"Oh?" Richard's expression brightened, but he soon fell into thought, saying, "Such a good thing, yet it hasn't spread; there must be some drawbacks."
Laikate replied indifferently, "There are definitely drawbacks. The refining technology for this crystal is extremely complex, and pure Yuris Black Crystal emits a strong weakening radiation.
Long-term contact with this crystal will cause even the body of a Third Circle Wizard to decay.
In fact, the energy source is merely a byproduct of the research.
The purpose of this research is to transform this ore into a lethal weapon."
"Did he succeed?" Richard asked curiously.
"He succeeded, but he also failed," Laikate said flatly. "During his research, the Yuris Black Crystal finally exploded according to his design.
However, the massive amount of weakening radiation produced by the explosion instantly breached his protective measures, destroying most of the laboratory equipment, including himself.
My teacher put in a lot of effort to eliminate the weakening radiation from this data."
Richard sighed; the pursuit of truth is like this—unexpected events and tomorrow are always unpredictable.
"Alright, the price for this knowledge is sufficient. But before I let you go back, we need to sign a Soul Contract."
Richard took out a blank Soul Contract from his pocket and drafted some terms on it.
These terms included that Laikate must not attack any Wizards from the Black Tower Wizard Academy during this Academy War, must not disclose any information about Richard, and must not seek revenge against Richard after the war ends, among other clauses.
By signing this contract, Laikate would essentially bid farewell to this Academy War.
Laikate looked at the contract, his expression somewhat twisted; when had a Third Circle Wizard ever felt so constrained?
But this was the best outcome.
Who told him he was unlucky enough to encounter Richard? If he had met any other Wizard dispatched from the Black Tower Academy, his fate would not have been so miserable.
Richard pulled out the sealing nails from him, and Laikate snorted coldly, a terrifying wave of Magic Power instantly emanating from his body.
Several Fire Lizards tensed up, their fingers quickly pressing the switch of their Chainsaw Swords.
If Laikate made any sudden moves, the Wizard Hunting team would not hesitate to turn him into pieces.
Richard was now the hope of the Fire Lizard clan; if he died, all his possessions would be inherited by his designated heir.
If Richard had not designated an heir, then his possessions would be inherited by his students, teachers, brothers, and friends.
These people were not as merciful as Richard; in the Wizard World, where slavery was prevalent, the Fire Lizard clan would inevitably face destruction.
Laikate glanced at the Wizard Hunting team eyeing him warily, snorted coldly, and conjured an arm with Magic Power to sign his name on the contract.
As the contract turned to flames and vanished into the air, Richard waved at the Wizard Hunting team.
"The contract is complete. If the master is interested, you might as well have some roasted meat."
Richard pointed to the large barbecue grill not far away, where a wild boar was roasted to a golden brown, a rich aroma wafting through the air.
"No, I still have research to do."
Laikate replied somewhat stiffly, then transformed into a Flame Giant and flew towards the Meteorite Academy.
Watching Laikate leave, Richard shook his head and muttered to himself, "What an unfortunate guy."
...
The roasted wild boar meat was very tough; if an ordinary person tried to eat it, they might even lose a tooth trying to tear off a piece. But for Richard, a Second Circle Wizard, this only made the meat taste better.
The wild boar, which had been the size of a small hill, shrank by nearly half after roasting, but after being devoured by several big eaters from the Wizard Hunting team, along with Richard and Kayan, a large portion of the wild boar still remained.
Richard preserved the leftover roasted meat using his alchemical domain, planning to eat it later.
After a hearty meal, Richard and Kayan began to chat.
Richard was quite curious about this notoriously unlucky Second Circle Wizard.
It was rare for someone to be as unlucky as Kayan, and his ability to make others unlucky was even more exceptional.
"Master Kayan, is your bad luck something you were born with, or did you encounter something later that caused it?"
Kayan, who was using Magic Power to pick his teeth, heard Richard's question and his expression immediately fell. "Sigh, Master Richard, do you think a normal person could be as unlucky as I am and still survive past infancy?"
Richard pondered, "So it was something you encountered later that caused you to become like this. Can you tell me about it?"
Kayan nodded, his tone filled with bitterness and helplessness.
"Sigh, it's nothing much. Before I was chosen as a Wizard Apprentice, a landslide occurred in the small mountain on my family's estate, revealing a long-sealed cave.
That cave was the laboratory of a Wizard from ancient times.
Most of the things in that laboratory had decayed into scrap over time.
But I still found a functioning Magic Array inside.
At that time, I was young and reckless, with no reverence for Wizards. After I placed a Magic Stone into that array, a phantom creature appeared.
This creature looked human but had four arms and six eyes, carrying a large gray bag on its back. As soon as it appeared, it spoke to me in a language I had never heard but understood, saying, 'You dare to summon me, Kugin?'
Then it opened the bag on its back.
I saw a stream of black mist fly out of that bag, and as soon as it appeared, it drilled into my body.
After that, the phantom creature vanished.
From that moment on, I began to have bad luck.
First, my father was executed by the king for participating in a rebellion, then when I escaped, I was accidentally chosen as a Black Wizard Apprentice, and my friend was also chosen as an apprentice.
During the entrance exam, I encountered a rampaging chimera; he was blown up, and I nearly got blown up too.
In short, everything went wrong for me, and only after facing great disasters did I have a moment to catch my breath.
Sigh, why was I so reckless back then to activate that array!"
Kayan seemed to have not communicated with a Wizard for a long time; once he opened up, he couldn't stop talking.
As he continued, his regret nearly overflowed from his words.
His moment of impulsiveness not only caused him suffering but also implicated his family and friends.
This was what he could not bear the most.
Richard deeply sympathized with Kayan's experience, then subtly distanced himself from Kayan a bit.
He mentally noted the characteristics of that phantom creature, planning to ask Ulysses later if he had ever seen it.
If possible, Richard wouldn't mind helping Kayan resolve this curse of bad luck.
Kayan had managed to survive under such misfortune, which indicated he possessed considerable strength.
If the bad luck could be removed, Kayan might not soar to great heights, but he certainly wouldn't be just another face in the crowd.
Such a person was worth investing in.
Who knows, he might become a Great Wizard in the future.
After sharing his story, Kayan's mental state visibly improved.
Years of bad luck had not only made Kayan's psychological endurance incredibly strong but had also brought him terrifying psychological pressure.
This pressure had no outlet; it was like a volcano bottled up inside him.
When the pressure exceeded his psychological limits, the volcano would erupt.
At that time, Kayan's mind would collapse, and he might even become a mad Wizard.
Being able to release a bit of pressure was undoubtedly a good thing for him.
"Master Kayan, you've had a tough time," Richard sighed. "I've noted down the characteristics of that phantom creature you mentioned. If I learn anything about it in the future, I will definitely inform you."
Kayan looked at Richard in surprise, tears even glistening in his eyes.
There are still good people among Black Wizards?
Richard felt a bit uncomfortable under his gaze and took a couple of steps back. "It's just a small effort; I think Master Kayan, you have great potential.
To reach Second Circle Wizard despite such bad luck, if you didn't have this misfortune, your future would be limitless."
Kayan respectfully performed a Wizard salute to Richard.
"Master, your willingness to help me is already a tremendous blessing. If you can help me resolve this curse, I will definitely serve you in the future."
Richard's interest in him was a good thing; Kayan didn't believe in free lunches in this world.
After their conversation, Kayan didn't linger around Richard much longer. After leaving a contact method, he hurriedly left.
Although his curse of bad luck had entered a period of calm, no one knew when it would strike again.
After Kayan left, Richard immediately chose to move.
Although Laikate wouldn't disclose any information about Richard, his whereabouts were not a secret.
This hiding place was no longer suitable for him.
Richard packed up everything in the wooden house, including the barbecue grill and stove, into his Magic Pocket, then burned the wooden house down, leaving no trace.
Looking at the puzzled Wizard Hunting team, Richard waved his hand. "We can't stay here any longer; pack up the roasted meat and a few legs of meat; we're moving!"
...
Laikate's humiliating defeat had become the biggest topic among the Third Circle Wizards of the Meteorite Academy over the past two days.
He had gone out to hunt a Second Circle Wizard, but not only did he return empty-handed, but he was also beaten back in disgrace.
Not only were his limbs severed, but he was also forced to sign a Soul Contract, rendering him unable to contribute anything to the Academy War.
This was not just the shame of one Wizard; it was a disgrace for the entire Meteorite Wizard Academy.
...
In the office, Ziqi sat behind his desk, holding a cup of magical tea.
Opposite him, Laikate sat in a chair, his face dark and silent.
Ziqi took a sip of tea and said flatly, "It's been three days; you should tell me what you can say.
You said there were no bad rules on the other side, but how could a Third Circle Wizard be beaten so badly by a Second Circle Wizard?
Could it be that the Black Wizards on the other side have learned the military formations of the White Wizards?"
Laikate remained silent.
Seeing this, Ziqi placed the teacup on the table.
"Let me rephrase my question: is it true that there are no bad rules? Is there anything false about it?"
"... There's nothing false."
Ziqi nodded. "Then I'll assume that the other side didn't deploy any Third Circle Wizards.
It's very illogical for a Third Circle Wizard to be beaten like this by a Second Circle Wizard. So I deduce that this person must have relied on external forces, most likely an aberrant slave or an elemental slave, and it's likely a level three creature.
Moreover, I also deduce that there is not just one of them.
If a Third Circle Wizard can't defeat a level three aberrant slave or elemental slave, that would be too embarrassing to admit.
Not just one level three slave, but their master is a Second Circle Wizard, and it's all within the rules... then it's clear who that person is."
Ziqi leaned forward, his gaze calm yet carrying an undeniable authority.
"You encountered Richard, the president of the Richard Jolod Chamber of Commerce. He is the only one among the Second Circle Wizards of the Black Tower Academy with such financial resources.
Moreover, his teacher is the vice president of the Black Tower Academy, so he has ample reason to help his teacher win this war."
Laikate remained silent, but this silence was already telling enough.
Laikate had signed the contract and could not disclose any information about Richard, but sometimes silence is also a form of information.
If it weren't for Richard, Laikate would have certainly denied that name.
But Laikate chose to remain silent.
This indicated that Ziqi had guessed correctly.
A smile appeared on Ziqi's lips as he straightened up.
"Alright, Laikate, go back and rest.
The academy will wash away your shame."
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