My House is Dangerous, Must Find the Murderer

Duggan's eyes sparkled with amazement. "The only explanation... this isn't skill at all, it's talent!"

This spellcaster's affinity for the earth element was terrifyingly high!

When he cast the [Earth Spike Technique], he not only poured in his own magic but also resonated with the immense earth element within the surrounding ground.

This elevated what was originally a trivial spell to a realm that could only be described as "art"!

He paused, then concluded with absolute certainty, "This is definitely not an ordinary mage! This is a Genius Elemental Mage! Someone destined to leave a legendary name on the path of elements!"

"Genius..." Cyril muttered, a mix of emotions swirling within him.

There was shock, disbelief, and also envy and disappointment.

He thought of himself, how, with Duggan's help, he had conducted so many communication tests, tried so many different insects, yet had never been able to establish that "unique connection." It felt like an insurmountable chasm separated him from the threshold of becoming a mage.

Yet this mysterious, talented mage could perform such earth-shattering feats with the most basic introductory spell.

The gap was too vast.

However, at least the reason was clear.

When his father returned and asked, he could at least give a definite answer—it was done by a passing genius mage.

That was better than knowing nothing at all.

With this thought, Cyril felt much more relaxed.

The butler beside him said, "Young Master Cyril, the matter is clear. Shall we head back then?"

Cyril replied, "You accompany Mr. Duggan back to the manor to rest first. I'll go check on a friend and be back later."

Duggan nodded absentmindedly, his gaze still fixed on the stone pillar as if admiring a peerless work of art. He only reluctantly left when the butler gently reminded him.

Watching them walk away, Cyril turned and headed towards the solitary small house not far away.

As the door to the small house was knocked on, He Xi's consciousness was sinking into a ball of light in his mind.

[Name: He Xi Atramesia]
[Race: Human]
[Level: 8]
[Class: None]
[Physique: 10]
[Strength: 6]
[Agility: 7]
[Intelligence: 11]
[Willpower: 10]
[Charisma: 16]
[Skills: Earth Spike Technique Lv.1 (1/10)]
[Status:
Contract with Salamachis: Your bloodline power will be extracted in 15 days.
Mora's Blessing: You have received the blessing of the Stone Vein Speaker, Physique permanently +4. This buff ignores all curses or debuffs.]
[Equipped Traits: Earth Affinity, Adamantine Stomach]
[Available Traits: Territory Scent Mark, Blush Trait, Swarm Leader]

The improvement in his Intelligence attribute brought about noticeable changes.

The [Light Spell], which he had previously found obscure and difficult to understand, now gradually began to form a framework in his mind.

He was contemplating when the crowd outside would disperse so he could continue practicing the [Light Spell], when a rapid knocking on the door interrupted his thoughts.

Opening the door, he saw two guards from the Eagle Claw family standing at the entrance.

In a short period, this was already the third time his humble hut had been "visited."

"He Xi," the leading guard said sternly, "that pillar was the product of magic.

Honestly, did you see anyone suspicious? Especially anyone wearing a mage's robe or looking unusual?"

He Xi's heart skipped a beat. Had it already been classified so quickly?

If he was visited like this any longer, his cover would eventually be blown.

His voice carried a hint of feigned fear. "How could it be magic?!"

Then he suddenly turned, pointing at the giant stone pillar in the distance, his voice rising, "It's not far from my house... creating such a huge disturbance. What if it had gotten a little closer and hit my house? My... my whole family... uh, my dog and I would be finished! This is too dangerous!"

He grabbed the guard's arm. "Brother Guard, my house is in danger! Please find that culprit as soon as possible! Even a master mage shouldn't cast spells so carelessly!"

The guard was taken aback by his sudden outburst. Looking at his face, which was filled with an expression of "weak, pitiable, and helpless," and then at the dilapidated hut, he felt that this young man was indeed unlucky to have his house nearly "accidentally injured."

"Alright, alright," the guard withdrew his arm, his tone softening slightly. "We're just asking routine questions. Since you didn't see anyone suspicious..."

Just then, the guard noticed footsteps behind him, turned, and looked.

"Young Master Cyril?"

Cyril walked over quickly. "Leave this to me. You two go search elsewhere."

"Yes, Young Master Cyril!" The two guards immediately saluted and left.

Watching the guards walk away, Cyril turned to He Xi and asked with concern, "He Xi, are you alright? Mage Duggan said that pillar was caused by a spell called 'Earth Spike Technique'!"

He Xi's heart tightened again, but he maintained a look of shock on his face. "I'm fine. I was just asleep, and that loud noise woke me up. I thought the sky was falling."

As he spoke, he secretly observed Cyril's reaction.

Cyril frowned, looking around the dim woodland and the noisy crowd in the distance. "Mage Duggan said the caster is likely an extremely rare, genius Earth mage! They have an incredible affinity for earth elements! Someone like that... why would they come to our Plint? And cast such a powerful spell here?"

He had a feeling that the mysterious "genius mage" might still be lurking nearby, and he felt a bit uneasy.

After thinking for a moment, he suggested, "He Xi, it's too unsafe here. How about... you stay at the manor for a while? I can introduce you to Mr. Duggan. He's a true mage! We've been studying fireflies recently..."

He suddenly remembered Duggan mentioning asking He Xi for directions earlier and quickly added, "Oh, right! You should have met him already! He said he asked you for directions!"

He Xi also recalled the Dwarf who asked for directions. "So it was that Mr. Duggan. Yes, a few days ago he asked me for directions to your manor. He was generous and kind. I didn't expect him to be a distinguished mage. Truly admirable."

Generous and kind?

Cyril's expression instantly became extremely strange, as if he had heard something utterly unbelievable.

He immediately pictured Duggan's faded prospecting hat in his mind, and how he refused to let Cyril test his own bugs, preferring to wait for them to breed on-site...

Cyril began to seriously doubt if his Intelligence stat was really 10 points.

Here were two people: one praising the stingy Duggan as generous, the other complimenting the casually dressed He Xi as tasteful.

He shook his head, casting aside these chaotic thoughts.

Right now, his friend's safety was the most important thing.

"He Xi," Cyril's tone turned serious, "since that genius mage appeared near your home, for safety's sake..."

"It's a good opportunity for Mr. Duggan to test your mage talent as well."