind.

"Meiluo, didn't you say you wouldn't enter the secret realm? How come you suddenly came in this time?" Richard had been wondering about this, so he turned to ask Meiluo.

"This was an accident. After we arrived at the base, we followed..."

Richard nodded occasionally as Meiluo narrated her story.

Meiluo was truly lucky this time. When the Spider Knights attacked, she immediately chose to run towards the depths of the Norman Secret Realm instead of heading towards the supply point, thus giving herself a chance to survive.

The second time they encountered the Spider Knight, they were fortunate enough to receive Ophelia's help, which saved them from certain death!

"Ophelia, thank you for your help to Milo." Richard smiled slightly at Ophelia.

"Richard, we're friends, aren't we? There's no need for thanks. Besides, I felt really guilty about what you did last time."

"Pfft! You two, one thanking and the other feeling guilty, it's really funny." Meiluo couldn't help but burst out laughing.

This made Ophelia blush, her pointed ears trembled slightly, and she stopped talking in embarrassment.

However, after a moment, I couldn't help but ask a question in confusion:

"Richard, just how strong are you now?"

After all, Richard was already at the peak of a first-level wizard apprentice when he competed with her in the new student ranking competition half a year ago. Now that she is already a second-level wizard apprentice, Richard cannot possibly still be standing still.

Although, on the surface, Richard is only at the peak of a first-level wizard apprentice.

"I was recently promoted to a Level 3 Wizard Apprentice." Richard touched his nose, gradually releasing the effect of his concealment, remaining at the level of a newly promoted Level 3 Wizard Apprentice.

Sensing the change in Richard's aura, Ophelia stared intently at him with her bright eyes, her small red mouth agape in an "O" shape.

"Your improvement speed is too fast!"

In just one year, she went from a first-level wizard apprentice to a third-level wizard apprentice. Even though Ophelia had studied at two academies and was quite knowledgeable, she had never heard of any wizard apprentice who had advanced so quickly, whether in the Ring of North or the Ignis School!

Meiluo stared at Richard in disbelief. Just half a month ago, she clearly remembered that Richard was only a second-level wizard apprentice.

But it's only been a few days since I last saw him, and he's already at the level of a third-level wizard apprentice?

Only Stephanie knew the true extent of her master Richard's power. At this moment, she watched the two women's shocked expressions and chuckled to herself.

However, to be honest, even she has been having trouble figuring out her master's strength these past few days.

It seems that the master's strength is increasing every day.

Every time it thinks that this is the limit of its master's strength, it will be refreshed in the next intense battle.

From this perspective, it seems that I have never seen or even heard of a wizard apprentice as perverted as my master!

However, in theory, the master's strength had already reached the limit of a wizard apprentice when he fought against the high-level spider woman Shadra a few days ago.

I've been working on it these past few days, could it be...?

Stephania shook her head, banishing the far-fetched idea from her mind.

It shouldn't be that bad!

Richard coughed, changing the subject, and turned to introduce the deployments of the Night Elves and the three academies in the Norman Secret Realm.

This immediately amazed the two women, although they didn't know why Richard was so clear about the plans of both sides.

It's understandable that Richard would know the plans of the three academies, but it's quite puzzling that he also knows so much about the Night Elves' deployment!

However, before the two women could ask any questions, Richard spoke up:

"Melo, Ophelia, I will go to the original supply point with Stephana later to open up this passage out of the Norman Secret Realm."

Upon hearing this, Melo and Ophelia exchanged bewildered glances.

"Richard, are you going with just you and Stephanie? Why not take me and Ophelia with you? With more people, you'll have help, won't you?" Meiluo looked at Richard and Stephanie with a mixture of worry and suspicion.

Ophelia added, "Richard, last time you let Andrea and me go first, I think I should go with you this time."

Richard knew very well that neither Ophelia nor Melo could be of much help to him given their current strength.

However, bringing the two of them along would require extra attention during battles, making them a weakness and vulnerability.

If they were targeted by the enemy, not only would the two women be in danger, but Richard himself would also be put on the defensive. Therefore, Richard would never bring the two women with him.

Richard already had a preliminary idea: not only could he open the passage, but he could also take this opportunity to collect a wave of high-quality spirits to prepare for the abomination transformation he was about to undertake.

Richard planned to launch a strong attack on the supply points of the three former academies, which the Spider Knights were currently focusing their defenses on.

Only there can the opponent be forced to fight within a specific area, thus allowing the vengeful spirit gathering spell array to take effect.

However, if an encounter with the Spider Knights occurs in the wild, even if the enemy is no match for them, they will scatter and make it impossible to collect the spirits.

Even if the high-ranking Spider Woman Dolores were still stationed at the supply point, I might be able to collect a malevolent spirit!

Can't beat them?

This is almost non-existent. The key to Richard's plan is that once he has set up the vengeful spirit gathering array, he will choose to directly advance to a formal wizard.

Then, with the power of a full-fledged wizard, he slaughtered the night elves.

So what if the members of the Spider Knights are all comparable to top-tier level three wizard apprentices?

At that time, it can be described as a dimensional reduction attack!

Even if the high-ranking spider woman Dolores had some tricks up her sleeve, Richard, who had been promoted to a formal wizard and possessed two innate magical arts, was confident that he could defeat her with more than 90% certainty.

Although he will be ousted from the Norman Secret Realm soon after his promotion, he will eliminate all his enemies before he is expelled.

This cleared the way home for Melo, Ophelia, and the other wizard apprentices, including Andrea, whose fate was temporarily unknown.

After hearing the two women's request, Richard's expression turned serious, and he shook his head, saying, "The two of you are not strong enough. It would be too dangerous for you to come with me!"

"I will leave a mark here. Once I succeed, I will use the bone bird to send you the news immediately. Then, as long as you are a little careful on the way, you will be able to leave the secret realm smoothly."

"But why can Stephanie go with you, but we can't?" Meiluo's red lips hesitated for a long time before she finally said the words that had been stuck in her heart for so long.

"Hehehe!" Stephania burst into laughter, her whole body shaking with mirth.

With her experience, she could easily tell that her master's innocent girlfriend was clearly jealous of her.

This made Richard's face darken, and he immediately said, "Stop laughing, Stephania. Show me a little bit, but remember not to use any too powerful magic that might damage this place."

"Yes, Master. Ladies, if you believe you can withstand my attack, I think Master will agree to let you come along."

Stephena bowed slightly to Richard, then gracefully took two steps forward and removed a small basket of fruit from the sturdy wooden stump.

Suddenly, one of her fair and delicate arms transformed into a dark and sharp blade.

"Whoosh!"

The black blade swept lightly across the wooden stump, which was about two meters in diameter.

As easily as slicing tofu, a thin, round piece of wood was shaved off without any hindrance.

"Ah!" When Meiluo saw Stephena's fair and delicate hand instantly turn into a terrifying blade arm, her beautiful eyes widened and she couldn't help but scream in fright.

Ophelia, who knew the hardness of the wooden stump well, was even more shocked. The opponent had such attack power with a casual swing. She was afraid that her proud Bloodthirsty Vine defense would not be able to withstand a few swings.

No wonder Richard didn't want to bring himself and Meiluo along. Judging from their strength, even this so-called follower was far stronger than they had expected!

This follower's strength seems to far exceed that of an ordinary level three wizard apprentice.

Ophelia had also interacted with many third-level wizard apprentices, but none of them seemed to be as good as Stephena in front of her.

After making the difference in their strength clear to the two men, Richard paused and said, "Another reason I don't want you to go is that, as one of my few good friends, you are my weakness and Achilles' heel. You don't want my weakness to be exposed in battle and targeted by the enemy, right?"

These words made the two women, who were still somewhat unwilling, exchange a glance and then give up their insistence.

That's right. Even if they can't help, they can't let Richard be distracted by taking care of them during the battle.

If that's the case, we're not helping Richard; we're harming him.

After leaving behind a considerable amount of combat potions and alchemical bombs, Richard and Stephania bid farewell to Melo and Ophelia and headed rapidly toward the location of the original three academies' daily supply depot.

But not long after, the two unexpectedly encountered Donato and his group of wizard apprentices in the dense forest.

(End of this chapter)