When light and sound returned to Nidhogg's confined space once again, he quickly shielded his eyes with his sleeve, now more prepared from prior experience. Once his eyes adjusted, he surveyed his surroundings.

This time, the sorcerer Xinluwu and Yunli had already left, while the person standing next to Mina was the portly man with whom Nidhogg had signed the Seventh Ring contract on the first floor of Blacksaw Tower. The man wore a pained expression as he said, "Nidhogg, the trouble you’ve brought me this time is far greater than any I’ve caused you before. This interrogation room is not to be taken lightly."

Nidhogg managed a weak smile, unsure of what to say.

"Nidhogg, it has been verified that you indeed obtained the magic stones through the sale of the perfume, which you earned using your own intellect. Thus, the source of the magic stones you used to purchase the mask has been thoroughly explained," said the sorcerer from the Dark Realm Academy who initially interrogated Nidhogg. His tone had softened, lacking the initial malice, cruelty, and severity.

Hearing this, Nidhogg felt a wave of relief.

This ordeal had certainly been quite a scare.

"However, you must explain in detail the inspiration, process, and sorcerous knowledge involved in creating Aphrodite's Venom, to confirm that no one provided you with intellectual support. If you can prove your innocence, the six academies will compensate you for this unwarranted detention."

Everyone present understood that it was highly unlikely that any sorcerer had provided intellectual support to Nidhogg; this was merely a formality.

"Yes," Nidhogg replied, relieved that he had finally reached the final stage.

Nidhogg began recounting without hesitation, from his serendipitous acquisition of "Nose Modification and Scent Atlas" in Coral Island's Bissel City, to the two years he "wasted" after being inspired by the phrase "Give me endless knowledge, and I will use myself as leverage to move endless worlds" upon entering the academy. He glanced furtively at the sorcerer from the Blacksaw Tower Academy, upon whose shoulder sat a black cat.

"Hmm?" the sorcerer snorted.

Nidhogg hurriedly continued, "Afterwards, in an effort to use the high-powered microscope and to gather enough magic stones to bribe your apprentice Val and this Mister Black Cat... well, I came up with the idea to invent and sell the perfume using the scent knowledge I'd acquired. Initially, I intended to earn just twenty magic stones, but the perfume sold exceptionally well. Later, due to matters with Sorcerer Elaine, I signed the Seventh Ring contract with the gentleman over there."

The portly man nodded continuously from outside the restriction, saying, "That's correct. I had to prove myself in my family's trials, and I happened upon the wonders of Aphrodite's Venom, so I decisively signed the Seventh Ring contract."

Listening to the explanation, the sorcerer with the black cat on his shoulder slowly turned to look at his companion. Although Nidhogg couldn’t discern the sorcerer's expression, he imagined a fierce, questioning look.

The black cat appeared unfazed, even cheekily sticking out its tongue and smiling awkwardly, saying, "Heh, you don’t use that microscope often; it’s just gathering dust. Better to let Val and me earn some extra. Heh... Besides, like I'm going to earn magic stones like an apprentice. Alas, I have a craving..."

While the black cat spoke nonchalantly, inwardly it was enraged, fuming about Val having duped it. "Damn Val, he clearly paid twenty magic stones before but told me he paid ten, giving me only five! You’re finished, kid!"

After the black cat's remarks, silence fell over the hall, a deathly silence.

Mina, Sun's Child, stood outside the barrier, looking at Nidhogg in disbelief. At that moment, she felt as though she were in a dream.

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This sorcerer apprentice, who had stolen her trial rewards like a mouse, had actually used such an unconventional and legendary method to earn magic stones, becoming a "pseudo-Despairer" in the trial?

He was indeed far superior to those three at Blacksaw Tower, especially that naive blonde girl!

For a moment, Mina developed a strange admiration for the helpless-looking man in the barrier, as if she had found a peer, a worthy opponent, feeling a certain mutual respect and a peculiar admiration.

Suddenly, a surreal, absurd feeling emerged in Mina's heart, igniting a fiery intensity in her eyes, an uncontrollable longing that burst forth.

This man, I must have him; he is mine! Yes, that's it!

"Good!" shouted Immortal Fire Soul, Mina’s mentor.

With a whoosh, his robes were consumed by roaring flames, revealing his tall figure clad in scarlet armor, his dense, unkempt beard encircling his face like an ancient barbarian.

With great appreciation for Nidhogg, Immortal Fire Soul exclaimed, "Haha, good lad! For a mere apprentice with no mentor to rely on his own intellect and fortune to achieve such heights... haha. Mina losing the reward I left is punishment enough for her arrogance."

After speaking, Immortal Fire Soul pondered for a moment, then tossed a red stone to Nidhogg, saying, "This Crimson Flame Stone is compensation for your unjust detention."

Crimson Flame Stone?

Nidhogg thought momentarily, unsure of its use, but instinctively knew it was valuable and happily accepted it.

"Having confirmed that Apprentice Nidhogg earned the magic stones using his intellect and used them to purchase the mask for the trial, I hereby declare him not guilty on behalf of the Labyrinth Sorcerer Academy."

"Ivory Tower confirms..."

...

A series of declarations pronounced Nidhogg’s release, as the hexagram binding beneath his feet vanished. Nidhogg felt a sense of relief mixed with disorientation. He sat down weakly in his chair and looked toward the sorcerer from the Blacksaw Tower Academy.

Without having experienced such a high-level interrogation room, an apprentice couldn’t comprehend how oppressive it was.

After all, it was an interrogation by twelve sorcerers from above!

"Nidhogg..."

The sorcerer from Blacksaw Tower spoke slowly, making Nidhogg tense up, his newly relaxed body tightening again as he anxiously awaited his words.

But at that moment, the black cat jumped in front of Nidhogg, stood up anthropomorphically, and said, "Heh, old man, let me say it. They’ll laugh at you for being so long-winded. Ahem, Nidhogg, the great Blacksaw Tower Sorcerer Academy's Dean, Level Three Grand Sorcerer Peranos, wishes to take you as his pupil. Do you agree?"

Poof...

Nidhogg's eyes widened in shock. The Dean of Blacksaw Tower Sorcerer Academy? A Level Three Grand Sorcerer? Wants him as a pupil?

A series of shocking titles and events nearly overwhelmed Nidhogg, but having experienced the downside of not having a mentor, and with such a prestigious sorcerer offering to take him as a pupil, Nidhogg wasted no time. With a mix of panic and excitement, he performed the sorcerer's salute, exclaiming, "Nidhogg welcomes Teacher Peranos."

The black cat wagged its tail and jumped back onto Peranos' shoulder, smugly declaring, "All set."

"Good, good," said Peranos as his cloak slowly fell, revealing a face Nidhogg would never forget.

The features were stitched together coarsely, with terrifying scars marking the ancient head like a soon-to-explode balloon. What struck Nidhogg most was a snake-like tongue periodically flicking out, seemingly observing the world in a way akin to Nidhogg's hunter's nose.

The sorcerer from Blacksaw Tower who remained behind Peranos said, "Kid, becoming Dean Peranos' pupil means you must be part of this year’s competition for the Holy Tower’s advanced studies and the Demon Hunter Sorcerer qualification."

The sorcerer did not reveal his face but followed the other sorcerers as they left the interrogation room.

Moments later, only Nidhogg, Peranos, and the black cat remained in the hall.

Peranos' stitched and ghastly face gave a grotesque smile, allowing Nidhogg a glimpse of teeth in the gaps.

"Nidhogg, you are my third disciple. Your elder sister is not currently on the sorcerer continent; you'll meet her later. Your brother is Val on the seventh floor of Blacksaw, who has an interest in odd creatures from other worlds. However, neither has received my true sorcery teachings due to personal reasons. I hope you can carry forth my three sorcery techniques."

Excited, Nidhogg replied, "I will do my utmost, Teacher."

Peranos nodded with satisfaction, "No rush, take seven days to handle your matters at the academy. Let me consider... Should you learn the Double-Force Sorcery, Poison Refinement, or the Endless Eye first? By the way, Nidhogg, how skilled are you in life science and anatomy?"

Anatomy!?

Startled, Nidhogg glanced at his Teacher's "artistic" face and cautiously said, "I've studied anatomy and have in-depth knowledge of life sciences."

The black cat interjected, "Let him try Poison Refinement first. Those piranhas in the fish tank are nearly ready as a primer. He should enjoy his time as a young sorcerer while he can, heh... After all, the Double-Force Sorcery and Endless Eye transformations can leave permanent marks."

The black cat's words carried a deeper meaning, perhaps suggesting Nidhogg should enjoy his looks while he can.