Chapter 161: I Like Your Eyes

Although Mentor Rum appeared displeased, he still allowed Saul to leave.

However, shortly after Saul departed, someone knocked on Rum's door again.

"Mentor." It was Nick's voice.

After receiving permission, Nick entered.

A smile had been hanging on his face the entire time, a stark contrast to his usual expressionless demeanor.

Rum glanced at Nick a few times and immediately understood his condition. "Have you almost fully absorbed the potion?"

Nick's smile brightened. "Yes, Mentor. I can feel my emotions becoming more stable. I no longer have to suppress myself like before."

To his surprise, Rum sighed. "You’ve been stuck at Level 2 for so long that I’ve started to doubt whether this path is truly suitable for you."

"This is the path I chose for myself, Mentor. There's no need to worry." As Nick spoke, his expression suddenly changed, and tears began to flow uncontrollably.

Rum was not surprised—he knew this was a necessary tribulation for Nick’s advancement.

Except for a few prodigies, no one had an easy time advancing.

In the wizarding world, every advancement was dangerous, but it was also essential.

Once someone chose the path of a wizard, they had to keep moving forward—stagnation for too long was a risk just as fatal as any other.

Rum lightly tapped his belly, causing ripples to spread across his skin.

"I heard the Tower Master saved you midway and took Saul away?"

Nick, having calmed down a little, wiped his tears. "Yes."

After thinking for a moment, he added, "Back in Hanging Valley, Byron claimed that Saul was the Tower Master’s student. Although he later explained that he made it up on the spot to deceive the enemy, I now think Byron might have been telling the truth."

Mentor Rum slowly nodded.

His nod was barely perceptible—if he moved too much, his chin would press into the rolls of fat on his neck.

"Perhaps Saul’s job in the tower was also personally arranged by the Tower Master. What a pity… He would have been a perfect candidate to specialize in Light magic."

No one in this wizard tower could defy the Tower Master, Gorsa, not even the esteemed mentors.

Rum abruptly changed the subject. "Did you go to Grindstone Town?"

Nick had already submitted his report in the registry, but he hadn't mentioned that Saul had completed the task for him.

He had his own reasons—he wanted to hide his true role in the mission as much as possible.

But now, faced with a direct question from Rum, and with his emotions still unstable due to his advancement, he didn't dare to lie. He could only downplay the situation.

"Before reaching Grindstone Town, I received news of my father’s passing. I entrusted someone else to complete the task. Now, most of the Grinding Sound Fruits there have been destroyed due to barbarian invasions, and I fear they won’t be available for tribute anymore. I’ve already suggested to the registry that we withdraw our protection of the town."

"There’s no need for that," Rum chuckled softly. "Grindstone Town has already been completely wiped out."

Nick’s head snapped up in shock, unable to hide his expression of surprise—and fear.

Rum, however, looked indifferent. "Fortunately, you're advancing now. You won't need the Grinding Sound Fruits to suppress your emotions anymore."

But Nick reacted strangely—he pressed his lips together tightly, the muscles at the corners of his mouth trembling, his pupils shrinking to needlepoints.

It was as if he had just heard the most terrifying news.

Rum suddenly extended his hand and pressed it against Nick’s head.

"There’s no need to be so afraid, Nick. You’re one of my favorite students. Even if you make the occasional mistake, I wouldn’t eat you immediately."

With a thud, Nick dropped to his knees, trying to beg for mercy, but his throat trembled so much that he couldn’t speak.

Seeing Nick so overwhelmed, Mentor Rum’s head slowly slid from the top of his body down to his belly, staring at the sweat seeping from Nick’s forehead.

"Forget about Grindstone Town. And don’t concern yourself with Saul either."

As Rum gently stroked Nick’s head, strands of brown hair fell to the floor, dissolving as if corroded.

"Yes, Mentor," Nick replied, his eyes filled with tears.

"Even though this is Gorsa’s Wizard Tower, I am still your mentor. If you truly don’t want to be involved, then just focus on your research."

"As my favored student, your position is already determined. Stop trying to please both sides."

"Yes… yes, Mentor…" Nick’s teeth began chattering, his voice shaky and hoarse.

"Since you're about to advance, I'll let you off this time. Go to the room across the hall and leave once you’ve calmed down."

"Yes."

Nick crawled backward out of the curtained-off room.

By the time he left, all his hair had fallen out, revealing an unevenly bald head.

Rum’s head slid back up to its rightful position atop his body.

"It doesn’t matter," he seemed to respond to someone. "Having no reaction at all would be even more suspicious. Besides, Bill is dead now, isn’t he? That saves you the trouble of taking further action."

"Hehehehe…"

Laughter echoed through the room, muffled by the heavy curtains, unable to escape.

---

Saul, having left Rum’s room, had no idea what kind of price Nick had paid for his secrecy.

His attention was drawn to a conversation between passing apprentices.

"I heard the Level 2 apprentice who took the Dead Man’s Flower mission last time gave up voluntarily."

Two female Level 2 apprentices stood on the slope between the twelfth and thirteenth floors, whispering to each other.

Saul, pushing a cart, slowed his steps.

"Is the mission that difficult?"

"I think solving the problem isn’t hard—the challenge is finding the person responsible. Last time, Sari took the mission and kept watch for days without finding anything. But then, yesterday at dawn, another servant died."

The other girl scoffed, rolling her eyes. Her numerous braids lifted slightly, resembling the hood of a cobra.

"Lucy, why don’t we take the mission? Since someone already gave up, the reward must have been increased again."

The apprentice named Lucy hesitated but was tempted. "Alright, let’s go now before someone else snatches it!"

The two joined hands and disappeared around the corner.

Saul, who had been shuffling forward, finally moved his legs again.

"As expected, my second dream is coming true in reality."

As he passed the twelfth floor, Saul glanced inside.

The Dead Man’s Flower that had once stood in the hallway had long been cleared away.

"I hope they solve the problem. I’d really like to get a good night’s sleep."

Level 2 apprentices had no mandatory public lessons—of course, if they wanted, they could attend Level 1 classes.

However, after reaching Level 2, apprentices' knowledge and skills began to diverge significantly. Forcing them to study together would only slow everyone down.

Thus, after advancing, most learning was self-directed, with periodic guidance from mentors to ensure apprentices didn’t stray too far down the wrong path—or accidentally blow themselves up.

Level 1 apprentices had monthly progress tests, but for Level 2 apprentices, it was every six months.

Since Saul had just advanced, he had a one-year grace period before his first test.

With plenty of time ahead, Saul settled into his new work at the second warehouse and resumed his research.

Two days into his tasks, Mentor Kaz assigned him a new mission.

This time, the materials list contained dozens of items. Fortunately, Saul had already cataloged half of the warehouse; otherwise, he would never have finished on time.

While pushing his cart down the corridor, Saul encountered someone.

The figure was dressed in a heavy cloak like the Tower Master, wearing a mask, and emerging from the left hallway.

"He must be the one in charge of the first warehouse," Saul thought, considering whether to greet him.

But the person walked past without hesitation, not even acknowledging Saul’s presence.

Saul chuckled at himself.

After spending time outside the tower, making a few friends, he had almost forgotten—this wizard tower was a cold place.

But before his smile could fade, the man ahead suddenly stopped.

Instantly alert, Saul halted as well, maintaining a two-meter distance.

The figure did not turn around. Instead, he lowered his head deeply.

As he did, a slit opened in the hood at the back of his head.

Beneath it, a grotesque woman’s face emerged—like a twisted witch from a nightmare.

"I like your eyes," she rasped. "Can you give them to me?"

"Sorry," Saul’s expression turned cold. "I still need them."

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