Chapter 54: The Night's Mind Control

"Ah!" Vien yawned and sat up in bed, poking his head out to look at the upper bunk: "Carol didn't come back all night?"

"..." Luo was brushing his teeth, and nothing could be understood.

Bing Zhi said, "Maybe a teacher called her. Didn't she say she knew a teacher at the academy?"

"Seems like it."

Luo finished washing up and asked, "Have you prepared your weapons and equipment?"

Vien said, "Didn't they say everyone at the academy would be issued them?"

Luo shook his head, "The academy only issues one set per person. Since this trip will last over twenty days, it's best to bring a spare set of equipment, at least an extra weapon."

"Hehe, you're right," Vien laughed. "I love using a big axe. Swinging it is so exhilarating. Broken swords and knives are useless. I definitely need to prepare a good axe."

"I think you're just a vandal," Bing Zhi said, already dressed and walking onto the balcony. The weather was overcast today, quite cool. Thinking about last night, Qin was probably being questioned, or even interrogated.

Qin's situation wasn't too bad; she was just locked in a small room. This wasn't a dark cell but a bright, cozy room with a soft bed and even cooling ice crystals. Even if the people of Kulantin were ruthless to their enemies, they wouldn't do anything excessive to a little girl who stole.

Looking through the window at her sleeping, Sophina said, "Is it not possible?"

Black Night Sparick shook his head, "Mind reading can only capture what she is thinking at the moment, not her memories. This girl's mind control magic is quite powerful. Before I came, she must have been using mind control on herself repeatedly. I used mind reading multiple times, but her thoughts always remained the same few sentences. She must have been constantly telling her heart that the thief was her, and the one who saved her was her leader, Gale. Even the incident before the start of the semester was done by Gale. Whether her current thoughts are true or not, when she wakes up, she will likely believe they are true."

Sophina frowned, "She used this method to influence her own consciousness. Don't you have any other ways?"

"No, making her speak the truth is possible, but..."

Sophina shook her head, "Too cruel methods should be avoided. She's just a little girl. It's certain that she is from the Gale Thieves' Guild. Have you interrogated Jiljil?"

"Um," Sparick said, "I wasn't gentle with him. He confessed everything he knew. His current accomplices are being rounded up."

"How is he now?"

Sparick was silent for a moment, "Mad, temporarily."

"Mind control magic is indeed evil," Sophina said. "But it's very effective. Gale, the famous thief, is as swift as his name suggests." She thought of the incident last night when someone used teleportation to rescue someone.

Sparick said, "The captain means the theft before the start of the semester was also his doing? If so, why did the girl keep using mind control to remind herself of this?"

Sophina smiled, "I didn't say it was Gale. I'm not foolish enough to jump to conclusions. But all the information points to Gale, from the theft at the Great Blue Crystal Tower to the intelligence that the Gale Thieves' Guild was planning something, to the girl's capture. Although the girl used mind control on herself, you didn't hold back with Jiljil, did you? What did he say?"

Sparick nodded, "He did tell the truth, but he said the incident before the start of the semester wasn't their doing, but someone else's. He doesn't know who."

Sophina thought for a moment, "The girl must know. She used mind control to cover up. She was afraid she might think of that person, so she used this method to stop herself from thinking about them. That person is likely still in our academy, or at least in the capital."

"In that case, it could still be Gale. He might be hiding in Thebes under a false identity," Sparick said. "Jiljil didn't know who did the incident before the start of the semester, but he also didn't know what his leader, Gale, looked like. He had never seen his leader."

Sophina nodded, "That makes sense. Gale is likely in the capital, planning to target the Great Blue Crystal Tower. The girl is just a pawn. But I don't understand why she was rescued and still stayed at the academy."

"That is indeed puzzling. If she knew she couldn't escape and stayed here, it seems possible, but there might be something else."

Sophina said, "Let's think about this slowly. We don't need to use such cruel methods on a little thief. I don't want her to end up a lunatic for life. When the people are brought in, you go and interrogate them. I'll handle the report."

"Understood," Sparick responded expressionlessly.

Qin was still asleep, her body and mind exhausted from the constant mental and mind control attacks.

Seeing the bustling crowds in the academy, Ursula sighed, "The practical exam has driven everyone crazy!"

"Datam Canyon, these are places they've never been to," Selt said. "Why haven't we seen Bimoye lately?"

Ursula said, "He said he wants to reach the level of a Red Robe Mage before going to Datam. This guy completely ignores our feelings."

"He's not even 15 yet, right?"

"Still 8 months to go."

Selt said, "Does he want to become the second Waller Gier?"

"You mean the genius of the Holy Bikya Empire, who became a High Mage at 18 and was showered with honors and titles, but mysteriously disappeared on his 19th birthday last year?"

Selt said, "Who else? Don't you think Bimoye's situation is similar to hers? It's like he's determined to surpass her. Every country has its geniuses!"

"I heard Waller Gier was a great beauty," Ursula fantasized, not hearing Selt's words.

"What are you talking about beauties again?" A stern voice suddenly sounded behind Ursula.

Ursula shrank her neck in fear, turning around with a forced smile, "Mom."

"Aunt, good..." Selt also broke out in a sweat, bowing to Vice Dean Hancock Agnes.

Agnes was displeased, "Why are you like your damn old man, a playboy, and a womanizer!"

"No, no... We were talking about Waller Gier of the Holy Bikya Empire," Ursula sweated, knowing that since his mother divorced his father over his womanizing, she had a bad temper. He didn't want to upset her again.

Agnes snorted, "You and your father are the same. I heard you don't want to participate in the practical exam this time?"

Ursula shivered, quickly saying, "No, no, I will definitely participate, I will definitely participate."

"Hmph, that's good," Agnes said. "Come to my office this afternoon. I've prepared a set of weapons and equipment for you. You must bring back a good ranking."

"Yes!" Ursula firmly promised.

Agnes poked his forehead and left.

Ursula sighed, "Scared... Scared to death."

Selt laughed, "Your holiday plan to flirt with girls is ruined. I'll be the only one having fun, how embarrassing."

Agnes didn't walk far, turning back to look at them, "Hm? What are you saying?"

"Nothing, nothing!" Selt and Ursula were terrified, waving their hands.

Agnes said, "Selt, you're going too!" and really left this time, leaving Selt with a bitter face and Ursula gloating.

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