The moment he saw the pendant, he knew who had sent the letter.

He put away the somewhat pompous pendant and unfolded the letter.

The letter is not signed, but Verin's handwriting is easy to read, probably because she has been specially practiced, and her handwriting is beautiful and neat, which always gives people the feeling of seeing "serious flowers dancing".

Of course, her speaking habits are more recognizable, even in letters.

"Mr. Shug, there are three things in total, all of which are very important, regardless of priority."

"One, your caster rating request has been completed, and the voucher will arrive with a letterhead, divided into two copies of the pendant and the magic certificate, so be sure to check it carefully...... Due to the imminent approach of the war, the Mage Council urgently needs to increase its staff, so the assessment criteria for all new mages have been relaxed, and due to the guarantee of the mentor and the Ernst family background, the Council members have agreed to issue you with a stream level certificate, but this is only temporary, and you will need to go to the headquarters of the Boldon Council in person for verification and assessment within three months."

"Second, due to the transfer of personnel within the Council, I currently need to deal with some mage affairs temporarily, and if things go well, it is expected that all of them will be dealt with in two to three days, after which I will go to the manor to meet you...... Other mages have mentioned that the Ernst family is currently preparing for the selection of an heir, and some believe that the selection process may not only be based on the ability of the family members, but will also involve some complex rituals, so please be careful."

"Third, the flannel bag inside the letter contains a simple magic book, and if conditions permit, you can properly preview it (I remember that the textbook is already in your hands), and when I arrive at the manor, I will check the progress of my coursework."

"Also, if you have the chance, you can ask me about 'Poetry of the Night' in advance."

"Your teacher."

There was no signature, but Xiuge was sure that no one but Wei Lin could say these words.

Her style seems to be like this, no matter what, she has to list it like a magic formula, and although it seems impersonal, she is actually able to make all the important things clear.

It's like a weekly work report.

Shuge glanced at the date that Wei Lin had left on the letterhead, and found that it was just yesterday, and it was obvious that both the Mage Council and his teacher were extremely effective in terms of efficiency.

"Two to three days...... That is, she will be able to arrive as soon as later tomorrow? The slowest will be the day after tomorrow."

Shuge estimated when his "reinforcements" might arrive.

In such moments, he is more deeply aware of the importance of strength.

If he had a professional mage advisor by his side, or if he had already successfully mastered a huge amount of magical knowledge, he would not have to use those tricky methods to obtain and check information now.

"Before I can explore the basement of the manor further, I need to do something else."

Thinking of this, Xiuge also put away Viline's letter, and then opened the black flannel bag in the letter.

So a very small magic book appeared in front of Xiuge, only the size of a palm, two fingers thick, it looked like a notebook that could be carried around, probably because it was a gift, it didn't look like the magic books of those members of the legal committee were not the same kind at all. ….

"It doesn't look magical, it doesn't look like a book."

Shuge took it in his hand and flipped it lightly twice.

According to the introduction in the book, most of the paper of the magic books used by the mages is made of a plant called "red lily grass", and most of them grow in humid areas with high magic concentrations, so the plain of the goddess is the main source of magic paper.

Because red lily grass is born to grow in an environment full of magical power, paper made from it can often be used to record the flow and traces of magical power.

The process of recording magic patterns and carving magic models on magic paper is like carving a water stream out of a hard rocky beach

If the traces are correct and complete, as long as the magic is infused, the magic it represents can be made effective at any time.

This is how the Spellbook works.

"There is nothing wrong with the quality......

Shuge put the spellbook away satisfied, and then took out his paper magic certificate from the flannel bag - it didn't look fundamentally different from other generic documents, the biggest difference was that the official document used to prove the mage's identity was made of cardboard paper, and a lot of magic crystals were added to it, so it would look extremely bright in the light.

He couldn't help but shake his head.

"I don't know if these documents are still common in the Vanne."

The thought of Merlinle and the conflict with the current Mage Council on the plateau made Xiuge feel a little headache, but after all, the focus of his current troubles was still in the Ernst Manor, and he didn't need to worry about any disputes between mages and the common nature of the documents.

The effect of the "refreshing drink" was very fast, and the slight feeling of sleepiness caused by eating had disappeared because of it, so Shug slowly ate the last slice of bread with jam, after which he picked up his things and walked out of the restaurant.

He didn't plan to take the next step in exploring the manor's underground floors right away, and strategic contempt and tactical attention were important for the enemies he was about to face.

At least Xiuge believes that he still needs a round of important supplies and preparations before facing a new "big war".

He approached the hotel's housekeeper and made inquiries, and finally confirmed that the Ernst Manor did not force its young members to stay at the hotel for long periods of time, and that all the "guests" only had to return before nightfall.

So he decisively chose to go out.

The moment he stepped out of the hotel lobby, Xiuge felt the so-called "special treatment", because before he could take two steps, the two bodyguards that Xiuge had seen before had already come out, and the younger one of them naturally approached Xiuge and asked him if he needed a car.

During the conversation with Xiuge, the young bodyguard intentionally or unintentionally revealed a pattern of silver silk thread on his cuffs.

It was a falcon, a strange falcon with three sharp talons.

The only one who can match it is obviously the old guy Zeke Ernst. ….

Shüg accepted this overture quite naturally.

He wasn't going to walk out in this weather.

After a brief conversation, Hugg learns that the elderly bodyguard's name is Eren and that he is a pure Waterl.

The younger one, from Saint-Steele, is called Igor, and he will be the chauffeur of Schug for the rest of the trip.

"Sir, would you like to know your travel plans?"

"The plan is simple...... Take me to the biggest alchemy shop in Leyland, where I need to buy something, and then take me to a place that's quiet enough for me to rest."

Shugg's request was a bit strange, but the two bodyguards, presumably on Zeke Ernst's orders, did not express any doubts, and soon the "black limousine" drove out of the Ernst manor and headed towards the northeast corner of the Leyland district.

Xiuge noticed that during the drive, Eren was always on guard, although he was not a non-teacher, he was carrying a magic pendulum that ordinary people could use, and under his coat there were new pistols made by Wattle and some other emergency supplies, looking extremely professional.

"You were all soldiers before?"

"He was the marshal's personal guard."

As soon as Ellen spoke, he directly revealed his position and identity: "After Marshal Zeke handed over his affairs, we also became members of the Ernst family, but in recent years, the guards and servants beside the marshal have changed...... We've gone from being guards to being bodyguards."

"In recent years?"

"Three years ago, in 2696, to be exact, there was a turnover of personnel

It's fast, and the guards who replaced us are strange."

"They didn't even pass the manor's formal examination!"

Igor, who was driving, added in a loud voice: "God knows where they came from, but the marshal accepted them, although for now, these guys are doing their job well......

Xiuge nodded.

This is a very important message.

"2696...... If I'm not mistaken, that's when Shug Ernst was forced to leave the Academy of Magic and sent to Salem City."

Shugg squinted his eyes and recalled the meeting with Zeke Ernst at night, and he naturally remembered the two extremely silent maids—they exuded a magical aura of non-existent air, and their actions were always quite oppressive, and although they did obey Zeke Ernst's command, there seemed to be something unusual about this obedience.

"Ellen, are there two maids among the guards who have taken your place?"

"That's right, two very ordinary-looking women...... While they are indeed conscientious, we consider the safety of the marshal to be paramount and the ...... to rely on two maids in this regard."

Eren didn't say everything, he just shook his head.

Shuge put his hand in his pocket, he gently pinched his mage pendant, and his mind raced, "If it had been three years ago at this point in time, then a lot of things would have made sense...... The only force that can directly interfere with the decisions of a family's authority, or even change the power of his personal guard, is probably the Black Sun Society, which is also in line with the abnormal aura of those two maids, who are most likely made by referring to special personnel such as sword-wielding hermits." ….

"In other words, at that point in time, the Black Sun Society definitely strengthened its control over Zeke Ernst or the entire Ernst family, and the reason for this may be that it was aware of some of the old Zeke's thoughts, and of course, it was more likely that it wanted to strengthen its control over 'me, this matter.'"

"But for whatever purpose, Zeke Ernst's personal will must be limited to a considerable extent......

Xiuge turned his head to look out the window, and as he was familiar with the world in the past, although the streets that had just snowed were beautiful, as the number of vehicles and pedestrians increased, the white colors were inevitably stained with a lot of black dirt, which was very ugly.

As a result, many of the city's cleaners are now pushing the ritual-inscribed miniaturized snow carts to get to work.

"By the way, Ellen, do you have enough money?"

The bodyguard was slightly stunned, but he immediately nodded: "The Ernst family has a withdrawal limit for most of the shops in the Leyland district, as long as you leave a bill, the shop owners can settle with the manor steward at the end of each month, unless you plan to empty a store, it should be enough."

But then he reminded, "But if you're looking for some alchemy goods or materials, it might be a little difficult."

"What?"

"For War's Sake......

Igor, who was driving, replied, "Now there is mobilization everywhere, and in addition to people, there are also things...... I've heard that St. Steele is already following the example of the Teresa in forcibly recruiting and mobilizing mages, and my hometown is close to Merlinle, and if a war starts, maybe all kinds of spells will melt the ice and snow."

"That's it."

Eren shrugged: "If Mr. Xiuge you want to buy some simple medicine or ordinary civilian alchemy supplies, then there should be no problem, but if it involves combat readiness and lethality, you must have an official mage certificate."

"Don't worry, I have this."

Xiuge smiled: "Although I just got it this morning, it is indeed the latest certificate issued by the Council, and the stream level should be enough, right?"

"It's absolutely enough to buy alchemy materials."

"That's good."

Xiuge's mood perked up slightly, he was ready to buy on a spree in the alchemy shop, Bolden as Wo

In Terr's royal city, the richness of alchemy materials in it is definitely not comparable to those shops in Salem City, and Xiuge is even a little looking forward to how many rare materials he can find that can be used in the dream shelter.

Anyway, someone will help pay for it, so you have to pay a little bit.

There is no such thing as the wool of the Xue family, and Xiuge has no psychological obstacles at all now......

In the northeast corner of Lailand District, there is a special commercial area.

Named "Leyland's Kiss", it is a commercial area dedicated to the aristocratic residents of Leyland.

In addition to collectibles, art, and the huge alchemy shops, there are many "special shops" that are not found in other commercial districts.

And because of the proximity to the Waterl School of Magic, those spellcaster students who are on vacation will often come here for recreation......

Although he had "heard" the name of Leyland's Kiss for a long time, Xiuge had no capital to come here to take a look at it in the past.

However, as the vehicle approached the northeast corner of the Ryland district, Schug gradually noticed that something was not right, and he noticed that there seemed to be a lot of soldiers on the streets, and not only that, but there were also many large military steam trucks parked in the nearby streets.

Looks...... This place was actually chartered by the army.

Zero doctors