Wizards begin with Occlumency.

Chapter 224 can be summed up in one word: extravagant!

What does it mean to exude domineering aura?

This statement exudes domineering power.

Everyone agreed; no one objected.

Linke focuses on two key areas: the elimination system and the accountability system.

Furthermore, considering the three original objectives and three additional objectives of this mission, biochemical research is the key component.

The only people in charge of biochemical research were Link himself and Tiffany Colonna.

Could it be understood that the main targets of this mission are Link and Tiffany Colonna?

At that moment, Lanny gave Link a seemingly casual glance, made a brief eye contact with him, and quickly looked away.

How much information can be contained in a fleeting glance?

Link only saw shock.

Clearly, even though Lanny met Sandra earlier than Link and learned about the mission earlier, she was still unaware of what Sandra had just said.

At least it's not that clear.

This is normal.

Sandra was, after all, the great-granddaughter of two great sages, and should have received education in managing people from a young age.

Whatever the reason, Sandra was willing to let Lanny get close to her.

It's impossible for Lanny to know every single detail.

No matter how much you value them, no matter how much you treat them as your own, they are still just subordinates.

There is a distinction between the noble and the lowly, and between the high and the lowly.

Link expressed his understanding.

I won't blame Lani, my ally, for not informing me of this beforehand.

Sandra glanced around at the 11 carefully selected core members in the tent and smiled gently: "The rules are set in advance for the sake of business. But in our daily interactions, let's be as casual as possible. Don't make the team atmosphere awkward; keep it lively."

As she spoke, Sandra turned around and pointed to the holographic projection:

"Let's get back to the main topic."

We did not establish a forward base in the mission world, and there were no portals available.

Therefore, we must start from our current camp and travel through interstellar space to reach the mission world.

According to the Wizarding World's local time rules, interstellar travel takes approximately 3 days.

We'll depart on time tomorrow. Use the remaining time today to prepare.

Sandra clapped her hands and asked, "Does anyone want to say something?"

Link waited quietly for a while, and seeing that everyone else remained calm, he swallowed back the question he had wanted to ask.

Being in an unfamiliar team, I still don't want to stand out.

To everyone's surprise, Sandra turned her gaze to Link and Tiffany, saying, "You two are in charge of biochemical research, which is very important. You two speak up, speak boldly, say whatever you want. Tiffany, you go first."

"Um."

Tiffany nodded, stood up, and said loudly, "I want to ask, for this biochemical research, will we each do our own thing, or will we collaborate throughout?"

Sandra didn't answer directly, but looked at Link: "What do you think?"

Link immediately stood up and said in a neither humble nor arrogant tone, "I think it's better for each of us to do our own thing. We're not familiar with each other, and if we cooperate, the coordination will be poor, which could easily lead to mistakes. The work efficiency may not necessarily be improved; on the contrary, it might drag things down and delay the progress of the mission."

What do you think?

After listening, Sandra turned to Tiffany for her opinion.

"I don't object to each doing their own thing."

Tiffany responded decisively.

"good!"

Sandra made a decision, "Then let's each do our own thing. But since we're each doing our own thing, we need to add a comparison. We need to compare who does it faster and who does it better."

She didn't elaborate further.

But everyone present knew that this created a kind of competition.

Moreover, it will inevitably be healthy competition.

Both of them could only bury themselves in their research in an attempt to surpass each other in research progress and results.

They dared not sabotage each other, delay each other's progress, or ruin each other's achievements.

Sandra had set the rules in advance.

The eight people responsible for reconnaissance and combat will be held accountable for any mistakes or injuries caused, whether subjective or objective.

Why is biochemical research an exception?

This applies to the scions of prominent families at the main campus of the academy.

Why should Stormsea's new blood and West Coast's pure blood be treated differently?

After thinking for a moment, Sandra smiled and said:

"Biochemical research is too much work for one person to do; you need an assistant to share the workload."

Logistics and medical matters are actually not much.

So, with Lanny as Link's assistant and Fried as Tiffany's assistant, it's a 2-on-2 situation, perfect!

With just a few words, Sandra made another personnel arrangement.

After this adjustment, the situation becomes quite interesting.

Two Storm Sea newbies versus two West Coast purebreds, the next match begins.

Eight members of the academy's main families, including Sandra herself, remained "on the sidelines."

The feeling of an interview plus a practical assessment immediately came to mind.

Lanny and Link, and Fried and Tiffany, were the two groups that underwent the interviews and assessments.

Sandra is the chief judge, while the seven members of the academy's main families are judges.

They critiqued and rated the work.

Link had a feeling that this seemingly humble but actually arrogant scion of a wealthy family was generously giving away a "precious" opportunity to become her follower, and then watching with a smile as the two groups fought over it.

Just like in "Flirting Scholar", the Hua family can attract a large group of scholars and talents to scramble for a pageboy, making a fool of themselves in the process.

But, but, the scions of wealthy families never ask the opinions of those two groups.

Perhaps some people are very willing to compete for it, just like those scholars and talented men.

After all, this is a smooth and promising path to advancement.

It's the same principle, both in China and abroad, and it has always been the case.

Some people are unwilling.

But no matter how unwilling a person is, what can they do?

He stormed off the table?

Neither my status nor my strength allows it.

Or should we reduce water usage halfway through?

Nobody's a fool; they can see everything clearly what's happening right under their noses.

How could you not tell the difference between genuinely good food and something that's just a shoddy job?

Caught between a rock and a hard place, with no way to choose.

Link was lost in thought, deciding to take it one step at a time.

"That's all. Meeting adjourned!"

Sandra waved her hand and led the way out of the tent.

Link stood there, motionless, until everyone else had left.

Seeing Link's reaction, Lanny, who had already left the tent, returned to Link's side and asked in confusion, "Is there something else? Why are you standing here?"

Link pointed to the holographic projection of the mission world's terrain: "Make a map. What if we arrive at our destination and the AI ​​malfunctions and can't see the map?"

This is not alarmist.

Rather, these are accidents that frequently occur during the conquest of the heavens.

These are points that the college has repeatedly emphasized that should be noted.

In remote and insignificant corners, the world's will in the wizarding world may very well respond to a wizard's prayers with a delay.

This manifests as the witchcraft malfunctioning and the witchcraft becoming unusable.

At that time, the wizards will have to rely on their own comprehensive abilities to overcome the difficulties and persevere until the will of the wizarding world responds again.

Ultimately, true power comes from within; everything depends on oneself.

Link stared intently at the holographic projection, carefully noting down the terrain of the mission world, including all the underground tunnels discovered during previous monitoring.

The mental palace constructed using the "Brain Occupation Technique" and the memory palace theory has also been upgraded after being perfected in the apprentice and wizard chapters of "The Great Universe Meditation Method".

From the lake and the lakeside library, it has become a skyscraper in "Little World" / on Earth.

Mapping the world of the memory mission, though time-consuming, is not difficult.

Lani also tried to memorize it, but eventually gave up.

Her memory is actually quite good.

However, memorizing the topography of a planet the size of the moon in a short period of time is still quite difficult.

"This part is up to you; I didn't remember it completely."

Now that they were allied, Lani didn't try to be strong; she would rely on others as needed, and there was nothing to be ashamed of.

Allies are meant to complement each other's strengths and weaknesses, and help each other out.

"Um."

Link nodded and continued memorizing the terrain.

The two made no attempt to conceal their movements.

The tent flaps were also open.

The other 10 people saw it clearly, but their reactions and impressions varied.

Sandra admired it, while the others had their own thoughts.

Someone secretly took out a special magical artifact and replicated a mission map.

Some people scoffed and dismissed it.

More often than not, people simply ignore it and go about their own business.

None of this has anything to do with Link.

After a long while, Link finally memorized the entire map.

"Let's go back and rest, recharge our energy."

With a shout, Link stepped out of the tent and headed straight for his own.

Link stopped outside the curtain and asked softly, "Who's inside?"

The tents at this campsite are great in every way, except for one thing: they're not locked, so outsiders can come and go as they please.

"I."

Tiffany Colonna's voice came from inside.

After thinking for a moment, Link didn't avoid it, but lifted the curtain and went inside.

Tiffany sat on the cushions on the outside of the low table, turned to the side facing the curtain.

"What's up?"

Link sat cross-legged on the cushions inside the low table, adopting the demeanor of a "host" and taking the initiative to ask questions.

"I want to say a few words to you."

Tiffany spoke calmly, "I've never taken Scotty's matter to heart. It's good that he learned his lesson; I'm satisfied. We have no grudges. Therefore, I won't harm you during this mission, and you don't need to be wary of me."

"Yeah?"

Link said with a smile.

His tone was rather playful, and it was unclear what he was trying to express.

Perhaps nothing was said at all, it was merely to interrupt Tiffany's rhythm of speech and prevent her from controlling the conversation at will.

"Yes."

Tiffany surprisingly affirmed this earnestly before continuing, "Whether you want to accept the wizard Sandra's offer or not, I want you to give it your all in this mission. It's not only to complete the mission, but also to see who comes out on top."

"So what if it's high? So what if it's low? Does it really matter?"

Link asked with a smile.

"Very important."

Tiffany replied, "You've progressed so quickly that no one in your generation, whether pure-blood or half-blood, can compare to you. We can only look upwards, generation after generation, to find someone who can suppress you. Just like the main academy, they always have to find someone who can suppress the outstanding scions of the local families."

"Understood."

Link put away his feigned smile and nodded seriously.

"Take care of yourself!"

Tiffany acted decisively. After saying what she wanted to say, she left behind a rather meaningful reminder, got up, and left.

Link watched them go, then fell into deep thought.

What will a class with vested interests that has already tasted the benefits do when faced with a new challenger to the established order?

Invite them to a feast, behead them, or take them in as dogs.

There are only these three paths.

During the meal, they explored each other's thoughts and stances to see if they were on the same page and if there was a chance for them to get together.

If we're not on the same path and there's no chance, then let's behead them to prevent future troubles.

If we're on the same wavelength, and there's a chance, I'll take him on as a dog.

Once trained, they are released to bite people.

Link was quite grateful that he was able to rely on the power of Sage Paro from the beginning, so he was neither beheaded nor taken in as a dog.

It developed quite well afterward.

It can be classified as part of the Paro Sages lineage, yet it maintains its independence.

But now, a new and bigger vicious cycle of entertaining, beheading, and taking in dogs seems to have fallen on Link's head.

This mission, this recruitment, this clash between Storm Sea's new blood and West Coast's pure-blooded warriors—the more I look at it, the more it seems like a banquet, a chance to uncover each other's true intentions and stances.

Taking a deep breath, Link suppressed his chaotic thoughts and cleared his mind.

Even if you see through all this, what good will it do?

Stop thinking about it and rest peacefully.

Time passed quickly.

The 12 people arrived at the camp airport on time.

A custom-built interstellar warship, whose class and model Link couldn't identify, was docked at the airport pier.

It is about 300 meters long, 60 meters wide, and over 30 meters high. It resembles a naval destroyer from the previous life and is loaded with a large number of magical artifacts, including offensive, defensive, reconnaissance, and escape weapons.

Let alone a tiny legion of only 12 people.

Even if you bring over a main force, you can easily accommodate them.

"Board the ship."

Sandra waved her hand and took the lead on the automatic gangway, boarding the interstellar warship.

The others followed suit.

Skipping over a series of areas with different functions, Sandra led everyone directly to the cockpit and command center.

"Welcome back to the 'Cloudy Neon' starship, Captain Sandra Diormand."

"The entire crew of the 'Yunni' is awaiting your orders."

The tower spirit's voice automatically sounded upon sensing Sandra's arrival.

The holographic projection of the Tower Spirit is a gentle woman with a soft face and emotional depth.

"Set off."

Sandra gave the tower spirit a command.

Following the others, Link chose a seat, sat down, and fastened his seatbelt.

A moment later, a deep rumble sounded.

The engines of the "Cloud Neon" starship started, generating powerful thrust that propelled it from a completely still docked state into a high-speed takeoff mode.

In a very short time, accelerate to a state sufficient to escape the gravity of the desolate world.

Breaking through the clouds, breaking through the atmosphere, we arrived in outer space.

After a slight pause, the coordinates were adjusted, and the driving route was selected.

The engines of the "Cloud Neon" interstellar warship once again spewed out even more powerful thrust, propelling the warship forward at near-light speed, almost capable of warp drive.

Link looked at the various data on the dial and felt quite envious.

The Hummingbird-class interstellar warship, known for its speed, agility, and stealth, has a top speed of sub-light speed.

Moreover, it cannot be used for routine navigation; it can only be used in critical moments.

The normal sailing speed of the "Cloud Neon" is actually less than the speed of light.

It is conceivable that performing jump travel or warp travel would not be difficult for the "Cloud and Rainbow".

How many magic stones must have been burned on this voyage?

After doing a quick calculation, Link felt a pang of regret.

He was able to draw the eighth and ninth times together.

Their financial resources are truly formidable.

Pop, pop, pop.

As captain, Sandra commanded the Tower Spirits and set all the parameters for this interstellar voyage before beginning to fulfill her duties as the commander of the miniature legion.

She clapped her hands, drawing everyone's attention, and pointed to the 36 briefcases brought over by the intelligent puppet, saying, "The atmospheric environment of the mission world is vastly different from that of the academy headquarters and the mainland. Even though everyone here is a formal wizard capable of extreme survival, it's not recommended to do so unless absolutely necessary. I've prepared protective life-sustaining suits for everyone, three sets per person."

After saying that, Sandra set an example by picking up three briefcases herself and storing them into her spatial storage artifact without making any visible movements.

Link, of course, wouldn't stand on ceremony with the tycoon, and took the three suitcases into the "small world".

Lani was the same.

I just don't know where her spatial storage artifact came from.

It was most likely given to it by Sandra.

If it's true, Link can only sigh:

That's incredibly generous!

No wonder Lanny was so eager to cling to Sandra's coattails.

There's a lot of profit to be made.

I'm not feeling well today, so Chapter 3 might be a bit late. I'll try to post it this morning, or this afternoon if necessary. Sorry!

(End of this chapter)