Academic gathering with a lich-Chapter 41 - 40 Andrey News Report

After concluding the transaction, Lyle declined Kevin’s hunting invitation and returned home to start studying the "Anatomy Guide," or rather, the Necromancy Book. It was now morning, and there is much truth in the saying, "A day’s plan is best made in the morning." The sunlight was just right to stream through the east-facing windows, illuminating his desk and saving the need for an oil lamp.

He read aloud the resurrection spell ten times to ensure he had not grown rusty. Lyle then began previewing the next section. Except for the spells being written in Emodian text, the rest was composed in Latin and Greek, making it not too difficult for Lyle to read.

Unsurprisingly, the second page contained the Spirit Possession Ritual Spell, which is the magic spell to imbue a soul. The illustration was quite apt—a wand—showing you how to create one and how to make inanimate objects become spiritual. Also, if you died, you could use this very spell to possess another body, known as soul transference. Of course, whether you could overpower the original owner was another matter. Locals would call this demonic possession, and they would usually call for an exorcist. If the cleanser happened to be a powerful cleric, your soul would be purified to the point where not even dust remained; if the exorcist was powerful, more like a Demon Exorcist, you would be banished to Hell to keep company with real demons. Only if the exorcist was a genuine fraud would you manage to avoid being caught and complete the possession; you would be reborn while he got his reward. Most cases ended perfectly—either you were dealt with, or the original owner was. The high success rate made the exorcism ritual widely believed. If demons exist, how could you not believe in the Holy Light? And so, superstition remained a bond among the people.

The spell was quite similar to the resurrection one, and Lyle could recognize several familiar terms, "Ankano... overflow... split... Dicano... vessel." Ankano, as the annotations explained, meant spirit. But there was a similarly sounding noun, Dicano, which was annotated as the soul of the living and appeared frequently. In the spell, it was an unfortunate victim, destined to be the target of the spell.

As he pronounced the words, Lyle could feel his own magic becoming restless but the effects were intermittent due to the incomplete incantation, preventing him from casting it. Lyle also noticed that a mispronunciation during his practice, reading Ankano as Dicano, had inadvertently directed his powers onto himself. Would I hit myself? If he mispronounced the spell in the future, he might end up possessing himself.

The Emodian text was not just a set of nouns for use in spells—it was a language with its own grammar; a complete language endowed with mystical powers, akin to speech magic. Lyle spent the entire day immersed in studying this language.

He noted that the Emodian lexicon was quite grim and gloomy, laden with a maliciousness most beings would find repulsive. Yet its power filled it with allure. When the White Moon reached its zenith, Lyle could no longer take advantage of the sunlight. He fetched some cold water to splash on his increasingly weary face, pressing the Jingming acupoints at the sides of his nose and near the corners of his eyes to relieve fatigue.

Glancing at his reflection in the water, illuminated by the moonlight, Lyle wondered, Have I grown paler?

Without dwelling on it, he pulled a carrot from the pantry and pressed the Andrei Ring.

The opulent Bloody Rose Bar was as usual—aside from the few patrons, a gentleman sat comfortably in his chair, twirling the handle of his teacup as he read a newspaper spread before him. He had been in this pose for a while, the cup remaining unmoved, perhaps out of habit.

"Alianna is rehearsing music, and Mr. Dragon had to leave for some business. If the Plague Doctor is looking for them, that would be quite unfortunate."

"Having the gentleman here is enough for me. What are you reading?"

"The Andrei News, it’s a newspaper, a publication that focuses on current events with great immediacy. It’s published by Mr. Journalist and has a sizable readership. Care to have a look with me, Plague Doctor?" The gentleman produced another roll of paper.

"Certainly." Lyle was filled with curiosity about the medieval newspaper.

The largest section was dedicated to the Dean’s speech at the new student induction, complete with an illustration of the Dean standing at the podium. Frankly, it was quite dull, and the text merely transcribed his speech—a piece likely only the Dean himself would appreciate.

Mr. Journalist must have been aware of this and thus surrounded the main section with many smaller columns about little anecdotes from Welcome Day.

There was a ranking of the top ten best disguises at the Welcome Day festival, complete with illustrations. The winner, earning a gold medal, was the Iron Maiden, Eliane.

A list of the ten worst songs performed at the welcome event, with a Norwegian Requiem from the northern regions claiming the top spot due to its drumbeats being too loud and disruptive for conversation.

Plus, there was a guessing game about which enchantment the Dean used to beat Raymond. Only one percent guessed correctly with "Deep Sea Pressure," winning thirty-two Olious. Another statistic suggested that sixty percent guessed it was a fusion of more than five enchantments and bet significant amounts of money as if betting more increased Raymond’s chances of taking a beating.

Incidentally, Lyle also discovered a dedicated column about himself titled "Holy Light’s Sacrifice, the New Plague Doctor." It featured an illustration from the club recruitment event—everyone else fallen, and only he still standing—portraying Lyle as handsome and distinguished, a crane among chickens, the only one able to stand. It appears Mr. Journalist did not forget his professional duties even as he was furtively making an escape.

The article was edited by Mr. Journalist, who painted Lyle as an unbowed warrior, valorizing him further with each word, nearly elevating him to martyrdom. The reception seemed quite positive.

The last sentence mentioned that Lyle had a narrow escape in the Cup of Extravagance, giving the Cup of Extravagance a bit of publicity.

With that, the first section was mostly concluded.

The second section featured various updates from the societies.

The third successor of the Dead Star lineage has been confirmed.

The first newcomer of the Witch Council, Lady Derry.

The sole survivor of the Holy Light, Miss Eliane.

The 158th society battered by the Holy Light, the Witch Council.

And so on.

The third section covered external current affairs.

The third Undead Academy destroyed by the Holy Light, Galberg.

The curse on the Holy Light by the Agony Witch of Cinderella just before her death.

The Secret Council of the City of Wandering announced the addition of a new mobile magic array, coupled with the newly engraved Sea-Avoidance Magic Spell, making underwater journeys no longer just a dream.

The Diamond King • Mephisto • The Fifth recently purchased a new property in the high-tech district of the City of Wandering.

The eldest son of the Grand Duchess Panfrey of Demons started his coming-of-age ceremony at the City of Wandering’s arena.

An Elven Druid in the City of Wandering established an environmental protection association to protest against the land degradation and deforestation caused by the City of Wandering.

Lady Beatrice announced that the 132nd stone sculpture auction will be held at her Bloody Rose Bar, an opportunity not to be missed.

Members of the Elders Council jointly submitted 1,383 accusations against Andrei Academy to the Supreme Elder. The meeting will commence in seven days. The Principal of Andrei Academy, Andrey, retorted strongly, stating he will enlist a professional team to defeat the unfounded charges against his school, as justice will prevail.

Twilight Memories welcomed new members to join.

The last section featured various commissions and advertisements from the societies.

Such a rich content in the Andrei News indeed.