Conquering The Game's World-Chapter 258: Totems!

With a dark expression, Luis gritted his teeth and threatened. {Good girl, you've become daring. I'll reward you later.}

'I'll create a powerful virus to spank your little ass,' Luis thought wickedly.

{A reward? Yay~ Thank you, Master~} Clueless of what's coming, the innocent Lily even thanked him in her sweet voice.

As he continued wandering around aimlessly. He noticed a familiar figure in his line of sight.

"Hm? Isn't that Professor Hena?"

'Why is she here?'

Interested, he walked over.

---

'I hope this library has the answers I want,' Hena thought.

She was about to step forward when a familiar presence made her stop. Almost at the same time, she heard a voice calling her.

"Professor Hena~ What a coincidence to see you here."

"If it isn't Luis. I didn't expect to see you here." Hena flashed a smile as she looked at her new disciple.

"Just taking a stroll," Luis replied, offering her the snack in his hand.

Hena politely declined the offer and spoke with a faint smile. "It's a good idea to enjoy the vacation. After my guidance starts, you won't have such time for leisure."

"Vacation?" Luis raised his brow.

"Oh? Right! It hasn't been announced yet." Hena slapped her forehead, then explained. "You should know the exam results will be announced this evening. Then the first years will receive a week-long vacation as rest."

"Hmm, it must be to give the seriously injured students time to recover." Luis was noncommittal about her words as he expressed his guess.

"In any case, aren't you guys benefiting from this?" Hena asked with a mischievous smirk.

Luis rolled his eyes at her. Seeing this side of her was something new. "So, what are you doing here, Professor?"

"Changing the topic, eh? Guess I'll go along with it." Hena said with a grin, then answered after a momentary thought. "Well, I'm here to find some information. Since you are here, how about coming along?"

Luis didn't have any pressing matters to attend to. So, he agreed to tag along.

After entering the library, Luis watched as Hena began skimming through books that recorded ancient history, myths, and long-forgotten anecdotes. Time passed as she remained absorbed in her search. Unable to suppress his curiosity any longer, Luis finally asked.

"Umm… what exactly are you looking for, Professor?"

Hena paused and turned to face him. "Do you remember a student named Sandra Grace?"

"The sand-element user?" Luis raised an eyebrow, clearly surprised by the mention. "Is there something special about her? Mutated elements are rare in the world, sure—but within this Academy, people like that are everywhere."

As he spoke, he began listing names. "Thomas, Ursula, Alex, Ben, Seraphina, and many others. They all possess affinities with mutated elements."

"That's true," Hena nodded, "but it isn't her mutated element that interests me."

That answer only deepened Luis's curiosity. "Oh? Then what about her caught your attention, Professor?"

"Have you noticed the rune on her face?"

"That strange tattoo?" Luis rubbed his chin. He hadn't paid much attention to her appearance before, but judging from Professor Hena's behaviour, something was clearly amiss.

"I believe it holds some kind of mysterious power," Hena continued, her brows knit together. "It feels… familiar. As though I've read about it somewhere before. But no matter how hard I try, I can't recall where."

Her frustration was unmistakable.

'A strange tattoo? Mysterious power?' Luis's thoughts raced as he mentally replayed the plot of 'The Holy Dragon Knight!'

'There was nothing like that in the first part, at least not up to the storyline I unlocked. What about the second sequel? Were there any characters with tattoos?'

'The only thing remotely similar was the pattern on a heroine's back… my so-called cousin. She was a mark holder…'

'Wait—! Mark Holder. Strange rune. Mutated element.'

Luis's eyes widened as realisation struck him.

"Power of Totems!"

Upon hearing his exclamation, Hena's expression also changed. "Totems! Right, it must be the mysterious totems! No wonder I felt it was familiar."

She stared at Luis for a moment, then sighed. "I didn't expect you could solve the problem that has been troubling me since yesterday with just a few hints."

"You've been trying to recall this since last night?" Luis gave her a strange look.

Hena replied in a tired tone. "Oh. You have no idea how many books I've looked through all night."

"If so, couldn't you have directly asked about it from Sandra?" Luis asked, perplexed.

"…" Hena stared at him with no expression and said, "A puzzle is only interesting when I solve it on my own."

"I see, you just forgot that was an option." Luis nodded, expressing his understanding.

Hena's cheeks flushed, and she glared at him. This disciple of hers doesn't leave any face for the mentor.

Luis pretended not to notice her gaze and turned on the hologram on his mana bracelet.

"Lily, search the keyword 'Ancient Totems' in the data. I want their history or any other information available."

{Yes, Master!}

Hena stared at the hologram projection of the little girl with curiosity. However, before she could ask about her. Lily had already started speaking.

{Master, the origin of Totems is unknown. According to the records, they are ancient animal spirits that possess mysterious and powerful abilities, far older than recorded history. Over time, some Totems were sealed away, while others became part of a hereditary legacy, passing silently through generations.}

"That means everything is just hearsay." Luis pondered, then asked. "Who are Mark Holders? Is there any mention?"

Before Lily answered, her appearance changed to that of a scholar. She gently adjusted her glasses and spoke. {Yes, it is said only individuals recognised by a Totem can access its power. This recognition manifests as a Totem Mark, a symbol that binds the human and the animal spirit together. Those who bear a Totem Mark are known as Mark Holders, and they can wield the abilities of their bonded Totem.}

Hena saw her cute look, which made her heart melt. Luis was already used to Lily's antics, so he didn't care and focused more on the information.

"Binding human and animal spirits? What about other races? Can they not bond with totems?"