The Quirell family was well aware that Nicholas William had a powerful mentor. Seeing Linda Quirell's respectful attitude, they immediately guessed Dean Bruce's identity. They quickly put on warm smiles and invited him into their home with the utmost respect.
Their hospitality was sincere, but Dean Bruce wasn't in the mood for pleasantries. He was eager to leave as soon as possible.
There was so much he needed to do!
First, he had to report back to the Advanced Magic Academy in Saint Laurent City. Then, when the time was right, he would return to Notting City to explore the Relics. Both tasks were of the utmost importance!
It wasn't long before Nicholas William, yawning and looking groggy, emerged from his room. Upon seeing Dean Bruce, he instantly snapped to attention, bowing respectfully.
"Master, are you planning to leave?"
Having spent enough time with Dean Bruce, Nicholas had learned to read his mentor's expressions. He quickly added, "If you're heading back, perhaps you should go on ahead. I might need to stay here a little longer."
Nicholas gave an awkward smile and said, "I'm thinking of bringing Linda with me back to Notting City. My grandfather warned that there might still be dangers lurking in the Empire of Lane Cloud, so we should leave as soon as possible."
Dean Bruce agreed with the old man's assessment.
The battle yesterday had left them thinking that everything was settled, but no one expected the ghostly mentor of the deceased enemy to ambush them afterward.
Who knew what other threats lay hidden within the Empire of Lane Cloud?
No matter how powerful Rulda Chel and his companions were, they couldn't guarantee the protection of the Quirell family. Relocating the entire family seemed like a wise move.
It was fortunate that this recent, eerie incident had frightened the Quirell family enough to abandon their attachment to the wealth and prestige they had enjoyed within the Empire of Lane Cloud. Otherwise, they might have been unwilling to leave it all behind.
Seeing that Nicholas William had made up his mind, and knowing that Shelly William could offer him protection, Dean Bruce didn't object. He simply nodded and said, "When you're on your own, make sure to dedicate yourself to your training. Master your magic as soon as possible."
"When I return to Notting City, I'll be checking on your progress. Don't disappoint me."
"Master, I won't let you down!" Nicholas William thumped his chest confidently, full of determination.
Satisfied, Dean Bruce didn't linger any longer with the Quirell family. Instead, he headed straight for the tavern.
When Dean Bruce arrived at the tavern, the door was still tightly shut. However, before he could even knock, the door swung open on its own.
Stepping inside, the room was just as dark as before. Aside from the blind old man still sitting in the far corner, there wasn't a single soul in sight.
The fact that the blind old man could open the door from such a distance was proof enough of his formidable strength.
Dean Bruce turned and closed the door behind him, then walked straight to the old man's table and sat down. The elder silently slid a cup of liquor across the table toward him.
A raspy voice followed, "You've just been through quite a battle, haven't you? Have a drink, warm yourself up. Since the last time you left, I've been brewing this. I managed to finish it just before you arrived."
Hearing this, Dean Bruce didn't hesitate. Without any further thought, he downed the drink in one gulp.
With that, Dean Bruce left the tavern and headed to the inn. After retrieving his belongings and mounting his Firebolt, he raced out of the city.
Although things weren't completely settled, they had come to a temporary conclusion. Staying in the Pur-cloud Imperial Capital wouldn't be of much use to him, so he figured it was better to move on.
His next task was to find a city with a teleportation magic circle and make his way back to Saint Laurent. Thankfully, he had a map with him, so traveling alone wouldn't be an issue.
Time slowly passed as Dean Bruce traveled.
Two days later, he was nearing a city with a teleportation magic circle that would take him directly to Saint Laurent.
As night descended, Dean Bruce, even with the protective treasures he carried, felt it necessary to slow his pace through the wilderness. While he wasn't overly concerned about being attacked by beasts, it was still wise to be cautious.
Ding!
Suddenly, the crackling sound of flames broke the stillness of the forest, catching Dean Bruce's attention.
Under normal circumstances, it was rare for people to camp out in the forest unless they were traveling through the night or undergoing some sort of trial.
At first, Dean Bruce had no intention of getting involved. However, the magical compass at his waist began to tremble, signaling strong magical energy nearby.
It was possible that his presence had already been detected by the group.
Having learned the hard way in his previous life that it was better to strike first than to wait and be ambushed, Dean Bruce quickly made up his mind. He headed toward the source of the magical energy, preferring to confront the situation head-on.
It rather than risk being attacked from behind.
As he approached, he soon saw a group of a dozen or so people standing, each holding either a long blade or a sword, glaring at him with predatory eyes.
Behind them stood five or six mages, their staffs raised, ready for action.
Around the campfire, seven more figures sat, including a girl who seemed to be around sixteen or seventeen years old. She wasn't the most breathtaking beauty, but her delicate features made it hard not to feel a protective instinct toward her. The group had positioned her at the center, shielding her.
Seeing this, Dean Bruce narrowed his eyes, sensing that something was off.
They seemed overly protective of the girl, but if they truly cared about her, why would they bring her into the wilderness to camp at night?
It was likely that she was being coerced, or perhaps the group had a reason they couldn't enter a nearby city.
While these thoughts ran through Dean Bruce's mind, his expression remained calm, giving nothing away.
The group didn't immediately attack either. One of the men seated by the fire smirked and said, "Young man, you've got some nerve, wandering the forest alone at night."
"Not as bold as you," Dean Bruce replied evenly. "I can outrun any beast, but you've got a fire going. Aren't you worried that the light will attract them?"
As Dean Bruce and the man exchanged veiled probes, the girl suddenly spoke up. Her voice, clear and melodic, caught Dean Bruce off guard for a moment.