Chapter 482 – The Timid Inquirer

Scotti was an “inquirer” sent by the Mage Guild to the Thought of Truth to question a Master-Level Caster. According to standard regulations, as a serious “inquirer,” she should possess a stern countenance, an unsmiling expression, the ability to recite every legal clause by heart, and… a calm, persistent heart.

Unfortunately, Scotti was self-aware enough to know that as a junior mage who had only recently advanced to the Apprentice-Level, she possessed none of these qualities—not a single one.

Scotti didn’t understand why the Mage Guild’s mentor had assigned such a “heavy” task to her, nor did she have any desire to venture into the strange and eerie Gray Rain Swamp to interrogate an aloof Master-Level powerhouse.

But… in any spellcasting organization, a mentor’s command to their apprentice was absolute.

When her mentor piled a stack of thick magic tomes into Scotti’s arms, the anxious young mage knew that regardless of her willingness or fear, she had no choice but to obediently travel to the Thought of Truth Branch and temporarily serve as this seemingly prestigious “inquirer.”

Thus, carrying boundless trepidation, the teenage Scotti arrived by carriage at the Grey Mire Swamp where the Thought of Truth Branch was located.

But even more terrifying news awaited the young girl in the Grey Mire Swamp—the branch director Kirk Weilen, who came to receive her, cheerfully informed her that the Master-Level powerhouse Punk Cyan was still away on a mission. Not only had he not returned, but no one knew when he would be back, as it was unknown whether Punk had slain the black dragon named Ovakain or… been devoured by the dragon.

Upon hearing this news, Scotti nearly felt utter despair.

Master-Level powerhouses had lifespans spanning five to six thousand years—they could casually spend decades on a single mission or experiment. For a Master-Level Caster to seclude themselves for research lasting one or two centuries was entirely normal and common.

But Scotti? She was merely an Apprentice-Level mage with a brief lifespan of just over a hundred years. According to regulations, if Punk didn’t return for a day, she would have to wait indefinitely in the gloomy Grey Mire Swamp—potentially until her entire life passed and she died of old age.

This was the disparity between life hierarchies. What seemed like a brief moment to a Master-Level powerhouse could represent an entire youth or even a whole lifetime for an Apprentice-Level mage. It was also one reason why beings of different levels often struggled to communicate.

Yet… Scotti now had no choice but to forcibly spend her precious youth—or even her entire life—waiting for the return of a Master-Level powerhouse. Faced with such a hopeless reality, the fact that the inherently timid Scotti didn’t burst into tears on the spot was a testament to her remarkable restraint and fortitude.Fortunately, the kind-hearted Kirk Weilen took pity on this young girl who had been sent out to deal with the situation. Not only did he agree to let Scotti attend public classes alongside apprentices of the Thought of Truth, but he also promised that if Master Cyan hadn’t returned in twenty years, he would personally intervene with the Mage Guild branch to request a postponement of the mission.

Somewhat comforted by Kirk Weilen’s assurances, Scotti reluctantly settled into the “Inquiry Room,” which had been temporarily converted from an “interrogation room.”

Over the next three months, the resilient girl managed to read through several hefty legal tomes in her possession. Out of sheer boredom, she even reluctantly grasped some basic skills in using magical book projection tricks.

It was precisely because of her half-baked mastery of these magical projection techniques that when Kirk Weilen and Punk suddenly entered the “Inquiry Room,” Scotti—who had just been experimenting with manipulating faint projections to swirl around herself—panicked and caused such a major mishap.

“I’m doomed! I really shouldn’t have tried to show off like that. Now I’ve ruined everything—I’ve completely lost any semblance of a ‘Inquirer’s’ dignity.”

Blushing fiercely, the girl carefully rose from the floor. It was clear that the incident had just become what she would consider a childhood trauma or even a personal humiliation of epic proportions. To make matters worse, it had happened in front of two Master-Level powerhouses, and in her impulsive shame, she had even argued with Master Cyan’s magical pet…

“Oh heavens, what foolish things have I done? Does reading too many rigid rules really make people stupid?”

Just thinking about her flustered, screaming demeanor made Scotti wish she could crawl into a crack in the ground and disappear.

However, no matter how “torn between terror and shame, or how her anguish and shock blended together” the girl felt inside, Punk couldn’t care less about a little girl’s emotional turmoil or her embarrassing display.

He simply stated impassively that the girl should proceed with the inquiry process quickly, preferably to swiftly dissociate himself from the major troubles occurring in the Hoth Mountains and the Raging Wave Desert.

Hearing Punk’s emotionless “command,” Scotti hurriedly fumbled through the pockets of her Mage Robe and pulled out a carefully folded, brand-new piece of parchment.

On that parchment were written all the questions Scotti needed to ask. In truth, this young mage only needed to mechanically read out these pre-set questions and diligently record Punk’s responses.

Though the lingering blush still hadn’t faded from her face, it was evident that her eagerness to quickly wrap up this mission was even greater than Punk’s.

Frankly, staying in the dark, oppressive environment of the Thought of Truth Branch for over three months had been truly uncomfortable. If not for the sheer awkwardness of what had just happened, Scotti would have eagerly started “questioning” Punk immediately.

“At least it’s not too late to begin the inquiry now. Thankfully, the Master-Level powerhouse didn’t hold my rudeness against me. Mhm, now is mission time—I need to bring out my best ‘Inquiry Officer’ demeanor!”Taking a deep breath to calm herself, Scotti secretly glanced at the exceedingly benevolent Master Kirk Weilen standing by the door on the left.””Grandfather Kirk Weilen’s kindly smile is as gentle and benevolent as ever…”

Then Scotti cautiously shifted her gaze to Punk.

“Gasp”!!

After just one glance, Scotti’s face instantly drained of color, and she quickly lowered her head to stare intently at her parchment.

What a terrifying spellcaster she had just seen – that eerie Mage Robe with black base and red patterns, that twisted and ugly staff, and… those terrifying eyes were so cold that there was not a trace of emotion…

Scotti barely managed to suppress her urge to turn and flee, forcing herself to remain stiffly in place. Her “interrogator” demeanor vanished before it could even appear.

“Wuwu, indeed, good people like old grandfather Kirk Weilen are truly rare.”

The frightened, pale-faced Scotti carefully retreated two or three steps before abruptly remembering she must seriously perform her duties, forcing herself to stop retreating.

No other choice… Biting her lower lip and lowering her head, waiting for the sharp pain to dispel some of her inner fear, the trembling Scotti – like a frightened little animal – finally gritted her teeth and read the question on the parchment with a tone that seemed to say “short pain is better than long pain, what joy in life, what suffering in death.”

(End of Chapter)