After returning to the dormitory, it took Rody quite some time to calm his mind. He finally confirmed that he was not worthless. Despite being sealed by the 'Magic-Martial Prohibition' which restricted his ability to communicate with elements, he still possessed potential in his spirit and soul. This potential was extraordinary - a seven-star potential that common people did not have. If he could fully tap into this potential, he would become unimaginably strong.
However, having such exceptional potential also meant his future would be fraught with danger. Gods or people from the Temple of Light wouldn’t bother with a nobody, but if they learned of his seven-star potential, he would likely be relentlessly pursued, even to the ends of the earth.
Rody deeply pondered whether those who had instructed Father Cedo to feed him the 'Magic-Martial Prohibition' knew about his astonishing potential. Did they suspect he had extraordinary potential and thus acted accordingly?
Once he became strong enough, he vowed to thoroughly investigate this matter, as it likely hid a profound conspiracy. The Magic-Martial Prohibition wasn’t something Lady Mary, a mere lord's wife, could easily obtain. According to Father Cedo, it required the blood sacrifice of 600 humans, dwarves, and fairies, along with the blood of black dragons, demons, and fallen elves as a catalyst. It was prepared for him right at his birth, which was impossible for Lady Mary to accomplish on her own. Clearly, there was a significant force hidden behind her.
"Rody, it’s time for dinner!" Tommy knocked on the door earnestly. He and the thief Terry often competed to do this. Despite Rody's repeated assertions of his gender, they had their reasons for wanting to spend time with him, hoping to gain some of his 'aura' and become more attractive themselves. Thus, these two like-minded guys often tried to curry favor with Rody, leading him to frequently send them away.
"I’ll wash my hands first!" Rody thought quickly and took the opportunity to scan Tommy with the Ink Crystal Magic Mirror while Tommy was distracted by Terry and others fighting over chicken legs.
The result suddenly made Rody understand why Tommy was able to attend the magic academy. He had always suspected that the low enrollment rate of the academy was not due to a lack of applicants, but rather due to its high admission standards and harsh training. Naturally, those who could attend were among the most outstanding individuals in the Felik Kingdom.
Tommy seemed completely inept, so why was he able to stay? After scanning with the Ink Crystal Magic Mirror, Rody understood. No wonder Dean Buck often went to watch exotic dances with Tommy – he was not as useless as he appeared, a typical case of a wolf in sheep's clothing.
After two days of preparation, the day finally arrived for the fifteen to set off to slay the Ashabaruk. Thanks to Rody’s generous contribution, Leo, who had previously lacked even armor, was now proudly wearing a suit of fine steel, carrying a massive steel sword, his tall frame as imposing as a mountain. Benson held a steel tower shield, giving the impression of a movable fortress. The thief Terry bought an invisibility cloak that, though it could only be used three times, was nonetheless one of the best items for self-preservation.
Tommy proudly wielded a flame-shooting wand given to him by Hila, looking smug, his expression akin to that of a Mage King.
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Everyone was decked out in shiny new armor and bright swords, except for Rody, who still wore his one-star novice magic apprentice's white robe and carried his homemade green sandalwood staff. Among them all, he alone looked like he was going on a leisurely hike rather than a dangerous mission.
Silver-haired Aaron glanced at Rody but remained silent. However, the fire mage Andrew beside him snorted disdainfully.
"Ladies and gentlemen, the journey to Soul Break Ridge is very far, unreachable by horse carriage in ten days or half a month. But don’t worry, I have arranged a one-way teleportation station for you," Dean Buck said cheerfully. "After you arrive at the teleportation station, you only need to walk another 135 kilometers to reach your destination, which is quite close, so everyone can take a leisurely walk there!"
"135 meters would be more like it..." Tommy muttered under his breath, careful not to be too loud for fear of provoking Dean Buck.
"If anyone wants to withdraw now, there’s still time. However, those who withdraw will receive special tutoring from me for the next month," Dean Buck announced. Everyone shuddered at the thought, unanimously shaking their heads, expressing their love for collective activities and excitement for the excursion, and politely declining the dean's 'kind' offer of extra lessons.
The group arrived at the magical tower near the temple, where an old priest activated the teleportation circle after receiving fifteen gold coins from Dean Buck. Dean Buck instructed everyone to pair up and step onto the teleportation circle.
Tommy, the chubby kid, and the thief Terry were the most eager and rushed onto the teleportation circle first, causing the spinning array to disappear instantly. Dean Buck scratched his head and then told everyone, “Folks, this teleportation array is too small, so it can only transport two people at a time. Of course, since it’s a one-way teleportation array, the drop-off points won't be the same, but the range won’t exceed fifty kilometers, so rest assured.”
“You didn’t say that earlier?” Rody sweated profusely upon hearing this, imagining Tommy and Terry probably wanting to cry.
“I just didn’t think of it!” Dean Buck laughed heartily and said, “This way is actually quite fun. You travel to Soul Break Ridge in pairs, looking for your companions along the way. Isn’t this trek much more interesting? Oh right, since you are fifteen people, there’s one without a partner. It seems we need to send the strongest one alone. Who thinks they’re the strongest here?”
Rody guessed that if Tommy were here, he would have confidently answered, but now, nobody would be so foolish as to travel alone.
“I can go by myself!” Aaron, the silver-haired guy, stood up and snorted proudly.
“Aaron!” Andrew and the three Colin brothers cried out in shock.
“Come to our planned location, I'll wait for you there!” Aaron stepped into the glowing teleportation array and disappeared instantly. Andrew and the Colin brothers hurriedly followed in two batches, hoping the teleportation interval and drop-off points wouldn’t be too far apart.
“Dean Buck, if you have anything else you haven’t thought of, please remember now. Anything else you haven’t said, say it now,” Rody urged, fearing that the dean might have omitted some important information.
“I can’t think of anything else for now…” Dean Buck shook his head and said, “You all should depart quickly. This teleportation array consumes more magic power every minute, so now is not the time to chat.”
“Dean, aren’t you coming with us?” Elizabeth suddenly cried out in surprise, “We are going alone?”
“Because we instructors are a bit busy with something, we can’t accompany you,” Dean Buck said with a chuckle. “Rest assured and have fun. I've given you all a month-long vacation. Everyone, set off, I'm off…”
Watching Dean Buck run off swiftly, the old priest beside them urgently signaled everyone to quickly enter the teleportation circle.
Elizabeth bit her silver teeth and said, “I have a suggestion for everyone to consider. Leo and Benson should go as a pair; you two have good offensive and defensive compatibility. Ollie can go with Rody, and I'll go with Hila. Gill will go with Sani. What do you think?”
“I'm not going to be in a group with that guy. I'll go with Gill!” Ollie refused.
“In that case… you go with Sani then,” Elizabeth pondered for a moment and then said to Rody, “Gill will go with you. Be sure to take good care of her.”
“It would be fairer if Gill takes care of him, right? I mean, it's not fair to Gill!” Ollie insisted, but the old priest on the side was urging them to hurry, and Leo and Benson had already been teleported away. Reluctantly, she and Sani stepped onto the teleportation circle together, giving Rody a glare before leaving. However, Rody didn’t even glance at her, which infuriated her.