The Cornflower Witch

Book 3: Chapter 66: Restoring Stability

After sending Anari and the Dragon Eye treasure back, Sylutia, Four Fingers, and the others reported the incident at the police station. Then came the official personnel and members of the Bionics School to verify and confirm everything. All sorts of miscellaneous matters dragged on until late at night before finally coming to an end.

In the following days, Sylutia constantly shuttled between the police station and communicating with the Bionics School representatives.

"So, you are Master Nox's student." This hook-nosed man sat in his chair, recalling and pondering that name.

Although Nox's achievements were not low, his reputation within the Bionics School was not high. First, he joined the Bionics School midway, so he didn't have many familiar peers like other members. Second, when he advanced to Sixth Tier, he rarely returned to the school, and few insiders knew about this. Finally, due to research setbacks and failures, Nox was deeply discouraged and didn't like participating in the school's ceremonies and activities, until he eventually left and returned south to live in seclusion.

Although he was once a master of the Bionics School, Nox, due to his background and experiences, never had much interaction with the mainstream circles of the school, which is why few people remembered his name.

"What a pity. I only knew Master Nox's name because I was organizing the school's internal technical materials." The other party recounted some past events.

"From what you say, Master Nox's health is poor. Is it difficult for him to return to the Mage Alliance?"

"Yes, my instructor currently lives in seclusion by Meteorite Lake and rarely goes out anymore," Sylutia replied.

After listening, the man sighed with emotion, then asked in detail about Sylutia's learning experience under Master Nox, testing her on many questions. He was very satisfied with Sylutia's solid foundation.

Afterward, he increased the difficulty of the questions, and seeing Sylutia still answering fluently, he was even more pleasantly surprised."It seems you have a very good grasp of the Bionics School's rune secrets. Considering you've only studied for less than two years, such results are truly astonishing."

"It would be wonderful if you could come to our school," he said with deep regret.

"I'm sorry," Sylutia bowed in apology.

"It's nothing, just a bit emotional." The man knew in his heart that the current Bionics School was indeed less attractive than the top-ranked school college in the Mage Alliance.

"Since you're a descendant of an old acquaintance, there's no need to be so formal about many things. The headman who plotted the theft—I'll leave his handling to you." Since the treasure had been recovered, he didn't want to bother with trivial details.

"Although you can't join the Bionics School, I still hope you'll come often to exchange and learn. This isn't something prohibited."

"This badge is for you. From now on, you can use it to enter Errimo College directly." With that, he handed Sylutia a badge engraved with a three-headed monster pattern.

The monster on the badge had three heads: a lion, a goat, and a snake—fierce and ferocious. This was the Bionics School's monster, the Chimera.

"Thank you."

Afterward, the two chatted for a while longer. As the sky began to darken, Sylutia took her leave and departed.

The recruitment activities in Asra District continued as normal. The arrival of the top ten colleges recently had captured the attention of many students, and the previous theft of the Dragon Eye treasure was quickly forgotten.

With the efforts of Four Fingers, the underground world of Asra District barely regained stability. However, with the successive loss of three headmen, many neighborhoods experienced a power vacuum. Some minor bosses attempted to control their respective areas and become the new local headmen.

Around that time, Fire Pig, who had been unconscious for days, finally woke up.

"So, you managed to survive again."

Upon that awakening, Fire Pig's mood was completely different. If before it was utter despair, now it was surviving a disaster—a kind of unspeakable relief and joy.

"Oh oh, our Lord Fire Pig has finally woken up, has he?" A somewhat unfamiliar physician walked into the room, approached the wide stone bed, and examined Fire Pig's body once more.

"You might not know me, but I know you," the other said after finishing the check, taking off the glasses from the bridge of his nose and wiping them.

"I usually serve Lord Four Fingers. Back then, I rescued him from poisoning too. In a sense, you were also saved by me."

"Thank you." Perhaps because he had experienced life and death, Fire Pig no longer cared about pride. He felt that lying comfortably in bed right now was the happiest thing.

"Oh oh, you actually said thank you. Tsk tsk, that's much more polite than that Four Fingers fellow." The man stroked his beard.

"But don't thank me. The one who really saved your life is actually Lady Hedra." He told Fire Pig some things.

"The treasure and the report have already been submitted. Under normal circumstances, you would have been dead for sure. No official in Asra District would have protected you."

"But amazingly, Miss Hedra persuaded the mage representative from the Bionics School. That heavenly figure miraculously agreed to Miss Hedra's request, handing over the authority to deal with you to her and no longer interfering."

"So that's why you can now lie here intact. Otherwise, you would have been skewered and roasted like a pig long ago." The man was not polite at all.

"So that's how it is." Only then did Fire Pig understand why he had been able to wake up again.

"Get some good rest first. Lady Hedra has been busy with her studies recently. When she has time, she'll come to see you."

"Oh, right. In a few days, we'll carry you back to Chive Street to show your face. There's been a lot of trouble over there lately, and we can't manage it all."

"I can still return to Chive Street?" Fire Pig had thought he would be imprisoned and turned into a slave or something.

"Of course. You still have to work. Thinking you can freeload here for life—that won't do."

"I understand."

The physician chatted on for a while, then brought Fire Pig a pot of water for him to drink.

"After drinking, go back to sleep. The toilet is next door. Someone will bring you food tonight." After explaining some matters, he left.

Three days later, Fire Pig was carried onto a carriage and returned to Chive Street. There, he received a warm welcome from many people. After all, he had operated here for years, and his residual authority remained. Now that he had survived death, many residents believed Fire Pig had incredible connections, managing to return safely even after committing such a serious offense.

"Lord Fire Pig! Lord Fire Pig!" An old man wrapped in a turban pushed through the crowd to get close.

When he got near, he tore off his turban, revealing the worn, smooth bird beak. This was none other than the bird-beaked old man who had previously helped Fire Pig come up with ideas.

"You're back... you're back." His voice was choked with tears of joy, as if he too had come back to life.

Fire Pig sat on the carriage, used his only remaining thick arm to lift him up, and placed him at the back of the carriage.

"Yes, I'm back. Heh heh." Fire Pig looked at the people around him and suddenly found a new meaning in life.

So, there are still people who care about me.

Even if they only want to live in peace under my reputation.

This feeling of being needed and depended on... it's not bad at all. Heh heh.

Just a few days of separation felt like an entire lifetime. Fire Pig felt as though he had experienced decades of mental journey, with many thoughts and concepts changing over these few days.

The neighborhoods that had started vying for power due to Fire Pig's departure stabilized once again. Many small forces in the underground world were also surprised by the sudden reconciliation and cooperation between Fire Pig and Four Fingers.

The power vacuum that had appeared was now filled, and because the two headmen had shifted to cooperation, it became exceptionally stable and solid.

At this moment, the three strongest school colleges of the Mage Alliance also arrived in Asra District to set up exhibition halls.

The recruitment assessment for this year officially began.