Wizards begin with Occlumency.

Chapter 292 is a bit long, please bear with it!

"Surprised?"

Garden, gazebo, a pair of dogs (×)...

A perfect couple sat facing each other in the pavilion, while Dean Forrest, with a somewhat helpless expression, stood outside.

The Great Sage Rivo smiled and teased Link, who hadn't even regained his footing yet but had already activated his innate sorcery "Armor" and entered defensive mode.

"Very unexpected!"

Having grasped the situation, Link immediately put away his armor and replied earnestly, "I didn't expect you to summon me in this way. I'm really troubling you."

"hehe……"

The Great Sage Soth raised his right hand, covering his mouth to chuckle. "You got a scolding, didn't you? Look at you, always doing things without anyone's permission. Showing off your high rank and strength, huh?"

The Great Sage Rivo's eyelids twitched, as if he had something to say.

Dean Forrest spoke up promptly, changing the subject and asking, "Link, did you need something from me?"

As he spoke, he gestured to the encrypted cross-border communicator he was holding.

Last time, Dean Forrest personally took Link and Molly to complete their continuing education procedures. Before leaving, he actually gave them his cross-disciplinary contact information.

This is the first time Link has contacted him in this way after all this time.

He happened to be there to report to his grandparents on the recent developments at Mesopotamia University and Shadow City, as well as the progress in lobbying the Flame and Metal Merchants and the White Tower Alliance.

Upon discovering that it was Link Grand that was making encrypted contact with Forrest, the Great Sage Rivo suddenly became interested and, without even consulting Forrest, directly summoned Link.

This action greatly displeased the person involved and was also very much in line with the great sage, Reverend Rivo.

As the only granddaughter, Lissandra Diomand grew up with the two great sages, and her personality, speech, and actions were very similar to those of the great sage Rivo.

On the contrary, Forrest Diomand, who was raised in a free-range manner from childhood, is very much like the Great Sage Soth.

It can only be said that the two have their own traditions.

"I do have something quite important to report to you."

Link didn't mince words and directly told the two great sages the truth about "constructs" and fourth-circle sorcery.

In any case, it's all about seeking asylum. Whether you accept the asylum of Dean Forrest or the asylum of the two great sages, it makes no difference.

As for concerns about revealing one's secrets and being dissected for research, those are long gone.

Given the identity, status, rank, strength, and domineering style of the Great Sage Rivo.

If they really wanted to mess with Link, with his current strength, he wouldn't have any chance to resist at all.

Just like this time, he was brought here from outside the experimental building, during which time he was unable to activate even his innate witchcraft.

It was only at the moment of landing that the innate magic delayed its response, allowing the armor to be fully donned.

Moreover, telling Dean Forrest alone is the same as telling Dean Forrest in front of the two great sages.

Both great sages were able to know when they needed to.

Before Forrest could react after hearing Link's story, the Great Sage Soth intervened first.

"Stand still, don't resist, and don't move."

She gave a hint first, then raised her right index finger and tapped Link's forehead from a distance.

A beam of light shot out from the slender, white fingertip, and with lightning speed, it entered Link's brow, emitting bursts of clear light.

These lights were very clear and transparent, without any impurities.

"There is no sign of the cognition being altered, nor is it mere wishful thinking."

The Great Sage Soth acted with great discretion and did not take the opportunity to invade Link's mind and investigate everything.

She merely checked Link's mental state to verify the truthfulness of what he said.

The Great Sage Soth's examination indirectly corroborated Link's statement.

The Great Sage Rivo then laughed heartily, "Young man, you're incredibly lucky! You seem to encounter all sorts of good things. I'm almost jealous of you!"

"I dare not compare myself to a great sage."

Link quickly said a few words of modesty, not daring to get cocky.

"Let's put the matter of the so-called 'construct' aside for now. You can give me a detailed report on it separately later."

Forrest finally made up his mind and said in a deep voice, "Who else knows about your ability to learn fourth-circle sorcery right now?"

"I just came from Sage Serene's place; she suggested that I report directly to you."

Link answered truthfully, but also carefully considered his wording, trying to lean towards Sage Celine as much as possible.

"Cerine, it's alright now."

Upon hearing this, Forrest did not elaborate further on the matter of Sage Celine.

He thought for a moment, then looked at the Great Sage Soth and pleaded, "Grandmother, do you think we should cover this up to prevent other organizations from finding out?"

"Yes, that's fine."

The Great Sage Soth granted Forrest's request, but she did not seem to do anything about it.

A moment later, the Great Sage Soth said confidently, "Alright. Now, unless one is a ninth-level Great Sage or a Saint, no one can know about this through prophecy, perception, or investigation."

Upon hearing these words, Link's heart was immediately stirred.

Has the Great Sage Soth already completed his advancement and become an eighth-level wizard?

A few days ago, while browsing various forums, Link saw a post discussing when the supplies promised by the High Council to Rivosos Academy would actually be disbursed.

Many people expressed their dismay in the comments section, saying that it had been so long and the Supreme Council was so slow in its work, which was delaying the advancement of Great Sage Soth.

Some people suspect that organizations that don't want to see two level-eight sages emerge from Rivosos Academy, such as the Tower of Sage Michelle, are secretly obstructing the project.

The discussions were lively and enthusiastic.

As a result, without anyone knowing, the Great Sage Soth secretly accomplished the feat of advancing to the eighth level of wizardry.

The secrecy was kept extremely tight; not a single word was leaked.

In other words, Rivosos Academy now has two level eight Great Sages.

Moreover, they are a husband-and-wife team who can unleash an even stronger level of combat power through secret techniques.

This truly demonstrates the strength to challenge Michel's Tower of Great Sages and his unparalleled status in the Michel district.

I don't know where the high-level resources that the academy has been lacking have come from.

"Just keep it to yourself, don't tell anyone, understand?"

How could the subtle changes in Link's expression escape the notice of the two great sages?

Even if he uses his full power to perform the "brain shut-in" technique, it won't have much effect.

A blank expression and a disguised memory and emotions may fool ordinary wizards, but they cannot fool those with the wisdom to see through the essence of things.

The Great Sage Rivo noticed something was slightly off about Link and immediately issued a warning.

"clear."

Link nodded vigorously and solemnly promised, "I will keep my mouth shut and will never leak it."

"Alright, it's no big deal. Let people talk about it, it's not like it's anything shameful. Don't scare the kids!"

Great Sage Soth glared reproachfully at Great Sage Rivo, "How old are you, threatening a child? Aren't you ashamed?"

This scene feels a little out of place.

Both great sages were youthful in appearance.

The Great Sage Rivo possessed a slightly dignified and imposing demeanor.

The Great Sage Soth exuded a youthful and vibrant aura.

Outwardly, he doesn't look much different from Link, but the content of his speech is...

Link didn't know how to describe it for a moment.

Old-fashioned?

Not like.

Taking advantage of one's age?

No, there isn't.

In the end, the only word that can be used to describe it is "doing whatever one pleases".

"Go, go, all of you go."

Great Sage Rivo was scolded by Great Sage Soth, but his reaction was to send Link and Dean Forrest away, complaining, "With you two around, whatever I say or do will be wrong! Indeed, love can be transferred."

Before he could finish speaking, the Great Sage Soth had already extended his right thumb, index, and middle fingers and pinched the soft flesh of the Great Sage Rivo's waist with great precision.

Dean Forrest didn't let Link continue watching. He put a hand on Link's shoulder and left the garden in an instant.

This teleportation, as seen on screen, is as if two people have had all traces of themselves erased quickly by an eraser.

It looked very abrupt.

In Link's perception, less than a second had passed.

The two traversed a vast space, from the garden to an office some distance away.

Judging from the layout of the office, it seems that we have returned to the wizarding world's homeland, to the Dean's office in the administrative building of the Rivosos Academy.

However, Link's senses told him that he was still in the Academy's main campus world.

Case solved!

Dean Forrest is a lazy man; he can't even be bothered to change the layout of his office.

"sit."

Pointing to the chair opposite him, Dean Forrest beckoned and then ordered, "Give me all the information on 'Constructs'."

Link took out his personal AI and quickly organized the "Construct" knowledge system and "Construct" project information using brain-computer interface. He then handed the AI ​​to Dean Forrest.

"Let me take a look first, please wait a moment. By the way, if you have any good new tea, you can brew a pot first, and I'll try it later."

Dean Forrest took the portable AI and gave instructions without any hesitation.

What else could Link say?

All I could do was call out "Flandre" in my heart as I unsealed the "Pu'er tea" that had been fermented using special methods, along with the carefully selected "aged tangerine peel."

There was no need to hide anything. Link took out teaware, Pu'er tea, dried tangerine peel, and the purest spring water directly from the real "small world" and started boiling water and brewing tea.

Pu-erh tea and dried tangerine peel are a classic pairing.

The water boiled and simmered for a few seconds, and a rich aroma immediately filled the air, prompting Dean Forrest to take a deep breath and sniff carefully.

Once the tea was brewed to perfection, Dean Forrest put down his AI and began to savor the tea.

You can look at the information anytime, but once you miss the perfect brew of tea, it's hard to make up for it.

"Hmm, not bad, very good, excellent."

Dean Forrest slowly finished a cup of golden, clear tea, nodded in satisfaction, and then suddenly made an outrageous demand, "I don't need much, just 5 catties of each, is that alright?"

"this……"

Link gritted his teeth and reluctantly agreed, "Fine."

In fact, Link agreed very reluctantly.

He produced 10 jin of Pu'er tea and 8 jin of good aged tangerine peel in one go.

With Dean Forrest's sweeping action, more than half of it was gone.

Link originally planned to make this Pu'er tea with dried tangerine peel the signature product of the high-end tea club that Jasmine was preparing to open in the North District.

This is a top-quality tea that can awaken the taste buds and thoughts of a sixth-level sage!

A single cup of tea costs at least 100 standard level 2 magic stones; not a single stone less is acceptable.

"I won't take your tea for nothing."

Dean Forrest noticed Link's undisguised heartache, snorted, and then said, "I know it's not easy for you to make tea, so here's some compensation, is that alright?"

"Hehe... Thank you for your kindness, Dean."

Link, having already developed a thick skin, immediately seized the opportunity, "I wonder what kind of goodies the Dean plans to give me?"

Dean Forrest couldn't be bothered with such a shameless Link. He put down his teacup and went back to looking at the "Construct" data.

Link didn't press the matter further, as that would be tactless and would make him seem disliked rather than liked.

After a long while, Dean Forrest put down the AI ​​again, stared at Link, and remained silent for a long time.

"Dean, is there a problem?"

Link felt a little uneasy under her gaze, even though he knew Dean Forrest had no problem with him.

No matter how amiable and easy to talk to Dean Forrest was, he was still a top-tier sixth-level sage, and his eyes carried an inherent power.

A subtle yet chilling intimidation can be projected onto the person being watched without their noticing.

Link can hold on for now, but there's no need to force it.

"I think your 'construct' is quite good, it has potential. It might even allow you to create a completely new school of wizardry."

Dean Forrest tapped his fingers lightly on the table and said in a deep voice, "Since we've already conducted one phase of the experiment at Paro, there's no need to change the experimental location. Let's continue in the Fairy World. Also, regarding the possibility mentioned in the data of verifying that a level three wizard can temporarily acquire sage-level combat power through 'constructs,' let's prepare for that, but there's no rush to do it. Do you understand what I mean?"

"clear."

Link fully agreed with Dean Forrest's instructions, then followed up by asking, "Since we need to prepare first, where... should we obtain the fourth-circle sorcery required to design the set?"

The "Credits" redemption page at the main campus of the academy actually allows you to redeem several of the most common 4th-circle sorcery spells.

After more than four months of study, Link has published ten "papers" in the college's internal journal.

They've racked up academic credits and patents in pharmacy and alchemy.

Link has the resources to exchange his accumulated "credits" for those most common 4th-circle sorcery spells.

However, with the top boss of their own faction sitting right across from them, if they didn't take the opportunity to ask for some benefits now, when would they?

Complaining about being poor and asking for money is a fine tradition that must be inherited.

Which type of reference do you want?

Dean Forrest saw right through Link's little scheme, but didn't expose it. He simply said, "Give me a more precise range, and I'll make the arrangements."

"The field of universal gravitation should ideally involve the rules of attraction and repulsion."

Link stated his needs directly.

He sensed a rule in the realm of universal gravitation and was inspired to create a fourth-circle sorcery.

Having a reference point would certainly be even better.

"A force field? Okay, let's wait for news."

Dean Forrest seemed to understand something, muttered to himself, and immediately agreed, saying, "Once Paro gets the data from the actual combat test, send me a copy of the analysis report as soon as possible."

"clear."

Link replied, "I'll also send you the plans for the second and even third phases for your review."

"Can."

Dean Forrest nodded.

The "Construct" school, which has great potential, well... it can now be called a school, since the heritage of many minor wizarding organizations is not as good as the current "Construct" system.

It's worthwhile for Forrest to take time out of his busy schedule to keep an eye on this.

Now that the important business is over, let's continue enjoying the tea.

After five infusions, the tea became weak, and Link did not stay any longer, getting up to take his leave.

Link left behind 5 catties of Pu'er tea and 5 catties of dried tangerine peel, and took away a 3rd-ring witch artifact that he couldn't use but was very suitable for Jasmine.

This was the compensation given by Dean Forrest.

He played a little trick and deliberately annoyed Link.

You've got some nerve!

I'll let you ask for it to my face!

"Is everything going smoothly?"

Back at the villa, Jasmine greeted him and asked with concern.

Link had only said a hasty goodbye and hadn't said much, but Jasmine knew he had encountered an urgent matter.

That's why I asked this question as soon as we met.

"Fortunately, there were some hiccups, but everything has been resolved."

As Link followed Jasmine toward the restaurant, he said, "There are some things I shouldn't tell you. If I don't say, don't ask."

"Can."

Jasmine wasn't angry. She even pulled out a chair for Link and waited until he was seated before sitting down opposite him. "Let's eat. We can talk about this later."

In a harmonious atmosphere, the two enjoyed a delicious dinner.

Now that the classic combination of Pu'er tea and dried tangerine peel had been opened, Link brewed another pot after the meal.

After savoring the new tea, Link picked out the parts he could talk about, such as the latest developments in "Construction," his conversations with Sage Celine, and his conversations with Dean Forrest, and told Jasmine about them.

Jasmine listened quietly to Link's story, offering no opinion on the matter at hand, but simply reminded him, "Aren't you going to send some of this newly harvested, fine tea to your sister Celine?"

"Well……"

Link paused for a moment, unsure whether Jasmine was genuinely suggesting something or just being sarcastic.

After a moment, Link realized that this could be either a sincere suggestion or a sarcastic remark, and there was no conflict between them!

"By the way, I got something good from Dean Forrest, which is perfect for you."

Link abruptly changed the subject, taking out a miniaturized 3rd-circle artifact from the "small world".

Dean Forrest was very familiar with Jasmine's situation and needs.

This time, the 3rd-circle magical artifact that Link handed to Jasmine was the "Beast Cage," which is currently the most popular among Northern Beastmasters.

The beasts controlled by beast tamers are divided into three types: companion beasts, contracted beasts, and domesticated beasts.

Companion spirit beasts can reside in the mind sea of ​​a beast tamer for a long time. Their life state is extremely special and they do not need additional living space.

Both contracted and domesticated spirit beasts require additional living space.

Otherwise, it would be impossible to carry a large number of them with one's person, which would severely affect the combat power of the Beast Tamer.

The "Beast Cage" is a large-scale spatial storage artifact specially developed by the Northern Beast Taming Wizards, capable of holding living creatures.

On the West Coast, to buy a regular 1st or 2nd Ring Wizard Artifact "Beast Cage," you have to order it through the Academy's channels, just like Link did when he bought the Zerg Evolution Radiation Source.

Not to mention the "beast cage" in front of Jasmine, which is a level 3 witch artifact.

"Oh dear! I was just worried about where I'd find a place to carry my spirit beast in the future."

After Jasmine saw it clearly, she let out a gasp.

Link wasn't the only one who made progress after more than four months of training.

Although the path of becoming a Beast Tamer is quite difficult, with the "God-Eating Worm" cub as her high starting point, Jasmine has still made great strides.

She has already learned various methods of contracting and raising spirit beasts, but she hasn't found a suitable spirit beast to raise or contract yet.

Looking at the "beast cage," Link suddenly remembered something.

He took out his personal smart device and sent a special request to the academy, preparing to take Jasmine out of the boundary.

After receiving permission, Link immediately took Jasmine's hand: "Come on, I'll show you something."

"What is it?"

Jasmine gripped Link's right hand tightly, their fingers intertwined, and asked with a smile, "You didn't prepare any surprise for me, did you?"

Meeting Jasmine's expectant gaze, Link felt truly guilty and dared not nod, much less reveal the truth.

He's been incredibly busy lately, so he hasn't had the time or inclination to prepare a surprise.

After thinking for a moment, Link could only say, "You'll know when you come with me."

As he spoke, Link instructed, "Don't resist. It might feel a little uncomfortable at first, but you'll get used to it after a while."

"Uh-huh."

Jasmine noticed the slight unease in Link's expression, but didn't use it as an excuse to make a fuss.

It's good to be confused sometimes.

In a relationship, there's no need to understand everything clearly.

A sense of temporal and spatial detachment, even stronger than when using an interdimensional portal, descended upon Jasmine.

Soon, the detachment ended, and Jasmine found herself in the "small world" where Flandre had described the environment in detail.

Just as I was thinking about Flandre, Flandre appeared.

"Greetings, sir and madam!"

Flandre's eyes narrowed with laughter as she greeted him sweetly.

"Greetings, sir and madam!"

The little fire elemental spirit Cornelia floated in the air, tilting her little head, and mimicking Flandre's greeting.

"Hello, Flandre. Hello, Cornelia."

Jasmine responded enthusiastically to the two girls, one older and one younger.

"Flandre, you continue taking Cornelia out to play."

Link spoke up at this moment, ruining the interaction between the three girls.

With a thought, before Jasmine could react, he used his authority as the "Lord of the Realm" to bring Jasmine deep underground to the active volcano.

"Look, this is the spirit beast I found for you."

Link smiled as he pointed to the giant fire salamander that was lazily lying in the lava, fast asleep.

At that moment, Link seemed to be possessed by the fishpond owner, and he was actually smiling with a crooked mouth.

Jasmine looked at the small "beast cage" in her hand, and then at the enormous, cylindrical fire salamander.

One is so big, and the other is so small, how can they fit together?

(End of this chapter)