However, the sensation of grabbing a collar didn't even have time to become clear.
Karl felt Hen's body suddenly sway, as if he had lost all strength, and he was about to collapse softly to the ground.
"Teacher!" Karl exclaimed, quickly releasing his hand and instead firmly supporting Hen's body, which had almost fallen.
"Teacher, what's wrong?" Karl asked urgently.
He could feel Hen's body trembling slightly, and his breathing had become rapid and difficult.
Hen was drenched in sweat, his lips a little purple. He waved his hand with effort, seemingly wanting to say something, but was unable to speak due to the pain.
He leaned against Karl, taking several deep breaths, his chest heaving violently.
After a long while, the intense pain seemed to subside slightly, and a hint of color returned to his pale face.
"It's—it's nothing—an old problem—don't worry, I'll be fine—after a rest."
Hen's voice was a little weak. He managed to stand upright, but one hand still instinctively pressed against the left side of his chest, over his heart.
Karl looked at Hen, who was clearly forcing himself to hold on, his brows furrowed tightly. He knew Hen suffered from heart disease.
In the original history, during the Thanedd Coup more than a decade later, Hen was already so ill that he could only move in a wheelchair.
But he hadn't expected that Hen's condition already existed so early, and that it would suddenly flare up during an intense battle.
It seems—this condition gradually worsened over these ten-odd years.
Hen saw Karl's tightly furrowed brows and worried eyes, and instead forced out a comforting smile.
He gently patted Karl's arm that was supporting him: "Really, don't worry—it's not usually like this."
"It's just today—seeing your rapid progress, I, your teacher, got carried away for a moment, wanting to see what your limit truly was."
"The battle was a little—too intense, which triggered the old ailment."
He paused, scrutinizing Karl, his eyes filled with undisguised satisfaction and pride.
Hen changed the subject: "However, Karl, you truly surprised me today."
"While in terms of the breadth, depth, and experience of magic, you still have a long way to go to catch up to me, but if we factor in your incredible physique and speed—"
Hen's tone immediately became extremely certain: "Your overall strength has far surpassed the vast majority of members in the Lower Council, and it can even be said that you have exceeded the peak many people can achieve in their entire lives."
"If it were an ordinary Lower Council sorcerer, under that kind of offensive just now, they would have probably died dozens of times over."
"Even the other two Upper Council members, Artaud and Francesca—"
"If they were to engage you for the first time, without knowing your true capabilities, there's a very high chance they could be instantly closed in on by you—"
Here, Hen did not mention Tissaia, only the two Upper Council members.
Because in terms of seniority, Tissaia was similar to him, it's just that she wasn't a source of magic, but she wasn't sick, and he didn't think Karl could defeat Tissaia.
Hen let out a long sigh, looking at Karl as if he were a rare treasure: "Your talent is the most outstanding I have seen in my long life."
"Perhaps even the Knowers among the elves—no, even the Elder Blood may not be able to compare to you in some aspects."
At this point, a relaxed smile appeared on Hen's face.
"This way, the training schedule I had originally planned for you, which might have only started decades later, now seems like it can be significantly moved up."
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The next day, Karl was summoned by Hen. Hen appeared very calm, but what he said surprised Karl a little.
Hen got straight to the point: "Karl, your foundation is already quite solid. It's time to get involved in some practical matters."
"I've arranged a training assignment for you, with an enforcement squad under the Brotherhood of Sorcerers. Your first mission is to assist in pursuing an escaped sorceress."
Hen paused, looking at Karl, his tone carrying a hint of deeper meaning: "Speaking of which, the target of this mission has some indirect connection to you. Her name is Alexandr Daviel."
Alexandr? Karl was indeed a little surprised to hear this name; he remembered it.
When Foltest purged the Ostrit faction, this sorceress was suspected of being involved in Princess Adda's curse.
Due to her special status, she was not directly wanted and arrested. Instead, Foltest filed a complaint against her with the Brotherhood of Sorcerers.
"I thought she had already been apprehended and was awaiting the Brotherhood's judgment," Karl replied softly.
Hen shook his head slightly, a hint of helplessness on his face: "Things aren't that simple. The squad sent to carry out the arrest mission came up empty-handed."
"She clearly got wind of it beforehand and resisted arrest, fleeing. This undoubtedly increased her suspicion and crimes, and now she is officially listed as a wanted target."
He looked at Karl, his tone becoming serious and concerned: "This mission, for you, has a generally controllable risk, but you must not let your guard down."
Hen's tone then softened, carrying a sense of future planning.
"This is just the beginning. As long as you successfully complete a few missions and make appropriate contributions to the Brotherhood of Sorcerers."
"Once you accumulate enough contributions, I can officially nominate you to become a Lower Council member. I already have some thoughts about your future path."
"Also, there's one thing you need to pay special attention to: the types of defensive spells you currently master are relatively limited."
"Some spells are specifically designed for opponents like you who rely on powerful physiques, such as the Transfiguration spell." Hen particularly emphasized a spell name.
"Once hit by it, you will be temporarily sealed, turning into a living, but unconscious and immobile, statue."
As if to prove his words, Hen pulled open a drawer of his antique desk as he spoke.
Karl looked over curiously, only to see no documents or books in the drawer.
Instead, there were three palm-sized statues, all carved from a type of warm jade, neatly arranged.
The statues were exquisitely crafted, but what was even more striking was their surface.
Visible to the naked eye, a condensed and powerful magical glow slowly flowed over them; these were definitely not ordinary decorations.
Hen casually picked up one of the statues and placed it on the table.
The statue seemed to be a male figure with a striking face, yet exuding intense malice.
"This is a high vampire I encountered during my travels when I was young."
"They are a special race. At that time, he had just slaughtered a border village, and I happened to pass by." Hen's tone was flat, as if recounting an ordinary past event.
Then, he pointed to the other two statues in the drawer.
"These two were his companions who came seeking revenge after he disappeared, but I subdued them both."
Hen's words were very understated, as if subduing three high vampires was nothing to him.
A profound glint flashed in Hen's eyes as he continued: "From them, I learned some information about their race."
"They can resurrect after death, have strong self-healing abilities, and their population is far greater than the world knows."
"Among them, there is a more powerful vampire and leader, known as the Elder
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