Chapter 203: Fierce Tiger Lies on the Wasteland Hill, Hidden Claws and Fangs Endure

"Master, master, Flandre is back!"

As soon as Flandre returned to the "Small World," she began calling out repeatedly.

Linke chose to immediately summon Flandre.

Anyway, during the discussion with Wizard Selin and Wizard Cody about tonight's actions, Flandre's existence had already been proactively revealed by Linke.

Therefore, Linke being in Wizard Selin's villa and summoning Flandre is no big deal.

Why reveal Flandre?

Did Linke lose his intelligence?

Actually, no.

The reason for revealing her is also very simple.

As continuous cultivation progresses, the "Small World" will help Linke more and more.

As the "spirit" of the "Small World," Flandre's appearance frequency will keep increasing.

Flandre, who can develop into a true spirit wizard, can now assist Linke in battle.

Flandre, who can share Linke's knowledge, can now prepare potions according to recipes.

In the future, after one or several more evolutions, what Flandre can do will become more numerous and more important.

Rather than being unable to hide her later and having to explain her existence,

It's better not to conceal her from the beginning, to avoid any possible estrangement.

Linke honestly explained that Flandre came from the extra reward of winning first place in the Year One, District Two Grand Competition, and is a summoned being that has only recently awakened.

This is the truth, merely expressed with some linguistic artistry.

It hardly counts as deception.

Wizard Cody and Sage Paro both won first place in the Year One, District Two Grand Competition, so they know about the extra reward.

Thus, Flandre's origin is now reasonable.

Well, at least it appears reasonable on the surface.

Even if everyone secretly knows Flandre must have secrets, no one will investigate.

Mutual understanding is enough.

Which outstanding wizard doesn't have secrets?

"Master, master, look, Flandre bought things back!"

As soon as Flandre landed, she immediately held up two fist-sized mother ores, offering them like a treasure to Linke, eagerly awaiting his praise.

"Well done! Flandre is amazing!"

Linke naturally wouldn't be stingy with praise for the magic stones, raising a big thumb.

"Hmm."

Flandre happily responded, then placed the two mother ores on the tea table beside Linke, counting on her fingers as she spoke,

"Master, I spent 57 standard first-grade magic stones myself.

⊙ttkΛn⊙￠o

I bought seeds for nine kinds of flowers and six kinds of grasses, to add color to your garden.

I also bought two pretty little dresses to wear alternately, two sashes, and two necklaces to alternate wearing.

Master, what do you think of the things Flandre bought?"

"Pretty good. Next time, if there's a chance, buy even more—especially the pretty dresses and jewelry. Master, you still have magic stones; no need to save."

Linke looked at this little girl who seemed to have transplanted some emotion onto him—like a spirit—his tone gentle, smiling as he spoke.

"Hehe..."

Flandre bared her teeth in a smile but didn't agree, instead saying directly, "Master, I'm going back to plant flowers and grass."

"Okay."

Linke nodded in agreement.

After Flandre returned to the "Small World," Linke picked up the "Molten Gold Mother Ore" and "Rock Iron Mother Ore" he had finally obtained after much effort, rubbing them in his palm with a distant gaze.

Flandre can share Linke's vision, and Linke can naturally share Flandre's vision.

Through Flandre's eyes, Linke saw an ambush team from the Lucia family appearing at the black market entrance.

Based on previous investigations into the Lucia family, Linke identified their identities.

Two senior Level 2 Wizards, six Level 1 Wizards.

This team's composition is clearly aimed at ensuring Linke's death—no mercy, no survivors.

From this, it's clear the Lucia family's intent to harm him has not died.

Since Linke returned to his homeland, the Lucia family has remained inactive—due to their own internal adjustments and contractions, as well as Linke's schedule and routine.

Linke avoids unnecessary trips outside the academy, and when he does go out, he avoids chaotic zones.

This has prevented the Lucia family from finding a suitable opportunity.

Even with a Level 3 magical vehicle available, ambushing midway between the academy and Rewosoth City isn't very realistic.

The vehicle's built-in defenses are hard to break quickly—would require a Level 3 Wizard or a high-powered attack-type magical device.

It can also transform into supersonic flight mode, giving it exceptional battlefield escape capability.

Forcibly intercepting midway would cause a huge disturbance.

The academy isn't blind or deaf—it would soon deploy a swarm of intelligent enforcement automatons to surround the troublemakers.

By then, stealing chickens wouldn't even cover the loss of rice—no one would be killed, but they'd still face academy punishment, which would be ugly.

Only in chaotic areas like the Western District or the black market can the Lucia family find a good opportunity and point to ambush and kill Linke.

I originally thought the Lucia family, who assumed Lin Ke would shrink back to the end, had actually nearly given up on the plan to kill Lin Ke in a short time.

Who would have thought Lin Ke would actually come over to provoke, and tonight he put on a seemingly deadly flaw.

Although knowing there must be a trick, the Lucia family still had some members leaning toward Solon who couldn't resist the temptation and chose to act.

If it succeeded, wouldn't it leave a good impression in Solon's heart, who is about to be promoted to Sage?

Holding a侥幸 mentality, they formed this elite team with two senior Level 2 Wizards as main attackers and six Level 1 Wizards as support.

Such intense killing intent made Lin Ke's hairs stand on end.

This is still the Lucia family without Solon Lucia present.

When Solon returns to the homeland, what measures will be taken against Lin Ke?

Lin Ke doesn't need to think much to know it's completely not comparable to this current intensity.

It will be extremely violent and fierce, and must put Lin Ke to death.

Solon personally taking action is not impossible.

Because of the ability and potential Lin Ke has shown, it's becoming increasingly perverse.

If left for later, it will inevitably become a disaster for the Lucia family.

At least it will be a disaster for this branch of Solon.

Now we must think of a way to strike.

Moreover, if we strike, we must strike to kill.

Otherwise, we might suffer harm in return.

"Looks like I'm just destined to toil."

With a long sigh, Lin Ke dismissed the idea of staying in the homeland to develop properly for a long time.

The Grand Potion Shop still needs to continue operating, but only as a channel for making money, without investing too much effort.

This way, when fleeing, it won't be too heartbreaking.

The cultivation of "Do Whatever Is Free" naturally cannot stop, but it must be handed over to Mo Li or others.

And Mo Li must rely on Selinn Wushi.

Having Mo Li study at the Advanced Academy and then work at the Selinn Wushi Potion Shop would be safer than letting her fully manage the Grand Potion Shop.

"We must speed up!"

Lin Ke muttered to himself.

Although his strength has repeatedly surged, he always feels it's not enough.

Just dealing with the Lucia family alone makes Lin Ke feel very strained.

Lin Ke tightly gripped two pieces of Mother Ore.

While waiting for Selinn Wushi, he also simulated the feasibility of combining his Life-Bound Spell "Battle Armor" with the 1st Ring Witchcraft "Molten Gold Armor" and the 1st Ring Witchcraft "Rock Iron Armor".

He had prior experience evolving "Armor Orchid Battle Armor" from consuming Armor Orchid Seeds.

Lin Ke had long designed a highly feasible plan.

But without Mother Ore, it couldn't be implemented.

Now simulating it is to check for gaps and avoid wasting time.

After leaving Selinn Wushi's place and returning to his villa, he can actually expand his Life-Bound Spell "Battle Armor".

As midnight approached, Selinn Wushi returned to the villa with a slight scent of alcohol.

Upon seeing Lin Ke, she laughed coquettishly: "Lin Ke, you did great tonight!" "Oh, how so?"

Lin Ke asked curiously.

"Hehehe..."

Selinn Wushi took the sobering hot drink from the Smart Butler, took a small sip, laughed for a while, then explained: "At the banquet, many people were curious whether the Lucia family's action against you could succeed, so from the beginning we used permissions to mobilize part of the city's surveillance system, monitoring the Lucia family's actions throughout..."

"Wait."

Lin Ke seized on a blind spot, interjected, and asked: "Surveillance? Do the Lucia family members know they are under surveillance?"

Selinn Wushi's red lips parted, she laughed coquettishly: "Of course they know. But what can they do about it? As long as the Academy wants, there are no secrets in Riverside City."

Lin Ke thought deeply and felt terrified.

Academy?

Who represents the Academy?

"So, many people don't want to live in the city not without reason."

Selinn Wushi lightly explained a sentence, didn't elaborate further, then returned to the previous topic,

"Everyone at the banquet, including the two Lucia members, clearly saw your summoned creature calmly enter the West District under their eyelids and then gracefully disappear before their eyes.

At that time, the banquet venue applauded your operation for a long time.

The Lucia family lost face big time this time."

"Is that so? How good."

Lin Ke actually doesn't care much about these things, but since Selinn Wushi wants to say it, he just listens.

"Alright, you go back first, nothing will happen tonight. The Lucia family currently has no time to bother you, they're having internal conflict."

Selinn Wushi waved her hand, dismissing Lin Ke.

She twisted her astonishingly curved waist and hips toward the upstairs bathroom, walking while kicking off her high heels.

Lin Ke silently left Selinn Wushi's villa, driving the "Phantom Coupe" back to the Academy.

On the way, he truly encountered no accidents.

After returning to the villa, he briefly chatted with the worried Mo Li, comforting her.

Lin Ke then entered the witchcraft training room on the second basement level of the villa.

After standing still, the two mother ores that had been constantly clenched in his hand instantly disappeared, appearing inside the "Small World".

With a thought, the two mother ores were immediately devoured and absorbed by the "Small World".

In a short moment, the "Small World" digested the two mother ores and acquired their properties.

Next came the fusion and expansion of the life-bound spell "Battle Armor".

The witchcraft model of battle armor-type witchcraft looks largely similar in appearance.

The core structure is consistently a six-pointed star.

What truly distinguishes them is the runes.

Some runes are universal, some differ, and some contradict each other.

Lin Ke adopted methods such as "taking strengths to compensate for weaknesses", "merging similar types", and "filling in details", based on the "Battle Armor" witchcraft model, making deletions, modifications, and integrations, ultimately forming a relatively rough new witchcraft model.

Fully activating the "Brain Seal Technique", entering the "multi-threaded thinking" state, and additionally overlaying Flandre's computing power, Lin Ke meticulously refined this rough new witchcraft model.

He made some progress, but not much.

Fusion witchcraft is certainly not something that can be completed in one go.

One must take it slowly.

Lin Ke has that patience.

After exhausting the "Brain Overclocking" state, Lin Ke felt slightly tired, so he went upstairs to wash up and rest.

For the remaining two months of the autumn semester, Lin Ke did not leave the academy again.

He even stopped going to the Grand Potion Shop.

The inspection of the five hooligans was handled by "Do Whatever Is Free".

Lin Ke only needed to glance at the data each day.

His own time and energy were mainly devoted to four things:

The required and elective courses for advanced study at the Advanced Academy;

The development of the "One-Minded" potion;

The fusion, expansion, and refinement of the life-bound spell "Battle Armor";

Self-created meditation method.

The sole adjustment in life was the daily bickering between Mo Li and Iris.

Since Mo Li entered the Advanced Academy and began self-study, Iris's space for mischief has been completely eliminated.

The two female students cannot stand each other; they clash upon meeting.

After losing the verbal sparring, Iris, relying on her earlier promotion, proposed a duel.

Who would have thought Mo Li would readily agree, only to counter with a restriction allowing only witchcraft use, forbidding witch tools.

Iris agreed to this without even thinking.

As a result, both exerted their utmost efforts, yet neither could defeat the other.

Iris has her sister to train with, numerous family resources for reference, and many case studies to learn from.

Mo Li, meanwhile, accumulated extensive witchcraft combat experience through the biweekly to triweekly witchcraft practical drills still maintained by "Do Whatever Is Free".

The two are evenly matched; neither can gain the upper hand over the other.

After that duel, Mo Li and Iris began competing fiercely, almost fighting every day.

Lin Ke was tacitly ignored by both of them.

A stinky man—what's there to bother with?

Go play somewhere else on your own.

_co

Lin Ke enjoyed the tranquility, smiling daily as he watched the two female students' "playful bickering".

Having found balance in life, he also gained achievements in study, research, and career.

After several consecutive weekly tests, biweekly quizzes, and monthly exams, Lin Ke again secured first place.

The development of the "One-Minded" potion was successful, with remarkable effects.

Under the platform of Selinn Wushi, Lin Ke held a launch event, grandly introducing the "One-Minded" potion, causing a sensation no less than that of the "Super Brain" potion.

Amid the public debate, the Lucia Family was again singled out and subjected to collective ridicule.

The "Fairy" potion was also displayed when the pharmacy owners in the East District came door-to-door to "cause trouble", successfully persuading many shop owners to retreat, firmly establishing its foothold in the East District.

The reputation of the Grand Potion Shop has already been established, both within the circle and toward the market.

Only awaiting its imminent opening, it will be able to reap huge profits in magic stones.

Besides the "One-Minded" potion, Lin Ke has developed nearly ten ordinary potions, serving as stock products for the Grand Potion Shop.

Mmm...

In Lin Ke's view, what is ordinary might merely be the level of specialty potions found in some potion shops.

The life-bound spell "Battle Armor" successfully completed two expansions, integrating the traits of "Armor Orchid Battle Armor", "Molten Gold Armor", and "Rock Iron Armor".

Initially, the wood-water composite, fire-gold composite, and earth-gold composite of the three prototype witchcrafts struggled to achieve balance.

This affected the duration of the "Battle Armor", making it unable to be maintained all day.

The consumption of mental power and magic power also increased significantly, which is unfavorable for sustained use.

At a certain moment during nighttime stargazing, the "Wizardry Mastery" talent triggered, and Lin Ke thought of a solution.

He first exercised his authority as the master of the "Small World", expending a certain amount of source power to adjust the star map reference of the "Small World" to the layout of the solar system from his previous life.

Then, he changed the core structure shared by the battle armor witchcraft model from a six-pointed star to a regular pentagon.

The Will Rune resides at the center, symbolizing the entity of the "Small World", namely "Earth";

The Elemental Runes are positioned according to the order of wood, fire, earth, gold, and water, placed at the vertices of the regular pentagon (i. e., the intersection points forming the five lines of the pentagon), symbolizing the five major planets visible to the naked eye;

The rule runes are located at the five points of the pentagram, symbolizing the operational rules of the "Solar System".

With this adjustment, it unexpectedly became harmonious.

After the Life-Bound Spell "Battle Armor" was cast, the battle armor draped over Lin Ke had an azure base, with a five-colored pentagram inlaid at the brow, beautiful yet powerful.

In defense, it combined the flexibility of the "Armor Orchid Battle Armor", the hardness of the "Molten Gold Armor", and the heaviness of the "Rock Iron Armor";

In offense, it also formed the characteristic of elemental rotation and endless continuity.

Relying solely on the Life-Bound Spell in combat, not to boast, Lin Ke should have already stood at the peak of a Level 1 Wizard, touching the threshold of a Level 2 Wizard.

In the aspect of self-created Meditation Method, he received inspiration from this expansion of the Life-Bound Spell fusion, and likewise made great progress.

He was about to achieve significant阶段性 results.