The sun is high

The moment he saw the pendant, Xiuge knew who sent the letter.

He put away the somewhat exaggerated pendant and unfolded the letter.

There is no signature on the letter, but Weilin's handwriting is easy to read, probably because of her special practice. Her handwriting is beautiful and neat, which always gives people the feeling of seeing "serious flowers dancing."

Of course, her speaking habits are more recognizable, even in letters.

"Mr. Shuge, there are three things in total. They are all important, regardless of priority."

"First, your application for caster rating has been completed. The voucher will arrive with the letter paper, which is divided into two parts: a pendant and a magic certificate. Please be sure to check carefully... Due to the approaching war, the Mage Council urgently needs to increase its manpower, so it has relaxed the rules for all Due to the assessment standards for new mages, and due to the mentor's guarantee and the Ernst family background, the members of the council agreed to issue you a stream-level certificate as an exception. However, this is only temporary. Within three months, you need to go to Bolden in person for review. We will conduct verification and assessment at the headquarters.”

"Secondly, due to the transfer of personnel within the Council, I currently need to temporarily handle some mage affairs. If everything goes well, it is expected to be completed within two to three days. After that, I will go to the manor to join you... Other mages mentioned , The Ernst family is indeed currently preparing for the selection of heirs, and some people believe that the selection process may not only assess the abilities of family members, but may also involve some complex rituals, so please be careful."

"Third, there is a simple magic book in the velvet bag inside the letter. If conditions permit, you can conduct targeted previews (I remember that the textbook is already in your hands). I will check the progress of the coursework when I arrive at the manor. "

"Also, if you have the opportunity, you can ask me about "Poetry of the Night" in advance."

"your teacher."

There was no signature, but Shuge was sure that no one except Wei Lin could say these words.

Her style seems to be like this, no matter what, she should list it directly like a magic formula. Although it seems impersonal, in fact, it can make all important matters clear.

The details are appropriate, just like a weekly work report.

Xiuge glanced at the date Wei Lin left on the letter and found that it was just yesterday. It was obvious that both the Mage Council and his teacher were extremely efficient in doing things.

"Two to three days... In other words, the fastest she can arrive is late tomorrow? The slowest is the day after tomorrow."

Xiuge estimated the possible arrival time of his "reinforcements".

At such moments, he became more aware of the importance of strength.

Assuming that he can have a professional mage consultant by his side, or simply that he has successfully mastered some complex magical knowledge, then he does not need to use those tricky methods to obtain and check information.

"I still need to make some other preparations before further exploring the underground floors of the manor."

Thinking of this, Xiuge also put Wei Lin's letter away, and then opened the black velvet bag inside the letter.

So a very small magic book appeared in front of Xiuge. It was only the size of a palm and two fingers thick. It looked like a notebook that could be carried around. Probably because it was a gift, it looked different from those The magic books carried by the members of the Legal Committee are not of the same type at all.

"It doesn't look like magic or a book."

Xiuge took it in his hand and turned it over twice.

The paper is very hard, and you can clearly feel the texture when you rub the surface of the paper with your fingers. According to the introduction in the book, the paper in the magic books used by mages is mostly made of a plant called "red lily." Most of them grow in humid areas with high magic concentration, so the Goddess Plain is the main production area of ​​magic paper.

Because red lily grass naturally grows in an environment rich in magic, paper made from it can often be used to record the flow and traces of magic.

The process of recording magic patterns and carving magic models on magic paper is like carving traces of water supply on a hard stone beach. As long as the traces are correct and complete, as long as the magic is injected, it can be done at any time. Make the magic it represents take effect.

This is how magic books work.

"There is no problem with the quality..."

Xiuge put away the magic book with satisfaction, and then took out his paper magic certificate from the velvet bag - it didn't look fundamentally different from other general certificates. The biggest difference was that this certificate was used to prove The official certificate of the mage's identity is made of cardboard, and a lot of magic crystal powder is added, so it will look extremely bright under the light.

He couldn't help but shook his head.

"I don't know if these certificates are still valid among Fan En."

Thinking of the conflict between Merlinle and the Mage Council on the plateau, Shuge felt a little headache, but in the final analysis, the focus of his current troubles was still in the Ernst Manor. As for the disputes between the mages and the certificates There is no need for him to worry about general issues.

The "refreshing drink" took effect very quickly. The slight drowsiness caused by eating had completely disappeared because of it. So Xiuge spread the last piece of bread with jam and ate it slowly. After that, he picked up He took his things and walked out of the restaurant.

He did not plan to explore the underground floors of the manor immediately. For the enemy he was about to face, strategic contempt and tactical attention were both important.

At least Xiuge believes that he still needs an important round of supplies and preparations before facing a new "war".

He found the hotel housekeeper and inquired, and finally confirmed that the Ernst Manor did not force its young members to stay in the hotel for a long time, and all "guests" only needed to return before nightfall.

So he decisively chose to go out.

The moment he stepped out of the hotel lobby, Xiuge felt the so-called "special treatment", because before he could take two steps, the two bodyguards Xiuge had seen before had already come out, and the younger one among them had already come out. He came up to Xiuge very naturally and asked him diligently if he needed a car.

During the conversation with Shuge, the young bodyguard intentionally or unintentionally revealed a pattern on his sleeves outlined with silver thread.

Shuge saw that it was a falcon, a strange falcon with three sharp claws.

The only one who can match it is obviously the old guy Zeke Ernst.

Shuge accepted this overture quite naturally.

He had no intention of walking out in this weather.

After a brief conversation, Shuge learned that the older bodyguard was named Ellen and was a pure Walter.

The younger one is from St. Steele and his name is Igor. He will be Shuge's driver for the next trip.

"Sir, may I know your travel plan?"

"The plan is simple...take me to the largest alchemy store in Leyland District first. I need to purchase some things, and then take me to a place that is quiet enough for me to rest peacefully."

Shuge's request was a bit strange, but the two bodyguards probably had received orders from Zeke Ernst and did not express any doubts. Soon, the "black limousine" drove out of Ernst. Special Manor, heading towards the northeast corner of Leyland District.

Shuge noticed that while driving, Ellen was always on alert. Although he was not a magician, he carried a magic pendulum that could also be used by ordinary people. Under his coat, there was a magic pendulum hidden under the coat. The new pistol and other emergency supplies look extremely professional.

"You were all soldiers before?"

"He was the Marshal's personal guard."

As soon as Ellen opened her mouth, she directly revealed her position and identity: "After Marshal Zeke handed over his affairs, we also became members of the Ernst family. However, in recent years, the guards around Marshal and the The servants were replaced... and we changed from personal guards to ordinary bodyguards."

"recent years?"

"To be precise, it was three years ago, in 2696. The personnel replacement happened very quickly, and the group of guards who replaced us were very unfamiliar."

"They didn't even pass the official assessment of the manor!"

Igor, who was driving, added at the top of his lungs: "God knows where they came from, but the marshal accepted them, although for now, these guys are doing a pretty good job..."

Shuge nodded.

This is a very important message.

"2696... If I remember correctly, that should be the time when Shuge Ernst was forced to leave the Magic Academy and was sent to Salem City."

Shuge squinted his eyes and recalled the scene when he met Zeke Ernst at night, so he naturally thought of the two extremely silent maids - they exuded a faint magical aura, Actions always bring considerable pressure to people. Although they do obey Zeke Ernst's command, there seems to be something strange under this obedience.

"Ellen, are there two maids among the guards who replaced you?"

"Yes, two women who look very ordinary... Although they do their best, we believe that ensuring the marshal's personal safety is the most important thing. In this regard, relying on two maids is really..."

Ellen didn't finish the sentence, he just shook his head.

Xiuge put his hand into his pocket. He gently held his mage pendant, and his thoughts were racing in his mind: "If it were this time three years ago, then many things would make sense... Being able to directly interfere with a The decision of the person in charge of the family, and even the power to replace his personal bodyguard, is probably only the Black Sun Society. This is also consistent with the abnormal aura of the two maids. They are most likely to be created based on special personnel such as the sword-wielding hermit. 'of."

"In other words, at that point in time, the Black Sun Society decided to strengthen its control over Zeke Ernst or the entire Ernst family. The reason for this may be that it was aware of some of old Zeke's thoughts, and of course more Maybe I want to strengthen my control over 'me'."

"But no matter what purpose it is for, Zeke Ernst's personal will will definitely be restricted to a certain extent..."

Shuge turned to look out the window. It was the same as the world he was familiar with in the past. Although the streets that had just snowed were beautiful, with the increase in vehicles and pedestrians, those white colors were inevitably stained with many traces of dust. Black dirt, very ugly.

Therefore, many sanitation workers in Bolden City now start their work pushing small snow-reducing carts engraved with rituals.

"By the way, Ellen, do you have enough money on you?"

The bodyguard was slightly startled, but he immediately nodded: "The Ernst family has a withdrawal limit for goods in most of the stores in Leyland District. As long as they leave the bill, the store owners can withdraw it every month. At the end, you can settle with the manor housekeeper. Unless you plan to empty a store, it should be enough."

But then, he reminded: "But if what you want to buy are some alchemy commodities or materials, it may be a little difficult."

"how?"

"Because of the war..."

Igor, who was driving, replied: "There are mobilizations everywhere now. In addition to people, there are also things...I heard that Saint Steele has followed the example of the Delan people in forcibly recruiting and mobilizing mages. My hometown We are approaching Merlin Lehe, and once a war breaks out, various spells may melt the ice and snow.”

"That's it."

Ellen shrugged: "Mr. Shuge, if what you want to buy are some simple medicines or ordinary civilian alchemy supplies, there should be no problem, but if it involves combat readiness and lethality, you must have an official mage certificate."

"Don't worry, I have this."

Shuge smiled: "Although I just got it this morning, it is indeed the latest certificate issued by the Council. It should be enough for the stream level, right?"

"Purchasing alchemy materials is absolutely enough."

"That's good."

Xiuge's mood lifted slightly. He was ready to make a big purchase in the alchemy shop. As the royal city of Walter, Bolden's richness of alchemy materials was definitely not comparable to those in Salem City. Xiuge even looked forward to how many rare materials he could find that could be used in the Dream Sanctuary.

Anyway, if someone helps pay the bill, you have to pay a little bit.

Xiuge doesn't have any mental barriers at all when it comes to harvesting family wool...

In the northeast corner of Lailand District, there is a relatively special commercial area.

It was named "Leyland's Kiss" and was a commercial area dedicated to the aristocratic residents of the Leyland district for special consumption.

In addition to collectibles, artworks, and large-scale alchemy shops, there are also many "special shops" that are not found in other commercial districts.

And because it is close to the Walter Academy of Magic, those spellcasting students on vacation will often come here to have fun...

Although he had "heard" the name of Lelan's Kiss for a long time, Shuge never had the capital to come here to take a look.

However, as the vehicle continued to approach the northeast corner of Leyland District, Shuge gradually discovered that something was not right. He found that there seemed to be a lot of soldiers on the street. Not only that, but there were also many large military steam transport vehicles. Parked on a nearby street.

It looks like...the place has been booked by the army.