Chapter 82: In the Dark

Robin and Karl agreed to meet at the city gate the next day, then left the Mercenary Guild.

The night deepened, and the streets of Tutamen City gradually grew quiet, with only scattered pedestrians and patrolling guards still moving about.

Robin did not return to his previous hideout, but chose to stay at a cheap inn in the city. He needed a good rest to prepare for tomorrow's mission.

Early the next morning, Robin arrived at the city gate. Karl was already waiting there, accompanied by two other mercenaries—a slender young man with a long bow on his back, and a woman holding a staff with a cold expression.

"Luo Yi, you're early," Karl said with a smile, then gestured to the two beside him. "Let me introduce them: this is Aiwen, our archer; this is Lina, Second-level Wizard Apprentice."

Robin nodded and gave a brief greeting.

Aiwen looked somewhat shy, merely giving a slight nod, while Lina gave Robin a cold glance, seeming uninterested in him.

"This mission is to escort a Caravan to Black Stone Town in the north, a journey of about three days," Karl explained. "We may encounter bandits or magical beasts on the road, so everyone must stay alert."

Robin nodded in understanding.

Before long, the Caravan's wagon rolled in slowly, led by a middle‑aged merchant whose face bore a shrewd and cautious expression. After a brief briefing, the party set off.

All the way, Robin remained vigilant, constantly watching his surroundings.

Karl, on the other hand, seemed much more relaxed, chatting with Aiwen from time to time.

Lina stayed silent, only occasionally using magic to probe the road ahead.

This piqued Robin's curiosity, and he kept covertly watching her, after all he still hadn't mastered even the most basic spells.

When no one was looking, Lina suddenly asked, "Have you mastered the Meditation Method?"

Robin hesitated briefly, then nodded.

"It was by chance that I mastered the Meditation Method."

Lina nodded, saying, "Looks like you have decent talent."

Those words made Robin's mouth twitch involuntarily.

Lina asked, "You probably have no Title: Instructor or school, right!"

Robin nodded.

"Since you're a Wizard Apprentice, keep meditating. Once you become a Second-level Apprentice, you can study at the various Wizard Schools in the city. You must never deal with those rats hidden in the shadows; they'll only lead you astray."

Robin's pupils narrowed slightly at the words, yet his face showed curiosity instead.

After all, he had only just encountered Lao Mao's group, and according to Lina, they were the rats hiding in the shadows.

Robin warned himself internally, but feigned curiosity on his face and whispered, "Rats of the dark side? Do you mean those underground forces? Are they really that dangerous?"

Lina gave him a cold glance, her tone tinged with contempt: "On the surface they hide as 'Information Dealers' and 'Black Market Merchants', merely unsavory types.

They'll do anything for profit. If a Wizard Apprentice gets involved with them, the lightest consequence is expulsion from a school; the worst is being wanted by the Wizard Council, possibly even used as a test subject."

Robin felt a chill inside, yet outwardly remained calm: "I see… so the Wizard Council and the schools are the Orthodox Wizard Path?"

Lina nodded, her tone softening a bit: "Exactly. The Wizard Council is the most authoritative wizard organization on the continent, controlling almost all Orthodox Wizard Schools."

"Only by becoming a Wizard Apprentice through official channels can one obtain genuine knowledge and power. Those hiding in the dark corners only use crooked methods, ultimately harming others and themselves."

Robin nodded thoughtfully, yet his mind generated more questions about Lina's words.

Although Lao Mao acts covertly, he does not give Robin a sense of "evil."

On the contrary, Lao Mao's assistance temporarily rescued him from danger. Yet the "Orthodox Wizard" Lina mentioned gave him an intangible pressure.

"Then you… which school do you belong to?" Robin asked tentatively.

Lina did not answer directly, but said lightly, "That's not the question you should be asking now. Once you become a Second-level Apprentice, you'll naturally encounter these."

Robin, being sensible, did not press further, but silently resolved to quickly improve his strength and uncover the truth of the Wizard World.

During the ensuing journey, Robin followed the party while secretly attempting meditation. Though he lacked systematic wizard knowledge, thanks to his accidental grasp of the Meditation Method, he could sense faint Magic Waves in the air. This power felt both alien and exhilarating, as if opening a door to a new world.

At dusk, the party set up camp in a valley. Robin sat by the campfire, closed his eyes to meditate, trying to feel the flow of Magic Power more deeply. At that moment, Lina came over and sat beside him.

"How does the meditation feel?" Lina suddenly asked.

Robin opened his eyes, looking at her with mild surprise: "Not bad, but I always feel something key is missing."

Lina nodded: "That's normal. Without a Title: Instructor's guidance, relying solely on the Meditation Method makes it hard to truly master the use of Magic Power."

Robin hesitated, then asked tentatively, "Then… could you give me some advice?"

Lina was silent for a moment, then said, "Given your decent talent, I can give you some basic guidance. But remember, the Wizard Path is not easy; a slight slip can lead to endless ruin."

Robin solemnly nodded: "I understand."

Lina took a thin Booklet from her bosom and handed it to Robin: "These are some basic Magic Power Manipulation Techniques; you can look them over first. If anything is unclear, you may ask me."

Robin took the booklet, feeling a surge of excitement: "Thank you, Lina."

Lina waved her hand, her tone still cold: "No need to thank me. I just don't want to see a talented person go astray."

Having said that, she rose and left, leaving Robin alone by the fire.

Robin opened the booklet and began reading carefully.

Although the booklet's content was basic, it was immensely precious to him.

He absorbed the knowledge hungrily, as if he had found the key to a new world.

Robin did not fully trust Lina.

The rules of the Wizard World are far more complex than they appear on the surface.

Between Lao Mao and Lina, who truly is worthy of trust?

He cannot judge for now, but knows he must stay vigilant to travel farther on the road ahead.

He also understands that the dispute between Lao Mao and Lina may stem from the opposition of Black and White Wizards.

(End of Chapter)