NOVPUBYela shook her head, really thinking that Ian, an apprentice, would be of no help.
Besides, now that she hadoled down, she realized that the thief was very clever, directly stealing an Elementum Ore from heavy protection without triggering any reaction.
Not to mention the ability to quickly take it away inexplicably since the Dreamsharduldn't be stored inside a Mana ring.
So, she basicallyncluded that she might have been targeted all along.
From all the clues, it seemed the thief was incredibly prepared beforehand. The moment she was distracted, the Dreamshard disappeared from her base.
'I was careless.'
Yela blamed herself a little.
Poor her—she didn't know the sophisticated and clever thief she imagined was right next to her, yawning lazily out of boredom on Ian's shoulder.
There was no plan or someone tailing her at all.
"That's truly unfortunate. So, what's your plan then? Do you want to inform the Mystic Circle? They might help."
Ian suggested after Yela rejected his offer.
He wasn't bothered by her disregard for his help, as even if she asked, it wasn't like he was going to capture himself, right?
That Dreamshard was now basically his. There was no way it would leave from his hand now.
Although, he was a little sorry for stealing something from her, that was just a little. Maybe he would help her for this in the future, but that was for the future him to decide.
"No, the Mystic Circle won't care. Besides, it was my own separate mission."
Yela shook her head at Ian's suggestion andntinued,
"But since there's suspicion of wandering wizards around, let's not stay here anymore. Although that person seems to have disappeared, who knows what other plans they might have."
Wandering wizards weren't rare on the Calvora Continent. After all, in any world, there were always people who loved freedom and didn't want to be bound by any organization.
And among them were also those whouldn't be accepted by any organization due to various reasons.
So, they were like rogue cultivators, thirsty for resources. Yela was afraid they might get attacked by a group if they delayed any further.
'They stole my item with such precision. It's better to leave.'
Yela thought and looked at Ron, who was silently standing a little far off, listening to their chatter.
"Wizard Ron, let's gather the apprentices. Tell them it's an emergency, and we're leaving ASAP. I'll gommand Hugo to speed things up. Let's leave in half an hour."
"As for the Silver Gull, leave it as it is. I've alreadyntacted someone. They'll take care of it."
Yela then ordered solemnly.
"Oh, and don't forget to remind that guy Zane too. He might flip out if you neglect him."
Feeling that Ron might be targeted by Zane after all that had happened, she reminded him, as Zane had been the one hellbent on leaving as early as possible before.
If they forgot to remind him now, who knew if he would directly smash Ron in anger? It was possible with his temper.
"Yes, Wizard Yela. No problem."
Ron nodded slightly at her suggestion and immediately went towards the apprentices, who looked like headless flies searching around. He also ordered the ship crew to hurry, as they didn't have much time.
"You guysme with him too. I'll go and make some preparations to leave."
Yela then said to Ian, Lyra, and Aurora before leaving the field after seeing them nod at her.
"Wandering wizard? Are they stronger than me?"
After Yela disappeared from their vision, Ignysyl finally opened his beak and barked in disdain.
He didn't like Yelamparing him with some wandering wizard one bit.
What wandering wizards and nonsense? He was a dragon, okay? And besides, her so-called protection and array—he didn't even look at them when taking the Dreamshard.
It was as if he had just picked it up from the ground. Simple as that.
In his vision, the treasures belonged to those who were capable, and he was capable enough. Whymplain now?
"Okay, it's better if she thinks that way. Next time, don't just steal something randomly. Although you have the ability, we aren't strong enough yet."
Ian didn't argue or anything but just reminded Ignysyl, as today's events let him understand what it meant to have abilities but not the strength to guard them.
Fortunately, Yela was just a First Ring Wizard this time. If Ignysyl did the same thing in the Mystic Circle, then that would be very bad.
"Yeah, I know. I'll be careful."
Ignysyl also nodded understandingly and took his advice seriously. After all, wasn't using a raven form right now a sign of his weakness? He also knew proportion.
"But... just wait for me to bme an adult, and then we won't have to worry about such things."
However, who was he? Howuld he let his pride down so easily? So, he immediately lifted his proud head and spoke withnviction.
Although his words were loud, there was some truth to them. So, Ian didn't dampen his enthusiasm.
Instead, he looked at Lyra and Aurora, who were curiously watching their interaction, and said,
"Let's go too. It's time to leave this place."
Heuld already see Ron gathering all the apprentices in an orderly fashion, ready for departure. And from afar, heuld also see Zane's lone figure in a wizard robe with a staff in his hand.
For some reason, he didn't seem to want tome near Ian's location.
'Heh, how long can you hide?'
Ian smirked a little at his behavior and didn't pay much attention.
Instead, he swiftly arrived near Ron, who was busy talking with Torren and Varn.
As he came closer, heuld already hear theirnversation clearly.
"Did you empty the ship like I said?"
"Yeah, Sir Wizard. Everything has been emptied as you said."
Captain Torren nodded in acknowledgment while imperceptibly glancing at Ian, who was near.
"Good! Like I said, all the stuff youllected will be given to your crew. And as agreed, I will also help you two get enough Purification Potions in the City of Runeshire."
Ron nodded in satisfaction and promised the reward they had discussed before, causing both Torren and Varn's faces to visibly brighten.
Purification Potions, as the name suggests, were an intermediate potion—a magical elixir used to cleanse the body, mind, or soul of impurities, curses, poisons, orrruption.
Since their power came from the experiments of a wizard, they, ofurse, weren't devoid of issues that came with it.
Although there were myriad methods to get rid of such side effects, Purification Potions were the best and the only method Varn and Torren knew of thatuld permanently remove their problems.
Howuld they not be excited?
"But... just remember what I said to you two before. There should be no mistakes in your mission. Otherwise, you know what can happen, right?"
After seeing them get excited, Ron warned them solemnly, using the classic stick-and-carrot approach.
"Yes, Sir Wizard!"
Hearing the threat at last, Varn and Torren once again glanced at Ian from therner of their eyes, feeling extremely bitter inside.
They didn't know what was wrong with this weird guy, somehow he directlyntrolled them with the help of this Wizard.
And from what they saw on the ship during this journey, Wizard Ron also seemed to be under him.
'This guy is dangerous!'
Just when they were thinking like this, suddenly, Torren and Varn felt their vision darken.
No, it wasn't that their vision darkened, but the sky wasvered by something inexplicable, causing the sun to be obscured and the light to dim.
"Woah! L-Look, what is that?" someone from the apprentice group suddenly stammered, pointing toward the sky in shock.
