"Get lost!"
Flower waved his large hand, knocking the crispy roast chicken aside.
In the simple decorated hallway of the Patrol Department, Barney stood in place, watching Flower's massive figure disappear at the end of the hall, his face showing nothing but astonishment and confusion.
It was already Colin's second day at the Patrol Department, and today he had intentionally arrived late.
As soon as he pushed open the door, he saw Barney, sycophantically carrying a plate of roast chicken, walking toward Flower… It seemed like Barney, unable to wait for Colin, had gone to buy food for Flower on his own.
But Colin had not expected things to develop this way.
Barney stood there with an empty plate in hand, paired with the fallen roast chicken on the floor and his bewildered expression, he looked somewhat desolate.
"Ha, what a fool."
A female voice suddenly came from his right. The voice was melodious and pleasant, inexplicably familiar to Colin.
Barney, hearing this, turned shades of red and pale, finally reacting.
He turned his head and asked harshly,
"Regina, what do you mean by that?!"
Colin followed his gaze to the right.
There, behind a red wooden table near the stained-glass window, sat a young woman, approximately eighteen or nineteen years old, leafing through a thick book.
Her features were not extraordinary, just average. Yet, she possessed a tranquility that, despite looking only about eighteen or nineteen, gave off the vibe of an older sister. A pure black cat lazily lying in her lap added an air of mystery to her.
Regina continued to flip through the book without lifting her head, merely saying lightly,
"Next time you want to please someone, remember to gather some intelligence first… Everyone in the Wizard Territory's Patrol Team knows that Lord Flower indulges in feasting for one week and fasting the next.
…Oh right, I almost forgot you're not from the Patrol Team, you are just from the Guard Team, with lackluster Talent..."
She slightly lifted her head, gazing at Barney.
"...fool."
Barney was stunned by her words, finally realizing what she meant, his face turning ugly.
But he did not think it was his fault.
The Patrol Department was newly established, comprising not only members from the original Guard Team but also some from the Wizard Territory's Patrol Team.
He came from the Guard Team in Blackstone City, while Flower was from the Patrol Team on the mountain in the Wizard Territory—it was normal for him not to know, but Regina clearly knew…
A surge of embarrassment and anger suddenly welled up inside him, his face contorting as he shouted,
"You knew, why didn't you warn me?! I am your deputy leader!"
"Oh, a deputy leader who got his position by begging?"
Regina sighed, feeling rather speechless.
She put down the book, slowly raised her head, looking at Barney and said word for word, "Lord Flower simply can't be bothered with trivial matters, and you, as deputy leader… are nothing but a servant handling menial tasks."
At this point, her tone changed, becoming icy:
"Plus, from where do you get the courage to speak to me like that… Are you planning to order me around again using your deputy leader status like last time?
Or perhaps last time's lesson wasn't enough for you?"
As each word fell, the black cat that had been lying on her thighs suddenly opened its luminous green eyes and leapt onto the carpet.
It elegantly stepped forward, its form swelling with the breeze, transforming in a blink from a forearm-length black cat into a two-meter-tall, fierce, leopard-like beast with sharp teeth.
Roar!
A deep roar erupted from its throat, reverberating through the entire hall.
"You!" Barney's face first turned pale, then flushed deeply, he gasped for air violently but eventually said nothing, only silently turning away to leave.
Wizards, as always, revered strength. Barney had experienced Regina's ferocity before and naturally did not want to ask for more trouble.
Head bowed, Barney brushed past Colin and walked out of the Patrol Department.
Colin withdrew his gaze, ready to find a place to sit and rest.
He had also understood that Barney was merely a jumping clown, thinking he was in Flower's good graces.
But in reality, whether it was Flower or anyone else, none took him seriously.
That so-called deputy leader wasn't even an official position within the Patrol Department, probably just something Flower had mentioned in passing.
He truly had no authority to command them…
"…Have I seen you somewhere before?"
Just as he was about to walk toward a table by the window on the left and sit, Regina suddenly spoke up and stopped him.
Colin turned around, just as the black cat gradually returned to its original size and jumped back into Regina's lap, curling up.
If it wasn't for this being an otherworld, he would have dismissed her words as a cliché pickup line.
But that wasn't the case now, looking at Regina, his brow slightly furrowed.
He also felt that the Regina in front of him looked familiar.
"Are you… Colin?" Regina observed him for a while, asking uncertainly.
At that moment, Colin finally remembered Regina from a corner of his memory.
Regina was an apprentice from the same period as him, only much more talented. She had successfully advanced to Intermediate Apprentice in the fourth year.
He hadn't seen her for nearly six years.
Six whole years without seeing each other, no wonder her image had faded in his memory.
"I didn't expect you to have advanced as well, congratulations," Regina said calmly.
Having remembered who Colin was, and resolving her own confusion, she lost interest in him.
"Thank you, I just advanced not long ago."
Colin nodded politely in response, and took the seat by the window on the left.
The daily work of the Patrol Team mainly consisted of taking turns sitting in the office for two days each week and also taking a night patrol once.
It seemed that Regina was scheduled to sit in the office on the same day as him.
Unless a Guard came to report, there was generally nothing to do while on duty.
The hall fell quiet for a moment.
Only the sound of both of them flipping pages could be heard.
After a while, Regina suddenly asked,
"Has Barney ever abused his position as the vice squad leader to order you around?"
"...Yes."
Colin hesitated before answering, feeling somewhat puzzled.
"Barney is just a foolish petty man, not worth bothering about," Regina began to laugh, then her tone shifted, "However, among wizards strength is respected. If you can't beat him... you'll just have to obediently follow his orders…"
Colin remained silent with a frown, not responding.
Regina glanced at him and added, "What I mean is, I could help you... Of course, it's not for free, but it would only require some compensation."
"The compensation is not much... just five Magic Stones."
Regina put down her book and, while stroking the smooth fur of the black cat in her arms, calmly watched Colin.
Every month, to earn enough Magic Stones to feed her little darlings, she worked tirelessly; she was unwilling to miss any opportunity to earn Magic Stones.
'I see.'
Colin finally understood the reason Regina had spoken up. He paused for a moment, then responded politely and gently,
"Thank you, I'll come to you if I need help."
"Mm, you're welcome anytime," Regina also nodded gently.
Although Colin didn't agree outright, which was somewhat unexpected for her.
But she had just asked casually; if the deal went through, good, but it was fine if it didn't.
Regina lowered her head and continued reading.
*
*
*
Tap, tap, tap~
In the empty streets after curfew, Guards carried lanterns on their patrol.
Colin stood on the watchtower, which was considerably taller than the surrounding buildings, watching them slowly passing below, moving away, and finally turning into a line of faint lights.
Watchtowers like this were networked throughout Blackstone City, one appearing every few blocks.
From here, he could see everything around him clearly. The watchtower's constant dim light and the Witch Array also allowed him to discern all movements around him in the darkness without fear.
Today was his fifth day with the Patrol Team, and according to the schedule, it was his turn to be on night duty.
Over these days, to better cope with these sinister occurrences, he had put other witchcraft practices on hold.
Apart from practicing the Sunlight Breathing Method, he focused on practicing Detect Evil and Purification Evil Power witchcraft.
He had successfully increased his skill level in Detect Evil to 64/100 and in Purification Evil Power to 61/100, reaching the point where he could cast them instantly.
The Sunlight Breathing Method I also reached 99/100, just one point away from another Limit Breaking.
Colin silently surveyed his surroundings.
All was peaceful and tranquil.
'It's no wonder Barney is so indifferent to his daily duties.' he thought silently.
Since Wizard Lap had established the Guard Team on this island, the number of sinister spirits in Blackstone City had gradually decreased, and serious incidents caused by malevolent spirits were now seldom heard of.
However, he felt an unease.
He did not believe that Wizard Lap and Price had created the Patrol Team separately from the Guard Team for no reason.
Compared to him, Wizard Lap undoubtedly had access to more information. Their decisions were never without aim.
Moreover, just two days ago, Flower had also specifically emphasized the importance of their duty. He could not afford to take it lightly.