One-Eyed Monster

”What do you mean by that, Master?” Estev asked persistently, curious to know how Master Guzan had discovered the secret of the mountain.

”An Adventurer made it here, found the scroll, and that’s all there was to it,” the Great Mentor replied tersely, unwilling to elaborate.

”Adventurers?” Not only Estev but Bigas too was a little surprised.

”Yes, Adventurers. This often-overlooked profession frequently stumbles upon secrets,” the Great Mentor’s tone was calm.

”Master, the Chief is at the foot of the mountain...” Milo began to ramble, his words jumbled with excitement. He cared little for the chaotic situation, his mind solely focused on getting the Great Mentor to go down the mountain with him.

”It’s not your place to summon the Great Mentor!” Simon sternly rebuked Milo.

”Simon, don’t be unreasonable. We are all from the Alchemy Workshop; we should speak politely to one another.”

”Master, the Alchemy Workshop long ago betrayed the original principles and ideals you instilled. They are no longer with us!” Simon’s anger flared as he spoke.

”Everyone makes their own choices. I believe Milo has his own reasons. We cannot condemn his entire life because of one choice,” said the Great Mentor thoughtfully.

At these words, Milo felt a warmth flood his eyes and a lump form in his throat; he was deeply touched. The Great Mentor was still the same, unchanged, caring for every member of the Alchemy Workshop just as he always had.

”That child, Kuyi Tulan, simply chose a different path. Of course, he made mistakes, and he owes all of you,” Guzan continued. He knew that every monster on Guru Mountain hated Kuyi Tulan to the bone, and he couldn’t change their feelings, but he still had to state his perspective.

”Master, you are right. We lack your breadth of understanding and magnanimity,” Simon still sulked, his heart unquiet. He could not accept Kuyi Tulan; even if that fellow knelt before him and begged for forgiveness, he would not forgive him.

Kuyi Tulan’s mistakes were severe enough to earn him the scorn of the entire profession. Yet, with such perverse trends prevailing in their world, some actually regarded a person like Kuyi Tulan as a genius—it was simply unbelievable! Simon’s inner turmoil intensified. If Yuga hadn’t been at his side, whispering calming words, he might have erupted in fury.

”That’s all in the past, children.” Master Guzan dismissed his thoughts about Kuyi Tulan. He had more important matters to discuss. ”As you can all see, Guru Mountain has been invaded. Regardless of the intruders’ numbers, the mountain has now fully revealed its hidden identity. At this moment, I believe we should not dwell on past matters.”

The white eagle flapped its wings a few times, its form hazy in the moonlight, and continued, ”Members of the Alchemy Workshop, if you still recall any of my former standing in the Workshop, then I ask you to set aside your current doubts and stand with me. Will you help me defend this mountain’s heritage?”

Milo and the others nodded eagerly, like chicks pecking at grain...

”And as for the members of the Wizard Alliance here, for the sake of my friendship with Vivian, would you do me this favor?” Having secured the Alchemy Workshop’s agreement, Master Guzan turned to Witch Bigas.

”I am, by original calling, this mountain’s Soul Guardian, and I have no intention of opposing Senior Guzan, a friend of Master Vivian. The Alchemy Workshop may be full of scoundrels, but you, Master Guzan, are entirely different. There is no need for you to say more; I will not cause any trouble.”

”I am very grateful for your understanding. However, what about her?” The white eagle turned its head towards Witch Biggs. At that moment, she was overjoyed, having just obtained an extraordinary Obsidian Staff.

”Huh?” Witch Biggs was confused, only sensing intense gazes directed at her. Suspecting they coveted the staff in her hand, she involuntarily tightened her grip on it.

”That’s the Magic Staff I crafted back in the day, isn’t it!”

”Hmm?” Biggs looked at the Obsidian Staff, then at the white eagle, scarcely believing her ears.

”This is the Obsidian Staff that the Green Wizard commissioned from me back then. I never imagined I’d see it again.”

”The Green Wizard?” Witch Biggs couldn’t believe her ears. The original owner of this staff was the Green Wizard.

”It seems to... like you very much,” Master Guzan said. Through the white eagle’s eyes, he could clearly see the staff’s details. The Big Dipper pattern was his mark; he had once used it as his signature.

”Err...” Great Witch Biggs clutched the staff even tighter.

”I hope you can take good care of it. It took considerable effort to create.”

”Rest assured... I-I will take great care of this staff,” Great Witch Biggs replied, somehow finding the courage.

”Look at me, getting sidetracked. When one gets old, one tends to forget things from time to time. It can’t be helped. The pressing issue is what matters now. Wizard, are you willing to lend me a hand?”

”Y-you just give the command. I won’t hesitate in the slightest,” Great Witch Biggs stated plainly, even though she had no idea how the situation had developed to this point.

The Great Mentor had quickly secured the agreement of most, leaving only Estev and Stan Sol.

”Great Mentor, you need say no more. I will definitely stand with you to guard this mountain,” Estev declared before Great Mentor Guzan could even speak.

”I, representing Dastan, will protect it!” Stan Sol also quickly voiced the decision from his heart.

”So, everyone is in agreement,” the white eagle continued. ”Projecting a spiritual form through an Exchange Beast demands a great deal of Spirit Power. This eagle’s time is limited; it’s nearing its end.”

”Great Mentor, what is your plan?” Estev, ever direct, got straight to the point.

”The immediate priority is to find that Dark Wizard,” the Great Mentor continued. ”Once we find this Dark Wizard, we can decide our next step.”

At this moment, everyone on the mountain realized that the one they had been battling was just a clone of the Dark Wizard; they hadn’t actually encountered the Dark Wizard himself.

That a mere clone had entangled them for so long, leaving them in such a sorry state, was frankly humiliating.

A look of dismay crossed everyone’s faces at this realization. Most felt deeply ashamed.

”There’s no need to dwell on that. I’ve already roughly sensed that Dark Wizard’s aura! He is closing in on Moonflow Stream!”

Moonflow Stream...

Upon hearing this, Simon and the others were stunned. The Dark Wizard had bypassed their watch and rushed directly towards Moonflow Stream!

”We failed to detect him in time, and now we can’t reach there immediately, Great Mentor!” Overcome with guilt, Simon and the others immediately began to apologize. They were deeply conflicted and fervently reproached themselves.

”It’s not your fault.” The Great Mentor pondered, How can we get you all to Moonflow Stream quickly?