Chapter 131: Choices

“Administrator? Hello, Mr. Salin,” Helag greeted, slightly puzzled.

Salin sat on the sofa opposite Helag and said, “You were attacked by Malcolm recently. There are some things I’ve been wanting to ask you, but I waited because you were severely injured. Do you mind if I ask now?”

“Go ahead,” Helag nodded.

Salin continued, “Why did Malcolm specifically come after you? Barty said it was related to his brother’s death. Is that true?”

“To be precise, I witnessed his brother’s death, but I had nothing to do with it. At that time, I was just a first-level apprentice, and Luen was a third-level apprentice. I didn’t have the capability to kill him,” Helag explained.

Lying to a powerful formal wizard wasn’t wise, so Helag told the truth, omitting some details.

Salin didn’t press the issue, as it wasn’t his main concern.

He continued, “From my observation, it seems you don’t plan to stay in Moonlight Forest?”

Helag thought for a moment and nodded, “I prefer freedom.”

Salin said, “But there’s a problem. Once you leave Moonlight Forest, it’ll be hard to escape Malcolm’s pursuit. Knowing this, do you still want to leave?”

This was something Helag had been contemplating. He knew that even if he advanced to a formal wizard, defeating Malcolm immediately was unrealistic.

Without a contract with Moonlight Forest, he couldn’t stay. Once he left, Malcolm could come after him anytime.

Staying meant signing a hundred-year contract with Moonlight Forest.

The time wasn’t the issue; it was the contract’s binding nature, with his life and death in someone else’s hands.

Seeing Helag’s hesitation, Salin said, “Take your time to think about it. But remember, once you advance to a formal wizard, we can’t keep you in Moonlight Forest without a contract. We can’t allow a formal wizard who doesn’t belong to us to stay.”

His message was clear: even a newly advanced formal wizard was still a formal wizard. Without trust, they couldn’t stay in Moonlight Forest.

And trust required a contract.

Helag didn’t rush to decide. “Mr. Salin, I need more time to think about this.”

Salin nodded, “You have time. But consider your best interests carefully.”

“Thank you, Mr. Salin.”

***

Salin didn’t stay long, leaving after gauging Helag’s thoughts.

Helag realized that an ordinary third-level apprentice wouldn’t have an administrator from Moonlight Forest asking such questions.

Perhaps his prolonged resistance against Malcolm had brought him to the attention of Moonlight Forest’s leadership.

Helag pondered whether to stay in Moonlight Forest, planning to seek Larry’s advice.

Without Malcolm’s threat, he wouldn’t consider staying.

But Malcolm had retrieved Luen’s soul, complicating matters.

Helag suspected Luen had died in the Abyss Plane, with his soul not in this world, explaining Malcolm’s difficulty in summoning it back.

“Abyss Plane…”

Helag thought of the wooden disk in his space ring, still puzzled by his encounter with Shivara and the strange space he entered.

Shortly after Salin left, Larry arrived.

After a brief conversation, Larry glanced at Bessie, who sensibly went downstairs. “You two talk.”

Larry smiled apologetically and, once she left, said to Helag, “Your dilemma is that staying in Moonlight Forest means a hundred-year contract, and leaving means facing Malcolm’s threat. There’s a way to solve both problems.”

“What is it?” Helag asked.

Larry smiled, “Work for me.”

Helag thought about it. Even working for Larry wouldn’t allow him to stay in Moonlight Forest without a contract.

“Come to my family’s potion garden in Kent Valley. After you advance to a formal wizard, you can manage the garden for me. Sometimes, you’ll handle potion orders and get a share of the profits.”

“We won’t sign any contracts. Just let me know when you want to leave. You can practice safely there, as it’s my family’s territory, and Malcolm won’t dare trouble you.”

Larry spoke confidently, backed by his family’s strength.

Only families with at least three consecutive generations of formal wizards were considered pure-blood wizard families, each with deep foundations.

They didn’t belong to any wizard organization, as they were organizations themselves, with complete systems.

Larry’s contract with Moonlight Forest was merely an employment contract, which he could terminate anytime. He was invited to join Moonlight Forest.

Helag liked the idea. It offered freedom and a relatively safe environment to practice.

He believed that with enough time, his efforts, intelligence, and Deep Blue’s help, surpassing Malcolm was inevitable.

Though Helag had made up his mind, he asked, “Are you sure it’s safe there?”

Larry laughed, “Pure-blood wizard families are more cohesive than typical wizard organizations. It’s common knowledge that no one messes with them lightly.”

Pure-blood wizard families were known for their protectiveness. Though Helag wasn’t related by blood, he’d be considered one of them.

If Malcolm dared to attack Helag on their territory, he’d face the family’s wrath, a severe provocation.

“Then I’ll follow you, teacher,” Helag smiled.

Larry patted his shoulder, “Train hard and advance to a formal wizard soon. Once you’re strong enough, you won’t need external help.”