Chapter 32
Greem left the Alchemy Laboratory. Originally, he had planned on sneaking out and testing on combat strength of the Clay Golem in the Swamp, but he was distracted by a large crowd of people rushing through the hallways of the tower.
Not once in Greem’s memory had the Tower been so lively before.
Normally, everyone was busy with their own matters. Those who had been given tasks would carry on with their own business; those who didn’t would be meditating, copying books, or working on some magical experiment… Every day in this Tower, except during meal time, very few sounds could be heard. Even when two Apprentices met in a corridor, they would just nod to each other and move on.
But today was an exception, as nearly every single Apprentice Adept was out and about, rushing down the hallway in the same direction.
Greem felt surprised and bewildered. He called out to his ‘friend’ Benson, who he barely knew, who was also a Beginner Apprentice.
“What’s happening? Where are you going?”
Right after Greem asked this, Benson responded in a surprised voice, saying, “You don’t know? Haven’t you checked your magical talisman? Master Anderson is summoning all the official Apprentices to a meeting in the lecture hall. Don’t be late!”
Benson hurried down the hallway after saying that.
Mary stepped in front of Greem and relentlessly glared at Acteon. Her lips moved, but no words could be heard. Although there were a dozen meters between them, but Acteon could still read her lips.
“He is my man! If you dare touch him, I’ll kill you!”
It was a short speech, but it clearly portrayed her fierce and overbearing character.
Evil Bug’s eyes became even colder.
Judging from all aspects, this Mary, who had just arrived at the level of Advanced Apprentice, was not his match. Most of her abilities were constrained by him. But… apparently Acteon was not at his peak form currently. To be bluntly honest, his combat strength was pathetic right now.
He would need a few more days to restock his dead scorpions. If he was forced to fight Mary now, even if he could win, his vitality would be greatly reduced.
However, Evil Bugs was a patient man who knew when to stay low. He turned his eyes away and avoided Mary’s challenging glance, pressed down all thoughts of anger and staying quiet.
“You’re a real troublemaker! How dare you to offend Evil Bugs!” Satisfied that she had forced the opponent back, Mary turned to Greem and teased him in a faux-threatening tone.
Greem smiled wryly to himself.
I was forced into that situation, ok?
But, when faced with the domineering Mary, he had no resentment or complaints. Because, between the two of them, he could sense an unspeakable trust and… dependence.
Dependence?
Greem shook his head, once again feeling his thoughts were absurd. Mary depend on him? It must because he had depleted his Spirit in his alchemy experiment. That must be why he had such a ridiculous thought.
Obviously, the delicate interaction between Evil Bugs and Mary had attracted the attention of the other two Advanced Apprentices, as they kept running their eyes between Mary and Greem.
Like a mother cat who was trying to protect her territory, Mary kept showing her fierce and dominating expression to these guys, giving them a look that said she would never give in to any threat.
As the atmosphere of the hall had tensed, due to the interaction between Evil Bugs and Mary, a shadow was suddenly seen swaying on top of the tall platform. Soon, the skinny form of Adept Anderson emerged from the shadows.
Holding the Magical Staff in his hand, Adept Anderson gazed around the hall with his uncaring eyes. After a brief moment of silence, he finally spoke.
“Today, I have good news and bad news for you!”
Everyone in the hall immediately held their breath and focused on Anderson.
“The good news is all of you are going to receive a batch of resources, which will be the most generous gift you had ever received in your entire life.” Throwing a wicked glare around the hall, he noticed that these Apprentices stayed focused on him, even though he had said something shocking. Anderson nodded his head, satisfied, then continued saying, “And the bad news is… every single one of you is going to have to take on a compulsory mission!”
Adept Anderson hit the ground with his staff, and a half-transparent image was immediately projected on top of the platform. Numerous green characters were seen flickering on the surface of this projection.
……
Investigate an abnormal creature in Redwood Village.
Acquire a Tower Bell Flower.
Defend Fort Fir.
Guard the Twilight Valley.
Eliminate an enemy of the Humming Hunting Ground.
……
……
Line by line, most of them were the Apprentice level missions within the territory controlled by Zhentarim.
Originally, as the Apprentices of the Swamp Tower, they were only required to complete the inspection mission of this resource site, thus they were considered living in a relatively isolated clique. But now, Adept Anderson had actually opened all the Apprentice level missions of the entire Zhentarim territory to them… Could this mean there were some big changes in store for them?
Some of the more veteran Apprentices couldn’t help it, and their eyes clouded over as they became lost in thought.