Life Beyond the City (Part 1)

The carriage sped through the Dark Moon Forest.

This trip to the Stargazing Room to report on Han Dong's appointment as chief of staff of the special team was a minor matter.

The main point is that Mr. Black and White is preparing to give Han Dong a private lesson.

A basic knowledge lesson about the area outside the city... Before leaving the city, one must have some understanding of the relevant basic knowledge.

Mia, who is usually very lively, remained silent on the way.

Han Dong, leaning against the window on the other side of the carriage, said softly:

"If Mr. Black and White wanted to expose you, he would have intervened on the very first day you entered the Mysticism Department."

Even more than a decade ago, the moment the curse established a relationship with you, it secretly sent someone to erase you from the Holy City.

The fact that you can currently conduct normal learning activities within the Mysticism Department at least indicates that the Master maintains a neutral stance... You're a smart person; you should understand what I mean."

"Thank you, I'm just a little afraid to speak directly with Mr. Black and White... I might accidentally be dragged into the abyss."

Han Dong simply smiled and looked out the window, saying nothing more, showing no intention of comforting her whatsoever.

If Mr. Black and White can elicit Mia's true inner self through dialogue, Han Dong would be quite willing.

The two went up the elevator.

The secret door to the Stargazing Room has been opened ahead of time.

Warm firelight spilled out from the crack in the door.

Mia looked surprised as the two pushed open the door and entered.

Because Mr. Black and White wasn't the only one sitting here; on the opposite side of the sofa sat the [Witch - Kailonya], who was wrapped in a black gauze dress.

"Teacher!"

When Mia saw the witch, she broke out in a cold sweat.

She spent three whole months Witchcraft Studies in the Dead Water Swamp, finally gaining the witch's absolute trust.

Moreover, Mia was also very clear about one thing.

There is a certain 'gap' between the witch and Mr. Black and White... The two rarely interact, and the Dead Water Swamp is also protected by a special magical barrier that prevents the crows controlled by Mr. Black and White from spying on the swamp area.

That's why Mia was able to live peacefully in the swamp area.

The current situation is the worst possible scenario.

If Mr. Black and White were to reveal the witch's true identity to her face... or even use the 'whisper of the raven' to expose her true nature, all his efforts would be in vain.

However, just as Mia was sweating profusely on the back of her neck.

A gentle voice entered her mind.

"Mia Seminovich, don't worry."

You're one of my top students in the Mysticism Department, and you'll be coming out of town with Nicholas this time... Come and pay attention in class!

After the speech ended.

Mia suddenly looked at Mr. Black and White, trying her best to put on a 'natural' smile.

The two younger people sat together on a sofa, and Mia looked very uncomfortable, sitting upright and looking tense.

Despair!

The Kailonya the Witch, placed her two long legs directly on the metal coffee table in front of her.

"I heard that Kaimon only allowed six Newcomer to pass the qualifiers today?"

"Hmm... it seems Commander Kaimon doesn't really like Newcomer."

"This beast always likes to mess around like this."

However, it's not bad that you can represent the Mysticism Department and occupy two of the six spots.

If we can get an "excellent" rating during the training camp, the higher-ups will realize the importance of our mysterious department and thus increase the supplies for our department.

Before you leave the city, some basic instruction is necessary.

When it comes to the basic teaching of life outside the city, no one in the Mysticism Department can compare to me.

That's why Black and White specifically asked me to come over."

The witch's explanation was as if Mr. Black and White were incapable of handling basic teaching duties and had to kneel and beg her to come over... Of course, Mr. Black and White simply sat quietly, a curved smile on his mask.

First, the witch took out two documents from under her black dress.

The images above each feature a portrait of Mia and Han Dong.

"Both of you have handled major events related to 'contamination' through the Adventurer's Guild, a legitimate channel, according to your records. Furthermore, you both underwent baptism and Stress Release in the church area."

We have obtained Temporary Investigation Permit for you.

For use only during this training camp.

"Investigation Permit? What's the point?" This was the first time Han Dong had ever heard of such a thing.

As for the documents in my hand, there's nothing special about them.

"Mr. Black and White didn't even mention this to you? How irresponsible of you..." As she said this, the witch gave Black and White a special glare.

"I'll just give you a brief explanation to save time."

If you're not in elite training, you need to obtain an "Investigation Permit" to leave the city legitimately... even exceptionally talented knights are no exception.

Such tests are meant to examine your character, fear tolerance, mental vulnerabilities, and so on, in order to assess the risks of leaving the city.

Outside the city, it's not just about pollution.

Even for knights of our caliber, there are still risks involved in leaving the city.

Exploring and investigating outside the city is like walking into an abyss, diving into the deep sea, or being swept into deep space.

No one can predict what will happen during this process.

If you're not careful, the seed of the demon will take root in your cerebral cortex and penetrate your mental loopholes into your thought processes.

While incidents like "Knight's Fall" have decreased in recent years due to the improvement of rules and our overall strength, they cannot be completely avoided.

Therefore, obtaining an Investigation Permit is a basic requirement for leaving the city.

When you reach a certain stage of your development, you will also need to take the Investigation Permit.

If you are able to conduct multiple investigations outside the city and bring back important intelligence, making significant contributions, and show no signs of corruption, your Investigation Permit will be upgraded.

Currently, there are only three "Legendary Investigator" in the Holy City...

At this point, the witch seemed a little unhappy, as it appeared that someone she disliked had become a "Legendary Investigator."

"Kailonya your detailed explanation, Ms. Kaironya."

"Next, I will teach you an important lesson about the outside world."

The main content is about the kinds of life outside the city you might encounter during your training.

Speaking of which...

With a wave of his hand, Mr. Black and White transformed the fireplace facing everyone into a large blackboard, making it easier for the witch to give her lessons.

The witch, sitting on the sofa, showed no intention of getting up.

With just a flick of the finger, a wisp of black energy is manipulated to swirl the chalk and write rapidly on the blackboard.

"Your destination this time is the abandoned Stuart Grand Manor in the southeast of the [Gayn Forest]... According to our previous investigations, there should be a large number of [humans] wandering inside the manor."

"Humans?!"

Han Dong was startled.

In Han Dong's vision, the humans outside the city walls had been completely wiped out.

Even if a very small number of humans survive, they will lose their human form and their right to be human due to the erosion of pollution.

"Some advanced beings outside the city still quite like 'humans' like us, whose bodies are weak but whose brains have achieved advanced development."

After undergoing a series of ideological education sessions, one can become a devout servant.

Furthermore, some humans with considerable talent, after proper training, might even reach the level of [Otherworldly Demon].