Dark Wizard: Rise! My undead army!

The two apprentices in the mine also grew up over time.

A year ago, Baal successfully advanced to the second-class apprenticeship, and his demeanor became much more confident.

This once timid but clever boy now knows every tunnel and crevice in the Shadow Mine like the back of his hand, and can walk through it with his eyes closed.

He was a fanatical admirer of Lynn's occasional display of close-combat skills, and he developed the family's inherited "bone hyperplasia" system to a new level.

Oh no... it's the "human exoskeleton" system.

This system can not only strengthen one's own skeleton, but also controllably proliferate parts of it outside the body to form a simple exoskeleton that fits the body shape.

The wizards in the academy looked down on this melee-oriented combat system, but it was the foundation of the Ironbone family's livelihood.

The Ironbone family continuously developed this witchcraft, and even strengthened the bones of their children from a young age, increasing their density and strength.

The effect was obvious: every member of the family possessed a robust skeleton, and after death, with just a little processing, they could become high-quality undead skeletons...

Of course, there are also side effects; the family members who strengthen their bones too early are generally not very tall.

Barr was like that; a seventeen or eighteen-year-old boy, but his height was about the same as that of a thirteen or fourteen-year-old.

This is probably the price of becoming stronger.

Although the bone armor on Baal's body is not as good as the sorcerer's weapon, it can greatly enhance his defense, strength and agility.

He often used a bone resembling a katana, which he drew from his body, as a bone blade during training. (Kimimaro?)

Then he clumsily imitated and practiced the sharp skills that Lynn had displayed in the past two years when he fought against various close combat experts, assassination specialists, and alien warriors.

When Lynn was in a good mood, he would casually give him some pointers on power generation techniques or key points of energy transmission in the bones, which always made him see the light and train even harder.

Two months ago, Arya successfully entered the third-level apprenticeship, placing her on the same level as the heads of the three major families.

Her management skills became increasingly refined after she took over most of the mine's paperwork, accounts, and external affairs, and she managed Lynn's fortress in an orderly manner.

Her culinary skills were so exquisite that they reached the level of art. Even the most ordinary ingredients could be transformed into unforgettable delicacies, allowing Lynn to enjoy a truly satisfying meal.

During Lynn's occasional guidance, she discovered that Lynn had a talent for the precise manipulation of soul energy; she grasped things quickly and had a fairly good comprehension.

She still chose the room closest to Lynn's training room, as quiet as a shadow, so as not to disturb Lynn's training, while arranging everything impeccably.

On this day, Lynn was attempting to combine a newly analyzed truth about "energy decay" with the "Nirvana" module in the "All Things Meditation Method".

Suddenly, the communication device "Shadow Erosion Slab" hanging at his waist vibrated slightly, and Haske's somewhat serious voice came through:

"Lord Lynn, excuse me, the academy's 'Resource Inspector' has arrived at the Soul-Sinking Outpost and is expected to inspect each mine in turn in half a day."

"Please make sure you organize your recent accounts and inventory lists to prepare for the upcoming event."

Lynn slowly withdrew from his deep contemplation, the faint light that had been swirling in his eyes gradually fading.

Resource verification enables...

The triennial "school verification" is here.

He dared not be negligent. Although the accounts were handled by Arya and were always clear and standardized, and the losses were strictly controlled within the "reasonable range" that Grom had initially suggested, he still had to be respectful in the face of the auditor who represented the will of the Academy.

He got up and walked out of the cultivation room, which was filled with a faint nine-colored light.

A powerful mental force spread silently, instantly covering the entire fortress area.

Arya was in the kitchen, preparing several rare Northern Icefield spices, the air filled with a crisp and refreshing aroma.

Baal, on the other hand, was in the training ground, his body covered in a layer of rough, grayish-white bone armor, facing a heavy stone pillar engraved with reinforcing runes, practicing short, explosive thrusts and swift retreats.

"Arya, Baal." Lynn's voice rang directly in their minds.

"The auditing envoy is about to arrive. Quickly compile all accounts, inventory records, and output reports from recent years and send them to the reception room."

"Arya, prepare the finest tea and refreshments for our 'distinguished guest'."

"Yes, mentor!" The two perked up and immediately put down their tasks, getting to work quickly.

Half a day later, as the setting sun painted the Soul Valley with a layer of dark golden afterglow, the three of them quickly approached.

A middle-aged second-ring wizard, dressed in the gray robes of the Bone Spire and with a serious expression, arrived at the Shadow Mine Fortress, accompanied by two expressionless academy deacons.

He wore a distinctive badge on his chest—a crossed bone staff and an account book—symbolizing the authority of "resource verification."

Lynn personally greeted him at the door, his attitude extremely polite: "Your Excellency the Inspector has come a long way and must be tired. I am sorry for not welcoming you properly. Please come in and rest."

The inspector glanced at the disciplined undead guards surrounding the fortress and the stable, dense death energy in the air, and nodded slightly.

"You're too kind, Lord Lynn. It's just my duty."

His voice was flat, revealing neither joy nor anger, and he did not give his name.

Lynn didn't seem to mind, after all, she was on official business and probably just wanted to avoid any appearance of impropriety.

The group entered the fortress and arrived at the reception room that had already been prepared.

Arya served a carefully prepared tea and snacks, including calming and refreshing tea and several exquisite and delicious pastries, before quietly retreating to the side.

Barr stood with his back straight, guarding the doorway.

The inspectors didn't exchange many pleasantries and went straight to work.

The two deacons he brought immediately began work. One carefully examined the thick ledgers presented by Arya, while the other, guided by Baal, went to the warehouse to physically count the ore inventory and verify the labels and quantities.

The verification process involved me first going into the mine to investigate the remaining "ore reserves" and assess the discrepancies between the figures and the ledger.

He then returned to the reception room and sat down to ask Lynn a question.

Occasionally, a few key questions are raised, as if one can see through the paper to the truth behind it.

Lynn answered fluently and calmly.

The verification process lasted for nearly an hourglass.

The two deacons returned and reported to the inspector in hushed tones.

After listening, the auditor tapped his finger lightly on the "losses" column in the ledger, looked up at Lynn, and gave a half-smile:

"Wizard Lynn manages the business effectively, resulting in stable output and clear accounts."

"However... this loss rate is just right, barely above the acceptable level, and only a hair's breadth away from the 'warning line' set by the academy."

"Hehe, it's quite a coincidence. Along the way, the losses in mines No. 7, No. 3, and No. 5 all hovered around this line."

He paused, his tone slightly raised.

"You stationed wizards, did you perhaps conspire together in private?"