Wizards begin with Occlumency.

Chapter 267, Second Half

Loken felt like he had fallen into a den of thieves.

Looking into those undisguised, longing eyes that seemed to glow with a faint green light, I felt a chill run down my spine.

It was only by chance that he was able to enter the Sage Celine's Pharmacy Research Group and become an experimental subject, an opportunity he had desperately sought.

Thinking about it that way, something just doesn't feel right.

It's like a poor lamb offering itself up to Link Grande to torment it in a way that makes sense.

Damn it.

"Link, tone it down!"

Sage Celine, perched high above, clearly saw Link's changing expression.

He also sensed the change in Loken's breathing behind him, and the sudden surge of anger and frustration he felt.

She glared at Link and reprimanded him.

"hey-hey."

Link grinned, but his eyes weren't as fiery as before.

He has really become much more restrained.

He simply kept his eyes fixed on Loken, without looking away.

Loken was even more annoyed when he saw Link, who wore gold-rimmed glasses and looked like a refined scoundrel.

Does this mean they've got themselves figured out?

They really think they've got themselves figured out.

Is it too late to quit now?

Sage Celine shook her head, no longer concerned with the conflict between Link and Loken.

The two reconciled last time, and on the surface, they were even.

After all, Loken had both come to apologize and admit his mistake, and had also provided data as experimental material.

However, in truth, it was Link's initiative to exercise restraint and back down that led to the reconciliation.

Now, firstly, Loken has delivered himself to their doorstep, and secondly, Link's strength has increased, so he is no longer afraid of Loken.

Now that he has the chance, given Link's personality, he will definitely want to get his revenge.

Let Loken suffer a bit.

"What a petty person!"

Sage Celine mentally criticized Link before continuing to explain her work arrangements for the Pharmacy Department.

The first thing is the division of labor among personnel.

The main research and development team consists of five people: Link, Molly, Tina, and Asander.

Loken was used as experimental material, along with the "security guards" of the teaching and research group;

Salia was in charge of external liaison and networking;

Ella is in charge of managing the business.

In the context of the integration of production and research, the pharmaceutical science teaching and research group has experimental results, and it is inevitable that they will put them into production.

It is necessary to rebuild an industrial system.

Secondly, there are working hours.

Considering that Link and Molly still need to pursue further studies, Salia, Ella, and Tina need to make the most of their hard-won opportunity to enter the main campus of the academy and enrich themselves.

The wizard Celine stipulated that the main working hours were the two days on weekends, Monday to Friday evenings, whenever one had free time.

As long as the project progresses smoothly, not much extra work time is needed.

The main feature is a flexible work system.

Finally, there's the compensation and benefits.

There's not much to say about this; it's mainly paid for by the college.

Sage Celine bringing them into the Pharmacy Department was the best possible benefit.

After explaining all the arrangements, it was exactly noon. The entire team of the Sage Seren's Pharmacy Research Group took the opportunity to have a team-building activity and have lunch together.

They then dispersed on the spot and went back to their respective residences.

When Link and Jasmine returned to the villa, they found that the gate was blocked by several people standing in the middle of the road.

The backup vehicle used for transportation cannot enter.

Judging from their demeanor, they're up to no good.

"What's up?"

Link gestured for Jasmine to stay in the car, then got out and asked directly.

"You're Link Grand?"

The person blocking the road looked down at people with his head held high and his nostrils flared, speaking in a rather strange tone.

"Yes, it is. Is there something you need?"

Link frowned slightly and asked again.

"We've been asked by someone to invite you somewhere. Will you do us the honor?"

The man still looked down on everyone, speaking as if inviting Link was a huge favor.

After saying that, he waited for Link to be overjoyed and to bow down in worship.

A surge of madness rose within Link.

Sage Celine warned him not to get involved in the turmoil among the scions of powerful families.

Sandra warned him not to accept invitations to join any clubs.

They were all telling him to avoid trouble and not get involved in anything.

He thought so too.

If you're going to pursue further education, then focus on improving yourself.

Surprisingly, it seems even Dean Forrest's reputation couldn't stop these annoying storms.

As he pondered this, Link's expression darkened, and he said in a cold voice:

"Excuse me, please go back. Go back and tell the person behind you that Dean Forrest personally helped me with my study application. The first two people I met when I arrived at the academy yesterday were Sage Rivo and Sage Soth."

If he invites me to any more places, then I'll just have to refuse.

When the man heard Link say that, his attitude changed completely.

There was some panic, and some anger.

Before they arrived, they did know that Dean Forrest had personally helped Link and Jasmine with their application for further studies.

But so what?

As long as you don't go too far or cripple someone, you can still do whatever you want.

Even if things went a little too far, their respective elders would step in to smooth things over.

A spoiled brat who just wants to live a life of leisure and idleness must cause trouble frequently in order to appear like a spoiled brat!

However, they were truly unaware that the Great Sages Rivo and Soth had specifically met Link and Jasmine.

This property is completely different!

After a moment of fluctuating expression, the man suppressed Link's merciless anger and slunk away with the other people blocking the road.

As for what actions will follow, and whether or not to continue to show off, that's not something that person can decide.

He's just a gofer.

Link immediately returned to the spare vehicle and drove into the villa.

"Will this cause trouble?"

While Jasmine carefully amplified the precognitive properties of the "God-Eating Insect" to sense good or bad fortune, she asked aloud.

"Won't!"

Link's answer was very absolute.

If there's real trouble, then let's have a fight.

I believe that as long as the fights between the younger generation are kept within reasonable limits and do not involve life or death, those higher-level beings will not disregard their dignity and intervene.

This is none other than the main campus of the academy!

The place where the great sages Rivo and Soth most often stayed!

To paraphrase Link's words from his previous life, it's right under the emperor's nose, the most virtuous place.

There are rules to follow.

As long as higher-level beings don't intervene, Link has nothing to fear in a fight against anyone below the level of a sage.

An afternoon passed, and as expected, no one came knocking.

Before nightfall, Link and Jasmine received a notification that classes could begin the next day.

The next day, the training program officially began.

Monotonous, disciplined, and busy.

The two of them made the most of their time every day.

Link primarily studied Elemental Wizarding, Spirit Wizarding, Potionology, Alchemy, and Strategy and Tactics.

Jasmine primarily studied Elemental Wizarding, Beast Taming Wizarding, Pharmacy, Logistics Management, and Economics.

My days are filled with classes, and I have to work in the pharmacy teaching and research group at night.

In addition, I also need to find time to go to the laboratory donated by Dean Forrest to conduct my own research and experiments.

And just like that, two months passed in the blink of an eye.

For the past two months, the main campus of the college has been peaceful and tranquil.

However, a great commotion has occurred in the Wizarding World itself.

The Sage Ascension Ceremony of Wizard Cody was held on the third day after Link and Jasmine entered the main campus of the academy.

After that, the figure of Sage Cody disappeared from the public eye and his whereabouts became unknown.

Just when many people were about to forget about Sage Cody.

Cody the Sage has once again come into the public eye, and with great force, instantly sparking heated discussions.

Under the academy's arrangement, Sage Cody took over the mixed legion composed of Lucia's family's elite troops!

After a brief reorganization, a classified mission was launched.

Sage Cody, leading a mixed legion, bypassed the surveillance of the Flame and Metal Merchant Guild and the White Tower Alliance, and quietly appeared behind the interstellar fleet that attacked the portal to the Palo Sage Legion's desolate world camp.

One side was caught off guard, while the other side meticulously planned.

With a well-thought-out strategy, the Sage Cody and his mixed army achieved a resounding victory.

One capital ship was destroyed, three auxiliary ships were captured, and all the wizards on the destroyed capital ship were taken prisoner.

The city of Rivosos held a grand celebration for this.

The academy actually had Sage Cody present the captives.

This move was undoubtedly a response to the attacks by the Flame and Metal Merchant Guild and the White Tower Alliance.

Furthermore, he not only slapped them hard across the face, but also tore off their faces and stomped on them several times.

This stance of not being afraid of a full-scale war immediately caused an uproar in the entire Michel district, and even in the Tudor region.

Is it really okay to go to such lengths just for the sake of saving face?

Wizards who have a little free time and occasionally browse various forums have started to gossip.

We eagerly await how the Blazing Flame and Metal Merchant Guild and the White Tower Alliance will react.

It means to swallow your anger and pretend that nothing happened;

Or they would retaliate fiercely, fight back, and get their revenge!

After all, the high-level resources that the Supreme Council promised to allocate to the Rivosos Academy haven't even been released yet.

In other words, the Great Sage Soth has not yet completed his ascension.

Even though Rivoss Academy is the top power in the Michel District, below the Great Sage Tower of Michel, it wouldn't stand much of a chance against two opponents.

While many individuals and organizations were shocked and puzzled, they focused their attention on the struggle between Rivosos Academy, Flame and Metal Merchants, and the White Tower Alliance.

Another bombshell announcement has been made.

The University of Mesopotamia has decided to reconcile with Rivosos College and has sent back the core members of the Lucia family who were taken in.

Dean Forrest didn't even show his face.

Sage Cody, representing the Rivoss Academy, accepted this group of people.

Then, in front of all the wizards who came to witness, he personally killed a group of elders and some middle-ranking members of the Rukia family, declaring that this was the academy's first punishment for the Rukia family's defection, and whether there would be further punitive measures was another matter.

The bloody scene, of course, did not shock the wizards who came to witness it.

What surprised the wizards was the high profile and arrogance displayed by Rivosos Academy.

It seems they can run rampant in the Michel district.

There's no need to consider the feelings of any person or force.

I do things my own way and consider myself the only one who matters.

For a time, not only the Michel district, but the entire Tudor region was captivated by the attention of Rivossau College.

Even though the University of Mesopotamia, having backed down, lifted the blockade, it didn't attract much attention.

It's just a declining old power.

Even as the founder, the Great Sage of Mesopotamia at the eighth level possessed extraordinary personal strength, it was a pity that his successors were not up to par.

University of Mesopotamia, Rector's Office.

Principal Leopold Mesopotamia and Dean Forrest sat opposite each other.

The two appeared relaxed, seemingly unconcerned about the outside world's storms and public opinion.

Setting down his glass, Principal Leopold praised, "Your college's Link Grand is truly brilliant. These plant leaves, after this treatment, make a really good tea."

"Right?"

Dean Forrest took a sip of his black tea and remarked, "It's a pity that the kid is too stingy. He said the production of this high-end tea is too low and he wouldn't give me more. Otherwise, I would have given you a few pounds."

Gift-giving is an art.

Link never personally delivered black tea to Dean Forrest.

After deciding to pursue further studies at the main campus, he instructed his steward, Hamid, to regularly mail some items to the dean's office.

Dean Forrest and Principal Leopold were drinking river red tea and green tea, respectively.

After exchanging pleasantries, Principal Leopold asked, "You guys are really going to great lengths. But with so much attention being attracted, won't it cause some trouble?"

Dean Forrest waved his hand: "Don't worry, it's nothing."

After a pause, Dean Forrest reassured Principal Leopold, "My older brother is about to break through?"

"Your older brother?"

Principal Leopold was far from reassured; instead, he was quite shocked. "Wasn't it said that Sage Waters had found an opportunity for advancement?"

Dean Forrest looked at Principal Leopold as if he were an idiot, and curled his lip: "You call yourself the head of a university, how can you not even figure this out? No wonder the University of Mesopotamia has become even worse since you took office. Couldn't it be that both of them found opportunities for promotion, just one big and one small?"

Principal Leopold ignored Dean Forrest's sarcastic remarks.

Because that's the truth.

The University of Mesopotamia has indeed become even more dismal since he took office.

But that's not the whole story.

The problems are deeply entrenched and difficult to reverse. If we want to reform, we must first burst the festering sore, which will naturally make the problems seem even more numerous and the decline even more pronounced.

Once you catch your breath, shed the old and heavy burdens, and set off lightly, you will naturally appear vibrant and thriving again.

"So, Waters still won't be promoted this time?"

Principal Leopold, unperturbed, continued to press for answers.

Dean Forrest remained silent for a moment upon hearing this, and instead of answering the question, he asked in return, "How much longer will your old man be able to support you? We can only support you for a month at most, and after that we will have to scale back completely."

"Don't worry, a month will be enough."

Principal Leopold gave a very affirmative answer.

"Okay, that's settled then. I'll be going now."

Dean Forrest said those words and then vanished in an instant.

Even the two boxes of tea he brought with him were taken from the coffee table; nothing was left behind.

Principal Leopold looked at the empty coffee table, shook his head and chuckled, "They really won't take the slightest loss."

He only managed to get a few information out of them, trying to find out what the Rivoss Academy was all about.

And when Dean Forrest tried to get information out of him, he simply didn't give a comparable explanation.

She even took back the green tea she had promised to give him.

"One month isn't enough!"

With a sigh, Principal Leopold's eyes revealed deep worry.

In the face of unprecedented changes, most wizarding organizations are striving to refresh their practices and make better preparations.

The University of Mesopotamia, however, remains stagnant and obsessed with exploiting its own resources.

One by one, they have lost their ambition to expand outwards and will only hold others back.

Principal Leopold wanted to boost morale, but he was held back by his own efforts.

Left with no other choice, they took the help of the Rivosos Academy to carry out internal anti-corruption efforts and... fully support the Great Sage of Mesopotamia.

Hopefully, this will help the aging level 8 Great Sage to reach the level 9 Great Sage!

Rivoss Academy Main Campus.

Two months had passed, and Sandra sent Lanny to Link's house early to inform him of the assembly.

Upon this meeting, Lani had already been promoted to a level two wizard.

Link didn't ask what happened during that time that allowed Lanny to complete the liquefaction of her mental energy so quickly, and calmly accepted the fact.

"Let's go."

After giving a shout, Link and Jasmine followed Lanny to the meeting point.

Sandra's miniature legion still consists of 12 people.

There's one more Jasmine, but one less round-faced young man.

It's unclear whether he was eliminated by Sandra or withdrew for some other reason.

"Let's go."

Sandra glanced at the assembled legion members, said nothing, and boarded the "Cloudy Rainbow" first.

After a somewhat lengthy halftime break, the Sandora Micro Legion ventured into the Zerg world once more.

This time, there shouldn't be any more setbacks.

Headache, I feel terrible!

I haven't been feeling well these past few days.

The third update should be done in the morning if possible.

(End of this chapter)