Chapter 167: Chapter 165: Summoning Kenna
Three days later, a knock came from the door of Ian’s temporary residence.
It was neither too loud nor too soft, carrying a familiar restraint.
"Ian... Sir. It is Kenna, here to pay a visit." Kenna’s voice came from outside the door.
His tone was more formal than ever before, even betraying a hint of nervousness.
Ian, sitting in a chair in the living room, didn’t rise. He simply said coolly, "Come in."
When the door opened, Ian was seated inside, dressed in dark, casual attire.
The Energy Force Field a Level One Wizard naturally emanated made the air feel heavy.
The four of them felt a chill and filed in, their movements far more cautious than ever before.
This wasn’t the first time they’d heard of Ian’s promotion to Level One Wizard.
News that the Demon Hunting War was over and the main forces had returned to Shadow Moon Tower had long since spread throughout the Outer Tower District and the Apprentice Area.
"Shadow Moon’s new Tier One Alchemist," "Top ten on the Eastern War Zone’s Merit Board"—they had heard all these rumors.
Robert had even been underground and seen with his own eyes the newly promoted Ian walking out of the Central Fortress.
But actually standing before this "Wizard Marcus," feeling the absolute disparity in their level of being, was another matter entirely.
"Sit." Ian pointed to a few nearby chairs, his tone devoid of warmth.
The four of them sat down, backs ramrod straight, daring only to perch on the edge of their seats.
After a brief silence, Kenna took a deep breath and was the first to speak. His voice was a fraction lower than usual, laced with obvious reverence.
"Sir Ian, you summoned us. What are your orders?"
He didn’t ask things like "How have you been?" or "Long time no see."
The chasm in their strength and status was obvious. To speak to him as they had in the past would be foolish.
Wade and Monica kept their heads down. Robert stared straight ahead, but his gaze was fixed on the floor near Ian’s feet.
Ian’s gaze swept over the four of them, lingering on Robert for a fraction of a second.
Robert felt the weight of that gaze and lowered his head even further.
Their meeting outside the stone house underground had been the moment that sealed the nature of their relationship.
His investment had been repaid. They owed each other nothing. This reunion was a new beginning.
"I’ve brought you here because I have a job for you."
Ian began, his voice calm and direct, with no time for pleasantries or reminiscing. "Of course, it won’t be for free."
He paused, letting his words sink in.
"I need people to handle various tasks that I can’t personally attend to, or simply don’t have the energy to manage."
Ian leaned forward slightly, his gaze almost tangible as it fell upon their faces.
"I need a network to gather resources and pass along information, both within the High Tower and without—in places like Nightfall Town, and even in more distant mortal towns.
Which factions are active, the price of resources, any whispers of things that might interest me...
This is all trivial but important information. I need someone to keep an eye on it for me."
"Additionally, acquiring certain materials, opening up specific channels, or simply running errands will also require reliable people."
He paused again, watching the light that began to burn in their eyes.
It wasn’t the joy of a reunion, but the raw desire of spotting an opportunity.
"These tasks are varied, tiring, and potentially dangerous. But if you do them well, you will be well compensated.
Magic Stones, Potions, some basic knowledge for your training, and even a degree of protection and guidance, within my capabilities."
Ian’s voice wasn’t loud, but every word struck home in the hearts of the four apprentices.
"Are you willing to act as my hands and my ears?"
This wasn’t a negotiation. It was an offer, a question that also served to establish a clear hierarchy.
Kenna stood up almost instantly, dropping to one knee.
It was a gesture he had rehearsed in his mind countless times under immense pressure. "Sir! I, Kenna, am willing!"
Wade scrambled to his feet right after, his movements flustered but eager.
"Sir, my name is Wade. I’m not the sharpest, but I can gather information, run errands, and fight. From now on, your word is law!"
Monica also rose quickly, her voice soft but firm. "Monica... awaits your command, Sir."
Robert was the last to rise. He didn’t kneel, but instead gave Ian a deep bow.
He bent low from the waist, his voice deep and strong.
"I, Robert, wish to serve you, Sir. I will do my utmost when it comes to organizing and analyzing intelligence."
Their excitement was genuine.
They were still grateful for the boon of Ian’s investment in the Rock Bear Potion and the Water of Serenity, but what ran deeper was their yearning for a future.
Aside from Robert, who had just reached High Level, the others were still just Middle Level Apprentices, struggling at the bottom of the hierarchy, both in the academy and in the War.
Now, a Level One Wizard—one whose background they knew, whose terrifying rise they had witnessed firsthand—was giving them a chance to pledge their fealty and align themselves with him.
This was no longer a partnership of equals, but an act of allegiance that could change the trajectory of their destinies.
Ian watched their reactions, his expression unchanging.
This was exactly the effect he wanted.
In the Wizard World, strength reigned supreme. A clear hierarchy was far more stable than a nebulous friendship.
He needed tools, and they needed a patron and a path upward.
"Rise." Ian made a small gesture with his hand as if to help them up.
"My rules are simple: do your job, get your reward. Make a mistake, face the punishment. Betray me, and you die."
He picked up a cloth pouch from a nearby table and tossed it to Robert.
"Inside are five hundred Magic Stones. It’s your seed money. How you use it is up to you to decide.
For passing on intelligence, use your familiar channels for now. Once you’ve compiled it, send it to me via an imprint.
You’ll still be in charge of coordinating your operations. Be discreet."
He then took out four unremarkable grey stones and distributed them.
"Infuse them with a trace of your Spiritual Power. If you encounter a situation you can’t handle, or your life is in danger, crush it. I’ll be able to sense it. Remember, do not use it unless it is a matter of life and death."
Concise and direct, with no superfluous sentiment or warmth.
This was the standard way a Wizard treated their subordinates.
Assign tasks, provide resources, and clearly define the rules and consequences.
"Yes, Sir!" the four replied in unison.
Accepting the Magic Stones and the other stones, they felt the weight in their hands.
"You can go and discuss the specific details amongst yourselves."
Ian waved his hand, dismissing them. "Go on, then. Get the framework for the network set up first."
"Yes!"
The four bowed once more, then carefully backed out of the room, gently pulling the door shut behind them.
Only when they were a good distance from the building did the four finally relax a little.
Wade pumped his fist, suppressing a low growl.
"Fuck! Another five hundred Magic Stones! And the protection of an Official Wizard! Our damn luck is finally turning around!"
Kenna touched the pouch and let out a long breath, a complicated look in his eyes.
He looked at Robert. "When you saw him underground, you knew this day would come, didn’t you?"
Robert nodded, tightening his grip on the grey stone.
"I knew it. I just didn’t think it would be so soon... or so direct."
He recalled the composure in Ian’s voice when he’d told him to "take care," and the same detachment he’d just shown while assigning their tasks.
This was Ian Marcus, the Official Wizard.
Monica was still in a daze. "Sir Ian... he seems even more... than before."
"More like a true Wizard," Kenna finished, his tone cutting and decisive.
"Remember, from now on, there is only ’Sir Ian’.
Doing what he tasks us with is the only way the four of us will be able to establish ourselves in Shadow Moon."
He watched his teammates, their spirits high as they discussed things with fervor. He felt a mix of anticipation for the future and a touch of melancholy.
Their paths, which had once briefly converged, had now split for good.
They were now on a thorny path, relying on a powerful figure and desperate to climb higher.
As for Ian, he was already walking on clouds far above them, a height they could only look up to in awe.
Inside, Ian stood by the window, watching the four disappear at the end of the road.
"Caw! Are they reliable?" Gaga emerged from the shadows.
"They’re the most suitable for now," Ian said, his tone flat.
"I’m familiar with them, they have basic survival skills, and most importantly, they need me."
’He needed hands in the shadows to handle menial tasks and gather information.’
’Kenna’s team filled that gap perfectly. As for any special consideration? Unnecessary.’
’A clear exchange of benefits and a hierarchical relationship are often more reliable in the Wizard World.’
"Let’s go," Ian said, turning to enter the Magic Potion Room and continue refining the Starlight Potion.
’The Erosion from Grey Falcon’s side... it shouldn’t be long before that reaches its critical point, too, right?’
