Chapter Twenty-Seven: Unanimous Approval

Seeking theoretical exchange with Semili? Everyone silently shook their heads. Although Semili, with his delicate features, seemed the easiest to bully, everyone knew he was actually a tough nut to crack. With his strength, he ranked among the top in the entire Mage Guild, young and promising, his mentor none other than the renowned archmage Tris Meyer Proxis. With such prospects, who would be foolish enough to oppose him? As for the newcomer, Veil… recalling his series of brutally aggressive actions, those pampered mages instinctively shrank back. Despite all of them being of higher rank and strength than Veil, not a single one dared step forward to "theoretically exchange" with him.

After Veil’s uproar, the once noisy conference room fell silent, save for the persistent wails of House, still sprawled on the floor. Observing the situation, Semili exchanged a subtle glance with West, then cleared his throat, stepped forward, and feigned dissatisfaction, barking at Veil, “Look at the mess you’ve made! When this mission is done, you’d better write me a thorough report!”

“Oh,” Veil responded, head bowed, accepting the rebuke. He understood Semili’s intentions perfectly. No matter how fierce Veil was today, he could never truly dominate those cunning veterans who had spent years, even decades, in the Mage Guild. Semili’s timely reprimand served as a dual-faced gesture: subtly signaling to the others that he stood with Veil, while also offering those wavering mages a chance to reconsider and obediently follow his lead.

West approached House, expressionless, drawing her wand and murmuring a healing spell. She waved the wand, and a watery blue light flashed, settling upon House’s wounds. Before long, the bloodied gash began to heal, and within minutes, House’s leg was restored as if nothing had happened.

The cries of pain gradually shifted to murmurs of comfort. Watching House, eyes closed in blissful enjoyment, it was hard to believe moments ago he’d been writhing in agony. “Hmph, you can get up now!” West’s voice carried a hint of disdain. She wrinkled her elegant brows, put away her wand, and returned to her seat. House hesitantly got up, opened his mouth as though to speak, but upon seeing Veil’s mocking gaze fixed on him, he quickly averted his eyes, not even daring to dust himself off in Veil’s presence, instead shuffling silently back to his seat.

“Well then, I have no objections…” After the recent events, one of the remaining fence-sitters raised his hand, indicating his willingness to join the mission.

“I agree…”

“So do I…”

“No issues here…”

In the end, aside from House, everyone agreed to participate. “Don’t—don’t look at me like that, I have no objections either!” House shouted, his voice quivering under Semili’s gaze, affirming his consent.

Thus, all seventeen mages in the conference room agreed to join the mission. Apart from Veil, the newcomer of the third tier, most were fifth-tier magicians, with the strongest being the delicate-featured Semili and the icy beauty West.

To ensure the mission’s safety, Semili didn’t reveal the exact location where they would meet the distinguished guest, nor did he specify who this person was. After hashing out some details, Semili dismissed everyone, instructing them to prepare their belongings and leave the Mage Guild inconspicuously, gathering outside the small woods east of the imperial city’s moat.

Once everyone had quietly departed, Semili approached Veil, clapped him on the shoulder, and said, “Nicely done, kid!”

Truth be told, Veil found Semili’s gesture rather distasteful, not least because Semili, with his effeminate airs and delicate features, could rival West in fair skin, wore a string of earrings, and—were it not for his short hair—Veil suspected anyone might question his gender! But that wasn’t the worst of it; when Semili drew near, the pungent perfume he wore was so overpowering that Veil felt as though he might suffocate.

Holding his breath, Veil didn’t respond, but turned to ask, “Who is this distinguished guest?”

“Huh?” Semili was momentarily caught off guard by the question, but quickly replied, “It’s the Earl, but as for which one, sorry, kid, I can’t tell you.”

“No matter, I was just curious,” Veil said coolly, shaking his head. “I’d better go prepare.”

“Alright, go ahead,” Semili replied.

With their brief exchange, Veil’s mind began to churn. No disturbance to the military or the royal court? No suspicion from the Martial Soul Hall? And it’s an Earl?

Wait—an Earl!?

Veil’s heart jolted, and a startling answer flashed through his mind: Earl Charles, the right hand of the current Emperor of Pengula, father of Wei Ling, and one of the four who knew of the Losi Ezigel Divine Staff!

According to what he’d learned at the Earl’s estate, Wei Ling’s father, Earl Charles, wasn’t in the imperial city; he’d gone somewhere on some business. Even Wei Ling didn’t know of his return. For such a distinguished noble’s arrival to be kept secret, the only possibility was that he brought crucial information—something the royal court and military would keep from the Martial Soul Hall, and most likely related to the Losi Ezigel Divine Staff!

With this realization, Veil hurried back to his room, gave Bill a few brief instructions, and left him alone at the Mage Guild.