Chapter 33

"Are you really going to carry out the mission outside the city?" In the eastern district of Malsobar, the fat Bos, sitting behind the shop counter, couldn't help but lean forward and ask.

"It's just to clear out a group of Green-jawed Feathers that appeared in the White Ash Valley outside the city. It shouldn't be a big problem," Sain replied with a smile.

Even Lina wasn't particularly worried about Sain's mission for the academy, but the fat Bos in front of him showed obvious concern.

Sain didn't say anything on the surface, but he felt a bit warm inside.

"If I were you, I'd stay in the city and carry out the garrison duty," Bos said.

"It's safe, and you can make some money at the city gate. Why take the risk of going out?"

"With your status as a formal black magic apprentice, it's not easy to get such a job, right?" Bos shook his head.

"Alright, the main reason I'm going this time is to test out two new spells I've learned."

"Practical experience is much more useful than training in the academy's arena. Hurry up and give me what I need," Sain said with a smile.

Bos still didn't understand Sain's actions, but his hands moved quickly. After rummaging behind the counter, three black cloth bags appeared in front of Sain.

These three black cloth bags contained the iron phosphorus powder and sweet berries that Sain needed.

The former is a relatively common and low-level magic spice that can significantly enhance the power of fire spells, but the downside is that it's unstable. If the timing isn't right, it could easily backfire.

The latter is bait that Sain uses to lure the subterranean Green-jawed Feathers. He needs to kill over 20 of them to complete the academy's mission.

As for the last black cloth bag, it wasn't something Sain had requested.

When he looked at Bos with a questioning gaze, the fat man waved his hand and said, "This isn't from me; it's something Meli left with me."

"She knew you might be going on a mission for the academy soon, so she asked me to give this to you."

Opening the black cloth, three small vials lay inside: two red and one blue.

Two low-level healing potions and one low-level antidote, worth over 60 black gold.

Sain currently had quite a few good items, but he didn't have much black gold, the common currency in Malsobar.

Therefore, after a moment of hesitation, he silently accepted Meli's gift.

"You've been working with Meli recently, haven't you? You must have made a lot of money," Sain glanced at the fat Bos and noticed a few similar vials in the corner of the shop.

Most were low-level healing potions, and there wasn't a single antidote, indicating that Meli's success rate in making antidotes was low.

"No, no, just a small business," Bos quickly waved his hand, refusing to reveal how much he had earned.

Shaking his head, Sain said, "I'll be off then. If this mission goes well, I'll come back to do more business with you."

After leaving Bos, Sain headed straight out of the city.

Malsobar is a large city, a giant underground city with a population of over 300,000.

Most of these 300,000 people are humans, as black mages are fundamentally human.

These humans were captured from the surface, and a few with suitable mental abilities were sent to the black magic academy as apprentices.

The vast majority of humans with unsuitable mental abilities were left to fend for themselves in the city.

Malsobar has existed for an unknown amount of time, and over the decades or centuries, these humans have gradually spread throughout the underground, though the total population has not grown much.

In addition to humans, Malsobar is home to some minotaurs, subterranean demi-humans, and other rare and exotic races that Sain rarely interacts with.

Under the rule of black mages, Malsobar has gradually become the center of the nearby underground world.

Although brutality and arrogance are the usual labels for black mages, Malsobar maintains a unique order.

For example, within the city, apart from the high-ranking black mages, almost no other creatures engage in combat.

Even the most devious and cunning subterranean gray dwarves must behave themselves in Malsobar.

The city also has a massive arena, where subterranean creatures can resolve irreconcilable conflicts.

Sometimes, when two powerful subterranean creatures engage in combat, they invite black magic apprentices or even black mages to arbitrate.

This can be considered a unique feature of Malsobar, showcasing the authority of the black mages.

After leaving Malsobar, Sain headed northeast outside the city.

His destination is not far from Malsobar, and if he has good luck, he might return within five days.

...

The Gray-White Valley.

This is a special area with loose and moist soil.

Some green subterranean moss grows in this region.

The density and distribution of the moss clearly indicate that it is planted intentionally.

Since the underground world lacks sunlight and the soil properties differ significantly from the surface, many common crops that can be easily grown on the surface cannot grow underground.

The numerous and varied subterranean plants form the base of the underground ecosystem.

Whether it's the ordinary humans of Malsobar or the widespread subterranean demi-humans, their primary food source is these usable subterranean plants.

Even powerful and rare subterranean beasts are not all carnivores.

For example, Sain's mission target, the Green-jawed Feathers, are omnivorous creatures that feed on subterranean plants, including moss.

The Green-jawed Feathers are bird-like creatures, less than half a meter long, with two long green tail feathers.

Most adult Green-jawed Feathers are just magic-enhanced creatures with some elemental power in their claws and beaks.

Even low-level apprentices can kill them with traps or other physical means.

However, unfortunately, Green-jawed Feathers are social creatures, and each group has a population base of 30 to 50.

One magic-enhanced Green-jawed Feather is not a big deal, but what if 20 or 30 of them attack you at once?

Therefore, missions like eliminating Green-jawed Feathers are usually assigned to mid-level or higher apprentices.

When Sain arrived at the Gray-White Valley, he saw not only the well-distributed moss fields but also some dilapidated wooden huts by the fields.

The humans of Malsobar were responsible for cultivating this valley.

The high-ranking black mages do not provide long-term protection or attention to these lowly and unfortunate subterranean humans.

When these subterranean humans encounter attacks from creatures like Green-jawed Feathers, they can only seek help from the black magic academy.

However, when the academy will send someone is not up to them to decide.

When Sain, wearing his distinctive black magic robe, entered the Gray-White Valley, a few hunched and oddly scented people quickly ran out of the dilapidated wooden huts.