Chapter 431 - 138: Just a Mission From a Beautiful Tutor (Part 1)

Chapter 431: Chapter 138: Just a Mission From a Beautiful Tutor (Part 1)

The Archmage shot him a fierce glare, finally managing to suppress his rage.

’He knew this wasn’t the time to assign blame. He had to stop that idiot Carl from embarrassing himself further, then find a way to quickly get a clear picture of the situation and figure out how to deal with that brat, Lynch Blackwood!’

He quickly stepped forward and announced in a loud voice, "Time’s about up! All students, listen up! We will begin boarding immediately. The exam will be held on Silent Island. Any form of private dueling is strictly forbidden on the ship. Violators will be immediately disqualified from the exam!"

As soon as he said this, the color drained from Carl’s face. "Instructor Buddy, I..."

"Shut up!" Archmage Buddy shot him a cold glance. "Get on the ship."

Carl’s face turned ashen with frustration, but he didn’t dare defy Instructor Buddy’s command. He could only shoot Lynch a hateful glare before reluctantly turning and walking toward the gangway.

Lynch shrugged and gestured to Avril and the others. "Let’s go. We should board too."

******

After boarding the ship, they sailed for several consecutive days.

During this time, to prevent further conflict, the students from the three academies were separated into different cabins.

The students and instructors from the Imperial Capital Academy occupied the most luxurious cabins, while those from Hurst and Silver Moon Academy were mostly in ordinary ones.

Lynch, however, didn’t pay much mind to any of this. He spent most of his time in Meditation to stabilize his realm, occasionally playing cards with Lilith, Ophelia, and the others to pass the time. Life was rather peaceful.

「Until the morning of the fifth day.」

"Look! There’s an island ahead!"

The lookout’s shout shattered the tranquility of the sea.

Lynch walked out of his cabin and went to the bow of the ship.

In the distance, a massive island lay sprawled across the azure sea, like a slumbering ancient beast.

The center of the island was a lush, primeval jungle, surrounded by black reefs. The faint outlines of shattered shipwrecks could be seen rising and falling with the waves, giving off an air of desolation and danger.

"So that’s Silent Island..."

A pleasant voice sounded beside Lynch’s ear.

Lynch glanced to the side and saw that Ailendra Moon Language had, at some point, come to stand beside him.

The sea breeze blew through her long hair, clearly revealing the sharp profile of her face.

Compared to a human, her skin was more delicate and her face more refined. Her pointed, elven ears gave her an exotic beauty beyond that of an ordinary human, while her open features and the vibrant spirit in her eyes added a wild, flamboyant charm.

Lynch’s gaze swept past her face, finally settling on the longbow on her back and the two curved blades at her waist.

The bow was a longbow of ancient wood, yet tender green buds and small flowers grew upon its body, emitting a faint aura of nature.

The curved blades hanging at her waist had a graceful arc, and the texture of their hilts and sheaths was excellent. They looked to be a pair of fine blades.

"Legend says that during the Age of Gods, this was where the Storm Titan imprisoned the ancient Sea God," Airendra said, her tone growing solemn as she gazed at the island. "After the Sea God fell, its resentment shrouded the entire island, turning this place into a paradise for monsters. Fishmen, goblins, and wild Gnolls multiplied in the jungle... I’ve heard that on some nights, you can still hear the roar of the Sea God’s resentment, and it’s especially clear on the night of a full moon."

When she finished, she suddenly turned to Lynch, a hint of playfulness flashing in her amber eyes. "You don’t seem scared at all, do you?"

"Nice bow," Lynch said, ignoring her question and glancing at the longbow on her back. "Ancient wood with a patina, yet its life force isn’t gone. Interesting. Are you a professional archer?"

"A Tier Three Forest Ranger," Airendra chuckled, studying Lynch with curiosity. "This is my first time seeing a real Necromancer. Our academy doesn’t have a legacy for that profession."

"Forest Ranger?"

Lynch frowned in thought, his gaze shifting from her bow to the distant, mist-shrouded island. "Our academy doesn’t have a Ranger major either. But I’ve met a few Rangers before... Hmm, one was a Fallen Ranger named Blackthorn, and another was a Dual Blade Ranger, Blue Crow."

His tone was flat, as if he were mentioning two insignificant passersby.

’In reality, Lynch had of course met more than just those two Rangers. It was just that the weaker ones either died in the first exchange against his Sea of Skulls tactic or were cut down in the chaos of a Scout battle, not even worthy of his notice or memory.’

"Blackthorn?!"

Ailendra Moon Language’s expression changed drastically. Her previously playful look instantly froze, and her eyes flared with tension and hatred. "You’ve seen Blackthorn?! Where is he now?!"

"What, you know him?" Lynch raised an eyebrow, a little surprised by her intense reaction.

"Know him?" Airendra clenched her fists, her face turning a little pale. "Blackthorn also came from our Silver Moon Academy. He was a senior, more than ten years older than me. He was exceptionally talented, once our instructor’s most prized disciple. But he abandoned the path of nature to pursue dark power, even killing several of his fellow disciples in the Ranger major before fleeing the academy... The last I heard of him, he had joined the Blue Scarf Rebel Army and become a lapdog for the Draenei Brotherhood."

She took a few deep breaths, trying to calm herself, but her voice still trembled. "Lynch, if you ever run into him again, you must be careful! He’s a complete madman, and he’s extremely powerful. They say he’s already reached Tier Five... When I’m strong enough, I will kill him with my own hands and avenge my seniors!"

"A madman?" Lynch shrugged nonchalantly. "He seemed fine, I suppose. Besides, the guy’s already dead."

’At least, when I was snapping his neck, he was pretty emotionally stable. Didn’t scream or shout or anything.’

...

(10,000+)