Chapter 80: Chapter 77: Black Hand
Allen nodded and began to explain from the beginning.
He described tracking the burrowing worms to the camp, discovering the pollen, and deducing the existence of a special magic plant. He then explained how he used Lina’s Mind Witchcraft to enrage the Joyous Thorn, severing its control over the Queen, and finally, how he pitted the two against each other, making them tear themselves apart.
He spoke in a matter-of-fact tone, as if he were analyzing a ga of child’s play.
But to the three mbers of the elite team, his words were nothing short of a bombshell.
In just a few sentences, Allen had transford what they had perceived as a chaotic, random encounter into a ticulously planned, step-by-step strategy.
Every deduction, every command—it was all textbook-perfect.
The step of pitting them against each other, in particular, was a stroke of genius.
’What kind of calm mind and astounding insight would it take to devise and execute such a bold plan at a mont of life and death?’
The Elite Captain’s expression changed as if cycling through Witchcraft effects—from disbelief, to shock, and finally to grim seriousness.
They surveyed the scene once more, verifying the truth of Allen’s words.
When he looked at Allen again, his gaze was entirely different.
’This freshman, who’s been at the academy for less than a year, is an absolute monster!’
He was silent for a long mont, seemingly processing the imnse amount of information.
Finally, a complex look in his eyes, he focused on Allen and spoke slowly.
"Do you know what the Joyous Thorn is?"
Allen nodded.
"It may be a Low-Level Magic Plant, but its abilities are extrely dangerous to Wizard Apprentices from any school of magic. There are very few records of it being discovered and successfully eliminated in the academy’s history."
The Elite Captain’s voice grew heavy. "Nearly every appearance is accompanied by casualties."
"The fact that you not only survived but also cleverly managed to kill them is truly remarkable."
At these words, smiles broke out on the faces of Baston and Bruno.
But the captain’s next sentence was like a bucket of cold water dumped over their heads.
He gestured to the remains before them.
"An incident involving the death of a Wizard Apprentice is far beyond the scope of a normal mission."
"Therefore, the Disciplinary Committee must conduct a full review. Every one of you will be subject to an independent inquiry. All spoils will be temporarily confiscated until the investigation is complete."
Those words instantly extinguished the joy that had just begun to bubble up in Baston and Bruno.
’Confiscate our spoils? Undergo an investigation?’
’Doesn’t that an the Moonlight Moss and Queen’s Shell we fought tooth and nail for will all go down the drain? And we’ll get dragged into a ss on top of it?’
"How can this be!"
Baston grew frantic, his voice rough. "We completed the mission and solved a huge problem! Forget a reward, now you’re going to investigate us?"
"These are the rules."
A nearby team mber with a scar on his face sneered, "The greater the accomplishnt, the stricter the scrutiny. Especially when a life is involved. Who knows if you used so forbidden items or had so other agenda?"
Bruno’s face fell as well. Cradling his cobblestone, he muttered, "It’s over, it’s all over... so much for striking it rich..."
A flicker of worry crossed Lina’s azure eyes. She looked to Allen and saw that he remained calm, but the silver threads around his head continued to weave at high speed, a sign that his mind was working furiously.
An analysis imdiately appeared on Allen’s DSeek interface.
[Event Nature: Crisis]
[Crisis Factors: Bureaucratic red tape, increased ti cost, uncertain rewards, potential risk of spoils appropriation, compromised team morale.]
[Generating Optimal Solution Model... Solution A: Full cooperation, follow procedure. Estimated reduction in reward.]
[Solution B: Forceful opposition, provoke higher-level intervention. Outco unknown, may invite unnecessary trouble.]
[Solution C: Align interests, turn adversaries into allies. Risk: manageable. Recomnded.]
Allen looked up, his gaze eting the Elite Captain’s stern eyes directly.
"Senior, I understand the rules you’re talking about."
Allen began to speak. His voice wasn’t loud, but it silenced the entire cavern.
"But rules are rigid, and people are flexible."
The captain raised an eyebrow. "Oh? And what are you trying to say?"
"What I’m saying is, a report that leaves everyone satisfied is far more valuable than one that is rely ’by the book’."
As he spoke, Allen produced two items from his Space Ring.
He took out a small, folded packet of yellow powder. "This is the pollen we found on the deceased. Bruno confird it’s from the Joyous Thorn. We also found it in the camp outside."
Then, he took out a Recording Crystal.
"To ensure an accurate record of the mission and for our own protection, I make it a habit to record key monts during a battle."
Allen tossed the crystal up and down in his hand. "That includes how we discovered the clues, how we devised our strategy, and... how we resolved the situation."
The Elite Captain’s expression changed the instant he saw the Recording Crystal.
This ant it was now impossible for them to manipulate the report—to downplay the role of Allen’s team, for instance, or to exaggerate their own contributions.
’This freshman is terrifyingly ticulous! He’s already prepared all the evidence!’
The Elite Captain forced a slightly awkward smile.
"As expected of the skilled apprentices who survived such a close brush with death. With this Recording Crystal, the report will be much easier to write."
He tried to hide his loss of composure with a lighthearted tone, putting extra emphasis on the phrase "survived such a close brush with death."
"Yes, Senior. I’m providing a solution."
Allen smiled slightly.
"The report can be very simple. Our team was on a mission when we accidentally discovered traces of the ’Joyous Thorn’."
"After paying a ’heavy price,’ we succeeded in eliminating it. And you, the elites of the Disciplinary Committee, arrived in the nick of ti. You not only verified our accomplishnt but also efficiently handled the aftermath, nipping a potential ecological disaster in the bud. You even discovered a new patch of Moonlight Moss, securing additional revenue for the academy."
Allen paused, his tone shifting. "In that report, we are the victims who persevered, and you are the efficient overseers. Everybody wins, don’t you think?"
The Elite Captain was silent for a mont, his gaze sweeping back and forth between Allen and the Recording Crystal in his hand.
The two team mbers behind him exchanged a look, each seeing the shock reflected in the other’s eyes.
’This rookie is like a damn hedgehog,’ they thought. ’Even the captain is finding him hard to handle.’
Finally, a smile blood on his face again, only this ti it held a touch more sincerity. "Since the facts are clear, I see no need for a formal investigation."
"Could you tell
more about this patch of Moonlight Moss?" the captain asked, his tone now probing.
"A month ago, the main patch of Moonlight Moss in the Sinking Dream Swamp was contaminated, and the market’s supply chain was severed."
Allen’s voice was like the devil’s whisper, each word a hamr blow against the hearts of the three n.
"Over the past dozen or so days, the acquisition price for ’Moonlight Moss’ has risen by three hundred and twenty-seven percent. This very cave is the perfect environnt for its growth. If it were to be developed into a new cultivation site..."
Allen didn’t finish his sentence, letting the implication hang in the air as he watched them calmly.
The Elite Captain swallowed hard.
He was no fool. He understood Allen’s unspoken offer instantly.
’This place is a gold mine! A gold mine that would make any Advanced Apprentice green with envy!’
’If they took it for themselves, the profits would be imnse. Even if they reported it, they’d surely receive a handso reward from the Seven Towers Alliance...’
The Elite Captain’s gaze grew fervent.
’The surprises this freshman keeps delivering are on a whole other level!’
"Allen," he began, his tone now deeply aningful, "how do you think... we should handle this ’windfall’?"
Allen spread his hands. "That, of course, is a matter for the Disciplinary Committee to handle as they see fit."
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