Wizards begin with Occlumency.

Chapter 310 The Impermanence of Life

Silent all night.

The next day, Sunday.

Jasmine went to the lab as usual yesterday to do her research and experiments.

Even with the "God-Devouring Insect" silkworm as a half-life spirit beast and the giant fire salamander as a contracted spirit beast, Jasmine's strength was already far greater than that of an ordinary level two wizard.

She's even slightly better than Lani Taylor, who has recently made rapid progress.

However, the gap between him and Link continues to widen.

Jasmine must put in her utmost effort to catch up with Link.

The current state of Sage Seren and Sage Paro is mainly due to Sage Paro's overly rigid and inflexible personality, but Sage Seren also has some reasons for not keeping up in time.

With past examples as cautionary tales, Jasmine didn't want to end up like that herself.

Link dropped Jasmine off at the lab, then turned back into his vehicle and immediately used his personal AI to send a request to the Academy, wanting to return to the Wizarding World.

According to the academy's rules, wizards in advanced studies are not allowed to return to their homeland during their two-year study period unless the academy assigns them a mission.

However, having connections in the court makes things easier, and this applies universally.

When Asander and Renee got married, Link managed to get leave to go back home through Sandra's connections, setting a precedent.

Last time, before going on a mission, Link didn't go through Sandra anymore. He applied for permission himself and was granted permission to return to his homeland.

This time was no exception; the college quickly approved Link's application.

Link put away his personal smart device and drove straight to the interdimensional portal. After completing the confirmation process, he returned to his home planet.

On the way to the North Region headquarters of "Freedom to Do Anything", Link used his personal AI to meet up with Asander and Christina.

Before long, the speeding car came to a stop in the headquarters courtyard.

Asander and Christina, holding their daughter Garona, were waiting in advance to greet them.

After exchanging pleasantries with Asander and learning about the recent developments at the "Freedom to Do Anything" headquarters, Link drove Christina away from the headquarters.

With a heavy heart, Garona was handed over to Asander.

In the car, Link opened the door and asked, "Have you made up your mind?"

"certainly."

Christina responded decisively.

"Let me tell you in advance, so far, I haven't figured out a way to eliminate 'constructs'."

Link offered a well-intentioned reminder.

"No problem, I don't care."

Christina's ruthlessness had flared up; her obsession with revenge made her disregard the soundness of her decisions.

It was this ruthlessness and obsession that allowed her to survive her brother's death and her desperate situation, not only surviving but also successfully avenging herself.

Now, Christina is not prepared to change her style.

Seeing this, Link stopped trying to persuade him.

He has already done his duty; there's no need for him to do anything more.

The vehicle drove into Link's North District villa.

The two got out of the car and went straight down to the underground laboratory without delay.

While Link was making preparations, Christina disarmed herself without any hesitation, removing all her armor and her undergarments.

Christina was mentally prepared for this when the "Shadow Annihilation" set was designed.

It's just about being honest with Link.

Last time, I asked Link to help me with the pregnancy, and I underwent various tests and targeted treatments. I wasn't completely honest with him.

Once Link had prepared the materials needed to implant the "Shadow Annihilation" suit, Christina had already voluntarily lay down on the operating table.

"Do you need anesthesia?"

Before performing the "construct" implantation, Link asked a question.

"No need, I can handle it."

Christina responded calmly, "The pain I have endured is beyond the imagination of many people, no matter how hard they try."

"Alright."

Link didn't say anything more.

After disinfecting and sterilizing the implanted "construct" parts on himself and Christina, Link officially began implanting the "Shadow Annihilation" suit.

This time, Link did not use monster fur as a carrier, but instead directly drew and implanted it into Christina's skin using needles.

The structure of the "device" is three-dimensional, and the depth of the needle puncture can be freely controlled to achieve the desired effect.

Since the "Shadow Annihilation" set was custom-made for Christina's specific situation, as long as Link doesn't make any shaky hands or other mistakes, the implantation process will be fine.

About an hour and a half later, all the "constructs" were installed, only lacking a finishing touch to connect them.

Link took a deep breath, composed himself, and then said, "Follow my instructions, activate each individual piece in turn, and then activate the entire set. Understand?"

"clear."

Having endured no fewer than ten thousand needle pricks of varying depths and intensities, Christina remained expressionless, seemingly feeling no pain whatsoever, and her reply was equally calm.

"start."

Link took the needle and pointed it at the implanted "construct" components in sequence.

The eight individual pieces were activated sequentially with Christina's mental and magical power.

A moment later, Christina sensed a powerful force growing deep within her body, becoming volatile and roaring.

Following this feeling, Christina skillfully controlled this powerful force to break through the limitations of her body and reveal it to the world.

Two beams of dark gray light, each about the thickness of a thumb, shot out from the eyes, which still bore traces of snake eyes.

Link appeared just in time to block the beam's path and intercepted the attack.

This was both to prevent the laboratory ceiling from being shot through and the laboratory from being destroyed, and also to personally test the attack power of the "Shadow Annihilation" set.

Wearing his defensive-mode armor, Link withstood the impact of the dark gray beam for a full 10 seconds, and even managed to gather up all the tiny specks of light that splashed out when the beam was blocked.

When Christina's mental and magical reserves were about to decrease, the "Shadow Annihilation" set automatically stopped.

Link floated back to the lab floor, turned and walked out, saying as he went, "Take a rest, I'll wait for you on the first floor."

"Thanks."

Slightly exhausted, Christina lay on the operating table and sincerely expressed her gratitude.

Link didn't respond and walked straight out.

A moment later, Christina got up, put on her clothes, and went down to the first floor of the villa.

The smart assistant Hamid had already prepared tea and refreshments at Link's instruction.

"Sit down and have something to eat."

Link pointed with his finger and took a small sip of green tea first.

"Thanks."

Christina found that this was probably the shortest word she used most often when facing Link.

The help I received was just too much.

How do you feel?

After Christina had eaten some pastries and drunk some tea, Link finally asked a question.

"Unprecedentedly powerful."

Christina carefully recalled the feeling when she activated the "Shadow Annihilation" set and her eyes shot out two dark gray beams of light. After thinking for a moment, she gave her judgment in a serious tone.

"Do you experience any discomfort or other negative feelings?"

Link continued to ask questions.

"It lasted a bit too short."

Christina thought for a long time and finally only found this one negative point.

"hehe."

Link smiled slightly upon hearing this.

The short duration is not a drawback of "Shadow Annihilation," but rather an advantage.

Based on my own experience, the two dark gray beams emitted by the "Shadow Annihilation" set have an attack power comparable to the average level of a normal 3rd-level attack-type sorcery spell.

Christina, at best, can only be considered a senior first-level wizard.

Even when using powerful magical artifacts, very few level one wizards can unleash an attack equivalent to the average level of a level 3 attack spell.

Judging from this point of view, "constructs" still have certain advantages over witchcraft.

Well……

If this effect can still be achieved after standardization.

Coming to his senses, Link solemnly instructed:

"When I designed the 'Shadow Annihilation' set, I referenced your Shadow City Battleship version of the small-caliber 'Annihilation Light'."

You've experienced the attack method yourself, and the attack power has met the design expectations.

For now, this can only be used as a trump card. Only when your mental and magical reserves increase can you use it as a regular attack method.

"Um."

Christina nodded vigorously in agreement, "I will pay close attention."

Link smiled and said, "But we still have to use it when necessary, otherwise what's the point of implanting a 'construct'?"

"Once I advance to level two wizard, will I be able to implant new armor sets or upgrade 'Shadow Annihilation'?"

Christina suddenly asked a question that seemed a little greedy.

"Of course we can incorporate new outfits, we can now, but we lack good designs; it's better to have nothing than something subpar."

Link answered truthfully, "As for upgrading, the next level is 4th-circle sorcery, which involves some power of rules. I don't have any information on 4th-circle sorcery from Shadow City as a reference."

"Is that so?"

Christina seemed thoughtful upon hearing this.

After that, the two didn't talk much more.

After having tea and snacks, Link drove Christina back to the "Freedom to Do Anything" headquarters.

Christina went to be with her daughter, Garona.

After talking with Asander for a while, Link went to Lynn's deputy general manager's office.

"Hello, boss."

The core members of the "Brotherhood," the "Social Anxiety Group," and the third echelon are already waiting here.

"Hello everyone."

After Lin Ke nodded in response, he took the seat of honor without hesitation.

Although the atmosphere of the last conversation went a little off track towards the end, it was still effective.

Even though the boss has made great strides forward, the group of friendly guys, the socially awkward group, and the core members of the third echelon are still as approachable as before. They are much more relaxed now, without the restraint they felt when they last met.

That's good enough.

Unity and tension, seriousness and liveliness.

They became one.

After a brief chat, Link got down to business: "After numerous experiments and improvements, we can consider making the 'Fairy' potion available to members of the guild, especially the veteran members who joined early and have stood the test of time."

"Boss, is the 'Fairy' potion ready?"

Buck, always carefree, immediately exclaimed, "Great, boss! I have a little brother who is honest and loyal to you, but he's been struggling with his aptitude and hasn't been able to advance. With the 'Fairy' potion's boost to his wizarding aptitude, he'll definitely be able to advance to level one before the four-year deadline."

While the others didn't show their emotions as openly as Buck, they were still somewhat agitated.

They all knew about the existence of the "Fairy" potion and had tried to get information from the leader of the group many times, but they had never received any confirmation that the "Fairy" potion could be promoted within the group.

It's a real surprise that the bigwigs are finally willing to loosen the restrictions.

Everyone has one or two underlings.

Link smiled, watching the group of buddies, the socially awkward group, and the core members of the third echelon get excited for a while, before pouring some cold water on their enthusiasm: "This matter will be handled entirely by General Manager Asander Cornet. Who can accept the 'Fairy' potion, and who cannot, will be determined according to General Manager Cornet's standards and rules. None of you are allowed to interfere in any way, understand?"

"Well... Boss, shouldn't we discuss this again?"

Buck's face immediately showed a strange expression.

The others all looked at Link, waiting for his reply.

"There's no room for negotiation."

Link made his position clear without hesitation.

"Alright."

Buck immediately deflated, hanging his head dejectedly.

Even though he was a veteran who was "free to do whatever he wanted," Buck didn't dare to put on airs with General Manager Asander Cornet, who was personally invited and appointed by the big boss.

Putting aside their rank and abilities, Buck is very impressed with General Manager Cornet's management skills and development planning strategies.

Under the management of General Manager Cornet, "Freedom to Do Anything" has visibly grown stronger and more standardized.

It's only natural that the big boss would entrust the "Fairy" potion matter entirely to General Manager Cornet.

Didn't you see Lynn, the deputy general manager, silently accepting the situation without saying a word?

"That's settled then."

Link came to inform, not to discuss; he made a final decision, leaving no room for doubt.

Only then did Lynn speak up and ask, "Boss, can we make an internal priority recommendation?"

Upon hearing Lynn's question, Buck immediately slapped his forehead.

That's the kind of question a smart person should ask.

"Can."

Link didn't refuse Lynn's request, giving a positive reply first, but then changed the subject, "Those who are highly recommended will also be subject to more rigorous evaluations, no objections, right?"

"no."

Before Lynn could speak, Buck patted his chest in agreement.

"No!"

Lynn gave the same answer.

"That's good."

Link nodded, not continuing the conversation about the "fairy" potion, and instead asked, "How are those guys in the West District doing lately? What about the feedback from the 'Constructs'?"

Dalton, who was in charge of infiltration operations in the western region, immediately looked gloomy.

After a moment's hesitation, Dalton took a deep breath and said in a low voice, "Boss, they're all dead."

"What's going on?"

Link hadn't paid attention to the "freedom to do anything" mundane affairs for a while.

Jasmine has been very busy lately and hasn't mentioned this matter.

"Spies were spying on tea, tea beverage, and pharmaceutical factories, and infiltrating the West End black market to acquire intelligence about us. They were discovered while tracking the spies, and after a fierce battle, they were all killed."

Dalton couldn't help but feel a little sad when he talked about it.

Link pondered for a moment and said, "All those who died in battle will receive compensation according to the rules of the organization."

After a pause, Link brought up another matter: "In a few days, the brand-new member welfare system will be announced, with larger compensation amounts. Let's follow that standard."

As he spoke, Link became somewhat disheartened, got up, and walked outside:

That's all for today, let's call it a day.

(End of this chapter)