"Yes, the Autumn Hunt," Orlando explained to Lynn.
"The Hossens Wizard Territory lies within the Emerald Shadow Forest. To keep the surrounding environment safe, the area is actively swept and cleared twice a year, once in spring, once in autumn.
"The Autumn Hunt, in particular, is especially important for us Societies."
Lynn's expression brightened with sudden understanding.
In the original host's memories, there was indeed such a thing as the Spring and Autumn Hunts. But for a probationary apprentice like the original host, it had been something far removed, so much so that he hadn't recalled it earlier.
"Why is the Autumn Hunt especially important?" Lynn asked.
Orlando continued, "Every parcel of land in the Hossens Wizard Territory belongs to the Hossens School.
"So at the end of each year, all the Societies have to release their land from the School.
"And someone has to decide who gets a larger share and who gets less.
"Direct combat is out of the question, so the Autumn Hunt has become our long-standing tradition for determining each Society's share for the following year.
"Of course, this only applies to the three major Societies. The rest of the forces in Emeraldwood City lease their land from us.
"That's why, every year before the Autumn Hunt, tensions among the three Societies run especially high."
Orlando's words did seem to explain Ancott's behavior, yet Lynn still felt something was off.
"Lord Orlando, I still think something doesn't add up. If Ancott wanted to cause me trouble, he wouldn't choose such a stupid method.
"He gained nothing in the end and even lost ten primary-grade magic stones for nothing."
"You don't have to assume everyone's clever, Lynn." Orlando shook his head unconcernedly.
"I've met plenty of fools. Disputes don't need big reasons; sometimes it's just because a robe got stained. Sometimes it's nothing more than walking down the street and deciding they don't like the look of you.
"You have to understand, not every commoner who becomes a wizard with extraordinary power manages to remain humble and even-tempered.
"Power, at times, is like a magnifying glass," Orlando said, meaningfully.
"All right, just keep your guard up. If anything happens, you can always report it to the Society. I've got other matters to attend to."
Watching Orlando leave, Lynn returned to his seat, his brow furrowing deeply.
"Lord Lynn."
It was then that Adeline, who had stayed silent throughout their conversation, finally found her moment to speak softly.
"What is it?"
When Lynn looked up, he saw her holding out all ten primary-grade magic stones from the compensation.
"Thank you for saving me, Lord Lynn. Please, take these," Adeline said respectfully, her pale hands cupping the stones.
Lynn thought for a moment, then took only one and smiled. "This is enough. Keep the rest, Adeline."
He wasn't shameless enough to pocket someone else's full compensation; taking one was only to put her at ease, so she wouldn't overthink.
Adeline had intended for him to take more, but seeing him already stand to leave, she could only escort him politely to the restaurant's entrance, watching quietly as he boarded a carriage and slowly disappeared.
In a small alley to her left, however, Ancott had not left.
Just like Adeline, he silently watched Lynn's carriage disappear, muttering to himself.
…
Inside the carriage, Lynn rubbed his temples, Ancott's face flashing through his mind and leaving him with a sense of unease.
He pulled out paper and pen, thinking carefully.
"If this wasn't a coincidence… If Ancott targeted me deliberately, where would he have come from?"
Lynn began recalling every person he had clashed with since arriving in this world.
Working backward from the most recent, the first to appear in his mind was Frankie, who had caused trouble on the night of the initiation ceremony.
Could it be him?
After some thought, Lynn wrote the name on the paper and marked it with a star.
Frankie, in terms of both character and resources, shouldn't have the pull to direct a Bloodmark member to trouble him.
But even a slim chance was still a chance worth noting down.
Following this logic, he listed more names, soon landing on the most suspicious target.
Dor!
Or rather, the strange emerald shadow behind him!
Lynn slowly set down the pen, his expression darkening.
The thought made a chill creep up his spine.
He had nearly exposed that emerald shadow before; perhaps that was why it now bore a grudge against him.
If my reasoning's right, in terms of both motive and ability, the emerald shadow is the likeliest culprit.
With that conclusion, Lynn immediately lowered the front carriage window and spoke firmly to the driver.
"Change route. Head to the Hossens School headquarters."
"Yes, sir." The driver didn't hesitate, pulling the reins to turn the carriage.
The four-wheeled carriage sped toward the School headquarters, soon disappearing around a corner.
A while later, Ancott appeared at the spot, his face dark. After checking the direction, he continued tailing Lynn's carriage.
But before long, Ancott realized something was wrong.
This road leads… to the Hossens School headquarters?
He stopped, hesitated for a long moment, then finally turned and left.
...
Hossens School Headquarters.
A first-rank apprentice received Lynn, taking his report seriously.
"So, you mean that Bloodmark member might be a puppet of the Emerald Shadow?"
"That's right. Ancott's behavior was extremely strange."
The apprentice nodded. "I understand. I'll inform Lord Anderson immediately."
"Thank you," Lynn said, then added after a thought, "While you do that, may I stay here… I mean, so that if Lord Anderson wants to question me, he can find me right away."
The apprentice considered briefly, then nodded. "You can stay here, but you can't wander elsewhere."
"I understand," Lynn replied.
…
By evening, after a series of discreet investigations, Anderson and the apprentice in charge of the inquiry gathered in the school's headquarters office to make their final judgment.
"So, the incident began when that eliminated apprentice and the Bloodmark member clashed at the Greenvine Restaurant?" Anderson asked.
"That's correct," the apprentice confirmed.
"And this eliminated apprentice has now joined the Golden Shadow Society?"
"Yes."
"Have you checked the Bloodmark member named Ancott?"
"Yes. Lord Shaun happened to be free and went personally."
Shaun, like Anderson, was a first-rank wizard stationed in Emeraldwood City, both formidable in strength.
"And nothing unusual was found?"
"Lord Shaun said there was nothing."
Anderson nodded, already understanding the situation, and sighed.
"With the Autumn Hunt approaching, the factions in Emeraldwood City are starting to make noise again.
"Let that eliminated apprentice go. The Emerald Shadow is indeed serious, but the School mustn't become someone else's weapon."
"You mean… that apprentice may have given false information, hoping to use the School to strike at the Bloodmarks?" The apprentice looked startled.
"Who can say? But before every Autumn Hunt, these Societies always have conflicts, big or small. Is there a year without a few dead wizard apprentices?
"We've done what we should. The rest can be left to the newly established Guard Office to worry about.
"If I'm not mistaken, today is the day they officially came down the mountain, right?"
"Yes, Lord Anderson. They moved into the headquarters this afternoon," the apprentice replied, though his mind wandered.
If Lynn ended up killed by Ancott after today… with the Greenvine Restaurant clash already on record, it would likely be seen as nothing more than a routine fight between rival Society wizards.
Shaking his head, the apprentice gave a wry smile to himself.
Judging by the investigation results, wasn't that exactly the truth?
If anything, he should be annoyed at Lynn for making him waste an entire day.
…
At the same time, on the north side of the School headquarters
A group of wizard apprentices from the School was moving into their assigned rooms.
"Elena, do you want to live next to me?"
A freckled girl asked another, a graceful, composed blonde.
"Either is fine," Elena replied with a faint smile, though there was a trace of regret in her eyes.
She had managed to advance in the last two months and remain with the School, but because her promotion had come so late, her potential was judged insufficient, and she was assigned more chores.
Now she had even been sent down the mountain to join the newly established Guard Office.
Elena quickly hid her disappointment, regaining her calm as she carried her luggage into her room.
The duties down here may be many, but they also offer more chances to seize resources…
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