Wizards begin with Occlumency.

Chapter 58 Collusion? Conspiracy?

Night was falling.

Sophie Lucia is still checking on the growth of plants in a greenhouse in the Second Botanical Garden.

After being suspended from her position as acting principal, Sophie Lucia did not appeal to the head of the Junior Academy's Intelligent Management Center.

Not to mention that the reasons given by the tower spirit are quite convincing.

The fact that appealing would add another unsightly record to her already flawed file made Sophie Lucia hesitate.

Without seeking help from her family, Sophie used her personal connections and a little magic stone to rent a greenhouse in the Second Botanical Garden to continue her research and experiments.

The experiment she is currently conducting is to verify the potential positive impact of the novel germination method that Link mentioned in his "paper" on the rate of improved varieties of Silver Star Flower.

Although Sophie Lucia's previous "paper" was not published, it was kept on file by the "paper" review office and also archived on the internal network.

Therefore, from a rules-based perspective, Sophie Lucia has every right to conduct in-depth research based on the new germination method.

Her reason for doing this was simple: to get revenge on Link Grand.

That country bumpkin actually dared to cause her to lose her position as acting headmaster; he's simply unforgivable!

Stealing that country bumpkin's next research result was Sophie Lucia's first wave of retaliation.

According to the information she received, after that country bumpkin quit his part-time job at the Third Botanical Garden, he got caught up in a series of troubles.

Now, there are several groups of people who want to deal with that country bumpkin.

She took advantage of this lull to conduct the experiment, produce results, publish a "paper," and finally vent her anger.

As for colluding with those groups in the South District who wanted to deal with that country bumpkin, Sophie Lucia felt that even the thought of it was a stain on her noble bloodline.

What right do these bumpkins and peasants have to cooperate with her?

What Sophie Lucia wanted was to slap that country bumpkin hard in the face, in her own way.

That slap will come down soon.

Several sets of experiments have yielded results, and the collected data, after analysis, have yielded solid findings.

It was so solid that Sophie Lucia felt it was a great pity.

Because the two "papers" are published together and attributed to the same person, their quality and rating are much higher than those published separately or individually; they are simply incomparable.

Thinking about this, Sophie felt both regret and joy.

What she can't have, that country bumpkin can't have either.

When that country bumpkin finds out about this, he'll definitely be devastated.

Thinking of the country bumpkin's sorrowful face, Sophie couldn't help but smile.

……

the other side.

South District Detention Center.

After three consecutive days of applications, Harold Andrews was finally allowed to visit Rivers Francis.

Visiting room.

"Who are you?"

Rivers Francis, handcuffed and shackled, sat inside the glass wall, his bloodshot eyes fixed on the man in black robes opposite him, and asked coldly.

"Vice President Rivers, I am Harold Andrews, and I have come to visit you on behalf of President Antoine Hilton."

Harold Andrews always had a warm smile on his face, looking very approachable, like a sunny and cheerful young man.

"I've heard of you."

The fierce glint in Rivers' eyes gradually subsided, his voice still hoarse, "The first freshman to report a promotion to the academy."

"it's me."

Harold Andrews nodded reservedly, and it was easy to see from his expression and posture that he was proud of it.

"idiot!"

To everyone's surprise, Rivers suddenly became very rude, sarcastically remarking, "Utterly stupid!"

A look of surprise flashed across Harold's eyes, wondering why Rivers' attitude had suddenly changed.

But this person had a good temper and wasn't annoyed by the scolding. Instead, he asked curiously, "Was there something I did wrong? I would be very grateful if Vice President Rivers could give me some pointers."

"Do you know why everyone, including the academy, adopts the principle of being the first to report academy promotions?"

Rivers wore a disdainful smile, his tone mocking, "Because even the academy can't be sure who the first person to be promoted to First-Class Wizard Apprentice really is! Look at your smug face, do you really think you're a genius among geniuses? Fool!"

Harold was stunned.

After a moment, he came to his senses and said self-deprecatingly, "Ah, Vice President Rivers is right, I was incredibly stupid!"

"Alright. I don't have time to waste on your whining!"

Rivers then waved his hand, a hint of impatience in his expression. "If you're looking for me so late, just say it."

"I'm sorry to have taken up your time."

Harold quickly apologized, then got to the point, saying seriously, "Enrique Bernalis is dead, killed by Link Grand."

"and then?"

Rivers shrugged, looking indifferent.

It was as if Enrique had never worked under him, nor had they ever clashed or fought fiercely.

"President Antoine Hilton would like to receive your opinion on how to handle Link Grand."

Harold was somewhat surprised by Rivers' attitude, but he didn't show it. Instead, he continued, "Whether you suppress him, kill him, or ignore him is entirely up to you."

"ha!"

Rivers scoffed again, his expression turning cold, his eyes gradually turning red as if raging. "My idea? My idea is to kill Antoine Hilton! Don't think I don't know who Enrique got my weakness from!"

Harold was utterly shocked upon hearing this.

Is the internal strife in the "New Blood Mutual Aid Association" really that intense?

Rivers then stood up, dragging his heavy shackles, leaned forward, and looked down at Harold.

A pair of bloodshot eyes stared intently into Harold's, her voice growing increasingly hoarse, as if forced out of her vocal cords: "Go back and tell Antoine Hilton not to treat everyone like fools. When I get out, I'll settle this score with him!"

After saying that, Rivers turned and left.

As Rivers reached the door of the visiting room, he stopped again, and without turning around, said directly:

"Also, don't treat everyone like fools."

Do you really think I can't see through you? You want to use me as a weapon against that Link Grand?

"A complete idiot! Utterly stupid!"

It must be said that Rivers Francis, after being overwhelmed by the "Rage Meditation Method" and having vented his lust, returned to his calm and rational self, and that's when he truly became a man.

Harold Andrews sat on the stool in a daze, not coming back to his senses for a long time.

He didn't know what he had done wrong; he had practiced his tone, expression, and even his small gestures repeatedly in front of the mirror.

My little scheme was seen through at a glance.

Harold suddenly wondered if those five guys had also seen through his intentions.

Won't this ruin his plans?

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(End of this chapter)