Supreme Magus

further test. ” Lith asked.

”It ’s no standard procedure. A normal Ranger has no need for a yearly evaluation, but so far you have proven to be anything but. The army is interested in putting your abilities to test since you have only one more year left of service.

”If you pass, the top brass might make you a good offer to tempt you to prolong your military career. I ’ll be in charge during the mission you and I will undertake together. ” Morok said.

”What kind of mission requires two Rangers at once? ” Lith hated teamwork. Tower warping would become impossible with a partner and he wasn ’t a fan of camping in the open.

”The worst kind. ” Morok sighed. ”Babysitting. ”

”I beg your pardon? ”

”Some poor bastards have discovered ancient ruins inside an underground network of tunnels inside a dungeon and a group of idiotic mages with more money than brain have organized an expedition. ”

”What does it have to do with us? Can ’t they pay for their private guards? ” Lith was getting annoyed just at the thought of such a job.

”In theory, yes. Ruins, however, are all considered Royal properties unless a team of experts decides otherwise. The Crown cannot allow for lost artifacts or knowledge to fall into the wrong hands.

”To make matter worse, one of those noble mages has a powerful daddy who demanded the best, and that ’s where we come into play. The ruins are located at the border between our turfs and we were both graded as Monsters from the army. ”

’He was graded as me? Turf? This man speaks more like a beast than a human. Solus, analysis. ’ Lith thought.

’Yeah, right. Since when I can evaluate someone from his hologram? I need to see him in person. ’ Solus replied.

”When and where? ” Lith asked, eager to finish the mission quickly.

”Let ’s meet in Letras. It has a Warp Gate, it ’s close to our destination, and their roasted pork shank is to die for. I ’ll wait for you at the Wild Boar tavern. We have a few things to do before picking up the kids, so come prepared. Over and out. ”

Lith took into account how much time it would take a normal mage to reach his destination and used all the extra time to use Acc.u.mulation. One of the problems of conducting experiments was that it left him little time to refine his mana core.

Luckily, a mana geyser combined with his tower allowed him to absorb world energy at a faster rate than normal. Lith ’s blue mana core needed enormous amounts of world energy for a single cycle of expansion and compression.

’Usually, I ’d rush there, but I don ’t want to raise suspicions by moving too fast. Behind Morok ’s kind words there could actually be a trap. General Morn never liked me. He is likely the reason for this evaluation.

’He must be doubting my achievements. I bet that pompous ass is envious of how Constable Tyris rewarded me after Zantia ’s events. Either it ’s him, or one of the enemies of Commander Berion is trying to pull a fast one. ’ Lith thought.

Lith ’s had no intention of serving in the military more than it was needed. He hated politics and all the struggles that taking a side would result in, but at the same time, he wouldn ’t allow anyone to take away his merits.

The following day, Lith reached Letras. Solus was back in her ring form, wrapped around the cloaking ring she had crafted. She now appeared as nothing but a fancy stone decoration.

’If this Morok Eari is an Awakened or an Emperor Beast in disguise, at least Solus is safe as long as I give him no chance of using Invigoration on me. ’ Lith thought.