"Leader, we have investigated the death of Alchemist Almer."
Noah nodded expressionlessly from his seat, observing two figures cloaked in long coats that obscured their faces, their eyes hidden behind black goggles.
"So, what have you found?" Noah closed the file he had been perusing, his tone casual.
"The murderer of the Alchemist is a peculiar wizard with the strength of a tier two, and we believe it is a single individual," one of the figures reported.
"I could deduce as much from the massacre of ten peak-tier One wizards. Together, they could pose a threat to a tier two, provided they lacked a tier two spell. But do you have any other insights?" Noah inquired, his gaze piercing.
The two exchanged a glance before one stepped forward with a sigh.
"We suspect that the murderer is not only a tier two wizard but also possesses a tier two lethal artefact. This artefact must have a tier two spell imbued on it, as the victims were brutally slain by it. We found faint palm prints, suggesting it is a globe," he concluded.
"Oh?" Noah raised his brows, entering a contemplative state before clapping his hands together. "Then they must be outsiders, as there are no elders in our village who possess a tier two lethal artefact."
"Any more clues?"
"Yes, Village Leader. The murderer must be a fire type wizard and must have extraordinary physique, as we found evidence of the ground melting and there were traces of brute force destruction of the property. Other evidence suggests brute force was used," the investigator added.
Noah nodded in understanding. "What about the other people who were killed?"
There were countless assassinations happening from left to right; some elders' disciples were killed in their own residences. Although they hadn't targeted the high-ranking individuals, the village still lost face.
"They aren't related to the murderer, but there is something in my knowledge I wanted to point out," the person said with hesitation.
"What is it?" Noah paused.
"Our assumptions might be wrong. There can be another way that a person can produce such terrifying heat."
"How?" Noah raised his brows.
Noah, still inside the office, had a contemplative expression. "Looks like someone is plotting against me. Luckily, there is only a tier three wizard, Aiken, so I should be able to beat him," he thought in his heart, fully confident.
...
In Aur's seclusion, he gazed at the gleaming pattern of a lava symbol and the various intricate patterns connected to it with a satisfied expression on his face.
"I have finally refined a spell from lava magic: Lavaball," he nodded with satisfaction as he dropped a drop of his golden blood into the pattern.
Instantly, the spell entered his mental space and slowly remained in a suspended state with the other spells.
"I don't lack resources nowadays with Alchemist Elmer dead. I can entirely control the potion market."
Aur's eyes shined when he thought of this, although with the price of these spells, only the Elders had the resources available to them to consume them.
But there was still a market for them.
Besides, being the only Alchemist now, he was showered with gifts from the Elders.
"Tier one: Lavaball."
A red blob of molten lava materialised in front of Aur, causing the surrounding temperature to increase.
The blob of fire was in liquid form and was about the size of a football. Aur slightly extended his hand towards it, and a sizzling sound resounded with steam emanating from his hand.
Aur nodded his head, satisfied with the spell.
Just then, his formidable perception, which spanned ten kilometres, sensed the presence of three foreign individuals entering his grand mansion.
"Hmm?" His eyes widened as all three individuals emitted a sense of danger, indicating that they were at least tier two wizards.
"Are they the Elders?" Aur became alert and attempted to use his perception, but he was swiftly intercepted as the three individuals detected him using their defence spell, prompting him to retract his perception instantly.