Wizards begin with Occlumency.

Chapter 297 Side Dishes

Life is like a game of chess.

Some people play chess, while others are just chess pieces.

The chess pieces are controlled by the player's fingers, moving forward and backward, charging into battle, and are not subject to their own will.

Link knew that the current situation of this mission was a game of chess.

He and the other 11 wizards were just one or more pawns in the game.

What's special about this game is that your pieces have relatively more freedom.

With a high degree of freedom, Link and his 11 teammates, as powerful wizards, would naturally try to control the situation rather than be controlled by it.

Gaining control of the interstellar warship and changing its destination coordinates is an attempt to control the situation.

Unfortunately, even if one wants to elevate their thinking and break free from limitations, they are still constrained by the opaque information fog, making it difficult to quickly understand the development and direction of the situation.

If one cannot understand the development and direction of the situation, one will naturally be hesitant to act.

He was terrified that he might make a mistake and not only fail to complete the academy's mission but also get himself into trouble.

Therefore, preliminary reconnaissance, situation analysis, tactical formulation, and strategy execution are all extremely important.

For example, right now, Link is using Flandre's high mobility and stealth to get close and scout the situation.

Of course, as the captain, Link couldn't possibly completely abandon his team and act alone the whole time.

If that's the case, wouldn't we become lone wolves? What's the point of developing "freedom to do anything"?

After discovering that the Flame and Metal Merchant Guild and the White Tower Alliance, two of the top organizations in the Michel District, had each only sent one interstellar warship, Link did not act rashly.

Flandre was left to continue exploring the surrounding star systems, while Link turned back towards the asteroid belt where his team was hiding.

I plan to meet up with the team members, explain the situation, and decide on a course of action.

During the return journey, Link didn't rest; he was thinking about all the information from this mission.

As information gradually comes together, the fog surrounding this mission is slowly being lifted.

Link could also try to guess the deeper meaning hidden behind this mission.

The mission details provided by the academy are to snipe a Shadow City interdimensional pioneering team, with the objective of seizing supplies, and the requirement is not to kill anyone.

Keyword triggers: Shadow City, Otherworldly Expedition, Resources.

This is combined with a piece of news that circulated widely some time ago and had a lot of details.

It is said that Shadow City has discovered a special planet that may contain some of the heritage of the Nostrodom Saints, and has sent a team to excavate it.

It's not hard to tell that the team that Rivosos Academy asked Link and his group to snipe was the one sent by Shadow City to that special planet to excavate the lost traditions of martial arts.

What Link and his companions were trying to seize were certain legacies of the Nostrodam Saint School.

The High Council issued clear instructions over a thousand years ago to limit the intensity of disputes involving lost lineages within the wizarding world.

Various wizarding organizations can compete for the inheritance, but they must adhere to the principle of equal scale.

That is, the organization that discovers the inheritance dispatches a pioneering team of a certain size, and the organization that tries to seize the inheritance can only dispatch a team of the same size.

The number of people, their levels, and their configurations should be, if not exactly the same, at least very similar.

Moreover, during the robbery, it is best to engage in limited verbal combat and not allow extreme bloodshed.

Otherwise, the wizarding organization that causes the first casualties will face severe punishment from the Supreme Council.

Whether the stolen legacy can be preserved depends entirely on the decision of the Supreme Council.

The Supreme Council's intention in issuing this directive was undoubtedly very good.

To some extent, this has protected the enthusiasm of various organizations to unearth lost techniques, knowledge, and traditions.

Unfortunately, the Supreme Council has policies at the top and countermeasures at the bottom.

The various wizarding organizations quickly developed a fine tradition of inducing other organizations to kill each other, while they themselves reaped the benefits.

This is why Ms. Lisandra personally reminded Sage Fletcher Domingo, who was secretly escorting the sniper team, to be careful not to act rashly.

It wasn't out of boredom that they specifically targeted Link Grand and set a trap for him.

That was just something I did on the spur of the moment.

If it works out, great; if not, so be it.

Based on a wealth of information, Link found the Supreme Council's explicit instruction in a remote corner of his memory, resolving some of his doubts about this mission.

Then, there was something stuck in my throat, and I really wanted to spit it out.

The so-called clear instructions were only very clear for a very short period of time after they were issued.

Not long afterward, this instruction gradually faded from mainstream view and became extremely rare.

Even historical records are hidden in obscure corners and are very inconspicuous.

Few wizards would know this unless they had studied the history of the wizarding world in depth, especially the decrees issued by the High Council over the years.

It seems that many wizarding organizations worked together to bring about this situation.

Upon closer examination, the reason is not hard to guess, and it makes perfect sense.

Even among teams of similar size, those sent by small organizations cannot compare to those sent by medium-sized organizations, those sent by medium-sized organizations cannot compare to those sent by large organizations, and those sent by large organizations cannot compare to those sent by top organizations.

Therefore, after the great war with the world of gods, the lost technologies, knowledge, and lineages that the wizarding world gradually recovered were basically taken over by large or top-tier wizarding organizations.

The information and documents on intelligent mechanical wizards, true spirit wizards, body refiners, and beast tamers stored at Rivoss Academy were obtained through a combination of means: some through purchase, some through exchange, some through self-development, and some through excavation and the plundering of lost traditions.

The Supreme Council and various large/top wizarding organizations still have some dignity.

The original intention of this directive was to protect the interests of small and medium-sized organizations.

However, this has caused small and medium-sized organizations to be completely excluded from such a good thing as rediscovering lost techniques, knowledge, and the inheritance of schools of thought.

How can such a self-contradictory situation be made known to the whole world?

It's better to keep it a secret; it's better if I know but you don't.

Link's thoughts drifted away, but he quickly pulled himself back to focus on the mission.

Clearly, the top wizarding organizations in the Michelle District are veterans at excavating/seizing lost lineages.

The younger generation doesn't know how to operate, but the middle-aged or older generations who are in charge of various organizations certainly do.

Thinking about this, Link suddenly realized why the Rivosos Academy, the Flame and Metal Merchant Guild, and the White Tower Alliance had all only sent one warship.

This is because of the principle of equal scale established by the Supreme Council.

It is likely that the other three organizations also consist of 6 first-level wizards and 6 second-level wizards.

And there is a fifth-level sage protecting them in secret.

The question is, where is the University of Mesopotamia team?

Could it be that after the complete closure, they've stopped participating in even "good things" like this, which involve the inheritance of the saintly lineage?

Link was completely baffled and, after returning to the asteroid belt, temporarily put the question aside.

Using the agreed-upon means of communication, Link, inspired by the first-circle spell "Mind Link" of the True Spirit Wizard and the typical characteristics of the "Mind" series of spells, developed the second-circle spell "Quantum Encrypted Communication" to recall the 11 scattered and hidden team members back to the "Lark"-class starship.

"Captain, how is the situation?"

Inside the cockpit, after everyone was seated, Lanny Taylor spoke first, asking a question.

This teamwork was excellent; it improved efficiency and saved time.

"So it is, so it is."

Link then took the opportunity to tell the 11 team members everything he and Flandre had discovered, their speculations about the mission, the instructions from the High Council, and the lost lineage of the Saints.

"That's the situation. Everyone, please share your thoughts. As I said before, speak freely."

After finishing his explanation, Link, fully embodying the spirit of democracy, solicited everyone's opinions and said the following.

One person's plan is short-sighted, but many people's plans are long-sighted.

"I knew it! Something about this mission just didn't feel right."

A second-level wizard from a prominent family in the headquarters feigned sudden realization and remarked with emotion, "So it was all about seizing the inheritance. No wonder they wouldn't let us kill him."

"The problem now is how we can seize the mission objective—the batch of supplies that may contain the legacy of the Saint School—without loss, while being watched by the Flame and Metal Merchant Guild and the White Tower Alliance."

Another second-level wizard, who hailed from the Storm Sea and had met Link a few times in the city of Rivosos, quickly steered the conversation back on track.

With these two initiating the discussion, it quickly became lively within the team.

Everyone chimed in with their own opinions, creating quite a lively atmosphere.

"Before the Shadow City interdimensional pioneers arrive, how about we strike first and force the other two out of the game?"

"The enemy is in the open while we are in the dark; a sudden surprise attack—I feel it's feasible."

"A surprise attack is all about speed; you need to control the intensity of your strike. How do you achieve a quick success?"

"That's also a problem."

"Why don't we wait for the other two to make their move on Shadow City first, and then save ours for last?"

"What if they don't move at all?"

"How is that possible?"

"Why not? We could have done it beforehand. Both families were dead. Couldn't we have imagined it?"

"That's true. If both sides discover each other's existence but hesitate to act out of fear, they could very well miss a golden opportunity."

"I've carefully examined the star map. The coordinates set by the academy are actually quite deliberate. Once we leave this star system, it's really difficult to make a move. There are vassal worlds of other organizations nearby. If the intensity of the battle is slightly higher or the battle lasts a little longer, it's easy to attract the attention of other organizations."

"Yes, I've noticed that too."

"So that means we have to make our move here if we want to complete the mission? We can't ambush them beforehand, nor can we launch a surprise attack from behind?"

"Stop with the nonsense and get to the point: how to complete the mission is the most important thing."

"You think you're so smart, why don't you say it!"

"I'll speak for myself. In my opinion, there's still more than a day before the Shadow City team arrives at the academy's designated coordinates. Why not use this time to clear out obstacles? Either we can find a way to incite the Flame and Metal Merchants to fight each other, or we can find a way to take them down one-on-two. There's no third way."

"That's easy to say. How do you instigate it? How do you use one example to set a precedent? That's all grandiose ideas! Come up with some concrete measures."

"Please be quiet, everyone. I have an idea that I'd like to share with you all."

At this moment, Lanny Taylor used a sonic spell. She spoke softly, but to others, it felt as if their entire bodies had been soothed and comforted.

The slightly noisy discussion was immediately silenced.

Seeing this, Lani said loudly, "I'm thinking, could we move the warship a little further forward, then turn around and disguise ourselves as the Shadow City's forces to lure the Flame, Metal Merchants, and White Tower Alliance into action? In reality, the warship is controlled by the Tower Spirit, and we'll hide elsewhere, waiting for the two sides to start fighting before we make our move."

"It does have some feasibility, but there are still some problems."

"Speaking."

"First, how do we disguise it? Second, how can we be sure those two families won't be able to resist making a move?"

Before Lanny could speak, other wizards had already answered the question.

"Disguise is easy. I have blueprints of the starships commonly used by Shadow City. With a slight modification to the appearance, it won't be difficult to fool them for a short time."

"Even if those two hold back and don't make a move, it's fine. At least it will get them moving. Once they start moving, the chances of them discovering each other will increase. Perhaps they'll first try to force their opponent out of the game?"

"Wake up! Nobody's that stupid."

"Hehehe..."

"..."

Link listened quietly to the discussion of the 11 team members, his heart at peace.

These discussions, while seemingly reasonable, were actually... not very useful and did not reflect the level that the carefully selected elites of the academy should have.

Thinking about it, it's actually quite normal.

Offering suggestions and advice comes with responsibility!

If the mission fails, Link, as the captain, will bear the primary responsibility; those who offered the plan will bear secondary responsibility; and ordinary team members will only bear joint responsibility.

Taking on too much responsibility makes one's resume look bad in class.

There's no need for that. What wizard would willingly put themselves in a disadvantageous position from the very beginning?

That's how temporary teams are.

Unlike "freedom to do anything", and unlike Sandra's second miniature legion, they can work together.

This temporary team, in order to complete the mission, can advance and retreat together in combat, but its planning and decision-making must be somewhat reserved.

Unless Captain Link Grand's plan is so outrageous that it's hopeless and could cause casualties.

The sense of disconnect and contradiction is fully revealed.

Link had anticipated this, knowing that democratic discussion was of little use, but he still insisted on going through this process.

Thus, the decisions made by Link and others were collective decisions, not decisions made by one person alone.

As the discussion gradually subsided, Lanny Taylor cast an inquiring glance at him, and Link coughed lightly to attract the team's attention.

"Everyone's points are valid."

Link began with this, then changed the subject, "My idea is to split into two groups. One group will be the bait, and the other will be the main attacker."

The decoy team piloted their interstellar warships, swaggering directly toward the Shadow City forces, ignoring whether the Flame and Metal Company or the White Tower Alliance would jump out to attack, and continued on their way.

The main assault team will cover the rear. If the Flame and Metal Merchant Guild and the White Tower Alliance launch an attack, we will decide how to intervene based on the situation. If the two organizations continue to lie in wait, the main assault team will quickly catch up with the warship, rendezvous with them, and block the Shadow City team's path.

"and then?"

Lanny Taylor asked, frowning.

She couldn't quite understand the purpose of Link's last arrangement.

Link smiled slightly and countered, "Who said we have to attack the otherworldly pioneering team from Shadow City?"

"The Academy..."

Lanny opened her mouth to say something, then fell silent.

The mission details issued by the academy did mention that the mission was to ambush the Shadow City interdimensional pioneering team, but it also emphasized two points: first, to seize supplies, and second, not to harm anyone.

To put it another way, as long as you obtain the supplies without harming anyone, you've completed the mission.

So, if we obtain supplies through negotiation and peaceful evolution, does that count as completing the mission?

Of course it counts.

From this perspective, there is only one problem.

How can you persuade the Shadow City interdimensional exploration team to hand over the resources they've painstakingly unearthed?

The 11 team members remained silent, their minds racing as they pondered the question.

Link then asked with a smile, "Who says we have to rob the Shadow City interdimensional pioneers of all their supplies?"

This question instantly inspired the team members.

The mission details issued by the academy did not require the sniper team to loot all the supplies of the Shadow City interdimensional pioneer team; they only required them to seize the supplies.

A difference of just one word can make all the difference in terms of operability.

Therefore, Link's idea is highly feasible.

If the warships of the Blazing and Metal Merchants and the White Tower Alliance are alerted by the decoy group and jump out.

Whether they attack the decoy team or attack each other, the main attack team, hidden in the shadows, can handle them with ease.

In this situation, having dealt with the two warships of the Flame and Metal Merchants and the White Tower Alliance, the Rivosos Academy sniper team can then decide, depending on the circumstances, whether to seize or divide the supplies from the Shadow City interdimensional pioneer team.

If the warships of the Blazing and Metal Merchants and the White Tower Alliance remain calm and do not come out, but continue to lie in wait.

The main attack team and the decoy team joined forces to intercept the Shadow City interdimensional pioneering team. In exchange for half of the supplies, they agreed to jointly deal with the two warships of the Blazing Flame and Metal Merchant Guild and the White Tower Alliance. Is that too much to ask?

It should be noted that while the relationship between Rivosos Academy and Shadow City is not one of alliance, it has never been bad either.

It was just a little unpleasantness a while ago because of the promotion of Great Sage Soth.

These unpleasant things can be ignored for now.

"agree."

After thinking it through, Lani was the first to express her support.

"agree."

I agree.

The remaining 10 team members spoke out one after another to support Link's idea.

"it is good."

Link nodded and said solemnly, "I won't force anyone to join the decoy team or the main attack team. Everyone should volunteer."

As he spoke, Link operated the office AI in front of the captain's seat and sent a group link to the AI ​​on the control panel of the 11 team members.

The 11 team members looked at the group assignment link and began to think carefully about which group they should join.

Both the decoy group and the main attack group have their advantages and disadvantages, and they need to be carefully considered.

"Master, master."

At that moment, Flandre, who had stayed behind to scout, suddenly called out to Link in his mind.

"What is it, Flandre?"

Link was multitasking, watching the team members' choices on the AI ​​while sending out a mental message.

"My lord, another warship has arrived. Judging from the insignia, it seems to belong to the Tower of the Great Sage Michel."

As Flandre spoke, she shared her view.

Link stared intently and confirmed that the emblem on the warship Flandre had discovered was indeed the badge of the Tower of the Great Sage Michel.

"They've come to join the fun too?"

This was Link's first time dealing with the big boss of the Michel District, the wizard of the Michel Grand Sage's Tower.

Circumstances have changed, and previously established plans may need to be temporarily shelved.

However, Link did not immediately tell the team members about this change, deciding to observe it for a while longer.

In the starry sky.

The sage Fletcher Domingo, lurking in the shadows, felt he had been discovered.

Following the direction from which the sense of being locked on came, Sage Fletcher Domingo quickly found the other party, who turned out to be an acquaintance, a level 5 sage from the Great Sage Tower of Michel.

Fletcher Domingo also fought alongside the enemy, together counterattacking a war god-type demigod from the world of gods.

"Ragnall Walters? What brings you here?"

While preparing for the worst, the sage Fletcher Domingo used sorcery to transmit his message and send out his inquiry.

Ragnar Walters, whose entire body had merged into the void and whose human form could only be vaguely discerned, chuckled:

"Your Rivosos Academy has been making frequent moves lately, and even deliberately leaked the coordinates of a special planet that may contain the heritage of the Nostrodam Saints to Shadow City."

After Shadow City sent out an excavation team, they spread the word about the matter and set up today's scheme.

Isn't their goal simply to muddy the waters and prevent our Great Sage Tower of Michel from seeing the situation clearly?

"Since the water's been stirred up and we can't see clearly, why don't we just jump in? Wouldn't that be just what you want?"

Fletcher Domingo the Sage couldn't understand what Ragnar Wolters was saying.

He was really just carrying out an escort mission.

As for seizing the inheritance of the Saint's School, he did know that.

But isn't this a matter between teams of first-level and second-level wizards from various organizations?

Judging from Ragnal Walters' tone, it seems that the conflict between these teams can affect the situation in the entire Michel District and the status of the Michel Grand Sage's Tower.

"you do not know?"

Ragnard Walters concealed himself, making it impossible to see his face, but one could clearly see the subtle changes in the expression of the sage Fletcher Domingo, who no longer hid after discovering Ragnard Walters.

"What should I know?"

Fletcher Domingo, the wise man, calmly countered with a question.

He never hid the fact that he was not part of the decision-making body at Rivers College.

So what if you're marginalized? There's nothing shameful about it.

"Hehehe..."

Ragnar Walters laughed, his tone mocking, "Indeed, Forrest Diomand prides himself on being a master strategist. How could he possibly let a fifth-level sage like you, whom he doesn't even think much of, know about his plans?"

"What plan?"

Sage Fletcher Domingo ignored the sarcasm and provocation in his words and continued to ask questions.

"Do you think that special planet, which Forrest deliberately revealed to Shadow City, might hold the legacy of the Nostrodam Saints?"

This time, Ragnar Wolters did not answer Fletcher Domingo's question, but instead asked it in return.

"Of course not..."

Fletcher Domingo abruptly stopped mid-sentence.

Why is it impossible for it to contain the lineage of the Nostrodam Saints?

The Saint of Nostrodam founded a school of thought that focuses on prophecy and curses.

Mystic wizards are seen as "thieves" who spy on and attempt to seize control of destiny in the eyes of the gods, who are mortal enemies of the wizarding world.

How easy is it to uncover the lineage of this school?

Is it really a good thing to hold it in your hand?

Even if a saint has passed away, the contingency plans he leaves behind are not something that ordinary people can withstand.

Given Forrest Diomand's personality, he is very likely to regard the mystical wizarding tradition as a useless thing.

It is a pity that it is tasteless.

Let's use it as bait.

(End of this chapter)