"Why are you so flustered? This is quite unbecoming," Dean Bruce said calmly. "Collect yourself and explain to me what exactly has happened."
In the past, Prolo Hawthorne would have obediently listened, but now he rushed forward, grabbing Dean Bruce's hand and exclaimed excitedly, "Teacher, can you please save my grandfather?"
At this statement, Dean Bruce's pupils involuntarily constricted. While his expression remained calm, he was quite surprised inside.
Prolo Hawthorne's grandfather was the Vice President of the Magic Guild, one of the top-tier powerhouses. Why would he need Dean Bruce to save him?
What kind of trouble had the Magic Guild encountered?
Deep in thought, Dean Bruce waved his hand, signaling the nearby servants to step away for the time being, and then asked, "Take your time and tell me what has happened."
"My grandfather went out on a mission with some people, and then... then we lost all contact with him!" Prolo Hawthorne's eyes reddened, and his voice became choked with emotion. "Right now, no one dares to undertake that mission to rescue my grandfather! Teacher, I beg you!"
With a slight furrow in his brow, Dean Bruce had a clear understanding of his own strength. With the aid of various treasures and his high-level spells that multiplied his power and understanding tenfold, he could at most contend with archmage-level strongholds.
In terms of true power, there remained a significant gap compared to those top-tier experts.
Despite his rapid progress, the further he advanced, the larger the gap between levels became, naturally slowing his cultivation speed.
For instance, Dean Bruce had only taken a little over a month to rise from an ordinary human to the level of a Great Mage, which translated to just a few thousand mana points. In contrast, at higher levels, a few thousand mana points wouldn't even allow him to cross a minor tier, let alone ascend to the next level!
However, Dean Bruce's previous performance had been so flawless that, aside from Tia Nars from the Elven race, who possessed a unique talent to see through Dean Bruce's true strength, everyone else assumed he was a formidable powerhouse.
In such circumstances, Dean Bruce found it difficult to refuse Prolo Hawthorne's plea.
"What mission was being executed?" Dean Bruce pondered while asking aloud.
Regardless of whether he would refuse or agree, he needed to clarify the current situation first!
"Teacher, do you remember the mission those guards mentioned when we returned from the Quicksand Secret Realm?" Prolo Hawthorne clenched his fists, gritting his teeth. "After they went, they also vanished without a trace and couldn't be contacted. That's why the guild thought to send more people."
"My grandfather volunteered to lead the team for the position of the future guild president, but... after he left, we haven't received any news!"
"..."
Raising an eyebrow, Dean Bruce recalled the Duchy of Tanya.
A crisis occurring within a duchy that could ensnare even top-tier powerhouses immediately sparked Dean Bruce's mind.
Could this be a conspiracy or trap specifically targeting the Magic Guild by other top forces?
"Teacher!" Prolo Hawthorne had calmed down, no longer in a panic, and he dared not disturb Dean Bruce, who was deep in thought. Instead, he gazed at Dean Bruce with hopeful eyes.
However, he still harbored doubts and was reluctant to agree outright.
This situation was far too serious!
If even the top-tier powerhouses had fallen, what could he achieve by going?
Unless, of course, he was provided with a strong ally to assist him!
"I have already used the Eye of Reality to investigate, and there are no powerful archmage-level presences near the Duchy of Tanya, nor are there any strong magical formations," Tia Nars said softly. "Nozer must have been undermined by someone or underestimated his opponent, which is why he has ended up in his current situation."
"Eye of Reality? What is that?" Dean Bruce asked, a look of confusion on his face. Since Tia Nars was already aware of his background, he felt no need to pretend to be some wise hermit and simply asked what he did not understand.
Tia Nars thought for a moment before responding, "It is a treasure that allows one to observe a region from a distance. If you're interested, I can give it to you once your magical power level increases a bit more."
"You are quite generous," Dean Bruce replied with a smile, not refusing her offer. After all, he and Tia Nars had a cooperative relationship.
Moreover, if he were to accept the Eye of Reality, he would have to pay a price; a treasure wasn't worth much without a cost.
"If you decide to go, I will have Claire accompany you. With her strength, along with your luck and unique abilities, you should be more than capable," Tia Nars said with a light laugh. "Once it's done, Nozer will owe you a favor. Although his family has fallen, as long as he is alive, he will still have a certain degree of influence on this continent, which is a good thing."
"If I were you, I certainly wouldn't refuse!"
Dean Bruce snorted and countered, "If it's really that simple, why don't you go? If you personally save him, maybe he won't compete with you for the position of guild leader."
"You and I are different," Tia Nars shook her head. "He has others backing him, and those people do not wish to see me in this position. But you are different; they would not reject you."
"They know you are of the Elven race?" Dean Bruce could only think of this reason. Otherwise, normal people shouldn't be foolish enough to reject the strongest among them.
"They don't know," Tia Nars said softly. "They only know that I am not human, after all, I have lived for a long time! In this world, aside from becoming a deity, there is no way for a human to live for over a thousand years!"
"Those not of our kind will surely have different hearts," Dean Bruce nodded. "It's quite normal for them not to want you as guild leader."
"Those not of our kind... will surely have different hearts?" Tia Nars shook her head and sighed. "This saying is quite apt, but someone once told me a different saying: 'Seek common ground while reserving differences, and the world will be united!'"
Upon hearing this, Dean Bruce raised an eyebrow in surprise.
This phrase clearly came from the world he had traveled from!
The longer he survived on Meze Star, the more astonished he became, and he gradually concluded that he was not the only traveler in this place! However, if they were all travelers, why could they not change this world?
The powerful figures recorded in books bore no resemblance to travelers at all!
Thinking about this, Dean Bruce became increasingly curious about this world. After rescuing his parents, he would have to thoroughly investigate the peculiarities of Meze Star!
"Let's not talk about this anymore," Tia Nars waved her hand, the green light dissipating as she gently placed a teacup in front of Dean Bruce. She then asked, "Are you willing to go?"