Chapter 34: Chapter 34: Fishing
Watching the situation take such a dramatic turn, with Dean Bruce not even lifting a finger, the mentors—except for Alita Miller—couldn't help but exchange bewildered glances, their eyes filled with astonishment.
They couldn't understand how Dean Bruce, of all people, could have the qualifications to be the Young Lord's teacher.
The difference between a mentor and a teacher was like night and day!
While they were still in shock, Nicholas William, having received Dean Bruce's approval, coldly commanded, "Pino, eliminate this man immediately, and then send someone to take care of his family as well!"
The principle of "removing the roots" was universal in any world, and Nicholas William naturally understood this.
"Yes, sir!"
Pino Field, his expression calm, walked steadily toward the paralyzed Hels, drawing the greatsword from his waist, the blade glinting ominously.
As the sound of the sword scraping against its scabbard reached Hels' ears, his anxiety grew, and he couldn't help but blurt out, "Spare me, Young Lord! Please, spare my life! I was just paid to—"
Slash!
Before he could finish, the sharp blade sliced through his head, sending a spray of blood across the room, causing the hostesses to scream in terror.
Dean Bruce frowned slightly. From Hels' words, it was clear someone had paid him to target him!
Could this really be another ploy by the Nine Provinces Alliance?
Unfortunately, Pino Field had acted too quickly. Before Hels could reveal anything more, his head had already rolled to the ground.
Noticing Dean Bruce's displeasure, Nicholas William scolded softly, "Why did you act so quickly? Didn't you hear him mention a mastermind behind this?"
Pino Field bowed his head and replied, "My apologies, Young Lord. He was too weak. I didn't expect to finish him off with just one strike."
His words left everyone exchanging uneasy looks.
Dean Bruce, who had already suspected who might be behind this, wasn't too concerned. He responded calmly, "No matter, I already have an idea of who the mastermind might be. Don't reprimand him; he was just following your orders."
Nicholas William grinned, "Teacher, you're always so magnanimous. Alright then, clean this place up quickly. I don't want anything disturbing my teacher's enjoyment of his drink!"
Upon hearing this, the soldiers swiftly moved forward to clean up the bloodshed.
Given what had just happened, the gathering couldn't continue, and the mentors remarked with a mix of awe and admiration, "Dean, you've kept us in the dark! Not only do you have close ties with the principal, but you're also the Young Lord's teacher!"
"With a status like that, you could practically walk all over Notting City. And yet, you've been so low-key about it."
Amidst the sighs and remarks, all the female mentors—except for Sophia, who was planning to leave Notting City—looked at Dean Bruce as if they were starving wolves eyeing a juicy piece of meat, their gazes filled with intense heat.
If they could get close to Dean Bruce, wouldn't that mean they could rise to the top overnight?
Barnis George, on the other hand, stood silently, his mouth twitching, too terrified to approach. If one looked closely, they would see his legs trembling.
Unfortunately, with so many people in the room, Dean Bruce didn't notice this. Realizing that no one was in the mood to continue, the gathering quickly ended, and everyone left.
Nicholas William, worried that someone might still try to harm Dean Bruce, offered to personally lead a team to escort him. However, his offer was declined.
Because of what the William family's ancestor had said, Nicholas William was utterly obedient to Dean Bruce, treating him as a top-tier expert. He didn't dare to defy him and could only bow respectfully as he watched Dean Bruce leave with Alita Miller.
The night had deepened, and the streets were nearly empty.
Dean Bruce asked directly, "Did you find out why the Nine Provinces Alliance wants to target me?"
Earlier, Dean Bruce had only learned the identity of the mastermind without asking about the reason.
But the fact that attending a simple gathering had stirred up so much trouble made him feel the murderous intent from the mastermind, and he naturally wanted to know more.
"I don't know," Alita Miller replied, shaking her head. "The Nine Provinces Alliance is a formidable force; our people wouldn't dare dig too deep. Just discovering their identity was already a huge challenge!"
After a pause, Alita Miller continued, "That said, if you don't join an organization for protection, you might face relentless attacks from the Nine Provinces Alliance! I'm curious, though—why would they target a mentor in a small border town? Could it be that you're hiding some big secret?"
As she spoke, Alita Miller narrowed her eyes and looked Dean Bruce up and down with great interest.
However, seeing that Dean Bruce himself seemed puzzled, she shrugged and said helplessly, "Never mind. Judging by your expression, you don't know either. Digging out that secret must be as hard as climbing to the heavens!"
Dean Bruce's heart was far from calm. He was almost certain that the disappearance of his parents wasn't simple. It was likely that the Nine Provinces Alliance's attempt to assassinate him was related to them!
Unfortunately, he couldn't reach his parents now, and if he wanted to find out what really happened, he would have to explore slowly on his own.
"I need some time alone. Just call me when it's time to act. I'm off!" Dean Bruce waved his hand and walked away from Alita Miller, heading in the direction with fewer people.
Noticing this, Alita Miller murmured softly, "Could it be that he's trying to lure out the hidden assassins? It makes sense—since the assassination is aimed at him, there's no way only one or two people would be involved!"
"Let's follow him and see if he has any more hidden abilities."
Alita Miller's guess was spot on. Dean Bruce deliberately walked towards the less populated areas with the intent of baiting the hidden assassins out into the open.
Sure enough, after walking for a short while, just as he was passing over a stone bridge, Dean Bruce keenly sensed a surge of magical energy nearby.
Pausing in his tracks, Dean Bruce glanced around and suddenly noticed a swirling vortex forming on the water's surface. The current grew turbulent, rising up like a storm, and a figure began to emerge.
It was a figure cloaked entirely in black, with even their face obscured.
"Someone from the Nine Provinces Alliance?" Dean Bruce asked outright, catching the figure off guard for a moment.
After a long pause, the figure shook their head and said, "It seems your identity isn't simple either, if you're worried about the Nine Provinces Alliance targeting you. But that just makes it easier for me—killing you won't weigh on my conscience."
Hearing this, Dean Bruce frowned, his mind racing with thoughts.
If this person wasn't sent by the Nine Provinces Alliance, then who could it be?
Was there anyone else in Notting City who held a grudge against him?
His eyes narrowed as a thought suddenly struck him—Barnis George!
Especially considering how oddly Barnis had behaved when he requested the crystal core from Joan Michelle. Something had been off.
"Don't bother trying to figure it out," the figure interrupted. "It doesn't matter since you're about to die. Knowing or not knowing won't change anything!" The figure raised their right hand, and instantly, the entire river began to tremble.
"Oh, gentle spirit of water, do not withhold your wrath. Unleash a torrential flood and drown the evil before you! Water Jet, unleash!"
As soon as the words were spoken, five powerful streams of water surged from the trembling river, rushing towards Dean Bruce with great force.
"An advanced spell?"
Dean Bruce's lips curled into a disdainful smile, confirming that the figure before him wasn't lying—they clearly weren't from the Nine Provinces Alliance.
After all, the Nine Provinces Alliance would know that he had already defeated Xerath Cade. There was no way they would send someone of the same level to face him again.
Remaining calm, Dean Bruce activated his "Compassion of Heaven and Earth" spell.
Buzz—
Just as the five streams were about to strike Dean Bruce, countless other streams of water appeared, forming a protective barrier in front of him.
Immediately, the water barrier swallowed the five streams of water, making them vanish without a trace, as the figure cried out in shock.
"You... you're also a mage skilled in water elemental magic?" the figure exclaimed in disbelief at the sight.
"Hmph, watch as I dismantle your water elemental magics!"
"Raging waters, gather together and break through all obstacles before you! Water Ball Charge!"
With a furious shout, the figure waved their staff, causing the river's waters to coalesce into two massive spheres, which then floated menacingly toward Dean Bruce.
Buzz—
However, as soon as the enormous water spheres touched the light barrier, they failed to release any power and were silently absorbed.
At that moment, the figure finally understood the vast difference in power between themselves and Dean Bruce. Without a second thought, they turned and tried to flee.
But could they really escape?
The "Compassion of Heaven and Earth" spell was a high-level spell encompassing defense, control, counterattack, and even support capabilities!
Dean Bruce, with his hands casually behind his back, merely willed the spell to action, and a stream of water surged forward, transforming into a bubble that trapped the figure inside, immobilizing them. The trapped mage could only wave their arms and kick their legs, struggling helplessly within the bubble.
"Come back!"
At Dean Bruce's command, the water bubble floated back, bringing the captive directly before him.
Pop!
With a crisp sound, the bubble burst, and the figure fell onto the bridge at Dean Bruce's feet. Before they could even rise, the stone of the bridge seemed to come alive, surging up and binding them tightly.
In that instant, the captive was filled with utter terror, and even those hidden in the shadows gasped in shock.