In front of "The Best Weapon Artisan" club, a long queue had formed.
Since the news spread that magic rings could be custom-made here, not only did those wanting magic rings come to order one, but even people with other needs flocked here, drawn by the reputation of being able to custom-make magic rings.
Krige was extremely busy; he had printed a dozen copies of the manual and distributed them to the visitors, telling them they just needed to pick their preferred Artisan service and let him know.
At that moment, a noisy sound came from outside, and the previously crowded entrance instantly cleared as a person wearing a robe walked in.
The reason everyone retreated was that a skull pattern was drawn on his robe, indicating he was a Formal Mage of the Necromancy School.
Kalv walked straight up to Krige and asked point-blank:
"I am an Investigator for the Alliance. Where is that Artisan of yours who can make magic rings?"
Saying this, he took out a badge and showed it to Krige.
Krige was as quiet as a cicada in winter. After freezing for two seconds, he finally spoke:
"She is... in the house across the way, on the second floor, the first room."
After thinking it over, Krige decided to answer truthfully, because neither the opponent's Formal Mage robes nor his status as an Alliance Investigator were things he could afford to offend.
He could only watch helplessly as the other man walked out the door; then, the enthusiasm inside the entire club seemed to be doused with cold water, no longer maintaining its previous heat.
Regarding this, Krige could only pray that Furan could handle this big shot.
---
On the other side, in the room Furan had rented, she was pitching a product to Bella, whom she had dragged along.
"I'll only charge you for two sets of materials this time. Do you want it or not?"
Bella felt a bit embarrassed and said:
"Is this really okay? Won't it affect your earnings? I don't think Sword Dance needs to be made into a magic ring; I can just spend a little more time on it."
"We're friends, it's fine. It's not about making you cast Spells only with the ring, but providing an auxiliary tool that can help you perform Sword Dance faster."
Perhaps unable to withstand Furan's enthusiasm, Bella finally agreed to the proposal of helping make a magic ring.
Just then, several knocks came from the door, interrupting their conversation and Furan's work.
"Who is it?"
Furan was a bit displeased; could it be that the people she specifically hired hadn't maintained order outside?
The door was opened from the outside with a key. Furan saw a terrified face, and behind him, she saw the reason for his terror.
"A Formal Mage."
Furan had a bit of a headache. Surely these Formal Mages weren't relying on their status to jump the queue and make her do theirs first?
But Furan wasn't afraid. After all, the strongest person in Apprentice City now was her mentor, a Fourth-Tier Mage. She didn't believe the other party wouldn't fear that title.
"An Alliance Investigator."
Kalv flashed his badge, which was unexpected for Furan. Why was it an Alliance Investigator?
Although she didn't know if an Alliance Investigator really only needed this badge to prove their identity, the other party was also a Formal Mage. Given her current status, she should show proper respect.
"You must be Furan."
Hearing this impolite inquiry, Furan frowned but still gave an answer:
"I am. What is it?"
A smile appeared on the corner of Kalv's mouth as he said slowly:
"I am an Alliance Investigator. My mission this time is to investigate the disappearance of Beloli, the main person in charge of the Modification School in Apprentice City..."
Furan's heart skipped a beat, but she remained composed.
"And? What does that have to do with me?"
Kalv placed his hand on his waist and chuckled:
"You have shown the most anomalies, apprentice."
"I don't know where your magic ring production technique came from, to actually be able to bypass the blockade those people have on this technology."
"I've heard that those Artisans who make magic rings can never leave a certain small island in their lifetime, and even their family members must stay on that island."
"So, may I ask how you obtained this craft?"
Then, without waiting for Furan to answer, he continued:
"There is also another matter. Recently, a large number of dagger orders have appeared in the Magic Craftsman club. According to the Law Enforcement Team's investigation, these orders were also placed by you. How do you explain that?"
Furan didn't answer directly but asked back:
"What do these have to do with the mission you are investigating?"
Kalv's smile gradually faded. He had originally shown some courtesy because the other party could make magic rings.
But it seemed she didn't appreciate it and instead began to question his actions.
This made him, who was used to the flattery of apprentices, quite displeased. Since being promoted to Formal Mage, no apprentice had ever dared to defy his words like this.
He with a grim face, he said in a calm tone:
"This is also an Alliance regulation... Investigators can investigate anomalies related to the mission."
"And the fact that these things all happened in Apprentice City is their connection."
Only then did Furan intend to truly respond to his words.
"First, let's talk about why I placed a large number of dagger orders."
"I ordered so many materials in order to practice my enchanting techniques and study the runes within them."
Kalv was quite displeased; he felt as if the other party wasn't treating him as a Formal Mage, with no hint of respect in her words.
Although he didn't quite understand these enchanting matters, he knew that using the word 'practice' to explain such a large quantity was a bit far-fetched.
"Then, as for where my magic ring production technique came from..."
Furan paused, then took out a badge with a Casting Hammer pattern on it.
"I obtained it from my mentor, Harbos, the Chief of the Furnace Casting School. I am also a member of the Furnace Casting School."
"And it was because I custom-ordered a large number of daggers for practice that my rune-carving skills reached such a high level, allowing Lord Harbos to gladly induct me into the Furnace Casting School. Are you satisfied with this explanation?"
Kalv's face stiffened. He knew of Harbos; since the last time he made a fool of himself regarding his knowledge of the Association, he had inquired about all the major recent events, including the arrival of Harbos, a Fourth-Tier Mage, in Apprentice City.
"Sorry to have bothered you. I have no more questions."
Kalv could only lower his head and hurriedly walk out the door. He knew that although his status as an Investigator was high, it wasn't higher than that of a Fourth-Tier Mage.
"Are you okay?"
Bella asked from the side.
"It's fine. My mentor is a Fourth-Tier Mage; nothing will happen."
Furan glanced back at the door and then quickly turned her head.
Now she experienced the feeling of "hit the small one and the big one comes, hit the big one and the old one comes."
Why is there always another one after beating one?
"No, perhaps I should take the initiative and attribute all these things to some other cause. I can't keep making people disappear, or people will keep investigating."
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