Grouping

As Ronan sized up the young man Linas, the latter was also sizing him up. But after only a casual glance, he looked away.

Ronan felt that this guy seemed to look down on their group somewhat.

But putting himself in Linas's shoes, as a Level Five Apprentice, having to mingle with a bunch of Level Two and Three Apprentices—and even a Level One Apprentice—did seem rather humiliating.

Linas had probably not examined Ronan's strength closely and still assumed he was Level Four.

Perhaps it was also because he had only just broken through, and the fluctuations in his Spiritual Power had yet to stabilize completely.

"Almost everyone is here. Only Andre and Nicole, the Half-Elf siblings, haven't come.

As Half-Elves, they aren't used to too much contact with people. I hope everyone can understand.

I'll relay the details of this meeting to them afterward."

Old Wells deliberately glanced at the young man Linas and emphasized, "Andre and Nicole are both Level Three Apprentices, and they have extensive experience in forest scouting and hunting. They'll be a great help to us."

Upon hearing the words "Half-Elf" and "scouting and hunting experience," the furrow in Linas's brow visibly eased.

Ronan, however, was surprised. He had not expected Old Wells to recruit even the Half-Elf siblings.

Andre and Nicole—this was the first time Ronan had learned the names of the Half-Elf siblings.

"Then let's begin officially."

Old Wells straightened his clothes and looked at the group, speaking in a deep voice. "The news of the Black Wizard Land invasion has basically been confirmed. We've gathered here because we all want to continue living well.

In my experience, there should be a fairly long buffer period between the outbreak of conflict and the official start of the invasion."

Old Wells then repeated the theory he had presented at the previous gathering: stay temporarily in the forest, seek shelter in town only once the crisis truly began, avoid the increasingly insane surge in prices within the town, and make the most of everyone's hard-earned funds.

He also added several advantages of living in the forest, such as not having to worry too much about food and being able to avoid the internal conflicts and disputes constantly erupting wherever wizards gathered at present.

At the end, Old Wells said, "...Of course, staying temporarily in the Treehouse Area also means taking on certain risks. That requires all of us to cooperate actively and look out for one another.

I believe that as long as we remain sufficiently vigilant, detect danger in advance, and evacuate in time, there shouldn't be any major problems."

"My suggestion is to designate a fixed area where everyone lives, and arrange daily patrols. If anything happens, we can provide timely rescue and warning."

Old Wells took out a stack of parchment from his robes and distributed it to everyone.

"I've linked everyone's residences together and made a patrol route map. Take a look, and feel free to raise any suggestions. If more people join us later, I'll make adjustments promptly."

Everyone lowered their heads to examine the maps in their hands.

Ronan took a look and found that Old Wells's map was quite detailed. Besides the patrol routes, it marked safe activity areas, areas not recommended for entry, dangerous areas, all nearby water sources, places where food could be obtained, and several locations that could be used to store emergency supplies in the future.

It was clear that Old Wells had put a great deal of effort into this during this period.

The map used each member's residence as a point of reference, and Ronan's home was prominently marked on it.

Ronan noticed that the point marking Linas's residence was closest to town, and the entire map vaguely seemed to have been planned around it.

Ronan said nothing. It was already incredible that Old Wells had managed to recruit a Level Five Apprentice. If he treated him no differently from everyone else, that would have been truly strange.

"...There's also a handbook of useful patrol techniques and precautions. Andre is organizing it, and I'll distribute it to everyone when it's ready."

Old Wells paused, then said, "Next, let's arrange the patrols. My suggestion is to work in pairs."

Old Wells had barely begun when someone interrupted him. It was the young man Linas.

"I'm not used to being with others. I'll do it alone."

Linas's voice was cold, carrying an unyielding force that brooked no argument.

"Alright."

Old Wells said nothing more and nodded directly. "Then Linas will be on his own. Venecia and I will be a pair. Qiao Lin and your wife will be a pair. Ronan and Jacob, and the remaining pair will be the Andre siblings. They definitely won't want to be separated."

Old Wells quickly arranged the groups, then looked at Ronan.

Old Wells had probably already discussed the grouping with several of them beforehand. Now, he was mainly waiting for Ronan's opinion.

Ronan nodded, indicating that he had no objections.

During the grouping process, he also identified everyone present one by one.

There was nothing much to say about Linas. Venecia was the shy girl who lived by the Tree Spring Side and now took turns with Old Wells caring for Potter's daughter, Sheryl.

She had been present the whole time, but had not said a single word from beginning to end. She was a Level Two Apprentice.

Qiao Lin and his wife were a wizard couple, both Level Two Wizard Apprentices.

The man was plump and wore a pair of Crystal Glasses. He looked somewhat timid, submissive, and lacking in opinions of his own.

The woman, on the other hand, was far more forceful. While examining the patrol route map just now, she had asked Old Wells several questions.

Jacob, the one assigned to Ronan's group, was the blond chubby boy who had spoken at the beginning. He was a Level Two Apprentice.

This guy seemed quite happy to have been assigned to Ronan's group. He kept secretly glancing at Ronan, looking as though he wanted to come up and greet him but did not quite dare.

After the groups were assigned, Old Wells said a few more encouraging words. Finally, he took out some palm-sized wooden boxes and handed one to each person. "These are Signal Boxes. If anything happens, all you need to do is crush one. Anyone who sees the signal will immediately come over."

Ronan played with the little wooden box in his hand and sent his Spiritual Power into it, discovering that it contained nothing but some black, unidentified powder.

He had seen this thing at a stall in the Wizard Market. It was a small warning device invented through Magic Potion Studies.

Just as he was thinking this, he suddenly heard Linas raise a question.

"Why not use a Communication Stone? It'd be faster and more convenient."

Everyone who heard Linas's words couldn't help looking up at him. No one said anything.

Ronan looked at the Level Five Wizard standing before him, brimming with arrogance, and was utterly speechless.

A single communication rune cost more than a dozen Low-Level Magic Stones on the market. Other than advanced apprentices, who could afford a high-end auxiliary magic tool like a Communication Stone?

Had this guy forgotten that they were just a bunch of lowly young wizards living in the Treehouse Area, too stingy to spend money moving into the city even with war about to break out?

Linas quickly realized how foolish his remark had been. Unable to save face, he gave a soft snort and said nothing more.

But Ronan kept staring at him, thinking to himself: He probably only suggested something so out-of-touch because he has a Communication Stone himself. Looks like this guy's family is pretty well-off.