prynovel Chapter 55 The Cause and the Unknown Conspiracy
Chapter 55 The Cause and the Unknown Conspiracy
Daydreaming aimlessly is pointless.
Hick suppressed the turmoil in his heart and simply walked to the nearest bookshelf. His fingertips brushed against the cold spines of the books, and he randomly picked out a few that looked interesting, forcing himself to immerse himself in them.
Time flowed silently between the turning pages of the book, the light outside the window changed from bright to dim, and the moonlight shone on Hick's face.
He had almost forgotten his original purpose for coming here, until—
As he was putting the heavy books back in their place once again, his fingers inadvertently touched the edge of a thin book below.
The familiar touch made him pause.
Upon taking a look, Hick frowned slightly.
"Mental Meditation Methods for the Elements of Darkness and Shadow (Revised with Perrot's Notes)"
This is precisely the meditation method he has mastered and is extremely suitable for him, serving as his primary meditation practice!
How did it end up here? I've never seen it here before, no matter how many times I've been here.
"When did the instructor put this basic meditation method book here as well?"
A moment of doubt flashed through his mind, but he still subconsciously opened the booklet that he should have been extremely familiar with.
Perhaps... there's something new hidden in the tutor's notes?
His gaze swept quickly across the familiar meditation path diagrams and mental energy guidance formulas, until it reached the chapter that should have been labeled "Mental Energy Thresholds and Breakthrough Directions for Level Three Apprentices"—
On the originally blank page, a complex and dizzying energy structure diagram has suddenly appeared!
"The Structure Diagram of Mental Solidification"!
Om-!
A chilling current instantly coursed through Hick's entire body!
His pupils suddenly contracted, and his heart felt as if it were being gripped tightly by an invisible hand, almost stopping its beating!
"How is that possible?!"
A horrifying thought exploded in my mind: "How could my mentor possibly know my current state?!"
He stared intently at the diagram, every line and every energy node pointing precisely to the core structure of the "system" within him, a structure that was not yet fully formed and which even he himself had not been able to fully analyze!
This is the key secret that enabled him to break through the peak of the third-level apprentice and touch the threshold of becoming a formal wizard!
Cold sweat instantly soaked through my back.
My advisor said there was something "useful"... Could this be it?!
But this...
How could my supervisor possibly know my current situation?
How do I know if I need this breakthrough to become a formal wizard?
I clearly have a system...
The thought, like a lightning bolt striking in the darkness, instantly illuminated all doubts!
Mochamo the Great Wizard!
Hick's thoughts were suddenly pulled back to that thrilling moment—his confrontation with Chiron right under Lord Mochamo's nose!
Mentor Perot may not have seen it in person, but that third-level archmage sitting on the Silent Throne...
Those eyes that see through everything will surely see everything clearly!
Then I recall Mochamona's seemingly casual yet profound praise...
That's not appreciation at all! That's confirmation! That's a mark!
At that moment, the extraordinary power fluctuation within his body, far exceeding that of a typical peak third-level apprentice, was probably exposed nakedly to the perception of that great wizard, like a lighthouse in the dark!
This "confirmation" must have been conveyed to Pelosi through some unknown means!
and so……
Hick felt a chill run from his feet to the top of his head, making his very soul tremble.
"Did I... personally push myself into this mission?!"
No wonder Pero entrusted him with this mission, which concerned the core interests of the Silent Forest, required absolute secrecy, and involved formidable forces!
From the moment he revealed that extraordinary power to Mochamo, he became an irreplaceable and firmly controlled pawn in Pero's plan!
What was the accidental discovery of that basic meditation method that was placed in the most conspicuous position yet seemed so "out of place"?
This was clearly one of the rewards that his mentor, Pello, had carefully prepared for him!
It is also a silent declaration: I know your secrets; your power is at my disposal; your destiny is in my hands!
Mochamona's seemingly approving gaze, Perona's meaningful smile, the cold promise made when handing over the mission, and Carlo Bailey's lifeless modified body...
All the fragments were forcibly pieced together at this moment by this "Structure Diagram of Mental Solidification," forming a picture that left one powerless to struggle.
He was used; he became a tool again, essentially no different from the previous times.
From the moment he chose to bare his fangs in front of Mochamo and Kaelon, he became a key, inescapable pawn in the grand scheme of the Silent Forest.
What Pero needs is not his loyalty, but the strength that the "system" has given him, which far surpasses that of his peers and is enough to complete special hunting missions at the apprentice level!
The so-called "protection promise" and the Carlo puppet are both an aid and a shackle and a warning.
Cold sweat trickled down his forehead, dripping onto the yellowed pages of the book, leaving a small, dark stain.
Hick slammed the meditation booklet shut, as if the hot potato would burn his soul.
After the fear came a surge of anger and resentment.
He was like a flying insect caught in a spider's web, thinking he was struggling ever since he came into this world, but in reality, every step he took was within the predator's calculations.
He took a deep breath, but the heavy smell of books and dust in the air could not dispel the heaviness and resolve in his heart.
The door to the private library slid open silently, and the Kerry owl remained asleep on its perch, seemingly oblivious to everything happening inside.
Hick walked out, his figure disappearing into the cool morning light of the wizard tower's corridor.
He was no longer the arrogant apprentice whose strength had increased dramatically, nor the terrified and desperate pawn who had just learned the secret.
He was more like a suicide soldier about to enter the arena, burdened by inescapable shackles, carrying a dangerous trump card, with only one goal in his eyes—to survive!
Complete the mission, and then, nestled within the colossal Silent Forest, gamble on which possible reprisal the Silent Forest might help you avoid.
There are two days left until the apprentice exchange meeting.
He needed to "deploy" those apprentices who would soon become the sharp blade in his hand, or perhaps even his casualties.
Just after Hick left that library.
Kerry's drowsy state vanished, his eyes slowly opened, and his gaze seemed to change, now filled with curiosity and greed!
"Hick, what secret are you hiding? I'm really curious. You'll satisfy my curiosity as your teacher, won't you?"
As if he had thought of something, Kerry shook his head.
"It'll be soon, very soon. Once we get that magical artifact, we can make our move. At that point, what will that Mokamo guy matter? All of this will be mine!"
Slowly, Kerry's eyes closed again, as if nothing had happened, everything... as usual!