The Wizard's Secret Journey

Chapter 216 Speculation and Investigation (4.2k)

Daphne looked up and saw the boy's familiar, calm face.

"Who else knows your identity?" Daphne sensed a hint of coldness in Lynn's tone and panicked slightly. She explained earnestly, "I have never revealed your identity to anyone, I swear!"
"If anyone knows your identity, the only one I can think of is Black Crow from back then... but he's already dead, you know that."

As Daphne spoke, she even fumbled for a contract, wanting to swear an oath on the spot to prove her innocence.

Daphne wasn't using any tactic of feigning retreat to advance. This witch had always regretted her rash decision to bring Lynn into the Black Moon Exploration Association. She had only managed to barely repair her relationship with Lynn later, and now she cherished it all the more, which was why she was so agitated.

Daphne's behavior didn't seem like a pretense, and Lynn hadn't really suspected the witch in front of him, so he tried to stop her. But in the time it took to do so, Daphne had already made her vow.

The sheepskin contract glowed faintly, proving that Daphne's words were true.

"..." Lynn paused for a moment, then softened his tone and explained, "I didn't doubt you, Daphne."

Daphne's eyes brightened slightly. She didn't doubt Lynn's words, and shoved the contract into his hand, asking curiously:
"So, what happened?"

Lynn shook his head: "This is not the place to talk."

Daphne glanced around and stepped aside to let Lynn into the house.

The two went to the meditation room together. Daphne activated the shielding magic array, and then asked impatiently:

So what exactly happened to you?

Lynn simply stated, "Today I encountered the Silver Ring Enforcement Team chasing a wizard. He escaped onto the flying shuttle I was piloting and attempted to threaten me into helping him escape. During this process, he called out my code name from the Black Moon Exploration Association: Gao Feng."

Upon hearing this, Daphne's eyes widened, and she murmured, "That's impossible. You always disguise yourself when you go to the association's gatherings. Logically, no wizard should be able to recognize your true identity!"

“Apart from the association’s core members,” Lynn said slowly, shaking his head.

It was far more likely that the wizard was a core member of the association who already knew his identity than that Daphne had revealed it. This was a conclusion Lynn had already reached before coming to Daphne's place.

However, Daphne will not actively reveal his identity, but that does not mean that it will not be passively revealed.

"Besides Black Crow, are there any other members of the Black Moon Association who know your true identity?" Lynn then continued to ask.

“No.” Daphne shook her head.

"Does Black Raven have acquaintances in the Black Moon Association who might know each other's true identities?"

"Probably not... Black Crow is a loner with few friends, and like me, he's a Silver Ring apprentice. He wouldn't easily reveal something as low-class as joining a secret society..."

Lynn then asked Daphne many more questions, which basically ruled out the possibility that her identity had been accidentally revealed.

"It seems that, most likely, as I suspected, the wizard being chased by the enforcement team is a core member of the Black Moon Association who knows my identity," Lynn concluded.

But Daphne disagreed: "According to the association, only the association president knows our identity information. How could a first-tier wizard know your identity?"

“That’s what’s puzzling me too.” Lynn pondered for a moment, then added, “Moreover, he only called me by my code name and didn’t mention my real name.”

"In that situation, he should have revealed my real name to make a stronger deterrent... but he didn't."

Daphne fell into deep thought, realizing that Lynn's words made some sense. After a moment's consideration, she said:

"If we assume that he doesn't know your true identity, but only your identity in the Black Moon Association, then perhaps it makes sense."

“That’s what I think too,” Lynn nodded.

The two intelligent individuals exchanged a glance and said in unison, "So, that person is probably a Black Moon member who participated in a gathering with us!"

Lynn added, "I think he was the most likely host for my first rally!"

“Indeed, only that host fits the description perfectly.” Daphne nodded in agreement. “He probably saw through your disguise when you were still an apprentice at the first gathering and remembered your face.”

“That’s what I think too.” Lynn let out a slow breath.

The wizard who saw through Lynn's identity was only a high-level Tier 1 wizard, a level that would only be considered mid-tier within the Black Moon Exploration Association. Furthermore, given the way he was being chased by the enforcement team, it can be inferred that the wizard didn't have a close connection with the core leadership of the Black Moon Association.

Furthermore, the Black Moon Exploration Association explicitly states that only the association's president knows the true identities of all its members.

Therefore, it is highly unlikely that the wizard learned Lynn's identity from the association itself.

If Lynn's identity wasn't learned from the association itself, then the most likely explanation is that Lynn's disguise was exposed during a gathering.

As for why he was the host of the first gathering, it was because only that host met the requirements for advanced first-tier strength.

Moreover, Lynn was at his weakest at that time, still an apprentice, so it's not surprising that his disguise was seen through by a first-tier high-level wizard.

After reaching this conclusion, the two remained silent for a while.

Daphne suddenly spoke up, her tone tinged with a mixture of excitement and nervousness:

"Do you remember I told you before that Silver Ring Academy killed many members of the Exploration Association in the newly discovered Black Moon Academy ruins?"
"Why do you think Silver Ring Academy is still hunting down that wizard?"

Lynn glanced at her and said slowly, "You mean, the Exploration Association may have gained some benefit from the Black Moon Ruins, but was discovered by Silver Ring Academy, which is why they are being hunted down?"

Daphne nodded vigorously, her eyes filled with undisguised longing.

If it's a publicly known Black Moon Academy ruin, then it's destined to have nothing to do with ordinary wizards like them.

But in this chaotic situation, there might be an opportunity to fish in troubled waters!
After all, that's the ruins of Black Moon Academy. Any wizard with a bit of strength on this land knows that it's an incredible opportunity!
The Silver Ring Wizard was able to advance to the fourth rank and establish the vast Silver Ring Academy that exists today because he inherited the legacy of the Black Moon Academy.

But Lynn, seeing Daphne's excited and nervous appearance, poured cold water on her enthusiasm:
"I advise you not to get involved in this matter. Even if you are lucky enough to snatch the Black Moon Academy's treasure from a member of the association, you will most likely not be able to keep it."

"Moreover, we should pay more attention to the real dangers than to this essentially illusory opportunity."

"Danger?" Daphne asked, puzzled.

Lynn pointed out, "Silver Ring Academy's operation to eliminate members of the Capture Association is no secret within the academy."

"Both you and I can deduce that this is very likely because the association gained some benefit from the Black Moon Academy ruins, and other intelligent wizards can naturally think of this as well."

“And by then, it won’t just be Silver Ring Academy that wants to capture members of the Black Moon Exploration Association.” Daphne was startled; all her excitement and longing were replaced by fear.

She fully understood the allure of the Black Moon Academy ruins, and thus could better imagine the situation Lynn described!
If everyone shared her belief that the members of the Black Moon Exploration Association had gained some benefit from the Black Moon Academy ruins, then...

Daphne's voice became hoarse: "As long as I don't attend any more Exploration Association gatherings, there shouldn't be too much danger, right?"

Lynn bluntly exposed Daphne's wishful thinking: "I've only attended a few Black Moon Society gatherings, and there are wizards who know my identity. How many Black Moon gatherings have you attended, and how many Black Moon Society wizards have you met? Can you guarantee that none of them have seen through your disguise?"

"Furthermore, Silver Ring Academy has already made its move... Once the association's president is captured, our identities will be exposed. Moreover, I don't believe that only the president knows our true identities. I think the core leadership should all know our identities, and if any one of them is captured by the academy, our identities will be exposed."

"You'd better prepare yourself mentally and sever ties with the Black Moon Exploration Association."

Lynn's blunt words left Daphne speechless. She nodded silently, her face slightly pale, and said with relief, "Fortunately, we didn't choose to participate in the association's exploration of the ruins."

"If the academy finds out my identity, there will still be room for maneuver."

Lynn sighed and said slowly, "It would be best if the academy knew your identity. You are a member of Silver Ring Academy, a first-tier wizard, and you haven't participated in any association activities, nor are you a core member of the association. Even if they find out, you will only receive a minor punishment at most. I have the protection of the Horsens School, which is the same reason."

“But other wizards may not know about the Black Moon Exploration Association. Once they find out, they will most likely launch indiscriminate attacks on the association members... My biggest worry right now is that our information as members of the association will be accidentally leaked.”

“It’s not impossible… I’m not even sure if the wizard who threatened me has revealed my identity to anyone else.”

Lynn's concerns were not unfounded. The exposure of one's identity is often either zero times or countless times. Since one member of the gathering knew his identity, there was a high probability that there was a second one.

It would be fine if only they knew, but the biggest worry is that they would be caught and leak this information.

It was precisely because of this concern that Lynn did not hesitate to expose his strength and completely kill the wizard.

Daphne noticed Lynn's worry and comforted him, "Just as you said, at least we are both just peripheral members of the Exploration Association. Even if someone wants to seize the possible Black Moon opportunity, they probably won't target us."

“Well, I hope so.” Lynn nodded, then added, “Daphne, I plan to withdraw from the association completely. I suggest you do the same.”

"Faced with the behemoth that is Silver Ring Academy, the association is destined to be unable to compete."

"Even if it doesn't end up destroyed, I don't plan to stay... The association's help to me has actually been very limited."

The biggest advantage of the Black Moon Exploration Association is the ability to trade Black Moon relics and intelligence. Lynn is now attending a seminar, and although he can no longer trade Black Moon relics, at least he has an alternative in terms of intelligence. There's no need for him to stay in the Black Moon Exploration Association, where the risks outweigh the rewards.

Although Daphne knew Lynn was a cautious person, she was still somewhat surprised by his decisive decision.

After thinking it over for a long time, she finally nodded: "You're right, Lynn, I won't stay in the association anymore either."

"Now that I have advanced to the first level, I still have a long lifespan ahead of me, and the profits of the Tilo shop are also continuously increasing, which is enough for my daily cultivation."

As she spoke, Daphne casually took out a black, hollowed-out round piece strung on a thin string and crushed it into powder.

Lynn recognized this as Daphne's identification badge from the Exploration Association. After thinking for a moment, he also took out a brown button from his storage ring and annihilated it with lightning.

To join the Black Moon Exploration Association, one must be recommended and undergo a test. However, to leave, one only needs to destroy their identity badge, cease participating in any association activities, and wait for a period of time before their membership is automatically revoked—this applies only to peripheral members.

As for applying to withdraw from the association... the Exploration Association does not offer such an option; the above methods are generally used to withdraw.

Daphne glanced at the electric light Lynn was unleashing, a chill running down her spine: "What are you doing...?"

"Lightning Bolt Technique. I have some talent in witchcraft, and the Lightning Bolt Technique I cast now can reach the medium strength of the first level," Lynn explained.

"Intermediate First Ring?!" Daphne exclaimed in surprise. "I've only just begun to learn two basic First Ring elementary spells... You're amazing, Lynn!"

Lynn smiled slightly, but inwardly he didn't think so.

He had seen far too many powerful beings... his current strength was barely enough.

After chatting for a while, Lynn got up to say goodbye.

He wants to go back to his spiritual practice.

……

……

night.

Lunt Shuttle Rental.

In the plaza where the flying shuttle was moored, the short, stout wizard in charge of maintenance stood at the bottom of the shuttle, frowning and muttering under his breath:
"Damn it, they couldn't have gone easy on me! Not only did they pierce through the bottom of the shuttle wall, but they also used the most destructive lightning magic, causing damage to other parts as well... Sigh!"

Whizzing--

Suddenly, a group of wizards descended from the sky.

The short, stout wizard was about to rebuke them when he noticed their Silver Ring Enforcement Team uniforms and badges, and his expression immediately turned obsequious:
"Gentlemen, is there anything I can help you with?"

Bradley ignored him, instead pointing to the shuttle next to the short, stout wizard and asking Dalenk behind him:
"Is this the shuttle the target is hiding in?"

“Yes, Lord Bradley,” Delenk said respectfully. “It was thanks to the wizard piloting this shuttle that we were able to successfully kill the target.”

Bradley remained noncommittal, casually asking, "Then what is the identity of the pilot wizard?"

"He is a wizard from the Horsens School, named Lynn Kent."

Bradley paused, his expression turning enigmatic. He stared at the hole at the bottom of the shuttle, muttering meaningfully:
"Lynn Kent of the Horsens School, huh..."

"Does Lord Bradley know him?"

“Hmm.” Bradley smiled brightly, his gaze becoming distant. “I remember not long ago in Silver Ring Prison, I just gave him a thank-you gift.”

"Lord Lynn also helped you, sir?" Delenk was surprised and addressed Lynn with even greater respect.

"Hmm." Bradley didn't continue the conversation, gave a faint reply, and slowly walked towards the shuttle.

(End of this chapter)