NOVPUB
Chapter 51: 018: Peasant
To be honest, Lynch never expected to see Al here again. If he had known in advance that Al would attend the welcome party tonight, Lynch would never have come.
Looking at Al in front of him, Lynch felt a bit emotional.
There was no trace of his former peasant self on him anymore. He carried himself with elegance and nobility, every word, expression, and gesture abided by etiquette, so much so that even the most picky etiquette tutor couldn’t find a single fault.
But it wasn’t like Jessica’s innate confidence that conveyed a sense of nobility. His actions were overly precise, as if he were performing mechanically. Although standard, it gave people a very deliberate feeling.
His cloak was meticulously managed, and the three Wisdom Leaves badges symbolizing a High-level Apprentice on his chest were particularly eye-catching.
’High-level Apprentice?’
Upon seeing the badge, Lynch was slightly surprised. Although he always knew that apprentices living in the tower advancing under the guidance of a wizard were faster compared to their wild counterparts, this speed seemed too outrageous.
His gaze lifted, and Lynch met the same gray eyes as his own, but when he saw the other’s gaze, Lynch couldn’t help but pause slightly.
That was because he found that apart from the ordinary feigned politeness, there was a hidden flicker and contraction in the other’s eyes, a look Lynch knew to be present only under certain psychological conditions—that was—
Fear and unease.
’Is he afraid of me? What do I possess that could make him afraid?’
Lynch quickly pondered.
At the same time, Al was also swiftly scrutinizing Lynch, from his attire to his language and gestures, missing not a single expression.
Upon seeing that Lynch remained largely unchanged, still wearing that vague and honest expression that displayed everything on his face, Al’s uneasy heart slightly eased.
Yes, Al was uneasy, and the root of his unease was none other than the Warrior Feather in Lynch’s possession.
Everyone believed the greatest value of the Warrior Feather lay in itself, which wasn’t true. Its real value was the implication behind it, representing the recognition of the seven supreme Judges ruling the Shadow Tower.
This recognition in itself meant nothing, weighted as a mere feather in ordinary hands.
But in the eyes of some insightful individuals, it was a key to the upper echelons!
It could generate topics and attention, thus providing the opportunity to meet high-level figures. If used properly, it could even secure a place in this circle, and if one earned the appreciation of a significant figure, soaring to great heights would be quite possible.
This is exactly why Al came here today; he wanted to see, to see what kind of person Lynch really was.
After all, no one knew better than himself how his current identity and status were attained; he couldn’t bear to see a nemesis who hated him to the core strive to reach his level, posing a threat to him.
Having worked so hard and paid so much to own what he had today, if there was any threat, he must curb it in the cradle!
Hmm?
On the other side, Lynch squinted his eyes slightly.
Oh!
Then quickly opened them wide again.
He had basically guessed the source of Al’s unease, after all, it wasn’t a complicated matter; their grievances were just that small, thinking a bit revealed it was likely the recent issue that had sparked his vigilance.
So, how should he respond?
After quickly pondering, Lynch turned his head and coldly said, "Go away, I don’t want to see you."
Al was once a peasant; he was most familiar with, most scornful of, and most looked down on peasants. Making him realize that he was still straightforward and honest as a peasant was undoubtedly the easiest way to make him drop his guard.
"Wow!"
"Is this guy crazy? How dare he speak to a Tower Inner Apprentice like that!"
If the leap between Outer Ring Apprentice and Inner Ring Apprentice was a change in status, then the difference between Tower Outside Apprentice and Tower Inner Apprentice was like night and day. Seeing Lynch’s blatant disrespect in front of a Netta Apprentice, the surrounding apprentices erupted with chatter.
But soon enough, well-acquainted apprentices began to explain.
"Shh, lower your voice, they used to know each other."
"Really? Isn’t it said he was just a peasant? How could he possibly know a noble Netta Apprentice?"
"It’s a long story..."
Those past events weren’t a secret; they were one of the major topics surrounding Lynch. Especially after his rise, it became widely known among the apprentices. For a time, they were whispering in intrigue.
Lynch’s reaction did not anger Al but rather brought a genuine smile to the corners of his mouth.
Still this foolish, simple... No, he still needed further verification to confirm this.
He leisurely continued, "Look at you, still the same bad habit, which was why the teacher chose me after the assessment at that time."
He then sighed, feigning sincerity, "I truly advise you to change. This isn’t your farm anymore; the Wizard World is not a simple place, and it won’t work if you don’t understand the ways of the world."
"Ah? So that was why he wasn’t chosen by the wizard back then!"
"I knew it, Senior Al is excellent, how could he have done such a despicable thing."
"This peasant, claiming to be honest, is truly deceitful."
Indeed, Al, despite also being a peasant, was far more strategic than ’Lynch.’ With a few provocative words, he managed to focus everyone’s attention on Lynch, filled with suspicion, dislike, and other negative emotions.
Lynch sighed in his heart.
He knew Al was still uneasy about him, continuing to test him. So, despite being unwilling, he could only bite the bullet and continue playing his part.
Thus, he stood up angrily: "You’re lying!"
"At that time, you secretly swapped out my experimental materials, you vile scoundrel!"
His eyes turned red, appearing hysterical: "If it weren’t for you, I should be residing in the tower now, becoming a wizard apprentice, being trained by the wizard; everything you have now was deceitfully taken from me!"
Lynch knew there were no chances of reconciling the conflict between him and Al. If he couldn’t make Al drop his guard today, what awaited him would be countless schemes, and he wouldn’t foolishly sit back and watch Al rise.
The Shadow Tower was, of course, a place of strict rules and order; harming or killing among apprentices was undoubtedly a heinous crime.
But Lynch knew Al too well; he was an extremely radical person, one who could definitely push for "fish dies, net breaks" if truly pressured. Rules might not necessarily hold him back.
With an external device at hand, Lynch only needed to grow strong in peace, with no need to risk his life with Al so soon.
"What an impolite fellow."
"Indeed, how could he say such things? Senior Al achieved today’s success through his own hard work, not seeing the countless efforts the person silently put behind the scenes."
"A peasant remains a peasant, greedy and envious, with a mind full of unearned gains; no wonder he wasn’t chosen by a wizard."
"It’s a pity to have given the Warrior Feather to him."
The voices grew louder, no longer concealed. After all, between a peasant getting lucky once and a High-level Apprentice backed by a wizard, with everyone there being no fool, on whom should they place their trust?
Al’s smile widened.
When first hearing the news that the long-forgotten Lynch had acquired a Warrior Feather, it indeed startled him for quite some time. He couldn’t understand how that clueless fool suddenly emerged.
His biggest fear was that Lynch, like himself, had learned the path to success, knew how to be patient, secretly grow stronger, awaiting the day to seek revenge.
But it seemed he worried too much.
This was just a peasant, foolish and naive, with everything written on his face, merely enjoying a streak of luck this time around.
Al shook his head and sighed, "Seeing you like this truly disappoints me." n𝚘𝚟𝚙𝚞𝚋.𝚌o𝚖
"Apologize! You must apologize to Senior Al!"
"Others have always been considerate for you, yet all you harbor in your heart is resentment and jealousy; how can one live like this!"
"Apologize, apologize!"
The clamoring calls for apology rose like waves one after another, and Lynch suddenly became the target of everyone’s sanction.
Such is the marvel of fate, just a while ago, he was the focal point of tonight, the legend spoken of mouth to mouth. Yet, the halo of heroism hadn’t been enjoyed enough before... Look at him now.
A circle formed around him, as if the world itself was against him!
"Hey, hey, hey! What’s all this racket!"
At this gray moment, a lazy yet somewhat arrogant voice sounded from the door, like a beam of light descending from the sky.
At the door, walked in a young apprentice.
He was also clad in the black standard cloak reserved for Netta Apprentices, but at the cuffs was an intricate pattern embroidered with silver thread, a crest only usable by those from noble wizard families.
Meaning, this was a pureblood from a genuine wizard family!
The young apprentice bulldozed through the crowd, hurriedly reaching Lynch’s side, immediately throwing an arm over his shoulder, standing side by side with him.
Facing the surrounding hostility, he sneered, "Apologize?"
Rudely he declared, "Today I stand here, let’s see who dares to make my brother Graham Scuzzi apologize!"
The crowd went deathly silent, no one dared to utter a sound.
