The Low-key Evil Wizard BOSS-Chapter 42 - 38: Bloody Graduation Ceremony
The days grew increasingly hot as the midsummer month of May slipped away. It was now June 6th, the first weekend of the month.
Zorn’s graduation ceremony had arrived.
In the afternoon, on the lawn north of the man-made lake at the Ogrande Noble Academy, the graduation ceremony was exceptionally lively and boisterous.
Delicious cakes, cookies, sweet fruits, candies, and a selection of light alcoholic beverages filled the long tables.
The young noble students, dressed in their finest attire, savored the tasty desserts and delicacies. Amidst cheerful laughter, they reveled in the bright future that lay ahead.
Zorn, standing in a corner, scanned the crowd immersed in a sea of joy.
A moment later, he looked away and continued to sample the food in his corner.
He was in the crowd, yet he and everyone around him seemed to exist in two different worlds.
Although the food was being rapidly digested, it wasn’t converting into Gang Qi or Evil Energy.
Instead, it was turning into vital nutrients, nourishing his body for slow growth.
After half a month of digesting offerings, Zorn had maxed out his Sequence Level Experience a few days ago.
His Gang Qi and Evil Energy for the Level One Peak Sequence had also reached their respective limits.
Zorn collected his thoughts, reflecting on his accomplishments over the past half-month.
First, the Steam Factory, which he had purchased for 5,400 gold pounds, had started operations. With the help of the Alchemist Vladimir, the first batch of simply trained Pharmacist apprentices had begun their work.
At the very beginning, the potion production efficiency was pitiably low, and most of the output consisted of substandard, defective products.
However, once the Steam Factory started up, Zorn placed a simple [Spiritual Statue] in his office there.
He could feel the roar of the steam surging, the tide of the era flowing past with a great RUSH.
The evil characteristics of the [Evil Spirit Wizard] seemed to be masked and diluted by the roaring tide of steam.
The power of his Authority, wielded through the simple [Spiritual Statue], was exceptionally effective.
Under its influence for just a few days, Zorn could feel that the recent graduates from the public university were growing more diligent, studious, and enthusiastic. They were even taking the initiative to help solve the Steam Factory’s many problems.
A "corporate culture" had silently taken shape.
The successful establishment of the Steam Factory, along with the steady effect of the [Sacred Mark] during this period, meant that Zorn, who had already reached Level One Peak, was on the verge of a transformation.
’Today! This bloody graduation ceremony might just be the opportunity.’
... ...
[Star Trace Fighter] (30th Anniversary Exclusive Commemorative Edition) (Untradeable)
Level: Level 1 (99%)
[Talent]
Gangyi Iron Bone (SS-Level): You possess a will and body of steel.
[Skills]
Basic Skull-Splitting Fist: Level 0 (95%)
... ...
[Evil Spirit Wizard] (World-level BOSS) (Special Template)
Level: Level 1 (99%)
Evil Witch Spirituality: You can devour all spirits of pain, distortion, terror, despair, aberration, and Death, consuming them as food!
Immortal Divinity: Unknown
[Talents]
Mortality and Rebirth (SSS-level): Upon Death, you can be resurrected on the verge of demise (5/5).
Evil Spirit Authority (SSS-level): You can grasp the Spiritual Root Source and reshape it.
... ...
[Skills]
Life Absorption: Level 0 (34%)
Forbidden Weaving: Level 0 (21%)
Destruction Magic Ball: Level 0 (14%)
Scythe of the End (Forbidden Technique): Level 0 (3%)
... ...
Besides his Sequence Level, many of Zorn’s Extraordinary Skills and Extraordinary Magic had also improved.
Many Transcendents are unaware that Extraordinary Skills and Extraordinary Magic have proficiency levels that can be upgraded.
They don’t specifically train in this area at all.
Zorn had a small advantage in this regard.
The reason it was a ’small’ advantage was because the Church, Evil God Sects, and some other Extraordinary Influences were aware of this knowledge.
As Zorn was lost in thought, the sound of furtive footsteps drew near.
"Good afternoon, Miss Joliya!"
Zorn, holding a wine glass, turned around with a warm smile.
"Ah! You found me!"
Joliya exclaimed softly, a playful smile on her lips.
Today, she wore a low-cut blue and white court ball gown, revealing a stretch of snowy white skin on her chest. A blue and white floral veil adorned her head, making her look like a noble tulip, beautiful beyond compare.
Combined with the natural charm she radiated after becoming a Witch, she had captured the attention of more than half the men and young nobles present.
Even though she had left the main crowd to come here, many young nobles were still willing to wait for her from a distance.
"You look very beautiful today."
Zorn raised his glass, not stingy with his praise.
"Thank you!"
Joliya smiled.
"But... it’s too ostentatious!"
Her expression faltered slightly, and a trace of nervousness—and... fear!—flashed in the depths of her bright eyes.
Witches always like to test the limits, playing with fire.
But this time, she was facing the "Messenger."
"However, today is the students’ grand celebration. One should wantonly display their youth and vitality, shouldn’t they?"
Joliya’s trembling heart calmed down a little.
Then she blinked her bright eyes and spoke softly.
"Zorn, would you care to join me on the dance floor for a Porphy duet dance?"
’A Porphy duet dance? But that’s an intimate dance for couples.’
Zorn’s brow twitched slightly.
Sure enough, Joliya continued.
"And if you were to make some... excessive demands after the dance, this Joliya would be unable to refuse!"
The corner of Zorn’s eye twitched.
’Has she been abused into developing Stockholm syndrome?’
’But... after a Rose Witch, who loves to play with people’s hearts, is captured, she will try every method to please her master.’
Although Zorn was nominally the "Master’s" Messenger, he was the de facto master she interacted with.
’However, with so many people watching her right now, if I were to do that, I’m afraid quite a few hot-blooded, chivalrous protectors would come looking for trouble with me.’
"How has Blood Shadow Rose’s progress been recently?"
Zorn changed the subject.
Joliya’s expression turned serious, and she lowered her voice.
"My mentor, Lady Hazel, has finally made some progress based on the information I gave her about the mists and valleys."
"It’s said... that deep in a valley within the Mist Mountain Range to the north, they seem to have found a clue."
"Also, following your instructions, I informed them that the Rat Plague in Ogrande City is imminent."
"The recent rat infestations in Ogrande City and the disaster brewing deep in the sewers have perfectly verified the Master’s greatness."
"This has made Lady Hazel and the Bishop of Blood Shadow Rose trust me more and more."
"They are desperate to know more."
Listening to Joliya’s explanation, Zorn’s eyes narrowed as he glanced at her before speaking in a low voice. 𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂
"When the time comes, the Master will naturally provide a sign. Limitless demands and burgeoning greed will only invite misfortune!"
Joliya committed everything the Messenger said to memory.
’[Blood Shadow Rose] has already begun its expedition into the [Ruined Divine Kingdom].’
’This monumental trap of an expedition can be left to [Blood Shadow Rose]. I can then develop and grow in Ogrande City in peace.’
The other few Evil Spirits were also taking action in the shadows, more or less.
From the Ogrande Steam Daily, Zorn had also seen some of "Duke Mu Huo’s" proposals and decisions regarding legislation.
Apparently, this was the guy pushing for the annihilation of the major BOSS, [Evil Spirit Wizard] Zorn Corick.
He was also using Ogrande City as his canvas to carve his own "Sacred Mark."
This made Zorn feel the pressure of the rat race among his fellow BOSSes.
’Neither of us wants to end up as the meal on the table. So, we’ll compete. Compete for our lives!’
Just as he was thinking, Zorn suddenly felt the air grow a bit hot and stuffy. He couldn’t help but loosen the tie on his shirt.
Then, he sniffed the air hard.
He smelled something different, or rather, something familiar.
’The ceremony is underway, and the cruel crimson of Death and slaughter is about to bloom.’
Although the Rose Witch Joliya didn’t have Zorn’s keen sense of smell, she noticed something from the subtle details of his movements.
"What’s wrong?"
she asked in a low voice.
"We need to get away from the crowd."
Zorn said lightly.
"Perhaps we can take a stroll over by the corridor. The adjacent academic building can also provide us with some cover."
Zorn suggested, his gaze sweeping over the nearby corridor and academic building.
The Rose Witch Joliya’s heart trembled slightly.
’Is... something about to happen?’
She immediately steadied herself and said,
"Of course, no problem."
As Zorn led the Rose Witch Joliya away from the ball area, he turned back.
At some unknown point, a dark haze had gathered over the ball area. It grew more and more menacing, but the people within it were completely unaware.
As the strange haze thickened, the bizarre scent in the air grew stronger.
"AH!"
A startled scream shattered the lively atmosphere of the graduation ball.
The stunned crowd looked over.
In the center of the lawn, a pitch-black, well-sized hole had appeared out of nowhere.
It seemed the lady who had just screamed had fallen in.
Several helpful gentlemen peered into it, wanting to lend a hand.
The pitch-black hole was bottomless; there was no longer any sign of the woman who had fallen inside.
While everyone was still in shock...
"AH!"
A sharp, piercing scream rang out.
A giant "Calamity Rat"—half the size of a man and standing a full meter tall—had appeared on a food table at some point and was now stuffing itself with cookies.
A girl near the Calamity Rat was overcome with terror and screamed her lungs out!
Hearing the finely dressed young lady’s scream, the giant gray rat leaped from the table and pounced directly on her.
Then, it bit down hard.
The screaming stopped abruptly.
Dark red blood quickly soaked her white dress, dyeing it red like a blooming, bloody flower.
For a moment, it was as if someone had pressed pause on the crowd. The air itself seemed to freeze.
Everyone was stunned by the horrifying scene.
The next moment!
Horror, terror, screams, and panic erupted through the crowd like a tidal wave.
The people began to scatter in all directions.
Immediately after, more and more pitch-black holes appeared on the lawn.
Swarms of gray rats the size of wildcats and small dogs, along with "Calamity Rats" that stood a meter tall, poured out like a flood.
’The bloody ceremony within the [Rat Plague] has begun!’
Zorn, who had already reached the second-floor corridor of the academic building, watched this scene with a cold, indifferent expression.
