Chapter 57 - 56: Strange Occurrences in the City

Chapter 57: Chapter 56: Strange Occurrences in the City

Gaode’s life as the Medicine Garden Master finally started getting busy.

His attempts at brewing the Basic Endurance Potion would still take some time. However, he had successfully constructed the Magic Model for [Blade Protection] just two days after mastering [Reading Magic]. With this, the number of spells in his Magic Library expanded to twelve.

During this period, he and the apprentices in the Medicinal Garden had also planted the newly purchased batch of medicinal seedlings. Anyone who had ever been a farmer knew that any crop was the most troublesome during its early period of planting, requiring meticulous care. The cultivation of medicinal herbs was no different. Preparing the nutrient soil before planting, loosening the earth, planting the seedlings, fertilizing, watering... The series of tasks left everyone utterly exhausted.

Yet, looking at the medicinal seedlings thriving in the fields, a lingering sense of satisfaction filled Gaode’s heart. Ultimately, these seedlings would all turn into shining Sean Gold Coins and line his pockets.

It wasn’t until the 22nd day of the Green Leaf Moon, when the second batch of Basic Magic Potion was completely depleted, that Gaode finally found some free time to temporarily end his life as a "farmer."

....

At the Rose Magic Pharmacy.

"Do you have any Basic Magic Potion for sale?" Gaode asked the shop assistant directly. Just like the Glowing Magic Pharmacy, this shop didn’t display the Basic Magic Potion on the counter either.

He had decided to visit a different Magic Pharmacy this time. Firstly, he was afraid that frequently buying the Basic Magic Potion from the same place might attract unwanted attention. Secondly, he wanted to ensure he wasn’t being ripped off by the Glowing Magic Pharmacy, even if the possibility was slim.

As it turned out, the assistant at the Glowing Magic Pharmacy hadn’t lied to him. At the Rose Magic Pharmacy, the price for a batch of Basic Magic Potion was also six gold and ten silver coins.

After a moment’s thought, Gaode bought six batches outright, spending thirty-nine Gold Coins. If he only bought one or two batches, he would have to visit the Magic Pharmacy every few days. Not only was it a hassle, but it was also a waste of time. However, after this hefty expense, the cash on hand shrank once again to a mere twenty-four Gold Coins.

He was spending money like water. There was an old saying that scholarly pursuits were for the poor while martial arts required wealth, but compared to mages, even martial artists seemed frugal by comparison.

Taking the six batches of packaged Basic Magic Potion from the assistant, Gaode noticed a squad of City Guards hurrying past on the street outside. This wasn’t the first time he had seen such a sight today. On his way here, he had already spotted several squads of City Guards patrolling with stern expressions. The City Guards were never this diligent in the past.

"Did something major happen in the city? Why are the City Guards making such a big scene today?" Gaode asked casually.

"Didn’t you know, sir? Some strange things have been happening in the city these past few days!" the assistant replied, looking surprised.

"Oh?" Gaode frowned, pressing for details. "What kind of strange things?"

"A lot of people in the city have mysteriously gone missing over the last few days..."

.....

Upon leaving the Rose Magic Pharmacy, Gaode’s brow remained furrowed, his mind heavy with concern.

Although Hogan City couldn’t compare to the massive cities of his past life that easily boasted millions of residents, people going missing was hardly a strange occurrence given the overall environment. It shouldn’t have caused such a massive stir. For the City Guards to take it this seriously, there were only two possibilities: either someone of high status had vanished, or the number of missing persons had reached a critical threshold. Whether it was the former or the latter, it was a terrifying prospect.

Pondering this, Gaode changed direction and made his way to the Pierre Grocery Store.

When in doubt, find Pierre. The little old man was incredibly mysterious. His shop was located in the commercial district at the heart of Hogan City, bustling with foot traffic all day long. Gaode simply wouldn’t believe it if Pierre didn’t know some inside information.

But that was only a secondary reason. The main reason was that Pierre was his one and only "connection" in this world so far.

....

Inside the grocery store.

"An entire family living near the commercial district mysteriously disappeared," Pierre said.

Sure enough, Pierre was well-informed and knew some inside details.

"It all happened overnight. They went to sleep in their own home, and by the next day, they were completely gone.

"The daughter of this family happens to be the female cousin of the City Guard captain’s wife. That’s the only reason this matter wasn’t covered up.

"As it turns out, it would’ve been fine if they hadn’t investigated, but once they did, they realized something was very wrong..." At this point, Pierre lowered his voice.

Gaode quickly leaned in closer. "What do you mean?"

"It wasn’t just one or two households. Over the past half a month or so, more than a dozen families—dozens of people in total—have vanished without a trace by daybreak after going to sleep in their homes.

"It’s just that the previous victims were all from the slums, so no one really cared.

"The City Guards went to investigate the scenes, and rumor has it that apart from discovering some strange slime of unknown origin, they found absolutely nothing.

"Whether it’s the identity and background of the culprit, or whether the missing people are dead or alive, or even how they disappeared—there are zero clues." Pierre’s expression turned solemn. "Who knows if more people will go missing tonight. If they do, this is going to blow up into something massive."

Gaode nodded in agreement. The City Guards were making such a huge commotion today, clearly adopting a posture of strict investigation. If more people still went missing tonight, it would be equivalent to slapping the City Guards right in the face. And daring to slap the City Guards in the face like that would not only prove the culprit’s sheer audacity but also highlight their utter fearlessness.

"Then we’ll just have to see what happens tonight," Gaode said. If nothing happened tonight, at least everyone could find a little peace of mind.

"Oh, by the way, boss, have you ever heard of the Cyrus Magic Academy?" Since he was already here, Gaode decided to casually ask.

"Of course I have." Pierre didn’t think much of Gaode’s question and answered nonchalantly, "That’s our nation’s Royal Magic Academy."

"The Royal Magic Academy?!"

"Yes, though it’s the only Magic Academy in the country," Pierre nodded, inadvertently revealing yet another piece of information to Gaode. "If someone can get in there to study, it’s basically ascending to heaven in a single bound."

"It’s just a Magic Academy. Is it really that exaggerated?" Gaode asked doubtfully.

"It’s the absolute truth," Pierre said with certainty. "Aside from catering to the Royal Family and the descendants of Sean nobility, the Cyrus Magic Academy only holds public recruitment once a year.

"During this public recruitment, even though anyone can register and the number of applicants is massive, the academy’s requirements are unbelievably strict. Without exceptional talent as a Mage, it’s completely impossible to be admitted.

"During each recruitment cycle, having thirty to forty people pass the examination is already considered a high number. In most years, only a dozen or two manage to pass and enter the Cyrus Magic Academy.

"And ninety-nine percent of those who pass the examination and enter the Cyrus Magic Academy go on to become Second-Ring Mages.

"Entering the Cyrus Magic Academy is equivalent to stepping one foot into the realm of a Second-Ring Mage. If that isn’t ascending to heaven in a single bound, what is?" Pierre countered.

Hearing this, Gaode could only nod silently.

In Hogan City, let alone a Second-Ring Mage, even a First-Ring Mage was a rare sight and unequivocally part of the highest echelon of society.

"Then is it located... in the Royal Capital?" Gaode asked hesitantly.

"Of course. Where else would the Royal Magic Academy be located if not the Royal Capital?" Pierre’s interest was piqued, and he elaborated, "This is an academy established in the same era as the Royal Capital, Saint Sean City. It has a history spanning thousands of years."

"How far is it from Hogan City to Saint Sean City?" Gaode asked, still unwilling to give up.

"Oh, it’s quite far. It has to be thousands of kilometers away," Pierre sighed, shaking his head. "Even I have never been to Saint Sean City. As a citizen of the Sean Duchy, it’s quite a great regret not to be able to see our own nation’s Royal Capital."