Chapter 53: Guardian-Type Witchcraft
Seeing Black Cat Bell's conflicted expression, Janna simply smiled and shook her head.
“These are just to thank Miss Bell for your guidance in witchcraft cultivation last time.”
“Did I give you any guidance? I don't recall...”
Although she had little memory of it, with a reason now provided, Black Cat Bell no longer held back.
With a flick of her tail, the silver fish can in Janna's hand floated directly in front of her, then swiftly disappeared into the interdimensional space rift.
“Are you here this time to submit a quest or to exchange for witchcraft?”
“I'd like to exchange for a guardian-type witchcraft. Do you have any recommendations, Miss Bell?”
“Guardian-type witchcraft, hmm...”
Having been fed a few times, Black Cat Bell's attitude toward Janna had noticeably improved.
Though the black cat's demeanor had always been rather aloof, compared to her indifferent attitude toward other apprentices, she was significantly more patient with Janna.
Even though other apprentices had also tried to curry favor with gifts, Janna's naturally high Charisma attribute allowed her to leave a far better impression on Black Cat Bell when doing the same.
“Although you're a First Tier apprentice, your Spirit Power seems close to breaking through, and you have a Plant Affinity...”
After a brief contemplation, a magic scroll flew out from the interdimensional space rift.
“This witchcraft seems suitable for you at the moment.”
[Floral Guard]: A guardian-type witchcraft that constructs a wizard's shield using floral totems. It can immunize against physical and magical attacks below twenty points of magnitude, ineffective against mental-type witchcraft, and can partially immunize against apprentice-level toxins. (Note: The caster must possess Plant Affinity to practice.)
Upon reading the brief introduction on the scroll's cover page and seeing that the initial shield limit of [Floral Guard] could reach twenty points, Janna couldn't help but reveal a satisfied expression.
“This witchcraft is quite good, but due to its specific talent requirement, it's less in demand and only costs forty Academic Credits to exchange.”
Hearing this, Janna nodded.
Guardian-type witchcraft generally required a high number of Academic Credits to exchange.
For instance, [Elemental Guard], which had broader talent requirements, cost seventy-five Academic Credits—five more than the ritual witchcraft [Spirit Summoning] Janna had previously exchanged for.
Moreover, its initial shield limit was only equivalent to that of [Floral Guard].
“Thank you, Miss Bell. I'll exchange for this witchcraft.”
With that, Janna took out forty-two Gold Surrel coins from her Bauhinia wallet and respectfully handed them to Black Cat Bell.
“Try to earn more Academic Credits when you can. Paying with Gold Surrel incurs a premium.”
After counting the Gold Surrel coins, Black Cat Bell kindly reminded Janna.
“Alright, thank you for the reminder.”
After passing through the crowd and leaving the Magic Tower, Janna took out her wallet again to check her remaining balance.
“I was trying to save money earlier, but in the blink of an eye, I've spent another forty-two Gold Surrel coins.”
Though she felt a pang of heartache, considering the potential high returns from the upcoming Misty Forest expedition and the omnipresent dangers within the spatial rift, even with the [Guardian's Veil] borrowed from Richard Eva's family as protection, she still needed to make thorough preparations.
After all, as a First Tier wizard apprentice teaming up with two Third Tier apprentices and one Second Tier apprentice, she was relatively weaker within the group.
Therefore, she had to take all necessary precautions to maximize her contributions while ensuring she wouldn't become a burden to the team.
“Besides that, I need to prepare compressed food, water, and antidotes... I still have a few antidotes in the dormitory; just need to buy some compressed food from the cafeteria.”
Theoretically, their journey from White Coral Academy to the Misty Valley's spatial rift and back wouldn't exceed twenty-four hours. However, out of caution, Janna decided to bring these supplies just in case.
“Hope everything goes smoothly during tomorrow night's operation...”
...
The next day, evening.
After completing the 《Ancient Magic History》 course in the morning, Janna returned to her dormitory to focus on practicing the newly acquired witchcraft.
By evening, she arrived alone at the entrance of the Misty Forest at the agreed-upon time.
“Good evening, Mr. Lo. Looks like you're the first to arrive among us.”
“Not really, just a few minutes earlier than you.”
Among the four, the first to arrive was Lo Silverfox. Dressed in a robe as dark as the night, he stood silently among the trees, seemingly shrouded in shadows, making him hard to discern.
“Creak—creak—”
While Janna exchanged pleasantries with the taciturn Lo Silverfox, Richard Eva and Soro Flare arrived shortly after, stepping on dry branches as they quickly approached the meeting point.
“Since everyone is here, let's set off... Lo, as planned, you'll lead the way.”
“Alright.”
Seeing that everyone had arrived, Richard Eva, also dressed in a dark robe, signaled the group to head into the Misty Forest.
“Falsehood becomes reality, shadows upon shadows!”
As the four stepped into the Misty Forest, Lo Silverfox quickly chanted a spell, casting an illusion over the group as per their prearranged plan.
“This witchcraft can last for four hours. During this time, don't stray too far from me, or the spell will fail.”
Hearing this, the group nodded cooperatively.
...
“Cuckoo—cuckoo—”
The Misty Forest at night was extremely quiet. Apart from a few cuckoo calls, only the low hum of insects filled the air.
For Janna, venturing deep into the Misty Forest at night for the first time, the predominant feeling was a heavy sense of tension.
“Shh, be careful. There's a scent of magical beasts ahead.”
The speaker was Soro Flare, who stood at the rear of the team.
Due to his Lava Dragon Lizard bloodline, Soro Flare was highly sensitive to the scent of magical beasts.
“Do you know what kind of magical beasts?”
“Not sure, but there are quite a few. If we continue forward, we'll encounter them in about two hundred meters.”
Upon hearing Soro Flare's response, Richard Eva frowned.
“Lo, are there any alternative routes?”
“This is the shortest path. If we change routes, I can't guarantee we'll reach Misty Valley on time.”
Hearing Lo Silverfox's reply, Richard Eva's frown deepened.
Based on past experience, it's best not to engage in combat in the Misty Forest at night.
Otherwise, the scent of blood could easily attract hidden enemies.
“It's just a few magical beasts. If they see through the illusion, we can just deal with them swiftly...”
“Perhaps I have a solution.”
Just as Soro Flare suggested charging through, Janna, who had been silent, suddenly spoke up.