Chapter 122: Route and Ritual Begin

But Luo De still looked wary.

Ana immediately panicked.

Keep in mind that the Magic Control League doesn't strongly bind its employees; you can terminate the contract early by paying a certain amount of compensation.

What if he leaves and spreads rumors that Deputy Head Oana's eccentric personality drove him away? If Lady Julia or Lord Hera finds out, what will happen to me?

Hmm.

Lady Julia once mentioned that Lord Hera is like a mother figure.

So, this forest warden, as Lord Hera's spouse, is essentially a stepfather.

Currently, Lady Julia, who is under house arrest, doesn't know that this forest warden has joined the Magic Control League—after all, she's not the type to check staff rosters.

If I secretly arrange for this "stepfather" to be placed beside Lady Julia before revealing the truth, wouldn't that be a delightful surprise for her?!

The more she thought about it, the more right it seemed.

Even her gaze toward Rod had grown slightly gentler.

Love me, love my dog.

Deputy Head Oana clearly isn't someone skilled in social graces.

After all, generally speaking, almost no one wants a sudden stepfather appearing in their life.

"What's going on? Are you two involved?"

Sharon was stunned by this sudden turn and quickly whispered,

"Don't be ridiculous," Rod said helplessly.

Over there, Oana added:

"You've just joined, so you must be short on points, right? Here, let me transfer some to you."

Without waiting for Rod's consent, she swiftly operated on his Magic Control League badge.

The next moment, Rod felt a slight vibration in his badge.

The magical display showed: 【Points +2000】.

Sharon's eyes widened in shock.

"She's your mother, isn't she?!"

I've worked my ass off to save just 120 points, and you get +2000 the moment you join?

Damn it, damn privileged brat—I hate rich people the most!

Back at Bahadur Magic Academy, I kept running into people just like you!

This instantly plunged the dog-girl into unpleasant memories.

Rod ignored her.

After thinking it over, given her position as Deputy Head of the Containment Department and her own strength, she had no reason to deceive him.

Even if she had ulterior motives, she could just force her way—Rod couldn't resist anyway.

Realizing this, he stopped overthinking and simply accepted everything in front of him with a smile.

Oana finally sighed in relief.

She then casually shifted the topic.

"You're human, right? The path of a Spiritual Warrior is notoriously difficult."

Rod, who had been examining the silver sword, paused in surprise.

He'd heard rumors about this: after reaching the seventh tier, humans diverge significantly in how they accumulate magic and spirituality.

The key difference is that mages possess vast knowledge, while warriors do not.

This directly results in countless magical meditation techniques existing across the continent—even many high- and top-tier ones.

But breathing techniques? Only four have ever been rated as high-tier.

"Moreover, without innate spiritual arts or longevity spells to support them, humans are naturally disadvantaged on the spiritual path. Mr. Rod, I'd advise you to consider shifting toward the mage path while you're still young."

Oana added.

At that moment, Sharon also chimed in: "That's true—among all currently confirmed ninth-tier warriors, not a single one is human."

Rod nodded, understanding.

Humanity's short lifespan of barely a century is a massive constraint.

Whether it's a tree spirit or a succubus, their lifespans far exceed his, and as he grows older, his physical abilities will decline sharply.

Just imagining that years later, unchanged Tally will ask the elderly, frail him why he can't perform in bed makes him feel strangely miserable.

High-tier mages can permanently bind a longevity spell, extending their lives to five hundred years.

Although shared skills might occasionally yield a longevity spiritual art, that's purely a matter of probability—Rod can't put all his eggs in one basket.

"Of course, if you're willing, I can be your teacher."

Oana smiled and handed him a meditation technique.

Rod smiled and accepted it.

He had no spiritual purity issues regarding either magic or spirituality—he viewed them purely as tools for victory.

"By the way, which races have ninth-tier Spiritual Warriors?"

"Plenty: half-dragons, scorpion women, half-wolves, giants, centaurs, minotaurs, and more."

"Minotaurs, huh."

They're a bull-like race, mostly massive muscular bulls.

Rod strained to imagine what a female member of this race might look like.

"Interestingly, one of the ninth-tier minotaurs is a woman—apparently, she's from the 'dairy cow' branch of minotaurs."

The moment Oana said this, Rod's mental image became crystal clear.

Sharon acted quickly.

The fixed ritual for the Death Desert Maze had been posted on the mission board.

Perhaps due to Oana's influence.

Within just three days, the required personnel had been assembled.

Of course, Rod had already been listed.

If he successfully completes this mission, his annual quota will be fulfilled.

Windwall Forest, Sand Willow Zone.

Watching over a dozen mages busily preparing ritual materials and verifying casting sequences,

this solution requires two rituals: one for grafting and one for stabilizing the maze.

Neither is simple—they require considerable time and preparation.

As the chief planner, Lady Sharon stood amidst the mages, overwhelmed and frazzled.

Rod found it boring.

He simply found an open patch of ground and lay on Vivian's lap, observing everyone.

Tally had transformed into a mature maid, feeding him grapes nearby.

Fine, she could feed him—but she always insisted on inserting her finger along with the grape into his mouth.

When his lips or saliva touched her finger, she'd dramatically gasp, giggle, and suck the finger into her own mouth.

Several male mages couldn't help but cast envious, sorrowful glances at the scene.

"Where are Dimia and Callista?"

Neither the witch nor the elf was visible on-site.

"I don't know~" Tally cooed.

Tairy whispered sweetly.

「.

The half-deer girl, Xiao Ke, walked over.

Her expression was shy—she clearly disliked crowded places.

"Earlier, the witch came by for a quick look but said she had urgent business in town and left immediately. As for Callista… she returned to the forest yesterday furious and hasn't left her house since."

As she spoke, she glanced at Vivian and Rod.

She sighed silently.

It was impossible not to notice the relationship between Vivian and Rod.

She'd seen her best friend sneak into this warden's cabin nearly every night, and the soft moans would echo all night long.

Her feelings were complicated.

But seeing how happy Vivian had been lately, she couldn't bring herself to say anything.

At this point, Xiao Ke wouldn't interfere—she could only hope this guy would treat Vivian well.

But please, don't add any more women to his cabin!

(End of Chapter)