Academic gathering with a lich-Chapter 712 - 656: Newcomer Xiaobai +2

Luke and Aidan were Druid apprentices, and their mentor was Doludo Moonhaze, the youngest Great Druid in the Senate and one of the gentlest elders among the Dream Elves. Doludo had so many students that organizing daily, quality, and quantity teaching for each apprentice became a challenge. 𝒻𝑟𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝑛𝘰𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮

Luke and Aidan were among the earliest batch of apprentices to follow Doludo. They were diligent in their studies and focused in their research, and soon they received the opportunity to delve deep into the Emerald Dream from the Great Druid. Today, they were to report to a special Druid den, to assist a prestigious Dream Druid. The Dream Elf apprentices, who lacked a concept of time, also knew how precious this opportunity was. Each Dream Druid den was usually fully utilized by their kin, and underneath each Iragen sprawled a sleeper’s dream. If they were late, Teacher Doludo said, the next arrangement would be a year later.

"Over this way, Aidan, this is a shortcut!" Luke shouted to his panting companion.

"This path is wrong, Luke, it’s too close to the Black Thorns Forest." Aidan looked around worriedly, like a little thief up to no good, "Can’t we take the main road?"

"And then compete in a race against more than twenty companions? Eloane already lost three chances, and he swore two days ago that he would not miss this one by any means. All I know is if we don’t find another way, we might as well turn back home right now." Luke had already entered the narrow path, with a few blue roses dotting the Black Thorns around him. His stride was smooth and continuous, clearly not as calm as he appeared.

"You’ll bother that person," Aidan murmured a complaint while following behind his companion, "If this gets known by the teacher or even the Senate, we’re definitely done for."

"You’re scared of punishment and yet you follow?" Luke couldn’t stand his companion’s timidity, complaining as usual.

"I’m following so that if there is punishment, it wouldn’t just be you alone, which is a little better," Aidan said with an embarrassed smile.

"I’ll never understand you. Just stay close and don’t get us exposed."

The Black Forest seemed to breathe, exhaling cold from atop the trees and bare roots. With no sound of birds or insects, there was only the chilling rustle from deep within the thorns, as though something lurked in the shadows. Luke and Aidan treaded softly and lightly, their heels barely touching the ground, their toes touching like dragonflies skimming water, the agility of their elf bodies allowing them to move quickly undetected.

Not far away, a sprout of tender green vine hung like a banner, marking the end of this adventurous shortcut and signifying departure from the Black Thorns. Seeing a hint of green amidst the freezing color scheme was undoubtedly uplifting, but just as that excitement started, they heard a voice from behind them.

"Stop right there, you two!" Luke stumbled, while Aidan was frightened enough to fall to the ground. The silence around them was so profound that they could clearly tell the voice came from deep within the Black Thorns.

The faces of the two Druid apprentices now completely blended with the thorns around them, as they worriedly stood in place, watching a path open up from the thorns, and Claudia stepped out, dressed in hunting attire with her boots.

Seeing no towering figure over two meters tall gave them both a sigh of relief, then they turned their curious gaze towards the elegantly dressed girl.

"Luke, she’s Claudia, Teacher Doludo mentioned her. Remember? Hair like spring and eyes like winter. She’s... that dragon."

Claudia raised an eyebrow, "I can hear, and I quite like that assessment, so I won’t mind your whispering rudeness. You two, what are you doing here? Are you looking for Susanna or Irason? Surely it’s not for him, right?"

Luke heard a clear clicking of tongues, he took a deep breath, trying to maintain an elf’s poise. "I am Luke, and this is Aidan. We’re apprentices of Elder Druid Doludo, and our presence in the Holy Land of Black Thorns is solely to save time using a shortcut. We wished to observe elder’s work in the Dream Druid den today. If we caused any disturbance, our sincerest apologies, Dragon of the Dreamland."

"Doludo’s apprentices?" Claudia’s expression softened a bit; she remembered Doludo, her on-the-clock mentor. After hearing Luke’s explanation, an idea occurred to Claudia.

"Luke and Aidan, is it? If you’re interested in the work of the Dream Druids, why don’t you come with us? Susanna’s den is not far from here, and it just so happens that my friend is unexpectedly unavailable, and I could use some helpers. Don’t worry, it’s not a difficult task. You guys can slack off; I’ve got enough output."

The two Dream Elves didn’t quite understand some of Claudia’s vernacular, but they got the gist. They seemed to have been invited to Susanna’s den, the territory of Susanna, the most powerful and authoritative Dream Druid. This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Aidan patted Luke’s shoulder without saying a word, his gaze strange.

"Really? That’s great." Luke hooked Aidan’s neck, dragging him along into the Black Thorns Bush, "Druid Teacher often mentions Lord Claudia to us too."

Aidan did not resist any further, just like Luke reminded him, Druid Teacher had hoped his students would get along harmoniously with Claudia, and he felt some concern for the lonely Emerald Young Dragon.

Claudia nodded in approval, "Trust me, you won’t regret this trip."

"Lord Claudia, what is Lady Susanna’s dream realm like, and what kind of preparations do we need?"

"What is it like..." Claudia pondered for a moment, "it’s like another world, another life."

"As for preparations, there’s not much to prepare; there will be a beginner’s tutorial to guide you."

Claudia’s vague explanation, which amounted to saying nothing, left both of them puzzled and secretive. As they entered the depth of Susanna’s secluded grotto, their unease piled up with each step, and they began to regret their initial decision. But upon seeing Susanna herself standing there, they swallowed back their regrets.

In Susanna’s area, the number of people was very few, and the numerous Iragen hung from the ceiling like crystal lamps, sparkling with envy-inducing brilliance. The two little fellows bowed their heads and followed the instructions, and during this process, they were surprised to find that everything in the cave seemed to be dominated by a human named Lyle.

At this moment, he was bickering with the noble Lady Susanna.

"Are you not going to use your Sleep Spell on them?"

"They’re obedient; it’s not necessary."

"What about what I encountered before?"

"That was my special care, little brother Lyle."

Just as consciousness completely sank into the dreamland, Luke mustered the courage to ask for help.

"Excuse me, sir, is there anything we should be aware of in the dream realm?"

Lyle was taken aback for a moment, then nodded.

"There is, but it’s just my personal suggestion."

"Remember to choose a proper name."

"Make sure your character model is personal."