Lord of Mysterious Wizard-Chapter 541 - 500: Cannibal, teddy bear, and the subway (Additional 6 for Alliance Hierarch with the last digits 9483)

Tang Qi stood before the Magic Mirror, watching the students excitedly buzz about the lines of text appearing on the parchment. His gaze shifted, finally settling on Noah, Shay, and a few others. They were older and, although their eyes also sparkled with anticipation, they managed to remain calm.

In recent days, Tang Qi purposely gathered information on mysterious events erupting in various locations of the Federation, and even on Origin Blue Star, as well as various unimaginable "disasters" officially concealed.

There was no need for guesswork; Tang Qi affirmed Rafael’s statement.

The intensifying Spiritual Tide was indeed leading to increasingly severe consequences.

Although it would not return Origin Blue Star to the "Dark Era" levels anytime soon.

But it was undeniable; the world was becoming increasingly dangerous.

Tang Qi had a rather detailed plan for developing the "Witch School," an excellent plan, which, barring any accidents, would surely place Merada Special Education School among the top names within the Federation’s Extraordinary Organizations in the future.

After receiving those reports, Tang Qi decided to accelerate the pace.

He needed to train enough "combat power," even though they were still children.

"The official government, besides having organizations like the Ancient Castle Bureau and Investigation Bureau, also has military and other secretive channels. Even the Church’s Transcendent training system pales in comparison... and the Bright Church, from Stanna’s transformation, one can foresee that in the short term or foreseeable future, the Church will always be the most powerful Extraordinary Organization."

"Besides, there’s the World Tree, Ancient Mystical Vaults... Although it’s cruel, it indeed has come to a time to unveil to them the Mysterious Side’s cruel and horrifying aspects."

As Tang Qi was contemplating, within the dormitory building, students of the expanded Extraordinary Practical Combat Class were earnestly examining the densely packed parchment on the walls.

Of dozens of students, only half qualified to take on the tasks.

They were Noah, Shay, Nidya, and a dozen others, the first batch of Extraordinary Practical Combat Class students.

The dozen or so behind them were from the second cohort, not yet permitted, but could preview the task postings in advance.

Lily, a girl whose parents were both Exorcists, possessing bloodline powers similar to those of an "Exotic Realm Moth," immediately focused on the first task information appearing on parchment.

"A clumsy Cannibal impersonator in the Lower City District of Secret Phoenix City, Sheep Bone Street. Consecutive missing cases erupted three days ago, and bodies began to be discovered thereafter, primarily young women. However, each corpse presented various degrees of deficiency, primarily in parts rich in fat."

"A profiler judged, the perpetrator is a Cannibal, deliberately imitating a forbidden book ’Cannibal Doctor Lecter’, adapted from the exploits of the evil Demigod Lecter—a former leader of the Shepherd Sect, who attempted to usurp the faith in the Lord of Light but was killed by the Witch School Principal." 𝓯𝙧𝓮𝓮𝒘𝓮𝙗𝙣𝒐𝒗𝒆𝓵.𝓬𝓸𝒎

"After the profile release, the Lower City Police Station arranged several capture operations, but all ended in failure. The perpetrator has an unusually sturdy body, over two meters, covered in mutated muscles, possessing extraordinary strength, defense, and some unknown Extraordinary Powers."

"Task difficulty: Level 2."

"Suggested number of participants: Three."

"Task Rewards: For killing the Cannibal, a cash reward and low-level Curio are available. The former provided by the police and victim’s relatives, the latter by the school."

Although the rewards were tantalizing, the crime scene photos and the appearance of the perpetrator that emerged along with the task information made all the students’ faces turn sour.

Even though they had experienced horror in the last "Jenny Malfoy" case.

Yet such things, once experienced, might ease but cannot be disregarded as Tang Qi could.

The students did not expect that the first bounty task released by the school would be so disgusting and horrifying.

Having never experienced real combat, the ten or so second batch students turned pale instantly; if not for the courage their Extraordinary Powers gave them, they might have turned and run.

As they toughed it out, looking at the task information.

Noah and the others were discussing who would take on this first task.

As the oldest among the students, Noah, who had previously demonstrated calm and wisdom within Malfoy Mansion, quickly analyzed the task on the parchment: "This Cannibal, for unknown reasons mutated, possesses extraordinary strength and defense, maybe even unknown Extraordinary Powers. To kill it, we need immense power, ability to counter evil, and trace its scent."

"I’ll do it, I’ll burn it to death."

Noah had barely finished when the furiously-faced Luka stepped forward.

"Count me in!"

The next to speak was Tate.

Possessing the ability to transform into an "orange cat," Tate, in terms of strength, indeed would not easily lose to a two-meter-tall Big Man, even though it was mutated.

Then a little girl named Charlotte, with tracking abilities, stood out. Her nose, mutated to differentiate various smells in the air, also possessed a Fog Body-like ability, but not as powerful as Tang Qi’s; the duration was also very short.

Once the team was complete, Luka, Tate, and Charlotte quickly stepped forward to sign their names.

Soon, several items fell out from inside the parchment.

Landing into their hands respectively were sheets with the address, photos of the perpetrator, and three badges that could be used to call for help.

Since it was the first time only three people were going on a task together, after receiving cheers and encouragement from their peers, the three children, fearlessly, left the dorm building, watched off by Noah and the others, aboard a "Clarkwo" spaceship.

Most of the time, the clumsy and slow river pufferfish spaceship, but at this moment, it burst forth with terrifying speed. With a "whoosh," it left Lake Heart Island Secret Realm, heading towards Secret Phoenix City.

As they watched the three leave, Noah and the others returned to the front of the parchment.

The previously cleared parchment began to display new tasks.

"The teddy bear toy from the McFarlane family in the Ham District of Secret Phoenix City, the youngest son Ryan’s teddy bear toy, for unknown reasons, transformed into some sort of unknown life form. Not only does it speak the Federation General Language, but it also tends toward chaos, typically starting and ending conversations with swear words and occasionally displaying aggressive tendencies, even attempting to kill the male owner with a dinner knife."

"This toy has not demonstrated overly powerful Extraordinary Powers; its attributes are comparable to those of a teenager aged eighteen or nineteen."

"Task requires the retriever to bring the toy back."

"Task level: Level 1."

"Suggested number of operatives: One."

"Task reward: Provided by the McFarlane family, either a brand new large toy or, after confirming the toy is harmless, the adoption of this special life form."

Surprisingly, the second task seemed not only less dangerous but also quite interesting.

Noah and his friends exchanged looks, interest evident in the eyes of boys and girls alike.

Except for Nidya, who already cherished a beloved long-eared rabbit toy and had no interest in a foul-mouthed teddy bear.

"I’ll go!"

Seeing her companions still being modest, tomboyish Lily suddenly raised her hand.

Although the swearing teddy bear was intriguing, nobody objected since Lily spoke up, watching the girl happily board another Clarkwo spaceship for the McFarlane residence in the Ham District.

Soon, the parchment became blank again, and the third task information slowly emerged.

"The mysterious last subway, moving through Secret Phoenix City’s Main City on Metro Line 3, reports from citizens claim that although it is supposed to end its operation at 10 PM, at 10:20 PM, an additional train often appears which is not on the schedule, has no number, no driver, and is styled more ancient than current trains."

"To date, this particular train has led to the disappearance of dozens of people, the scene monitoring footage being interfered with by unknown sources, making it impossible to recognize what happened."

"This incident has been transferred from the Ancient Castle Bureau to Merada Special Education School, and if unsolved within two days, will be reassumed by the Ancient Castle Bureau, dispatching high-level agents for the investigation."

"Task requirement: Investigate the truth, save the missing persons, and destroy this subway line if necessary."

"Task level: third-level."

"Suggested number of operatives: Twelve."

"Task reward: Access to the school’s collection room to choose certain Curios or some opportunities for training, jointly provided by the Ancient Castle Bureau and the school."

When the third task appeared, Noah and the others were momentarily stunned.

The first thought in mind:

Danger!

Just from the surge in the recommended number of operatives, one could tell this mysterious task was perilous.

The previous two tasks, one Level 2, the other Level 1.

Although both hinted at some danger, none were as intense as this third-level task.

Whether "Cannibal" or "teddy bear," their dangers were clearly stated, with provided addresses and photos, making it straightforward to directly target them upon accepting the task.

But this "Mysterious Subway" had no corresponding information.

What exactly is this last train?

Why did it cause the disappearance of dozens?

What is this so-called unknown interference?

These are what the operatives had to investigate.

Crucially, of the students qualified to take the task, besides Tate, Luka, Charlotte, and Lily who had already left, only fifteen remained. Surely, their whole class couldn’t be just taking three tasks in a night?

Noah, having acquired some decision-making power, glanced at the parchment a few more times, and then at his companions.

Suddenly, his gaze fell on the transferee who had joined later.

A seemingly ordinary girl, with somewhat messy hair and a pair of unforgettable green eyes.

Hannah!

With a smile curving his lips, Noah directly said: "Let’s take this task, me, Peggy, and Hannah, making exactly twelve."

As Noah finished speaking, Hannah suddenly chuckled, her body trembling as she split in an instant and squeezed forward, signing ten seemingly identical names.

Once Peggy and Noah also signed, the parchment inside dropped out twelve identical cards and distress badges.

"Ordinary metro cards, valid for tonight."

Noah flipped through the cards, reading the text displayed.