Chapter 201: Severus

Lins held his sword tightly, his desire to become a knight stronger than ever. His goal was clear: to become powerful enough to enter the Lim Mountains and find Asna. Just being a knight wasn’t enough; he needed to become a great knight. Though it seemed far off, Lins believed that with hard work, he would achieve it someday.

***

Sea Stone City, the capital of the Norn Kingdom, was heavily guarded and home to many powerful individuals. Within the city stood a spellcaster academy, dedicated to training talented spellcasters for the kingdom.

Severus, over 300 years old, was the headmaster of the Sea Stone Spellcaster Academy and a powerful magician. Few in the kingdom reached the level of magician, which was above high-level spellcasters.

Severus sat in his office, holding a letter from Oberstein at the border, sent by the king for him to handle. Written by Commander Tyron, it detailed the events in the Lim Mountains—from the missing patrol to the fruitless search by a hundred troops, and the disappearance of hundreds of adventurers.

After reading, Severus had some suspicions. He believed the Lim Mountains likely held a ruin, specifically a spellcaster ruin. Such a place could explain why everyone who entered vanished. Many adventurers were spellcasters, and an ordinary ruin wouldn’t trap them all. The letter suggested no one escaped, indicating a complex ruin.

Based on the information, only beginner spellcasters should explore such a place. Severus sighed, knowing he needed to stay in Sea Stone City to protect its people, unable to go himself. In his youth, he explored many ruins, full of dangers but also opportunities. Those experiences helped him reach his current level.

Severus called for a student.

Half an hour later, a long-haired man entered, dressed elegantly with a sword at his waist, a confident smile on his handsome face.

This was Severus’s prized student, Cole. A noble, Cole showed exceptional talent in knight training from a young age. By thirteen, he was a great knight. Sent to the spellcaster academy, he displayed remarkable spellcasting talent, catching Severus’s eye.

By fifteen, Cole became a beginner spellcaster, shocking the kingdom, which saw him as a future guardian. At twenty-five, he reached intermediate spellcaster status. He then traveled the world, experiencing much and meeting powerful beings. Five years later, he returned to Sea Stone City.

“Teacher!” Cole greeted respectfully. Severus felt proud of the tall young man before him. He had watched Cole grow and guided him on the spellcaster path. Severus believed Cole might be the kingdom’s only hope to become a grand magician. Severus knew his own potential had peaked, never reaching grand magician.

But Cole’s talent surpassed even Severus’s younger self.

Severus had high hopes for Cole. If he couldn’t become a grand magician, training one would be enough. But the path to grand magicianwas difficult, full of challenges.

Cole’s journey had been smooth, facing few obstacles. Severus saw the Lim Mountains as a perfect training opportunity. Cole’s intermediate spellcaster strength suited the challenge.

Severus didn’t think Cole would fall there. If he did, it would mean only magi could explore the ruins.

The thought amused Severus; Oberstein was a typical border city with nothing special nearby. The Lim Mountains’ ruins likely surfaced due to failing wards over time. Severus suspected the missing weren’t dead, just trapped in the ruins.

Cole could retrieve the treasures and rescue those inside, gaining resources and prestige. “Teacher, what’s the matter?” Cole asked, seeing Severus smile.

Severus hid his smile, not wanting to seem too relaxed. Cole was young, talented, but inexperienced. Ruins were dangerous; Cole couldn’t be complacent.

Severus handed him the letter, “Read this.” Cole read it carefully. “What do you think, Teacher?” “I suspect there’s a ruin,” Severus replied.

Cole pondered, “You want me to investigate?” Severus nodded, “Yes, your strength should suffice. My concern is your lack of experience with complex ruin situations.”

“Don’t worry, Teacher. I need experience, right?” Cole smiled confidently. Severus remained cautious, “Be careful.” “I’m not a child anymore. I’m an intermediate spellcaster.

Even if I can’t succeed, I won’t be trapped,” Cole assured. Severus agreed; even if the ruins were dangerous, Cole’s strength should allow him to escape. Few ruins could hold an intermediate spellcaster.