Chapter 290 Coincidence
As the battle with the enemy forces continued, the casualties on both sides started to slowly accumulate. Although there were many deaths among the allied forces, the death toll on the enemy's side was significantly higher.
On this day, a middle-aged man wearing regal robes exited the headquarters situated at the center of the eastern camp.
He walked with his hands behind his back and condescendingly gazed at everyone walking by. He had a head full of black hair that was greying at the temples.
Furthermore, he sported a thin mustache and a goatee that gave him a sophisticated and dignified appearance.
Whenever the Magi in the camp passed him by, they would stop in their tracks and respectfully bow toward this man.
He was a Rank 2 Magi, after all.
The man slowly made his way toward a certain part of the camp. He walked at a leisurely pace and soon arrived at one of the tents belonging to the Gracie Family.
Upon entering, his gaze fell on Morden and Kevin who were anxiously pacing around the room. He stood at the entrance of the tent and slightly coughed, making his presence known.
The mont Kevin saw this newcor, his eyes lit up in anticipation, "Teacher!" He walked toward the man and sincerely bowed with his hand placed on his chest. "Welco back."
Morden too respectfully bowed toward the man. Then, he asked eagerly, "Lord Hemingway… about that thing we ntioned…"
Professor Hemingway first gave a nod of acknowledgnt to his apprentice, Kevin. Then, he glanced at Morden and confird, "It is done."
Morden couldn't help but grin, "My Lord, when do they leave?"
"It should be soti this week."
Kevin grumbled, his eyes flashing with impatience, "Why not today?"
Professor Hemingway looked at him with a frown. "Kevin, do you know how difficult it is to covertly arrange for two different teams to go on a dangerous mission together?"
Even Morden's expression darkened and he scolded his son, "You thoughtless fool, you should be grateful for what your teacher has done for you."
Kevin lowered his head in sha. "I apologize. I misspoke."
Professor Hemingway's gaze softened a little as he patted the youth's shoulder. "Once that nuisance is dealt with, your mind will beco clearer. Then you can focus wholeheartedly on your path of magic."
"You're right, teacher…" Kevin nodded.
Ever since he had been defeated and crippled by Adam, he wasn't able to focus on practicing mindfulness. As a result, his magic studies had stagnated.
The art of mindfulness required a Magus to clear their minds and attune themselves to the abundant mana in the surroundings.
But every ti Kevin closed his eyes, he was haunted by the visions of Adam looking down on him with an evil smile. So under such conditions, how could he practice mindfulness?
At this point, Adam's existence had beco a ntal obstacle to the youth. Until and unless he saw Adam's lifeless head, he wouldn't be at ease.
Now, thanks to the war, such a possibility was made feasible. After all, Magi were dying every day. It wouldn't be surprising if Adam too died while fighting the enemy.
Professor Hemingway turned to look at Morden and asked, "This Magus that you have chosen for the task, Alex, what do you plan to do with him afterward?"
Hearing about Alex, Morden couldn't help but feel amused. "Initially, I had planned to deal with him after he brought
Adam's head, but the kid was smart enough to establish a mana contract with ."
Mana contract was a binding agreent that made sure that neither party reneged on the terms stipulated in the contract.
The contract between Morden and Alex stated that after the latter had dealt with Adam, he would be rewarded by the forr. Moreover, the contract also guaranteed that Alex wasn't discarded after completing the task.
However, there were still ways to overco this contract.
Professor Hemingway chuckled with raised eyebrows, "Hoho, do you want
to deal with the contract? Although it's a slight drag, it is worth it."
Morden thought for a mont before respectfully declining, "Thank you, my lord, but I'd rather have such a Magus work under
than kill him."
"Hmm." Professor Hemingway nodded, his eyes narrowing. "I see." Although he said that, inwardly he had already resolved to kill Alex and his team after all this was over. He did not want any loose ends.
He paused for a mont before adding, "I've made enough arrangents such that… the outco of that task doesn't lead back to Oswald or ."
Both Morden and Kevin humbly bowed.
"Thank you, my lord."
"Thank you, teacher."
The only reason why Professor Hemingway would go so far was because Kevin was his student. Moreover, he also shared a deep friendship with the patriarch of the Gracie Family, Oswald Gracie.
The man nodded and then turned around to leave. "Make sure that Alex's team is sufficiently prepared." With that said, he exited the tent.
Kevin and Morden glanced at each other, the forr displaying anxiousness, while the latter's face was brimming with confidence.
"Father, will they succeed?"
"Hmph!" Morden scoffed, waving his hand nonchalantly. "Don't worry. I still have an extra Rank 2 scroll given to
by your uncle. I'll give it to Alex just to be on the safer side."
"But…" Kevin clenched his fists tightly. "I used a Rank 2 Fireball scroll on Adam the last ti we fought. He still managed to survive! And that dragon—"
"Silence," Morden's eyes turned cold and he viciously interrupted his son. "Your delusions still haven't stopped, have they? Speak of it no more. It truly angers ."
Kevin lowered his head, his heart full of grievance. Damn it! Why won't you believe ?! Do you think I'm crazy?!
Morden clasped the youth's shoulder and said, "The tis are different now. We're in the middle of a war. It's going to be much easier for Alex to kill Adam and his team, especially considering that the latter will be backstabbed by him."
"…I understand, father," Kevin replied after a long mont of silence.
"Hmm." Morden nodded. "Now, focus on your team missions and just wait for the good news to arrive by the end of the week."
…
A week later, Lisa could be seen walking out of the headquarters with a grim expression on her face. She had gone to turn in the report of the mission that she and her team had just finished. At the sa ti, she also wanted to get the details of her next mission.
She was holding onto a rolled parchnt paper which contained details about her next mission, and making her way toward her living quarters.
After a series of twists and turns through the maze-like camp, she finally entered her tent and her gaze fell on Edward and Adam who were busy drinking wine.
There were bloody injuries all over their bodies that had been bandaged by white straps of linen. Yet, they enjoyed Adam's personally brewed wine with great fervor.
A gourd of wine was needed to wash away all the bloodbath. This statent was once said by Adam. Of course, he was already drunk at the ti.
"We've got bad news," said Lisa.
Edward glanced at her, his face flushed red from slight intoxication. "What is it?"
"Our next mission," Lisa began, "we have been tead up with Alex's squad."
At the ntion of this, Adam's heart sank.
This… cannot be a coincidence!
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