Chapter 9

"These little brats nowadays are quite troublesome."

"Who would say otherwise? That little girl is quite interesting, actually mastering dark element magic. I remember this kind of magic; now in Mithral City, only that old witch knows it."

When Sain and Lina were both subdued by the academy inspectors, in the deepest part of the Black Street, two mental voices communicated with each other.

To be able to communicate directly through mental power, both parties must be at the level of formal black mages.

Indeed, as rumors suggested, there are indeed shadows of formal black mages behind some merchants in the Black Street.

But what is strange is that, with the means of formal black mages, when Sain, Lina, and Scarface Jock and others clashed, these two powerful black mages had the strength to stop it in time.

But they remained indifferent from start to finish, merely watching it as a good show.

This situation is partly due to the cold and indifferent nature of black mages, after all, the battle did not affect these two black mages, so they were lazy to intervene in trivial matters.

On the other hand, Mithral City has been too peaceful for too long, and these two black mages were indeed bored, treating it as an entertaining program amidst their tedious magic experiments.

"Huh? They didn't kill them on the spot to set an example? Could these two little brats have some backing?"

"Look, that old witch has appeared. Indeed, that little girl has some connection with her. But I haven't heard that she has taken any apprentices?" The two mental voices continued to communicate.

However, with the arrival of more academy inspectors and formal black mages, the farce in the Black Street finally came to an end.

...

"Extremely detrimental!" In a dark dungeon, a middle-aged black mage in a black robe scolded angrily.

Sain and Lina were both restrained by wind chains, but at this moment, the main target of the middle-aged black mage was not them, but a plump old witch standing before him.

"Three intermediate apprentices dead, one seriously injured, and over a dozen lower apprentices injured. The damage to the Black Street is immeasurable. Such apprentices who openly violate the academy rules should be... " the middle-aged black mage said sternly.

Not all black mages have a laissez-faire attitude towards apprentices. As a black magic academy, there should be corresponding rules, which is the purpose of the academy inspectors.

If Mithral City's Black Magic Academy cannot even maintain surface peace, what kind of magic academy is it!

Just as the middle-aged black mage was about to sentence Sain and Lina to death, the plump old witch interrupted with a hoarse voice: "Deputy Dean Dadalong, it's just a few useless brats who died. They were outnumbered and still got three of them killed; they deserved it."

"Our black magic academy has limited resources. Are we supposed to support these useless brats?"

"As for the damage to the Black Street, I will pay the black gold compensation." The old witch cackled, showing no concern for the three intermediate apprentices who had died.

"This is not just about compensating with black gold. The Dean has been in seclusion for years, and as Deputy Dean, I should maintain the stability of the academy..." Before Deputy Dean Dadalong could finish, he was distracted by a glowing orange energy crystal the old witch held out.

This is indeed not just about compensating with black gold, but if it's a first-grade energy crystal, the outcome would naturally be different.

Sain also had an energy crystal, which he had taken as a trophy from the dead Ilk.

But the earth element energy crystal in Sain's hand was like dust compared to the one the old witch held out.

Due to the incomplete knowledge system he possessed, Sain did not yet realize that the earth element energy crystal in his hand could only be compared to the core of a low-level monster, while the first-grade energy crystal in the old witch's hand was a true treasure.

Equivalent to the magic core provided by a first-grade creature, or a high-level monster.

A first-grade creature is also the minimum standard for formal black mages.

Dadalong, as one of the three deputy deans of the black magic academy, is a second-grade black mage, stronger than a typical first-grade black mage.

In the wizard world and the entire star realm, a difference of one grade often represents a fundamental difference in life.

If he were a normal second-grade mage walking in the sunlight, he might not care about the first-grade energy crystal in front of him.

But unfortunately, the dark region is deep underground, poor and destitute, with no significant energy crystal veins. A first-grade energy crystal is enough to get him some favors.

After all, conducting experiments and research is extremely expensive. Unless they are masters in alchemy or potion-making, other mages are not as well-off as outsiders imagine.

Is it worth trading the lives of three intermediate apprentices for a first-grade energy crystal?

Of course, it is!

As for the damage in the Black Street, it's just some shop fronts being burned, which wouldn't cost much to replace.

Deputy Dean Dadalong's scolding completely subsided after the old witch presented the first-grade energy crystal.

The coldness of black mages towards human life is evident here.

However, the old witch saved Lina, not Sain.

Just as Deputy Dean Dadalong was about to casually kill this low-level apprentice, Lina, restrained by the wind element shackles, spoke up first: "Uncle, please save Sain."

Uncle?! This old witch is actually Lina's uncle!

That makes sense; Lina did have a mentor in the past, but she died in an accident during an experiment, and Lina also suffered irreparable damage.

This old witch is Lina's mentor's fellow disciple, which explains why she would go to great lengths to save Lina.

But the old witch's willingness to spend a precious first-grade energy crystal to save Lina does not mean she is willing to spend resources to save Sain.

Deputy Dean Dadalong, who appears righteous, actually needs a significant bribe to be swayed.

The old witch sneered, "What, is he your little lover?"

"Still indulging in trivial love affairs at the apprentice stage, I really don't know how you advanced to a senior apprentice!" The old witch said coldly, clearly not intending to save Sain.

Faced with this situation, Sain could only save himself.

Sain quickly said, "I am the fifth disciple of Master Mosido, and I have a magic medal as proof!"

Sain's words made Deputy Dean Dadalong and the old witch exchange glances, their faces showing some surprise.

"When did Mosido take another disciple?" The old witch's throat emitted a strange sound.

At the same time, a "coo" sound echoed, coming from one of the owls that had escorted Sain and Lina to the dungeon.