Chapter 109: Advancement in Rating Level

Night had deepened when Peter finally concluded the banquet.

Lying in bed, he tossed and turned, unable to find rest. This time, after returning through the city gate, the palpitations did not fade as they usually did; instead, they lingered relentlessly, growing stronger with each passing moment.

Peter rose abruptly, dressed, and began pacing the room in restless circles, like a mouse sensing an earthquake.

Suddenly, he muttered an incantation. His animal messenger appeared, and Peter attached a note to its leg before releasing it into the night.

He resolved to seek solace with a lover first, hoping that the encounter might inspire a new strategy.

Half an hour later, Jenny arrived. After their interaction, Peter indeed found his inspiration. He thought of a man who could prove more valuable than the silver wizards.

That man was Daina, one of the two pillars of the Disciplinary Office. Since Professor Healy had once been a favored candidate to succeed the academy’s dean, Daina had long sought to align himself with him. He also maintained good relations with Peter Clark. If Peter could enlist Daina’s aid, his personal defenses would be greatly enhanced. Facing him would then require intervention from a golden wizard himself.

Of course, that was unlikely. If a golden wizard wished to eliminate Peter, they could do so effortlessly within the city walls, without waiting for him to leave. They could strike swiftly and depart unchallenged.

Daina’s own combat prowess was only at the peak of bronze tier, somewhat inferior to Professor Bell, whom Peter had hired. Yet the true strength lay in Daina’s leadership of a six-member combat squad from the Disciplinary Office. Together, they could merge their protective wards through a wizard’s array, creating a defense comparable to that of a peak silver wizard.

Moreover, their extensive practical experience in handling emergencies and combat far surpassed the mainly academic students and teachers of the academy. Peter valued their foremost skill: protection. With this squad, he believed he could withstand even the coordinated assault of two silver wizards for a considerable time.

Thus, Peter took great care in crafting his invitation to Daina, revising it multiple times before finally dispatching it via messenger.

Daina’s prompt acceptance eased Peter’s mind, and the palpitations subsided significantly. At last, he exhaled deeply and sank into a deep, contented sleep.

Unbeknownst to him, Jenny, still awake, stared intently at the wastebasket where Peter had discarded a note.

At dawn, Daina, having agreed to assemble the team, was interrupted by an unexpected visitor—Fleur, who had just received urgent news from the worker bees. She claimed there was a pressing matter requiring Daina’s attention.

Daina explained repeatedly that he had a prior engagement and was pressed for time, but Fleur persisted. She revealed that Professor Healy’s laboratory had been burgled, and something crucial stolen. Healy’s return, she warned, would surely cause great distress.

Given the involvement of Professor Healy, Daina felt compelled to investigate. As for Peter, he would have to wait—after all, no matter how important his affairs, they could hardly outweigh those of his father.

Together, Daina and Fleur visited Healy’s laboratory. After a thorough search with their teammates, they found clear signs of theft. The three mechanical locks on the safe’s exterior showed evidence of lock-opening magic, yet the password lock remained untouched. Daina deduced the culprit must be someone familiar. The prime suspects were Fleur, Healy’s lover, and his son Peter.

Daina’s first suspicion fell on Fleur, suspecting her cries of “thief!” were a diversion. When pressed for details, Fleur often evaded the topic, which only heightened Daina’s urgency.

Meanwhile, Peter, burdened by the matter, rose early and urged his hired personnel to prepare for departure. After a day of turmoil, the troops grumbled under their breath, though generous pay tempered their complaints.

They soon finished breakfast and assembled, heading toward the city gate. Peter sent messages to Professors Bell and Daina via messenger, arranging to meet there.

Bell arrived promptly, but Daina was nowhere to be seen. Instead, his messenger appeared, claiming an urgent matter would delay him briefly.

Peter informed Bell that a friend had yet to arrive. Bell responded warmly, “Then let’s wait a little longer.”

Relieved, Peter reassured the troops, and they waited.

An hour passed.

Peter sent three messages to Daina, but none reached him. He suspected Daina was within a magic array, which blocked the messenger’s approach.

Frustrated, Peter silently cursed Daina’s unreliability—unaware that many were equally cursing him.

Peter’s own escort squad, having stood dumbfounded for over an hour at the city gate, had become the subject of curious glances and whispered gossip among passersby. Those who had seen them rushing in and out the day before spread rumors, cementing their image as the city’s new fools.

Bell’s patience wore thin; several times he demanded to know when they would depart. Peter stalled, promising, “Just a bit longer… he’s almost here…”

Eventually, pressed to the limit, Peter confided in Bell about inviting Daina and his combat squad.

Bell flew into a rage. To him, Peter’s decision to add the Disciplinary Office team to the escort was a clear sign of distrust in Bell’s own abilities.

Bell told Peter bluntly: “Either we leave now, or I’m turning back.”

With no choice, Peter ordered the group to move out. He sent another messenger to Daina, urging him to finish his business and catch up. He also dispatched his son Blair to seek out Daina and discover what had caused the delay.

“Damn it, finally out of the city,” Andy felt a surge of energy upon hearing from Catherine that Peter had departed. Yet he was in no rush to join them, confident that with his many speed-enhancing skills, he could outpace their sluggish caravan.

Leisurely, he fed Catherine two pieces of dried fish, then cradled her as they left the dormitory, heading toward the city gate.

Halfway there, Andy suddenly sensed Catherine’s small paws scribbling on his chest. Concentrating, he realized she was writing: “Someone’s following!”

Activating his secret Eagle Eye technique, Andy casually glanced back and locked onto a young man trailing them. Knowing he had urgent matters, Andy decided to evade the pursuer now and investigate the stalker’s motives later through the magic mirror.

He veered into a narrow alley.

Albert, a queen’s secret guard from the Council, followed lazily. Today’s surveillance was part of his duties, though such assignments were rare and random. The monotonous task made him yawn as he trailed Andy.

But Albert’s attention snapped to focus when, shortly after entering the alley, he sensed something amiss. He performed a few magical gestures, muttering “Dispel!” The scene shifted abruptly, revealing he had been led into a dead end.

“A labyrinth spell? Interesting,” Albert whispered. “This kid must be an advanced wizard apprentice, wielding bronze-tier tricks and hiding well.”

Losing Andy’s trail didn’t bother him; as long as Andy remained at Grimm Academy, he could always find him again.

Soon after, the Council upgraded Andy’s evaluation from a D to a C grade.

Thus, the wheels of intrigue and power continued to turn in the heart of the capital.