The Adventurer's Mission Log

Chapter 43 Academy

"Our artisans have business dealings with the university," said the long-bearded dwarf. "The scholar Tinarius, you may know him, orders a batch of replicas of runic amulets from us every quarter for research purposes."

"Yes, sir, even people outside the city know him." Tenor knew that 'The Scholar' Tinalius was the chief tutor of the law school, a big figure in the city, and also a high-ranking alchemist.

If he had a talent for spellcasting, he would probably try to show off his abilities to Tinarius and spend more than a decade in an academy.

Unfortunately, he didn't; he took a different path, one that might have even greater potential.

If he had any doubts about the Path of the Half-Humans before, after seeing the lizardman guards who were indiscriminately killing demons in his vision last night, he now understands what kind of freak he will become.

"You've convinced me, human." The long-bearded dwarf pushed himself off the bar and jumped back to the ground, walking toward Tenor as he spoke.

"But I need to confirm one thing." He reached deep into his beard and took a pendant off his neck.

It was an ancient silver coin engraved with dwarven runes, its surface darkened with age.

Although dwarves do not directly manipulate magic, their rune blacksmiths are particularly skilled at forging magic into items, which they call "rune magic."

"Take this silver coin to the university and find that human named Tinalius. Ask him to help you."

If he doesn't react at all when he sees this, then it means your prediction of the mage's fall from grace wasn't just a guess; something bad has already happened to him.

The long-bearded elder handed the silver coin to Tenor. "I'll tell Gotley when he wakes up, but the dwarf won't vouch for nothing."

Human, if your intelligence is accurate, then you and your "dangerous mission" are no longer just a matter for Gotley.

"Thank you for your help." Tenor sincerely thanked the dwarf. If he could directly contact the 'scholar' Tinarius, everything would be much simpler.

While Longbeard was reprimanding the other dwarves in the tavern, Tenor quietly left.

Directly opposite the Lagettea Cathedral, cross the square and head northeast; after a few streets, you'll see the marble entrance to the college.

Besides students during their free time, the central courtyard corridor is filled with citizens who want to audit classes, and occasionally there are idle strolling visitors like Tenor.

Tenor walked through an open courtyard enclosed by a two-story colonnade, which consisted of a covered walkway on the first floor and private chairs on the second floor.

Later, as they passed the small fountain in the center of the courtyard, there were many students having an impromptu debate by the stone benches. Unfortunately, Tenor was recognized.

"Is this Lord Tenor, the one who killed the 'Faceless Man'? I heard he was a half-man, and your features match the bard's description!"

"Look! The hero who killed the serial killer is here!"

"I once wanted to be an adventurer like him, but my mother insisted on sending me to the academy so that I could inherit the family business. Alas."

"Heh~ Who isn't? If my father gave me my freedom, I definitely wouldn't become a commander in the legion after graduation. I would become a heroic adventurer like Lord Tenor!"

"Sir! I've heard about your deeds and I imagine you must be a knowledgeable explorer. I have a question." A student dressed in a straight, knee-length, coarsely woven white robe approached Tenor; all the students present were dressed similarly.

His clear and articulated sentences:

"Imagine a woman who has been raped. Under the law, she has the right to choose to marry her abuser or have him killed."

But if the same man rapes two women in one night, one of whom demands marriage and the other demands his execution, how do you think the verdict should be?

"If the bride doesn't mind being a widow, allows them to get married, and then executes the criminal, everyone's wishes will be fulfilled," Tenor replied casually.

The student who asked the question was taken aback and frowned in thought.

Taking advantage of the opportunity, Tenor bypassed him and loudly asked the group of students, "Where is Lord Tinarius, the 'Scholar'? His business partner wants me to see him."

The students at Ternoll were mostly from the rhetoric school, so they could only point out the location of the law school.

But a young man with black hair and green eyes raised his hand. "Are you looking for your mentor? I'll take you there. I'm Petros, a student of Mentor Tinalius."

The law student, Petros, wore an ornate longsword at his waist, a type of sword that was more of a ceremonial weapon in the academy.

Of course, it cannot be ruled out that some students might engage in private duels.

"Please lead the way." Tenor nodded to him.

He hung the silver coin the dwarf had given him around his neck. If he met Tinarius later and the other party didn't react, it might be that the other being was in disguise. In that case, he would have to politely take his leave and call the dwarf to have a physical conversation.

If everything goes well, he will be able to get help from a high-ranking alchemist.

As Petros led them through the garden, they paused briefly. Ternor noticed the boy secretly watching the girl reading on the lawn and teased him, half-urging him on.

"Be careful, if you know about the 'Dark Prince,' you'll find that all the worshippers of this evil god are handsome men and beautiful women."

Some women may look like girls, but their penises are bigger than yours.

The short-haired youth trembled slightly upon hearing this, and said with a mixture of embarrassment and anxiety, "I wasn't looking at her, I was looking at the scenery." He was breathing heavily as he quickly led Tenor across the path. "I don't like Julia. She's from the Dionysian family, and she could never be interested in a man from a commoner family."

"Oh, so she's from the governor's family. She must be marrying a great nobleman. The Dionysus family is a mainstay of the council of elders."

For some reason, Ternor's tone sounded somewhat sarcastic to Petros, though it might just be his imagination.

Seeing the boy clench and unclench his fist, Tenor didn't give any further hints or reminders to disturb the young man's romantic fantasies.

"Has your advisor been acting strangely lately?"

"He spends all his time in his private lab and hardly ever teaches. Is that unusual?"

I think so.

"Then he's been off since birth, I'm sorry! I respect my mentor, but he's too irresponsible. If he were willing to take some time to give lectures to us, I would respect him even more."

"Okay, this isn't unusual. Maybe for him, teaching you guys is just a side job."

"Has he exhibited any unusual behavior in the past few days or months?"

"He took on a new student, and that student has been able to stay by his side and receive instruction... I'm not jealous! Okay... I am jealous of Isaac. I don't understand why only he gets the mentor's favor! We're no worse than him!"

Amidst Petros's complaints, Tenor was led into a secluded laboratory in the woods.

Petros gestured for him to stop, then went inside alone, passing through various instruments and tables, and waited quietly at the top of the stairs.

Soon, a blond, blue-eyed student came downstairs, looked directly at Tenor standing outside the door, frowned, and lowered his voice, "What is it?"

"He wants to see his advisor."

"The supervisor does not see visitors."

"The dwarves sent me; they want to discuss the price for the next deal," Tenor said, speaking up first.

He had already given up hope, because the student was making him irritated, and his hunting instincts were alerting him to the presence of an enemy.

Isaac's eyes lit up. "Alright, come over here, but be quiet."

Tenor followed them upstairs. An elderly scholar with shoulder-length black and white hair had already reached the door and, before Tenor could speak, said, "Tell the dwarves that the deal is canceled."

What deal? Ternor was just making up an excuse.

Tenor approached, deliberately showing off the silver coins by scratching his head, but "Tinarius" did not react.

No, he reacted. Tenor noticed that the old scholar winked at him while Isaac was talking to Petros.

He moved closer, but Isaac suddenly turned around, frowned, and glared at Tenor. "If there's nothing else, please leave."

"I think that's what your mentor should say." Tenor narrowed his eyes, looking at the blond youth dangerously.

"Please go back." Tinalius looked at the silver coin around Tenor's neck with a complex expression, a mixture of hope and warning, as if reminding Tenor to be careful.

Before Isaac looked at the maester, Tinarius closed his eyes.

"Hmm." Tenor nodded, knowing that there was a big problem.

Tinarius was indeed himself, but he seemed to be under control.

He couldn't start a fight here, because if the other party could control a high-level alchemist, they must be much stronger than him.

If the other party used a sneak attack, a conspiracy to seize leverage, or the power of a demon, then only a high-level being could do it.

A high-level mage has plenty of ways to bypass lower-level professionals seeking help, and clearly, Tinarius is being closely watched.

This isn't just his problem anymore.

Wait until he turns around and brings a group of dwarves to cut them down!

Tenor thought viciously.

He might be in danger alone, but with the help of a large number of dwarves, the difficulty is actually not that high—the dwarves are quite powerful in combat.