Dinner Banquet

When Mary stepped up beside Lynn, Carl and the other four exchanged glances. They merely gave Mary slight nods, showing none of the warmth they had shown Lynn.

They could tell that Mary's talent was ordinary, and that she seemed completely dependent on Lynn.

And Lynn... seemed rather cold toward her.

The gap in strength and the weighing of value had already begun to show within this tiny circle.

Lynn could feel that, with his "Superior Soul Talent," he had quietly taken a leading position in this newly formed little group.

The test ended, and Xilu brushed a hand over the crystal ball before putting it away.

Seeing that Lord Xilu seemed to be in quite a good mood, the City Lord stepped forward and flattered him.

"Congratulations, Lord Xilu, on gaining such fine disciples. I have already instructed the servants to prepare a dinner banquet. I hope you will honor us with your presence."

Xilu waved a hand.

"Forget it. Ordinary food is of no use to me. Let those little ones broaden their horizons instead."

The City Lord did not insist after hearing this. He seemed to know that Lord Xilu would not think much of a banquet in such a small city.

Those little ones were also the City Lord's target.

After all, they were Wizard Apprentices who had come from this place. Perhaps one day, they might return and look after Black Marsh City.

Meanwhile, at Nightingale Hall, Skinny Monkey came out of a room looking radiant and knocked on Lynn's door.

"Abacus Snake? Are you done yet? Time to head back!"

There was no answer from inside.

Skinny Monkey knocked a few more times. Sensing that something was wrong, he abruptly shoved the door open—only to find the room completely empty, with the window wide open!

"Fuck! Where the hell did he go?!"

How could someone vanish after visiting a brothel?

Skinny Monkey was scared out of his wits. He scrambled to find the madam, and soon the entire Nightingale Hall was turned upside down, yet neither man could be found.

His face deathly pale, Skinny Monkey did not dare waste another moment and hurried back to the gang to report the news.

Run away out of fear of punishment?

He knew the gang leader's methods. He might still survive if he went back, but if he fled and was caught, he would truly be doomed!

At the gang's headquarters, after One-Eyed Wolf heard Skinny Monkey's report, his eyes flashed with murderous ferocity. He slammed a fist down on the table.

"Damn it! That brat tricked us! That little bastard really did go take the test!"

"Send men to watch the City Lord's Residence and every city gate! The moment he comes out, bring him back to me!"

The dinner banquet at the City Lord's Residence was underway.

The magnificent banquet hall was brightly lit.

A long table was covered with a pristine linen cloth and laden with an array of food.

There was a whole roasted suckling pig with golden, crispy skin, as well as roast goose served on silver platters and drizzled with berry sauce.

White bread was piled into heaps, alongside cheese studded with nuts and dried fruit, as well as large quantities of roasted sausages, stewed meat, and seasonal vegetables.

Well-dressed servants moved among the guests, carrying silver cups filled with mead and fine grape wine.

Lynn was still wearing that black hooded robe, with the half-worn linen clothes One-Eyed Wolf had given him underneath. He looked somewhat out of place at this elegant banquet.

The City Lord had originally prepared a proper formal outfit for him, but Lynn had refused it. He was not used to that sort of "elegant" clothing.

Yet in the eyes of others, the black-robed Lynn now seemed shrouded in an air of mystery. No wonder he was a Wizard Apprentice with Superior Talent!

The City Lord of Black Marsh City and nobles of every rank were gathered around Lynn and the other seven apprentices, their faces full of ingratiating smiles.

Especially toward Lynn, whose talent was superior, flattery came without end.

"Young Master Lynn is truly remarkable at such a young age!"

"You are destined to become a great Wizard!"

"This is the glory of Black Marsh City!"

Lynn maintained a proper smile as he dealt with their hypocritical pleasantries, all while stuffing various exquisite foods into his mouth.

So good! Absolutely delicious!

In his previous life, he had been seriously ill for years and had not dared eat recklessly. He had basically survived on IV drips.

After coming to this world more than three months ago, he had initially eaten bread, potatoes, and vegetable soup every day. He had saved every coin he extorted and never spent any of it.

Things only improved after he killed Ghost Fox. At least then, he could eat meat.

Now, faced with a table full of exquisite food, Lynn's appetite was wide open. He circled the long table as he ate.

As for the nobles' deliberate attempts to curry favor with him, Lynn could only answer with muffled grunts through a mouth full of food.

Whenever his mouth got too dry, he would raise a cup and take a huge gulp of mead.

I really don't like this kind of useless socializing. It's getting in the way of my eating!

But that thought was soon tossed aside.

These nobles really knew how to behave!

After exchanging pleasantries, every noble would subtly add that they had prepared a small gift for him, which had already been handed over to the City Lord. They hoped he would like it.

Although he had not seen the gifts, Lynn's mood still greatly improved, and his smile became several degrees more sincere.

After all, taking someone's gift meant owing them a favor.

After receiving treatment from a physician, Mary was able to walk normally again. At the moment, she followed closely behind him.

Like a frightened little deer, she clutched tightly at the hem of his clothes, both curious about and afraid of the surrounding luxury.

Lynn was rather speechless toward this stupid woman. She had become a Wizard Apprentice and was still acting like an idiot. He had no idea how she had survived this long.

After the banquet ended, the black-robed Wizard appeared and calmly announced,

"Tonight, you may say farewell to your families. Gather here at dawn tomorrow, and we will depart."

The other apprentices cheered as their families came to take them away.

Lynn had originally intended to spend the night at the City Lord's Residence, but the thought of that revolting Yellow Tooth caused long-suppressed killing intent to surge in his heart.

Some grudges had to be settled before he left.

Led by a maid, he found the City Lord.

The City Lord thought he had come to collect those "small gifts," so he directly had someone carry over a wooden chest.

Inside were valuable items such as gold coins, gemstones, and antiques.

He also brought out a gift ledger that clearly recorded every gift-giver's identity and name, along with what they had given.

Lynn did not look through it. He directly "scanned" it into the [Memory Library].

After all, those who had given him gifts were worth remembering.

As for whether they might be useful in the future... who could say?

Lynn then directly stated his intention, requesting to borrow a squad of city guards to wipe out a gang within the city.

Knowing that he was an apprentice with Superior Talent, the City Lord naturally did not dare neglect him. He immediately ordered fifty elite city guards to be placed under Lynn's command.

The number was not particularly large, but the captain and two vice-captains of this unit were all Formal Knights!

As Lynn walked out of the room and waited for the city guards to assemble, something unexpected happened.

The black-robed Wizard appeared behind him at some unknown time. The black mist beneath his hood seemed to carry a trace of interest.

"Oh? Lynn, you wish to settle a personal grudge? Perfect. I also need to collect some 'materials.' Let's go. There's no need to wait for the others."

With that, his figure slowly vanished into the air as if merging into the shadows. He was actually preparing to act personally!

With the Wizard's words, Lynn no longer hesitated and instructed the guard beside him to dismiss the city guards.

It seemed that tonight, he would get to witness the Wizard's methods!