Chapter 339 – Interlude???

Just as Punk and Ben Lajie’s troubles in the Maple Leaf Kingdom were beginning, Anya’s quest for help at the Gray Rain Country branch of the Thought of Truth finally yielded results.

With her identity as “the sole disciple of Senior Mentor Cyan,” Anya almost unquestionably defeated four other competitors to secure the position as Mijia Ka’s assistant. Of course, this outcome was nearly inevitable. In such a selection process where only the best were chosen, who would dare snatch a spot reserved for a Master-Level powerhouse’s disciple? Wouldn’t that imply the Master-Level powerhouse’s disciple wasn’t the most outstanding? And wouldn’t anyone suggesting such a thing be questioning the Senior Mentor’s judgment?

Thus, when Anya confidently revealed her identity badge, the other female apprentices who had been eyeing her with some hostility immediately chose to withdraw—they were, at most, favored by a Formal-Level Mage. Compared to Anya, a privileged “second-generation powerhouse,” they weren’t even fit to carry her shoes. Moreover, Anya’s spellcasting abilities were in no way inferior; based on sheer skill alone, her chances of securing the assistant position were high.

So far, Anya’s “little plan” was proceeding smoothly. After she naturally “stood out,” Mijia Ka accepted her without any psychological reservations. After all, when entering that peculiar state of confusion, Anya’s spellcasting talent far surpassed most mages of her level, and she handled the materials Mijia Ka passed to her with remarkable efficiency.

Initially, Mijia Ka’s attitude toward Anya was neither warm nor cold. Though Anya possessed striking beauty, Mijia Ka’s original intention in hiring an experimental assistant was simply to find someone to handle low-level materials. He was nothing like those mages who used the assistant recruitment as a pretext for “underhanded dealings.” As a member of the Lawful Good alignment, Mijia Ka was a principled man—he would never engage in such depraved acts.

However, as the saying goes, familiarity breeds affection. As days passed, Mijia Ka, who had always secluded himself in magical research without stepping outside, began to develop indescribable feelings toward Anya. Even Anya herself was unaware of the immense charm she exuded, thanks to the Eerie Eyeball Punk had transplanted. It truly blended innocence and bewitching allure, making her beauty enough to topple a city. For Mijia Ka, a “recluse” mage who had secluded himself for centuries, being drawn to a well-behaved and cute young woman like Anya was entirely natural.

As Mijia Ka grew increasingly attentive toward Anya, his attitude toward her naturally became more gentle and earnest. In turn, the deeply insecure Anya grew to trust this courteous and kind mage more and more.

But the erosion of the Eerie Eyeball would not halt because of a young girl’s budding affections. Finally, one night after over a week of “part-time work,” Anya’s agony erupted!

Awakened from a nightmare comparable to hell, the girl teetering on the brink fled to Mijia Ka’s Laboratory during a torrential rain-filled night and poured out everything.Don’t think Anya was being careless. In fact, she knew her actions were practically suicidal. Punk had specifically warned her not to speak of these matters to anyone, yet here she was blatantly confessing everything to a mage she’d only known for a week. Even disregarding whether this mage could actually help her, once Punk returned, Anya would undoubtedly face severe consequences for disobeying orders.

But… she had no choice. After all this time, her long-dormant sense of foreboding had finally resurfaced with one clear warning:

“I must not fall asleep again. If I do… when I wake up… I won’t be myself anymore.”

These eerie premonitions ultimately drove Anya to her decision. In this moment, she chose to ignore Punk’s warnings and seek help from the only person she could turn to.

It must be said that Anya’s situation was something Punk hadn’t anticipated. He had underestimated both the corrosive power of the Eerie Eyeball and the determination of this young girl. Thus, Punk, far away in the Maple Leaf Kingdom, remained unaware that his “grand plan” was about to gain an unexpected participant – whether this would prove fortunate or disastrous remained to be seen.

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“You’re saying these symptoms only appeared after Lord Cyan completed that ‘Potential Transformation Experiment’?”

After patiently listening to Anya’s somewhat disjointed account, Mijia Ka’s expression grew increasingly grave.

Unlike the inexperienced Anya, as a thirteenth-level spellcaster, Mijia Ka’s knowledge reserves and judgment far surpassed those of this easily-deceived young girl. Through the maiden’s narration, he quickly sensed something amiss.

However… this realization plunged Mijia Ka into conflict – this matter involved a Master-Level powerhouse. Rashly getting involved…

“Indeed, better not. Matters concerning Master-Level powerhouses aren’t for small fries like me to meddle with.”

Like many profit-driven mages, Mijia Ka’s first instinct was to avoid the situation entirely.

This was hardly surprising. Though Mijia Ka was a good-aligned mage who enjoyed helping apprentices in his spare time, he wasn’t saintly enough to risk his life saving others… His immediate reaction was naturally – I refuse!

But… impulses sometimes arrive with sudden intensity. When impulse, particularly the impulse of love, strikes, reason often becomes insignificant in its face…

“I’m sorry, I can’t help you…”

That was what Mijia Ka originally intended to say when he looked up.

But when he raised his head, what met his eyes was the maiden’s hopeful gaze shimmering in the lamplight.

And so, everything changed.

What a helpless and pitiful expression it was! Her jet-black hair lay damp across her shoulders, her face pale from the cold with droplets still clinging to it. Her beautiful pupils held the depth of autumn waters, and her slightly parted cherry lips revealed a glimpse of pearly white teeth…Unlike Punk, who had discarded his “humanity,” Mijia Ka was no such mage. Having joined the Thought of Truth since childhood, he had spent his years in lonely research of complex spells, dwelling in cramped Laboratories alongside cold, impersonal magical materials… Mijia Ka probably never realized how deeply he yearned for companionship—not until he impulsively decided to hire an assistant, not until Anya, a girl poetic in her essence, came into his life, not until the helpless maiden gazed at him with hopeful eyes… Only then did Mijia Ka startlingly realize what a significant place this quiet girl, who had accompanied him for a week, already held in his heart.

“…I’ll try to think of some solutions, but I can’t guarantee they’ll be effective…”

As colorful magical light spilled across the floor, Mijia Ka—momentarily captivated by Anya’s gaze—swallowed his original words. A decision even he could scarcely believe had already escaped his lips.

(End of Chapter)