Suppression Everywhere

"I'll take this one, this one, and that one."

"These three missions!"

Early the next morning, after Ahab finished moving, he arrived at the Administration Hall bright and early.

There was still some time before the Divine Kingdom Trial. He needed to earn more Magic Stones as quickly as possible and raise his combat strength.

He had undergone Bloodline Transplantation, had a wizard artifact on him, and also possessed the "See Through" Authority.

His combat strength far surpassed that of an ordinary Second-Rank Apprentice. If there were suitable missions, taking three in a row was hardly anything.

"Please wait a moment."

The apprentice at the window took Ahab's identity badge, then froze for a second.

A moment later, the receptionist apprentice lowered his head, seemingly comparing it with the information on some sheet of paper.

"Sorry, student."

"There is a notice from the Administration Hall's higher-ups. There is a risk with your identity information, so you cannot accept missions for the time being."

Ahab went, "Hm?" and raised an eyebrow.

"Got it."

After leaving the Administration Hall, Ahab went to the General Affairs Hall in the East District.

The reception area of the General Affairs Hall in the new student zone mainly sold all kinds of basic materials.

The East District was the Second-Rank Apprentice area. The reception area here sold more advanced items in addition to basic materials.

For example, mechanical creations that could arm a wizard for combat.

After all, the Divine Kingdom Trial was about to arrive. Quickly turning the Magic Stones in hand into combat strength was the sensible choice.

After buying that bottle of Mental Power Potion, Ahab still had 300 Magic Stones left.

The price of wizard artifacts was usually above a thousand Magic Stones, and even First-Rank Apprentices could rarely take out that much.

But mechanical creations one grade lower could likewise achieve the effect of boosting combat strength.

"Please recommend something around 300 Magic Stones that can improve defensive ability."

Ahab walked into the reception room and said this.

In terms of offense, he had Thunderbolt Ice, that wizard artifact that exchanged memories, and the "See Through" Authority.

But in terms of defense, the only thing he could rely on was the physical strengthening brought by Bloodline Transplantation.

At the Third-Rank level, that degree of strengthening had still been enough.

But now that he was at the Second-Rank level, physical strengthening from Bloodline Transplantation alone was starting to look a bit lacking.

A classic case of high attack and low defense, with an obvious weakness!

"Mm... sorry, student."

"At present, there are no mechanical products that can enhance defense. We do have offensive ones."

Ahab glanced at the female receptionist apprentice and made a suspicious "Hm?" worthy of Boss Cao himself.

"Then offensive ones. Preferably firearms."

Since he couldn't shore up his weakness, he might as well go all in on his strengths.

Firearms could ensure that when his magic power ran low, he had an extra supplement.

After all, the Divine Kingdom Trial was a group fight. It was perfectly normal for an individual's magic power to run short.

"Right now, we only have one Apollo Flintlock. The price is 300 Magic Stones, but it has a small flaw and is secondhand."

"Do you want it?"

Ahab raised an eyebrow again.

So they didn't want to give him anything too good, but they still wanted to take the 300 Magic Stones in his hands.

"Then I'll take this."

The female receptionist apprentice left for a moment, then came back carrying a wooden box over thirty centimeters long.

Inside was a short flintlock pistol, crimson from end to end, with a metal grip engraved with wizard runes.

This was not something ordinary firearms could compare to. Each time it fired, it released a strike of at least 0.6-circle witchcraft.

A creation priced at 300 Magic Stones had to at least possess the strength of a beginner First-Rank Apprentice.

Otherwise, no one would buy it.

"The power isn't bad, but the wind-up and recovery after firing are both long, and it has a hidden issue... I'll have to make do."

Ahab tested it, then paid the Magic Stones and took the rune flintlock.

Because he was short on Magic Stones, Ahab only had three chances to fire it.

"Please wait!"

Ahab had only just stepped out of the General Affairs Hall when several Enforcement Squad apprentices surrounded him.

"The Apollo runic flintlock in your hand is involved in a case concerning the death of a First-Rank Apprentice."

"We need to temporarily confiscate the firearm. Once we've investigated it clearly, we'll return it to you."

"Now, you also need to come back with us to the Enforcement Squad!"

A cold gleam flashed in Ahab's eyes.

What had to come could not be avoided in the end.

From being unable to receive missions in the morning, to only finding second-hand mechanical creations for sale, to being intercepted now...

It was suppression!

As for who was behind it...

On the day the research rankings were announced, hadn't Andre said it? He and three First-Rank Apprentices had all lost money and wanted Ahab to pay them back.

First-Rank Apprentices could serve as instructors for new students, and could also hold managerial "plant" positions in other departments.

It seemed that Andre and those three friends of his—

One held a position in the General Affairs Hall, one held a position in the Administration Hall, and one held a position in the Enforcement Squad.

And that was only the surface!

If giving them back one hundred Magic Stones could avoid all this, Ahab would have given them back.

There was a higher-level internal struggle involved here.

That Wizard Tupa who had appeared before was clearly in conflict with Wizard Merlin.

And the Divine Kingdom Trial was about to begin.

Wizard Merlin had three prized students, but now one was dead, and one was a Void Cultist who had defected.

The only one left who could represent Wizard Merlin's interests in the trial was Gray.

But in a certain sense, Ahab, who had advanced to Second-Rank Apprentice and also grasped Void Authority, possessed First-Rank combat power too.

Behind this suppression was the tacit approval of Tupa, an official wizard.

Yet Ahab was a Demon Hunter Wizard, and Merlin did not want him to grow too strong either.

Therefore, Wizard Merlin had not struck back against this suppression.

"You want me to go back to the Enforcement Squad with you for an investigation?"

Ahab's tone was ice-cold.

"That's right. Please cooperate. We are acting strictly according to Academy regulations."

"You'll be detained for at most seven days, and then you can leave."

Wouldn't that be right on the eve of the Divine Kingdom Trial's opening... Ahab said with perfect calm:

"Fine, but please wait one second for me, gentlemen. Just one second."

"I need to spend one second dispersing the Authority I hold."

The Enforcement Squad members instantly failed to maintain their feigned impartiality.

"You dare threaten us?"

They had indeed received orders to come and make trouble for him.

But on top of that, they had also received a serious warning.

They absolutely could not harm Ahab Gul's life and cause the Authority he had already seized to circulate again.

This involved a Second-Ring Wizard, and even the entire Academy's overarching policy!

"Gentlemen, please don't speak so loudly."

"I'm very timid. For instance, mm, I'm the kind of person who'd easily give away what I've already grasped just to save my own life."

Ahab said it shamelessly.

The Enforcement Squad members exchanged another glance.

They had long since looked into what kind of person Ahab Gul was.

This guy was insane. He even dared kill an official wizard's mount.

If he really did let the Authority circulate out again...

Then under an official wizard's wrath, First-Rank, Second-Rank, Third-Rank—none of it would matter.

"As for the murder case, we still need to investigate further."

"If we need your cooperation, we'll come find you again."

One of the Enforcement Squad members said this.