"The Mystic Seal?"
Leilin nodded and stopped what he was doing.
The so-called Mystic Seal was a tool used by formal Wizards to communicate with one another.
Each newly appointed formal Wizard could design a unique symbol for themselves, representing the Wizard's identity. They could then leave Mystic Seals on others as a means of future contact.
Some Wizards would also brand this seal onto their family members and servants, signifying ownership.
Leilin had designed his own Mystic Seal as well — a circle on the outermost layer, with an inverted triangle inside it, and a slender black snake winding upward within the triangle.
On the chest of the leader, a blue dodo head flickered, emitting pulses of light.
It was clear that initiating contact on his end was quite draining on his Spiritual Power and magical energy. After just a few minutes, the leader's face had turned deathly pale.
Fortunately, before the leader could hold out no longer, the blue light blazed brightly, and a blue dodo flew out from his chest, landing on his shoulder.
"Sol, what do you want with me?"
The dodo seemed to pay Leilin no mind at all, addressing the leader directly.
"Ch-Chief, it's like this..." The leader hastily whispered a report of the situation to the dodo.
Mystic Seal communication had its limitations — it could only transmit sound, with no visual information. Moreover, without the amplification of a dedicated signal tower, the sound would fail to transmit over long distances.
"Hello! Young powerhouse!" the dodo greeted.
"I've long heard of the great name of Chief Isaac of the Earley Family!" Leilin spoke, his voice low and hoarse, clearly altered by the Chip.
"I hear that a few of my shortsighted family members offended you, and I apologize on their behalf..." The blue dodo had by now flown back to the leader's chest, transforming into something like a living tattoo.
"They dared to offend me — a formal Wizard. They must pay the price!" Leilin's voice was filled with killing intent.
"They?" The dodo paused briefly before continuing. "I can offer compensation on their behalf..."
"Compensation?" Leilin let out a laugh like a night owl. "Are you insulting me?"
"No! Run!" The leader clearly hadn't expected Leilin to be so unyielding and immediately retreated.
"You think you can leave after offending me?"
A flash of crimson appeared in Leilin's eyes. Several red fireballs shot out instantly, reducing the three who couldn't dodge in time to a mound of charred remains.
The power of an Apprentice was as fragile as paper before a formal Wizard.
And the Mystic Seal could only serve as a communication tool — it was completely incapable of transmitting spell attacks.
Leilin, well aware of the Mystic Seal's shortcomings, naturally chose to silence them permanently.
After all, his voice had been altered by the Chip, so Isaac would never be able to track him down.
Leaving those Apprentices alive was more likely to invite trouble.
Furthermore, he had no intention of lingering in the Yinglan Duchy — once he departed, there was nothing they could do to him.
He walked over to the grandfather and granddaughter. The little girl was still unconscious, with glistening tear drops still clinging to her face.
"W-Wizard, sir!"
The old man's face was filled with shock, clearly never having imagined that the person who had been riding in the same carriage with him for over ten days was actually a formal Wizard.
Leilin crouched down and briefly examined the old man's injuries.
The wounds were severe — an ordinary person would have been dead for certain. Even though the old man was a Second-rank Apprentice, he could only survive for another ten minutes or so.
With Leilin's abilities, he could certainly heal him, but it would require consuming some rare potions. The old man had no sorcerer bloodline, so Leilin had no intention of making the effort.
Still, some basic measures were in order.
"Drink this. It'll make you feel better." Leilin casually tossed a potion that stimulated life potential to the old man, then went over to the other side and woke the little girl.
"Grandpa Miller!" The moment the little girl woke, she threw herself onto Miller, crying loudly.
After drinking the potion, a flush of excitement appeared on the old man's face, and he instantly perked up. This kind of potion was essentially a stimulant — far cheaper than a healing potion, and something Leilin was willing to part with.
"Good child!"
Old Miller's trembling, weathered hand reached out to stroke the little girl's head.
"This... this Wizard, sir, could I ask you to take her to Marilyn at the Margrete Grand Canyon..."
The old man looked at Leilin with a pleading gaze.
"I can." Leilin was silent for a moment before nodding in agreement.
"Thank you! You will always be a friend of the Lansitake Family!"
The old man grabbed the little girl's hand once more and admonished her: "From now on, you will listen to Lord Leilin. Remember, you must obey his every word. Do you understand?"
As if he had used up every last ounce of strength, black blood began to seep from the corners of the old man's mouth the moment he finished speaking.
"I... I understand..." The little girl wept uncontrollably.