Through the Grave Spirit, Locke observed that these Second-Class Wizard Apprentices were currently engaged in geometric folding work on Curse Formulas.
By continuously folding basic Curse Formulas, new composite structures could emerge, producing various terrifying forms of Curse Magic.
These Second-Class Wizard Apprentices were following the instructions of First-Class Wizard Apprentices and Formal Wizards—the curse specialists—testing the composite Curse Formulas they had designed.
This was one of the primary tasks within the Curse Formula Research Institute.
Each of these Second-Class Wizard Apprentices wore an iron collar around their necks, which appeared to be some kind of control device used to dominate and enslave these Dark Wizard Apprentices.
Even Leoni Murphy himself wore such a collar.
However, in Locke's view, the collar served more as an insult than an actual means of control. After all, the Blood Curse Court relied on Curse Magic to control their own apprentices.
Leoni Murphy suddenly froze, his hands pausing mid-motion as he sensed Locke's Mana. Yet, the invisible Grave Spirit was far too concealed, so no one around noticed the spirit attached to him.
'Master? It's the master!' Leoni Murphy's mind was in turmoil. "But how is this possible? The Curse Formula Research Institute has six layers of Curse Barriers. How could the master's Mana penetrate them and still activate the contingency on me?"
"Ordinary white magic can't even be used within these six layers of Curse Barriers!"
Unbeknownst to him, Locke was using an Archaeological Spell—Summon Graveyard Spirit.
This form of Dark Magic, which stood near the top of the magical hierarchy, was barely affected by the six-layered Curse Barrier.
Leoni Murphy whispered, "Master, this Curse Formula Research Institute has six layers of Curse Barriers inside. White magic is completely unusable within them. How did you manage this?"
"Could it be... you're using Dark Magic?"
Locke, who was controlling the invisible Grave Spirit, was startled. He hadn't expected the institute to have such a troublesome defense.
He wondered if Teacher Sophia knew about this so-called six-layered Curse Barrier.
If she didn't, then it was fortunate he had planted Summon Graveyard Spirit on this Second-Class Wizard Apprentice beforehand. Otherwise, things could have gone very wrong once the operation began.
Through the Grave Spirit, Locke conveyed to Leoni Murphy, 'That's none of your concern.'
'Rest assured, the Dark Wizards around you will have a hard time detecting this magic I'm using.'
'But if you dare report this or take any action against me, I'll immediately activate the contingency on you and kill you.'
Leoni Murphy's left hand trembled slightly as he whispered fearfully, "Master, I would never betray you."
"I know it was you who arranged for me to return to the Curse Formula Research Institute."
"How could I dare offend someone as powerful as you?"
Leoni Murphy was no fool. He understood why, less than a month after becoming Locke's informant, he had been pulled from the dangerous frontlines and reassigned to the relatively safer rear—the Curse Formula Research Institute.
In his eyes, Locke likely had influence even within this Curse Formula Research Institute.
If he harbored any disloyal thoughts, he'd probably be dealt with before any report could even be submitted.
He was a nobody, with no loyalty whatsoever to the Blood Curse Court—merely bound by Curse Magic, unable to leave this Wizard organization.
Naturally, he had no reason to betray Locke.
When Locke spoke to him through the Grave Spirit, it was essentially a direct soul-to-soul conversation, completely inaudible to others.
"Good, Leoni Murphy. As long as you obey me, not only will you survive, but you might even thrive within the Blood Curse Court."
"Leoni Murphy, I want you to move around this Curse Formula Research Institute as much as possible in the coming days."
"The more you move, the better—but try to avoid the Wizard Seed Sequence of the Blood Curse Court, as well as those First Circle Wizard curse masters."
Having just learned of the existence of the six-layered Curse Barrier, Locke was being cautious. He intended to use this spy to map out the entire interior of the Curse Formula Research Institute, especially the locations of any Curse Magic traps. Ideally, he could even uncover the facility's defense mechanisms through this informant.
How many personnel were stationed there? What major projects were being researched?
He could immediately hire a Speed Painter from the Illusion School to help document this map.
Leoni Murphy replied eagerly, "Understood, Master."
"Rest assured, I will complete the task."
Leoni Murphy seemed to genuinely enjoy being given assignments by Locke—it gave him the sense that he had powerful backing. As long as he followed Locke's orders, he could keep climbing the ranks.
The next moment, a black staff covered in runes dropped in front of Leoni Murphy. Just its mere presence sent excruciating pain through his heart.
A large, obese Dark Wizard apprentice—his left arm crudely stitched with a Naga Arm—sneered at Leoni Murphy's suffering.
"Leoni Murphy, what are you doing, spacing out like that?"
"You still think you're the supervisor here? Your so-called master can't even protect herself—recently punished severely by the Elder Council, her Mana weakened so much she was expelled from the Wizard Seed Sequence."
"Hahahaha…" The obese Dark Wizard apprentice mocked, "Your master is done for, and as her slave, you're next."
"I don't know what tricks you pulled or whose coattails you grabbed to get transferred back here, but listen well. The only supervisor here is me—"
"Everyone, am I right?"
In the hall, the Second-Class Wizard Apprentices, unwilling to stir up trouble for someone else, immediately chimed in.
"That's right, Yude Roosevelt is our supervisor!"
"Leoni, that lowlife, he's the lowest of the low here—all the dirty work is his to do."
"I've always hated this guy!"
Seeing this, Yude's face broke into a smug grin. He shot Leoni Murphy a triumphant look before leisurely walking off with his Agony Rune Staff to supervise others.
Leoni Murphy remained silent the entire time, head lowered, barely suppressing his anger. At this moment, he stared at the Murloc Sacrifice on the operating table, his heart filled with fury.
'Now I have someone backing me—someone far more powerful than your master.'
'Damn you, Yude. Sooner or later, I'll make you pay for all of this. Just you wait. Now I have someone backing me!'
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