Chapter 244: 251. Chapter 251 The Victim

251. Chapter 251 Victim

Only when it's realistic can it deceive people.

Only a battle that truly happened will not reveal flaws.

Because there are no flaws.

With prior preparation, it becomes acting.

It is easily exposed.

However, even if Lin Ke had not promptly transferred via the "Small World" to escape into the Fairy World, he would not have faced real danger to his life.

Not to mention that Ms. Lisandra Diomande, who was secretly following, would come to his aid when Lin Ke faced a genuine life-threatening crisis.

Simply considering the mechanism of the Annihilation Cannon, it gave Lin Ke sufficient escape space.

A single Annihilation Cannon can fire three consecutive shots, after which it must recharge.

It is entirely reasonable that Solon Lucia used only one Annihilation Cannon given the suddenness of the incident.

It would not arouse suspicion from any person or faction.

The interval between the third and fourth shots of the Annihilation Cannon is about one to two seconds.

This time is sufficient for Lin Ke to escape the Annihilation Cannon's coverage area.

He could even directly flee into the Rivors District and enter the Academy's monitoring and protection system.

Due to various constraints, it is also entirely reasonable for Solon Lucia to abandon the pursuit after Lin Ke escaped the barrage of six Annihilation Cannon shots and entered the Rivors District.

The "plot" designed by Ms. Lisandra and Dean Forrester is exactly this.

Who would have thought that Lin Ke clearly noticed the brief gap between the third and fourth shots of the Annihilation Cannon, seized that gap, and his first reaction was not to flee back to the Academy?

Instead, he entered the "Small World," then proceeded to the Fairy World!

"This little rascal has quite a temper."

Ms. Lisandra gazed at the pit constantly emitting black smoke and the utterly wrecked "Phantom Coupe" at its bottom, and suddenly recalled a saying her grandfather often mentioned in her youth:

Do not test the human heart, for the human heart cannot withstand testing.

At this moment, Lisandra also understood why Dean Forrester opposed her arrangement.

After failing in resistance, he deliberately took several detours, so that she would personally serve as Lin Ke Grande's "nanny."

"Necessary sacrifice is acceptable."

After muttering a sentence, Ms. Lisandra turned, stepped one pace into the void, left the mainland of the Wizard World, and returned to the Academy Headquarters.

Since that little rascal does not trust the Academy at critical moments, let him get a good beating out there!

"Master! Master!"

At the very moment Lin Ke's figure appeared in the Fairy World, Flandre came running over, crying and shouting.

Healing witchcraft was desperately applied to Lin Ke's body.

The healing potions taken from the "Small World" were poured on him as if they were free.

"How ruthless!"

With Flandre taking care of him, Lin Ke need not worry about his injuries or his life.

Lying on his back on the grassland of the Fairy World, gazing at a completely different sky, breathing air utterly unlike before.

Cough, cough...

This air is toxic; one must not inhale too much.

Taking out a mask from the "Small World" and putting it on, Lin Ke continued to lament his ordeal.

Until now, he could finally understand what "necessary sacrifice" means!

The captain of the Lucia Family's competition team, that cousin, voluntarily made a necessary sacrifice for certain interests and ideals.

This is understandable.

It is merely a personal choice.

But Lin Ke?

Just yesterday, he had dispelled his fear in the Dean's presence; today, he suffered a "backstab."

Truly, the human heart can be as hard as diamond and as cold as liquid nitrogen!

As long as it is cloaked in "necessary sacrifice" and "greater good," one can righteously carry out highly destructive acts.

"Truly ruthless!"

Lin Ke sighed again, then fully activated the "Brain Seal Technique," entering a state of extreme rationality, ignoring the pain, and began treating his wounds together with Flandre.

This severe injury, though not fatal, woke Lin Ke up.

No matter how strong the attack power, the essence of life lies there—once killed, one dies!

Superior combat power is not the true pursuit; strong life force is.

One must both dominate the universe and live long.

"What happened? How did you get injured so badly?"

The captain of the Paro Sage Legion's Forward Base Guard appeared beside Lin Ke in a flash.

Seeing that Lin Ke had preserved his life, though his injuries were horrifying and required a long rest to fully recover, he asked curiously.

"Cough, cough..."

His lungs were pierced; Lin Ke had just wanted to speak, but upon exerting to inhale, he triggered pain and a reactive cough.

After coughing for a while, regulating his breath, Lin Ke directly sent a "Mind Transmission," sighing faintly: "It's a long story."

"Then make it short."

The guard captain waved his hand, signaling the accompanying members to lift Lin Ke onto a stretcher and carry him back to the Forward Base.

Upon discovering Lin Ke appearing out of nowhere, the guard captain rushed over.

Time was rushed, I didn't bring the medical intelligent puppet, only the battlefield stretcher.

Fortunately, Lin Ke's injury has already been brought under control.

"Ah!"

Lin Ke first let out a sigh, then said slowly, "This is a necessary sacrifice."

The guard captain understood immediately upon hearing this.

Isn't this just the same as the Paro Sage Legion being besieged by abyssal demons?

It seems the academy has indeed encountered major events recently, one after another, and "necessary sacrifice" is also one after another.

Noticing that Lin Ke's injury was not simple, with deep secrets, the guard captain firmly restrained his own curiosity.

He proactively severed Lin Ke's "mind transmission" link, and marched on in silence.

Not long after, the guard captain brought two members and carried Lin Ke into Paro Sage's tent.

After setting down the stretcher, the guard captain withdrew.

"What's your situation?"

After checking Lin Ke's injury and confirming it was not serious, only needing rest, Paro Sage put his mind at ease, suppressing an inexplicable smile, and spoke.

"I've become a pawn."

This time, Lin Ke didn't beat around the bush, but directly laid out his entire ordeal.

From inexplicably having the thought "the world is so big, I want to see it";

to the whole person becoming demon-possessed and decisively starting to act;

then to resisting, struggling, and breaking free from mental control;

and finally enduring the entire process of taking three annihilation cannon shots, he recounted it in detail.

Paro Sage listened attentively, then immediately gave an inference:

"This is not the doing of Dean Forrester.

If he wanted to do something, needing you to make a necessary sacrifice, he would proactively seek your opinion.

If you disagreed, he wouldn't force it."

After thinking, Paro Sage speculated:

"It's more like Ms. Lisandra's style.

She is Dean Forrester's sister, and in her conduct, she always puts 'I' first, doing whatever she wants without ever consulting the parties involved.

Moreover, being able to silently breach your Sea of Consciousness defense and alter your cognition is a method possessed only by sages of the True Spirit Wizard lineage.

Ms. Lisandra is a Level 6 Sage of the True Spirit Wizard lineage."

"Is that so?"

Lin Ke suppressed the inexplicable negative emotions brought by his inexplicable serious injury, and calmly asked, "Is this Ms. Lisandra the only granddaughter of Great Sage Rivo and Great Sage Sosi?"

"Yes."

Paro Sage gave an affirmative answer, eyes showing curiosity, "Do you still want to take revenge on her?"

"Not exactly revenge."

Lin Ke thought for a moment, then said seriously, "It can only be considered repayment."

"Whether revenge or repayment, it's your own business."

Paro Sage smiled, then said, not continuing the topic, "Can you still return to the Wizard World mainland now?"

"No."

Lin Ke stated the facts. Flandre had already been summoned by Lin Ke into the "Small World" when the guard captain appeared.

When Lin Ke was in the Fairy World, Flandre lost her coordinates and could not enter the Wizard World, naturally also unable to summon Lin Ke in return.

"Is that so?"

Paro Sage pondered for a moment, then said, "Then just stay here peacefully. While recovering from injury, help me with work, take charge of the 'Sublimation' magic potion aspect."

"Can do."

Lin Ke readily accepted this arrangement, with no objections.

"You rest first."

After saying that, Paro Sage left the tent, not knowing where he was going.

With a thought, Lin Ke's body floated off the ground, using the means of a True Spirit Wizard, he cleaned up his torn clothes and residual bloodstains completely.

Then, using the means of an Elemental Wizard, he cleansed his body thoroughly and changed into a brand-new set of "Guardian 3202" gear.

"Guardian 3202" is a two-ring wizard tool tier set, an advanced version of "Defender 3202", with performance greatly improved in all aspects.

The reason he didn't change gear before was because the mental power and magic power of a Level 1 Wizard and those of a Level 2 Wizard exist in a qualitative difference.

Even Lin Ke, this "monster"-level genius, has mental power quantity already reaching the limit of an ordinary Level 2 Wizard, and quality far surpassing that of an ordinary Level 1 Wizard.

But compared to the "liquefied" mental power of a Level 2 Wizard, there is still a gap, unable to support the "Guardian 3202" set, and wearing it would not yield much effect.

It's like a Third-rank Wizard Apprentice can wear the "Defender 3202" set, but would still suffer damage to the viscera and be jolted in the brain.

The old does not go, the new does not come.

Since the "Defender 3202" set worn for a long time is no longer usable, let's switch to the new "Guardian 3202" set.

Coincidentally, Lin Ke has already felt the opportunity to advance to Level 2 Wizard.

After being hit by three annihilation cannon shots in succession.

This can also be considered a blessing in disguise.

After putting on the clothes, covering the chest wound where granulation tissue was growing and slowly healing, Lin Ke's feet left the ground, and he just floated like that, exiting Paro Sage's tent.

"Hello, Grande Wizard."

The attendant office director, whom he had met before, was already waiting outside, "Please follow me."

The words fell, and the attendant office chief turned and walked toward a tent not far away that had just been vacated.

Soon, the two arrived outside the tent.

The attendant office chief said: "Grande Wizard, this is your temporary residence; stay here to recuperate for now. When your condition improves, go to the medical department and work under the leadership of Wizard Bolo Salosar."

After a pause, the attendant office chief emphasized: "Now the legion's affairs are busy; if there are any matters, I hope the Grande Wizard will first communicate with the attendant office."

"Understood."

Lin Ke instantly grasped the attendant office chief's meaning and immediately agreed.

The legion is besieged by the Abyssal Demon Army, and daily affairs requiring the Sage Paro's attention pile up.

The attendant office chief is subtly hinting to Lin Ke that even if the Sage Paro appreciates him and perhaps granted him the convenience of seeing the Sage Paro at any time,

still, if unnecessary, it's best not to rashly disturb the Sage Paro.

This is not a demand from one or two people, but a requirement for the safety of the entire legion.

Lin Ke found it very reasonable and felt no resentment at all.

Being overly favored easily ruins relationships and makes enemies on all sides.

After all, Lin Ke is not a true member of the Sage Paro Legion.

Seeing Lin Ke genuinely agree from the heart, the attendant office chief breathed a sigh of relief.

I just fear encountering a brainless fool who can't even see that it's for his own good and thinks it's malicious instead!

"Then I won't disturb your rest."

The attendant office chief's mouth curled into a faint smile: "Wishing you a speedy recovery."

Having said that, he left and returned to the attendant office.

As the hub for communication between Sage Paro and all functional departments, the attendant office's work is extremely busy.

The attendant office chief is even busier, overwhelmed with work.

The reason he personally led Lin Ke to find the tent was to give the earlier reminder.

Lin Ke turned and entered the tent, resting peacefully.

He decided that during his recuperation, unless summoned, he would not seek out the Sage Paro.

Wizard World.

Riverside City is already bustling.

The commotion from six Annihilation Cannons cannot possibly be concealed.

Moreover, thanks to Lin Ke's high-energy performance in the competition among the five wizard organizations, pure-blood, half-blood, and new-blood individuals, families, or factions alike are all closely watching Lin Ke's movements.

The incident of someone suspected to be Solon Lucia ambushing Lin Ke Grande spread rapidly.

Opinions on this event vary widely among outsiders.

Only two doubts remain, which everyone and the wizard organizations want to clarify.

One: Why did Lin Ke Grande suddenly leave the Riverside District and head toward the Mesopotamia Special Zone?

Two: Where exactly did Lin Ke Grande flee to?

Yes, everyone is certain of one thing: the six Annihilation Cannons failed to kill Lin Ke Grande.

This discovery is more shocking than the suspicion that the ambusher resembled Solon Lucia.

Those were six Annihilation Cannons!

With these six Annihilation Cannons as backing, conquering a low-level civilization world with a limit of Level 3 would be more than sufficient.

Yet they failed to kill a Level 1 Wizard?

Even though this Level 1 Wizard recently revealed combat power capable of suppressing senior Level 2 Wizards.

Still, this is too absurd.

Meanwhile, upon receiving the news, Wizard Celine took action.

She directly went to the Dean and raised her question: Now that we've reached this critical juncture, will the Lucia Family, which has committed two consecutive evil deeds, still escape punishment?

Dean Forrester is also feeling overwhelmed at this moment.

According to his compromised "plot" arrangement, Lin Ke would return severely injured, then the confiscated Lucia Family assets would be transferred to him as compensation, and then some of the Lucia Family members who did evil would be killed to vent public anger.

Such handling would please everyone.

But who knew that just as the plan began to be executed, two major mistakes occurred.

One: Lin Ke Grande would rather flee into the Fairy World besieged by the Abyssal Army than rely on the academy's protection;

Two: Solon Lucia actually entered the Transformation Period and genuinely developed killing intent toward Lin Ke Grande, which is why he appeared when he shouldn't have.

Originally, everyone was just guessing and spreading rumors, but now someone has actually captured evidence of him appearing at the crime scene!

This is infuriating.

Looking at Wizard Celine, who is calm and quiet but simply demands a clear explanation.

Dean Forrester's head feels even bigger.

Wizard Celine, after receiving repeated stimuli, has instead made progress in her wizard level, seemingly showing a tendency to enter the Transformation Period.

Once she successfully enters the Transformation Period, she won't need to wait for formal promotion; Wizard Celine can add a prefix to her professional title.

People will then respectfully address her as "Great Pharmacist."

"Great Pharmacist," "Great Alchemist Master"—these individuals' identities, status, and value far exceed those of ordinary Sages, belonging to strategic talent.

Their importance must be heightened.

Dean Forrester's thoughts turned many times; he decided to go with the flow, first handle things according to the original plan, then do something with Wizard Celine to create a stir, attract attention.

Thus, Dean Forrester solemnly said:

"Lin Ke Grande is definitely fine; please be assured of this.

The academy naturally will not ignore this matter; it will certainly intervene and handle it—please also be assured of this.

Currently, it is temporarily being considered to assign the confiscated portion of the Lucia Family's assets to his name as compensation.

Further measures will follow.

As for the handling of the Lucia Family, it cannot be done in a blanket manner; it must be based on actual circumstances.

Selinn Wushi listened to the Dean's words with a blank expression, showing no other emotion, merely nodding slightly to indicate understanding.

Afterwards, Selinn Wushi politely took leave and walked out of the Dean's Office.

Looking up at the sun radiating light and heat, Selinn Wushi felt a slight chill in the body, and immediately made a decision in mind.

From now on, she will live according to her own will.

To hell with Paro, to hell with the Academy.

I will become a Sage, I will become a Great Sage!