Chapter 278: with translation of chapter title

284. Chapter 284: On the Wedding

Wizard world.

West Coast, Tudor Grand District, Michelle District, Livososs Special Zone.

Livososs City, North District, a large villa meticulously arranged inside and out.

The wedding of Asande Kont and Rene Clark will soon be held here.

This large villa was bought by Asande with his own savings; it is not property of the Clark family, nor did it use Rene's Magic Stone.

When Rene Clark refused the family's arrangement, choosing to marry out rather than become an internal son-in-law, her stance had already been made clear.

Holding the wedding here, and then the two living here afterwards, naturally became a matter of course.

Asande no longer concealed his position as general manager in Free to Do Anything, and high-profile invited the Benevolent Brother Group, Social Anxiety Group, and core members of the Third Echelon, all first-rank wizards, to come to the villa, arrange the hall, and promote the wedding.

Guests who knew of this smiled without speaking.

Guests who did not know of this suddenly came to realize.

No wonder Free to Do Anything's modus operandi for a period differed greatly from before, breaking with the norm and expanding everywhere.

After encountering slight resistance, they then consciously kept a low profile, consolidating the gains of the expansion.

Every move showed considerable shrewdness; the measure of advance and retreat was grasped very precisely.

It turned out they had replaced the person in charge with someone experienced.

Seeing that Asande didn't need to worry himself, under the promotion of Free to Do Anything members, the wedding proceeded orderly, and many wizards harbored different thoughts.

How did they not initially think that Linke Grand needed a third-rank wizard capable of holding up the scene to lead the development of Free to Do Anything?

Only now do they realize, but it's already too late.

No matter how talented Linke Grand is, and no matter how full of potential Free to Do Anything is, being able to accommodate a third-rank wizard has already reached the current limit.

Now trying to squeeze in, the gains may not necessarily offset the costs!

Immediately, these wizards had to admire Asande's truly keen eye, whether selecting people or forces, he had a unique insight.

Recalling back then, upon learning that Asande Kont had resigned from his post as head of the intelligence department of the Paragon Sage Legion, living in leisure at home, many felt a schadenfreude that flushed their faces slightly.

He's been seen through!

Regardless of the reason Asande left the Paragon Sage Legion.

At least they parted on peaceful terms, not souring the relationship, and still maintained close contact.

The wizards of the Paragon Sage Legion, including the Paragon Sage himself, even if stationed in another world and unable to attend to congratulate, specially had someone send congratulatory gifts.

And Asande only lay low for a short time before turning to invest in a small organization full of development prospects, becoming a solid senior member.

Tsk tsk, no wonder he could marry the Clark family's most outstanding junior in recent years, Rene Clark.

His vision is unique, his actions decisive; if he can't do it, who else could?

The Clark family naturally sent people to attend the wedding, and not few, with elders, middle-aged, and youth all represented.

Nine Clarks stayed in a room on the second floor of the villa, no one speaking, maintaining silence.

The elder Clark leading the wedding party is the grandfather of Rene and Iris sisters.

The three middle-aged Clarks are respectively Rene and Iris's great-uncle, third uncle, and fourth uncle.

The remaining five young Clarks are the cousins of Rene and Iris sisters.

Although Rene chose to marry out rather than become an internal son-in-law, among the nine Clarks present some dislike Asande, yet they would not do foolish things.

For example, despising Asande Kont's origin as Storm Sea Newblood;

For example, mocking Asande Kont, a full-fledged third-rank wizard, for actually working for a second-rank wizard.

If they dislike him, they simply avoid seeing him more.

Moreover, there is an old gentleman pressing down from above.

"Lyon, go see who has come to give gifts, and what grade those gifts are."

After a long while, the elder Clark broke the silence, staring directly at his lineage's eldest grandson, and gave an order.

"Yes, grandfather."

The Clark named Lyon rose, performed a respectful salute, and left the room.

"Father, is it needed?"

The youngest of the three middle-aged Clarks curled his lip and said, "Besides the Paragon Sage, the Serin Sage, and the Cody Sage, what distinguished guests could Asande invite?"

The elder Clark gave his youngest son a sideways glance, saying nothing.

Despite the authority of a senior fourth-rank sage, it made the youngest middle-aged Clark involuntarily lower his head.

Are the three sages someone you can just invite whenever you want?

Even without using my name or the family's name, could you even try to invite a sage?

After a moment, the elder Clark coldly said: "I don't care what you thought before; from now on, don't harbor any designs on your second brother and sister-in-law's inheritance. Remember, absolutely do not have such thoughts."

"Father, I don't."

The youngest middle-aged Clark broke into a sweat, his heart anxious, and hurriedly defended: "I have never had such thoughts!"

"Really?"

The elder Clark said indifferently: "It's best if you don't. Leaving aside whether you could even beat Rene, just saying Iris's current status, even I cannot criticize her a word, let alone you. It's best not to have those thoughts; otherwise, no one can protect you."

At the final "them" character, the other two middle-aged Clarks were frightened and hurriedly lowered their heads: "Yes, we will dutifully follow father's teachings."

"Hmph!"

The elder Clark gave a cold snort, warning: "Today, attend the wedding quietly; no one is allowed to cause trouble!"

"We dare not!"

The three middle-aged Clarks shouted in unison.

The remaining four youths, Clark, after hearing this conversation, had only one thought: Rene and Iris sisters, they really rose to the heavens in a single step!

Not long later, Lai En Ke La Ke returned to the room with a face full of surprise.

"What's the situation?"

Old Ke La Ke quietly cast a calming spell on the eldest grandson, then spoke up to ask.

Lai En Ke La Ke's mind was no longer shocked, but his tone still trembled as he said: "Shan...... Shan Duo La. Di Ao Man De mage personally attended, sending blessings to A Sang De and Rui Ni!"

That sentence directly silenced all the Ke La Kes in the room.

Including the old Ke Lan Ke, a senior fourth-rank sage, grandfather of Rui Ni and Ai Rui Si.

Di Ao Man De, however, is the surname of the great sage of Rui Wo.

As for Shan Duo La. Di Ao Man De, any wizard who has developed in the Rui Wo Suo Si district has more or less heard of her.

Moreover, the Ke La Ke family, which relies on the Rui Wo Suo Si Academy, is a half-blood family that could only develop because of that.

The nine Ke La Kes naturally understood clearly; Shan Duo La is the sole female of the fourth generation of the Di Ao Man De family, dearly beloved!

Lai En Ke La Ke continued speaking amidst the others' silence: "Shan Duo La mage also...... also said, hoping for pleasant cooperation in the future."

This news is even more explosive.

A Sang De actually became colleagues with Shan Duo La. Di Ao Man De—is this because he entered the Diomande family's good graces, or is there another reason?

"What's the situation? Have you looked into it?"

Old Ke La Ke has experienced many ups and downs in his lifetime; he was merely surprised for a moment.

Lai En Ke La Ke nodded and replied: "I heard that Linke Grand set up a branch at the academy headquarters, with Shan Duo La mage as branch general manager, concurrently serving as vice president."

"Hmm."

Old Ke La Ke's gaze was faint; he didn't know what he was thinking.

The three middle-aged Ke La Kes exchanged a glance, each seeing the other's shock and loss.

To be honest, have these three Ke La Kes ever coveted the inheritance left by their brother for his two daughters?

Perhaps they have had such thoughts, after all, that fortune was so abundant that even after Rui Ni Ke La Ke achieved third-rank mage, more than half remained.

However, for various reasons, the three middle-aged Ke La Kes never actually acted on it.

Now, they three are very glad they never acted on it, not even having tried.

Including Lai En, the five young Ke La Kes' hearts held only envy and jealousy toward Rui Ni.

The first floor of the grand villa is the hall.

Asande and Rene, each in fine attire, greeted the group of seven who had arrived together: Lin Ke, Mo Li, Shan Duo La, Lan Ni, Ti Fu Ni, Fu Li De, Jie La De.

After sending their blessings, the seven presented their gifts in turn.

At the wizards' various ceremonies, whether a sage's promotion rite or a wedding, it is customary to unwrap gifts in front of the guests.

The promotion rite keeps the gifts to the end, unwrapping them one by one.

For a wedding, depending on the host's wishes, gifts can be unwrapped immediately upon receipt or saved until the end of the wedding as the final 'program'.

Asande and Rene chose to unwrap the gifts before the seven; the other guests could also watch as spectators.

Whether intentionally or not, Asande and Rene began unwrapping the gifts starting with Jie La De's, the last to present a gift.

The gifts from Jie La De, Fu Li De, Ti Fu Ni, and Lan Ni were all proper, neither lacking nor particularly outstanding.

The guests in the hall, seeing these four gifts similar to their own, remained calm on the surface but secretly anticipated the next three gifts.

Especially Shan Duo La. Di Ao Man De's gift, which looked unremarkable.

Asande and Rene sensed some emotional fluctuations among the guests, exchanged a glance, and tacitly reached together for Mo Li's gift.

Lin Ke's gift served as the finale, Shan Duo La's as the main act, and Mo Li's as the warm-up—this order was quite fitting.

Mo Li looked at the newlyweds' tacit coordination, felt envy, then silently blessed them.

"Wow!"

Upon opening the gift box and taking out the gift, Rene let out an exclamation.

The guests saw clearly that Rene held a contract stating the 49% equity of a tea shop in the Eastern District, and exclamations rose and fell.

After this period of promotion, tea and tea drinks not only completely captivated the Rui Wo Suo Si district.

It has also spread to the neighboring Shadow City district and Mesopotamia district.

Even wizards in the distant Flame and Metal district and White Tower district are inquiring how to become agents for selling tea and tea drinks.

No one knows exactly how Linke Grand cultivates and refines it.

Other apothecaries tried to replicate it, but all ended up drawing a tiger and ending up with a dog; for now, none have successfully launched a product that can compete in the tea and tea drink market.

What does the 49% equity of a tea shop mean, even if the shop is located in the Eastern District rather than the Northern District?

It means this is a Magic Stone mine that can continuously produce Magic Stones!

Although the hand may not be large enough to completely surpass the value of other guests' gifts, it is currently the most impactful gift.

"Too extravagant!"

Rene put the contract back into the gift box, saying:

"Just a token of my heart."

Mo Li smiled lightly, not exchanging barbs with Rene as usual, and once again sincerely blessed them: "May you be forever united."

"Thank you."

Rene's face showed a happy smile; she accepted the blessing openly, then sincerely returned thanks.

Asande, seeing the two finish their exchange, picked up Lin Ke's gift box.

As soon as he took it, Asande felt something was off, immediately increased his force, and then managed to hold it steady.

The wizards present, each sharp-eyed and quick-eared, immediately noticed the lack of coordination in Asande's movements.

It seems Linke Grand's gift is quite substantial.

Taking a deep breath, Asande carefully unwrapped the startlingly beautiful packaging, revealing a round ball covered in spikes that looked not very attractive.

Hiss!!!!

The sound of drawing in cold breath nevertheless rose and fell in the auditorium.

Don't judge by its spiky, ugly appearance—this sphere is extremely valuable.

It is actually a starship rebuilt from a level‑3 insectoid nest as its base.

Even with material limits and inexperience in crafting, the ship is merely a 3‑ring wizard device, on par with the "Hummingbird"‑class warship.

But beholding the lunatic setup of 360 antimatter cannons, what does it matter that it's only a 3‑ring wizard device?

Should this insectoid‑nest‑derived starship catch a fighter, its 360 antimatter cannons lay down nonstop blanket fire; by the Sage‑legion starfleet standard, only star fortresses and main‑line warships can endure it, and even auxiliary warships would be hard‑pressed.

This attack strategy aims not for a one‑time overwhelming burst, but for sustained suppressive fire!

Moreover, the wizards who spotted the inexperience in crafting were even more shocked than those who missed it.

What does inexperience in crafting mean?

It means the alchemist who remodeled and forged this nest‑ship is a novice.

Since Linke Grand chose to gift this nest‑ship, he would not waste a large sum of Magic Stone hiring a novice alchemist for such a pointless expense.

A simple guess makes it clear: the alchemist who remodeled and forged this nest‑ship is Linke Grand himself, or someone extremely close to him.

The latter is possible, but not likely.

Thus, Linke Grand is not only formidable in combat and a genius apothecary, but also a genius alchemist!

Now he can actually forge a super‑large 3‑ring wizard device!

At this moment, the wizards who noticed the inexperience—whether first‑, second‑, or third‑rank—kept shifting their gaze toward Linke Grand, again and again.

Even many wizards felt the impulse to immediately emulate Asande, join the "Do Whatever You Want" faction, and defect to Linke Grand's camp.

This leg is no longer skinny now, and it will only get thicker!

Just grab it decisively—no shame!

"Sorry for the expense!"

Asande carefully examined the single‑use miniaturized insectoid nest‑ship in his hand, his tone quite heavy.

"This damn thing is a gift?"

"This damn thing is meant to win his heart!"

Does Asande lack a 3‑ring warship?

Frankly, no!

He himself already has a "Lark"‑class starship.

Renee also has a "Goshawk"‑class (auxiliary) starship, one rank above the Lark class.

But the nest‑ship personally forged by Lin Ke carries a wholly different meaning.

This is telling Asande: follow me, and you'll have ample potions, sufficient wizard devices, and an endless flow of Magic Stone.

"Rest assured, accept it—there'll be more later."

Lin Ke does not hide his intentions; he even spells them out outright.

Asande pondered a moment, then nodded and said, "All right, I'll accept it."

Renee watched the whole scene from the side, with only one thought in her mind:

"Damn, this guy not only bewitched my sister, he's trying to snatch my husband too—truly despicable!"

Nevertheless, even while seething inside, Renee still had to thank Lin Ke together with Asande on the surface.

That makes him even more hateful!

Fortunately, the gift from Wizard Sandra Diamond remains unopened, allowing a distraction.

With a gloomy, inscrutable mood, Renee Clark quickly tore open the gift box Sandra Diamond had sent.

It is a palm‑sized, finger‑thick little box.

Opening it took hardly any effort; Renee had it undone in a couple of moves.

The nine Clarks lingering in the upstairs rooms, hearing the earlier commotion, followed the elder Clark out into the hallway and looked down over the first‑floor hall.

It happened just as Asande was putting away the nest‑ship and Renee was opening her palm‑sized gift box.

One sees Renee first glance into the box, instantly wear an expression of disbelief, not immediately taking out the gift inside, but instead staring in astonishment at Sandra.

Her gaze seemed to ask, "Is this really meant for us?"

Sandra smiled and gave a slight nod, confirming Renee's question.

Renee drew a deep breath before accepting the fact.

She calmed her excitement and took from the box a uniformly pale‑gray card.

This pale‑gray card has nothing particularly eye‑catching, yet the moment it appears it rivets the gaze of every guest.

In the upstairs hallway, the elder Clark, rarely losing composure, gulped hard.

Sage Selin appeared beside the elder Clark at some point; once he regained his senses, she asked directly, "Do you still think Renee's marrying out was a mistake?"

The elder Clark turned his head, looked at his granddaughter's close friend—whose status and position are in no way inferior to his Sage Selin—and said calmly, "I never meant to blame Renee."

After a pause, the elder Clark's expression grew much more sorrowful: "I just don't want my second son to lack direct descendants."

Upon hearing this, Sage Selin fell silent for a moment, then said, "Asande promised Renee that if they have two or more children, they will choose one to bear the Clark name, but that child will not join the Clark family."

"I understand."

The elder Clark's eyes showed a very complex mix—almost relieved, yet also grieving.

Having said her piece, Sage Selin fell silent and fixed her gaze on the pale‑gray card in Renee's hand.

The card is nothing special—just an access key for a villa at the institute's main campus.

All the wizards present who have done advanced study at the institute's main campus have used similar access cards before.

Only, the ones they used then were temporary cards, orange‑red in color.

The light-gray access card is a permanent card, representing the ownership of that villa.

How many local families and local wizards wish to be stationed at the academy's main campus, yet cannot.

Asande and Rene merely get married, and they can fulfill the hope that many people dream of.

It arouses envy, jealousy, and hatred!