The next day, when David came to return the equipment, he looked completely revitalized—his spirits were high, and he exuded confidence, giving off a sense of transformation.David smiled and gave Charlie a warm hug. "Thank you! Brother!!""No need to be polite; we're all in this together.""Herbal medicine, casting techniques, equipment, and scrolls—all four components are essential!" David took off the Aquilan's Torrent Ring and handed it to Charlie, saying, "Thanks to you, Charlie, otherwise not only would I have failed to take my revenge today, but I might have lost my life because of it."
Charlie pondered, "You're still a whole year behind Jacob; the difference in level and combat experience is significant. You need to be cautious with such challenges in the future, especially when you're not completely sure of yourself.""Yeah! I was just blinded by anger back then!"Yesterday's strategy was custom-tailored by Charlie: the effects of herbal medicine boosted David's basic attributes, which directly reflected in his speed and stamina; casting techniques, namely quick casting and mobile casting, were the most crucial factors in maximizing an apprentice's combat power and had once been Charlie's trump card; regarding equipment, Charlie had lent him a ring whose three instant-cast nature spells were the effect of the ring's ability, allowing low-tier spells to be cast instantly for critical moments; and lastly, the shadow arrow scroll played a decisive role.
One could say that Jacob fell completely into Charlie's scheming; it was no exaggeration at all."After the fight, a judge told me that the academy may investigate the shadow magic incident. How should I respond?""It's fine; just tell the truth. Regarding the scroll, Master Narl will clarify things for me.""Okay." Having resolved one concern, David continued, "After the fight, several professors and students from the academy approached me, wanting to know the secret to mobile casting. They offered points in exchange, but I turned them away and told them to come to you. This belongs to you; I can't make unilateral decisions."
Charlie smiled and said, "If I teach you, just be prepared for the possibility of leaks. However, you did well not to be greedy for those points. It's best not to sell them; this is a secret that belongs to our team. Keeping it confidential ensures our safety.""Got it! I understand.""Have you come to terms with it now?"David sighed, appearing more mature. "Sometimes I think, if I hadn't been so naive back then, could some tragedies have been avoided? Some issues, even if I can let go, she might not be able to. They'll always loom between us, surfacing from time to time."
Charlie shook his head. "What I see and how you feel are quite different. Even if you had chosen a different strategy, you probably couldn't have avoided today's situation.""Why is that?"Charlie paused before saying, "I was worried about affecting your duel, so I didn't mention it before, but now I can tell you. I sensed something was off and did some investigating. Coupled with what Prince Wining told me from the stands, I pieced together the whole story."
David listened silently.Charlie pulled out the sketch he had made and said, "The night before your duel, I ran into Mia on the road. I had just returned from Master Narl's magic tower, and I recognized her from this sketch. At that time, she seemed hurt and was in a bad mood, crying. We bumped into each other on the road…"
Charlie then recounted the entire process.As he finished describing the events, he couldn't help but sigh, "Jacob is not an easy character. He is furious and ruthless, using any means necessary. Even though I sensed something was off, I couldn't prevent him from acting that night. The next day, I was about to warn you in Master Narl's class, but before I could, you got into trouble."
After hearing Charlie's account, David didn't seem particularly surprised. He reflected, "Actually, I already knew; it's just that your perspective is broader, seeing things more clearly. I hadn't expected it to also involve Prince Wining.""Oh? You knew?" Charlie asked, quite curious. "Did you meet Mia?""Yeah! We were together last night; she confessed everything to me." David nodded and sighed, "I didn't realize she was bearing so much. She is the true victim, persecuted because of me, and I was just sulking, not only unable to help her but also blaming her for betrayal!"
David paused, chuckling bitterly, "Looking back, I shouldn't have been so self-centered! Betrayal? Choosing who to be with is her freedom; I have no right to blame her!"Charlie, however, picked up on something else, looking at him differently and saying, "Brother, you've leveled up! No wonder you seem different today; you're even more mature than your older brother!"David smiled sheepishly, "Mature? Compared to you, I'm still far off.""What are your plans next?"David pondered and said, "I learned that her father owes Jacob's family a total of 840,000. I've already covered that amount and warned Mia not to keep paying. If her father doesn't wake up to reality, no one can save him!
Regarding the points, I might need your help, big brother, to take her along and help her escape the elimination zone.But this matter doesn't need to be rushed. I just took down Jacob and don't know how the Soren family will react. For now, I'll maintain some distance from Mia to prevent any hatred from shifting onto her, giving her a period of calm.""Alright! You're finally thinking of others!" Charlie smiled and nodded, "I'll keep a spot for her as a reserve member, but you'll have to work hard. A team can't carry too many burdens; you must grow and take on some responsibility. A man has to face some hardships!"David nodded seriously, "Understood!"Charlie patted him on the shoulder and gestured, "Let's go! The siblings are waiting for you."David chuckled, "What? Is there a healing party? You don't have to! I feel completely restored after last night's crazy healing; I feel full of power!"Saying that, David struck a strong pose."Hey! Young man, I know you're amazing! At least give the girls some face!" Charlie laughed, tapping him lightly and saying, "The magic ally contract has been approved; we should get down to business!"
…A moment later, the Gosta brothers, Qian Jue, Qing Tong, Erin, and Charlie gathered in Anthony's apprentice laboratory.Charlie pulled out a delicate parchment scroll, adorned with intricate magical patterns, containing the oath of the contract and leaving nine spaces—six for formal members and three for reserve members."This is the official team contract provided by the academy. Once signed, we will become true teammates…"Colin couldn't help but ask, "What does being true teammates mean? Aren't we good teammates now?"Qian Jue scolded, "Colin, don't interrupt; let Charlie finish."Charlie smiled, "The reason is simple: the tasks we face will become increasingly complex and dangerous. The teleportation ability of the golden badge may fail or exceed effective distance.
In some extremely lethal environments, it will test humanity and the true friendship between us.To stabilize relationships and eliminate some concerns, the academy provides guarantees and restrictions through magical contracts, relieving your worries—at least you won't have to worry about knives coming from behind. The contract is valid for three years, covering the arcane circle of the apprenticeship.This scroll is similar to the magic enslavement scroll; it will establish a connection on a soul level among us. If one person makes a breakthrough, the others will share some insights. It does not have the harsh constraints of a slavery contract. Its downside is that if any member dies, the others will suffer a loss on a soul level—simply put, their soul strength will be permanently weakened, thus binding the interests of team members together.
This scroll is very precious, worth 6,000 points. To apply for it, individuals or groups must pledge 2,000 points to the academy to obtain it. Once acquired, it must be signed by six people within a month to redeem the pledged points.Each person, whether as an applicant or a signer, only gets one free application opportunity. In other words, after signing the contract, anyone wishing to exit midway must apply to the academy and pay a 2,000-point withdrawal fee. If they wish to rejoin a new team, they must pay an additional 2,000-point contract fee.
So the first choice must be made carefully.If you all trust me and are willing to become my teammates, please write your real names on it. I'll sign my name first." With that, Charlie smiled, took out a special magical pen, and wrote his name on the enchanted parchment, a faint ripple of soul power felt in the air."Charlie Pavel."Everyone dropped their joking demeanor, their expressions serious; it was a sacred moment.Qian Jue was the second to pick up the pen, writing down her elegant name, "Qian Jue Bernard Welsh."Next was Erin, who was allowed to go ahead by the Gosta brothers. Erin signed her name in the reserve member section: "Erin Dawn."Then came theGosta brothers, "David Gosta," "Colin Gosta."Finally, it was Qing Tong's turn. After a moment of thought, she wrote down a lengthy name: "Qing Tong Tiffany Graysham Mordred."Seeing that name, Qian Jue was momentarily taken aback, casting an unusual glance at Qing Tong. However, Qing Tong met her gaze and gently shook her head. Qian Jue silently nodded, and their subtle exchange went unnoticed by the others.
Charlie picked up the scroll and presented a prepared incantation to everyone. "The magic ally contract is described in a regulated language, holding the power to bind our souls. Everyone, clear your minds and recite the incantation with me."As the incantation was recited, the scroll in Charlie's palm emitted a soft blue light, becoming increasingly ethereal, coalescing in the air into a series of unfamiliar magical inscriptions that flickered in brightness.
The incantation was complex and lengthy, and the inscriptions in the air grew longer, like a line thrown upwards, continuously extending in a mysterious state, breaking through the barriers of the underground space, bypassing the protective barriers of the arcane circle, and penetrating the void storm's blockade, gradually merging into deep space…
Then, several semi-transparent connecting lines extended from the long string of inscriptions, descending upon each person's head. They seemed to sense something entering their bodies, extracting a portion of their souls, leaving them feeling lost. The soul fragments gathered into the inscriptions, eventually vanishing into the depths of time and space.
When the last syllable of the incantation was uttered, everyone exhaled in relief, a wave of fatigue washing over them. A few of the physically weaker girls stumbled, nearly collapsing to the ground. This was the aftereffect of the slight loss of their souls, requiring over a week of rest to gradually recover.Aside from that feeling of weakness, everyone could faintly sense the states and positions of their allies, a rather intriguing experience, as they exchanged glances and smiled at one another.This was the benefit of the initial soul link brought about by the ally contract, allowing them to perceive their allies' conditions at any time and even to actively transmit simple emotions.
Charlie joked, "Now we can officially call ourselves true comrades!"Colin praised, "The academy is really generous! They're giving out such good stuff for free!"Charlie shook his head and replied, "You've got it wrong. This is a privilege exclusive to golden badge apprentices and higher. Iron badge apprentices only have the right to be invited. If no one invites them, they can only register teams at the academy, which only has a nominal meaning."Erin lamented, "Then I've wasted one of your spots! As an iron badge apprentice, I really feel insignificant!"Charlie smiled, "Erin, don't underestimate yourself. I started as an iron badge apprentice too! As long as we work hard and seize some opportunities, we won't be any worse than others.""Mmhm."Qing Tong laughed, "Charlie, you really managed to assemble an all-mage team. What will we do if we run into issues later?"Qian Jue grinned and said, "If there's a problem, just let Charlie handle it! Woof woof!"Charlie chuckled, lightly tapping her forehead twice. "About the initial soul link, previous wise seniors invented a sort of 'code' regarding soul links. It's quite interesting, and I think we can apply it.""What do you mean?""We can faintly sense our teammates' emotions through the soul link, right? Emotions can serve as various codes. For instance, if I express happiness, it means we gather at a certain place; if I express anger, it means everyone should run fast; if Qian Jue expresses joy, it means, 'Let's go! We're heading to the 'First Red' for drinks.'""Ugh!" Qian Jue smacked him lightly, pouting, "Why is my code so boring?"Charlie laughed, "I'm just kidding! We can set our own rules! This code can facilitate our contact and communication, making it more fun. We can come up with some creative ways to use it."