The Witch's Anatomical Notes

Chapter 88

Harvest and Journey

Planar wars required an enormous amount of constructs and supplies.

Nothing advanced resource plundering faster than launching a war.

Moreover, each region held only a limited number of slots for the planar war. The fewer rival faction wizards there were in the same territory, the more slots one’s own forces could claim.

Therefore, before every planar war, all wizard factions would proactively initiate tower wars, striving to seize more qualifications.

“Everyone.”

“The tower war had already become inevitable. We must also prepare for what comes next.”

Tower Master Derrick lightly tapped his fingers on the tabletop, his voice sounding especially heavy in the silent room. “First, dispatch the iron crows to establish an external intelligence network. Second, recall all peak apprentices stationed abroad. Third, fully activate the war constructs of all four laboratories.”

Derrick’s voice remained steady and powerful, every command meshing together like precise gears.

“Accelerate extraction at all resource sites and completely eradicate Eternal Silence Blackthorn’s stockpiles. All servants and civilians within the tower shall be evacuated at once. The Tower of the Four Sages will enter an emergency state…”

He issued orders in an unhurried manner while, on the window lattice, the iron crows took flight one after another.

When the last iron crow’s figure merged into the horizon, Derrick turned toward the three wizards in the room and spoke the final command.

“Transfer all apprentices who possess the potential to advance into formal wizards out of the Kingdom of Cordova.”

This decision caused all three present to reveal astonished expressions simultaneously.

Madam Vine was the first to break the silence. “Has the situation not deteriorated to such an extent yet?”

Evacuating the gifted in advance was tantamount to preparing for the worst—the destruction of the tower itself.

Yet the war had only just begun. In everyone’s eyes, the tower master’s reaction appeared excessively severe.

“The albatross brought fresh intelligence—this war’s scale would far exceed expectations. If I could advance to high wizard before then, naturally this would be unnecessary, but time no longer permitted it.”

Derrick did not waver because of Madam Vine’s questioning. He only explained with a sullen face, “Furthermore, I have received the latest news from the front lines. The war’s developments are extremely unfavorable to us…”

…

When the two of them, led by Lilith, pushed the door open and entered the study, they discovered that quite a few people were already inside.

Besides the four great mid-ranked wizards, several other members of the Mead Squad were also present.

After a brief exchange of greetings, the two of them took their place within the squad.

Derrick’s expression remained as calm as a deep pool.

Mentor Fernando held a faint, elusive smile at the corner of his lips.

Madam Vine and Theodore let their gazes drift back and forth among the squad members, eventually settling on the black-haired girl.

Compared to the others, they were clearly more interested in this witch who possessed the power of the Law.

“Not bad.” Derrick’s tone grew light, and the gloom from discussing the tower war vanished completely. “In the Tri-Tower Tournament, your squad’s performance had been evident to all.”

Although the tournament had ended prematurely due to unforeseen events, statistics showed that the Tower of the Four Sages held the top spot in total badges acquired.

More crucially, they had successfully exposed Eternal Silence Blackthorn’s conspiracy, resulting in three implicated wizards being exiled by the Star Law Institute to the Old Lands for ten years.

And now, people from the Witch’s Cottage were already in talks with Derrick about the possibility of merging.

The Tower of the Four Sages was about to become the sole wizard faction within the Principality of Kolo.

“Nure.”

The portly Nure hurriedly stepped forward two paces and saluted. “Tower Master.”

“I heard you had opened a trade route linking several principalities.”

“Yes, my lord.”

“From today onward, all procurement and sale of supplies for the Tower of the Four Sages shall be placed fully under your guild’s responsibility.”

Nure’s face flushed red with excitement—monopolizing the tower’s commerce!

He already felt as if he could see magic stones pouring down in torrents.

Derrick gave a small wave, signaling him to step back, then named the next people. “Hain, Karen, Meiwa.”

The three answered in unison. “My lord.”

“Before you advance to peak apprentice, all cultivation supplies and scholarly tomes will be provided to you free of charge. In the future, if you have any questions, you may come directly to me for guidance.”

This decision caused the pupils of all three to tremble.

Aside from not having formally become disciples, this treatment was nearly equivalent to that of a wizard’s personal protégé.

“Thank you, my lord.”

“As for the unconscious Talia,” Derrick looked toward Madam Vine, “the lady has already agreed to take her as a disciple. We swear in the name of wizards that we shall protect her safety.”

The members of the Mead Squad finally let out a breath of relief.

With Madam Vine’s protection, their unconscious companion would surely receive the best care.

Derrick said, “You may go now.”

“Yes.”

Once the four members of the Mead Squad had departed, only Lucy and Olivia remained in the study.

“Lucy.”

“Tower Master.”

Derrick drew a gilt-edged letter sealed in wax from within his robe. Upon the paper, the fire-lacquer seal bore the image of an exquisitely crafted No. 7 scalpel.

It was identical to the emblem on the frontispiece of Traveling with Migratory Birds.

“Although the Tri-Tower Tournament could not crown a champion, you were without a doubt the undisputed titleholder.” Derrick smiled as he handed over the letter. “The great and all-knowing Lord Theodosius has agreed to instruct you personally. All details are written here.”

Even though she had already guessed the contents the moment she saw the letter, Lucy’s fingertips still could not stop trembling as she took it.

Ever since the day she received Traveling with Migratory Birds, she had imagined countless times the day she would finally meet this great Star Ring Wizard.

She just hadn’t thought it would come so soon.

Unable to wait any longer, she tore the envelope open. High Elvish characters surfaced on the yellowed parchment, the familiar handwriting making her breath quicken involuntarily.

“To the silver-haired anatomist Lucy Felicia: If you are willing to travel with me, please arrive at the entrance to the Old Lands on the 1st day of the 1st month, Year 3041 of the Wizard’s Calendar. — Theodosius Kaike”

The entrance to the Old Lands?!

Lucy remembered this place well. It was precisely where, in Traveling with Migratory Birds, the young Theodosius’s journey had ended and where he advanced to a formal wizard.

Indeed, after completing that long pilgrimage, this great Star Ring Wizard had transformed from a peak apprentice to a true wizard.

The current date was the 19th of the 7th month, 3040. Which meant she still had roughly five months to retrace the migratory route and reach the final destination.

While Lucy read the letter, Derrick shifted his gaze toward Olivia beside her.

The four wizards watched with meaningful looks, prompting the black-haired girl to instinctively bow.

“I hope you will reconsider the proposal to study at the Star Law Institute.”

Derrick spoke bluntly, laying bare the dire situation facing the Kingdom of Cordova.

“Ah…” Mentor Fernando let out a rare sigh. “Olivia, my student, with your talent and ability, remaining in the Principality of Kolo will make it very hard for you to realize your full potential.”

“In a few days, Theodore will be departing. When that time comes, I hope you will represent our Tower of the Four Sages and travel to the Star Law Institute to study.”

Olivia looked blankly toward Lucy.

The silver-haired girl met those starlit eyes and, under the four wizards’ gaze, grasped her hand without any hesitation.

“Go. Once I finish this journey, I’ll come find you at the Star Law Institute.”

For that legendary sanctuary of wizards, Lucy had already longed with all her heart.