"Duke's dead?" Allen was stunned and quickly asked, "Senior Sister! When and how did he die?"
"Not long after entering the secret realm, he died from a reversion to demonic possession due to a lapse in cultivation."
"The secret realm is isolated from the outside world, and information transmission is poor, so I only heard about this recently."
"As for Duke's death, whether there's a hidden story behind it... I can't say, and you shouldn't ask. Let's just let it go."
Alan listened silently, feeling melancholy.
Sceneries of their time together studying on the same ship, and the scenes on Magic Stone Island, flashed through his mind...
Although Duke wasn't his best friend, he had at least fought alongside him.
Hearing the news of his death now, he couldn't help but feel a sense of regret and sadness...
However, Duke's tragic end wasn't surprising.
Sometimes, he thought, Duke was, in some ways, more like a time traveler than he was.
To be more precise, like the protagonist in a fantasy novel.
Unfortunately, he didn't live in a world of happy stories.
The cruel world of warlocks was far too hostile for someone with a "Dragon-Arrogant" personality like Duke.
Meanwhile, Angel was still cultivating in the secret realm.
Two years had already passed in outside time. Given Angel's talent... His current cultivation level must have reached at least the early stages of Level 2, right? Allen speculated.
He wondered how powerful Angel would be when he emerged from seclusion.
By then, Angel would be eighteen.
He would still be only fifteen. Perhaps they would feel unfamiliar when they met again? But that didn't matter.
Allen felt that Angel wouldn't change much as he grew up.
At least the height difference between them wouldn't change.
I could still pat his head and take him out for some delicious food.
I hope the twisted time inside and outside the secret realm won't change that pure friendship.
…
"Alan, something big is going to happen soon, and it might have something to do with you."
In the martial arts school's study, Pansen's face was serious, his voice low.
"The plague crisis is spreading more and more."
"The epidemic is spreading rapidly across the Federation islands."
"Behind the plague outbreaks in various places, there are many signs of Beast Cult activity."
"These crazy cultists are replicating their methods from Magic Stone Island on a large scale."
"While secretly controlling the rat swarms and spreading the plague, they are simultaneously portraying themselves as saviors, curing illnesses and saving lives, and spreading this cult among the people."
"The major warlock families cannot tolerate the rampant activities of the Beast Cult."
"The top brass has decided to declare an all-out war against the Beast Cult!"
Alan had recently heard the news his mentor had revealed, and it didn't surprise him.
"Mentor, what does the Federation's major families joining forces to combat this cult have to do with a small figure like me?" Alan asked, puzzled.
"Silly child, you're not thinking long-term enough..."
Panthe sighed, a wry smile on his face.
"Once war breaks out, the Warlock Academy will be drawn in."
"The aristocratic children in the academy all see joining the war as a golden opportunity to gain merit and fame."
"As for commoners like you, you can only serve as vanguards on the front lines."
"Swept blood, even sacrificed lives, to adorn the medals of honor of the noble young men and women!"
Alan felt a pang of discontent after hearing his mentor's words.
The warlock world, ruled by aristocratic bloodlines, values military exploits.
The aristocratic education received by children of noble families also includes military tactics and strategy.
Some young men, self-proclaimed natural-born generals, enjoy the battlefield, racking up military merits and accumulating capital for promotion.
A general's success is built on the sacrifices of countless soldiers.
Those commoners who are actually pushed to the front lines, like Alan, don't have a favorable impression of war.
Moreover, he still had an old score to settle with the Beast Worship Cult.
"In the battle on Magic Stone Island, the Beast Worship Cult lost two plague sorcerers and the crucial Plague God statue."
Pansen walked up to the student and lowered his voice.
"The cultists believe the Plague God statue must have been taken by someone in the investigation team, and the suspects... include you."
It was Pansen who had originally persuaded Allen to join the Magic Stone Island investigation team and secure a spot in the secret realm.
Alan listened and went to Magic Stone Island.
He performed exceptionally well in the mission to suppress the cult.
He risked being hunted by the Beast Worship Cult to finally secure a spot in the secret realm, only to have it half-bought, half-robbed by Young Master Marvin.
Pansen only learned of this incident afterward.
He felt deeply guilty.
He felt he owed this young disciple. So, upon receiving news of the academy's impending war with the cult, they immediately sought out Allen, tipped him off, and urged him to prepare.
The team participating in the Magic Stone Island operation consisted of five people.
Andy and Duke were already dead.
Pamela and Angel were still cultivating in the secret realm, safe and sound.
Allen, alone, was the most vulnerable target for the cultists.
If the war broke out, Allen would undoubtedly be sent to the front lines.
The Beast Cult would undoubtedly target him.
And the academy might not be interested in protecting a commoner like him.
Besides...
"Alan, do you remember Hubert, our natural science instructor?" Pansa sked softly.
Alan's heart sank, and he nodded gently.
Because of the apprenticeship, the winery incident, and Hubert's niece, Olivia... Allen had repeatedly offended this person.
Although it wasn't his fault, but...
"Hubert is narrow-minded!"
Pansen spoke for his students.
"Hubert happens to be in charge of selecting the first batch of students to join the war."
"Due to various misunderstandings, he seems to dislike you. If he had the chance to send you as cannon fodder, he wouldn't hesitate!"
"So, I suggest you quickly take a long vacation, under the guise of carrying out a mission, quietly leave the academy, and find a rural hideout."
"What mission?"
"Don't worry about that. I'll make one up for you!"
"Just say you've been assigned by the sect to conduct a long-term field survey. What's Hubert's business? If you're dissatisfied, let him come and confront me!"
"Once the academy has completely defeated the Beast Cult and everything is safe, it won't be too late for you to come back."
"Teacher... thank you for your trouble."
Alan was quite touched to see his mentor take the pressure on him.
Now, he had two paths before him.
First: accept his mentor's advice and flee as soon as possible!
Second: disclose his poisonous demon bloodline, win the attention of the academy's top brass with his talent, seek refuge with a prominent family, and thus gain protection.
This second path essentially replicated the life trajectory of Angel and Tanya.
Thinking of his senior sister's tolerance of the Marvin siblings' affair, he could only swallow his grievances, daring to be angry but not speak out...
Thinking of Angel's lack of dignity in front of Pamela, being ordered around by his fiancée and treated like a punching bag...
Thinking of his senior sister and Angel, they would both be used as "tools" by their respective sorcerer families in the future to improve their bloodlines and have children, clearly arranged...
Alan, with all his heart, detested such a life! !
If he refused the offer from the aristocratic family, his situation at the academy would likely be similar to Duke's, who died inexplicably in the secret realm.
After careful consideration, Allen decided to accept his mentor's advice.
He would secretly leave the academy for a while to see which way the wind blew.
"Alan! One more thing. Tell me honestly: do you know the whereabouts of the evil statue that the Beast Cult lost on Magic Stone Island?"
Faced with his mentor's inquiry, Allen didn't hesitate.
He simply opened his storage bag and took out the Plague God statue.
"Teacher, I leave this statue in your care. It's entirely up to you!"
Next, Allen unreservedly explained the statue's two special functions to his mentor.
He also confessed that, with the Plague God statue, he had purified his beastly bloodline to 7%, a superior aptitude!
Pantheon didn't even touch the statue before turning his back.
"Alan! I'm relieved if you tell the truth!"
"My master doesn't have any beastly blood. The statue is useless. Keep it for yourself."
After a moment's hesitation, Pansen added cautiously:
"This thing is too dangerous. Keeping it will only attract disaster!"
"Alan, you'd better find a secret place to bury the Plague God statue."
"Or just burn it to avoid being noticed!"
Alan nodded.
The Plague God statue was no longer useful to him now. It should be properly disposed of to avoid further trouble.
Pansen opened a drawer, took out a medicine box, and handed it to Alan.
"Since you have beastly blood, things will be easier."
"Here's a bloodline awakening potion, take it."
"For an ordinary warlock, injecting this potion is tantamount to suicide."
"Only warlocks with shapeshifting bloodlines can, after taking this injection, awaken the first-level 'Disguise' spell."
"Beastmen are a typical shapeshifting creature!"
"Beastly bloodlines, of course, belong to the shapeshifting bloodline family."
"Alan, once you awaken this spell, you'll be able to change your body shape and appearance at any time."
"If you're ever hunted by cultists, you can try to disguise yourself and escape."
Finally, Pantheon reminded his student.
"Alan, don't think injections are a good thing!"
"If you take too many, beyond your tolerance limit, your bloodline will collapse!"
"My mentor...died because of this."
Pantheon sighed, his expression glum.
"Don't worry! I'll definitely remember your instructions and exercise restraint," Allen said solemnly.
After accepting the injection, Allen said goodbye to his mentor.
He returned to his dormitory, packed his luggage, and prepared to leave.
Just then, there was a knock on the door.
Alan opened it.
He saw Senior Sister Tanya standing outside.
Her pretty face was filled with reluctance.
She clearly knew he was leaving.
Tanya entered the room and closed the door behind her.
She softly asked Allen, "Junior Brother, what are your plans next?"
"Junior Sister, I want to go back to my hometown to visit my family and stay there for a while. I haven't decided what to do in the future yet..."
Alan told him the truth.
"Spending more time with my family would be helpful."
Tanya sighed and opened her storage bag.
She pulled out a heavy bag. "Alan, after you leave the academy, it won't be so easy to get magic stones."
"I have five hundred attributeless magic stones here. Take them."
"When you've used them up, remember to write to me. I'll try to raise some for you."
Alan's nose stung at his sister's gentle words.
He didn't want to lose his composure in front of her and expose his vulnerability, so he forced a rather unfunny joke.
"Sister, you gave me all your dowry. What are you going to do when you get married?"
"Then don't get married!" Tanya said unhappily.
"Sister, how about..." Alan blurted out impulsively, "How about you just put up with it and marry me?"
"Bah! Wishful thinking!"
Tanya rolled her eyes at him, a lovely blush spreading across her cheeks.
Alan's heart burned, and he couldn't help but step forward, grasp her slender hand, and make a bold request.
"Sister, after this separation, I don't know when we'll meet again."
"Before we part... I want to kiss you, as a souvenir."
Tanya hesitated.
She bit her lower lip, avoiding his burning gaze.
Her cheeks flushed, and she leaned closer to his lips.