The Magic Arrays on the altar were linked together, a complete success.

A few minor problems arose during the process, but they were all resolved.

Only twice did critical, major problems occur.

Thanks to the Magic Array arranged by Melvin and Li Wei, everyone’s efforts were not wasted.

Martin and Komas specifically commended Melvin for this.

"This time, we were able to complete the mission smoothly thanks to Mage Melvin, who discovered the problem ahead of time and implemented countermeasures."

"On behalf of the Mage Tower, I award Mage Melvin three hundred Contribution points as a reward for his outstanding contribution."

Melvin quickly interjected, "The credit isn’t all mine. It belongs more to Mage Li Wei."

"If Mage Li Wei hadn’t encouraged me, I never would have thought of it."

"Without his help, I couldn’t have finished this before the inscription of the Magic Array was complete."

Martin looked surprised upon hearing this.

He looked at Li Wei and asked, "You told him to do all this?"

Li Wei shook his head. "No, I only gave him a suggestion. Mage Melvin’s actions were all a result of his own sound judgment."

Melvin looked at Li Wei, wanting to say something but unable to find the words.

Komas smiled. "In that case, let’s award Li Wei one hundred Contribution points as well."

Martin nodded. "Agreed."

"Alright, the mission is complete. Everyone may return."

"Once you return to the Mage Tower, the Magic Butler will distribute the mission rewards."

The mages burst into cheers at the news.

"Yes! Great, we can finally go back."

"I miss my big bed in the Mage Tower. Sleeping on these Stone Slabs every day is killing my back."

"You’re lucky you could sleep at all. At night, this place is swarming with mosquitoes. I couldn’t sleep with all the bites, and the BUZZ BUZZ BUZZING was driving me insane."

"I’m taking a bath the second I get back. I’m itching all over."

Li Wei silently scanned the crowd, searching for any potential traitors.

’Whoever isn’t happy right now is a possible traitor.’

’But it’s hard to tell who is genuinely happy and who is just faking it.’

The group began the journey back.

The altar was once again left in the army’s hands to guard.

With the Magic Array completely inscribed, the altar no longer required a large force to guard it.

The altar was now exceptionally sturdy.

Not even a Tier Four Mage could destroy it.

Li Wei glanced back at the massive altar, pondering something.

’Could a Super Fireball destroy this altar?’

He mulled over this question.

Others were considering the same thing.

Martin and Komas stood at the edge of the altar.

"Could that blue fireball from last night destroy the altar?" Martin asked.

Komas shook his head. "I’m not sure."

"Theoretically, the altar can withstand an attack from Tier Six Magic."

"But that’s just in theory. If it can withstand Tier Five Magic, its quality is already considered high."

"The power of that blue fireball was likely no weaker than Tier Five Magic."

Martin nodded, then turned and headed down from the altar.

"Forget it. No point overthinking it. It won’t be our problem anymore anyway."

Komas paused, then hurried to catch up. "Don’t they still need the Mage Tower’s help with the preparations for the Divine Worship Ceremony?"

Martin said, "Remember how the Mage Tower was infiltrated by Black Cultists?"

"A lot of people were affected. The City Lord’s Mansion is worried something might go wrong, so they’ve commissioned the Mage Association for help instead."

"So, we’re no longer needed for the Divine Worship Ceremony preparations."

Komas chuckled. "Heh, and how can he be so sure the Mage Association doesn’t have its own problems?"

Martin shook his head. "No one can be certain. But at least the Mage Association hasn’t been attacked by Black Cultists. On the surface, they appear far more reliable than the Mage Tower."

Komas said, "This could be playing right into the Black Cultists’ hands."

"Who knows?" Martin said with a shake of his head.

Li Wei returned to Maple City with the rest of the group.

CLIP-CLOP CLIP-CLOP!

The sound of hooves drew near.

Li Wei looked toward the sound to see Reina, looking weathered from her travels, come into view.

She was leading a troop of elite cavalry back to Maple City.

Seeing the large group of mages at the city gate, Reina instinctively slowed her horse.

She breathed a sigh of relief when she saw they were friendlies.

"Hiyah."

Reina rode up to Li Wei’s side.

She took off her helmet, placed it on her saddle, and dismounted with a smile. "Li Wei, long time no see."

Li Wei looked at her and smiled back. "It really has been a while. Where have you been?"

He actually already knew.

Reina had gone to Frostwind Fortress.

Li Wei had even seen her in his dreams.

But Reina didn’t remember him.

Reina said, "I followed my master to Frostwind Fortress to fight in the war against the Macher Kingdom’s army."

"Then why are you back?" Li Wei asked, a little puzzled.

Reina replied, "The Divine Worship Ceremony is about to begin."

"My master and the City Lord ordered me to return with my men to handle security for the ceremony."

Li Wei glanced at the elite cavalry behind her.

"You’d better be careful, then. There are spies and traitors everywhere."

"We rooted out over a dozen spies planted by the Macher Kingdom just while we were setting up the altar."

Li Wei warned.

Reina nodded. "Thanks for the warning."

She looked at Li Wei and asked, "What level are you at now?"

Li Wei said, "Tier One Middle Level."

"What about you?"

Reina smiled. "Then you’d better pick up the pace."

"After a few battles at Frostwind Fortress, I’m already on the cusp of becoming a Tier Three Knight."

"My master sent me back to let my progress settle for a bit, so I don’t advance too quickly and build an unstable foundation."

Li Wei looked astonished.

"You’re advancing way too fast!"

Reina explained, "It’s mostly because the War Knight class is special."

"The larger the scale of the war and the more victories we win, the faster a War Knight advances."

"Alright, I have to go. I need to report in at the City Lord’s Mansion."

"I’ll see you around."

"Take care. See you."

Li Wei watched as Reina mounted her horse and rode toward the City Lord’s Mansion.

He slowly made his way toward the Mage Tower.

Gu Ze was waiting for him by the side of the road. Seeing the smile on Li Wei’s face, he chuckled.

"What? Did you see Reina?"

Li Wei was surprised. "Master, how did you know?"

"I could tell what happened just by the look on your face."

"If you really like the girl, you should go after her!"

"You’re a genius Mage with a bright future. You don’t need to worry about not being good enough for her."

Gu Ze encouraged Li Wei to be bold and pursue Reina.

Li Wei smiled. "I’m afraid that’s not going to happen. It’s only been a short while, and Reina’s already about to advance again."

"She’s about to become a Tier Three Knight."

Gu Ze looked shocked.

"That... That’s terrifyingly fast."

Li Wei said, "It’s partly because of her exceptional talent, and partly because her class is special."

"Master, I was thinking about something else."

"What is it?" Gu Ze asked.

Li Wei said, "If Reina is advancing this quickly... how powerful is Orn now?"

Gu Ze grew thoughtful.

He shook his head. "Don’t overthink it. Focus on catching up to Reina first. Why are you worried about how strong her master is?"

Li Wei smiled but didn’t say anything.

’Because I’m going after her master, of course!’