Wizards begin with Occlumency.

Chapter 157 Not only freedom, but also magic stones.

"You go up first."

Link handed the list of "papers" and the large box containing magic stones to Jasmine, and instructed her to...

"Then publish the 'paper' directly. If I don't come up later, call Buck and Lynn to come back to the dorm with you."

"it is good."

Jasmine took the things and obediently agreed.

Not holding Link back is the biggest support she can give him right now.

"Shall we chat?"

Monroe gestured to his men to make way for Jasmine to go upstairs, then spoke amicably to Link.

Let's chat.

Link nodded in agreement and walked to the side.

Monroe waved his hand, signaling his men not to follow too closely, and walked toward Link.

"What do you mean? Don't you want to join us on a heist? It's a rare opportunity to get together with all those people who besieged us, forcing us to dig tunnels and crawl through holes to escape."

Seeing Link's cold face and his reluctance to speak first, Monroe broke the silence and started a conversation.

"In no mood."

Link refused indifferently.

"All right."

Monroe smacked his lips and dropped a bombshell: "I heard that Hawke Lucia is trying to push several apprentice organizations in the South that are close to the North to deal with you and your 'Do Whatever You Want' group."

Then, Monroe asked in confusion, "Why did you choose such a strange name?"

People are afraid of famous pigs.

The "Do Anything Freely" registration, which was supposed to be a hobby, became widely known less than two days after its approval.

It even became a point of entry for his enemies to use against Link.

Link knew exactly who Hawke Lucia was.

A third-year apprentice in the North District, vice president of the "Pureblood Will" guild, and a third-class wizard apprentice.

Link guessed that the killing of him during the competition between the two districts was probably arranged and orchestrated by this person.

Trish Lucia was merely an executor.

Monroe first mentioned Hawke Lucia's name, then brought up what he was going to do, in an attempt to stir up Link's emotions.

He was trying to get Link to agree to go and cause trouble together, to smash up other people's places.

Within the academy, where the use of powerful runic items and magical artifacts is restricted, Link's ability to unleash a barrage of magical spells without interruption can serve as a weapon of mass destruction in the event of a conflict.

Both surprise attacks and forceful assaults are incredibly effective.

Moreover, the hatred that arises at that time will also be drawn to Link.

That's quite a clever scheme.

"So what?"

Link said coldly, "I'm not going, and that's it. Saying more won't change anything."

"Just consider it helping a friend out."

Seeing that Link remained unmoved, Monroe changed tactics and tried to appeal to his emotions, saying, "We've fought side by side, so we're friends, right?"

"If you consider me a friend,"

Link looked into Monroe's eyes and said seriously, "You shouldn't have kept asking me to come with you."

Why?

Monroe blinked, a puzzled look on his face.

It seems they really don't understand what Link means.

Whether he genuinely didn't know or was pretending not to know, Link didn't care.

He decided to speak more openly and express his attitude more clearly.

"We are different."

Link said very seriously, "I come from a humble background. I have no connections, no power, and no strength. Every step I take is filled with fear and trepidation."

Sometimes, for one's own benefit, or due to certain temperamental traits, one has no choice but to offend others.

But that doesn’t mean I’m willing to offend people.

There are many things you can do, Iris can do, and Hawk, Trish, Sophie, and several other Lucias can do as well.

I can't do it.

You all have families and powerful backers.

Even if things go too far, there is still room for maneuver.

I do not have.

I only have myself.

You only have your own life.

Link looked directly into Munro's eyes, speaking slowly and deliberately, his tone indifferent:

"If anyone wants to take away the only thing I have, my life, no matter what method they intend to use, they have to consider whether they can bear the consequences."

When he spoke, Link no longer relied on Hannibal's image, nor did he deliberately exude a murderous aura.

He remained expressionless and calm.

But the more this was the case, the less Monroe dared to respond rashly.

Dogs that bite don't bark.

Moreover, he felt guilty.

Link gave Monroe another deep look before strolling leisurely toward the laboratory building.

A dozen or so North District apprentices who had come with Monroe blocked their way, refusing to let them pass.

Link sneered, and with a thought, he instantly summoned more than a dozen ice spikes, which hovered in the air.

They looked like they'd just start fighting if they didn't give way.

Those who have nothing to lose are not afraid of those who wear shoes.

Monroe was wearing shoes, while Link was barefoot.

Monroe didn't want to be caught off guard and lose his job.

This is Link's source of confidence.

Seeing this, Monroe knew that Link was willing to completely break ties with him in order to make his stance clear.

Since things have come to this, let it be.

He waved his hand, signaling to make way and let Link pass.

Let's avoid a real conflict.

That would be awkward.

"You just let him walk away after a little threat?"

A resentful apprentice from the North District couldn't help but complain, "Where do we put our dignity?"

"Alright, stop making sarcastic remarks."

Monroe's face darkened, and he roared impatiently, "What else can we do but not let him leave? Fight him? Without magical artifacts, who can beat him? You, me, or us all at once?"

The North District apprentice who had complained had also witnessed Link's sudden and fierce barrage of firepower. His face twitched a few times, and he fell silent.

I really don't know how this person trained, how could they master witchcraft so skillfully!

The group arrived in a grand procession, but left in a rather dejected manner.

Go and meet up with Iris and the others.

"How's it going? Hit a wall, huh?"

Upon seeing the expressions on Monroe and his group's faces, Iris chuckled. "I told you not to be forceful, but you wouldn't listen. You've lost face this time, haven't you?"

"Tell me, what makes him so brave?"

Monroe still couldn't understand why Link Grand would rather break off relations with him than go and cause trouble for "Pureblood Will" together, and asked sullenly.

Iris had watched the entire process from the very beginning of Monroe's "live stream".

I know what Monroe is asking.

I also know the answer to the question.

After thinking for a moment, Iris said succinctly, "Because he has to be that brave."

Monroe pursed his lips, still somewhat unable to understand.

Indeed, those who have been high up for so long cannot understand the helplessness of those at the bottom.

Or perhaps they simply don't bother to understand.

"Forget about him, let's go ourselves."

"It's like we can't get anything done without him," Monroe said defiantly.

Iris didn't reply, but she recalled in her mind the glance Link gave the "live broadcast" device before he left.

That calm gaze, that calmness concealing a warning.

"Looks like I'll have to be more careful in the future and not go too far."

With this thought in mind, Iris wore an innocent smile, like a little girl finding a fun toy.

Seeing this, Monroe shuddered.

The person in front of me seems to have remembered something funny, or someone interesting.

If it's a person, I hope it's that guy Link Grand.

Let him experience firsthand what it means to be a madman, a lunatic, a crazy woman.

He actually dared to let a crazy woman kiss him and even published the photos.

Aren't you afraid that the Clark family will force him to marry Iris?

Monroe thought he was already incredibly audacious.

Unexpectedly, there are people even braver than him.

He put it into practice after only a brief trial.

"Go, go, go."

Stopping thinking about Link Grand, Monroe urged.

The group, now larger than before, set off towards the nearby area.

The target: a party organized by Trish Lucia;

Objective: To cause trouble!

the other side.

In the laboratory.

"How is it?"

Upon seeing Link, Jasmine immediately asked him with concern.

She had been looking out the window, watching how things were unfolding.

Only after realizing that Link had safely entered the building did he remove his finger from the emergency assistance function on his personal smart device.

"fine."

Link replied calmly, "It's just about laying everything out in the open."

"I hope I won't bother you again?"

Jasmine was still quite worried and concerned.

We'll talk about it later.

Link didn't really want to say anything uncertain, so this was the only answer he could give.

Jasmine expressed her understanding and proactively changed the subject: "All seven 'papers' have been submitted and are currently under review."

"Um."

Link nodded; this was the important matter. "Is everything alright?"

"no."

"That's good."

"Um."

After exchanging a few words, the two lost interest in continuing the conversation.

They then took out their personal smart devices and began reading materials and documents.

No matter what happens, studies must not be neglected.

Around noon, as lunchtime approached, the two left the lab and headed to the cafeteria.

"Hey bro, there's something interesting going on in the forum."

The group of friends and the socially awkward group waited outside the cafeteria. As soon as they saw Link and Molly, Buck hurriedly and loudly announced that there was some juicy gossip to be had.

"What's all the commotion about?"

Link asked casually, "Is there a fight going on in the North District?"

"Hey, you've already seen it, bro?"

Buck's expression changed from slightly expectant of Link's follow-up questions to surprise and doubt.

The big shot rarely wastes time browsing forums.

How come you knew so early this time?

Lynn, with her sharp eyes, noticed that Jasmine's expression was a bit off, and then remembered that both of them had dealt with the big boss before.

Especially Iris and Monroe.

I couldn't help but wonder if Iris and Monroe had contacted the big boss beforehand, intending to use him as a tool?

Thinking this, Lynn gently patted Buck on the shoulder and winked at Ezio.

The two understood the meaning themselves.

Buck, shut up.

Ezio then brought up another matter:

"Hey bro, someone contacted me asking if they could join 'Freedom to Do Anything'. By the way, is 'Freedom to Do Anything' hiring? If so, what are the hiring criteria?"

Dijer glanced at the three members of the socially awkward group and, seeing that they were still a bit reserved, said, "Boss, these past few days, some people have approached Betty and the others, trying to get in touch with us through them."

"Uh-huh."

Betty nodded repeatedly, very frequently, like a chick pecking at rice, in order to testify for Dijk.

"Yes, boss."

Mead spoke in a deep, muffled voice, as if afraid Link wouldn't believe him.

"Um."

Terry, who had joined the team during the two-district competition and had never spoken before, also stepped forward to testify.

Link didn't immediately give his decision, but instead looked at Jasmine, seeking her opinion: "What do you say?"

"No rush."

Jasmine thought about it carefully and said, "We're fine as we are now. Too many people would just cause a lot of trouble."

"it is good."

Link immediately agreed, "Then it's settled. 'Freedom to do whatever you want' will not be hiring for the time being."

"Okay, I'll listen to the boss and the big sister."

Ezio responded and retreated.

"Have a meal."

Link waved his hand and led everyone into the cafeteria.

The lunch ended hastily in a slightly awkward atmosphere.

They also didn't give the "brotherhood" and "social anxiety" groups much time to rest.

After finishing their meal, Link immediately led everyone to the laboratory.

How can we just collect a few "credits" and do justice to such a well-equipped and high-end laboratory, and to the growing "research" team?

We need to get the facilities and equipment up and running, and more importantly, we need to bring out the fighting power of the team.

Do more research, conduct more experiments, produce more results, earn more "credits," and make more magic stones.

However, Link toned down his capitalist ways somewhat and didn't make them too blatant.

Before assigning tasks, they took out a large box.

"WooHoo!"

Upon seeing this, Buck immediately let out a cheer.

The others also showed joy on their faces.

Sharing the money is something everyone's happy to see!

Who would be unhappy?

"Jasmine, come here."

This time, Link didn't distribute the items himself. Instead, he handed the large box to Jasmine, indicating that she should take charge.

"I?"

Jasmine was taken aback.

Fame and position should not be lent to others.

Although this phrase doesn't exist in the Wizarding World, the underlying principle is true.

The allocation of wealth, or rather, the bestowal of rewards, is a very important manifestation of "fame".

By doing this, Link is further strengthening Jasmine's position and influence within the "Do Anything Freely" team.

Jasmine comes from a noble family and knows a lot about these things, which is why she was taken aback for a moment.

"you."

Link smiled and affirmed.

"it is good."

Jasmine was secretly pleased. She took the large box and opened it in front of everyone.

Five hundred standard level-one magic stones, each about the size of a thumb, were neatly arranged inside.

Gollum.

Several people swallowed hard, their throats bobbing.

Jasmine would have lost her composure if she hadn't seen far more magic stones than this when she received a tiny reward from the wizard Celine last time.

She thought for a moment, then took out 200 magic stones and placed them in front of Link, explaining, "You didn't take any last time, and you've been in charge of the project the whole time, contributing the most, so you take 200."

After speaking, Jasmine looked at everyone and asked, "Does everyone have any objections?"

"no."

Everyone responded in unison.

Jasmine continued distributing the stones, dividing the remaining 300 magic stones into 10 portions of 30 each.

"We'll each take one portion, and the remaining portion will be our bonus for the next two weeks. Whoever performs well will take it."

"No problem, boss."

"It's settled then."

Everyone beamed with joy and stepped forward one by one to receive a magic stone from Jasmine.

Following a big shot not only allows you to stand out and gain prestige, but also helps you advance in your career and reap tangible economic benefits.

It's only been a few days?

Each person received 60 magic stones.

Many people who work part-time in Rivostown for an entire semester might not earn this much.

Seeing that the atmosphere was just right, Link revealed his plan.

Having tasted the benefits of pharmaceutical patents, he is prepared to continue his efforts and delve deeper into this field.

The strategy of differentiated competition will continue to be promoted.

"We are divided into three groups: plant cultivation, plant analysis, and pharmaceutical research and development. Everyone can sign up freely according to their own interests and knowledge structure."

Each person may participate in a maximum of two groups and may not withdraw midway.

Until the end of one round of research and development.

If you discover any gaps in your knowledge structure during the research process, you should fill them in promptly.

Jasmine was in charge of group registration.

After a pause, Link continued to announce:

"Our next step is to conduct research on toiletries, especially women's toiletries."

The goal is to develop toiletries that witches would fight over.

The requirements are simple: while ensuring the effectiveness of the medicine, it should also satisfy women's pursuit of beauty.

In short, it has to smell good enough.

There should be a wide variety of fragrances to meet different needs.

Pure, lovely, refreshing, intellectual, mature, charming, alluring...

It has everything.