Chapter 135 - 122: To Go or Not to Go?

"My first love, Ava, who is also my wife, supports me in continuing down the path of becoming a Mage. But I’m short on funds, and need to constantly go on adventures to afford transcribing spells, not to mention other expenses."

"Having a wife like that is truly enviable."

"Mr. Loren, did you start practicing from this Magic Trick?"

"Yes, Mr. Raine, you should give it a try."

"Once you can accurately sketch human figures, I think Mr. Raine will feel the progress in spiritual power, though the process will be quite long."

"Thank you for your guidance, Mr. Loren." Raine nodded slightly, expressing his gratitude.

"You’re welcome. By the way, Mr. Raine, I’ve heard that after you become a Black Iron Level Adventurer or a proper Mage from a Mage Tower, there are Meditation Techniques that, although requiring accumulated practice, can enhance spiritual power much faster than practicing Magic Tricks."

"Meditation Technique?" Raine raised an eyebrow.

He didn’t expect such a thing actually existed. Even though from Loren’s description, it seems to require long-term practice to enhance spiritual power, any enhancement would considerably boost his combat strength.

Because the Monster Skills he possesses have power comparable to Third Level Spells.

This is equivalent to spells mastered by a Level 5 Mage.

At the moment, his spiritual power can only support this level of attack once, after which he requires a long rest to recover.

If he could enhance his spiritual power through Meditation Techniques to perform two Third Level Spell Monster Skills in one battle, the boost in combat strength would be substantial.

"Indeed. Therefore, Mages from Mage Towers, at Classes Level one, can perform three First Level Spells more frequently than we self-taught mages."

"By the way, Mr. Raine, what spells do you know?"

"Excuse me, here’s the thing, I initially wanted to memorize the First Level Spell Ice Blade Spell, but I thought a combination of Greasy Spell and Burning Hand might be more useful in the underground mine environment."

"Mage Loren’s idea is great. I happen to know Ice Blade Spell and the Trick Freezing Ray." Raine nodded with a smile.

He understood why Loren would say that.

Because there’s a synergy issue between spells.

For example, Greasy Spell followed by Burning Hand, oil plus fire would directly produce an effect greater than their individual parts, with power comparable to Second Level Spells.

Whereas Water Spells paired with Ice Spells are equally formidable.

"Hmm? You know Ice Blade Spell?" Wanderer Royce heard this and couldn’t help but speak.

He had always thought that in the combination of Raine and Elise, Priest Elise was the mainstay, but now it seemed otherwise.

....

Several hours later.

Approaching noon, the carriage arrived at Azure Mine.

The weather changed from clear to overcast, gradually becoming cloud-covered, with drizzling rain starting to fall.

As Raine and his companions stepped into the mine area with exposed yellow soil, several miners seemed to quickly walk under the rain shelter to report.

Raine looked around and found that most miners looked dispirited, with pale complexions, appearing worse than last time.

"Adventurer, did some fool report the Kobolds again?" A burly man with a slanting scar on his forehead muttered as he walked over from under a rain shelter.

"Didn’t I say not to report such small matters to the Adventurer’s Association, damn it, if I find out which guy secretly reported, I’ll beat him to death."

Perhaps, because of the distance, others couldn’t hear him, but with Sensitive Hearing Lv2, Raine had already heard the mumbling clearly and recognized his identity.

The scarred man looked impatient initially, but upon seeing the over 1.9-meter-tall Half-Orc and the well-equipped Dwarf Warrior, he seemed to realize that they weren’t low-level Adventurers.

Immediately he managed to squeeze out a smile and came forward, saying, "Gentlemen, how can I assist you? I’m the foreman here, Bonds."

"Where are the Gray Dwarves in the mine?" Half-Orc Karg grumbled.

"Gray Dwarves? What Gray Dwarves?" Bonds’ eyes twitched, feigning ignorance.

"Karg, let me handle this." At this point, the temporary team leader Royce smiled and came forward, saying to Bonds:

"Don’t be nervous, my companion has a bit of a temper; we received a mission from the association saying miners witnessed traces of Gray Dwarves in Azure Mine."

"We’re here to investigate this matter."

"Is that so?" Bonds turned toward the dozens of miners behind him and asked, "Anyone saw Gray Dwarves? Stand out and tell the Adventurer—yes."

The miners showed apathetic expressions and shook their heads.

This scene made Bonds smile, turning to Royce and saying, "Look, sir, it must be a miner’s prank; there’s actually no Gray Dwarves."

"Of course, it’s also possible that some coward mistook Kobolds for Gray Dwarves, but you know, Kobolds are the kind of creature that a strong miner can easily kill two of."

"Plus, such things are like weeds; even if you kill a batch, soon another will emerge." Bonds said, frequently glancing at the graceful and sweet Elise.

However, when his gaze fell on Raine, who wore a Horned Helmet, doubt flashed in his eyes, as if trying to recall something but couldn’t quite remember.

"No?" Royce didn’t expect this situation and appeared thoughtful.

"Are you sure?"

"Absolutely, I can guarantee this, or, adventurers can ask them." Bonds patted his chest, assuring again, pointing to the miners behind.

"In that case... I understand. I’ll discuss with my team." Royce nodded, appearing thoughtful.

At the back, Raine had recognized Bonds from the very first moment as the suspicious guy from last time.

He remembered clearly how Reya reported this situation to Mr. Ramsey, the responsible person at the Mill Town association branch.

But the problem now is that the guy seems unaffected?

This gave Raine a bad feeling.

This mine trip might not go smoothly.

"The foreman says it’s a miner’s prank or some timid miner mistaking Kobolds for Gray Dwarves."

"I think what he says might be true."

"As the Kingdom’s largest copper mine, if Gray Dwarves were present, these managers would be more anxious than us."

"My thought is to return to Mill Town and confirm with the association; what are your thoughts?" Royce looked around and asked.

"Damn, I was looking forward to smashing those Earthworms’ heads." Dwarf Warrior Bruno raised his Warhammer, showing regret.

"Karg has no opinion." Half-Orc Karg said.

Karg’s thinking was simple; the promotion task wasn’t for him alone. Whatever others did, he followed. He wouldn’t bother overthinking it.

Loren’s lips wriggled as if he wanted to say something but stopped.

Raine noticed Bonds still watching from afar and said, "Let’s return to the carriage."

"Alright." Royce understood immediately, nodding.

"Let’s go!"

So, they began walking back.

At this moment, some miners passed them by, and suddenly, one stumbled beside Elise.

"Careful, are you okay?" Kind-hearted Elise immediately tried to help him up.

"I’m fine, I’m fine!" The person waved his hands, seeming somewhat afraid, and quickly left.

But then Elise stopped in her tracks because she found a small stone with a folded note tied around it in her hand.

"Let’s read it back in the carriage." While Elise hesitated, Raine took her by the elbow and led her forward.

Raine had witnessed that scene clearly.

Evidently, the miner intended to deliver a secret message, and if they stopped now, Bonds might discover this disclosure.

Minutes later.

The group returned to the large covered wagon.

As soon as they got on, Elise unfolded the paper. It contained several scribbled words—

’Gray Dwarves, 13th abandoned mine shaft.’

Upon seeing the written message, the group fell into silence within the carriage.

"The foreman denies it, but a miner secretly informed us. Should we go or not?" Temporary team leader Royce frowned tightly.