Chapter 111: Opposition

Ollie’s face turned pale when she saw the information suddenly appear on her Grimoire.

Time rewinds to one hour earlier, before dawn. Arno got up in the dim starlight and went to a secluded patch of bushes nearby to practice the Thought-Flow Training Method. He casually followed his feelings, adjusting his walking, sitting, and breathing. He made himself comfortable, and this naturally aligned with the rhythm of natural Mana.

As Arno trained, the surrounding Mana began to pulse rhythmically, subtly improving his body and soul. After half an hour, Arno completed his morning Thought-Flow practice.

He closed his eyes, gathering his breath, and attempted to infuse the Courage creed into the rhythm, but he still couldn’t find the way.

“Am I too clumsy? I can never achieve the state Uncle described. Never mind, I’ll practice a set of punches first.”

Arno was naturally optimistic and didn’t dwell on the failure. He began practicing the combat skills he had learned by being a sparring partner. He had progressed from initially taking a beating to now feigning it. He was now adept at combat. With his formidable ability to endure blows and his good reputation, he was quite famous among the young people of the fortress.

All the children in the relief home now ate a hot meal every day thanks to his willingness to take a beating.

Arno had never tried to attack, but as his Thought-Flow Training Method improved, he could easily spot his opponents’ flaws, especially the optimal opening. He was suddenly aware and sensitive during a beating, even able to directly perceive hostility and the timing of an attack.

This had recently earned him the nickname “King of Evasion.” Many people paid an extra breakfast just to make Arno unable to dodge.

Arno was practicing when he vaguely sensed someone watching him.

He shouted loudly: “Who is it? Come out!”

“Brother Arno, it’s me. Why are you shouting so loud?” Ollie walked out from behind a tree and spoke with a hint of petulance.

“Oh, it’s Ollie. My mistake. I scared my little Ollie.” Arno rubbed the back of his head and laughed sheepishly.

“Brother Arno, do you want to see the wider world?” Ollie asked somewhat nervously.

“Of course! I learned a very powerful training method from Melancholy Uncle. In the future, I can protect not only you, Ollie, and the children in the relief home, but also many more people! I am a man of true Heroic quality, hahaha!” Arno said, taking it for granted.

“Then, Brother Arno, give me your hand.” Ollie extended her pale little hand toward Arno. Small crystals were twinkling in her hand. After all this time, she hadn’t exchanged for a single spell and had finally saved up 1,000 points.

Ollie didn’t want to walk the path of Magic alone. She wanted to walk it with Arno, and she wanted Arno to have more power to realize his dream.

“Sure, what are you doing?” Arno asked, puzzled, placing his hand on Ollie’s.

Ollie tightly clutched Arno’s hand. As she whispered softly, the crystals in their hands erupted in bright light, instantly engulfing the two of them.

Arno stared blankly at the massive golden scale that descended from the sky. The Golden Giant stood in the center of the scale, and he and Ollie were placed on opposite ends.

“Arno, the pioneer of the path of Magic, the Torch-Bearer, shall formalize a pact with you!”

After the light subsided, Arno’s head was splitting with pain, and his ears were ringing.

“Keep Secrets, Stand Guard Together, Equivalent Exchange, Respect Knowledge, Seek True Knowledge.”

This phrase continuously echoed, seemingly trying to infiltrate his soul.

“Is this your secret, Ollie?” Arno looked at the status panel on the second page: 【Strength 0.6, Constitution 0.5, Agility 0.5, Mental Power 1.1, Perception 1.2, Mana: 3.3】 and felt dizzy.

“Yes, Brother Arno. Will Ollie explain it to you slowly?” Ollie took Arno’s arm. As a senior apprentice, she could see Arno’s attributes. His mental power had reached 1.1 without needing the Lesser Mental Blessing. Brother Arno is a genius!

Just then, the information Ace had edited appeared on the final page of the Grimoire. Ollie looked at the message. Her small face turned pale, and she clung tightly to Arno.

Meanwhile, the weathered knight, Ancestar, parted ways with the caravan. He was going to find his apprentice, Arno. Although he hadn’t yet figured out how to infuse his creed into his Inherent Mana, he had made some progress, and he now had enough points to exchange for a Grimoire.

In this era, mortals without power can only drift with the current. Those with power are suppressed, but only those with power can resist that suppression!

Ancestar’s eyes were serious and firm as he walked toward the relief home.

Bayen watched Ancestar leave. He did not leave immediately. He planned to observe the people in the marketplace, looking for a suitable person to transform into.

Just then, his Grimoire suddenly became hot. Text appeared on the sixth page.

【Signal link established. Grimoire update imminent! Contractors, please prepare. All Grimoire functions will be disabled during the update.】

Bayen was first stunned, then overjoyed. The Grimoire had new changes! And this was a place Ace had spent a long time in. It was also where Devil worshipers (Wizard Apprentices) had emerged. Bayen definitely did not believe there was no connection.

“Perhaps I can solve my confusion in this crisis-ridden fortress. Torch-Bearer, are you truly Ace…” Bayen murmured inwardly.

Night fell. The market stalls closed. Bayen followed the caravan back to their lodging.

Meanwhile, in a secluded corner of the marketplace, a figure quietly stood up. Strong, robust, radiating an aura of flame—it was Ace’s frequently used persona, Iron Face Fire Fist.

He leaped into the sky, transformed into a Night Raven, circled a few times, and flew in one direction.

That night, he infiltrated the homes of several middle-ranking legion officers. Using the Soul Spell Charm Human, he controlled several mid-to-lower level Pseudo-Heroes and Divine Awakened in the legion, asking them detailed questions about the situation.

From the mouths of the mid-to-lower ranking legion officers, Ace learned that the city-state’s attitude toward the Wizard Apprentices was one of resolute annihilation, with no room for compromise.

The escaping Enchanted Wizard Apprentices were to be torn to shreds. Their family members had also been imprisoned and executed by the city-state under the guise of being Devil worshipers.

If discovered, the city-state would not hesitate.

As for Ace himself, since Daina had not been discovered, and he himself had long since left and was untraceable, he was not implicated.

Hearing this news, Ace was silent for a long time.

“After gaining supernatural power, I grew overly arrogant. If it weren’t for Solon’s warning, Daina and I might have already been wanted fugitives! I must remember this lesson. I must remain vigilant at all times. The more I rush for success, the greater the likelihood of failure!”

Ace began a deep self-reflection and self-examination.

As a transmigrator, his mindset had become inflated after discovering the path to the supernatural, and this was the most dangerous mindset to have.

“When a person becomes too arrogant, they are likely not far from failure! I must correct this. It is still not too late. After investigating the situation thoroughly, I must immediately evacuate the remaining Wizard Apprentices. We must go into deep hibernation!”