Chapter 290 Coincidence
As the battle with the enemy forces continued, the casualties on both sides started to slowly accumulate. Although there were many deaths among the allied forces, the death toll on the enemy's side was significantly higher.
On this day, a middle-aged man wearing regal robes exited the headquarters situated at the center of the eastern camp.
He walked with his hands behind his back and condescendingly gazed at everyone walking by. He had a head full of black hair that was greying at the temples.
Furthermore, he sported a thin mustache and a goatee that gave him a sophisticated and dignified appearance.
Whenever the Magi in the camp passed him by, they would stop in their tracks and respectfully bow toward this man.
He was a Rank 2 Magi, after all.
The man slowly made his way toward a certain part of the camp. He walked at a leisurely pace and soon arrived at one of the tents belonging to the Gracie Family.
Upon entering, his gaze fell on Morden and Kevin who were anxiously pacing around the room. He stood at the entrance of the tent and slightly coughed, making his presence known.
The moment Kevin saw this newcomer, his eyes lit up in anticipation, "Teacher!" He walked toward the man and sincerely bowed with his hand placed on his chest. "Welcome back."
Morden too respectfully bowed toward the man. Then, he asked eagerly, "Lord Hemingway… about that thing we mentioned…"
Professor Hemingway first gave a nod of acknowledgment to his apprentice, Kevin. Then, he glanced at Morden and confirmed, "It is done."
Morden couldn't help but grin, "My Lord, when do they leave?"
"It should be sometime this week."
Kevin grumbled, his eyes flashing with impatience, "Why not today?"
Professor Hemingway looked at him with a frown. "Kevin, do you know how difficult it is to covertly arrange for two different teams to go on a dangerous mission together?"
Even Morden's expression darkened and he scolded his son, "You thoughtless fool, you should be grateful for what your teacher has done for you."
Kevin lowered his head in shame. "I apologize. I misspoke."
Professor Hemingway's gaze softened a little as he patted the youth's shoulder. "Once that nuisance is dealt with, your mind will become clearer. Then you can focus wholeheartedly on your path of magic."
"You're right, teacher…" Kevin nodded.
Ever since he had been defeated and crippled by Adam, he wasn't able to focus on practicing mindfulness. As a result, his magic studies had stagnated.
The art of mindfulness required a Magus to clear their minds and attune themselves to the abundant mana in the surroundings.
But every time Kevin closed his eyes, he was haunted by the visions of Adam looking down on him with an evil smile. So under such conditions, how could he practice mindfulness?
At this point, Adam's existence had become a mental obstacle to the youth. Until and unless he saw Adam's lifeless head, he wouldn't be at ease.
Now, thanks to the war, such a possibility was made feasible. After all, Magi were dying every day. It wouldn't be surprising if Adam too died while fighting the enemy.
Professor Hemingway turned to look at Morden and asked, "This Magus that you have chosen for the task, Alex, what do you plan to do with him afterward?"
Hearing about Alex, Morden couldn't help but feel amused. "Initially, I had planned to deal with him after he brought me Adam's head, but the kid was smart enough to establish a mana contract with me."
Mana contract was a binding agreement that made sure that neither party reneged on the terms stipulated in the contract.
The contract between Morden and Alex stated that after the latter had dealt with Adam, he would be rewarded by the former. Moreover, the contract also guaranteed that Alex wasn't discarded after completing the task.
However, there were still ways to overcome this contract.
Professor Hemingway chuckled with raised eyebrows, "Hoho, do you want me to deal with the contract? Although it's a slight drag, it is worth it."
Morden thought for a moment before respectfully declining, "Thank you, my lord, but I'd rather have such a Magus work under me than kill him."
"Hmm." Professor Hemingway nodded, his eyes narrowing. "I see." Although he said that, inwardly he had already resolved to kill Alex and his team after all this was over. He did not want any loose ends.
He paused for a moment before adding, "I've made enough arrangements such that… the outcome of that task doesn't lead back to Oswald or me."
Both Morden and Kevin humbly bowed.
"Thank you, my lord."
"Thank you, teacher."
The only reason why Professor Hemingway would go so far was because Kevin was his student. Moreover, he also shared a deep friendship with the patriarch of the Gracie Family, Oswald Gracie.
The man nodded and then turned around to leave. "Make sure that Alex's team is sufficiently prepared." With that said, he exited the tent.
Kevin and Morden glanced at each other, the former displaying anxiousness, while the latter's face was brimming with confidence.
"Father, will they succeed?"
"Hmph!" Morden scoffed, waving his hand nonchalantly. "Don't worry. I still have an extra Rank 2 scroll given to me by your uncle. I'll give it to Alex just to be on the safer side."
"But…" Kevin clenched his fists tightly. "I used a Rank 2 Fireball scroll on Adam the last time we fought. He still managed to survive! And that dragon—"
"Silence," Morden's eyes turned cold and he viciously interrupted his son. "Your delusions still haven't stopped, have they? Speak of it no more. It truly angers me."
Kevin lowered his head, his heart full of grievance. Damn it! Why won't you believe me?! Do you think I'm crazy?!
Morden clasped the youth's shoulder and said, "The times are different now. We're in the middle of a war. It's going to be much easier for Alex to kill Adam and his team, especially considering that the latter will be backstabbed by him."
"…I understand, father," Kevin replied after a long moment of silence.
"Hmm." Morden nodded. "Now, focus on your team missions and just wait for the good news to arrive by the end of the week."
…
A week later, Lisa could be seen walking out of the headquarters with a grim expression on her face. She had gone to turn in the report of the mission that she and her team had just finished. At the same time, she also wanted to get the details of her next mission.
She was holding onto a rolled parchment paper which contained details about her next mission, and making her way toward her living quarters.
After a series of twists and turns through the maze-like camp, she finally entered her tent and her gaze fell on Edward and Adam who were busy drinking wine.
There were bloody injuries all over their bodies that had been bandaged by white straps of linen. Yet, they enjoyed Adam's personally brewed wine with great fervor.
A gourd of wine was needed to wash away all the bloodbath. This statement was once said by Adam. Of course, he was already drunk at the time.
"We've got bad news," said Lisa.
Edward glanced at her, his face flushed red from slight intoxication. "What is it?"
"Our next mission," Lisa began, "we have been teamed up with Alex's squad."
At the mention of this, Adam's heart sank.
This… cannot be a coincidence!
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