Wizards begin with Occlumency.

Link accurately sensed the anomaly.

If we continue discussing this topic, I feel that the "brotherhood" and "social anxiety" groups might suggest "donating" to him.

So they decisively ended the conversation about spiritual resources and started chatting about other topics instead.

This time, the conversation didn't last long because the atmosphere had changed, so Link had to make an excuse to end the heart-to-heart talk abruptly.

"How poor do they think I am?"

Watching the group of guys and the socially awkward group leave the villa, Link couldn't help but mutter to himself, questioning his existence, "Am I that obviously poor?"

"It's so obvious how poor I am!"

After reflecting on his experience, Link didn't rush to leave the mainland and return to the academy's main campus.

He turned and went into the study on the second floor, turned on the office computer, and pulled up all the research data on Christina and her daughter Garona, including the part that Christina regularly sent over after returning to Shadow City, and carefully read through it.

Now that it has been discovered that Garona is very suitable for implanting "constructs" and that "constructs" can help her growth, we cannot let this idea remain just in our minds.

To sit and discuss principles, one must rise and put them into practice.

After reviewing Garona's information, Link also took the opportunity to look at Christina's information.

Christina is not as special as her daughter Garona. Her compatibility with "constructs" is not particularly high, and she is no different from other ordinary wizards.

Moreover, because of her overall carrying capacity, perhaps due to the lucky successful biochemical modification, it is even worse.

After reading all the materials, Link began designing a "construct" suitable for Garona.

Considering Garona's age and ability to cope, it's impossible to implant the set from the beginning.

Even individual pieces must be meticulously designed as special, upgradable styles.

Link had already gotten the idea when he was teasing Garona in the general manager's office at the "Freedom to Do Anything" headquarters.

Now, when designing the "structure," ideas flow like a spring, and the design is completed in one go.

After an afternoon, four special individual pieces were successfully designed.

This efficiency is undeniably high.

说是4个特殊单件，其实就像荆棘系列巫术0环「荆棘缠绕」、1环「荆棘绞杀」、2环「荆棘丛生」、3环「荆天棘地」那样，是依次递升的关係。

不过与荆棘系列巫术不同的是，4个特殊单件共用一个名字，而且功能相同，只不过效果有高低之分，好似同一系列的汽车发动机有3、4、5、6、8、10、12的不同缸数。

The special item is called "Shadow Embrace," and as the name suggests, its function is to increase Garona's affinity for shadow elements and the concept of darkness.

In Link's vision, "Shadow Embrace" will be combined with the yet-to-be-designed special single pieces "Serpent's Kiss," "Shadow Ethereal," and "Invisible Blade" to form the special set "Shadow Serpent's Bite."

The so-called special set refers to the set that can be upgraded from a level 1 set, which has the effect of a level 1 spell, to a level 4 set, which has the effect of a level 4 spell.

Looking out the window, Link realized it was getting late. He quickly tidied up, took the four "Shadow Embrace" pieces he had already designed, and the concept for the "Shadow Serpent's Bite" set, and returned to the academy headquarters via the interdimensional portal. He then drove straight to the villa.

Jasmine had just returned from the lab and had just gotten off the bus.

"What's wrong?"

Link walked over to Jasmine, whose complexion wasn't very good, and asked her with concern.

"It's nothing."

Jasmine turned and walked into the villa, saying as she went, "The experiment just didn't go very well."

"Is there anything I can do to help?"

Link frowned slightly and said this.

Since Jasmine embarked on the path of a beast tamer, Link really couldn't offer much help.

Only in the field of biology can we find some reference.

"no."

Jasmine didn't mince words, stating the facts directly. Then, her tone softened as she asked, "You went to see Garona. Is she alright now?"

Unlike Link before, who was so busy he hadn't even seen Garona.

Jasmine had a special video call with Asander and had seen Garona several times.

"The situation is alright."

Link replied truthfully, "Christina did a good job, keeping the connection between Garona's soul and body at a suitable level. It was neither too distant nor affected by the Shadow Serpent bloodline, and it also largely fulfilled my and Celine's vision, allowing the Shadow Serpent's racial abilities to gradually integrate into Garona's body."

"That's good."

Jasmine nodded and didn't continue the conversation.

She had a very unsuccessful day doing research and experiments, and she's not in a good mood right now.

His concern for Garona was all forced.

After receiving a reply, I lost the desire to speak.

Link noticed that something was wrong with Jasmine, and swallowed back the "Shadow Serpent's Bite" set that he had originally planned to mention.

When you're in a bad mood, who has the time or inclination to listen to things that aren't really relevant to you?

Putting myself in others' shoes, I'd better not say anything more.

After entering the hall, Link thought for a moment, then beckoned to his smart butler and gave him some instructions.

After that, as usual, the two had dinner at the restaurant, enjoying tea and chatting.

Jasmine was really not in the mood. Whether it was eating or drinking tea, she seemed absent-minded, as if she was just going through the motions.

"Get some rest early tonight, don't think about anything, and get a good night's sleep."

Seeing this, Link got up and went upstairs. "Whatever it is, we'll talk about it tomorrow."

"Um."

Jasmine agreed and followed him into the bedroom.

As soon as Jasmine entered her bedroom, she noticed something was different.

The bedrooms in the suite are filled with a fresh, elegant, and calming fragrance.

There was also a guide ribbon made of colorful petals, pointing Jasmine toward the bathroom.

Jasmine followed the path paved with flower petals into the bathroom, where she found everything prepared.

The perfectly heated water, the calming flower petals floating on the surface, the burning aromatherapy oils, the soft lighting, and the soothing music create an environment that allows one to completely relax.

"That blockhead!"

A slight smile appeared on Jasmine's lips, and she murmured reproachfully.

The bad mood of the whole day has now vanished.

Often, it's not necessary to do things perfectly; just doing them and showing care is enough.

Silent all night.

the next day.

With a vibrant spirit and high morale, Jasmine left the villa and headed towards the laboratory.

Before leaving, he even wiped his mouth with Link's cheek.

"Tsk."

Link picked up a napkin and wiped the marks off his face.

When I unfolded it, there were no oil stains, only red marks!

After the little incident, the leisurely Link, having nothing better to do, went into his study to continue designing the "Shadow Serpent's Bite" set.

Perhaps because he was in a good mood, Link actually spent an entire day designing all three special items: "Serpent's Kiss," "Shadow Etherealization," and "Invisible Blade."

This efficiency is even higher than yesterday afternoon.

Looking at the holographic projection in front of him, showing the various data, design drawings, and estimated effects of the "Shadow Serpent's Bite" set, Link was very satisfied.

Just like many great writers of ancient times who wrote their articles without adding a single word or punctuation, Link felt that the "Shadow Serpent's Bite" set had also reached the ultimate harmony, the ultimate harmony, and could not be modified any further.

After admiring the document for a while longer, Link divided it into three parts and carefully stored them away.

Once Garona grows a bit older, we can start by implanting "Constructs" one by one, beginning with the Level 1 "Shadow Serpent's Bite" set.

"I can't wait!"

Link let out a sigh.

The "Savage Strike" set he designed for the fairies in the Fairy World last time was nowhere near as impressive as the "Shadow Serpent's Bite" set.

Therefore, Link really wants to see the complete 4th level "Shadow Serpent's Bite" set, which has the same effect as 4th level sorcery, appear as soon as possible.

Well……

Link became even more proud when the level 4 set was mentioned.

Originally, he thought that the effect of the level 4 set was equivalent to the level 4 sorcery, which involved the use of some rule power, so he could only refer to the level 4 sorcery for conversion.

The design of the "Shadow Serpent's Bite" set yielded an unexpected result.

In other words, it is not necessary to refer to 4th-circle sorcery. As long as the bloodline characteristics with high potential such as Shadow Serpent are brought into play, a level 4 set can also be designed.

I am grateful to my past self for conducting in-depth research on the Shadow Serpent, an extraordinary magical beast, in order to help Christina with her pregnancy, childbirth, raising her daughter, and reversing the aftereffects of biochemical modification.

Link thought to himself.

Just then, a noise came from downstairs; Jasmine had returned.

Link got up and left the study, then went downstairs to the first floor, where he saw a smiling Jasmine.

Unlike yesterday evening, when she wore her unhappiness on her face.

"Is the problem solved?"

Link immediately had a guess.

"Um."

Jasmine smiled brightly, nodded vigorously, and said, "Thank you, Link!"

"What are you thanking me for?"

Link laughed and said, "You should thank yourself for not losing your fighting spirit because of some setbacks."

"Thank you again! Thank you for everything you did last night."

Jasmine walked up to Link, tapped his chest, and her tone suddenly changed. Suppressing a laugh, she demanded, "Tell me honestly, how many people did you use that trick on last night? If you don't tell me, I'll cry."

"Drama queen!"

Link curled his lip, somewhat speechless.

Even after all this time, I still miss the tea ceremony that I'm not even familiar with.

It’s just that!

Link didn't even know how to complain.

After playing around for a while, Jasmine happily skipped to the kitchen, determined to cook for herself.

I must treat Link well tonight to thank him for his hard work last night.

Another night passed without incident.

Then, three days of normal classes were held.

During this period, Link focused on two things: studying and practical simulation exercises, ignoring everything else around him.

Let alone the Fairy World "Construction" project, I haven't even been to the Pharmacy Teaching and Research Group's laboratory building.

And so, Link faced the time for the conscription team to assemble.

It was early morning that day.

Be careful, don't overexert yourself.

Jasmine saw Link out of the villa, gently giving him some words of advice.

"Don't worry, I'll be right back."

Link started the vehicle and left the villa without looking back.

Since they began their studies, the two have taken the advice of the great sage Soth to heart.

They can now control their inspiration, or precognitive abilities, with complete ease.

Regarding this recruitment mission, Link and Molly have each maximized their precognitive abilities at different times.

The two of them corroborated each other's conclusions, both of which were that there might be some setbacks, but there was no real danger.

Although one should not completely believe in premonitions, they were enough to comfort Jasmine's heart.

Looking at Jasmine standing at the villa's gate, gazing at this direction from afar on the car's smart screen, Link suddenly accelerated.

Damn it, if we don't leave soon, we might not be able to walk anymore.

Before long, Link, who had increased his speed, arrived at the meeting point just before the appointed time: a small, well-hidden interdimensional portal.

Below the portal platform, a middle-aged wizard with long, fiery red hair and a powerful aura stood tall, looking at Link.

"A Level 5 Sage!"

Based on the fluctuations in his aura, Link made a judgment in his mind.

This wizard was none other than Fletcher Domingo, the level 5 sage who led the mission to ambush the Shadow City interdimensional pioneers.

He released his aura with restraint precisely to suppress the arrogance of the wizards chosen by the academy for the mission without needing to waste words.

Especially those wizards from the main families.

Many fools are arrogant and think that just because their ancestors were level five or level six sages, they can act recklessly.

Fletcher Domingo had encountered many such situations, and thus wanted to avoid unnecessary trouble from the outset.

Fletcher Domingo doesn't care about low-level psychological needs like showing off or getting humiliated.

Link parked the car, walked briskly to a suitable spot not far from Sage Fletcher Domingo, and announced loudly, "Link Grande reporting for duty."

"Um."

Sage Fletcher Domingo nodded slightly, gave Link a meaningful look, but said nothing more.

Link didn't feel embarrassed at all. He found a spot, stood still, and waited quietly.

Before long, all the wizards recruited for this sniping mission had arrived, totaling 12 people including Link.

There are 6 first-level wizards and 6 second-level wizards, and they are evenly distributed.

Link glanced at his 11 teammates on this mission and discovered that one of them was a familiar face: Lanny Taylor.

The two exchanged a glance, then nodded simultaneously, reaching an agreement.

During this mission, Lani Taylor chose to follow Link's orders and fight alongside him.

Even though her strength has improved by leaps and bounds recently, within the small circle centered around Sandra Diormand, her actual combat power has already ranked in the top ten, giving her the capital to be independent.

With his fifth-grade wizarding aptitude fully unleashed, his rate of progress was truly terrifying.

Well……

Even if Lanny Taylor, under Sandra's arrangement, entered a formal wizard-level training realm and gained some opportunities there, it was still terrifying!

After learning about Lani's progress in her cultivation, Sandra even privately expressed that she greatly envied Lani's fifth-grade superior aptitude.

However, Lanny remembered very clearly that Sandra also had the aptitude of a fifth-class wizard!

Faced with Lani's questioning, Sandra mysteriously kept her in suspense, saying that when Lani reached the transformation stage before becoming a sage, she would understand that there was a difference between different rank 5 and that Sandra would understand why she envied her.

The wizarding aptitude seems to hold some incredible secrets.

Pulling herself out of her reverie, Lani focused on waiting for the instructions from their leader, the Level 5 Sage Fletcher Domingo.

Sage Fletcher Domingo didn't waste any words; he simply exuded an aura and pressure, coldly watching the twelve wizards.

The atmosphere in the room suddenly became oppressive.

Even the air seemed to stagnate, unable to circulate.

It felt as if towering mountains were pressing down on the heads of the 12 wizards who had been conscripted to participate in the raid on the Shadow City's otherworldly pioneering team.

First-level wizards experience slightly less pressure, while second-level wizards experience more.

What they have in common is that they are precisely positioned at their pressure-bearing limits.

The reason it is relatively accurate is because one person is currently under pressure that is far from reaching their limit.

Fletcher Domingo, the Sage, showed no outward expression, but inwardly he was already curious about just how much pressure Link Grand could withstand.

One after another, illusory and formless mountains, yet seemingly real, pressed down on Link's head.

Link remained calm, silently enduring the ordeal.

His senses had already indicated that the pressure he was under was several times that of other second-level wizards.

However, Link had no intention of hiding his abilities and even wanted to test his stress tolerance limit.

When the tenth mountain came crashing down, Link finally felt the strain and had to take the initiative to bear the pressure instead of letting it roll in as before.

Sage Fletcher Domingo keenly sensed the resistance, a barely perceptible smile flashing in his eyes, before abruptly withdrawing all the imposing aura he had been applying to Link.

Link appeared relaxed and unperturbed, showing no signs of distress.

In truth, he was secretly shocked, realizing he had almost embarrassed himself.

Sage Fletcher Domingo finally spoke, his tone leaving no room for argument: "Captain, Link Grand. During this mission, everyone listens to him. I'll only say this once. Also, I won't show myself unless someone exceeding your level and strength intervenes. That's it, let's go."

As soon as he finished speaking, Sage Fletcher Domingo stepped into the small interdimensional portal first.

Although Link never expected to become the captain, he didn't feel flattered or at a loss.

He slowly stepped forward, turned to look at the remaining 11 wizards, and calmly said, "If anyone is dissatisfied, come to me privately. Now, follow me."

After saying that, Link stepped into the small interdimensional portal.

The remaining 11 wizards, including Lanny Taylor, were all convinced!

The name Link Grand is not only well-known among the native wizards studying at the main campus, but also to the vast majority of the scions of the major families at the main campus.

Even Sandra Diomand, the only witch of the fourth generation of the Diomand family, did not put on airs in front of Link Grand.

How dare the scions of the powerful families who participated in this mission go against Link?

The logic is sound.

After exiting the small interdimensional portal, they found themselves directly in the cockpit of a "Lark"-class interstellar warship.

This surprised Link a little.

Unsurprisingly, Sage Fletcher Domingo was not on this warship.

As a Level 5 Sage, he leads a team of Level 1 and Level 2 wizards on missions for the academy.

A little thought reveals that this level 5 sage merely serves as a safety net.

Eleven team members passed through the portal and arrived at the cockpit.

With all personnel present, the "Lark"-class interstellar warship started up on its own and headed toward a certain coordinate.

"Sizzle".

The AI ​​in front of the captain's seat vibrated.

"Each person chooses a position they are good at and takes their place."

Link gave a seemingly nonsensical order and then sat in the captain's seat.

The schedule for this interstellar voyage was displayed on the AI ​​screen.

The route of the "Lark" class starship had already been determined, and the ship was traveling along this route.

The itinerary also told Link that it would take three days to reach his destination.

Then, a day is used for rest, reconnaissance, and deployment.

After reviewing the schedule, Link browsed through the smart device and found the detailed description of the mission.

"Ambush the Shadow City interdimensional pioneering team, restrain your attack power, focus on seizing resources, avoid killing the enemy, and beware of other forces taking advantage of the situation."

After reviewing the mission details, Link extracted the key points.

Suddenly, he felt a black cloth surrounding him, his 11 teammates, the Shadow City interdimensional pioneering team, and any other possible forces.

Behind the black cloth, or somewhere else, a pair of eyes are watching intently, while a large hand controls everything.

"This is all a setup!"

Link sighed inwardly, then made a decision: the mission was secondary; protecting himself was the most important thing.

Considering Dean Forrest's "recommendation" that he accept the call-up to participate in this mission.

Link simply didn't believe that the other party had nothing to do with the situation.

Link even suspected that this whole scheme was orchestrated by Dean Forrest.

The only problem is that the purpose is still unknown.

If that's the case, then there's no need to go all out and wreak havoc on everyone.

Snapping out of his reverie, Link looked at the various control panels below the captain's seat.

Eleven teammates sat orderly at their respective control panels, some familiarizing themselves with the controls, others observing the situation.

They completed the division of labor on their own without needing Link, the captain, to direct them.

Great, that's the effect Link wanted.

"Everyone, please take a look at the detailed instructions for this mission. If you have any thoughts, please feel free to speak your mind."

After thinking for a moment, Link distributed the mission instructions to the AI ​​on each teammate's control panel.

Of course, a mission cannot be carried out in the fog.

Otherwise, wouldn't people suspect that they've become cannon fodder to be sacrificed at any time?

The 11 team members carefully reviewed the mission instructions, each with their own thoughts.

For a moment, no one spoke.

Seeing this, Link said in a deep voice, "There's nothing to say now, but afterwards, you won't be able to say anything. You'll obey my orders completely. Any objections?"

"no."

Lanny Taylor then took the lead and expressed her opinion first.

The other 10 wizards remained silent for a moment before responding in turn.

Thus, command was officially established. (End of Chapter)