Ambush

The Intermediate Magic Apprentice spell Flame Hand was even more powerful than Fire Wall.

Because the flames burning nearby had yet to die out, the denser Fire Element energy particles made Saine's Flame Hand appear somewhat larger than usual.

The instant the enormous Flame Hand appeared, the Blue Jaw Feather King's charge toward Saine came to an abrupt halt.

Low-level magical beasts were indeed irritable and dim-witted, but that did not mean they enjoyed seeking death.

Its desire to live and fear of death made the running Blue Jaw Feather King want to turn and flee.

But by then, it was already too late to run!

In the blink of an eye, the enormous Flame Hand caught up with the Blue Jaw Feather King. With a light squeeze, it roasted the king completely, while several adult Blue Jaw Feathers beside it were reduced to charred lumps as well.

The death of the Blue Jaw Feather King, along with the increasingly intense heat of the surrounding flames, finally shattered the remaining Blue Jaw Feathers' will to fight.

Driven by flames on all sides, the Blue Jaw Feathers scattered and fled. They did not even spare a thought for the juvenile Blue Jaw Feathers behind them, much less the more important Blue Jaw Feather Eggs.

A great fire turned Gray White Valley as bright as day.

When the flames gradually dispersed and the high temperature was neutralized by the Underground World's ever-present cold, dark environment, Saine was finally able to count his spoils of war.

Twenty-one scorched adult Blue Jaw Feathers and one Blue Jaw Feather King were Saine's greatest gains from this trip.

He removed the most valuable parts of the Blue Jaw Feathers—their claws and beaks. Half of the claws had to be handed in, as proof that Saine had completed his mission.

Saine could either give the other half of the claws and beaks to Baus to sell, or keep some for himself.

He had studied alchemy under his mentor Moxidu for some time now. Having always watched his mentor and Senior Brother work at the laboratory table, Saine was now itching to try it himself.

Materials that were too precious would be wasted on him. These Blue Jaw Feather Claws and beaks, which contained faint Element Power, were clearly perfect for him to practice with.

Apart from the twenty-two Blue Jaw Feathers above, Saine's other gains from this trip were seven eggs slightly larger than fists.

Even by a rough estimate, Saine's earnings this time exceeded two hundred Black Gold.

Since he had barely expended anything himself, it was practically free profit. Saine's mood improved considerably as a result.

The only fly in the ointment was that Saine had no Space Equipment. He could not pack up and take away all the spoils of war, and could only choose the most valuable parts.

Blue Jaw Feather Claws, beaks, and eggs filled the pack on Saine's back to bursting. He had even taken one of the Blue Jaw Feather King's hind legs and tied it around his waist.

He intended to bring that hind leg back so Lina could have a proper meat meal.

As a Black Wizard Apprentice, Saine's appearance after dealing with his spoils of war was truly hard to praise.

He looked far more like a hunter than a wizard, but Saine did not care about the change in appearance. He headed all the way out of Gray White Valley.

After reaching the valley entrance, the Underground Humans appeared one after another in front of Saine.

What left even Saine somewhat stunned and speechless was that these humans had actually joined forces to carry a heavily wounded, dying adult Blue Jaw Feather. Clearly, they had been waiting for Saine.

The value of a single Demonized Creature could no longer attract Saine in the slightest. After all, he was no longer an Entry-Level Apprentice who had just entered the academy.

Amid the delighted expressions of the Underground Humans, Saine said, "Take this Blue Jaw Feather and divide it among yourselves. That includes the Blue Jaw Feather remains and juvenile Blue Jaw Feather corpses still inside Gray White Valley."

"This should be enough to make up for the losses from your Moss Field being burned over such a large area."

Saine's words immediately moved the Underground Humans to kneel before him in excitement.

Not every Black Wizard Apprentice was as easy to talk to as Saine. Although the burning of much of their Moss Field pained these Underground Humans, it was still better than having the whole place gnawed up and occupied by the Blue Jaw Feather Flock.

Saine did not think much of several dozen Blue Jaw Feather corpses, but to these Underground Humans, they were priceless treasures.

Meat had always been a luxury among the ordinary humans of the City of Mozhsuobula, let alone the flesh of Demonized Creatures and low-level magical beasts.

Saine guessed that these humans would probably be reluctant to eat the Blue Jaw Feather meat themselves, or would only eat a little of it before selling most of it.

No creature in the Underground World lived easily. Everyone was merely fighting desperately to live on.

Watching the Underground Humans before him weep as they repeatedly kowtowed, their sincere gratitude laid bare, Saine's cold heart—hardened by the cruel, oppressive atmosphere of the Black Wizard Academy—was faintly stirred.

After leaving Gray White Valley, Saine headed straight back toward the City of Mozhsuobula.

Before departing, he had already told the Underground Humans to dispose of the Blue Jaw Feather Flock's corpses and remains as quickly as possible.

Otherwise, once the scent of blood and flesh spread completely, Saine might have to come here again next time to complete some academy mission.

The large amount of spoils he carried did not slow Saine down much.

His physique was outstanding even among Intermediate Magic Apprentices, and those spoils were not actually very heavy—they merely took up space.

Thus, in the darkness, Saine was like a huge black shadow moving swiftly.

The distance from Gray White Valley to the City of Mozhsuobula was not far. Just as Saine had expected before setting out, he could complete this mission within five days.

No, to be precise, four days were enough for him to carry out the mission and return to the academy.

This was a relatively "safe" road.

But perhaps due to the effects of that great fire in Gray White Valley, or perhaps Saine's luck truly was poor this time, he met with an unexpected incident on his return journey.

In the darkness, a blinding flash of light streaked across in front of Saine in an instant.

The sudden threat to his life made every hair on Saine's body stand on end.

He could even feel a chill against his neck beneath his Magic Robe.

Fortunately, Saine reacted quickly enough and rolled sideways in time. Otherwise, his neck might very well have been sliced clean through.

The faint numbness coming from his neck made Saine's body stiffen as he rolled to the ground.

Almost instinctively, Saine raised the arm hidden beneath his black robe.

Using the faint, broadened vision granted by the Pale Mask in the darkness, Saine abruptly fired the Strong Acid Scepter in his hand!

The attacker had been lying in ambush here for a long time, intending to kill with a single strike.

That attack had already consumed too much of its strength, and it had not expected Saine to dodge in time and still have the strength to retaliate.

The advanced spell Corrosive Acid contained within the Strong Acid Scepter actually let out a sound like something tearing through the air in the darkness.

A muffled groan immediately followed. Saine had successfully struck the attacker.

The power of the Strong Acid Scepter had already been demonstrated before.

This attacker was clearly not someone capable of withstanding an advanced spell head-on. After taking a few difficult steps, it finally collapsed with a crash.

Only then did Saine force down the increasingly obvious numbness spreading through his body and slowly walk over to the attacker.

Gradually revealed before Saine in the darkness was a dwarf clad in Black Moss Skin Clothes, only four feet tall.

Two disproportionately large, pure-black eyes without pupils marked it as nonhuman.

The short dagger in its hand, its blade coated in a mixture of Light Blue, bewitching fluid and blood, was clearly the weapon that had wounded Saine.