But to get back to the point

On the earthen pillar, the three Second-Rank Apprentices could only watch helplessly as Ahab left.

"What do we do now?"

"Big Smart" Daliyuan knew his own limits very well. If he could not figure something out, he simply asked.

"If it's quick, a ship will come to pick us up tomorrow."

Lechi turned and explained to Daliyuan.

Ahab had already abandoned them. Even if he reported it again and found a ship to pick them up, the three of them would undoubtedly hold a grudge against him.

But this was not a blood feud.

If Ahab simply pretended none of this had happened and did not find another ship to come, he was not confident he could really trap the three of them to death.

If they did not die and the three of them returned to the Academy, then that would truly become a hatred that would never end until one side was dead.

Ahab was a sensible man. He would understand that.

After explaining things to "Big Smart," Lechi pressed a little closer to Eleanor and asked softly with concern, "If it gets cold tonight, I'll hold you while you sleep."

Eleanor was lost in thought and did not hear him at all.

"That Ahab Gul was so amazing."

Eleanor thought this to herself.

What kind of ability was that? How had he made witchcraft turn transparent all at once?

If Ahab could use that move several times in a row, she definitely could not beat him one-on-one.

Eleanor glanced at Lechi again.

Lechi definitely could not beat Ahab one-on-one either...

This batch of new students had only enrolled less than a month ago, right? How had he mastered such an ability?

Curiosity welled up in Eleanor's heart.

She wanted to learn more about him, to know what kind of person he was.

At the same time, Eleanor subconsciously pulled her hand—

the hand that had been interlocked with Lechi's because of their combined witchcraft—

free.

"Eleanor, it's cold. Let's hold hands a little longer."

Lechi Incalos, who had changed his surname to match Eleanor's, said this.

Eleanor looked at Lechi groveling and fawning before her, and a trace of disgust suddenly rose in her heart.

How spineless!

It was just that she and Lechi had practiced their combined witchcraft for many years, and she was a little reluctant to give up this hired fighter.

The combination of ice and wind was the key to that combined witchcraft.

Eh, but then again, Ahab seemed to be ice-element too?

After judging Bill, Ahab personally took the helm, and the sea ship gradually sailed away from the island.

"Senior, this direction seems to be back toward that terrifying Academy!"

Vampire Fledgling No. 5, who had originally been in charge of the helm, had already begun to tremble.

Aside from No. 1, who was in charge of the mechanical furnace, Qi Qi and No. 9 had also gathered near the wheel.

"My dear fellow travelers, I have unfortunate news that I must tell you."

Ahab furrowed his brows tightly, wearing an expression of helplessness.

"Just now, in order to speed up our escape from the island, No. 1 and No. 7 added too much fuel to the mechanical furnace."

"The mechanical furnace did briefly speed up while running overloaded.

"But at the same time, the mechanical furnace also developed a fault. If we make a long voyage, I'm afraid it will cut out halfway."

Tears immediately welled up in the eyes of the two little ones, No. 5 and No. 9.

Qi Qi lowered her head in embarrassment.

"No, Qi Qi, you don't need to feel guilty. We shouldn't live in the past. We should live in the present."

After comforting her for a few words, Ahab continued, "So we can only take the risk of landing near the Academy."

"I'll think of a way to steal another sea ship, then take all of you to the Wizard Continent to hide."

No. 5 and No. 9 exchanged a glance. Clearly, neither of them was very willing.

"How about it, senior? Let's take a gamble! What if—what if we really can cross the sea and make landfall safely?"

No. 5 and No. 9 clenched their hands into fists and tucked them under their chins.

"No, we should trust senior!"

Qi Qi cast Ahab a trusting look, then turned to comfort the other two little ones.

"If it weren't for senior, we'd definitely be trapped on the island until we died and got caught by the bad wizards."

"So now, we should trust senior too. In the name of the Ancestor of the Bloodkin, I'm willing to believe!"

No. 5 and No. 9 were finally persuaded.

"All right. Qi Qi, you'll be in charge of steering next."

"I ask your forgiveness. The battle just now has left me far too exhausted. I need rest—quiet rest."

Ahab taught Qi Qi which direction to sail in.

After reminding her again and again to make sure she called him once they got close to the Academy, Ahab left the captain's cabin.

However, Ahab did not return to his own cabin. Instead, he went to Bill's cabin.

Ahab kicked the door open roughly, his gaze sweeping straight over the tabletop and the head of the bed.

Found it. It was that copy of Universal Overview, the "Ancient God Chapter"!

This book was several hundred pages thick. Bill had brought it along so he could read it when he had time.

When they went to catch vampires, of course he wouldn't have taken it along as dead weight.

Ahab tucked the book under his arm, returned to his own cabin, and began to read.

"Just stay obediently on the ship in a little while."

"The bad wizards don't know I've become a traitor, so they won't come in and search."

Ahab gathered the four little ones in the lower hold and emphasized everything in a stiff, methodical manner.

Several hourglasses passed, and the ship had already reached the Academy harbor.

The little bloodkin nodded one after another like a relay baton being passed along.

"Senior, where's the kitchen? I want to prepare something for you to eat."

"It's raining outside. When senior comes back later, you'll be able to eat hot food!"

Qi Qi said with complete trust, her eyes seeming to sparkle with stars.

By now, it was already night outside.

The early spring rain was very cold, mixed with wind that did not quite cut to the bone, along with very fresh air.

"The second room in the lower hold is it."

Ahab gave the little ones a few more reminders, then tucked that book under his arm.

Then he lowered the gangway and walked onto the Academy dock—

Straight for the East District, the Administration Hall!

"I'm here to turn in a mission. The one to hunt down the escaped bloodkin."

Ahab walked up to a window.

The one receiving him this time was still the apprentice from when he had accepted the mission.

Because Ahab's identity badge was very unusual, he still remembered Ahab.

"Where are the bloodkin you captured?"

"Also, didn't the five of you set out together? How come you're the only one here?"

Ahab put on a helpless expression and let out a deep sigh.

"It was truly a shameful experience."

"After landing on the island, I was taken hostage by four bloodkin. They forced me to sail the ship and take them away."

Without feeling the slightest guilt, Ahab put on a guilty look.

"Fortunately, relying on my astonishing wisdom, I deceived those four bloodkin and sailed the ship back again."

"This was simply the protection of the Ancestor of the Wizard World."

The reception apprentice nodded.

"All right, I understand. I'll immediately coordinate with the Enforcement Squad and have them go to your ship to capture the bloodkin."

"Tomorrow, the Administration Hall will make further arrangements and find a ship to bring the others back."

Then the reception apprentice looked up again at the pitch-black sky and the cool night rain.

"Please come into the reception room and wait a moment."

"Once the Enforcement Squad brings the Bloodkin back, we'll calculate your mission reward."

Ahab walked into a private reception room that looked to be less than ten square meters.

He sat down on the sofa with one leg crossed over the other and began tallying up the gains from this trip.

Well, he had gotten rid of Bill, who had made an enemy of him, and had also gained a large amount of faith.

He had brought back four Bloodkin, which meant a full twelve Magic Stones.

He had to admit, missions really did bring in money fast. This was already more than an ordinary apprentice's income for an entire year.

Just what incredible thing had he seen in the Universal Compendium?

Once things were done here, he would contact Wizard Merlin and ask those three questions!

After that, he would try researching Corpse Dissolving Powder...