Chapter Fifty-Six: Lockdown

After running to a certain spot, Billy and the others prepared to wait for Hughes to catch up.

“Over here, Hughes!” Billy, anxiously waiting, spotted Hughes in the distance and quickly waved him over.

“I’m fine. Let’s hurry back now! If that devil crocodile decides to chase after us…” Hughes suggested that they return immediately.

No one had any objections, and with their spoils from the past few days, they set off for the academy.

Upon returning, the group went straight to the mission hall to submit their task. Billy handed the container holding the devil crocodile’s eyes to the attendant while recounting their encounter at the pond.

At first, the attendant didn’t seem concerned, but when he heard about the devil crocodile’s use of water arrows, his expression grew grave.

“Please wait a moment. I need to report this,” the elderly man behind the counter said before hurrying into the room at the back.

After a long wait, he finally returned and handed a handful of magic stones to Billy. “Here’s your reward for this mission.”

“The information you brought back is valuable. The academy ought to reward you, but it will only be granted after the academy investigates and confirms your report,” the old man explained as he scribbled notes on a piece of paper.

Billy thanked him, took the magic stones, and led Hughes and the others to a secluded spot.

Billy counted the stones—sixty-four in total. Six people, ten stones each, and the remaining ones he insisted Hughes take. “Go on, Hughes. You did the most this time.”

Unable to refuse, Hughes accepted them.

The academy’s atmosphere was growing ever more tense. After bidding farewell to his companions, Hughes returned to his dormitory. Gazing at the magic stones in his hand, he thought ruefully that brewing potions was a far quicker way to earn them, but at least this mission had helped him master his abilities better.

Life soon returned to its usual rhythm. Billy visited once more to tell Hughes that their report had indeed proven useful to the academy, and they’d been given extra magic stones as a reward. Since Billy knew Hughes didn’t need more stones, he brought him some rare herbs instead.

Hughes was, of course, pleased. The value of the herbs far exceeded the reward.

One day, an announcement appeared in the sky above the Shadow Ring, glittering letters arranged one after another:

“Starting tomorrow, the Shadow Ring will be under lockdown. No apprentice is permitted to leave. All shops within the Shadow Ring will lower their prices by thirty percent. All public lectures within the academy are suspended until further notice. Please wait for additional announcements regarding the lifting of the lockdown. —The Shadow Ring Administration.”

The announcement, illuminated by a pillar of light, was plain for all to see.

Hughes also saw black chains sealing off the public lecture areas—no entry was permitted.

He didn’t mind. He had no intention of leaving the Shadow Ring anytime soon.

Lindsay had just finished preparing the herbs Hughes had requested. Originally, Hughes was supposed to collect them, but the sudden announcement about price cuts threw everything into chaos.

“You’ve emptied out quite a bit, haven’t you?” Hughes remarked as he entered Lindsay’s shop and saw how sparse the shelves looked.

“The announcement just came out—were you cleaned out already?” Hughes rummaged through what was left.

“Not yet, but it’ll happen soon enough.” Lindsay wore a wry smile as he continued organizing his stock.

“Then what are you doing now?” Hughes watched Lindsay bustle about.

“I’m putting away anything valuable, of course! Otherwise, I’d lose a fortune!” The enforced discounts made Lindsay’s heart bleed.

“Won’t the Shadow Ring administration have anything to say about this?” Hughes asked, exasperated as Lindsay nearly emptied his own shop.

“Everyone’s doing it—except for the academy’s own shops. Who’s willing to take a loss when there’s no compensation?”

“Here, this is what you asked for.” Lindsay handed Hughes a box containing the herbs he needed.

Hughes opened it to check. Everything matched his specifications.

“Do you know anything about advanced meditation techniques?” Hughes decided to ask directly.

“Advanced meditation techniques?” Lindsay looked at Hughes in surprise. “I don’t know much about them. As far as I know, the Shadow Ring doesn’t have any. Such methods seem to have perished with the glory of the ancient sorcerers.” He spread his hands, indicating his lack of knowledge.

“So few?” Hughes had hoped to acquire a copy for his chip to analyze, but it seemed there was nothing to be found within the Shadow Ring.

“What about other academies?” Hughes pressed on.

“Let me think…” Lindsay paused, pondering by the counter. “Actually, there is one. Rumor has it that the Moonlight Garden possesses an advanced meditation manual called ‘Lunar Baptism,’ though it’s incomplete.”

“Lunar Baptism…” Hughes repeated the name.

“Forget about it. Even if it’s incomplete, they won’t trade it. Advanced meditation is only suitable for full-fledged sorcerers. I heard our Shadow Ring once tried to negotiate for ‘Lunar Baptism,’ but the Moonlight Garden rejected the offer outright.” Lindsay’s words shattered Hughes’ hopes.

“So, why is the academy being locked down?” Hughes changed the subject.

“It’s to prevent other academies from launching an attack on the Shadow Ring—or, more precisely, the two deans are worried that the truth might get out and tempt others.” Lindsay saw the situation for what it was.

“That’s all?” Hughes tapped his fingers on the table.

“Of course not. After the Shadow Ring’s dean acquired the sacrificial artifact, he hasn’t been seen. He must be researching it. As for talk of the academy’s power being weakened by the deaths—so that other sorcerer groups might attack us—that’s just a smokescreen. Most who died in the ritual were first-level apprentices; to a sorcerer, they’re no different from regular people, hardly enough to shake the foundation of the Shadow Ring,” Lindsay said with disdain.

“Oh?” Hughes replied.

“How long will the lockdown last?”

“How would I know? It depends on when our esteemed dean decides to emerge.” Lindsay surveyed his shelves, clearly satisfied.

Hughes glanced over the stock—it was all common items, cheap enough that even a thirty percent discount wouldn’t cause any losses.

Seeing Lindsay so pleased, Hughes didn’t say anything further—it was, after all, his own shop.

“Give me a new set of brewing instruments, too,” Hughes requested. The old set had seen long use, and since he was about to attempt the Focus Potion, he couldn’t afford any mistakes.

“Here.” Lindsay handed him a brand-new set. “This set is reinforced with a bit of starmetal alloy—much better than the usual ones.” He didn’t even mention the price in magic stones.

“Starmetal alloy?” The name sounded familiar to Hughes. Then he remembered—it was the same material used in his enchanted item. Perhaps Lindsay could help him acquire more.

“Alright, I’ll take it. I’ll also gather more potions for you,” Hughes said, placing the new instruments and herbs together.

“Excellent!” Lindsay was delighted—he hadn’t charged Hughes any stones and was waiting for just such a promise.

After leaving Lindsay’s shop, Hughes found the trading district abuzz with activity. Many people had set up their own stalls.

“Red-eyed crow’s eyes, only one magic stone!”

“Stems of scorpion grass, two magic stones!”

Everyone was selling whatever they had on hand.

Hughes wandered from stall to stall, purchasing any herbs that might be useful to him.

“Hughes!” someone called out.

He turned to see Emmy, who had also set up a stall, selling all sorts of potions.

“Senior, you’re selling potions?” Hughes looked at the rows of bottles and jars on Emmy’s table.