Chapter 63 Chapter63-A Perilous Interrogation and the Shadow of the Ruins!
"Because my grandfather never poked his nose into others' business," Howard replied with a shrug.
At his words, Aisha's face turned a shade of deep red, reflecting her embarrassment.
Directly prying for gossip wasn't exactly the most polite thing to do.
Taking a deep breath, Aisha bent forward slightly, her sincerity evident as she said, "I apologize. I was too impulsive to ask you such a question."
Many might claim that Howard only had an F-level talent awakening, but the truly astute weren't fooled.
From Daniel, Abby, and Caitlin's attitudes towards Howard, it was evident to them that there was something extraordinary about him.
No ordinary individual could earn the admiration and respect of so many prodigies.
Unbeknownst to Aisha, Abby and Caitlin's fondness for Howard began simply with his handsome visage.
And as for Daniel?
He took Caitlin's words to heart.
Daniel's request to accompany the group into the Ruins was twofold.
Firstly, he intended to assess Howard's abilities.
If Howard didn't exhibit the prowess Caitlin had described, Daniel's evaluation of him would certainly decline.
Consequently, once they truly entered the academy, Howard's standing would naturally suffer.
If he possesses such an ability, Daniel would offer Howard a treatment even surpassing Abby's, ensuring Howard's unwavering loyalty to Holy Abyss Academy.
To be frank, Daniel had no ties to Howard. His kindness was purely a gamble, hoping to uncover a prodigious talent.
Secondly, Daniel genuinely felt uneasy about Howard and Abby's expedition to the Ruins.
If he accompanied them, he could promptly address any issues that might arise.
"It's alright; I forgive you," Howard responded with a nod. "As for Caitlin and me, we're merely teammates."
Howard wasn't one to let his emotions cloud his judgment.
As for Caitlin, he had no particular feelings for her. In truth, even with Abby, it took years of her pursuing him before he was finally moved to accept her affections.
Otherwise, Margaret would be the only woman in Howard's life now.
"... " Blinking, Aisha extended her hand with a light chuckle, "I'm Aisha, Aisha Ilis! S-level talent — Healing Light!"
"Howard Hughes," recognizing her as a future classmate, Howard didn't hide his name or talent. "F-level talent, Mana Recovery."
"F-level talent?" Aisha tilted her head, playfully sticking out her tongue, "I believe your awakening might not be F-level. It's highly possible there's been a misjudgment."
"For now, everyone seems to believe I've awakened an F-level talent," Howard, not wishing to dwell on the topic with Aisha, swiftly changed the subject. "Your talent's name sounds pretty common. Is it truly S-level? What's its effect?"
"Every time I cast a healing spell, it grants a random buff lasting 60 seconds to the recipient. Moreover, the healing effect also radiates to those nearby," Aisha declared proudly. "In any dungeon raid or Ruins exploration I've participated in, not a single person has died."
"Remarkable," Howard's eyes brightened, expressing genuine admiration.
A buff lasting as long as 60 seconds, coupled with a healing spell that affects multiple people, is indeed a formidable talent for a healer.
As Aisha advances and grasps higher-level healing abilities, who knows, a single spell might heal thousands, or even tens of thousands, while also bestowing them with buffs.
Such an enhancement is truly astounding.
While they were engrossed in their conversation, Daniel arrived with Glyn. The two had been resting at the post station together and hence approached as a pair.
For some reason, Aisha fell silent, smiling faintly but not participating in the conversation.
Fortunately, it wasn't long before Abby and Caitlin gracefully made their appearance.
After this departure, returning home would be a challenge, so they undoubtedly had to bid farewell to their parents, which explained their tardiness.
Seemingly overwhelmed from parting with her parents, Abby hadn't quite steadied her emotions.
On seeing Howard, she immediately embraced him, causing an involuntary twitch at the corner of Caitlin's lips.
After comforting Abby, Howard and his party of six set off toward the Silent Forest.
Along the way, many passersby were drawn to Abby, Caitlin, and Aisha.
However, when they noticed the emblem of Holy Abyss Academy on Daniel's attire, they all halted in their tracks, with none daring to approach.
It was only upon nearing the entrance of Silent Forest that the group was halted.
The ones stopping them were a squad of guards clad in iron armor, wielding long spears.
The guard leading the group spoke in a cold voice, "By order of Baron Cameron, we are to thoroughly inspect anyone entering or leaving Saint City!"
As his words resounded, Abby, aware of Howard's encounter with Carlos Bartel, felt a rush of anxiety.
She instinctively grasped Howard's hand tighter.
"Hm?" Daniel stepped forward, his demeanor calm, "You intend to inspect me?"
"We request your cooperation!" The lead guard recognized the emblem on Daniel's attire.
Yet, even a powerful dragon would respect the local snakes.
Within Saint City, they felt confident in their authority to inspect.
Hearing this, Daniel couldn't help but laugh, "To inspect me? You're not qualified. Summon Cameron for me!"
"..."
Seeing Daniel's audacious response, the lead guard frowned slightly, unsure of the source of Daniel's confidence.
After a moment's hesitation, the lead guard instructed one of his companions, "Stay here and keep watch. I'll fetch Lord Cameron."
"Understood!"
As the lead guard departed, Daniel sneered, "Such pretense for a mere baron. He really thinks highly of himself."
"Mentor," Caitlin interjected, "Lord Cameron is, after all, a figure of Saint City. Perhaps I should handle this. Offending him may make things complicated for my father."
"Hmph, it all depends on his attitude," Daniel retorted, flicking his robe for emphasis. "All these years, I've never been stopped. Even the city mayor treats me with utmost respect when we meet."
Caitlin rolled her eyes but refrained from countering Daniel.
After all, his status was indeed formidable.
Why else would he dare divert topics by framing Rick Suleiman and the dean?
Amid their conversation, footsteps echoed in the distance.
A man in crimson armor, bearing a grave and authoritative demeanor, approached.
His face, however, bore traces of exhaustion.
Unmistakably, this was Baron Cameron Bartel, the father of Carlos Bartel.
"So, it's Lord Daniel," he acknowledged as he drew closer, recognizing the man before him. "My men failed to recognize you. Please accept my apologies."
"Hmph!" Before Daniel could respond, Caitlin intervened, "Ignorance is excusable, but I'd advise Lord Cameron to better manage your subordinates. With so many academies gathering here, we can't tarnish the reputation of Saint City."
Cameron only then seemed to register Caitlin's presence, a twitch betraying his surprise.
He had merely set up checkpoints intending to question each passerby, hoping to identify his son's murderer by voice.
Yet, he inadvertently confronted both Daniel and Caitlin — one a high-ranking official of Holy Abyss Academy and the other the daughter of the mayor of Saint City, two figures he couldn't afford to offend.
"Miss Caitlin is right. I'll take heed," he sighed.
Cameron no longer dared to question Howard and his party and promptly gestured for the guards to clear the way.
Daniel refrained from further comments, leading Howard's group away with an icy demeanor.
With Caitlin stepping in, any further dispute on his part would seem petty.
Howard, on the other hand, felt a narrow escape.
He had been cautious, yet Cameron surprisingly sought to identify suspects by voice.
Fortunately, being a part of Holy Abyss Academy and having the support of Caitlin and Daniel, he was spared any interrogation.
Otherwise, if he'd spoken, he might've been easily identified.
"After this Ruins expedition, I'll head straight to Adia and never return to Saint City! I refuse to believe that Cameron can find me then!" Howard silently resolved, quickening his pace.
He produced the Ruins key, followed the compass, and made his way towards the Ruins.
Abby, Caitlin, Glyn, and Aisha followed closely behind.
As for Daniel, he trailed leisurely at a distance, strolling as though he had no concern for the nearby monsters.
After all, Daniel had awakened an A-level talent and reached a staggering level of 86.
Coupled with his Epic gear, not only the monsters of the Silent Forest but even those in the Dark Mausoleum couldn't scratch him!
With Daniel as their backbone, Howard, Caitlin, and the rest moved with utter dominance.
Whenever they encountered a monster, they never retreated, steamrolling ahead without a care.
They appeared indifferent to whether such combat would drain their strength and jeopardize their exploration of the Ruins.
Time slowly passed.
Guided by the compass, Howard and his group delved deeper into the dense forest.
Eerie sights began to emerge.
Although it wasn't nightfall yet, the moon had risen, casting a ghastly glow through the thick canopy.
The chilling moonlight, drenching their figures, caused goosebumps to erupt across their skin.
Suddenly, a flurry of hasty sounds echoed, jolting everyone present!
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