"Come on, stop pretending. How long has it been since we last met? I didn't misjudge you back then. Come here, let me introduce you. This is Master Rosen. His proud disciple, Gryffindor, has reached the peak of level-19 and is only one step away from the Legendary-realm. Boy, you should learn more. Don't waste your time all day and make me lose face. " Andoine called Lin Li over, and introduced him to a skinny old man beside him. His words, coupled with the smug look on his face, were a classic example of infuriating.
"Master Rosen." Although Lin Li had never seen Rosen before, he was no stranger to his disciple, Gryffindor. However, although he did not have a good impression of Gryffindor, he would not stop fooling around with Andoine.
Master Rosen looked to be in his sixties. He was thin and had white hair, and his thin face was covered with wrinkles. Other than a pair of sharp eyes, he looked no different from an ordinary old man. After hearing Andoine's introduction, he did not get angry. Instead, he nodded slightly, and said in a hoarse voice, "Not bad, Andoine has really taken in a good student. You're already level-23, right? You're about to surpass your teacher."
From Andoine's introduction just now, anyone who was not deaf could tell that the relationship between Andoine and Master Rosen was not harmonious. There was no expression on Lin Li's face, but he became even more cautious as he carefully observed the other party.
"This is one of the arbitrators of the Supreme Council, Master Megard." Andoine did not respond to Rosen's words, and instead introduced another tall old man to Lin Li.
"Master Megard." Lin Li raised his eyebrows slightly. From the moment he entered the door, he could feel that Master Andoine, who had once been unfathomable in his eyes, should be at level-23 like him. Although Master Rosen looked like an ordinary old man, he was also level-23. Lin Li was the only one who couldn't tell how powerful Master Megard was. However, that also explained a problem. If he couldn't see through Master Megard despite being at the peak of level-23, he would probably have to be a powerhouse of the Sanctuary-realm.
Another thing that caught Lin Li's attention was Megard's identity as one of the arbitrators of the Supreme Council. If he remembered correctly, Andoine and Rosen should also be members of the Supreme Council, and it seemed that the two of them were competing for the position of arbitrator. This time, the two of them were participating in the operation at the same time. It was unknown if it had anything to do with the competition between them.
It seemed like Aldwin had been waiting for them. With the abilities of the three of them, it would be a piece of cake for them to snatch the key from the hands of the Sword Sage of the Storm, let alone the bet. Of course, not everything in this world was decided by the Supreme Council, and they had certain scruples. The Supreme Council was also interested in Osric's mausoleum. It was no wonder that Macklin looked displeased.
"Well, very good. Andoine has taught a good student." Megard looked at Lin Li without any expression on his face, as if Lin Li's disproportionate age and strength did not surprise him at all. After saying that in a perfunctory manner, he did not look at Lin Li again, and instead turned to look at Aldwin. "Aldwin, go and arrange for the bet. I believe that kid Al 'Akir won't refuse again."
That kid Al 'Akir … Lin Li secretly shuddered. In this world, only an old monster like Al' Akir who had lived for countless years would dare to call the Sword Sage of the Storm a kid.
In Anril, no one would have the courage to disrespect a Sanctuary powerhouse unless they were fools. The Sword Sage of the Storm was not a fool, and besides, the Guild of Magic was not forcing him to take the key. They merely wanted to continue the bet. If the Guild of Magic lost the bet again, even Megard, the arbitrator, would not stoop so low as to snatch the key.
A mage or a blacksmith? I'm afraid that even Megard, the arbitrator of the Sanctuary-realm, would not be able to create a decent magical weapon. It was actually like asking a Warrior to draw mageweaths. Unfortunately, there were more than just Warriors in the Adventurers Guild. Until now, Al 'Akir still felt that this was the best move of his life.
Soon, the Alanna Guild of Magic and the Adventurers Guild reached a consensus on the previous bet. The location of the bet was not in a public place in Alanna City, but in Al 'Akir's Forging Workshop, the Sword Sage of the Storm. Al 'Akir also expressed his goodwill to Megard. After all, every tool in his Forging Workshop was of the highest quality, and would greatly increase the success rate of forging.
"Aldwin, this is my private Forging Workshop. See if there's anything else you need. I'll get someone to prepare it for you, lest you say that I didn't give you a chance if you lose," said Aldwin. Although Al 'Akir had agreed to the bet, he was already the winner. How could he be happy if he had to continue the bet? Anyway, Megard, whom he was afraid of, did not come today. Hence, he naturally did not have to be nice to Aldwin.
"Don't ask me. You can ask him about forging." Aldwin did not get angry, and instead reached out to introduce Lin Li to Al 'Akir.
Al 'Akir thought that it was someone from the Supreme Council, but he didn't expect Aldwin to introduce a young mage. However, he felt that the mage looked rather familiar. All of a sudden, Al 'Akir frowned, and a memory surfaced in his mind. He couldn't help but exclaim, "It's you!"
Lin Li rubbed his nose in embarrassment, took two steps forward, and said, "Mr. Al 'Akir, we meet again."
Al 'Akir would never forget the fact that he had exchanged a Detoxification Potion for a Legendary magical crystal. Back then, in order to hunt the Legendary-level Salamander, the Adventurers Guild had mobilized six major teams of adventurers, resulting in countless deaths and injuries. Even he had been poisoned by the Salamander. Lin Li was the one who handed him a Detoxification Potion without saying anything, and only said that he wanted to take something from the Salamander after he drank the potion. In the end, the most precious Legendary magical crystal was taken away by Lin Li right in front of his eyes. Although he wouldn't go so far as to be jealous of a young man, the heartache of watching the Legendary magical crystal being taken away was something that no potion could erase.
"Young man, it's no wonder that the Salamander died in your hands. You're indeed young and promising." Al 'Akir could already tell that Lin Li was only an Archmage in the past, but he had already stepped into the Legendary-realm after such a short period of time. Besides, the powerful mana waves were even showing signs of surpassing his own.
"Ding, ding, ding, ding …" An extremely rhythmic knocking sound filled the Smithing Workshop.
Upon hearing the crisp and melodious sound, all the members of the Adventurers Guild, including the Smithing Master Al 'Akir, felt their hearts in their throats. They knew that no matter what other skills Lin Li had, he was definitely at the level of a senior blacksmith just by making such a sound.
Lin Li stood on the forging table, and his movements were as smooth as flowing water. Even without the help of an assistant, he didn't slack off at all. Perhaps, the spectators had a feeling that if they really put an assistant on the stage, it might actually affect his movements.
It was simply a form of enjoyment. The sound of the knocking was like beautiful music, and the smooth movements were like a beautiful dance. Everyone was even a little dazed, and forgot where they were and why they were there. Even Al 'Akir, the Smithing Master, was immersed in the rhythm, and had completely forgotten that he would lose the key to Osric's mausoleum if he lost the bet.
The sound of quenching finally jolted everyone out of their stupor. Everyone's eyes were immediately focused on the sword in Lin Li's hand. Under the illumination of the fire, it exuded a sharp aura that seemed to be able to cut through everything.
"Good sword!" Al 'Akir knew that he had lost without having to take a closer look at it. He had to admit that even he might not be able to forge such a good sword.
Upon hearing Al 'Akir's exclamation, the people from the Guild of Magic finally heaved a long sigh of relief. It was already unreasonable for them to continue the bet. If they had lost the bet, they would not only have lost the opportunity to explore Osric's mausoleum, but it would also have been a huge blow to the Guild of Magic's reputation.
"Master-level, this is definitely a Master-level masterpiece," Al 'Akir said as he grabbed the sword that Lin Li handed to him. Al 'Akir took the sword from Lin Li, and gently stroked the blade with his fingers. It was really hard to believe that it was forged by a mage.
"How is it, Al 'Akir? When are you going to fulfill the bet?" Aldwin asked Al' Akir eagerly with an irrepressible smile on his face.
"Don't worry, we, the Adventurers Guild, will keep our word about the bet. We won't find excuses to go back on our word like some people," Al 'Akir said sarcastically. Although Al 'Akir had admitted defeat, he still mocked in displeasure. After all, it was Osric's mausoleum, which was a huge treasure.
Aldwin and the others took the other half of the key, and left the Adventurers Guild in high spirits.
The Sword Sage of the Storm, Al 'Akir, stared blankly at the sword in his hand, unable to figure out where the Guild of Magic had found such a freak. That mage seemed to be in his twenties, and not only did he have amazing mana waves, he was also proficient in forging. He remembered that when he first met that fella, he even gave him a potion that could neutralize the poison of the Salamander …
Wait, damn it, I've been cheated. Isn't that fella the President of the Tower of Dusk of the Breezy Plains!? Since when did he become a member of the Alanna Guild of Magic? I'm betting with the Alanna Guild of Magic, not the Supreme Council! Al 'Akir waved his sword angrily at the anvil used for forging, but it suddenly flashed, and the heavy anvil was sliced in half like a cucumber.
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