The Wizard's Secret Journey

Chapter 265 Mourning and Return (4k)

"That day, a gray wind came down from the sky. At first, it was very sparse, and we thought it was something like birds or insects."

"Then Silver Ring Fortress issued an evacuation warning, and Vic and I quickly gathered the apprentices to evacuate. We only returned to the watchtower yesterday."

Inside the room, Lynn nodded and then asked Leah:
"During the period when the gray winds raged, where did you stay? Did Silver Ring Academy arrange accommodation for you?"

Leah shook her head: "No, we were stopped by wizards from Silver Ring Academy about ten kilometers from here. They only provided us with some basic supplies and told us to set up camp on the spot."

After saying this, Leah hesitated and asked, "Senior Lynn, will we continue to be stationed at the watchtower as before?"

Upon hearing this, not only Lia, but all the Golden Thorn apprentices looked at Lynn with expectant expressions in their eyes.

Clearly, if some Goldthorn apprentices previously thought it didn't matter to stay here, or even hoped to exchange their stay for a chance to explore the Ashwood Ruins, now almost none of them have such thoughts.

Disasters struck one after another, and all they wanted was to leave the Ash Forest ruins as soon as possible.

Lynn was silent for a moment, then shook his head and said, "It's not clear yet."

The hopeful light in the eyes of the Golden Thorn apprentices dimmed instantly, and the atmosphere in the cabin fell silent.

Lynn could certainly offer some kind words to comfort the apprentices, but that wasn't his style.

The Golden Thorn Apprentices must always confront this situation, and only by confronting it can they find a way to cope.

……

Two days passed quickly, and no new orders came from Silver Ring Academy.

However, a message came.

—The news of Samuel's death.

Perhaps because she had been mentally prepared during the two-day wait, Lynn was not too shocked when she received it; she just felt a pang of regret.

When I was an apprentice, I always thought that if I was promoted to a first-level wizard, I should have the ability to protect myself. But in the face of such a disaster, there is no difference between a first-level wizard and an apprentice.

'But that doesn't mean keeping moving forward is pointless... it just means I'm not strong enough yet.'

In the watchtower, Lynn sighed and relayed the news of Samuel's death back to Silver Ring City.

The communication shuttle is still operating normally, and with the continuous expansion of the team, the round-trip communication time has now been shortened to three days.

Horsens should receive the message in three days.

'I wonder how Lord Horsens will react. Will he send another first-tier wizard?'

Lynn pondered silently, then left the watchtower and returned to the Black Falcon to study the Black Moon Rune.

evening.

Lynn's thoughts were interrupted by a burst of noise. He put down his work and stepped out of the Black Falcon.

In the center of the camp, shrouded in night, a campfire had been lit at some point.

The Golden Thorn apprentices gathered around, and some took out musical instruments and played mournful songs that Lynn had never heard before.

"Senior, you're here. I was just about to look for you." Leah spotted Lynn and walked over.

"This is?"

“It’s kind of like a memorial service,” Leah said softly, then explained, “It started when Vic lit a bonfire here, saying that his hometown had a custom of lighting fires to mourn the dead, and then more and more apprentices gathered here.”

Leah didn’t say who it was a memorial party for, but everyone knew it was for Samuel.

"I understand." Lynn nodded and walked towards the campfire.

The apprentices greeted him, and Lynn gestured for them to continue as usual.

Vic was by the campfire, holding several carved pieces of wood in his hands, carefully placing them into the fire.

This is likely some part of the procedure for the memorial service in Vic's hometown.

Lynn watched quietly, the burning flames reflected in her pale gray eyes.

He has been in this world for several years and has witnessed countless deaths, some of which were those close to him, and some of those of his enemies.

However, very few of them have attended funerals or mourning ceremonies.

Death is commonplace in this world, but that doesn’t mean it’s no longer a serious matter.

Teng——

As Vic continued to add wood, the campfire grew stronger and stronger, the flames rising inch by inch until they were as tall as a person.

Then, after a period of intense burning, the campfire suddenly shrank and eventually went out, leaving only a pile of black embers.

The firelight was just like Samuel's short life.

Perhaps this is precisely the meaning that the mourning ceremony aims to convey.

Lynn silently watched the ceremony, then turned and returned to the Black Falcon to continue studying the Black Moon Runes.

The following day, Silver Ring Academy issued a new notice.

The garrison mission has ended, and all garrisoned wizards, including wizard apprentices, have returned to Silver Ring City.

The reason is that the development of the Graywood Ruins has been temporarily suspended. At the same time, thanks to the help of Graywind, the area of ​​the Graywood Ruins has been reduced to only the core area of ​​the first ring, and there is no longer a need for so many wizards to guard it.

Lynn was somewhat disappointed by this, as it meant he would essentially lose the opportunity to explore the Greywood Ruins again.

However, he felt no resentment.

After all, the Gray Forest Ruins were far too dangerous, even for someone who possessed the Black Moon Spirit Body.

It's important to know that while the Gray Forest Ruins possesses the Corrupted Monster Golems that won't attack him, they also have the Gray Winds that attack indiscriminately.

No one knows if Graywind will come again. Lynn doesn't know, and neither does Silver Ring Academy, otherwise they wouldn't have temporarily abandoned the development of Graywood Ruins.

……

……

"We've arrived at Silver Ring City."

Inside the Black Falcon, Lynn gazed at the familiar, sprawling city ahead, his heart filled with emotion.

Coming to his senses, he continued following the shuttle ahead, eventually stopping in a plaza.

The Golden Thorn apprentices emerged one by one from the transport shuttle, and Lynn also disembarked from the Black Falcon.

After glancing around, Lynn saw a male wizard wearing the insignia of the Horsens School walking straight towards them, smiling and pointing at the insignia in greeting:
“Zor Nicholson, Lord Horsens instructed me to come and pick you up.”

“Lynn Kent,” Lynn replied politely.

"Good day, Lynn, junior." Zor added warmly, handing the badge to Lynn for verification, then straightened his expression and said in a low voice,

"I've heard about Samuel's situation."

"Thank you for your hard work over the past few days, junior Lynn."

Lynn did not answer; after verifying the badge, he handed it back to Zor.

However, looking at the middle-aged Zor, he suddenly thought of Samuel's harsh first-order wizard father...

That seemed to be a middle-aged man as well, but much colder.

Zor didn't linger on the topic any longer, and continued, "I've arranged for a shuttle large enough to accommodate all the Golden Thorn apprentices."

"Come with me, everyone."

The next sentence was addressed by Zor to the group of Golden Thorn apprentices.

Leah and Vic, who were leading the group, instinctively turned their gazes toward Lynn.

“Follow Lord Zor.” Lynn nodded, watching the Golden Thorn apprentices follow Zor onto a large flying shuttle not far away.

He turned around and returned to the Black Falcon.

……

The Horsens School is based at the Silver Ring Institute.

Although the cleansing magic circle is constantly in place, the area has become quite deserted due to the lack of human presence for many days.

The sound of a shuttle whirring was broken only now.

"As arranged by Lord Horsens, I will now take Samuel's place and be stationed at Silver Ring Academy with you."

As Lynn stepped off the Black Falcon and approached the apprentice, he heard Zor speak.

“…I understand.” Lynn nodded, then asked, “Does Senior have the specific appointment document?”

“Of course, I did ask my junior to help me with the necessary paperwork for the resident wizards,” Zor said with a smile, then added after a pause, “But before that, I’d like to host a homecoming party for my junior and the Golden Thorn apprentices.”

"After so much hard work and danger, we should relax with a party."

"Of course, if you feel it's inappropriate, junior..."

"it is good."

Zor glanced at Lynn, who was nodding earnestly, and smiled broadly, saying with emotion, "A hundred years ago, when I was still adventuring and traveling for magic stones, what I looked forward to most was the relaxing moment when I returned. A group of people would gather together to eat, drink, laugh, and sing, which always drove away all fatigue and all unpleasantness."

"Now, a century later, the younger generation of students in the school no longer need to take the risks and travel as I did back then, and they seem to have lost that habit..."

As Zor continued his rambling, Lynn realized that the wizard in front of him, who appeared to be only a middle-aged man, was actually over a hundred years old.

“It sounds like Lord Zor has a knack for hosting banquets,” Lynn chimed in, then asked curiously, “What do we need to prepare?”

“I do have some insights.” Zor smiled, then shook his head. “The most important thing about a banquet or party is the people. The food, drinks, and venue are not really that important. Doing it well might be the icing on the cake, but doing it poorly won’t have much of an impact.”

"Years later, memories will naturally make them more interesting to savor."

"indeed so."

Just as Lynn was about to respond, she heard a deep male voice suddenly come from behind her.

Turning around, they saw Horsens had appeared out of nowhere, standing beside them with a smile on his face.

“Lord Horsens.” Lynn and Zol greeted him quickly, and the apprentices followed suit, bowing in greeting.

"No need for formalities." Horsens smiled and waved his hand, his gentle gaze sweeping over everyone before finally speaking slowly.

"Everyone, thank you for your hard work, welcome back."

Compared to other high-ranking wizards Lynn had ever seen, Horsens' behavior was like that of a different species.

Sometimes, Lynn even wondered if he was also a time traveler.

At that moment, Lynn felt Horsens turn his gaze toward him.

"The mission to the Gray Forest Ruins came too suddenly, and there wasn't time to set out the corresponding rewards. But now that you've all returned, it's time to settle the rewards for this mission."

"Lynn Kent, as the team leader, you and Samuel ensured the safe return of all the Golden Thorn apprentices. The reward for this mission is 200,000 School Contribution Points and 50,000 Magic Stones."

Lynn was slightly taken aback, then quickly patted his chest and bowed, saying, "Thank you, Lord Horsens."

Whether it's 200,000 school contribution points or 50,000 magic stones, it's not a small amount for a first-tier wizard, and Horsens was quite generous.

"As for all the Golden Thorn apprentices, they will all receive 5,000 School Contribution Points, and the two Golden Thorns will receive an additional 1,000 contribution points."

"Thank you, Mr. Horsens!"

Cheers erupted from the Golden Thorn apprentices. Although the mission reward did not include magic stones, the Horsens School contribution points were far more valuable to these apprentices than magic stones!
Horsens smiled and waited for the apprentice to quiet down before saying in a slightly lower voice, "I already know about Samuel's matter."

"He will receive the same reward as Lynn, plus additional compensation, all of which will be given to his father."

Horsens paused, his gaze sweeping over all the Golden Thorn apprentices, then over Lynn and Zol, before finally saying only,

"Have a great time tonight, you all deserve it."

As the voice faded, Horsens' figure gradually disappeared, leaving only Lynn and Zoll.

……

Night, the moon is bright and the clouds are sparse.

The Horsens School's Silver Ring residence.

Three long tables were set up in the brightly lit lobby.

Zor stood at the door, urging the waiter to bring out the food quickly. One after another, the long table was set up with spiced roasted chicken that exuded an enticing aroma, soft bread piled high like small mountains, stewed bean soup until tender, fresh seasonal fruit, and large barrels of chilled light beer and sweet fruit wine.

Seeing that it was almost time, Zor strode outside, clapped his hands, and said in a loud voice:
"Children, come in, your homecoming party is about to begin!"

"It finally begins!"

"I want to drink to my heart's content!"

The Golden Thorn apprentices finally found an outlet for their long-suppressed emotions, and the fatigue on their faces was replaced by excitement and joy.

Their eyes were bright, they patted each other on the shoulder, and one after another they poured into the room, the atmosphere as lively as a burning fire.

Zor watched this scene with a satisfied smile. He then went to the side and asked Lynn, who was in the shadows:

"Junior Lynn, do you want to say a few words?"

Lynn shook his head and smiled, "No, tonight belongs to them."

He held a glass of fruit wine and took a small sip.

Not far away, Vic grabbed a chicken leg and took a big, hearty bite, mumbling something to his companion beside him, his laughter ringing out intermittently. Meanwhile, Leah and her female apprentices huddled together, sipping fruit wine, their faces relaxed with smiles.

As the melodious music began, some people tapped their feet to the rhythm, while others began to move their feet and clumsily dance in the open space next to the dining table, drawing good-natured laughter and cheers.

As Zoll watched this scene, his eyes gradually lost focus, as if recalling a memory from a hundred years ago that had not yet faded.

Almost all of my old friends from that time are gone. I can still find the food I ate back then, but it doesn't taste the same anymore.

Only wine can still evoke a trace of bitterness from those days.

Zor smiled faintly, tilted his head back, and took a sip of his drink.

He turned his head and realized that Lynn, who was next to him, had disappeared sometime earlier.

Zor looked towards the door again.

In the silvery moonlight, a figure was walking slowly forward alone.

Finally, it slowly disappeared into the shadows.

(End of this chapter)