Annan followed Ingrid and the others, taking the subway away from the Bone-nurturing Ground.
Of course... according to the rules of the Underground City, at this ti, the Bone-nurturing Ground was not yet called by that na. Just as the Coal Ash Wasteland at this point in ti wasn’t called the Coal Ash Wasteland either.
Because of Professor Grey Seti’s presence, this area was known as the Grey Tower. It also had the nickna "Tower of Reflection."
That is to say, the Grey Tower was seen as the reflection of the Wizard’s Tower from the surface world in the Underworld — and this was essentially praise for Professor Grey Seti’s strength and knowledge, comparing him with the Tower Master of the Wizard’s Tower.
However, in Annan’s perception,
Even if Seti was not quite at the Tower Master’s level just yet, he was almost there.
They still had classes in three days, so the three of them did not go very far.
After all, they were still studying rituals and mystical knowledge under Seti’s tutelage. It would be too strange for them to travel out of the province when the school had only given a three-day holiday.
Apart from Seti’s wizard apprentices, who were personally taught by him... the other students studying mystical knowledge all had their classes in unison. Moreover, they lived in the "school" for extended periods.
Of course, they were provided with lodging but not als.
Besides Seti himself, the teachers included other students whom Seti had taught.
Because there were simply too many ritualists who ca to learn mystical knowledge, and Seti’s fees were not high... or rather, it was up to fate how much one paid. So many people would try their luck.
On the way, Annan queried indirectly and found out that there were over eighty students in his, Ingrid’s, and Justus’s cohort alone. When in class, they used auditorium-like classrooms, studying mystical knowledge in an organized and graded manner.
— This was far more formal than an "old man" taking on an apprentice.
Of course, the schedule was definitely not as tight as a regular university’s.
They had about two classes per week, graduating in one to three years. If any student showed exceptional talent, they would be taken in as a "disciple" by Seti, to study knowledge related to Transcendents, to beco Hunters or Wizards.
Now that he thought about it, Naifertali must have graduated from the status of "Ritualist Apprentice."
However...
Annan silently looked forward at Justus.
Speaking of which, Naifertali had ntioned... she was the only one who successfully resisted fate.
But as for now, Justus was also soone who, despite being invited by Professor Grey, chose to refuse.
And in the end, Justus still beca a Transcendent.
So, would Naifertali... truly be able to maintain her resolve until the very end?
"We’re here!"
Justus looked excitedly toward a storefront.
It was adorned with fancy lettering that read [Mane Fluff Island Specialty Grilled at]. From the outside, one could tell it was a restaurant modified from a "Base Room."
— This was a testant to the restaurant’s strength.
It ant that it had been here since the tis when the place was scarcely populated. And it had been in business all the way until the city began to prosper.
Apparently, this place was called Spotted Bone Forest.
When Annan got off the subway, he saw the street sign with this na.
It must have been nad after the characteristic product of this surrounding area.
There were a large number of structures that looked like coral or stalactites or the segnted, bone-like spires that bulged and curved higher and higher. These natural black and yellow, striped pillars called "Spotted Bone Columns" were a local specialty.
The black patterns were traces ford by bone material being corroded, while the yellow was an oxidation layer. If the outer layer of these "bone stalagmites" was peeled off, a milky white, semi-translucent layer similar to enal could be revealed.
Such treasures only ford under a gemstone vein at a certain depth directly below it.
And they themselves were a type of gemstone.
This was the "Spine of Veinstone," also known as "Heart of the Earth" or "Marrow of the Mountains" in the realm of mystical materials. Not only were they required in so rituals, but they could also be made into charms that absorb impact, reduce damage from falls, or increase one’s weight.
For instance, a sneaker who possessed a charm reducing fall damage could land on the ground without easily suffering leg numbness or fractures from the impact; and a heavily armored warrior could mix a large amount of "Spine of Veinstone" into their tal armor — this way, they could prevent being pushed back or flown by the enemy’s attacks. If incorporated into a helt, it could also effectively resist the impact of bludgeoning weapons.
It was also a key material for the handcuffs and shackles used to bind Transcendent criminals. Although not particularly hard, when mixed with tal, it could significantly increase weight — the ultimate use was to combine it with fine gold to create "Gold-Inlaid Jade" manacles.
"Is this directly below a gemstone vein?"
After ordering at, Annan raised an eyebrow and asked Justus, "I rember Gemstone Island being quite far from here, isn’t it?"
Justus pondered, "Above us... is probably the province of Saint Aleksei. It should be near the Poison Fern Pillar."
...In other words, there was a gemstone vein directly under the Poison Fern Pillar?
That was indeed news to Annan.
There wasn’t much human activity around the entire Poison Fern Pillar.
The place was desolate, not a city, but a vast snowy plain.
It seed to be a relic from the Third Era, its stone structures smashed to pieces by sothing unknown. The fragnted columns were covered in dark green ferns... which were poisonous.
After returning, I must have my brother send a survey team to explore the Poison Fern Pillar.
Annan resolved.
...Of course.
The precondition was... if Annan could retain his mory and make it back alive.
"Probably only in the Underground City can you enjoy the grilled at from Mane Velvet Island’s artisans and the freshest, highest quality beef from The Holy Nation at the sa ti."
Justus obviously seed excited.
Annan chuckled lightly, "You seem really looking forward to it."
"I am indeed looking forward to it, I’ve been wanting to eat it for so long!"
Justus lightly tapped the table, careful not to use too much force. He lowered his voice and complained, "Eating barbecue alone is too lonely—I can’t have that, and you two are busy with your books every day... I don’t want to be stared at with pity like ’Ah, that poor child, he has no friends’!"
"It’s rare for you guys to be free today, I’ve had it tough..."
At this ti, he still hadn’t grown strong enough. Rather, he was sowhat frail... about the size of a sixteen or seventeen-year-old, with a build below average for high school sports club standards.
As they waited for the barbecue, the conch-shaped blue sapphire ring on Ingrid’s left index finger suddenly lit up with an intermittent faint glow.
She looked surprised as she brought the ring up to her ear, closing one eye to listen attentively for a mont.
"Seems like it’s the professor. It’s a rather long ssage."
Ingrid seed troubled, looking around, "It’s a bit noisy here... I’ll step outside to listen again."
Annan was almost dumbfounded by her side.
—What’s this? How did he do that?
Is this a spell pager? Or a spell voice ssage?
Could the idol school really produce such a nifty thing?
But at that mont, Annan hadn’t forgotten about his main mission.
[Prevent Ingrid from acting alone]
The area felt very quiet... seemingly without any enemies.
Annan’s left eye didn’t detect any betrayers; "Frederick," as a wizard, had a powerful perception that could sense the hostility of those around him. And naturally, the result was "none."
Still, just to be safe...
Thinking this, Annan also stood up, "I’ll go with you."
"Eh?"
Ingrid paused, showing a sowhat embarrassed smile, "It’s just the professor sending a ssage... I guess he’s probably just asking us to bring sothing back with us. It shouldn’t be a big deal."
Justus also chid in, "Right, don’t you two go off and leave here alone. If the at cos, should I wait or not wait..."
"You’ll definitely wait."
Annan glanced at him and smiled, "Wait for us to co back, be good."
"You rascal..."
Justus muttered.
And so, Annan followed Ingrid out of the barbecue joint.
It was actually quite quiet by the door, but the voice inside the transmitting stone was really faint—Professor Grey seed to be near the fountain square or class. The noise around drowned out most of Seti’s words.
"I still can’t hear clearly."
Ingrid murmured.
Annan gestured for Ingrid to pass the ring closer to his ear.
"... you... co back... be careful... Winter... Lady of the Storm... celestial phenona..."
It was still hard to make out.
Annan looked up, furrowing his brows slightly.
And... what’s with Winter and the Lady of the Storm?
Professor Grey was being too careless... why not record properly, it’s barely audible.
"Let’s find a quieter place."
Ingrid said softly, "It’s still a bit noisy here."
"Let’s go over there then."
Annan quickly spotted a silent dead-end.
It was a narrow alley between two tall buildings, filled with piles of garbage.
It would be difficult for two people to pass through. The narrowest part protruded in, forcing them to sidle past one behind the other to avoid getting dust on their clothes.
—This place should be quiet enough, right?
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