Wizards begin with Occlumency.

Chapter 278 If There Really Is an Afterlife

Alchemy has no shadow.

Public opinion has already completely exploded.

At the main campus, a piece of news spread like wildfire.

Sandra Diomand, the great-granddaughter of the two great sages and the daughter of Lady Lissandra, has surprisingly joined a little-known organization.

Well, this small organization does have a certain level of recognition.

At least its founder frequently trends on social media and attracts a lot of attention.

Moreover, small organizations themselves have high development potential and strong growth momentum.

Whether placed in a local junior college, senior college, or the main campus's basic college, it is considered top-notch.

However, no matter how high its potential or how rapidly it develops, this small organization is not qualified for Sandra to join.

This incident has caused considerable discontent among many members of prominent families.

Intimidated by Sandra's family background, status, and consistent behavior, the members of the powerful families dared not approach her directly and demand that she give up the idea of ​​joining that small organization.

Even if you want to join an organization, whether you want to play around or develop your career seriously, you can choose any of the various organizations at the academy headquarters.

Since it's an organization formed by our own people anyway, it doesn't matter how we play it, so why join a small organization created by outsiders?

Isn't this making everyone lose face?

Therefore, the young members of the large families who wanted to vent their anger and frustration set their sights on this small organization and its founder.

If you don't dare target Sandra, why don't you dare target you?

This small group has not yet expanded to the main campus of the academy; it is far away in the local area, so it is not easy to target it for the time being.

Let's target the founders then.

It just so happens that the founder of this small organization is currently studying at the main campus of the academy.

Why not go and cause him some trouble, teach him a lesson? Wouldn't that be much more convenient?

Wouldn't it be better to force the other party to fire Sandra voluntarily?

Many scions of prominent families harbored such thoughts.

Many of them had originally wanted to teach that guy named Link Grand a lesson, but they had to back down because the two great sages had specifically received him.

Now that an opportunity has come knocking, I naturally want to seize it.

Unfortunately, just as these restless young men from powerful families took action and convened a "Grand Expedition," strict orders arrived from their respective families.

Never be so foolish as to cause trouble for Link Grand, or you'll get injured or killed, and the family won't even step in to protect you.

At first, the scions of these powerful families were unconvinced, believing that they had the advantage of numbers and terrain, so how could they possibly be injured or killed?

Just then, a video suddenly started playing on the big screen in the conference room.

A wizard, clad in bright red armor, with a five-pointed star on his forehead and a white ring engraved on his chest, stood suspended in the starry sky, raising a greatsword high and slashing fiercely at a supply ship in front of him.

Magnified a full 100 times, a giant sword-shaped light and shadow, 200 meters long and 15 meters wide, flashed by in an instant.

It easily cleaved through the supply ship's defensive shield, striking the stern section that was angled towards the armored wizard.

The supply ship's hull was cut open, a third of the stern was separated, and the engines were rendered unusable.

The entire supply ship suddenly lost power and began to shake violently.

Countless supplies were poured out.

At the end of the video, the identity of the armored wizard is revealed: Link Grand, the very man these young members of the powerful family are about to cause trouble for.

Only then were these scions of powerful families forced to confront a fact they had been avoiding all along.

That's Link Grand, the annoying guy who, upon entering the main campus, completely disregarded them, neither taking the initiative to pay his respects nor accepting invitations, and who was greeted by various high-ranking wizards and not allowed to be disturbed. In fact, he is an unconventional super genius.

Even at the first-level wizard stage, he could overpower a senior second-level wizard.

He had just been promoted to a level two wizard and had not yet begun further studies to master second-circle wizardry, yet Dean Forrest praised him as a freak whose combat power was comparable to that of a level three wizard.

It's that incredibly powerful wizard in the video, who single-handedly destroyed a ship.

He is a genuine, formidable opponent with the combat strength of a level three wizard.

If they just crash into it head-on, they might actually end up with a bloody head wound.

So, the group of wealthy family members who had gathered together to discuss how to set a trap for Link Grand and how to strike at Link Grand's group of scions, all of them dejected, dispersed silently.

Even if they couldn't find a single person among them who could rival the opponent, and even if they all attacked together, they might not be able to defeat the opponent unless the opponent fell into a trap that prevented them from moving.

But if everyone rushes in and takes it down, what kind of result is that?

Have you no shame?

If those guys at the University of Mesopotamia knew, they'd probably laugh at them for decades.

Gerald watched the entire "Grand Expedition" from its origins, gathering, heated discussions, eager anticipation, sudden setbacks, and eventual dispersal, finding it quite boring.

When did wizards who come from the mainland to study become so intimidating?

Oh, this trend has been going on for decades.

That's fine.

Gerald sat for a while, thinking about some things, and then found Sandra to report that the "Grand Expedition" had ended abruptly without any follow-up.

"normal."

After listening to Gerald's description, Sandra, filled with doubt and emotion, spoke softly, "The main campus is like a greenhouse, where plants can be cultivated very well. However, these plants have never experienced wind and rain, and are very delicate. Faced with plants that constantly fight their way out of the harshness of nature, greenhouse plants can initially gain a slight advantage thanks to the conditions and cultivation in the greenhouse. Over time, however, the situation will gradually become even, and then they will fall behind."

After a pause, Sandra sighed, "I used to be a greenhouse plant too, no different from them."

Gerrard was not good with words and remained silent.

After thinking for a while, Sandra said to Gerald, "Go tell Link about this, and then tell him that I have found a base for 'Freedom to Do Anything' and asked him to come and inspect it when he has time."

Gerald nodded, then asked doubtfully, "Do I need to join this 'freedom to do whatever I want' group?"

Sandra replied casually, "If you want to join, then apply; if you don't want to join, that's fine too. 'Freedom to do whatever you want,' it really is freedom."

"Yeah?"

Gerald left thoughtfully and found Link engrossed in his studies in the laboratory next door, a gift from Dean Forrest.

"I need to talk to you about something. Do you have time?"

Gerald tapped the table and spoke to Link, who was looking up from the pile of documents.

"Okay, go ahead."

Link got up and went to the guest room next door to brew a pot of good tea for Gerald, with whom he was getting to know each other better.

"Three things. First, Sandra asked me to tell you that she has found a location for the organization and would like you to visit it when you have time; second, there's no need to worry about being targeted by some people anymore, they have already dispersed; third, after some consideration, I also want to join 'Freedom to Do Anything'."

Gerrard finished speaking in one breath and then lowered his head to sip his tea.

Since returning from their mission, of the six members of the Micro Legion from the academy's main families, only Gerald has come to see Link a few times.

Here, Gerrard tasted the finest tea and instantly fell in love with its flavor.

After returning home, Gerald ordered a batch of tea from his homeland, but he couldn't taste the same flavor as the tea he had at Link's.

Another guy harboring resentment towards Link has joined Rivosos Academy.

Link took a sip of the clear, fragrant tea and said leisurely, "No need for an inspection, just a casual visit. Less trouble is always better. If you want to join, just follow the procedures. Even if we're very close, principles cannot be broken."

"OK."

Gerrard readily agreed, downed a cup of fine tea, and got up to leave.

As he left, his right hand, as if out of control, swept across the coffee table and took something with him.

Link looked at the tea box that had been on the coffee table and smiled without saying a word.

Did he really not notice Gerrard's subtle actions?

This box of top-quality tea, weighing 2 jin (1 catties), was prepared for Gerrard.

Putting this little incident aside, Link returned to his desk and continued studying alchemical materials and literature.

Transforming the dilapidated mother nest to realize the envisioned magical artifact has been a continuous effort.

The first draft has been completed, and the rationality of each part is being reviewed to determine whether it can be replaced or optimized.

The envisioned magical artifact won't be needed for the time being, so Link can take his time; there's no rush.

The Wizarding World.

West Coast, Tudor Region, Michel District, Rivosos District.

Rivoss City, East District, Grand Pharmacy.

Assander Cornet first stepped into the pharmacy laboratory on the second floor of the store, where he summoned several key members of the "Brotherhood," the "Social Anxiety Group," and the "Freedom to Do Anything" third echelon.

After presenting the appointment letter and seal prepared by Jasmine, Asander did not rush to deliver his inaugural address, but instead asked Buck or Lynn to confirm it.

Lynn, who has become the local manager of "Freedom to Do Anything," earnestly told his partners who were watching with interest, "The boss wrote us a personal letter, explaining the matter in detail. Buck and I completely agree and have no objections."

Buck then passed Link's handwritten letter down for everyone to read.

Before long, once everyone had read the handwritten letter, all obstacles to Asander's inauguration were swept away.

From this moment on, as long as Link and Molly don't object, and as long as the veterans of the Brotherhood and Social Anxiety Group don't interfere, Asander becomes the increasingly powerful "Freedom to Do Anything" front agent in the local area.

Three things.

Assander held up three fingers, "Since taking office, I will only do three things in the near future."

Facing the dozen or so pairs of eyes fixed on him, Asander solemnly announced:

"First, we must fully promote our pharmaceutical cooperation with the Clark family; this is only right and proper."

If an organization wants to grow, it must develop as many sources of revenue as possible.

Second, we will make every effort to promote the organization's recruitment. This recruitment is not only aimed at new blood in Stormsea, but also at local apprentices and local wizards.

The latter two parts will not be rushed forward. They must be negotiated and voted on to come up with a charter that is approved by the majority and then proceed in an orderly manner.

Third, we will fully advance the West District Infiltration Plan. The short-term goal is to control three back alleys, the medium-term goal is to control one bustling street, and the long-term goal is to enter the black market.

If there's anything you don't understand, don't comprehend, or disagree with, please feel free to speak your mind; we have freedom of speech.

Seeing that Asander truly held himself to the standard of "being free to do whatever he wants," the members of the "Brotherhood," the social anxiety group, and the core members of the third echelon relaxed and began to speak.

A lively but not annoying discussion ensued surrounding the three points raised by Asander.

Finally, they produced three rough plans with great efficiency, then adjourned and went to do their own preparations for implementing the plans.

Looking at the empty meeting room, Asander couldn't help but sigh, "Joining a place where you can do whatever you want was definitely the right decision."

Given this spirit of not blindly following superiors and this decisive style of execution, as long as Link Grand, the founder, can continue to uphold the brand and expand its reputation, the development momentum will definitely be even stronger!

For the next period of time, apart from Renée Clarke knowing that Asander Cornet had become a "free agent" in public, the outside world was completely unaware.

What the outside world knows is only what they have observed.

"Freedom to do anything" is expanding in an orderly and steady manner.

The expansion and achievements of "freedom to do anything" can be seen in junior colleges, senior colleges, the East Campus, the South Campus, and even the West Campus.

With the help of Sage Celine, several skilled potion makers were recruited, and the second Grand Potion Shop has opened.

The tea beverage series is not only popular in the East and West districts, but also a more affordable version has been launched to penetrate the South district.

Strangely enough, yet not strangely enough, the spending power of the chaotic West District has always been higher and stronger than that of the lifeless South District.

The expansion of "freedom to do whatever you want" has not been without its troubles, especially in the western district.

Two of the five former low-level thugs, now the five tyrants of the back alleys, died in a sudden firefight.

Even though they had all been injected with the "Sublimation" potion, and then pestered Lynn to inject them with the "Empowerment" potion, their strength and level were greatly enhanced.

However, the development period was still too short, and it failed to squeeze out its limited potential to the maximum.

Of the five, only the gang leader successfully advanced to the level one wizard.

The other four were all third-class wizard apprentices.

Dalton, representing "freedom to do whatever he wants," attended the funeral of two thugs.

The funeral was very rushed and very simple.

They simply burned the two thugs to ashes, put them in a box, and buried them in a cemetery plot that "Do Whatever You Want" had specially purchased.

There was no master of ceremonies, no funeral music, and no eulogy.

"If there really is an afterlife."

Dalton said briefly before stepping aside, "May you have a next life."

The gang leader stepped forward, looking at his former troublesome underling, now buried under two tombstones, no longer uttering a sound or a laugh, and remained silent for a long time.

"If there really is an afterlife."

Taking a deep breath, the gang leader said in a deep voice, "I hope you won't be born in the West District in your next life."

The other two thugs who survived came forward one by one to say goodbye.

The first thug's words were the same as his boss's: he simply wished the two dead men that they would not be reborn in the West District in their next life, but rather in the South District!

Although the people in the South District were numb, hopeless, and living in darkness, at least they could live a stable life and their lives were not in danger.

Even if someone born in the West District has a benefactor, unexpected events can still happen at any time.

It's not like you're risking other people's lives.

It's like having your own head stuck in someone else's belt.

In short, death is inevitable.

"If there really is an afterlife."

The second thug remained silent for a long time before finally sighing and saying, "I wish you all a better next life."

"I don't want to be a cow or a horse in my next life."

I originally intended to write a long chapter of 6000 words.

Today is the Mid-Autumn Festival. I bought extra gifts and made breakfast for my niece. There were just too many miscellaneous things to do.

I'll update this afternoon.

The updates have been unstable lately, but we'll try to stabilize them during the National Day holiday.

(End of this chapter)