Academic gathering with Lich colleagues

Gravity scoffed at his colleague's joke.

"When I first joined, things were so much better than they are now. Uncertainty and anxiety? When I held my first academic gathering, all I could think about was my own arrogance. Training apprentices is much harder than doing research."

“Training apprentices is not a tiring thing. Think about other people, Gravity, you are worrying too much about this.”

Gravity looked at his colleagues sitting around him. Of the six professors so far, apart from Professor Apocalypse who needed to manage the club, the other five, including himself, had experience in passing on knowledge. However, after much deliberation, Gravity decided against using other people's experiences as a template.

"Your experience is not a valuable reference."

"Stasis, you and Death Star have been completely laissez-faire. While liches may lack a sense of responsibility and conscience, and apprentices choose their mentors entirely voluntarily, well, I don't want my apprentices to turn to stone or be reduced to ashes because of my negligence..."

The pursuit of knowledge comes at a price; this is akin to a fundamental law within the Advanced Magic Research Society. The macroscopic powers studied by the Society—dangerous forces that could tear these insignificant seekers of knowledge apart at any moment. Having witnessed the price paid by his mentors and apprentices, Death Star understood this principle even more deeply. Therefore, the destruction of his apprentices didn't stir any ripples in Death Star's heart; at most, it made him extremely cautious in choosing his own apprentices.

Stasis still has some conscience; his guilt towards his apprentices has led him to recently research methods that transcend time.

Feeling that her attempt to comfort her colleague had suddenly become a display of her own shame, she immediately shifted her focus away from the situation.

"As for Electromagnetism and Fear, their apprentices are doing quite well, aren't they? You can explore some teaching experiences with Gravity."

Gravity looked at him as if to confirm whether he was joking, and finally answered him with a hint of annoyance.

"How can we learn? Those two are chosen ones."

"The Chosen One?" Stasis searched through the knowledge and concepts in her mind repeatedly, but in the end, she could not find any corresponding knowledge for this term.

"Instead of learning those two's teaching methods, you might as well let me snatch Laser and Boldness as my apprentices. Electromagnetism and Fear, I'm not exaggerating, if Stasis's sense of responsibility in education is the size of an apple, then mine is the gravitational pull that makes the apple fall to the ground. As for them, they are lucky idiots who were hit by the apple; their sense of responsibility simply doesn't exist."

"Laser. After choosing him as an apprentice, Electromagnetism didn't teach him anything. Three months later, Laser automatically grasped some basics of electromagnetism through observation experiments and became his experimental assistant. Dare you, are you sure he wasn't just looking for a babysitter out of fear? I also want an apprentice who taught himself to take care of the professor."

"You think I didn't try to get Wuming interested by showing him gravity experiments? And what happened? My gravity lab became a tornado disaster zone, although it accidentally created a vacuum area. But that kid got bored after a week."

Gravity covered his face with both hands. "Although Nameless has improved a little recently compared to before. How should I put it, that guy, you know he used to belong to the Fate Research Society, right? His behavior is somewhat... random. It's hard to predict what he'll do next because many of his words and actions are aimless. It's like he's... wasting his time."

“That’s called neuroticism. Don’t worry, it’s a compliment to lich researchers, you can say it out loud.”

“Okay, Nameless is a bit neurotic, more than a little bit. Stasis, can you imagine? Nameless once discussed theological issues with me in the Advanced Magic Research Society?! Sometimes I really wish I were a fictional character, so I could strangle that god he keeps talking about called the Silver Sage.”

"Just thirty minutes ago, Wuming used the old witch doctor's method of divination by internal organs to determine the outcome of his match. Then he closed his eyes and rested with a relaxed expression. With the heavens above, he's only at the second level of the lock. Why isn't he nervous at all?"

"The gravity and magic lock system isn't very applicable to the Advanced Magic Research Society," Stasis reminded his colleague, a fact emphasized by the society's president, Mr. Apocalypse.

“That depends on the fact that Wuming has his own ‘rules’ now. The scholar’s ​​mentor’s words still apply to him for now.” Gravity sighed. “To ensure the accuracy of the internal organ divination, I gave him the new experimental results when I decided to let him participate in the competition. If he trains seriously, he should be able to achieve a good ranking.”

"You've passed on your latest technological achievements to your apprentices?"

"Hey! I gave him the instruction manual properly. That thing isn't very dangerous; it's pretty good for self-defense."

"I'm not worried about Nameless's safety... Fine, just pretend I am." Stasis was quite certain that gravity had changed after coming into contact with Nameless, becoming more human-oriented, which should be considered a good thing.

"I remember your research project was on simulating celestial bodies?"

"Yes, the magical equipment I gave to the nameless one is an upgraded version that simulates a star."

"Simulated galaxy".

"Well, now I'm starting to worry about his opponents."

The conversation about stasis and gravity came to an end, and Death Star, sitting in front, looked up and leaned back, clearly having overheard his lich colleagues' conversation.

"Actually, Gravity, you're worrying for nothing. When Wuming joined the Advanced Magic Research Society, his future was already decided. He would be on our side. You're just worrying too much. Wuming has a good relationship with the apprentices like Laser. What does that mean? It means they're the same kind of people."

“The nameless will become agents just like us.”

Gravity seems to have eased up a bit.

"I hope it's as you wish, Death Star."

Then, it seemed that gravity had another idea.

"Death Star, how do you know that those kids are on good terms? Even we mentors don't know about our own apprentices." You're so heartless towards your own apprentices, how could you care about others?

The Death Star did not answer, but instead looked up at a forty-five-degree angle, gazing at the clouds in the sky.

"They are all promising talents."

Gravity recalled that after Death Star's apprentices died, he tried to poach students from other professors. After all, apprentices approved by professors usually had certain qualifications, and it was easy for them to switch majors.

Gravity secretly decided to keep his apprentice, Nameless, away from the Death Star; it was too dangerous.

An anonymous hand rubbing dark matter or something.

Just as Gravity was lost in thought, the war drums of the Black Abyss Arena sounded once again.

The Advanced Magic Research Club's first battle is about to begin.

Chapter 407 Pre-exam Preparation

"The cheers are really loud." Lyle looked at the Andrei lich, who was constantly agitated by the drumbeats, and was somewhat surprised.

"Because the participants who are about to enter are from the Advanced Magic Research Club, right?" The gentleman's skull next to Lyle answered.

Lyle's current location resembled the sacrificial site of some dark ritual. He sat in the center, surrounded by the skulls of the eight people who had been punished by being hung on the flagpole.

Shining discovered a blind spot in the punishment: it required their main bodies to be hung on the flagpole, but didn't say they couldn't remove their other parts... Plus, Lyle wasn't too angry anymore, so... in the gentlemen's seats, skulls suspended by skeletal supports were clicking and rattling beside them. Ariana, being a contestant, had already left, and everything seemed to have returned to how it started.

Not at all. Because of the eerie surroundings, other races would occasionally glance at Lyle when they looked at the Andrei stands. In addition, there was some commotion caused by the Ominous Giant at the Hellfire Invitational. Mr. Plague Doctor, the image of this Andrei lich has already slid into some invisible abyss.

Lyle was numb, ignoring the strange looks, and continued to communicate with the skulls.

"As expected, the Advanced Magic Research Club is very popular."

"Of course, the Advanced Magic Research Society is the leader of modern magic at Andre Academy. It is no exaggeration to say that the Advanced Magic Research Society has changed the power system of the entire spellcaster world and has become a significant chapter in the history of magic."

"For liches who pursue academic research, knowledge is always respected." The gentleman's skull swayed back and forth on the bone coat rack as he moved. "Just like the Necromancer's Figurine Club now. The Plague Doctor and the Advanced Magic Research Club changed spellcasters, and you changed liches. Add the Holy Light Culinary Club, and the three of you are the most popular clubs in Andrei now."

A thin string with a bell attached hung from the reporter's skull. The clear and melodious sound of the small bell successfully attracted Nia's attention, so it rang incessantly just like Nia's order bell.

The reporter finally spoke after Lyle caught Nia's mischievous tentacles.

"Of course, there are other reasons why others like the Advanced Magic Research Society..."

"The Advanced Magic Research Society is one of the strongest guilds in Andrei. Their performance is absolutely consistent, which means... betting on the Advanced Magic Research Society is a sure thing."

"Are there bets about the Wandering Tournament?" It's only natural that bets exist. This kind of social activity, which can influence the human mind, is preserved even after death, becoming an effective way for liches to pursue pleasure or despondency.

"However, if everyone bets on the Advanced Magic Research Society, is there any point in the betting? Who would set up such a foolish betting game?"

“Us?” The gentleman’s head bobbed, and Lyle could barely make out a smile from his open teeth. “All of Andre’s betting games are run by the Literary Society. The wealth accumulated by the Literary Society is a testament to the credibility of the betting games. We don’t care how much we can earn; the main thing is that it’s fun.”

"And we always look forward to the hysteria that those confident liches will show after being upset, that would be a good joke for the literary society."

The Literature Club, no wonder it was formerly the Dark Society, these guys are so wicked they're practically dripping with evil.

"However, it's very difficult to see that kind of scene."

The atmosphere in the Black Abyss Arena grew even more enthusiastic with Bigby's commentary. After the warm-up, the shrill voice of the dwarf demon announced the entry of the contestants.

Who lives in the enormous cavern of Dark District Eight?

Whose body is indestructible and sharply defined?

"Who is a treasure trove, with one of them worth at least 100,000?"

"The blacksmith's dream girl, and the jeweler's biological father!"

"Welcome to yet another contestant! Nezod the Sixth, the Platinum King from the Stone Golem race!"

Lyle listened to Bigby's introduction with a strange expression. It was less like an entrance speech and more like a product introduction. One could even sense an insult towards the stone goblin race between the lines—who would willingly put a price tag on themselves?

The iron gates of Kakuzuba slowly rose, and emerging from the shadows was a metal man about five meters tall, a metal behemoth covered in sharp stone fragments.

Nezod raised his hands and waved to the audience in the stands. Laughter, like the sound of bells and drums, emanated from his rough, raw metal body. He seemed quite pleased with the introductions.

"Stone goblins have a different concept of life than we do. In their value system, one's own worth is something to be proud of. Just as ladies like to show off their jewelry, stone goblins will show off their bodies, especially the expensive precious metal and jade parts. They are especially happy to see accessories made of the same material as themselves popular among other races."

"Just like the king in their minds, in reality, it is the one with the greatest mass, the highest density of precious metals, and the highest value."

Nezod's silvery-white platinum body glittered in the sunlight, and it was indeed quite beautiful.

"Stone golems shed layers of rock as they grow, much like snakes do, and the purity of the rock increases with age. They have a habit of trading their shed body fragments with other races, so most stone golems are actually quite wealthy."

"Like liches. Liches accumulate wealth through death and time."

"The stone monster makes money by selling himself."

Lyle felt something was off. Although he knew the gentleman didn't mean it that way, he couldn't help but think the opposite. Maybe the gentleman was doing it on purpose. The gentleman knew he was human, with desires and a sense of shame.

Fortunately, Lyle's thoughts were quickly interrupted by the demon's explanation.

"Nezod's opponent comes from the talented Andrei!"

"His society controls the progress of magic over the past century, a group of the most outstanding researchers of the new era! Proofreaders of the spherical earth theory! Participants in the magic network structure! Advancers in magic science! He comes from the Andrei Advanced Magic Research Society!"

"Although he is currently unknown and just a nobody, his future is promising. Sooner or later he will become an outstanding figure like his mentor, the unruly Mr. Gravity!"

"Let us welcome Mr. Nameless from the Advanced Magic Research Society of Andre Academy!"

The iron gate on the other side slowly rose.

There were no magical effects, and no fierce or powerful entrance animations showcasing special skills.

Wuming emerged like a master returning to simplicity and going out for a spring outing.

He paid no attention to the enthusiastic cheers from those around him, especially from the lich Andrei.

Wuming moved his head, expressionless, and found his mentor in the stands, then gave him a thumbs up.

"Both sides are in position, the match begins!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Wuming immediately began to act.

He took a string of stars out of his pocket. They were several round spheres of varying sizes, floating in the air like a string of beautiful bubbles.

The solid spheres emitted a soft glow, and when they appeared, a visible ripple spread out from them, stirring up dust on the ground.

Those beautiful, almost art-like spheres were suddenly emanating terrifying pressure, instantly putting the platinum stone monster on high alert.

"An extremely powerful magical item."

"Yes, its name is Simulated Galaxy, if I remember correctly."

Nezord sensed the power of those unknown round stones, and his instincts as a stone golem told him that this battle was likely to end badly.

Given the odds are against us, it's best to strike first.