Chapter 125: The Task

Bessie lowered her head and remained silent for a while before saying, “We could still move in together. You can focus on your cultivation, and I’ll handle everything else.”

Helag declined, “No, I prefer living alone. Let’s talk about it later.”

With that, he stood up and left, ignoring Bessie’s attempts to stop him.

Bessie was different from Elusa. Elusa only wanted a child, but Bessie wanted to build a long-term pure-blood wizard family with Helag.

Knowing he wouldn’t stay here to start a family with Bessie, Helag had to refuse.

Two days after leaving Bessie’s place, Helag received another message.

“Task: Patrol the Western Mountains for one month. Report to the mission hall within three days. If you have special circumstances, explain them in advance, or face the consequences.”

This task was assigned to Helag directly through his rune stone by Moonlight Forest. He sighed, “It was bound to happen.”

He suspected that Moonlight Forest had Larry ask about his plans to prepare for this task.

If he had clearly stated his intention to stay, he might have been given an easy task or none at all.

But since he didn’t commit to staying, the assigned task wasn’t going to be easy.

The Western Mountains, located west of Moonlight Forest, were vast, with an area said to contain ten thousand mountains.

Patrolling such a place was no simple task. The mountains were home to many magical creatures and beasts.

Moreover, due to the vast area, Moonlight Forest couldn’t control every part, leading to frequent incursions by wizards from other places.

The mountains contained many potion and casting materials, theoretically belonging to Moonlight Forest, but they couldn’t control such a large area.

As a result, other wizard organizations or rogue wizards often came to steal resources. Patrolling meant stopping these intruders.

Stopping them would lead to conflicts. Wizards who dared to steal from Moonlight Forest were prepared for trouble.

Helag sent a message to Larry: “Teacher, I’ve been assigned a task.”

“What task?” Larry asked.

Helag briefly explained his task.

Larry replied, “This isn’t an easy task. Prepare well and be careful.”

There wasn’t much Larry could do to interfere with Moonlight Forest’s arrangements.

After chatting with Larry, Helag headed to the mission hall.

The hall was quieter, with fewer people posting or taking tasks.

Moonlight Forest had a dedicated window for assigned tasks. After completing some formalities, Helag was told to reach the western station within three days and take a Hellfoot to the Western Mountains station.

Helag didn’t rush. He used the three days to buy potions and supplies with his magic stones.

Larry’s prepared Ancient Potions and Amanda Potions also arrived, so Helag went to pick them up.

“1,200 magic stones,” Helag said, reluctantly counting out a large pile of stones and placing them on Larry’s table.

Larry waved his hand, collecting them all. “Be careful on this task. After it’s done, you should have some time to focus on your cultivation.”

Helag nodded. “I hope everything goes smoothly.”

The Ancient Potion looked dreamy, a vial of sea-blue liquid with a shadow of a giant tree inside.

The Amanda Potion resembled orange juice, a pure orange color, with three vials in total.

Helag stored the potions in his space ring, waiting to use them once his mental power met the requirements for advancement.

After preparing, Helag set off for the western station.

The journey was long, requiring a night’s rest at a station where the Hellfoot also rested in a special stable.

Early the next morning, the Hellfoot was ready, standing at the station entrance, snorting and stamping its feet, urging everyone to hurry.

Helag shared the carriage with a chubby wizard he recognized from before, named Fred, who also had a patrol task in the Western Mountains.

Fred grumbled, “This task isn’t easy. I’ve heard it’s quite dangerous, with frequent battles. Most assigned here are third-level apprentices without background or potential.”

Helag nodded. “We’ll just have to be extra careful.”

The carriage arrived at the Western Mountains station in the afternoon. The Hellfoot stayed to rest for the night before returning.

The station was large, with a big courtyard surrounded by castle-like walls.

Helag found eight other third-level apprentices and a first-level formal wizard named Barty, a gaunt old man with skin like dried wood.

Barty glanced at Helag and Fred. “Alright, everyone’s here. Pair up and patrol by region, with day and night shifts. Five teams will rotate. Helag and Fred, you’re a team.”

Helag and Fred were the last to arrive, so they paired up.

The patrol task would start the next day and last for a month.

Helag and Fred received a map and found their patrol area.

“At least we don’t have the night shift for now,” Fred sighed.

Helag asked, “Does the night shift mean staying in the mountains overnight?”

Fred nodded. “Yes, and it’s the most dangerous.”

Helag checked the schedule and saw their night patrol was in three days.

They were given a red water ball containing an unknown liquid, called a Whispering Water Ball, used to send messages.

If they encountered strong intruders, they were to input mana into the ball to alert Barty immediately.

Patrols usually involved two third-level apprentices, enough for most situations.

If they needed to use the Whispering Water Ball, it likely meant encountering a formal wizard, and their only option would be to notify Barty before dying.