Chapter 912: 285. The Criterion of the Heart
Noland Lee’s conflict with the Deep Sea Branch ultimately stemmed from a clash of ideas with the head of the Pomida Family.
Mingwaq Pomida, the head of the Pomida Family and Selena’s father, was worried that Noland Lee would leverage the “Dragon Clan Treasure” he held to expand his influence within the Deep Sea Branch.
If Noland Lee were in the position of head of the Pomida Family, he too would harbor such apprehension.
A targeted solution could temporarily ease the tension between both sides.
As a First Rank Wizard, Noland Lee certainly had impressive combat skills, but his status within the Realm of Wizards was too low.
He had money, but not enough to completely win over Mingwaq Pomida with billions of gold coins.
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His strength was considerable, but he was far from invincible.
If caught unprepared by an enemy ambush, he would still wither like a leaf in the wind.
He had his own connections, subordinates, territories, and resources, yet none could be considered “solid,” “stable,” or “impregnable.”
His people—whether Denise Green, Selena, or the lesser-known Nolin and Nicolette—all had their own weaknesses and vulnerabilities.
Noland Lee himself might be impeccable, but those with ulterior motives could easily pick on his Companion Witches and allies with underhanded tactics to restrain him.
Noland Lee had come to understand this.
He needed someone who could speak with authority in front of Mingwaq Pomida to help alleviate some of his pressure.
This person must possess a rich history within the wizarding world, considerable combat power to act as a deterrent, and, most importantly, be someone Noland Lee could trust.
After careful consideration, in Noland Lee’s social circle, there was only one person who met all the criteria—Erica Claudia, the Lecturer Professor, creator, and sole manager of the “Silent Maiden.”
What Noland Lee wanted Erica to help him with was simple, effortless, and would cause her no negative repercussions.
“…That’s how I reached a collaboration with the Pomida Family, Professor,”
Noland Lee truthfully recounted the signing of the Magic Contract with the Deep Sea Branch, his expression slightly gloomy.
He attributed the source of the “Thundercloud Technique,” the Thunder and Lightning Magic Stones, and the Flame Magic Stone, the origin of the mental magic, and the distribution map of the non-metallic ores, all to his own stroke of luck.
All of these items were randomly found in an undersea cave within the Starfall Sea.
They were stored within a few special Dragon Clan containers.
Noland Lee found them thanks to his “All-Understanding.”
This explanation was inspired by Benjamin Jelani.
Hadn’t this guy said that Noland Lee’s Wild Magic came from the Dragon Clan Treasure? Well, Noland Lee simply followed Benjamin Jelani’s claim and spun the current narrative.
In his story, he used the randomly obtained Dragon Clan Treasure to bargain with the Deep Sea Branch and signed a Magic Contract Book that both parties acknowledged.
But then came the Pomida Family’s unfair treatment of him.
“Today, I used the unusual magic I learned from the Dragon Clan Treasure to summon the frighteningly powerful dark cloud and the underwater lightning ball.
“I used the Lightning Energy Ball to shatter the Queen’s Barrier, clearing the most threatening obstacle for the Deep Sea Branch’s team.
“But what did the Deep Sea Branch do? They took the opportunity to claim they needed the lightning energy for reinforcement, forcing the Saint Level Thunder Wizard to take away my dark cloud.”
Noland Lee coughed weakly:
“Don’t be fooled by how healthy and vital I looked when entering the ‘Court of Silence.’ In the Natural World, I was already on the brink of death. The magic backlash from the cloud being taken away almost cost me my life.”
When Noland Lee entered the ‘Court of Silence,’ only his consciousness came through. noveldrama
His body was not with him.
If Erica wanted to ascertain the specifics of Noland Lee’s injuries, she would either have to visit the Suman Archipelago herself or send a Silent Witch to check on him.
However, Erica did not doubt the authenticity of Noland Lee’s injuries.
Because all she had to do was write a letter to the Pomida Family to get their side, which would confirm Noland Lee’s words.
“Jarvis, the psychic trauma caused by magic backlash will need a long time of rest for recovery.”
Using [Mage’s Hand], Erica rummaged through the storage shelf in the study room and retrieved two amber-colored glass bottles:
“I have here some Magical Elixir for hastening the recovery of psychic trauma, you take it and use it. And don’t even mention paying, this is something I ought to do as a professor.”
Erica packed the Magical Elixir and summoned a magic parrot with its beak tied up.
She stuffed the elixir into the parrot’s letter pouch, instructing it to deliver the items to Noland Lee’s messenger.
Having done this, she asked Noland Lee:
“How could you be sure that the wizard who took the dark cloud away was a Saint Level Thunder Wizard? Did you consider any other possibilities?”
Feigning confusion, Noland Lee replied uncertainly:
“Other possibilities? What do you mean? I am a bit lost.”
Crossing one leg under the table and resting her chin on the back of her hand, Erica asked:
“You mentioned earlier that the Saint Level Thunder Wizard summoned from the seafloor an energy ball of lightning that did not dissipate, right?”
“Yes, Professor,” Noland Lee nodded.
“And you saw this with ‘Mind View’ you learned from the Dragon Clan treasure, correct?” Erica pressed on.