I Ascend to the Divine Throne through Arcane Means

Lis hurried to the courtyard gate with Welf, spotting from afar two figures, one large, one small, leaning against the gate.

Without Lis's consent, the servants really didn't dare to let them in, especially since both were covered in blood, which might cause trouble for the young master.

As Lis approached, he recognized at a glance that it was Old Jack and Ashley, only he didn't know why they were in such a sorry state.

"Brother Lis, good to see you!"

The same words, but with a completely different sentiment from their last meeting at Old Jack's shop.

Finally seeing a familiar face, Ashley, who had been strong all along, revealed overwhelming fear and uneasiness in her voice.

After all, she was just a girl barely over ten years old; it was already quite difficult for her to have made it this far.

Lis didn't have time to ask Ashley what happened; he saw that Old Jack had fainted, and most of the blood on them belonged to Old Jack.

"Healing Severe Wounds!"

With the Jade Wand in hand, Lis cast this Three-Circle Transformation Magic, the only set of spells for treating injuries that a mage could learn. Similarly, there were One-Circle Magic "Light Wound Repair" and Second Circle Magic "Repair Moderate Wounds."

A pale green light slowly enveloped Old Jack's entire body, the wounds on his body gradually stopped bleeding, and his complexion also looked a little better.

It seemed that Old Jack's condition had stabilized, but it was only temporary.

After all, healing was a priest's specialty, and Old Jack's injuries were not something that could be fully healed by a Three-Circle Magic spell.

"Welf, help carry him inside and bandage him up."

"Bender, go to the hospital and summon a doctor—don't skimp and hire those unreliable ones!"

At Lis's command, everyone hurriedly began to take action.

In fact, compared to doctors, recovery would be faster through Healing Divine Skill administered by church priests, but Lis sensed a peculiar aura from Old Jack, and to avoid trouble, he decided not to summon anyone from the church for now.

Ashley watched with eager eyes, understanding that Lis was saving her Uncle Jack, so she didn't dare to speak and interrupt.

After making sure everything was taken care of, Lis watched Welf carry the somewhat hunched figure of Old Jack into the room, and only then did he breathe a sigh of relief.

Seeing Ashley obediently standing aside, Lis thought for a moment, gestured to Ashley to approach, and took her to sit down on the sofa in the living room.

He poured a cup of warm tea and placed it in front of Ashley, then softly asked:

"Ashley, what happened? How did Old Jack get so badly injured?"

Sitting on the sofa, Ashley felt somewhat ill at ease.

Everything around her seemed like a dream—the well-kept, upscale courtyard, the tidy and luxurious living room, the soft and comfortable sofa, even the fragrance of the red tea in front of her was something Ashley had never experienced before.

Hearing Lis's question, Ashley hurriedly said:

"Brother Lis, I really don't understand."

"This morning when I knocked on Uncle Jack's shop door, there was no response. I did as Uncle always told me—went home and hid."

"I secretly watched as Uncle Jack fought with someone. It happened so fast, I couldn't see clearly, but I saw something like a blood-colored figure."

"When it was over, Uncle Jack was badly injured, and the other person stood on the roof, looking like a very tall man."

A tall man, a blood-colored figure, and the scent of blood energy Lis had detected from Old Jack just now...

A figure emerged in Lis's mind, and the corners of his mouth twitched.

No way! Could it be that Marion?

How had Old Jack managed to provoke that guy?

Lis was somewhat puzzled, as he was well aware of Old Jack's capabilities.

A Basic-level Assassin in the Gold Early Stage, who in the eyes of beginning players was already a formidable being, yet still far from matching up to Marion.

Old Jack had managed to save his life from his assailant and had even decisively made his way to Lis.

Otherwise, staying in the chaotic streets of Langai, Old Jack's severe injuries might not have afforded him the chance to survive.

However, with the game server launch not long ago, Lis remembered Old Jack shouldn't have sustained any injuries during this time.

Bewildered, little did Lis know that this was a change brought about by the butterfly effect he had caused.

Ashley, noting that Lis seemed to be contemplating something, obediently sat without speaking.

Worried about Old Jack, Ashley couldn't find it in herself to enjoy the unfamiliar pastries and tea on the table in front of her, even though she had never seen them before.

At that moment, Butler Joyce walked over. He wasn't particularly interested in the person Lis had brought back, he was simply fulfilling the duties of a butler by asking if Lis had any further arrangements.

From the corner of his eye, Joyce suddenly caught sight of Ashley sitting on the sofa and was slightly surprised.

This child!

Unintentionally, Joyce's gaze lingered on Ashley. Being a Legendary Shadow Dancer with a close connection to the Shadow Plane, he naturally noticed something special about her.

Mere presence was enough to subtly invoke a resonance with the Shadow Plane, a sensation he was all too familiar with.

Joyce was somewhat delighted; he recognized this as the Talent known as "Shadow's Son," for which the Shadow Plane was as natural to its possessor as the sea was to a dragon.

Even though the "Shadow's Son" Talent wasn't of Legendary status, it was still a rather impressive talent for most assassins and thieves who relied on the Shadow Plane for their skill-based abilities.

If you're wondering how Joyce could be so certain, it's because he himself possessed that Talent.

This was the first time Joyce had met someone with the same Talent as his!

Amidst his surprise, Joyce started to understand Fran's intentions.

Such a suitable person presenting herself before him; he indeed wanted to take her as his disciple!

However, it seemed the young girl was already a basic-level assassin with a decent foundation, probably thanks to the guidance of a mentor.

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The wounded person?

Joyce pondered the thought in his heart.

As a person of Legendary strength, it would stand to reason that anyone would eagerly wish to become his disciple, but Ashley was quite young, so it was necessary to seek the opinion of her elders first.

"Joyce, is something the matter?"

Noticing Joyce standing silently by his side for quite a while, Lis asked with some curiosity.

Joyce thought it over; there were things Lis had probably already guessed, and some details he could slightly reveal now.

"Master Lis, I have something I'd like to discuss with you."

"Hmm?"

Lis was curious. What an odd behavior for Joyce; what exactly did the household bigshot have in mind?

Standing up, Lis walked into the adjoining room, with Joyce following.

"Master, that young girl who was sitting next to you, are you familiar with her?"

Ashley? Well, I am indeed familiar with her, but Joyce shouldn't have met her, right?

Could it be?

An idea dawned on Lis as he tentatively said:

"I do know her indeed. Is there something you needed, Joyce?"

Joyce chuckled, his expression relaxing as he said:

"I would like to take her as my apprentice."

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