Translator: CinderTL
"Of course, you could also travel the continent and try your luck."
The Purple-Haired Witch seemed a bit sleepy, raising her hand to yawn.
"Psionic energy is so powerful that even though it's difficult to master, countless Psions and scholars have dedicated themselves to its in-depth study."
"They categorized the techniques for using psionic energy into several major types."
"Self-shaping, prophecy, teleportation, creation, manipulation, enchantment, transformation, and more—the list goes on."
"These research findings were once recorded in grand libraries across the land, but..."
Vanessa smoothed the wrinkles from her skirt.
"Centuries have passed since then. The cities that once housed those grand libraries have long turned to dust, leaving behind only scattered ruins."
"If you're lucky enough, you might stumble upon a few ancient texts detailing spirit energy techniques among those ruins. Then... you'll naturally be able to learn those techniques from them."
Lucky enough... stumble upon...
Hearing these words, Roland shook his head wryly.
Setting aside whether he could even find those ruins, there was no guarantee that the books containing spirit energy techniques would have survived the passage of time intact.
"It seems like mastering spirit energy to enhance my strength will require a long-term plan."
"But... if I saw correctly just now, Mr. Roland," Vanessa said, breaking Roland's reverie.
The Purple-Haired Witch was sprawled across the table like a lazy cat, her eyes filled with curiosity.
"You used psionic energy to enhance your own strength just now, didn't you? How did you do that?"
As Roland was considering how to answer, a voice called out from outside the tent.
"Roland!"
He turned to see Avril quickly lift the tent flap and enter.
The elf girl's gaze flickered between Roland and Vanessa before she approached Roland, her brow furrowed slightly.
"Dean Graham wants to see you."
"Are we retreating?" Roland asked as he straightened his clothes.
"No," Avril said, shaking her head gently. "After consulting with Lord Jiaxiu, Dean Graham has decided to launch a counterattack against the Wolf King—the Lich."
"A counterattack?" Roland frowned deeply at the word.
Lord Jiaxiu was severely wounded, and Fisher's fate remained uncertain.
At this moment, Dean Graham had decided to launch a counterattack?
Roland pondered this, quickly understanding the Knight Academy Dean's reasoning.
Precisely because their strength was diminished, they needed to seize the initiative.
If Lord Jiaxiu and Fisher were unharmed, with three transcendent beings stationed in the camp, the Lich's machinations would have little impact.
Now.
"I understand."
Sighing, Roland nodded gently.
He then informed Avril of the decision made during their discussion: they would all share a single tent.
When Avril heard that Vanessa would also be staying in the tent, she immediately insisted on moving in as well.
Roland had anticipated this and naturally agreed.
After exchanging a few more words, he lifted the tent flap and headed toward the central command tent.
Perhaps Assassin Jashu had already retired for the night, as the central command tent was deserted. Only a faint scent of blood and wisps of unrestrained negative energy permeated the air.
Seeing Graham's complexion even paler than before, Roland immediately suspected something.
"It seems his encounter with that immortal enemy wasn't as easy as he claimed. But..."
Roland recalled Graham's description of the battle's timing and Jashu's arrival at the camp, furrowing his brow.
"Could it be... there's more than one enemy who can manipulate negative energy besides that Lich?"
"Roland..."
Graham's voice was hoarse.
Seeing Roland enter the tent, the burly man slowly began to speak.
"Regarding our next move, I believe Avril Shadow Envoy has already informed you?"
Seeing the young man nod, the Knight Academy Dean continued, "Jashu and I have decided to set out for Crushed Stone Canyon tomorrow. However, Derek's reinforcements are expected to arrive within a few days, so someone must remain here to establish contact with them."
"Jashu and I have already decided that Avril Shadow Envoy will serve as temporary commander, leading a small force to hold this position. As for you..."
Graham looked at the student he favored greatly and continued, "You ended up here by accident and have no obligation to clear the Mistland. Therefore... you will stay here and await the reinforcements."
"This..."
Hearing these words, Roland, who had been looking down, raised his head and met the gaze of the burly man before him.
Graham hadn't explicitly stated it, but Roland understood that he was deliberately protecting him.
After all, confronting a powerful spellcaster, even with Graham and Jashu, both transcendents, present, would be an extremely dangerous battle.
Keeping Roland behind was clearly meant to keep him away from this dangerous conflict.
Thinking this, Roland's gaze at Graham couldn't help but reveal a hint of gratitude.
Graham, who often sparred with him, knew Roland's strength better than anyone.
Compared to soldiers who hadn't yet broken through the mortal barrier, Roland was far superior.
His presence on the battlefield would at least improve their chances of victory.
Moreover, Graham had every right to order him to fight.
But instead, he had chosen...
"Alright, kid," Graham said, gently patting Roland's shoulder. He coughed a few times, his voice weak. "Staying here doesn't guarantee absolute safety. Who knows if the enemy might bypass our main force and launch a surprise attack, completely cutting us off from the outside world? So, if that happens..."
He paused, his lips moving silently for a moment before he whispered, "If you can't hold them off, prioritize your own safe retreat, understand?"
"Yes."
"Heh..."
Seeing the serious expression on Roland's face, Graham chuckled softly.
"How's your progress with the breathing technique I taught you?"
"It's slow, but steady."
"Good..."
Graham nodded in satisfaction, then leaned in slightly closer, his voice dropping even lower.
"The scroll containing the breathing technique is hidden in a secret compartment in the third-to-last drawer on the left side of the wooden table in the center of my room. If..."
The Knight Academy Dean took a deep breath and spoke slowly.
"If I... don't return this time, I'll need you to retrieve it and give it to... give it to..."
His brow furrowed, and his gaze suddenly drifted blank, as if lost in a memory.
After a moment, he abruptly waved his hand.
"Never mind. Don't give it to anyone."
"Even if Derek or Masdon, those two old fools, come asking, you must never tell them. If necessary..."
Graham gritted his teeth.
"Destroy it, understand?"
"I understand, Lord Graham."
(End of the Chapter)
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