"My lord, I can't walk," Zaya grumbled, her legs giving out as she sank to the ground, wearing a helpless expression.
John's brow furrowed slightly as he glanced at Aur, seeking permission.
"Aur, can we rest here for a moment?" John asked.
Aur fixed John with a cold stare before responding curtly, "No," and then strode off without another word.
Gabriel couldn't help but snicker as he watched John's plight.
"What's with that look, you think you can step over my head?" John snapped, glaring at Gabriel with irritation.
"I have two eyes, I can look wherever I want," Gabriel retorted coolly.
"You..." John clenched his fists, itching to confront Gabriel.
"Enough chit-chat. The captain will deal with you two if you keep this up," Darcy interjected, her tone serious as she noticed Aur's disapproving expression.
Gabriel quickly straightened up and offered a respectful apology, "Sorry, captain."
John, meanwhile, gave Gabriel a dismissive glance before lifting Zaya into his arms without further ado.
"Is it alright for me to carry you, Zaya?" John asked softly.
Zaya simply nestled closer into his embrace and replied, "Yes," her smile radiating warmth.
John's heart swelled with affection as he held her close, feeling increasingly certain about his decision to bring her along.
Aur observed John and Zaya with a hint of pity in his expression. "Love makes a person blind," he remarked, shaking his head slightly.
Soon, the group made their way back to the city, and Aur returned to his dormitory.
With just one mission left to complete, Aur would fulfil his quota for the year. As for the contribution resources he was due to receive, Aur wasn't in a rush. Thanks to the resources provided by the second elder, he had more than enough to progress to tier one while secluded in his training.
"Now, the next goal is to reach tier one wizard and push my physical body to its limits," Aur muttered to himself, determination gleaming in his eyes.
...
Meanwhile, William returned to his luxurious dorm, his head hung low in sorrow. He couldn't shake off the guilt that weighed heavily on him—his entire group, including the senior, had perished due to his carelessness.
Despite his grave error, the academy refrained from punishing him, given his status as Noah's disciple, which only intensified his remorse.
As he entered his room, William's blue eyes flickered with a glimmer of hope upon seeing his master, Noah, seated calmly with a warm smile.
"I know you well, my disciple. If I were to kill these girls, you would feel immense sadness. However, by capturing her, you can do whatever you wish with these women and vent your rage," Noah said, patting William's shoulder before casually tossing him a storage bag.
"What is this?" William questioned curiously as he caught the storage bag.
"Take a look," Noah replied with a mysterious smile.
William applied mana to it, instantly revealing the contents of the storage bag to his mind.
"This!?" His blue eyes widened in disbelief as he looked inside the storage bag.
"This should be enough resources for you to directly reach the tier two wizard realm. There are also some high-level spells directly from the treasury, as well as artefacts that could prove useful for a tier two wizard. Additionally, there's enough resources for you to imprint at least twenty spells. From now on, you don't have to undertake any village missions.
I have used my authority to make everything easier for you. You just have to practise and absorb mana and train slowly," Noah explained.
"Eh?" William was stunned, still trying to process the things in his head.
Noah simply smiled and patted William on the shoulder before walking away.
"Sigh, these debt masters. I won't ever forget it if I ever reach a higher realm," William shouted at last, his expression resolute.
Noah's figure vanished before his blue eyes.
After Noah disappeared, William closed his eyes and took deep breaths, his fingers tracing the cold surface of the ring.
"What should I do with you now, Angel?" he suddenly spoke, fixing his gaze on the shrinking woman before him.
Angel merely closed her eyes, a trace of regret flickering through her mind. "I should have attacked him when I had the chance," she thought ruefully.
Although she had numerous opportunities to kill him, her mind always seemed to falter, never gathering enough will or resolve to end William's life. It was as if some strange power was preventing her from carrying out the deed.
This strange sensation persisted, leaving her unable to act decisively.
William stared at her intensely, a flicker of hatred flashing in his eyes.
"Hey, Asmodeus, can I use her for my spell?" William muttered in his heart.
"Oh?" Asmodeus' astonished voice rang in his ears. "One of the strongest blood spells requires a sacrifice of a virgin woman to be refined; however, the spell's strength is extremely potent."
William's eyes glinted with ruthlessness, his mind already corrupted as countless evil thoughts flooded his consciousness.
"Let's do it," William muttered in his heart.
Suddenly, Angel felt a strange chill run down her spine.