Wizards begin with Occlumency.

Chapter 247 Life is like a title, full of choices

It was already evening when we left the North District villa of Celine the Wizard.

Link drove his Phantom Coupe back to his villa, his feelings a mix of emotions.

He never expected that the usually calm and collected Wizard Celine would be so flustered and lose all her usual composure because of the fact that the Palo Sage Legion was besieged by the Abyss Demons.

It can only be said that everyone has flaws, even wizards who are said to be cold-blooded and rational are no exception.

After all, wizards in this wizarding world do not pursue boundless indifference and ruthlessness.

The transformation period from a third-level wizard to a sage requires genuine emotions and resonance with the will of the world, which is essentially about preserving humanity.

Otherwise, under the impact of the vast and complex power of rules, a wizard will still be a wizard in the end, just like those gods, becoming a vessel and puppet of the power of rules.

They can even forget, despise, or hate their own human origins.

Link believed that the witch Celine was simply overly concerned and, upon learning of the incident involving the Palo Sages, instinctively thought of the worst possible outcome.

This caused anxiety and panic, and my thoughts remained muddled, unsure of what to do.

After Link patiently comforted and reassured her for a long time, the wizard Celine finally calmed down and regained her composure.

The composed and dignified wizard Celine reappeared, and with an extremely calm and peaceful demeanor, officially took charge of all matters concerning the Paro Sage lineage.

As an observer, Link witnessed the entire process of how the wizard Celine combined offense and defense to unite people and take control of the situation.

After a brief period of panic due to the lack of leadership, the core members who remained on the home front to handle the legion's logistics quickly rallied around Wizard Celine and began working in an orderly manner.

They might be inventorying supplies, recovering magic stones, gathering intelligence, or collecting strategic resources...

Each member of the direct lineage was given a specific task assignment by the wizard Celine.

In any case, no one was able to relax; everyone was preparing for the rescue of the Paro Sage Legion.

Whether or not this preparation will come in handy, we have to get busy.

Only by keeping busy can you stop overthinking.

Only then will people's hearts not easily fall apart.

"Tomorrow, send Jasmine to Wizard Celine's side so she can study hard. Then, at a suitable time, send her to a formal wizard-level training ground."

As Link drove into his own villa, this thought popped into his head.

Although Jasmine is now able to manage "freedom to do whatever she wants" very well, she still needs to learn and improve her methods and approaches in various aspects.

The idea of ​​"freedom to do anything" cannot remain stagnant; rather, it must strive to develop and grow stronger.

This places high demands on the management skills of managers.

Jasmine needs to keep making progress.

"Link, how is the witch Celine?"

After hosting "Do Whatever You Want" and summarizing the competition, Jasmine returned to the villa early.

Aside from arranging for the housekeeper Hamid to do some things, she didn't go anywhere. She sat in the lobby on the first floor, keeping a close eye on the door, waiting for Link to return.

"Pulse your spirits up and step forward to take charge of the affairs."

Link replied truthfully, "Starting tomorrow, you'll go and run errands for the wizard Celine. While you're helping, learn from Celine's working methods and techniques, okay?"

"Sure, no problem."

Jasmine instantly understood Link's meaning and nodded in agreement without hesitation.

"If you're willing, then so be it. Although it's not the best way to put it, this is indeed a rare opportunity."

Link explained his arrangement by saying, "Normally, you can't find such a good opportunity to learn how to operate a mature organizational faction."

"Yes, I understand."

Jasmine nodded and then said, "You haven't had dinner yet, have you? I had Hamid prepare some snacks. Would you like some?"

"it is good."

Link didn't refuse and agreed immediately, then followed Jasmine into the restaurant.

Are we eating snacks?

It's a heartfelt sentiment.

How could we let someone's careful preparations and expectations go to waste?

"Oh, by the way, the academy sent you a lot of valuable supplies as a reward for this."

At the dining table, Link sat down and began eating some snacks. Jasmine brought up another matter.

"Since you weren't here, I inspected the supplies on your behalf. I'll give them to you after you finish your snacks. I checked, and the supplies are divided into three parts: team competition, individual competition, and rewards for capturing a few Rukia in time."

"Hmm, no rush, let's eat first."

Savoring the soft, chewy dough made to resemble sesame dumplings, Link wasn't in a hurry to check the academy's rewards.

Those supplies are placed in Jasmine's necklace pendant; they won't grow wings and fly away.

After patiently finishing off the soft, glutinous meatballs in the bowl, Link and Jasmine arrived at the empty warehouse.

The space here is large, making it convenient to store and retrieve large quantities of supplies.

Jasmine took out the rewards that the academy had given to Link one by one from the necklace pendant.

After a quick glance at the types of supplies, Link knew that his use of the "small world" when he met the dean had once again served a purpose.

All the material rewards distributed by the academy can be used to cultivate the "small world".

Link didn't hide anything and, in front of Jasmine, fed boxes of precious supplies to "Little World".

No wonder you always complain about being poor.

Watching the supplies being swallowed up by the small world like flowing water, and seeing the empty boxes left in the warehouse, the little rich girl Jasmine couldn't help but complain.

With such an insatiable appetite, when will the "small world" ever be satisfied?

She suddenly had the absurd feeling that she was the small one, and that the "small world" was the main wife.

Link wasn't as generous to her as he was to "Little World".

"Where's Flandre? Call her out and tell her to sleep with me tonight."

Jasmine, overcome with jealousy, grabbed Link's waist with her right hand, as if to say, "If you don't agree, I'll strangle you."

Link couldn't figure out why Jasmine's temper had suddenly changed so much.

What can he do?

All I could do was summon Flandre, and then watch as Jasmine happily took Flandre's little hand and turned to walk upstairs to the bedroom.

Link was left alone in the warehouse, with no regard for him whatsoever.

"Truly, they become disrespectful when you get close, and resentful when you keep your distance!"

With a sigh, Link continued feeding the "little world".

After feeding the "little world", the progress of the third phase of cultivation, which was originally halfway complete, was suddenly filled up, and even a little bit more was added.

Link thought to himself, "The academy is really being generous this time."

If Link were to accumulate these resources on his own, it would take him more than a year of painstaking management of the Grand Pharmacy.

During this period, we also need to maintain a pace of releasing one or two high-quality potions every one to two months to attract traffic.

However, Link's performance absolutely deserves the academy's generosity.

Not to mention his devastating performance in the team competition, which made him famous and forcibly forced four wizarding organizations to withdraw from the individual competition.

By simply forcing back the leader of the Mesopotamian University team, then capturing Lucia and her group, and leading three teams to block the Mesopotamian University team, the academy regained enough dignity.

This would prevent the academy from losing face due to the Rukia family's defection.

Thinking about the Rukia family's defection, Link felt it was necessary to learn more about it.

Back in his study, Link began browsing various forums, trying to find some rumors and official reports about the Rukia family's defection.

Perhaps out of a sense of propriety, the college imposed a complete blackout on this matter.

There isn't a single piece of information about this on the forum.

Even posts that use veiled language or allude to this issue are blocked immediately after being published.

Through various means, Link gained access to relevant forums at the University of Mesopotamia.

There was no such information disclosed here either.

It appears that Rivosos College and the University of Mesopotamia have the same stance and approach to this matter: a cold, indifferent response.

"Looks like we'll have to try other channels."

With that in mind, Link sent messages to Lani Taylor and Tiffany Colonna respectively, asking them questions.

His alliance with Lanny did not end with the conclusion of the Zerg world mission.

The two maintained this relationship tacitly.

They support each other.

As for Tiffany, she extorted money from the University of Mesopotamia team leader, so she owes him some favors.

Soon, Lani and Tiffany replied one after the other.

Lanny replied:

"After Sandra met with the Dean, she didn't mention this matter at all. She instructed me that if she found out you were inquiring about it, I should remind you that the key wasn't Lucia, but Lionel. Also, you should pay close attention to Wizard Cody's movements. Don't reply if anything happens."

The conflict between Link and Rukia's family is out in the open.

It would be abnormal for Link not to investigate Rukia's family's defection.

It's not surprising that Sandra could guess this.

Tiffany replied:

"According to reliable sources, there are other hidden reasons for the Rukia family's defection this time. They seem to have been forced into it."

The Lucia family's various businesses were not transferred. Only the patriarch, the council of elders, and some core members were accepted by the University of Mesopotamia. Many direct descendants were abandoned, and even the two legions were not taken back.

The academy's attitude toward the remnants of the Rukia family is also ambiguous, seemingly with no intention of punishing them.

This matter is very complicated; my personal advice is that you don't get involved.

Listen to advice, and you'll have a full meal.

After reading the two replies, Link decided to stop investigating the Rukia family's defection.

For now, I'll focus on assisting Wizard Celine with some tasks.

Rescuing the Palo Sage Legion is of paramount importance.

"Master, master."

The mischievous Flandre, while playing around with her master and mistress, spoke in Link's mind, "The 'small world' evolved so quickly this time, it's already finished."

"Really? What new abilities have you gained this time?"

Link put aside his thoughts and began to communicate earnestly with Flandre.

"Well……"

Flandre sensed it carefully, then said excitedly, "Master, Flandre can now create cool clones just like you! Also, eh... what is this?"

As Flandre was counting the new abilities she had gained with the third evolution of the "small world," she seemed to have discovered something extraordinary.

Forgetting all the playful banter with his wife and conversation with Link, he swiftly returned to the "small world".

"Link Grand!"

Jasmine's shouts echoed from her bedroom into the study, "Where did you send Flandre?"

No sooner had she finished speaking than Jasmine appeared at the study door, hands on her hips, looking furious: "You owe me Flandre."

Link calmly explained, "The 'small world' has completed its third evolution. Flandre went back on her own; it has nothing to do with me."

"I don't care!"

Jasmine rushed to a spot not far in front of Link.

He leaped into the air and slammed heavily onto Link, then lowered his head, opened his mouth, and bit down hard on the shoulder he had bitten before.

After a long silence, Jasmine finally opened her mouth. Looking at the teeth marks that would soon fade away, her voice tinged with sadness, she asked, "Tell me the truth, are you going to leave me and 'Freedom to Do Anything' again, and go away on your own?"

Where?

Link paused for a moment, thought about his recent schedule, and said with a smile, "How come I didn't know about this? Don't overthink it."

Jasmine raised her head and looked steadily into Link's eyes: "You promise!"

Link opened his mouth, about to speak, but Jasmine's small hand tightly covered it.

"Forget it, don't make promises you can't keep."

Jasmine removed her small hand, got up from Link's arms, sat down to the side, and said in a muffled voice:

"I don't know why, but after coming back today, looking at the empty villa, I have this strange premonition that I'm about to lose you for a very, very long time."

My perception isn't as sharp as yours; I've never had a particularly accurate intuition or premonition before.

However, this premonition, even though I desperately didn't want to believe it, I inexplicably knew it was right.

As she spoke, Jasmine sniffed, "Especially since you came back, without saying anything else, you immediately arranged for me to study with the wizard Celine. That made me feel even worse."

Link genuinely has no such plans.

But he didn't dismiss Jasmine's premonition as mere imagination; instead, he took it seriously.

There's no reason why only his intuition and premonition should be correct, while Jasmine's premonition should be wrong.

After a moment of contemplation, Link said with a serious expression:

"I don't have any related plans, but you should take your premonition seriously."

My original plan for you was to study with the wizard Celine for a while before going to the cultivation realm.

In case I am suddenly summoned by the academy, or other unforeseen circumstances arise, how about you skip studying with Wizard Celine tomorrow and go directly to the cultivation realm?

If your premonition comes true, I really will have to leave alone for a while because of some things. During this time, you can also focus on improving quickly in the cultivation secret realm.

A formal wizard-level training realm can last up to three months.

Jasmine muttered, "I'll do whatever you say."

"Then it's decided."

Link patted Jasmine's head and chuckled, "Don't be so gloomy. Try to think about it another way. No matter where I go or how long I'm gone, I'll still have to come back, right?"

"snort!"

No one knows what offended Jasmine by those words. She snorted coldly and stormed off.

"this……"

Link scratched his head awkwardly. "Am I really a hopeless straight man?"

Just as Link was falling into self-doubt, Flandre's voice rang out:

"Master, Master, two strange doorways have appeared at the origin of the 'Small World'. I communicated with the origin of the 'Small World', and these two holes are very similar to the teleportation portals you often use; they can take you to other places."

Link's attention was instantly drawn to it.

With a thought, he directly entered the "small world" and appeared at the source, next to Flandre.

Two black doorways, each about the height of a person, came into Link's view.

After a careful examination, Link discovered that the two doorways were indeed remarkably similar to teleportation portals.

Without any hesitation, Link activated his "multi-threaded thinking" mode, empowered by Source Force, and entered his strongest thinking state, going all out to analyze the two doorways.

Link only obtained relatively complete analytical results when his brain reached its limit.

These two doorways are indeed a prototype of a rather special interdimensional teleportation portal.

The current teleportation capacity is extremely limited; it cannot transport living beings, nor can it transport large quantities of supplies at once.

Even what world lies beyond the two doorways is unknown.

The doorway is powered by the energy source of the "small world" or by magic stones that have been re-energized by an energy storage device.

If the doorway really needs to be used, Link will naturally choose to use the energy storage magic stone for power.

"Flandre, observe this place more closely in the future and see what changes occur."

After thinking for a moment, Link gave Flandre an order.

"Yes, sir. Flandre will keep a close watch on this place and there will be absolutely no problems."

Flandre patted her little chest and said proudly, "Flandre is really amazing now! She can use all the witchcraft that Master knows!"

"Um?"

Link was somewhat surprised upon hearing this.

Flandre's existence is extremely special; she can be both real and ethereal, able to walk in the real world and also survive in Link's sea of ​​consciousness.

The second upgrade of "Little World" granted Flandre the ability to become invisible and transform into a wind sprite.

Could this third upgrade be to fix Flandre's shortcomings in elemental affinity?

After carefully sensing Flandre's body, Link was surprised to find that Flandre was now in a state of full elemental affinity.

Besides the magic of the True Spirit Wizard, Flandre can truly master the magic of the Elemental Wizard.

She can be seen as a female version of Link.

"Excellent, excellent. From now on, Flandre will be in charge of protecting Master's safety."

Link was lavish in his praise and even entrusted him with important responsibilities.

"Don't worry, sir, Flandre will definitely protect you well."

Upon hearing this, Flandre became even more arrogant, thumping her little chest loudly, "And Master and Madam, Flandre will protect them together."

"Okay, it's settled then."

Link gently patted Flandre's head and said, "Master and Madam were just blaming Master, thinking he was the one who summoned you back."

"ah!"

Flandre covered her face with her small hands, looking very embarrassed. "Flandre actually forgot to sleep with Master and Madam. How...how rude of me."

As soon as she finished speaking, Flandre vanished from her origin and went to the Wizarding World to continue spending time with Jasmine.

Link was stunned when he saw this.

Previously, Flandre could only move around in the Wizarding World if Link was in it.

But right now, Link's true form is in the "small world".

Was the third evolution really that much, that terrifying, an improvement for Flandre?

Flandre is still just a "spirit" in the "small world".

As a realm lord, wouldn't the feedback Link received be even more terrifying?

Link dashed back to his study and began examining himself from head to toe, inside and out, finally discovering three obvious improvements:

First, his mental strength had reached its limit, which was 399.

The next stage is to liquefy the spiritual energy.

Secondly, the "solar system" in my sea of ​​consciousness has become even more "vivid";

To put it simply, it's like the difference in texture between rough plastic and smooth jade.

Third, the body's ability to withstand pressure from space has become stronger.

Previously, entering and exiting the "small world" would cause a sense of spatial and temporal detachment far exceeding that of using the cross-dimensional portal.

Now it has lessened considerably and is no longer so uncomfortable.

In short, Link has become stronger and is now able to challenge for the title of Level 2 Wizard.

"Isn't it a bit too fast?"

Link muttered to himself, then shook his head and chuckled.

It's fine if the promotion is fast, as long as the foundation is solid and there's no superficiality.

With that in mind, Link took out his personal smart device, used up his usage count of the official wizard-level cultivation secret realm, reserved the usage time, and changed the user.

After finishing these tasks, do some deep meditation and go to bed.

The next day.

Early in the morning.

After having breakfast with Jasmine, the hovercar arranged by the academy stopped in front of the villa.

The location of the cultivation retreat is a highly confidential secret.

Whether apprentices or full-fledged wizards, they all have to take the hovercars arranged by the academy to designated locations.

Everything was arranged by the college, so there was absolutely nothing to worry about.

"Go, don't overthink, just focus on your practice."

After seeing Jasmine off in the hovercar and watching it disappear into the distance, Link drove off to Celine Wizard's villa in the North District.

Rescuing the Palo Sage Legion is not a matter of a moment; it must be carried out every day.

Therefore, the witch Celine decreed that everyone would hold a meeting at her villa every morning to report on their respective work progress.

If we encounter a difficult or hard-to-solve problem, we should pool our wisdom and efforts.

As a junior whom Sage Paro has highly valued in recent years, and who has been mentored by Sage Paro on many occasions, Link must be present.

Moreover, Link must play a significant role in rescuing the Palo Sages.

When Link arrived, the makeshift meeting room was already filled with many people.

I am relatively familiar with Salia, Ella, and Tina; I have never met most of the others, or we are just nodding acquaintances.

None of the wizards who once belonged to the Paro Sage faction of the Cody Wizards, but later, during the Cody Wizards' period of transformation, formally broke away from the Paro Sage faction and joined the Cody Sage Legion which was being established, came.

From the Cody Wizard lineage, only Cody himself was present, sitting in one of the two main seats, next to Celine Wizard.

After a while, all the attendees had arrived.

The witch Celine began to chair the meeting and listen to reports.

After these procedures were completed, the wizard Celine got down to the main topic of the first meeting:

"The academy replied to me last night, saying that they are studying a plan to rescue the Palo Sage Legion, and told me not to be too anxious."

He also said that if there is a real urgency, one can start by procuring supplies and preparing some strategic materials in advance.

In this regard, the academy offered two suggestions: first, materials for constructing portals; and second, interstellar combat artifacts and supplies.

Now, let's all speak openly about how we should procure supplies.

As soon as she finished speaking, the short-haired witch in charge of finances stood up and said:

"Even if we liquidate some of our assets, we won't have enough magic stones to raise. We can only choose one of the two suggestions to implement in order to ensure that we can raise enough resources. If we implement both at the same time, we will end up with not enough for either."

This situation must be taken seriously.

The group began discussing the matter with their acquaintances.

A moment later, the wizard in charge of procuring strategic materials stated: "I have reviewed the recent data on large-scale material transactions. In terms of timeliness alone, procuring interstellar combat artifacts and supplies will be more efficient and less difficult."

Ella, who was in charge of inventorying the supplies, chimed in, "Our supplies are mainly for interstellar combat and resupply. The materials that could be used to build the portal have all been taken away by the Paro Sage Legion."

Upon hearing this, Wizard Celine surveyed the assembled attendees and asked in a deep voice, "So, shall we then focus all our efforts on procuring interstellar combat equipment and supplies? Does anyone have other opinions? In favor or against?"

Wizard Cody opened his slightly narrowed eyes and spoke softly:

I disagree.

There will only be two updates today, but I will guarantee the update volume.

We're just 20 points away from the average, let's pull it up and get a premium badge.

(End of this chapter)