A figure accompanied by a gentle green light, like the first bloom of spring, quietly landed in the center of the ruins.
He had flowing silver hair like moonlight, erald green eyes filled with concern for life, and his pointed ears revealed his identity as an Elf.
Philian Dusk, the Life Sage.
His arrival replaced the scorching sll of smoke in the air with a fresh scent of grass, as if they had arrived at the pure land in the center of the Vortex Sea.
anwhile, a precisely crafted Transmission Array flickered beside rk, and from it erged the figure of Porphyry Saiyi, the Law Sage.
His ticulously pressed black uniform, without a single crease, stood in stark contrast to the surrounding chaos. Adjusting the gold-rimd square glasses on his nose, he scanned the scene with a cold gaze, his face showing undisguised disgust.
"rk!"
Porphyry's voice was like an icy rod, striking rk and landing heavily on everyone's heart.
"This putrid Chaos aura... I demand an explanation! Has the dignity of the Academic State been tarnished by your ridiculous negligence?!"
Although he was the last to arrive, his temper was the fiercest.
rk trembled all over, under the mountain-like pressure of Lord Sage, he didn't even dare to raise his head to look at those cold eyes.
The introduction of the Undead was strictly reported and approved, albeit sowhat hastily, but there was no major fault in the procedure.
But now that Chaos' corruption appeared in the Maze, this black mark capable of crushing his entire academic career was sothing he couldn't shake off!
"I...I don't know, Lord Porphyry," he lowered his head in sha, his voice hoarse, "it was...it was my dereliction, but I..."
"I don't want to hear your excuses!" Porphyry coldly interrupted him, "When the Great Sage returns from Brass Pass, I will personally report your negligence to him!"
rk's body trembled once more.
Saint Sis above...
How could a re Master like warrant the Great Sage's attention to my na?!
At this mont, Philian's gentle voice interjected.
"Porphyry, calm down for now. We both know, Chaos' Apostle wouldn't stand blatantly in front of us...he would only watch us make a fool of ourselves from the shadows. Your anger, it's exactly what he wants."
Porphyry's expression stiffened, but he said nothing further, rely pulling out a comb to tidy his wig, ssed up by his anger.
Philian said nothing more to him, just approached a collapsed wall, extending his slender fingers.
A few green vines sprouted from his fingertips, like obedient green snakes slithering forward, then rolled up a pinch of dark red crystal powder from a crack in the stone, bringing it to his face.
Philian slightly furrowed his brows, sniffing lightly, a hint of confusion flickering in his deep eyes.
"...This scent is so familiar."
He murmured to himself softly, as if searching through the long corridors of his mory.
Just as Porphyry was about to mock what Philian's "dog nose" had detected, footsteps echoed from the corridor not far away.
Soon after, to everyone's astonishnt, a tall figure slowly erged from the ruins.
The newcor was Prince Colin. His neat and elegant Magic Robe was surprisingly free of any dust.
A Female Guard, cloaked, silently followed the Prince, carrying the unconscious Lassitina in her arms.
As for Lassitina's two companions, they were carried by Hard and Bain.
Their appearance was indeed quite battered, and even after magical healing, bruises and swelling were still faintly visible on their faces.
However, this was not the point.
"I think Mr. Porphyry's report should perhaps include this as well."
Luo Yan's voice was calm and clear. With a casual wave of his hand, a charred black corpse was thrown onto the ground before the two Sages.
The corpse was curled up, maintaining an expression of extre agony in death.
The deep blue Mage Robe, now unrecognizable, and the face twisted by fear and fire made rk and Porphyry's pupils contract suddenly.
"Arist?!" rk exclaid in disbelief, his knees buckling as he fell to the ground.
The surrounding Apprentices whispered to each other, exchanging shocked looks, seemingly unable to accept that the always amiable Professor Arist would reappear before them in such an inglorious manner.
What exactly happened?!
Could it be...that sothing was wrong?!
Luo Yan's lips curved into a faint, ambiguous smile, his gaze calmly sweeping over the two Sages.
"I've found the 'Black Hand' behind this incident for you."
Porphyry's lips trembled as he extended his right hand towards the charred corpse, releasing the "Eye of Truth."
Magic Power's patterns erged on the corpse, glowing particles floating as if reenacting the battle that had transpired.
"It can't be wrong...I saw traces of combined spellcasting of Chaos and Source Power on him! But...how could this be! Arist? Why?" Porphyry muttered, almost shouting in a loss of control by the end.
He looked up in shock at Colin, then at Philian, as if seeking an answer from his long-lived colleague.
He couldn't understand why Arist would do this, as he had always had a good impression of that amiable and polite middle-aged man!
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