NOVPUB
Chapter 38: 005: Reunion
The first snowfall of Frost Cold Month this year arrived at dusk. Feather-like snowflakes slowly drifted down, crystalline and pure, as if the entire world had begun to slow down in that instant.
Fairy Tavern.
Parker’s tiny head poked out from Lynch’s chest, took a breath of warm air, extended his long neck to snatch a piece of Moonlight Silver Fish from the plate, and quickly shrank back.
Fire Dragon Lizards are also cold-averse creatures. Once winter comes, they grow sluggish and lose their spirit, unwilling to go anywhere other than their warm nests.
Lynch used a fork to pick up an Echo Oyster and put it in his mouth. This thing must have been "eavesdropping" in the restaurant for quite some time before being served; as soon as it entered his mouth, Lynch started hearing all sorts of echoes ringing in his ears.
"The Corrupted Forest is in an awful state; I heard several apprentices died..."
"We truly owe the warrior who dealt with the Black Wizard. If it weren’t for him, our casualties could have been even worse. I probably wouldn’t have made it back either."
"Does anyone know who he is? I’d like to thank this hero personally."
"Don’t think I don’t know what you’re plotting. You’re just hoping to find someone to indulge your whims, aren’t you? You little flirt."
"Haha."
The news about the Corrupted Forest had completely spread out from the Tower. Lately, it was undoubtedly the most talked-about topic across the entire Shadow Land. Not counting the echoes from the oyster, Lynch hadn’t heard fewer than several tables discussing it since he stepped into the Fairy Tavern.
"Seeing you safe is such a relief. We were really worried about you," Subaru said with a deep sigh.
Carl nodded and added, "Yeah, I heard several apprentices died. Even Alice and Yuri didn’t make it back..."
"What?!"
Subaru’s eyes widened. "Yuri’s in trouble too?"
Carl frowned and said, "That’s what I heard. They say he and Alice met misfortune together. Alice even... even got sliced into pieces by that damn Black Wizard..."
"Stop it!"
Subaru’s face twitched, quickly signaling him to stop.
Yuri and Alice were well-known among apprentices. Yuri’s straightforward personality made him popular, while Alice’s pure, charming, and gentle demeanor—her smiles and her conversations—made her the dream goddess of many boys.
Their unfortunate incident had undoubtedly stirred quite a commotion among the apprentices.
After a pause, Subaru continued to ask Lynch, "Lynch, do you know anything? I heard many apprentices who were near the Corrupted Forest were called over for questioning."
Lynch hesitated for a moment, then ultimately shook his head and apologized, "Sorry, the Tower instructed us not to privately discuss anything until this matter is settled."
Carl sighed. "Rules are dead; people are alive. Don’t you see everyone is discussing it now?"
Lynch stubbornly shook his head again.
Truth be told, Lynch knew the Tower’s attempt to control public opinion was merely lip service. Even Leonard hadn’t used definitive language when advising him earlier—words like "suggested" or "try"—and if he spilled the details about the Corrupted Forest now, nothing would likely happen.
Still, avoiding the topic wasn’t so much about the Tower’s rules as it was about using those rules as an excuse to draw boundaries for himself.
Yes, boundaries.
Lynch genuinely appreciated his friendships with these two and hoped they’d continue long into the future. Precisely because of this desire, he needed to set clear boundaries between them—principles to prevent future incidents that might violate them.
As they all advanced down the Wizard’s Road, it was inevitable they’d encounter confidential matters. Without pre-established lines and clear principles, interpersonal boundaries could become muddied. When approached about sensitive or even potentially illicit tasks, should he agree or refuse?
Rather than put everyone in awkward situations later—shattering expectations, hopes, and perhaps even their friendship—it was better to eliminate such possibilities at the outset and maintain their interactions within a fixed framework.
Learning to say no had always been a vital aspect of Lynch’s approach to relationships.
"You stubborn... blockheaded farmer with a dull hoe!"
Subaru burst into laughter, while Carl shook his head exaggeratedly beside him.
This was where being straightforward paid off. If Lynch usually acted carefree and suddenly became rigid now, refusing without offering a solid explanation, their friendship might have hit a dead end.
But Lynch was usually honest and dutiful—a blockheaded farmer with a dull hoe. It wasn’t their first day knowing him, and their ongoing friendship proved they’d accepted him as he was.
Admittedly, Lynch’s personality—simple-minded and even a bit dense—might lower others’ expectations of him, but this had given the transmigrated Lynch a great advantage in establishing principles. It was also why he hadn’t tried hard to overturn these ingrained, biased impressions others held of him.
"Alright, fine, let’s drop it. Then let’s talk about the examination this time. How are you guys feeling? Confident you’ll pass?" Subaru asked in a change of subject.
Carl rolled his eyes dramatically and replied flatly, "What do you think?"
Though their challenges hadn’t threatened their lives like Lynch’s did, neither of their tasks had gone well either. It wasn’t surprising—they hadn’t exactly prepared seriously, so their performance was only what you’d expect from throwing them into the deep end.
Subaru’s task was to catch three Black Teeth Fish from Silent Lake. These demons were notorious for their keen hearing. In the lake’s sound-sensitive environment—where even a breath made noise—Subaru couldn’t even glimpse their shadows.
After camping for several days, not only did he fail to catch any fish, but he also got dragged into the water and beaten by two lake-dwelling monsters. His face still bore signs of bruises...
As for Carl, his task was to gather Fluorescent Moss from the Damp Cavern. While he did return with the required item, he didn’t collect it himself. Instead, he merely picked up an abandoned batch someone had left at the cavern entrance.
He explained that upon reaching the Damp Cavern, he couldn’t even get inside. The entrance was blocked by a Wizard Level magic plant—the Blood Thorns Magic Vine—far beyond his ability to defeat.
Carl fumed, "A Wizard Level Blood Thorns Magic Vine? What kind of idiot came up with that? There’s no way anyone could beat it!"
Lynch was speechless.
Though the Blood Thorns Magic Vine was indeed Wizard Level, it fell into a deep sleep at night. You only needed fire to provoke its natural instincts for retreat, and it would retract its vines automatically.
Subaru’s Black Teeth Fish problem was even simpler. While it was true they had keen hearing, those fish were notoriously fond of alcohol. Take some wine to Silent Lake, or scatter Wine Fragrance Flowers from the vicinity of the lake in the water—the fish would come swarming, get themselves drunk, and float up for you to catch.
Examinations are examinations. The Tower’s primary goal was to assess apprentices’ knowledge and skills, not to deliberately make their lives difficult.
Subaru glanced at Carl and asked, "Do you think... we still have a shot at passing?"
Carl said unconfidently, "Maybe...?"
The examinations were scored out of 100. Task completion accounted for 40 points, regular performance for 20 points, and process and method during the tasks for another 40 points. Theoretically, they still had a chance to pass.
Of course, they both knew it was just theoretical.
Subaru and Carl exchanged a glance and saw a shared sense of dejection written all over each other’s faces.
"Sigh!"
