The 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... did not seem particularly fond of her.

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

Lynn could feel that, within this newly formed little group, he had quietly taken the leading position thanks to his "Superior Soul Talent."

The test ended, and the wizard brushed his palm over the crystal ball before putting it away.

Seeing that the wizard seemed to be in quite a good mood, the City Lord stepped forward and flatteringly said:

"Congratulations, Lord Xilu, on gaining such a fine disciple. I have ordered my servants to prepare a banquet. I hope you will honor us with your presence."

The wizard waved a hand.

"Forget it. Ordinary food does me no good. Let those little ones go broaden their horizons instead."

The City Lord did not insist after hearing this. He seemed to know that the wizard had no interest in a banquet held in such a small city.

Those little ones were likewise targets of the City Lord's attention.

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

Meanwhile, inside Nightingale Hall, Skinny Monkey emerged from his room looking refreshed and knocked on Lynn's door.

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

There was no response from inside.

Skinny Monkey knocked several 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 is he?!!"

How the hell did a man disappear after visiting a whore?

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 they still could not find either of them.

Skinny Monkey's face turned ashen. Not daring to delay any longer, he hurriedly rushed back to the gang to report.

Run away out of fear of punishment?

He knew the gang leader's methods. Returning might still leave him a chance to live, but if he ran and was caught, he would truly be dead for sure!

At the gang's headquarters, after hearing Skinny Monkey's report, One-Eyed Wolf's eyes gleamed with ferocity. He slammed a fist onto the table.

"Damn it! That brat fooled 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 banquet at the City Lord's Residence.

The magnificent banquet hall was brightly lit.

A long table was covered in a spotless white linen cloth and filled with an array of sumptuous food.

There were whole roasted suckling pigs with golden, crispy skin, along with roasted geese in silver platters, drizzled with berry sauce.

All kinds of white bread were piled high like mountains, alongside cheese studded with nuts and dried fruit, as well as large quantities of roasted sausages, stewed meat, and seasonal vegetables.

Well-dressed attendants moved through the hall carrying silver goblets filled with mead and fine wine.

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

The City Lord had originally prepared formal attire for him, but Lynn had refused it. He was not used to wearing such "elegant" clothes.

Yet in the eyes of outsiders, Lynn, dressed in his black hooded robe, seemed to have acquired an air of mystery.

As expected of a Wizard Apprentice with superior talent!

The City Lord of Black Marsh City and nobles of every rank had gathered around Lynn and the other six apprentices, their faces filled with ingratiating smiles.

Their flattering words were especially unending when directed at Lynn, whose talent was superior.

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

"You will surely become a great wizard in the future!"

"This is the glory of Black Marsh City!"

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

So damn good! Really damn good!

He had been seriously ill for years in his previous life and had not dared eat recklessly. He had basically survived on intravenous drips.

After coming to this world more than three months ago, he had initially eaten bread, potatoes, and vegetable soup every day. The little money he had extorted had all been saved up, never spent.

Things had only improved after Ghost Fox was driven to his death. At least Lynn had been able to 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, Lynn could only respond with muffled grunts through a mouth stuffed with food.

Only when the food got too dry did he raise a cup and gulp down a large mouthful of mead.

As expected, he still did not like this kind of useless socializing. It was getting in the way of his meal!

But he quickly tossed that thought aside.

These nobles really knew how to handle things!

After exchanging pleasantries, each noble would subtly add that they had prepared a small gift for him and had already handed it over to the City Lord, hoping he would like it.

Although he had not seen the items, Lynn was still in an excellent mood, and his smile became a little more sincere.

After all, taking someone's gift made it harder to refuse them.

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

Like a startled fawn, she tightly clutched the hem of his robe, both curious and fearful of all the surrounding luxury.

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

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

"You have one night to bid farewell to your families. Gather here at dawn tomorrow, and we will depart."

The other apprentices cheered as their families took them away.

Lynn had originally intended to spend the night at the City Lord's Residence, but when he thought of that disgusting Yellow Tooth, a long-suppressed killing intent surged up within him.

Some grudges had to be settled before he left.

Led by a maid, he found the City Lord.

The City Lord assumed that Lynn had come to collect those "small gifts," so he directly had someone carry over a wooden chest for him.

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

He also took out a gift ledger, which clearly recorded the identity and name of every gift giver, along with what they had given.

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

After all, they had given him gifts. They were worth remembering.

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

Lynn then directly stated his intentions and requested to borrow a squad of City Guards to eliminate a gang within the city.

Knowing that Lynn was an apprentice with superior talent, the City Lord did not dare neglect him. He immediately ordered fifty elite City Guards to be placed under his command.

Though their numbers were not large, the captain and two vice-captains of this squad of City Guards were all Formal Knights!

As Lynn left 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 are settling a personal grudge? Perfect. I need to collect some 'materials' as well. Let's go. There is no need to wait for the others."

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

With the wizard's words, Lynn no longer hesitated and instructed the nearby guard to dismiss the City Guards.

It seemed he would get to witness the wizard's methods tonight!