I, the wizard, the foolish Buddha

The two freshmen seemed to be discussing the distribution of treasures in the Tawny Fernwood with Wallace. One of the most talked-about treasures was the "Bitter Slumber Cauldron." Although the "Tawny Fern Chalice" was more famous in legends, its authenticity was unknown.

Moreover, even if the 'Tawny Fern Chalice' really existed in this fernwood, a certain Lady had already reserved it—after obtaining it, she would lend it to the Baron for a few uses, and then the chalice would belong to her.

Therefore, the ownership of the Tawny Fern Chalice treasure had already been allocated. So, instead of discussing the Tawny Fern Chalice, everyone discussed the 'Bitter Slumber Cauldron'.

No one knew what kind of treasure the Tawny Fern Chalice was, but the Bitter Slumber Cauldron was a top-tier extraordinary item!

The freshman with blonde hair said excitedly, "It is said that the Bitter Slumber Cauldron can greatly increase the success rate of potion making. It is a top-tier alchemical item that even formal wizards dream of! I just didn't expect it to be in such a remote place!"

"Yes." Another freshman with red hair chimed in, "Baron Hall's adventure team is really lucky to have found clues about it."

These two freshmen were born into the world of wizards and had a lot of knowledge about it.

This time, they were also grateful to Master Wallace, who, as a school worker, had concealed a lot of information about the Tawny Fernwood from the academy, so the academy didn't know what treasures were here.

Otherwise, just the Bitter Slumber Cauldron alone would have attracted a large number of formal wizards. How could they have had a chance to explore for treasure?

The red-haired freshman looked at Instructor Leonard, who was talking to the Baron in the distance, and said, "If Instructor Leonard gets the Bitter Slumber Cauldron this time, we can borrow it for a while too."

"Don't dream, freshman." The elderly intermediate apprentice Wallace interrupted, "Even if Leonard is willing to lend it to others, it won't be your turn. It would be good enough for you to get an extraordinary item."

The blonde freshman quickly smiled and said, "Master Wallace, you are right. We will have to trouble you to take care of us during this expedition."

While the blonde freshman was speaking, the red-haired freshman secretly stuffed two small bags to Wallace: "If we find any extraordinary items, you and Instructor Leonard will naturally choose first."

Wallace took the small bags and weighed them slightly, knowing that each bag contained three magic stones and some gold and silver coins.

After receiving the money, his cold smile immediately became a little more amiable.

"There's no need to call me Instructor or Senior, I'm just a school worker, just call me Wallace." Wallace stroked his beard, wrinkles appearing on his old face, "It's too early to talk about treasures now. You should know that we are here to help the Baron seal that evil spirit, right?"

Hearing the words 'evil spirit,' the expressions of the two freshmen became serious. They were both born into wizarding families and had received magical education from a young age. Their elders had even captured some evil spirits in the past to give them practice.

Therefore, for wizard apprentices, evil spirits were not dangerous.

But before they came here, they had heard many rumors about the Tawny Fernwood, knowing that the evil spirit was probably not simple. And Instructor Leonard, in order to prevent the two of them from getting hurt, had specially entrusted Wallace to be their bodyguard.

Seeing that the two freshmen were a little scared, Wallace comforted them, "Actually, you don't need to worry too much. This area is very remote, and country folks often exaggerate ordinary things."

The intermediate apprentice Wallace didn't think there was anything special about the Tawny Fernwood, at least it looked no different from an ordinary forest. At most, it was just a haunted forest.

He said, "If there was really anything amazing here, Baron Hall would have died in some expedition long ago. Besides, that Lady is also passing by, she will help."

Mentioning that Lady, the expressions of the two freshmen improved a lot.

"Master Wallace." The blonde freshman asked, "I heard Instructor Leonard say before that although that Lady is only a high-level apprentice, her strength has reached the level of a formal wizard? Then is she our senior or a professor?"

Wallace had worked as a servant in the Alexandra family before, and that Lady was a member of the new generation of the Alexandra family, so both freshmen felt that Wallace knew something about that Lady.

When he heard the two call that Lady 'senior,' a hint of coldness appeared on his face.

However, before Wallace could get angry, a carriage had already driven over from the path in the distance.

Wallace hurriedly said, "Remember, don't talk nonsense when you meet her later. You can call her Instructor, you can call her Lady, but don't call her senior, she hates that title the most! She would never sit with you in class!"

When the carriage arrived at the Tawny Fernwood, Roland finally understood why his cheap steward father had gone crazy, and also understood why he was so afraid of this place.

"Senior Catherine." Roland had no desire to live anymore. Not only did he call Catherine 'senior,' but he also nudged her with his leg.

"You're actually just a small apprentice, right? If we can go back alive, the two of us will have to sit together in class, right?"

Instructor Catherine narrowed her eyes and nodded deeply, "Yes, Roland, yes, I will give you a good tutoring."

Roland looked out of the window at the sky of the Tawny Fernwood and shook his head, "I'm not kidding, Senior. I know you saw it too. Let's go back, go back now, you'll still have a chance to teach me later."

Catherine said leisurely, "This is the first lesson."

Roland nodded and looked at the sky outside the window.

A huge crack had been torn in the gloomy sky of the Tawny Fernwood.

A withered hand was hanging above the crack.

The people outside the carriage were oblivious to this.

Only this master and apprentice saw this scene.

In people's eyes, the only unusual thing about this woodland was that a tawny drizzle was constantly falling in the deepest part of the forest.

But Roland knew that it was the blood dripping from the gods.

Roland thought with a face ashen as death, "Is this the first lesson? The trial of a wizard apprentice?! Does Senior know what she's here to do?!"

After Roland and Catherine got out of the carriage, Baron Hall and Instructor Leonard led people to greet them.

Instructor Leonard very respectfully introduced the two freshmen beside him to Catherine. Catherine nodded faintly and said, "Not bad."

Hearing this faint praise, Instructor Leonard was overjoyed.

Instructor Leonard didn't actually know Catherine's true identity. He just regarded Catherine as a member of the Alexandra family.

But just this identity was enough for Leonard to be so attentive. He was about to graduate and wanted to stay in the academy. The Alexandra family was a major shareholder of the academy, and a word from a family member would be very useful.

While Instructor Leonard was flattering her, the freshmen and the school worker were all relaxed, seemingly discussing the distribution of the spoils in the fernwood.

Roland's expression became even more strange. He couldn't help but look at the withered arm in the sky again, thinking to himself, 'My teammates, how can you still be in the mood to flatter and discuss the spoils? Don't you know what you're going to face?'