Chapter 329: Reward

“Their team included a wizard array master, but even with many attempts, they couldn’t break the array. That’s why we’re holding this gathering, hoping someone here can solve it,” Israel explained, glancing at Helag. “You should give it a try. If you succeed, there’s a reward of magic stones and contribution points. The relic is significant, and breaking the array could yield substantial gains.”

“The array master must be experienced to venture into polluted zones, and they couldn’t solve it. I’m just a novice; I doubt I can,” Helag replied with a wry smile.

Seranthiel’s pioneer team was undoubtedly strong, evidenced by having an array master.

An array master capable of entering polluted zones would be powerful and highly skilled.

If they couldn’t solve it, Helag, a beginner, likely couldn’t either.

Despite Helag’s lack of confidence, Israel seemed oddly confident in him, encouraging, “Believe in yourself. With arrays, experience isn’t everything. Sometimes, less experience means a more flexible mind.”

Helag understood; too much experience could lead to rigid thinking, trapping one in dead ends.

Younger, less experienced individuals might approach problems from fresh, flexible angles, finding the right path more easily.

Seeing Israel’s hopeful gaze, Helag reluctantly agreed, “I’ll do my best.”

Israel smiled, satisfied, “I believe in you!”

Helag realized Israel wanted to give him a chance to shine.

For those in high positions, someone like Helag, a wizard without a notable background, needed to demonstrate value and potential to gain attention.

“Hey, Israel, is this your new disciple? Haven’t seen him before. Heard your constant parties got several people killed. Done with that mess?” a raspy voice interrupted from behind.

Turning, Helag saw a short, balding old man, likely only about 4’7″, but exuding a powerful magical aura—a second-level wizard.

Israel coldly glanced at the old man, “Muir, that’s none of your concern.”

Clearly, the two didn’t get along.

Israel was a victim of the ball incident; no one could predict cultists in his sewer.

But Muir immediately blamed Israel, showing ill intent.

Unfamiliar with their history, Helag stayed silent.

Muir sneered, then looked up at Helag, “Boy, are you Israel’s disciple?”

“Who’s speaking?” Helag feigned ignorance, looking around.

Muir’s face darkened, shouting hoarsely, “You insolent boy!”

Gathering magic in his hand, he seemed ready to punish Helag.

“Muir, don’t overstep. Helag is a formal Seranthiel member. Attacking him means declaring war on us,” Israel warned, stepping between them, his voice icy.

Muir squinted at Israel, maintaining his magical aura.

Israel, too, exuded magic, staring back at Muir.

Tensions rose, drawing others’ attention.

“Gentlemen, calm down. No need for conflict,” a gentle voice interjected as a blond middle-aged man appeared between them.

Smiling warmly, he stood between Muir and Israel, mediating without fear.

Israel dissipated his magic, nodding, “President Goodwin.”

Muir snorted, dispersing his magic, and retreated into the crowd.

Goodwin smiled, “You two never let it go, even after all these years.”

“It’s him… never mind. President, let me introduce Helag, whom I mentioned before. Helag, this is Goodwin, president of our Silvermoon City Wizard Array Association,” Israel introduced.

The association had branches throughout the Land of Dawn; Goodwin managed Silvermoon City’s affairs.

Helag respectfully greeted, “Pleasure to meet you, President Goodwin.”

Goodwin smiled, “I’ve heard of you. A promising young man!”

Goodwin always appeared gentle, his face perpetually smiling.

“Alright, let’s get to today’s main event,” Goodwin announced.

With a wave, the restaurant’s lights focused on him.

Addressing the crowd, Goodwin said, “You know why we’re here: to help Seranthiel break a relic’s array. The reward is generous. Anyone who provides a solution, once verified, will receive 100,000 magic stones if they’re not a Seranthiel member. Seranthiel members get 100,000 stones and 500 contribution points.”

The announcement caused a stir in Avila Restaurant.

Breaking an array for 100,000 magic stones seemed overly generous, even to wealthy array masters.

This implied the relic held immense value.

Helag raised an eyebrow; the reward was indeed generous.

He needed money and contribution points.

If he could secure this task, it would be highly rewarding.

The only question was whether he could break the array.

“How about that reward? Try to get it,” Israel encouraged.

Helag nodded, “I’ll try.”

“You think you can claim the reward with me here?” the raspy voice returned.

Helag looked around, unable to pinpoint the source.

Realizing, he glanced down, spotting Muir glaring coldly from afar.

Seeing Helag’s confused search, Muir’s face reddened with anger.

Helag chuckled wryly, genuinely unaware of the voice’s origin, not intentionally ignoring it.