Academic gathering with a lich-Chapter 42 - 41 Before the Ceremony

After selecting a few sections that piqued his interest from the paper, the frequently mentioned "City of Wandering" naturally caught Lyle’s attention, so he asked the gentleman for an explanation.

"The City of Wandering, originally called Moon Nafar, is a special city that welcomes all races that abide by its laws—humans, Elves, Other Demons. It is a thriving commercial metropolis. Not long ago, it was the capital of a certain kingdom, but after the fall of the king, the magic-obsessed nobility, fearing the Church’s purge, magically transformed the city, turning Moon Nafar into a moving city. Periodically, it appears in different locations across the continent. No one knows its next destination, which is why it is also known as the City of Wandering."

"For outsiders looking to enter this legendary city, they can only count on luck—that is, only if the city happens to enter their field of vision."

"Does the City of Wandering move without any pattern?"

"The reason why the City of Wandering could withstand the Magic Guide transformation is that the late king, who was a great archmage, scripted its foundation, turning the whole city into his Mage Tower, making the City of Wandering a massive hub of Magic Power. The moving module is powered by this magic node, which is often in an uncontrollable state. The spillage of Magic Power has a significant influence on the moving module, making the movements of the City of Wandering quite random."

"An uncontrollable moving city."

"Some control is manageable. The current City of Wandering is under the governance of the Secret Pivot Council. Those are the noble spellcasters who originally resided in the city; they can remodel and upgrade the city. If necessary, they can energize the city to hasten its next teleportation move."

"Of course, for Andrey, this is not troublesome. Mr. Dean has reached an agreement with the Secret Pivot Council, and we have a dedicated teleportation matrix in the City of Wandering. We can go take a look together—it is a novel experience, different from Andrey. Of course, this comes after your Awakening Ceremony; that is most important."

Lyle folded the newspaper and placed it on the table. "Sir, regarding the Awakening Ceremony, unless there’s something in particular that needs to be cautioned, I believe, as of now, I am ready."

The gentleman’s gloved hand left the teacup, and from above the newspaper, his masked eyes gazed at Lyle.

The gentleman spoke slowly, "Plague Doctor, the Awakening Ceremony, although not heavily promoted in Andrey, is still significant for the individual. I hope that you will think carefully before making decisions in the future."

His voice was hoarse and deep, seemingly to ensure that Lyle would remember his advice. Just as Lyle felt remorse for his impulsiveness and decided to deliberate further,

"But decisiveness is also valuable," Mr. Dean tossed the newspaper aside, sprang up from the soft chair cushion as if on springs, and straightened his hat, "Let’s set off, Plague Doctor. I think the other two are ready as well."

"Didn’t you say, ’Think thrice before acting’?"

"That’s just advice from a senior, the formal process. How to act still depends on the individual. Isn’t your heart also eager to leap?" Mr. Dean cocked his head, the eyeholes of his mask glimmering with light, "I am quite adept at taking others’ advice."

"Yes, let’s set off then." Ensuring the small leather pouch given by the dragon was secure, with all the materials well kept, Lyle followed the gentleman out the door.

He had another goal in mind—to feed the Onion. That promise had been delayed long enough.

The sound of heels clicking on the pavement echoed; only the two of them were strolling down the deserted road, accompanied by Light Bats perched atop the arched columns.

They emitted a glow as if they were mere inanimate objects, but Lyle knew how to awaken them—they were very sensitive to being watched.

As Lyle directed his gaze, a target approached slowly. Lyle extended his left hand, and the Light Bat settled on the back of his hand with implicit understanding.

It was black, quite rare since emitting light is a major ability of Light Bats. Their fur is typically bright white or similar warm hues, but this one resembled an ordinary bat.

"Is there something you need, Mr. Plague Doctor?" a girl’s voice asked, sharper than usual.

"You recognize me?"

"Yes, Mr. Plague Doctor," the adorable creature curtsied, her bat wings unfolding like flower petals, wrapping around her body like that of a lady lifting her skirt, "My name is Grape, and one of my hobbies is reading the news—the Andrey News Report."

"Pleased to meet you, Grape. Could you help me find Onion? He is a Light Bat like yourself. I’m not particularly good at distinguishing among you."

"Of course, sir. Low recognition ability for different species is a common trait among all living beings—unless one has some truly distinctive features."

"Yes, like you, Grape, your black fur is quite beautiful."

"Thank you." Grape chirped delightedly, circling Lyle before settling back on his hand.

"Is there a message that needs to be conveyed? You can tell me directly, and I’ll make sure it gets delivered."

"Actually, I once promised Onion a carrot as a reward." Lyle took out the carrot from his pocket to show Grape, "Can you deliver it to him for me? I will also prepare a suitable reward for you."

The small brain of the Grape looked at the carrot and then turned its gaze towards the mirror piece on the bird’s beak; it stretched out its claw, picked up the carrot, and confirmed that it could bear the weight.

"Of course, Mr. Plague Doctor, I will do this job well, and indeed, I have some wishes that I hope you can help me realize."

"Alright, if I can do it."

"Mr. Plague Doctor, you truly are a special person." Grape hung in front of Lyle’s mask, took another careful look, and then, flapping its wings, flew away.

"Thank you, I’ll make sure to maintain this uniqueness."

...

The Magic Research Society was an early-established club, so their room was on the first floor, quite close to the main entrance, very convenient.

It was also particularly eye-catching, a foggy door by name, and indeed, there was a blurry mist at the entrance, a cloud floating on the wall; and if you were not a club member or an invited guest, behind that foggy door was just a wall.

The mist formed a vortex; at the center was a mirror, a Magic Mirror, a creation of magic.

The gentleman walked up to it.

"Magic Mirror, Magic Mirror, who’s the handsomest in the world?" Mr. Gentleman showed off his sense of humor.

The mirror surface started off hazy but then became clear; intrigued, Lyle peered inside, and he saw................yet another mirror inside it, reflecting his own image.

A cheeky voice came through, "The handsomest in the world is of course your Magic Mirror, uncle. Who looks in the mirror without praising my handsomeness or beauty?"

Mr. Gentleman looked at Lyle, "It always surprises me, last time the answer was ’Raymond, if you don’t agree, go bite him.’"

"Gentleman?" Another voice appeared, and Lyle searched for its source. Suddenly, a crack formed in the previously seamless wall, a shadow peeked through from behind it, and gestured towards the two men, "This way."

The gentleman and Lyle dutifully walked over, "Aren’t you using your regular entrance? Miracle."

The figure known as Miracle glanced around sneakily, and like a thief, pulled the two men into the cavity, and the wall zipped up again as if nothing had happened.

"The main entrance? If we went through there, the law would catch us."

"Why would Mr. Law want to catch you?"

"It’s because of the experiment, I mean, the Awakening Ceremony. His point is that it’s not compliant with the regulations, insisting on shutting it down, so we could only start in secret."

"Unlicensed spellcasting?" Lyle felt a bit worried; unauthorized actions usually didn’t end well.

Miracle looked Lyle up and down, "Do you have a hundred and twenty thousand Oliou? Give me that and I can do it by the book too, I have a proper ceremony spellcasting permit."

"Never mind."

"Miracle, don’t you know that the Plague Doctor has a desire for money? Don’t scare him." Mr. Gentleman then turned to Lyle, "Don’t worry, Miracle is a very mature Spellcaster, he just doesn’t like following rules to the letter, just a little change; trust me, Plague Doctor, it’s harmless to you."

"I hope so."

The three walked down a pitch-dark corridor.

"Is Mr. Law also in the Magic Research Society?"

"Yes, magic is law, and law is also a form of law, isn’t it? Any problem with that?"

"No problem."