Assassination

The days that followed were spent waiting for Victoria to successfully undergo her soul mutation.

Olivier visited Victoria's situation every day. Afterward, he would head to Gandalf's restaurant to feast on his signature dishes, having nearly sampled the entire menu.

In their spare time, the sisters Sophie and Jessica would come to the restaurant to learn Gandalf's secret cooking techniques, or otherwise spend their time with Olivier at the inn.

"Old man, I truly admire your culinary skills. Haha!" Olivier praised.

Gandalf's cooking was indeed superb. Through deeper acquaintance, Olivier eventually learned the secret behind Gandalf's craft.

Originally, Gandalf had been nothing more than a mediocre first-rank mage with average talent. He had no real passion for magical cultivation; his true obsession was cooking, and he hoped to create such delicious food that he could enter the circles of the wealthy and noble to secure a bright future.

Regrettably, his talent for cooking was no better than his talent for magic, and he remained unable to produce any truly delectable dishes.

Cooking requires two things: quality ingredients and precise heat control.

Gandalf had poured his heart into mastering ingredients and culinary techniques, yet he failed to reach his goals. He then began to study heat control, taking an unconventional path by using fire-type magic to replace the flame of a stove. While a first-rank mage's Fireball lacked destructive power, it was more than sufficient for cooking, and because the spell was entirely under Gandalf's control, it was far easier to manage than a natural fire.

Thus, Gandalf became the only mage on the Yulan Continent to use magic for cooking.

As time passed, Gandalf not only progressed in his culinary arts, making his food increasingly delicious, but his control over his Fireball became so perfect that he advanced to a second-rank mage without even realizing it. From there, things spiraled out of control; a century later, Gandalf had actually become a Saint-level Magus.

Gandalf would say, "I have never cultivated magic; I only know how to cook."

Olivier sighed; this was a living legend.

As long as one devotes themselves wholeheartedly to a single task, there will always be unexpected rewards.

Though Gandalf had come into contact with many Saint-level experts since becoming a Saint-level Magus, he never viewed himself as a lofty, superior being. Instead, he remained a humble cook, preparing the food he loved.

Other Saint-level experts knew of Gandalf's strength, but they had no idea how he had actually achieved his Saint-level status.

In this world where the strong are revered, such a man was truly a rare gem. Olivier admired Gandalf immensely; what had started as a simple transaction had now turned into a genuine friendship.

One loved fine food, the other was a chef.

Like Bo Ya and Zi Qi, they had found a kindred spirit.

Understanding Gandalf's culinary journey, it was only natural that Sophie, a fire-type mage, would be the one to learn his magical cooking methods, though Gandalf also possessed unique insights regarding ingredients.

"Old man, you are truly a genius."

Olivier said with admiration.

"Haha," Gandalf let out a lecherous laugh.

Seven days passed in anticipation.

The night was dark and the wind was high; everyone had already drifted into their dreams.

A dark shadow snuck into Victoria's home.

Tonight, Sophie and Jessica had not returned to the academy, staying instead at the inn with Olivier. Olivier had just prepared to sleep when he sensed someone infiltrating Victoria's house.

As a God-level expert, as long as he willed it, not even the slightest movement in the entire Imperial Capital could escape his divine sense.

The shadow crept to the side of Victoria's bed.

"Little girl, to survive a Soul Spear is a stroke of luck, but you are still going to die tonight."

The shadow muttered.

So that's it. No wonder Victoria's soul mutated.

Olivier had already arrived behind the shadow. The intruder was completely unaware, and Olivier, having heard the muttering, suddenly understood.

Soul mutations are generally triggered by trauma to the soul. Olivier had always wondered why Victoria's soul had mutated for no apparent reason, and now he finally had his answer.

A seventh-rank dark mage, actually making a move on a young girl. Why?

Olivier still had questions in his heart. Before the shadow could strike, he did not act immediately; he wanted to see what else the intruder might do.

Unfortunately, the shadow stopped muttering and began to chant a spell, preparing to release a Soul End.

Just as he began to chant the first few words, the shadow found he could no longer speak; the time and space around him had been frozen.

"A dignified seventh-rank mage, actually making a move on a young girl."

A voice rang out, and the shadow immediately realized he had encountered an expert—a Saint-level expert at that.

Only a Saint-level powerhouse could control space.

The shadow was not an ignorant man.

"Saint... Saint-level expert? Is that you, Lord Gandalf?"

The shadow's heart was filled with terror. Upon the appearance of a Saint-level expert, his first thought was Gandalf.

"Knowing that Gandalf is a Saint-level expert, you still dared to target the Hank family? You have quite a lot of nerve," Olivier said, stepping out in front of the shadow.

Looking at the middle-aged mage before him, Olivier continued.

"Speak. Why target a young girl? And what is your objective?"

The middle-aged mage hesitated. He had recognized Olivier.

This young man.

He had appeared every day for the past few days, but the middle-aged mage never expected him to be a Saint-level powerhouse. Had he known that, he wouldn't have come here even if it meant death.

He was busy guessing the identity of Olivier.

"Why the silent act? Don't force My hand."

Olivier's aura bore down upon the dark shadow.

The middle-aged mage felt like a piece of duckweed in the vast ocean, isolated and helpless.

The middle-aged mage pondered for a moment; he had no chance of escaping from a Saint-level expert, and no one would cross such a person for his sake. He quickly realized that confession was his only hope for survival.

"My Lord Saint, I am a servant of the Sparge Family. It was the Second Young Master who ordered me to do this. He seems to be looking for a treasure, but I know nothing else. Truly, My Lord, spare my life!"

So, the middle-aged mage was a servant of the Sparge Family.

The Sparge Family was a prominent clan in the Imperial Capital with a very long history, and it was rumored that a Saint-level ancestor still resided within the family.

A few months ago, Frankland, the Second Young Master of the Sparge Family, had received news from an unknown source that the Victoria household possessed a treasure. As for what exactly this treasure was, even the middle-aged mage did not know; only Frankland was aware.

"Our Young Master feared offending Lord Gandalf, so he ordered us to sneak in here and search quietly."

They had snuck into the home of Hank many times to search but found nothing. Just over twenty days ago, while they were sneaking around, they were discovered by Victoria. To avoid drawing the attention of others, the middle-aged mage used the Soul Spear to kill her, leaving no trace behind; everyone simply assumed Victoria had suddenly collapsed.

Since then, they had kept a close watch on the place. Upon learning that there was a possibility of Victoria recovering, they decided to assassinate her.

"My Lord, spare my life!"

The middle-aged man begged incessantly for mercy.