She had learned about the incident a few months ago but had let her junior disciples manage it. Yet, that hateful student had to yell lies before the other members. What would their club become if she didn't act with the highest level of firmness against outrageous deeds in public?
She ground her teeth, turned to a dutiful staff member, and commended, "Replace him with an honest student who shares our value and love for the game." Then, she glanced at Adam, failing to look him in the eyes.
"So, you are the club manager? Who would have thought?" Adam whistled, unbothered by her guilt-ridden face. "I know what you think. The past is in the past, and you can't control your team's actions," he smiled to reassure her before adding. "I indeed damaged the precious cards to punish him, so I'm also half a culprit."
Her lips curled into a bitter smile as she relaxed a little. As the manager, she was responsible for failing to judge the thief's character. After a moment of contemplation, she shook her head to recompose herself and proceed with their tasks. Slowly recovering her excitement, she jumped over the wooden counter and stood before the magic device utilised to convert talismans into cards.
No words were needed. Julius handed her the nineteen talismans, his eyes glowing with anticipation. He, too, was eager to see the fruits of their dangerous expedition.
Under the duo's watchful eyes, the device's brush sprang to life, faithfully replicating the creatures' images onto sturdy cards. It meticulously marked their tiers, names, and special effects before transferring the souls imprisoned in the talismans.
Upon seeing the fierce chimaeras' black chitin, powerful legs, and horrendous mandibles, Zenobia's hands shook in disbelief. "What are those creatures?" She asked, her grey eyes widening as her mind failed to understand how the duo could defeat such vicious beasts.
However, she didn't wait for the answer, flipping the cards until a dullahan mounting an overbearing stallion greeted her bulging eyes. "..." Her mind blanked for a moment, unable to draft coherent thoughts.
Meanwhile, Adam chuckled as he recounted their heroic fight against the evil ghost, attributing most of the credit to Julius.
"It must have been hard," she said, feeling the weight of the fight as if she were there thanks to the vivid descriptions. Then, she placed the cards into a small leather case. "It's a popular tier-one item. It'll protect your deck from humidity and erosion," she added, handing it to the boy before joining them.
"How much does it cost?" Asked Adam, interested in the practical design. With its back opening, players could attach it to their belts, making it easy to carry around.
"Don't worry. It's on the house," she said, a bright smile tugging at her lips.
However, Adam shook his head. "I'm willing to pay like everyone else," he said, gesturing for the boy to retrieve his heavy pouch. 'I won't let another weakness grow out of control,' he thought, already acting on his earlier idea.
Baffled by the refusal, Zenobia took nineteen shiny gold coins for the card conversion and five for the case. Once done, they returned to Shepard's tower under the club member's excited eyes.
After a few banters and twenty minutes of walking, Zenobia said with a mischievous smile, "I'm impressed by your integrity. Despite our brief interactions, you'll soon become my favorite junior." Then, she waved her hand with a smile, adding, "I'll join the others for now. Have fun studying!"
With a smile, they lingered before climbing the stairs to the library.
As Adam delved into the intricacies of puppet creation with unwavering focus, time flowed relentlessly onward, transforming the frigid winter into the vibrant hues of spring.
During that time, Julius reached the limits of the Foundation Building Realm. A short step away from the Golden Core Realm, he felt he could break through in a few days.
However, they had to face more pressing and dangerous matters first. "I don't want to see him again!" He exclaimed, standing in front of the active Gate. Unwillingness and terror distorted his youthful face as he glared at his big brother.
"See it like mental training, then!" Replied Adam with a wry smile. What could he say? He needed the sigil, and the time to retrieve it finally came. He also visited each teacher beforehand to retrieve their materials and share his mana control-focused advancement method. Free from his debt, he felt an invisible weight pressing on his heart vanish.
Meanwhile, Shepard turned to them. With a gentle smile, he asked, "Are you sure you don't want me to accompany you?" After all, he had no reason to be afraid this time since they would only complete their deal.
"We'll be back before you can miss us," Adam replied, a cheeky smile tugging at his lips as he pushed the unwilling boy into the Gate's veil of mana.
A few seconds later, terrible heat assaulted the grumbling boy. The same red desert rose and fell in mighty dunes in the distance. Behind him, the boisterous capital city of the Beast empire bustled with life.
Soon, the familiar attendant walked elegantly on the milky white slabs covering the exotic garden path to greet them. "I'm glad to see you again," he said, bowing respectfully despite his higher tier. "Same rules as last time," he added, adjusting his toga before gesturing for the duo to follow him into the grand hall of the Beast Temple.
A moment later, they bowed reluctantly in front of the most feared individual on the planet.
Fortunately, as they were familiar with each other already, the archmage's blue eyes glistened, "At ease. I'm pleased with the ally you recommended," he said, his lips curling into a satisfied smile.
Then, he took steady steps in their direction. "I suffered a bit. But I can lend you my sigil for twelve hours as promised," he continued, retrieving a round, archaic medal pulsing with mana from his robes.
However, solemness covered his features. His warning echoed in the hall, direct and brutal. "However, you'll have to use it in the temple. Several adepts will monitor your room from the corridor. If you try to flee or destroy it, they'll kill you."
Alarmed by the not-so-veiled threat, Julius trembled in fear. Despite his best efforts to conceal it, the vast strength difference between him and the archmage filled him with terror, leaving him feeling small and vulnerable.
Meanwhile, Adam shrugged. They were already in the lion's maw. It was too late to be afraid. "I'll give you the complete ritual once I'm done," he said, wearing his poker face not to show his worries. After all, nothing guaranteed him the emperor wouldn't expel them after getting what he wanted.