Chapter 297 - 31: Is It a Level 1 Apprentice’s Job to Stop an Evil God’s Descent?

Chapter 297: Chapter 31: Is It a Level 1 Apprentice’s Job to Stop an Evil God’s Descent?

"Lord Lin Te, that’s the general gist of what happened."

After finishing his report, Mo Ning stood ready for any further orders.

Lin Te was silent for a moment before he couldn’t help but ask, "Stopping an Evil God’s descent is an extremely difficult task. Are you sure there’s nothing you need to add?"

He was almost certain the kid’s statement was missing a crucial detail.

Mo Ning blinked and shook his head. "I’m sure there isn’t."

A muscle in Lin Te’s old face twitched.

’Just using Strong Vibration on the Evil Crystal Diamond stopped the Evil God’s descent? The Evil God just stood by and watched you do it?’

’Yeah, right! What a load of crap!’

Lin Te felt a headache coming on.

This matter involved an Evil God, and the scene was still thick with a palpable evil aura. He had to file a report once the investigation was complete.

The problem was, with the key details missing, how was he supposed to write it?

If he really wrote it the way this kid described, his colleagues would laugh their heads off when they read it!

The Wizard held his tongue, repeatedly chanting to himself, ’I have to be polite,’ and managed to swallow the reprimand he was about to dish out.

The two Third Level Apprentices stood to the side, glancing from their superior to Mo Ning, keenly aware of the subtle tension in the air.

Lord Lin Te, who was known for his short temper, was speaking so politely today. It was a real eye-opener for the two of them.

Lin Te forced a smile, carefully considering his words before asking slowly,

"As the Evil God was about to descend, it must have been suppressed by some powerful external force. If I’m not mistaken, this force involves a secret of some kind, which is why it’s inconvenient for you to mention it, correct?"

He had no other choice. Since the kid wouldn’t talk, he could only take the initiative and guide him with leading questions.

If the key detail truly was a secret, then the report would be much easier to write.

Mo Ning’s eyes showed clear admiration. "Lord Lin Te, your insight is truly remarkable!"

The Time Magic that came with Walking into the Painting was far too shocking. If word got out, even Second Level Wizards would be stunned, so he really didn’t want to talk about it.

He had asked Flower to report to the academy precisely to use Lord Martin’s reputation to ensure that the people sent by the Arbitration Court wouldn’t ask what they shouldn’t.

Lin Te let out a breath and nodded lightly.

As long as the kid nodded, he could write the report.

The look of admiration in the kid’s eyes also made the Wizard feel a little better.

Lin Te remembered something and said in a grave voice, "Those six Filthy Crystals you found are extremely dangerous..."

He had intended to say, ’It would be best to hand them over to the Arbitration Court for processing. We will compensate you accordingly.’ After all, they were rare and valuable items. If he could bring them back, even the Grand Arbiter would praise him.

Mo Ning cut in at the perfect moment, just as Lin Te paused to breathe. "My mentor is the Second Level Wizard Yi Lin. I’ve already contacted her, and she’s very interested in them."

Lin Te froze for a second, then asked instinctively, "The Rose Judge of the Deep Red Rose Laboratory?"

Mo Ning smiled and nodded repeatedly. "Yes, my lord."

Lin Te cursed inwardly, ’How does this kid have so many backers?’ before saying resentfully, "I see."

This Wizard couldn’t afford to offend the Rose Judge either, so he could only regretfully abandon his wishful thinking.

Lin Te glanced at the two young women still busy dealing with the corpses, his expression returning to one of formulaic indifference.

"Mo Ning, your brilliant achievement in destroying the Screaming Goblin Tribe has firmly and effectively prevented the infiltration of evil forces into academy-controlled territory. You have rendered a truly impressive service to the academy.

"I will submit the investigation report within a day. Once it’s reviewed by the Arbitration Court, you will receive your due reward."

At this moment, the Wizard finally realized that the task the Grand Arbiter had given him was, in essence, just a way to hand out a reward to this well-connected kid.

’Is this really what they call an "urgent mission"?’

’Damn nepotism!’

The two Black Robed Arbiters standing nearby were filled with envy as they listened.

Look at the Arbiter’s evaluation: "brilliant achievement," "firmly and effectively," "truly impressive service." Even a fool would know that the reward issued by the Arbitration Court would be drool-worthy.

Mo Ning replied dutifully, "Thank you for your trouble, my lord."

Lin Te was about to leave and conclude this uncomfortable task when a thought suddenly flashed through his mind.

The idea seemed absurd at first, but the more he thought about it, the more he believed it was a brilliant one.

The heel of Lin Te’s already-lifted right foot touched back down on the ground. The coldness in his eyes vanished, replaced by sheer enthusiasm.

He asked with a broad smile,

"Mo Ning, are you interested in joining the Arbitration Court and becoming a pillar of the academy’s fight against evil?"

’A kid with powerful backers is certainly hard to like.’

’But if I pull him over to our side, won’t his backers become the Fourth Arbitration Institute’s backers? Haha! I’m a genius!’

Mo Ning was stunned.

’A First Level Apprentice can join the Arbitration Court? Doesn’t that go against the academy’s rules?’

The two Third Level Apprentices got goosebumps just listening to this.

To think that Lord Lin Te would say something so close to flattery, like "becoming a pillar of the academy’s fight against evil," to a First Level Apprentice—if they hadn’t heard it with their own ears, they would have never believed it.

The First Level Wizard seemed to sense Mo Ning’s confusion and explained with great patience,

"The Arbitration Court has an internal program called ’Sword of Arbitration’ for cultivating outstanding Arbiters."

"Although the program is mainly for Second Level Apprentices, there have been cases of recruiting First Level Apprentices in the past."

"Mo Ning, for you to stop an Evil God’s descent single-handedly is an incredible feat. I have absolute faith that you have the potential to become an outstanding Arbiter."

Lin Te deliberately omitted the fact that the so-called "in the past" referred to a single attempt over a hundred years ago.

Experience had shown that First Level Apprentices were too weak and not suited for service in the Arbitration Court.

He asked with sincerity, "If you’re willing, I will immediately recommend you to the Arbitration Court and have you added to the Sword of Arbitration list."

Mo Ning hesitated for a moment, then decided it wasn’t a bad thing and agreed at once. "My lord, I would be more than happy to serve the Arbitration Court."

’The Arbitration Court is filled with elites,’ he thought. ’Getting a Black Robe wouldn’t be a bad idea. If I ever run into trouble in the future, I could call on a group of powerful enforcers anytime.’

Lin Te laughed, overjoyed. "It seems coming to the Cabin in the Woods today was an incredibly wise decision. It allowed me to scout an exceptionally talented individual for the Fourth Arbitration Institute."

The Wizard had completely forgotten that just a moment ago, he had been thinking only of finishing the mission and leaving this detestable place.

Lin Te immediately followed up with a promise. "Your reward will definitely be issued within half an hour."

From "within a day" to "within half an hour"—the timeline had accelerated at an astonishing rate.

Lin Te even made a point to add, "Mo Ning, not a single bit of your reward will be held back."

The two Third Level Apprentices once again looked on with envy.

As insiders, they knew exactly what that sentence really meant—the reward would be a cut above the standard amount.

Something like that couldn’t be said outright, hence the roundabout hint.