After retrieving all his belongings, Nidhogg lay lazily on the bed in his small room, inhaling the familiar scent and feeling that life was indeed beautiful.

Phew...

To be honest, the memory of the interrogation was a nightmare for Nidhogg. But fortunately, he had come out of it safely and ultimately gained the recognition of the great sorcerer Peranos, becoming his third disciple.

A Level Three Sorcerer—this was the highest rank of sorcerer in any academy, and there was no rank higher than Level Three Sorcerer.

Nidhogg was filled with an indescribable excitement, seeing a bright and promising future ahead.

After a moment, Nidhogg began organizing the magical materials and items he collected during the trial, meticulously recording important insights and knowledge in his notebook.

For instance, reflecting on the use of fire elemental energy through Sun's Child's sorcery and the wind elemental bats summoned by Blood Bat's Kiss; how to embed the rare immortal fire element rune into his soul element magic circle; the natural energy pressure waves he felt when trying to seize treasures in the first secret realm; abnormalities with the parasitic wasp larvae when affected by explosive mushroom illusions and life leaf healing...

Three hourglass durations later.

Nidhogg stored the blood he'd collected from Sun's Child in a sealed, low-temperature container and carefully cultivated the explosive mushrooms in another. Estimating the time, Nidhogg instinctively took out two severed branches, waiting for the fleeting thunder pattern that would momentarily flash across their smooth, mirror-like cut surfaces.

For a brief moment, Nidhogg, through soul sensing, felt a faint thread of clarity in the blurred rune imprint within his soul, though it was still elusive.

Over time, Nidhogg had grown accustomed to such slow progress, and he tucked the branches away close to him.

It was time for meditation, but just then, the door to Nidhogg's room thudded with a knock.

"Hm? Who is it?"

Surprised, Nidhogg glanced at the time. It was already late at night; who would knock on his door now? Opening the door, a cold chill greeted him, and his expression changed instantly upon seeing Nina's ominous face glaring directly at him.

"Ra...Nina."

Nidhogg stammered, realizing he was in trouble—he had forgotten about the princess. He was doomed.

Nina locked her gaze onto Nidhogg’s eyes, advancing step by step, forcing him to retreat repeatedly. Nidhogg's face was filled with embarrassment as he tried to say something to divert Nina's attention, but she ignored him, pressing forward relentlessly until Nidhogg found himself backed against the wall, speechless.

Nina finally stopped, glaring at Nidhogg with a fierce look.

"Disappeared again? For more than ten days... Do you know how many times the Bloodsail Alliance tried to contact you through me? Do you know how many times I came to your little room? If your soul link through the crystal ball hadn’t stayed intact, I would’ve thought you were dead!" Nina's icy voice almost froze Nidhogg.

"Uh... it’s not what you think..."

Nidhogg was somewhat afraid of Nina. Part of it was due to past memories on the sea wheel, and another part was a need to show vulnerability to maintain the delicate relationship with someone he cared about.

Nidhogg began recounting the tumultuous events of the past days.

How he got involved in a conflict between the Blacksaw Tower Sorcerer Academy and Sun's Child at the third trial, replaced Sun’s Child in the secret realm, and afterward was detained and interrogated by the sorcerers for ten days...

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As Nidhogg slowly explained, Nina's expression softened, and she asked with concern, "Are you okay now?"

Feeling the genuine care from the person in front of him, Nidhogg felt a warmth in his heart, something he had only felt from Old Nero before. He smiled gently and said, "Didn’t I tell you? Not only am I okay, but I also became the third disciple of Sorcerer Peranos."

With a light swishing sound...

A heartfelt smile appeared on Nina’s face as she bit her lip lightly, lifting her chin to reveal her white neck, looking up at Nidhogg. Her long index finger traced random circles on Nidhogg’s chest, an intimate atmosphere enveloping them.

Nina’s voice dripped with enticement, "So... we should celebrate then?" Her eyes seemed to melt Nidhogg, and her mouth held an enigmatic smile, suggesting something more.

Nidhogg's breathing grew heavy, and he muttered, "Then... let’s celebrate? Mmm..."

Feeling the warmth between their lips and the pressure against his chest, the night slipped away.

...

The next night, the Bloodsail Alliance gathered.

There were now less than two hundred members in the Bloodsail Alliance, and of the fourteen elder figures, only nine remained. However, the once five great kings' one-armed controller king was still alive, maintaining a low profile.

Nidhogg sat silently behind Nina, wearing his pale mask, saying nothing. Beside her, Nidhogg was used to being in the background, supporting her quietly. Yorkris, Yorkliana, and Robin had their own social circles, while Binhan used this opportunity to whisper with Nidhogg, due to his presence.

Nidhogg responded intermittently to Binhan’s words, and Binhan was pleased to go on, eagerly recounting events at the Blacksaw Tower Sorcerer Academy over the past couple of weeks.

The most important event in the academy was the large-scale recruitment of surviving apprentices by the four main sorcerer apprentice inheritance organizations, incorporating them as new blood.

This signified the end of the protection period for Nidhogg’s cohort.

The Bloodsail Alliance, seeking to expand, also aimed to recruit surviving apprentices, leading naturally to conflict. In an open confrontation, veteran apprentices from the four elder organizations easily defeated Armland and other Bloodsail Alliance elders, despite the alliance’s efforts.

It was understandable; some apprentices were decades or centuries old. Even without transforming into sorcerers, they could push their mental power and sorcery to the limits achievable by any sorcerer apprentice. Newcomers like Armland, having only been at the academy for three years, were no match.

The four legacy sorcerer apprentice organizations were the Arid Guild, Great Black Mountain Society, Ivory Hunting Group, and Blacksaw Tower Sixth Division. With the Bloodsail Alliance now vying for inclusion, these were the five major apprentice organizations at Blacksaw Academy.

Another significant event was the top apprentices from these older sorcerer organizations, the four leading figures, declaring that Solum, Yunli, and Bibilionia were now their hunting targets.

The exact reasons were unclear.

However, upon hearing this, Nidhogg speculated if it might relate to the Holy Tower's advancement opportunity, the Demon Hunter Sorcerer qualification occurring in seventeen years.

Unfamiliar with the details due to the lack of a mentor, Nidhogg planned to address this issue and the matter of "live" experimental materials with Peranos during their next meeting.

As for the more advanced microscope, as it had been entrusted to the portly man, he mentioned that it had been arranged with a sorcerer traveling to the Seventh Ring Holy Tower months ago, promising news soon.

Below the stage, Nidhogg pondered under his pale mask as Armland's passionate speech reached its climax on stage: "In conclusion, our Bloodsail Alliance has become the fifth major force among Blacksaw Academy's apprentice sorcerers, a result of our collective effort!"

Roar...

Numerous Bloodsail Alliance apprentices shouted with excitement.

Armland was visibly moved. As the crowd's emotions settled, he continued, "Now, I will announce the promotion of two new alliance elders. If anyone has objections, they may challenge privately, with the victor taking over the elder's position. These individuals are Belle and... Nidhogg!"

Upon hearing his name, Armland raised Belle’s hand high while extending his other hand towards Nidhogg, who sat quietly behind Nina.

Nidhogg was taken aback at being promoted to elder.

Yet neither Armland nor Nina had mentioned this to him, and Nidhogg didn’t relish standing out too much, particularly in front of Nina. He gently touched Nina, and under her questioning gaze, he firmly shook his head.

Smiling, Nina didn’t question further, instead turning with a flick of her brown-black hair and crescent moon earrings and shouted, "Elder Armland, Nidhogg cannot serve as an alliance elder due to certain reasons."

Armland's expression darkened, "Elder Nina, the alliance needs people now more than ever. Nidhogg should assume responsibility proportional to his strength, given the high benefits offered to elders..."

"Enough!" Nina snapped coldly, "I said he won't, and that’s final. Why force him if he cannot?"

The gathering grew tense immediately, and whispers of the Poison-Tongued Queen’s wrath and rants about the venomous beauty began to circulate...

Even Armland couldn't help but smile wryly—why had he antagonized this queen?

Nidhogg also couldn’t help but click his tongue, realizing he had underestimated Nina's temperament. Only in front of him and Yorkris did she act mildly; to others, she was a self-centered, domineering iron lady, a regal yet capricious queen.