Travel preparation
What's the meaning?
If this ring is repaired, can it regain its original function as a prop?
But that's impossible. A disposable magic item will become invalid after use, and even if it is restored, its previous function cannot be restored.
Besides, what if all this was just their overthinking, and the ring was just a ring? Wouldn't that be a waste of time and energy...
The words of dissuasion were on the tip of his tongue, but seeing Ruixia's enthusiastic look, Ximu paused and swallowed the words back.
never mind.
Let him do what he wants, just think of it as enriching the supply library.
Anyway, all the people in the academy were trapped here. If Millianna could still communicate like Sorens, they might be able to get more information from her with the letter of introduction and the ring.
Ruixia was obviously unaware that someone had already doted on him silently, and was still carefully distinguishing the metal material of the ring.
"...Ni Xijin? The carving is so simple, but the material is made with no shoddy materials."
This description clearly suggests some kind of very expensive metal, but everyone's reaction was relatively calm.
Morina and Sorens were both born in poverty and had no chance to come into contact with these things that only the upper class would use;
Ximu had no knowledge in this area at all. Even though she had worn jewelry on the day of sacrifice, she had no idea about the origins and styles of those materials.
Ruixia was also a little distressed at this time.
The high price of the metal didn't matter, as he had never lacked money since he was a child - but in this isolated place, where could he find the same Ni Xi gold to repair the ring?
If it were outside, he could always find some at jewelry stores, auction houses, or underground exchanges. Worst case scenario, he could just hire a team to go into the mountains and mine...
In a trance, Ruixia recalled that he was lost and in trouble in the mountains for similar reasons. He couldn't hide his bitter smile, but the next moment, a flash of inspiration suddenly passed through his sea of consciousness, making him suddenly excitedly lean forward and quickly search among the pile of parchment scrolls on the table.
Ximu stood up as well, but before she could ask what she was looking for or if she needed help, Ruixia took out a map and happily unfolded it to show her.
"I remember now. Didn't that senior, Mr. Horan, give us a map of the academy's mine? There were some appendices underneath, roughly marking the distribution of the minerals within the mine. I vaguely remember seeing Ni Xi gold... Found it, here it is!"
Although this mineral location distribution map is not large, it is marked very carefully. In a corner pointed by Ruixia, there is indeed a "Ni Xi Gold" sign.
In fact, in Ximu's opinion, the various magic crystals that can be used to make potions and weapons are obviously more important... But since Ruixia wants them so much, she should remember to bring some back when she goes to the mine later.
"Now that we have a map and a guide, why don't we go check out this underground mine?"
Seeing that this "we" seemed to include himself, Sorens's face immediately turned ugly.
——Obviously, there is no one else who can be called a “guide” except him.
Apart from the occasional complaints, he didn't express any thoughts or opinions after the topic got deeper. He just sat there in silence, hoping that they would forget about him.
Although the people have been brought back, it is unlikely that they will let him go free directly... But compared to the familiar yet unfamiliar academy outside, he would rather stay in this strangely renovated room and learn about the situation from the black-haired boy who seems easy to get along with. He doesn't want to be forced to go to some dangerous place and do things that he can't understand at all.
but……
Sorens glanced at Ximu who was looking at him quietly not far away. The word of rejection got stuck in his throat and he didn't dare to say a word.
Perhaps noticing Sorens's unusual fear of Ximu, Ruixia looked at Morina in confusion. The latter came over and whispered a brief account of how they met, which had not been detailed before, including the part about the curse.
There was a flash of surprise in Ruixia's eyes, and then she smiled with some realization, stood up and asked Sorens to sit at the other end of the desk, apparently wanting to talk alone.
Seeing the two of them leave, Ximu subconsciously wanted to follow them, but was pushed back to the chair by Molina beside him.
"Alright, with Sorens's cowardly look, even if Ruixia asked him to use one hand, he might not be able to pull out the staff smoothly. Why are you so nervous?"
Facing Ximu's obviously disapproving look, Molina sat down beside her and casually hooked her arm around her shoulders.
"I know you don't trust him, and you're afraid that his sudden change will hurt Ruixia... But haven't you already insured him?" She lowered her voice in Ximu's ear, "Besides, he's more familiar with the academy than we are, and he can be of use. If you keep having this hostile attitude, and he's always afraid of us, he might not be so dedicated to many things... Do you understand what I mean?"
That's true.
If he only feared them and didn't trust them, and only wanted to escape, he might deliberately lead them into danger so that he could take the opportunity to escape...
It has to be said that such considerations are indeed not something that an assassin, who always strikes with a single blow and has no follow-up, would likely involve.
Although she believed that there was nothing wrong in her handling of Sorens, what Morina said made sense.
——Did Ruixia see this and deliberately bring him away to persuade and calm him down?
She didn't listen carefully to their conversation, but judging from Sorens's gradually relaxed brow and calm expression, the persuasion must have been successful.
She is worthy of being the true core of this team...If Ruixia hadn't been there, these people would never have been able to travel together, nor would they have supported each other and made their way through this treacherous land.
"...I've discussed this with Sorens. In this kind of unknown situation, there's strength in numbers. He's also agreed to help us find the truth behind this anomaly."
Leading the still somewhat awkward Sorens over, Ruixia patted his shoulder and winked at Ximu.
"As for the previous offenses and precautions, they all had their reasons, and I've already explained them to him. As long as you all return safely from this trip to the mine, even if we can reach a cooperation, there's no need to keep using the Killing Curse to restrain him... Okay?"
The last sentence was obviously directed at Ximu.
As the instigator of the killing curse, she did not respond immediately, but just looked Sorens up and down again.
Because of Morina's persuasion just now, she felt that she had restrained her threats and hostility as much as possible, but... the effect was obviously not satisfactory.
Although Sorens did not avoid the sight, he made an obvious swallowing motion, and the muscles of his limbs were very tense, as if he was ready to escape at any time.
...Never mind, with his fighting ability, even if he tries to be clever afterwards, she will never let him get away safely.
Since Ruixia has already made the agreement with him, that's fine.
Seeing Ximu nodded in agreement, Ruixia also breathed a sigh of relief. She gently nudged the brown-haired boy next to her with her elbow, her eyes full of joy and confidence as if "See, I told you she was a nice person."
The latter smiled bitterly, perhaps still having some complaints in his heart, but in front of Xi Mu, he wisely swallowed them back.
"Then this time, why don't I go with you..."
Ruixia spread out the various topographic maps given by the old man on the table one by one and was about to say something when Ximu rejected her mercilessly.
"no."
“…I haven’t said what it is yet.”
"No. It's pointless to build such a large stronghold without someone guarding it from behind."
Ximu completely guessed what Ruixia wanted to say. On this point, he had reasonable grounds and did not give in.
"All right……"
Perhaps she had expected to be rejected, Ruixia was lost for only three seconds before she regained her composure. She called everyone over and started a series of discussions on the specific location of the underground mine and how to get there.
According to the map, the entrance to the mine is in the academy's workshop.
The workshop is adjacent to the college library, and a group of top craftsmen are stationed there, providing common supplies such as potions and scrolls to teachers and students in the college all year round. Students need to exchange them for credits or voluntary labor.
There are several work areas divided according to different functions, and even several experimental areas are specially set up for magicians who are more craftsmen to study more complex new props.
The entrance to the mine is located in the innermost corner of the gem processing area on the bottom floor.
To be honest, Sorens was still shocked when he actually saw those maps and distribution maps.
As a real student of the Magic Academy, he only knew that there was such a mine under the academy. He didn't expect that the first time he knew the exact location was from these outsiders.
What on earth was Mr. Horan thinking… How could he tell these lost adventurers such a confidential matter so easily?
Although he had begun to gradually accept the reality, he still felt a strange sense of trance when he saw the three of them actively discussing the various possibilities of going to the mine and going down the mine.
"Hey, handsome guy over there, don't just stand there. You're familiar with the academy. Come over and check out the route. If you have any questions, ask them right away. You have to come with us later, okay?"
The short-haired girl noticed that he was distracted, pointed at him without any hesitation, and then hooked her finger, indicating that he should come over and join the discussion immediately, and not think of just sitting back and enjoying the fruits of his labor.
The boy, who had never been called "handsome guy", blushed, responded with an "ah hey", scratched his head, and consciously moved to the seat that Ruixia had specially given him.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
