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As a result, while Dean Bruce could understand the literal meaning of the phrases, he couldn\'t connect them to the magical world.

It was only when someone he had bluffed successfully linked those words to this world\'s magic and comprehended a spell that he received the system\'s reward for understanding. Only then could he use that knowledge to teach others.

Since he hadn\'t yet earned that reward and had limited knowledge of magic, how could he truly guide someone else in its mysteries?

Of course, Dean Bruce wasn\'t about to reveal any of this. Glancing at Lucy Michelle, he put on a disappointed expression and sighed softly. "There\'s something I hope you can remember."

"What is it?"

Seeing the disappointment in Dean Bruce\'s eyes, Lucy Michelle instantly grew nervous, biting her lip.

Dean Bruce said calmly, "There\'s an old saying: \'A master can lead you to the door, but it\'s up to you to walk through.\' I\'ve already given you the incantation. Whether you can comprehend it depends entirely on your own ability."

"But... what if I can\'t understand it?" Lucy Michelle asked hesitantly.

Dean Bruce remained calm, replying, "Then it means you lack the talent, and this spell simply isn\'t meant for you."

Lucy Michelle was stunned, completely taken aback by this answer. In her past experiences, while her teachers weren\'t always obliging, they would at least share their understanding of the spells they taught.

Dean Bruce continued nonchalantly, "My teaching method is different from others, and it\'s for your own good."

"If I were to tell you my own interpretation before you\'ve had a chance to understand the spell, wouldn\'t you simply be following in my footsteps?"

He paused, putting on a contemplative, wise expression before adding, "Magic isn\'t a dead thing. Each person\'s understanding of it is unique, and its manifestation changes depending on that. I don\'t want you to repeat my path. I want you to forge your own."

"Teacher Dean..."

Upon hearing this, Lucy Michelle was completely convinced. Overcome with emotion, she exclaimed, "So that\'s what you meant! I thought... haha, it\'s my fault! I\'ll work hard to understand it. I\'ll try to master the spell before the advanced magic academy assessment in two weeks!"

"Don\'t worry, Teacher Dean, I won\'t disappoint you!" Lucy Michelle vowed with determination.

Having settled things with Lucy Michelle, Dean Bruce calmly went about his routine—washing up, eating a bit, and then leaving the estate, heading toward Notting City.

With Joan Michelle away and Lucy busy mastering a new spell, there wasn\'t much reason for Dean to stay at the estate. It was better to head back to Notting City and find Nicholas William.

The last spell he taught Nicholas still hadn\'t been fully grasped, so it was time to give him a little push.

As Dean Bruce approached the city, he noticed something was off. The air above Notting City seemed to shimmer with an unusual magical energy.

At the city gate, where only a handful of guards usually stood watch, there were now two full squads, thoroughly inspecting every passerby.

Dean Bruce raised an eyebrow in curiosity. What\'s going on here? Why has Notting City suddenly tightened security like this?

Could it be that members of the Magic Guild have arrived?

But that didn\'t make sense. The Magic Guild had no direct authority over the cities, and there was no hierarchy that would justify such drastic measures.

[Hmm? Could something else be going on?]

[How interesting... Notting City was quiet for so long, and just as I begin uncovering strange details about my parents\' disappearance, all these events start happening here as well!]

[Perhaps my parents\' disappearance is more than just a matter of the Nine Provinces Alliance.]

[There must be something bigger behind all this. But what could have caused such a commotion?]

Taking a deep breath, Dean Bruce strode confidently toward the city gates.

As soon as one of the guards moved to question him, another quickly stepped forward, bowing respectfully before Dean Bruce and saying, "Lord Dean!"

The other guards, who hadn\'t seen Dean Bruce before, were stunned. They eyed him curiously but clearly had no recollection of who he was.

Dean Bruce glanced at the soldier and asked, "You know me?"

"Indeed," the soldier replied, his voice even more respectful. "I once accompanied the young city lord and witnessed your prowess firsthand! If you\'re returning to the city, here\'s a pass that will allow you to come and go without being stopped during the lockdown."

As he spoke, the soldier presented a white card with both hands, offering it to Dean Bruce.

Seeing Dean hesitate to take the card, the soldier added, "Sir, in the coming days, several nearby cities will be under lockdown. I recommend you accept the pass for ease of travel."

"Oh?"

Hearing this, Dean Bruce no longer hesitated. He took the pass and casually asked, "What\'s going on? Why is security so strict?"

"I\'m not sure," the soldier replied, shaking his head. "All I know is that people from the Nine Provinces Alliance have arrived, and the city lord has been acting like he\'s preparing for a major threat. He even sent messages to nearby cities. I suspect they\'ll also be going into lockdown for a while."

"..."

Hearing this, Dean Bruce narrowed his eyes slightly.

The Nine Provinces Alliance had sent people?

It had only been a day and a night since they left the Lulu Ruins, and the Nine Provinces Alliance was already here?

Could they really move that fast with their communication?

Or perhaps... they weren\'t here because of the Lulu Ruins?

Dean Bruce\'s mind raced with possibilities, but by the time he stepped into Notting City, his gaze had become resolute.

It doesn\'t matter if they came for the Lulu Ruins or something else. Whatever they throw at me, I\'ll deal with it.

With a plan forming in his mind, Dean Bruce didn\'t hesitate and headed straight for the city lord\'s mansion.

The soldiers guarding the mansion all recognized him, aware of his status. One quickly stepped forward to guide Dean Bruce inside, while another ran ahead to inform the others of his arrival.

Before long, just as Dean Bruce was nearing the courtyard, he saw Nicholas William rushing toward him. One of Nicholas\' boots was mismatched, clearly thrown on in haste.

"Teacher, why are you back so soon?!"

Nicholas William exclaimed, his face full of surprise as he hurried up and respectfully bowed to Dean Bruce.

Dean Bruce raised an eyebrow and smiled. "Why? I\'m not allowed to visit?"

"Of course you are! You\'re my teacher; you can come whenever you like!"

Nicholas William replied, still clearly shocked. "I\'m just surprised. Weren\'t you supposed to be competing? How did you return so quickly?"

As he spoke, Nicholas waved the nearby soldiers away and led Dean Bruce to his personal courtyard.

Once they were inside the courtyard, Nicholas\'s expression grew more anxious. He leaned in and said nervously, "Teacher, your timing couldn\'t be worse! The representative from the Magic Guild and the people from the Nine Provinces Alliance are here right now, talking with my father in the mansion!"

"If the Magic Guild representative senses your presence, they might figure out what happened!"

Seeing that Dean Bruce\'s expression remained calm and unaffected, Nicholas blinked in surprise. "Teacher... have you already come up with a plan?"

Dean Bruce shook his head slightly and said, "I just came back to borrow a horse from you. I need to make a trip to Stanlow City."

"A warhorse? That\'s no problem!" Nicholas William agreed readily. He was about to speak further when Dean Bruce\'s voice interrupted him, causing Nicholas to show an awkward smile.

"Also," Dean Bruce said calmly, "it seems like you\'ve been neglecting your training these past few days. How are you progressing with the Slumber of the Dead spell?"

Nicholas William responded with a hint of embarrassment, "Teacher, I\'ve been working hard, but this spell... I keep feeling like something\'s off. No matter how I think about it, I just can\'t figure it out!"

Hearing this, Dean Bruce furrowed his brow in concern.

Nicholas William had previously grasped a spell so quickly; his talent should be sufficient, and he should be able to integrate the classic sayings of the New Era with the concepts of the magical world. Why was he finding this one difficult?

Could it be that this particular spell was too difficult to understand?

Should he consider giving Nicholas a different spell?

As Dean Bruce pondered this, Nicholas William, now visibly anxious, quickly said, "Teacher, it might be because I\'ve been so busy lately. Give me a bit more time, and I\'m sure I\'ll understand it!"

"..."

Dean Bruce, seeing Nicholas\'s distress, decided not to press further. He simply nodded and said, "Think back to how you understood The Interrogation of the Soul last time. Reflecting more on it might help you."

"Understood, Teacher," Nicholas William replied, nodding. However, inwardly he sighed, thinking, [I\'ll have to seek help from the ancestors!]

"Let\'s go. Show me the way to the warhorse!"

Dean Bruce said, making it clear he didn\'t want to linger any longer in the city lord\'s mansion.

Nicholas William was pleased by the directive and, showing no sign of fatigue, promptly led Dean Bruce towards the military camp.

But as they stepped out of the courtyard, a figure in light armor, with two elegantly displayed swords at her waist, came into view. Nicholas William froze in place, visibly startled.