Chapter 75: Chapter 75: Gale City
"A mission?" Richard was momentarily taken aback.
"Yes, a trial mission assigned by Ereks," Jolord said, handing Richard a scroll. "There's been a case of population disappearance in an affiliated city of the academy. The apprentice wizard stationed there suspects it's the work of a mad wizard and reported it to the academy."
"Mad wizard? Is that a type of wizard like the black and white wizards?" Richard glanced at the scroll and asked casually.
"No, no," Jolord replied, shaking his head. "Black and white wizards are classifications made by the great truth wizards. Mad wizards, on the other hand, is a more colloquial term. Their official designation is illegal wizards, essentially those who have violated the laws of the Council of Truth."
"Technically, the legal department under the Council of Truth should handle such matters. However, given that the enforcement wizards are responsible for too many areas, dealing with apprentice-level mad wizards falls under the academy's jurisdiction."
Legal department—another new term.
Richard stored the scroll away. "Alright, I'll take care of it."
"Don't underestimate this task," Jolord cautioned. "Mad wizards are often more skilled in combat than regular apprentices. They experiment on mortals, and some of their research specifically targets wizards. If you underestimate them, you might suffer a big loss."
Richard nodded confidently. "I understand, Teacher."
Back in his room, Richard immediately set about preparing his equipment.
First was his Devourer Greatsword. After years of crafting, the second phase of the Devourer Greatsword was complete, now imbued with the Purgatory Fire that could burn spirits.
Next, he prepared various protective magical items: the Guardian Pendant, the Mind Protection Ring, the Cloak of Invisibility... Finally, Richard carefully packed five black tubes into his magic pouch.
These were his crafted wizard grenades—now called Annihilation Grenades.
The final design for the Annihilation Grenade was settled two years ago. Since then, Richard had made slight modifications, creating a special version.
The special Annihilation Grenades had altered materials, raising the cost to a thousand magic stones each. In exchange, these grenades required no charging and could be used effortlessly even by low-level apprentices.
Richard had made five of these special grenades and planned to bring them all for contingencies.
With his equipment ready, Richard called his crow, Foggy, to his shoulder from the balcony.
You can't go on a mission without the Death Messenger.
The mission location was a city named Gale, one of the more populous cities affiliated with the academy, boasting over a million residents.
Due to its large population, the academy took reports of mad wizards seriously. The Wizard Academy had an obligation to protect ordinary humans within its domain. If a mad wizard of apprentice-level caused a significant disturbance that drew the legal department's attention, the Black Tower Wizard Academy would face accountability from them.
At the airship terminal, Richard boarded a magical airship bound for Gale.
Every city under the academy's jurisdiction had an airship terminal, which facilitated not only the travel of wizard apprentices but also the transportation of goods by wizard guilds.
Once aboard, Richard observed the airship's passengers. Unlike the airship to the Blackstone Mountains, this one had a significant number of ordinary people.
These ordinary passengers were well-dressed and spoke courteously, likely belonging to the middle and upper classes of mortal society.
When they noticed Richard's gaze, they didn't panic but instead bowed slightly in respect.
They seemed accustomed to seeing wizard apprentices.
"It seems life for ordinary people on the wizard continent is better than I thought, and wizards aren't as mysterious."
In the Plantagenet Kingdom, ordinary people couldn't dream of riding an airship; even carriages were a luxury for the rich and noble, with commoners relying on their legs for travel.
Gale City wasn't far from the academy. After four hours of flight, Richard arrived at his destination.
Upon disembarking, Richard was greeted by a surprising sight.
Gale City's airship terminal was even larger than the academy's. Large airships with massive cargo holds landed, and workers boarded to unload and transport goods. Curiously, they used horse-drawn carts for transport.
Using horse-drawn carts to move airship cargo amused Richard.
"A blend of backwardness and advancement—the wizarding world is fascinating."
Exiting the airship terminal, Richard saw numerous carriages waiting for business.
He hailed one, intending to head to the city lord's mansion.
"How much to the city lord's mansion?"
The coachman glanced at Richard. Upon noticing the silver pentagram on his chest, his eyes widened. He quickly dismounted, appearing excited.
"Are you a wizard, sir?"
Richard nodded.
"It's an honor to serve a wizard. How could I charge you?" the coachman said, opening the carriage door and gesturing for Richard to enter.
Richard chuckled. "Why so excited? Haven't you seen a wizard before?"
Based on his observations on the airship, wizard apprentices should be fairly common on the wizard continent.
"I've never seen someone as important as you," the coachman replied, visibly thrilled. "In all of Gale City, only the city lord sees wizards regularly. We common folk only see them once a decade during apprentice selections."
"I see," Richard nodded, stepping into the carriage.
Along the way, Richard curiously observed the city governed by the Wizard Academy. Unlike Blackstone City, Gale City was bustling. The streets were crowded, and while people's clothes weren't luxurious, they were at least clean and decent. The citizens' faces were lively.
In the Plantagenet Kingdom, even the royal city couldn't compare.
The airship terminal was on the city's outskirts. Logically, Richard should have passed through slums, but he saw no such thing—not even a single beggar.
"Driver, are there no beggars in Gale City?" Richard asked casually.
"Beggars?" The coachman laughed. "I've never seen a beggar in Gale City since I was born."
"How is that possible?" Richard exclaimed.
"Nothing's impossible, sir. It's all thanks to you wizards," the coachman said proudly. "I've grown up hearing stories of wizard heroes."
"Really?"
Richard stroked his chin.
It seemed the apprentices sent by the academy invested considerable effort in city governance.
Following the main street, Richard arrived at the city lord's mansion, a grand marble building.
Richard disembarked and offered the coachman an academy coin, but the coachman refused, insisting it was his honor to serve and drove off with a wave of his whip.
All Richard could do was smile wryly.
He showed the academy-issued mission scroll to the gatekeeper, who hurriedly opened the gates and led Richard into the mansion.
Upon entering, Richard immediately sensed a magical fluctuation emanating from the mansion's walls, indicating an inscribed magic array.
"My teacher said apprentices were stationed in these cities. This must be their handiwork."
Following the stairs to the second floor, the guard led Richard to the city lord's study before leaving him.
Knock, knock, knock.
"Who is it? Didn't I say not to disturb me unless a wizard arrives?" a voice called from inside.
Hearing this, Richard pushed the door open.
The study's decor was modest, contrasting with the mansion's grandeur. Inside, an elderly man with white hair sat in a chair, holding a book.
The old man stared in astonishment at the tall man with a crow perched on his shoulder.
"I'm the wizard sent by the academy," Richard said calmly, displaying the mission scroll to the old man.
The old man quickly rose and approached Richard.
"Hello, hello, I am Spencer Gale, the lord of Gale City. It's an honor to meet you."
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