"Where's Vade? Why haven't I seen him here?"
As Raylin completed the verification process as well, the metallic pillar automatically retracted underground. Hishan asked, pretending to be casual.
"He was seriously injured, hit with a very troublesome curse..."
At this mention, Reisman's expression darkened again.
"It was a corrosive dagger soaked in abyssal spider venom — I've never seen such a vicious combination... Although he's regained consciousness now, the poison and curse will gradually corrode his body and soul, consuming all his nutrients until he eventually becomes a dried corpse..."
"In this situation, I'd recommend he immediately return to Four Seasons headquarters. The high-energy purification pools and the elders there might be able to do something, but unfortunately..."
Reisman spread his hands.
"Ever since learning of his teacher's death, Vade has insisted on staying here, waiting for the investigation to conclude before returning to the academy!"
Hearing this, Raylin and Hishan exchanged glances, each detecting a hint of trouble in the other's eyes.
If Vade had simply died, or been seriously injured and sent back to the academy, that would have been most advantageous for them. But now, their original duo had another person added to the mix, becoming an immediate hindrance!
"Find an opportunity! Kill him!"
From the look in Hishan's eyes, Raylin caught a dangerous glint.
Afterward, Reisman chatted a bit more with Hishan and Raylin, mainly about the Lightning Corps' future garrison and living arrangements here.
This type of matter was something Raylin had never paid much attention to, so he kept quiet throughout, watching Hishan and Reisman talk.
Once everything was concluded, Hishan used the pretext of treating injuries to bring Raylin along to his room.
Whoosh!
A curtain of light resembling a spider's web rose from the room, its glow covering every blind corner.
"Done! This is an early-warning mechanism I set up. As long as it's active, even a Second-rank Wizard attempting to eavesdrop on our conversation would be detected..." Hishan casually sat down in a chair.
"Using octopus spider silk, which is most sensitive to spiritual power, as an early-warning system — quite an interesting concept..."
Raylin examined the curtains of light, a flash of understanding crossing his eyes, then sat down beside Hishan.
"You're quite knowledgeable! This material is extremely rare. Even at the Scholars' Institute in the City of Eternal Night, very few people can identify it. You could already qualify for the title of Learned Scholar there..."
Hishan first expressed his admiration. This magical array had been designed by his father, yet Raylin had identified it at a single glance, which greatly surprised him.
"You don't seem very concerned about Reisman. He made it clear today that until the Four Seasons Garden's reinforcements and investigation team arrive, he'll remain stationed here. Second-rank Wizards always have many means — aren't you afraid he might uncover something?"
Raylin asked his former team leader without any pretense.
His relationship with this Hishan was quite peculiar. By now, he had figured out that the person who had leaked his identity as the Master of Thousand Leaves and had him transferred from the City of Eternal Night to this place was undoubtedly this Hishan! The purpose was likely to gain an additional helper — or rather, cannon fodder — within the Four Seasons Garden!
Therefore, once he had seen through this scheme, Raylin had unhesitatingly chosen to turn against him, even wounding Hishan so severely he nearly died.
However, under the powerful suppression of the Second-rank Dark Wizard, Raylin had not dared to go too far. After all, offending a Second-rank Wizard over such an enemy would be a very unwise move.
"There's no need to worry about Reisman..."
Hishan waved his hand. "Second-rank Wizards always bear different heavy responsibilities. They often have to hold down a region and can't leave easily. I know Reisman's jurisdiction — it's the Lightning Zone at the Ganges Secret Realm's second entrance. As long as our Dark Wizards over there apply pressure, Reisman will eventually be transferred back! After all, that's the area his academy is responsible for. To put it bluntly, even if our place falls, it won't have much impact on their academy. But if the second entrance they're responsible for falls, it would deal a devastating blow to their academy..."
Hishan's analysis was quite reasonable, demonstrating strong control and a broad strategic perspective.
"To strike at the second entrance and create pressure would require at least a Second-rank Dark Wizard's involvement. Having connections sure is nice..." Raylin felt somewhat speechless. He could have come up with such a plan too, but he didn't have Hishan's powerful background and connections, with Dark Wizards ready to follow his every command.
"Leave the Reisman situation to me. You just need to keep an eye on one person!"
Hishan turned his gaze toward Raylin, the third vertical eye on his forehead opening and closing.
"Vade?" Raylin rubbed his chin.
This Vade was the first Wizard from the Four Seasons Garden he had ever met. Even back then, he had passed his examination under Vade's hand.
"Exactly! Reisman is ultimately an outsider and can't do certain things, but Vade is different. He's an envoy from headquarters, holding an important position, and he had a teacher-student relationship with Leono. He could easily take over the connections and resources Leono left behind, making him an absolute obstacle to our plans!"