"Indeed," Daof nodded in approval. "This is rather opportune. Given my relative lack of busyness in recent days, I can now arrange your subsequent curriculum."

"Teacher, I'm afraid I won't be able to remain here for an extended period. I have family business to attend to, so I hope the study plan can be adjusted accordingly," Glen responded promptly.

Unexpectedly, upon hearing this, Daof chuckled and said, "Others approach the study of magic with profound awe and reverence, never making any demands. However, you, my dear Glen, don't seem to hold it in such high regard."

"Absolutely not!" Glen quickly waved his hands in denial. "I've never been remiss in my pursuit of magic. It's just that the situation in Bayek is rather intricate, and I'm concerned about my friends there if I'm away for too long."

Daof smiled and patted Glen on the shoulder. "I was merely jesting. There's no need to be so tense."

Only then did Glen heave a sigh of relief.

Then, he heard Daof continue, "Ordinarily, I intended to first guide you through some complex courses and then have Mako assist you. Since you've put forward this request, we can make an adjustment."

He turned to an apprentice nearby and said, "Chick, go retrieve my staff for me."

The apprentice named Chick immediately scurried off and soon returned, carrying a staff of a burnished bronze hue.

Daof took the staff and gently rotated its tip against a spiral - shaped pillar at the center of the room.

A collection of boxes, varying in size, floated out and eventually hovered in front of Glen.

"These are diverse low - level magics. Mastery of just one of them will qualify you as a first - level mage," Daof's words left Glen astonished. "This suffices to be considered a first - level mage?"

"Yes, don't underestimate them merely because they are low - level. Each of these magics encapsulates a majority of the fundamental knowledge you've acquired. Once you attain the status of a first - level mage, you'll come to understand. At that point, you'll be able to conjure certain minor magics that aren't classified as low - level with relative ease," Daof patiently elucidated.

Glen comprehended these words and once again cast his gaze upon the several boxes before him.

Above each box were inscribed golden, illusory characters:

Wind - Gale Magic, Low - level, A high - quality comprehensive magic for the command of wind elements.

Cleansing Magic, Low - level, A high - quality comprehensive magic for the command of the power of cleansing.

Shadow Magic, Low - level, A high - quality comprehensive magic for the command of shadow elements.

Form - Dissolving Magic, Low - level, A high - quality comprehensive magic for the mastery of the esoterica of transformation.

And so on. There were well over twenty in total, with five noted as having a dark nature.

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Glen regarded these magics, momentarily at a loss as to how to make a decision.

I should first delve into the magic that will be beneficial to me. I'm not lacking in strength, so... Glen mused.

Suddenly, he recalled the incident when the hunter mercenaries had come knocking on his door.

He remembered that after rescuing the elf, he had taken great care to cover his tracks. They should not have been able to locate him.

Yet, they did manage to find him, indicating that they must have employed some means.

Last time, the old man had said that the reason the kingdom's mages hadn't found me was due to the interference caused by the demon. This implies that mages possess methods of tracking or divination. Thus, it would be prudent for me to master corresponding counter - tracking measures... Having thought this through, Glen inquired of Daof, "Is there a magic here that can erase traces and prevent mages from locating me through divination or tracking magic?"

Daof pondered for a moment before grasping Glen's meaning. "You're seeking an interference - type magic, I presume?"

Glen nodded.

"You indeed ought to master this type of magic. Given what transpired in Bayek, it's essential to take precautions," Daof said, pointing to one of the boxes. "Select this one, the Cleansing Magic. One of its functions is to eliminate all traces, both on a physical and magical level."

Without further hesitation, Glen reached out and supported the box labeled "Cleansing Magic."

As a fifth - level mage, Daof naturally had unique insights, and his advice was eminently worthy of adoption.

The box didn't require any special unlocking technique or magic. With a simple pry of the hand, it opened effortlessly.

Inside lay a tattered pamphlet with a leather cover marred by several scratches.

"This is the early notes of an old acquaintance from long ago. This Cleansing Magic is one of his masterworks. It can't be found elsewhere. I've only perused it a few times, but it should be more than adequate to guide you," Daof's voice sounded, explaining the provenance of the pamphlet to Glen.

"When shall we commence?" Glen asked straightforwardly.

"Now," Daof replied with a smile.

...

In the main city of Batsey, the royal griffin, emblazoned with the royal insignia, flapped its resplendent plumage as it entered the city, alighting within the luxurious villa of the Punk family.

Numerous servants and knights hastened to offer their greetings, and Count Punk emerged from the villa without delay.

A young soldier, attired in resplendent red finery, dismounted from the griffin's back. Standing as rigid as a javelin, he quietly awaited the assembly of the Punk family members.

"Royal decree," the soldier announced, producing a decree adorned with a feather once everyone had gathered. "The diplomatic mission of the Sese Kingdom has arrived in our country, accusing the Punk family of the unauthorized capture of an elf. If this is true, Count Punk is hereby required to return the captured elf, offer an apology to the victim, and provide compensation."

The decree concisely stated the matter. Count Punk was left bewildered, while his third son was already perspiring profusely.

After reading the decree, the soldier, disregarding the reactions of the onlookers, promptly remounted the griffin and took off.

Count Punk turned to face his sons, his expression exceedingly grim. "Now, who will explain to me what exactly has occurred?!"

His sons exchanged nervous glances, with only the third son keeping his head bowed, offering no response.

Count Punk naturally noticed this. He strode forward, seized his third son's collar, and roared, "Savagery! Give me an explanation!"

The third son, Savagery, being merely nineteen years old, was thoroughly intimidated by his father's wrath. Trembling, he recounted the deeds he had commissioned the hunter mercenary group to carry out, including the disappearance of his personal bodyguard, the Black Sword.

Upon hearing this, Count Punk was sorely tempted to strike this thoughtless son.

"How could you have been so brazen as to do such a thing? Do you wish to bring ruin upon the family? It seems I've been too lenient with you all. In the end, it will only bring misfortune upon ourselves!"

All the servants watched the master's outburst with trepidation, while the other sons of Punk secretly rejoiced.

They knew that Savagery would no longer be in a position to vie with them for the family inheritance.

After venting his anger for some time, Count Punk gradually regained his composure. "With so many witnesses in Dude Town, denial is futile. Even if the elf is not in our possession, they will still assume we've hidden it."

He looked at his sons. "Follow me to the chamber!"