Chapter 281 - 032: Friends

Chapter 281: 032: Friends

This…

Awkward.

The hot spring pool was quite small, with a diameter of only two or three meters. After Lanice stepped in, she could only sit very close to him, so close that even the slightest movement would almost make them touch.

If it were a man, that would’ve been fine, but it was the opposite sex… and neither of them wore anything. Lynch found it mildly offensive.

Compared to his internal conflict, Lanice seemed much more at ease. As if noticing his discomfort, she explained, “The Odor Removal Soup can get rid of the scent on your body, but that alone isn’t enough to fool those stupid dogs’ noses. You’ll need to pick up some of the scents from here as well. And honestly, there’s nothing more suitable than my scent.”

After a brief pause, she added with a teasing tone, “We’re Wizards, not ordinary men and women of the Mortal World. Don’t tell me you’re going to act like some prudish moral guardian?”

Fair point… but surely there were other ways of picking up scents; they didn’t have to bathe together…

Lanice scooped some spring water with a small wooden ladle and poured it over her head. Crystal-clear water flowed over her snowy white skin, streaming down along her neck.

As she did this, she said, “Earlier, some people from the Shadow Tower came by. They specifically asked about you.”

“Honestly, I wasn’t too surprised since I had already received several letters a few days ago. Carl, Subaru, and Morick—all of the apprentices from our cohort who still keep in contact have been questioned.”

Lynch frowned.

Before setting out on his rescue mission, these were issues he had carefully contemplated—whether his actions would bring trouble to his friends and if they’d face any retribution for associating with him.

However, after balancing the risks, Lynch believed the probability was low.

He’d been in the Tower for a long time and had good social ties. He knew too many people: Subaru Karl was his friend, Graham was his friend, Blair, Ron—they were friends too.

From apprentices to Wizards, from Muggles to Purebloods—he was connected to so many individuals. If the Tower wanted to purge, they’d have to eliminate a fifth of the Tower’s population, including core descendants of many Wizard Families. It was almost impossible.

What about the Mortal World then?

The problem was that nearly all of Lynch’s family in the Mortal World had already passed away. The only relative he still had there was a niece.

But even assuming the Tower sincerely believed that estranged mortal blood relatives could somehow help punish him—well, it wasn’t as though they didn’t have relatives of their own. Inflicting pain on each other isn’t exactly a one-sided game, is it?

Go ahead, bring it on. If it’s mutual destruction they want, so be it. As an almost lone wolf, Lynch was sure he wouldn’t lose to those sprawling families of Purebloods.

He asked, “Did they say much? Did they trouble you in any way?”

Lanice shook her head. “Not really. They just asked me some basic questions about you. I told them we weren’t that familiar and sent them on their way. It was the same for Subaru and the others. Only inquiries, no harassment.”

Hearing this, Lynch let out a breath of relief. Though he’d reasoned it through before, he had still been quite uneasy.

He said, “I’m sorry for causing trouble for all of you.”

Lanice burst into laughter. “Haha.”

Lynch looked puzzled and asked, “What’s so funny?”

Lanice tilted her head, letting her glossy, long hair trail into the pool.

With amused eyes, she looked at Lynch and said, “Nothing. It’s just fascinating. After all, in our memories, you’ve always been that staunch rule-follower—meticulously abiding by every single rule of the Tower.”

Her eyes brightened even more. “Never in a million years did we imagine you’d do something so earth-shattering. Everyone who knows you is completely stunned.”

Lynch shrugged. “I had no choice. Desperate times call for desperate measures.”

Even a cornered rabbit bites, after all.

Lanice nodded, then smiled faintly. “We understand. Everyone’s been saying you did an incredible job—achieving what so many of us wished to but never dared to do. A lot of people are calling you a hero now.”

Uh…

Lynch shook his head. “I can’t take that title.”

He didn’t believe his actions were motivated by any noble ideals or lofty Faith and certainly didn’t feel they were worthy of praise or celebration. Everything he did was driven by personal vendettas. Moral rights and wrongs? He hadn’t given them a second thought.

Lanice replied, “It’s already remarkable enough.”

After a moment, she marveled, “Though we’ve always known you were the most talented among us, and we were sure you’d surpass us one day, I truly didn’t expect it to happen this quickly.”

“First, you advanced to a Wizard, and now you’re Second Tier already…” Her expression turned a little bitter.

Ever since arriving at the Magic Potion Manor all those years ago, she had always regarded Lynch as a role model, constantly chasing after him. She’d taken inspiration from his approach, focusing on Cultivation and hard work rather than currying favor or pinning hopes on others.

This relentless work ethic had helped her stand out among the apprentices, becoming the youngest Level 1 Instructor at the manor. She had even meditated her way to a tenth rune not long ago, putting her just one step away from being a Wizard.

She thought she was finally about to glimpse his shadow, only to realize he had already soared to a much higher level long ago…

Lanice sighed. “If this were an official setting, I wouldn’t even qualify to have a conversation with someone like you.”

True that.

Under normal circumstances, a Second Tier Wizard was the apex of this land. Not only was she unqualified as an apprentice, but even formal Wizards had to show utmost respect to someone of his standing.

Lynch raised his hand and flicked her forehead lightly with his finger. “What’s with the whole ’sir’ nonsense.”

“We’re all friends here. Stop with this formal nonsense.”

As someone from Earth, Lynch had always felt that differences in rank and ability between people were just practicalities. Forcing hierarchy among friends seemed incredibly dull.

After a pause, he continued, “Alright, enough of these irrelevant topics. Let’s talk about something else. You’ve been in touch with everyone, right? How have they been doing?”

…

For the next while, Lynch stayed with Lanice. The Odor Removal Soup only needed to be used once a week to effectively conceal scents and the Spiritual Field. Combined with Lanice’s cover, no one discovered his hiding spot here.

Once settled, Lanice also helped secure the equipment and materials Lynch needed. As a Level 1 Instructor in the manor, her position was second only to the Witch Master. Since the Witch Master, a Pureblood, was busy with family affairs, Lanice wielded the highest actual authority in the manor. Whatever needed to be done only required her word.

With her assistance, the treatments for Graham could proceed smoothly as well…

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