Dark Wizard: Rise! My undead army!

Sersi waited until Gregor's cursing subsided before speaking in her calm and even tone.

The voice wasn't loud, but it easily drowned out Gregor's lingering anger:

"Old madman, it's really not easy to see you without having to go and invite you in person."

Gregor's body stiffened almost imperceptibly, and he spoke faster, but his imposing manner inexplicably diminished, his gaze drifting towards the corner of the room:

"Um... my project is at a critical juncture! Every minute and every second is crucial, I don't have time to be distracted by these trivial matters!"

"If this kid makes a mistake in the future, deal with him however you see fit—lock him up or send him mining, it doesn't matter. Don't waste my time!"

As he spoke, he actually reached out to grab Lynn's arm, intending to drag him away.

"I've been hearing this for over a hundred years, from when you were a spirited new wizard to now when you're a reckless old madman."

"Your project is always in a critical phase."

Cersei gently interrupted him, a strange emotion seemingly flashing in her gray eyes.

Gregor stopped pulling Lynn, a hint of embarrassment flashing across his face, but more than that, a complex and indescribable emotion.

He opened his mouth, as if to refute, but in the end he just scratched his head in frustration and turned his anger back to Lynn:

"Stop with the nonsense! Cersei, what trouble has this kid gotten into this time that warrants you dragging me out of the lab?"

The topic was abruptly turned back to Lynn, and Lynn's heart skipped a beat.

No, you two are just talking, why are you looking at me? I'm really enjoying the conversation...

Cersei leaned back in her chair with a leisurely air, tapping the crystal panel again with her fingertip:

"It's nothing serious. It's just that you, my little apprentice, were a bit too curious and tried to analyze the main structure of the academy, which triggered the dormant tower spirit's autonomous defense mechanism and caused a level three alert."

"According to procedure, they were just brought in by the hunters for questioning."

Cersei's words were casual, yet they unexpectedly revealed the truth.

I did indeed analyze the tower body, and there's nothing wrong with that.

Upon hearing this, Gregor's eyes widened even more, and he turned to Lynn, unleashing another torrent of words:

"Analyze the tower body?! Is your brain filled with negative energy pus?! That stuff is not something you can 'see'! You're lucky you weren't turned into an idiot by the residual fragments of rules left by the tower spirit!"

He was yelling fiercely, but Lynn could sense that his mentor's tense shoulders relaxed almost imperceptibly.

It seems that, in Gregor's view, this "trouble," though foolish, was still within the acceptable range of "apprentice-level foolishness," at least much better than violating some real taboos.

Cersei took in their reactions without saying anything more.

She waved to Lynn and said:

"This is none of your business. Go back now."

"Remember, there are some 'beings' in the academy that you are not qualified to explore right now. Curiosity must be matched with strength."

Lynn felt as if he had been granted a pardon and immediately bowed: "Yes, Deputy Tower Master, I will remember."

After speaking, he looked at Gregor and asked for instructions with his eyes.

Gregor immediately chimed in, reaching out to pull him back: "Did you hear me? Come back to the lab with me right now! Wait till we get back, I'll teach you a lesson..."

However, his outstretched hand, along with his entire body, suddenly froze in mid-air, as if frozen by an invisible force.

Only those two bright, round eyes could still move, filled with shock and anger.

Sersi didn't even look at him, she just nodded to Lynn.

Lynn was a little confused.

Is this... letting himself leave alone?

Could it be that the tower master staged such a grand show just to lure out his own mentor?

Lynn seemed to realize something.

I see, so I was part of your scheme!

Sersi looked at Lynn's bewildered expression and a smile flickered in her eyes.

As if she had thought of something, she flipped her wrist, and something appeared in her palm.

It was a teardrop-shaped pendant, with mist seemingly flowing slowly inside, and a faint light appearing and disappearing in the center, like a condensed star.

It doesn't emit strong energy fluctuations, but it gives people a sense of peace and stability on a spiritual level.

"Here, take this." Cersei's voice remained calm as she handed the pendant to Lynn from a distance.

Consider it a greeting gift, and also an extra layer of insurance for your overly "lively" spirit.

"Wearing it can help stabilize your mind and, to some extent, resist mental pollution and spiritual intrusion."

"Next time you 'look' at things randomly, at least I'll let you hold out a little longer until the hunters arrive."

Lynn was taken aback at first, then overjoyed!

I never expected to get a reward for causing trouble this time. It's a gift personally given by the deputy tower master, and it's definitely something good!

Is this a tacit approval or... "hush money"?

He quickly took it with both hands.

The pendant felt slightly cool to the touch. The moment it touched his skin, he did feel a slight tremor in his mind. The mental vortex that had been somewhat agitated due to tension actually calmed down considerably.

"Thank you, Deputy Tower Master!"

Lynn bowed deeply in gratitude.

Perhaps it was because he was too happy, or perhaps it was because he had just witnessed the unusual atmosphere between the two big shots, or perhaps it was because some kind of reckless wisdom in his subconscious—"since I can't avoid it, I might as well grab some benefits and ease the tension"—kept him muttering:

"Thank you, Master's wife!"

"..."

The moment the words left his mouth, the room fell into a deathly silence.

Gregor's face instantly darkened, and the anger in his wide eyes was instantly replaced by a mixture of emotions: "What the hell are you talking about?", "It's all over, it's all over", and "I'm going to kill you today, kid".

If he could move, he would probably have pounced on that foul-mouthed brat right now and given him a good beating.

Cersei was also visibly taken aback.

Immediately, her calm and delicate face softened, and a mysterious smile curved her lips.

She didn't look at Gregor, but simply gave Lynn a soft "hmm," acknowledging the title.

Then, before Lynn could react, and before Gregor could finish "torturing" him with his eyes, Sersi flicked his sleeve again.

A dizzying sensation from the spatial shift washed over me.

At the last moment, Lynn only saw Cecilia's smiling profile and Gregor's completely distorted, fiery black face.

"You little brat! You've got me in big trouble!!!"

I'm sorry, mentor, the enemy gave us way too many...

The next moment, the world spun around.