Chapter 264 - 22: Super Magic Spell Slots, Launching Another Satellite

Chapter 264: Chapter 22: Super Magic Spell Slots, Launching Another Satellite

The white bread only *looked* white; its texture was hardly an improvement over black bread. A single bite delivered nothing but a faint, sour taste to his taste buds.

The roasted trotter had a slightly better presentation, grilled to a golden brown and glistening with grease. But a gamey smell still lingered, and the spices were completely disjointed from the meat—enough to make one frown.

The only thing that was halfway decent was the Carrot Soup.

Carrot was a type of tuber with bluish-green skin and pale yellow flesh. Its texture was similar to yam, and this soup had it cooked with chunks of fish and meat. The only drawback was that it was a tad too salty.

Mo Ning soaked the bread in the soup for a few seconds before putting it in his mouth. He suddenly found himself missing his two charming and lovely teammates.

As he swallowed the bread, the two girls’ signature dishes popped into his mind—Anya’s was a red cherry-apple and egg-meat pie, while Reina’s was Black Mountain stewed mutton.

He especially missed the former. The apple puree, bread, meat, and egg blended together perfectly, the top garnished with two beautiful red cherries. The taste of a single bite was simply divine.

Just then.

HUMMM—

His Secret Technique Whisper suddenly vibrated.

As if their minds were truly in sync, a message from Anya arrived.

"Incredible Mr. Mo Ning, I’m holding a red cherry-apple and egg-meat pie, and Reina is carrying a pot of Black Mountain stewed mutton. Aren’t you going to invite us to your apartment in the Apprentice dormitory area to come have a look?"

Mo Ning froze for a second before a wide smile spread across his face.

He quickly replied, "You’re very welcome!"

Since they were officially registered teammates, the Witch Spirit approved the invitation almost the instant he sent it.

Anya and Reina have been granted temporary access to Dormitory Area 43. This permission is valid for 12 hours. You may apply again in three days.

Mo Ning frowned slightly.

’I have to wait three days?’

Anyone else would have silently accepted it and obediently waited for three days. But he refused.

Without hesitation, he filed an appeal:

"Anya and Reina are my research assistants. They have already assisted me in completing three innovative and insightful research projects, and their names can be found on the assistant lists in the papers submitted to the council.

"In light of this, and to improve research efficiency, I am applying to grant my two assistants a higher level of access, allowing them to enter Dormitory Area 43 on a daily basis."

A hint of dissatisfaction surfaced in his mind. ’All I want is to improve my diet. Why can’t I eat a little better?’

The Witch Spirit was silent for two seconds, as if noiselessly deliberating.

Ultimately, the formless administrator made a concession:

Application approved. Effective immediately, Anya and Reina will receive special authorization to enter Dormitory Area 43 daily. The maximum duration for a single stay is 12 hours.

His wish granted, Mo Ning beamed and said, "Thank you, Mr. Witch Spirit!"

The Witch Spirit did not respond.

That was its style. It never responded to meaningless words—a command rooted in the deepest level of its logic: conserve energy.

Less than ten seconds had passed.

KNOCK—KNOCK—

The main door was being knocked on. The two girls had arrived together.

Normally, the two of them should have appeared at the teleportation point entrance, and it would have taken at least three or four minutes to walk to the apartment door. They shouldn’t have arrived so quickly.

Perhaps to avoid drawing attention, or maybe for some other reason, the Witch Spirit had delivered them right to his door.

Mo Ning quickly opened the door and was immediately greeted by two lovely faces filled with amazement.

The dreamlike scenery within the valley had clearly left them stunned.

"Good morning, Mo Ning!"

"Good morning, Mr. Mo Ning!"

The greetings, one gentle and the other cheerful, were like fuel, making the smile on Mo Ning’s face burn even brighter.

Although they hadn’t seen each other for just one day, he felt a particular fondness upon seeing his two teammates now.

The Dazed Girl, with her artless personality, let out a "Wow!" "Mr. Mo Ning, your place is so beautiful! I wish I could be assigned to Dormitory Area 43, too."

Anya nodded along beside her, clearly sharing the sentiment.

According to the academy’s rules, dormitory areas for new Apprentices were assigned randomly, so it was common for members of the same team to be split up.

Of course, teammates could grant each other access via invitations; it was just a bit of a hassle.

Alternatively, the team could gather in the public areas.

Given the huge number of First Level Apprentices, the academy had opened more than two hundred "maps" for them to use, providing a vast selection of available areas.

Mo Ning smiled and proposed a plan. "When you two are promoted to Apprentice, I’ll try to submit an application on behalf of the team. You might be able to get assigned here as well."

Anya paused, her voice laced with pleasant surprise. "Really?"

Mo Ning smiled and gave a conservative estimate. "Of course! The chance of success is at least seventy percent."

He actually had a theory in mind. ’The title ’Black Tower New Star’ most likely comes with many hidden privileges at the academy.’

’Things that are impossible for a regular Apprentice are probably trivial for a Black Tower New Star.’

’Take Anya and Reina’s access rights, for example.’

’Did the Witch Spirit not know they were only doing odd jobs for the research project? Of course it knew.’

’The Witch Spirit had every reason to reject a request concerning such menial work, which anyone could have done.’

’But it still granted his request.’

"Come on in!"

Mo Ning said with a smile, extending the invitation.

The two girls took a tour of the apartment, letting out another series of gasps. Envy was written all over their lovely faces.

As the Dazed Girl put it, "If I could live in an apartment like this, I’d be happy to sleep on the balcony every day."

Mo Ning, meanwhile, was finally tasting the red cherry-apple and egg-meat pie he had been missing for several days. With a single bite, his taste buds were hit by a complex, delicious assault of flavors.

Reina stood nearby, eagerly offering him a bowl of mutton soup. "Mr. Mo Ning, I’ll come bring you lunch tomorrow!"

Her words carried a clear subtext: breakfast was Miss Anya’s "territory."

Mo Ning took a sip of the mutton soup and said contentedly, "I have a new research project. I’ll assign you your tasks in a bit."

’Now that I’ve successfully brought my personal cooks over, I have to at least look the part.’ℯ