The Time Is Tonight!

"Get some rest early tonight. It will take us many days to cross to Wizard City by ferry, and we'll have plenty of time to learn new Magic then," Joanne said, seeing she couldn't persuade Lynn. She turned to leave.

"Wait... Joanne!" Lynn tucked the Basic Magic Compendium into his arms. A thought struck him, and he called out to stop her.

"What is it? Is there something else?" the silver-haired Witch paused.

"Are you sure no one else knows the location of our hiding place besides us?" Lynn asked again.

"Are you suspecting someone among us has defected to the Holy See?" Joanne's expression grew serious. She understood Lynn's meaning and shared the same suspicion, but after a moment's hesitation, she shook her head. "That's impossible!"

"We've been in this village for a full week before you even arrived in Ur Town... The dangerous missions of scouting for information and buying supplies were decided by drawing lots."

She had also used this opportunity to test everyone, and the fact that they hadn't been captured by the Holy See yet was the best proof!

Lynn wasn't surprised by this. He asked directly, "Have you ever considered that perhaps the Holy See's primary target isn't us?"

Lynn knew very well that for an insider to remain hidden, there could only be one reason: to gain greater benefits...

Joanne froze, her face filled with confusion.

"Lame Laud... the shipping route to Greenriel, that's the Holy See's true target!" Lynn said, word by word.

He didn't know what kind of relationship Old Hawke and Coru from the Drunkard tavern had to be willing to help them, these Wizard Apprentices, but one thing was certain!

Such a secret, direct passage to the outside of the city couldn't possibly have been built specifically for them!

This meant that Old Hawke was likely an informant planted in the Nordland Territory by the Land of Wizards, and Laud, who could help them set sail, was undoubtedly a more important figure.

Lynn could imagine how many Wizards had entered the Secas Empire through this route over the years, and how many large ships filled with substance had departed from the ports of Nordland Territory for Wizard City...

Compared to that, capturing a few Wizard Apprentices like them was insignificant. It was merely a way to appease Duke Nordland and handle the situation. This was perhaps why they were constantly pursued by the Holy See in the outside world, yet entered Ur Town unharmed!

With Lynn's hint, Joanne immediately understood. Her expression changed drastically.

In this case, the Holy See likely already knew their movements but had been waiting for them to act before capturing everyone in one fell swoop.

Thinking of this, a chill ran down Joanne's spine. They were like birds trapped in a snare, waiting for the hunter to raise his cleaver.

Joanne pursed her lips and remained silent for a long time, unable to think of a way out.

"Then what should we do?"

After asking this, the girl didn't expect Lynn to give any answer. Faced with this desperate situation, trapped from both inside and out, she was almost hopeless.

How could a group of apprentices who couldn't even trust each other have the ability to escape the cage meticulously woven by the Holy See?

However, Lynn spoke.

"It's simple... Wait!"

"Wait?" Lynn's answer greatly surprised Joanne.

"You just revealed the plan for the ferry and information about Laud to them. We're planning to set off tomorrow, and everyone will be under mutual surveillance then... so..." Lynn said decisively, "Tonight is the best opportunity to pass on the message!"

"Squeak—"

As the moonlight crossed the thirteenth star, Will woke up to the sound of squeaking rats. The dry straw on the hard wooden bed behind him felt like sharp needles and scrapers, pricking his back painfully.

Will struggled to sit up and saw two or three rats gathered around his discarded robe, gnawing on half a piece of Black Bread. Their slender tongues lolled out, and their dark toes left footprints on the blue robe.

"Damn you, you bastards, you filth!" Will's anger flared. He kicked out, sending the dirty Black Bread flying to the side. He cursed viciously for several minutes before calming down. He picked up his robe with disgust and put it on, then cautiously pushed open the door.

The side hall was dark, and no one could be seen. At this hour, everyone should have been asleep except for White Dove, who was on night watch.

Will didn't dare to linger. He quickly walked through the corridor and into a secluded storage room, then turned and closed the door.

The old wooden door let out a series of ear-piercing creaks. Thanks to the mercenaries who had broken in, all the locks in the Manor had been violently destroyed. The entire storage room was in disarray, with dust covering the wooden floor. Several chairs and cabinets lay tilted on the ground.

Will nervously crouched down and moved aside the杂物 piled in the corner. A strange rhombic pattern was carved into the dusty floor.

When he chose his advanced elective as an Apprentice, Joanne had chosen elements, White Dove had chosen Psionics, and he had mastered Alchemy!

[Ferry, port, Laud...]

Will carved each character into the center of the magic array, then placed the magic stone on the four circles within the array. A faint glow gradually appeared, extending along the patterns of the array...

Just as the glow was about to cover the entire magic array, a sharp whistling sound cut through the silence of the room. A Blade of Ice was firmly embedded in the corner of the magic array, and its brilliant spiritual light instantly dimmed.

"Who?" Will was startled and sat down on the floor, looking back in the direction he came from in terror.

The slightly ajar room had been opened at some point. Joanne's eyes were filled with disappointment and confusion.

"Why did you betray us, Will?" Buck, with his short temper, strode forward, grabbed Will's collar tightly, and punched him in the face. "Answer me!"

"Why?" Will sneered, shoving Buck away forcefully. He wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, his expression agitated. "You ask me why?"

"I am Will Isk, the second son of the Empire's Count!"

"If it weren't for that idiot Coru, I should be living in the Manor in Isk Territory, attending lavish upper-class gatherings, enjoying delicious food and the service of servants. In the future, I could inherit part of my father's territory and become a Baron in the Secas Empire!"

"But what about now? We can only gnaw on the Black Bread that those lowly peasants eat, and sleep in dirty ruins infested with rats," Will cursed hysterically. "I've had enough!"

"Coru is a madman, a demon! He taught us the knowledge of demons. He turned us from high-ranking Nobles into a bunch of cockroaches hiding in the dark corners..."