Accept the commission
Entrust?
Ximu and Molina looked at each other, then at Ruixia, who was in charge of the negotiations. Ruixia remained silent, and it was impossible for her to agree casually, so she could only continue to probe.
"...What kind of request is it?"
"Ahem, it's not that difficult."
The old man coughed deliberately twice, holding his hands, his eyes glancing to the other side of the road. "I left in such a hurry that I forgot to take a lot of my research materials with me... But if I leave them here, it'll benefit others, but I'm afraid that if the academy falls, my life's work will be wasted."
He was sighing and making faces there, and Ruixia, who had the highest emotional intelligence in the team, quickly understood his hints.
"You mean, you want us to help you get the information out?"
"Exactly."
The old man twirled his beard, looking proud that "this child is teachable."
"But didn't you just say that the academy is closed? How are we going to get in then?"
Molina, who habitually hid behind Ximu, poked her head out from behind her and asked this very crucial question.
"I have my own way. As long as you do me a favor, hmm..." The old magician looked them up and down, and finally fixed his gaze on Ruixia. "How about this, after the matter is completed, I will give you a production blueprint of the magic weapon. It is definitely the most advanced technology today. How about it?"
Ruixia's face showed nothing, she just smiled politely.
"Thank you for your kindness, Senior. I'm young and not well-trained, so I'm afraid I can't use it..."
"Why."
The old man interrupted him, looked at him sideways, and his face was full of the words "Don't try this on me"
"If you don't need it, you can sell it for money. For a fledgling adventurer like you, that's a huge sum of money. Besides..."
He turned his eyes and glanced at the lake not far away, and his tone revealed a cold tone that was unclear whether it was praise or threat.
"It's good for young people to be humble... but don't treat old people like fools. Although I don't know much about mechanical engineering, your level is enough to earn you a place in the mechanical corps in the royal capital."
Ximu followed his gaze, and although she didn't show it on her face, she was still a little surprised in her heart.
Just as the old man spoke, before anyone appeared, Ruixia had already ordered the group of mechanical beasts following them to dive into the water and hide their whereabouts - the old man was able to detect the backup plan they left at such a distance, which showed some skill.
"Remuneration is secondary. Since you're so willing to open our eyes, such a magnificent academy is definitely worth a visit."
Now that things have come to this, if Ruixia refuses any further, it will seem very ignorant.
He lowered his head in a submissive manner, and took the opportunity to exchange glances with Ximu and Molina behind him, indicating that everyone should take one step at a time and see what he is capable of.
The old man nodded with satisfaction, turned around and motioned them to follow, then waved his staff and lit up a row of street lamps on both sides of the road.
"See? That's the back door of the academy."
After a short while, a pair of iron doors, much smaller than the main gate, appeared before everyone. A strict sealing array was also visible on it, identical to the one Ximu and the others had seen at the gate before.
However, before he could get close, the old man suddenly turned on his heel and walked to the side.
“You are…”
"Didn't I tell you all? The entire magic academy is under martial law. How could I possibly break the Dean's seal?"
As if thinking that Ruixia asked a stupid question, the old magician rolled his eyes at him and led them through the bushes with a grunt.
Soon, they circled to the side of the back door. The rock wall there had clearly been carved out by humans, and a huge waterwheel was placed there, driven by an unknown force, but it was turning slowly and methodically.
"This is the academy's supply delivery point. All kinds of food and daily necessities basically enter the academy from here."
The old man raised his hand and pointed at the waterwheel.
The design of this waterwheel is also different from ordinary ones. No matter how it turns, the shelf on it that can accommodate several people always remains horizontal, and it really seems to be specially designed for transporting goods.
"Once you're inside, climb up the waterwheel and proceed through the platform over there... Since you're adventurers, you should have some skills, right? Go in quietly and change into the uniforms of the support staff, and no one will question you."
After saying this, he casually raised his hand and waved it, and several well-bound sheepskin scrolls appeared out of thin air and fell neatly into his hands.
"This is the topographic map from the supply area to the dormitory building. Once you complete your mission, come out. Don't wander around or make any noise. Got it?"
The old man came close to them, his eyes sharp as a torch, and gave them careful instructions.
"What's left is a list of materials and some simple defenses within the academy... After all, this is wartime, and some warning equipment may have been activated. After all, you've made this trip for me, and I can't let you get into danger for nothing."
"Then...how do we get inside the seal?" Ruixia asked.
This is the most important part. If you can't do this, everything before is just empty talk.
The old man did not answer him directly. After fiddling with something in his arms for a while, he slowly took out a strange key from his robe.
This key obviously does not resemble a real object. Upon closer inspection, you will find that it is made up of countless spells and runes. Although the light is not grand, the energy it contains is quite amazing.
"This is the 'spare' key to the academy, entrusted to me by the dean himself."
Facing the somewhat astonished looks of the three people, he waved his hands, as if he didn't think it was a big deal.
"What are you looking at? Do you think I'm some hidden master? Don't be silly—he gave me this because I'm the head of the logistics department of this academy. Do you understand?"
Ximu blinked, looked at the waterwheel that was still running, and immediately reacted.
I see.
Even if the college is closed, the teachers and students who choose to stay in the college still have to live a normal life. Therefore, the dean gave some privileges to the logistics department. In case the war lasts too long and the reserves are tight, at least some supplies can be transported in urgently so that the teachers and students who stay behind will not be too hard-pressed during the closure of the school.
"But since you have the key, why don't you go back and get it yourself?"
This is also a problem that is easy to detect.
Ximu keenly noticed that the moment he heard Ruixia's question, there seemed to be a flash of fear in the old man's eyes.
"I finally managed to escape, why would I go back?!"
As soon as he said this, the old magician probably felt that something was wrong, so he coughed twice and tried to make amends for himself.
"Ahem... In principle, if the person in charge leaves the academy, the spare key must be returned to the dean. But Master Phises has been in seclusion since that argument, and I left in a hurry. By the time I realized what was happening, the seal had already been activated. Now I can't explain it.
"If I go in from outside with the key now, wouldn't it be obvious to others that I'm neglecting my duties?"
This reason is somewhat untenable.
Forgetting to hand in the spare key is indeed a dereliction of duty...but if he entrusts these strangers to enter the college and they are discovered and asked for the key, and he has to provide it himself, wouldn't the situation be even worse?
At least in Ximu's opinion, the little compensation he gave was not enough to make them keep their mouths shut.
But seeing Ruixia lowering her head and pondering, it was obvious that she had other plans, Ximu did not say anything more at this time.
The black-haired youth didn't agree for a long time, and the old man was a little hesitant. After thinking about it, he added, "How about this, if you can really bring out my information successfully, in addition to the agreed-upon drawings, I will also tell you the location of the mine. How about that?"
"A mine?"
"Yes, there's a mine beneath the academy, rich in all kinds of magic crystals. Whether you want to make magical tools, mechanical tools, or simply research them, you won't lose money! - Of course, I'll only tell you the location. As for whether you can get in and how much ore you can get, that depends on your own ability.
"What do you think? Are you going or not? Give me a definite answer!"
"good."
Ruixia raised her head, an expression that showed she was finally persuaded: "After the mission is completed, please keep your promise."
"Of course. I'm not a big shot, but I wouldn't deceive a bunch of kids like you."
After receiving a definite response, the old man was visibly delighted. He pushed the floating scroll and key toward Ruixia, clearly considering him the leader of the team.
The latter put the rest of the things into the backpack, holding only the key in his hand.
The old man gave him a look of slight approval, then raised his staff and lightly tapped a spot not far from the shore. Not long after, a simple magic circle unfolded there, somewhat similar to the previous sealing circle, with only some reversals and changes in the details.
"there."
Following the old man's reminder, Ruixia took a few steps forward and threw the key to a place on the magic circle where the spell was obviously opening.
As if it had eyes, the key turned into a stream of light the moment it merged into the magic circle, quickly running through every line and lighting up every corner of the magic circle.
The next moment, a silent sense of shattering passed through Ximu's mind.
She looked up, and although the scenery before her looked no different from before, she knew that a gap large enough for a boat to pass through had appeared in the originally tight and seamless barrier.
"Then let's go."
He did not forget to say hello before leaving, but before the old man could respond, three mechanical beasts suddenly emerged from the calm surface of the lake and waited by the lake with a clattering sound. They were huge in size and moved skillfully.
By then, the gap had gradually healed, and the young men seized the opportunity to skillfully climb onto the toad's back. Except for Ximu, who walked forward without looking back, Ruixia and Moliina expressed their courtesy to the elders with nods and waves before setting off.
Glancing at the lake that was gradually returning to calm, the old man twirled his beard, looked at their departing backs, and suddenly chuckled.
"They're quite well prepared...Young people these days are truly formidable."
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