This wizard only wishes to be a teacher

Lucien saw the expression on Hercules’s face and, recalling the bits and pieces of experiences Hercules had complained about previously, seemed to suddenly understand something. His expression also became somewhat strange, but ultimately Lucien didn’t know how to comfort Hercules and could only silently pat him on the shoulder.

"I’m fine, hehehe... I’m not having any trouble at all." Hercules’s voice had grown somewhat low, and his eyes seemed to be bursting with thunder, emitting a pressure that even made Lucien feel a strong sense of threat.

"It’s good that we just signed the covenant." Lucien felt somewhat relieved that he had just signed a covenant with Hercules, otherwise he was genuinely afraid that Hercules, in this state, might suddenly lose control and launch a fierce attack on him.

"Hercules, calm down a bit." Lucien tried to keep his voice fairly steady. He looked at the dim halo on the horizon and understood that they didn’t have much time left to return. He needed to finalize some crucial details with Hercules.

"The player I am portraying has awoken with quite a special talent. Previously, when I was close to Rafael, I retrieved this key information, and I also know that his actions were to fulfill ’the elder’s plan.’ Therefore, I speculate that behind them lies a special force or organization, pushing forward these recurring cycles of the Dream World for some purpose."

Lucien sped up his speech, "The matter likely involves a gamble among fourth-tier wizards or even higher, and is not something we, as lower-tier wizards, can resolve or attempt to break free from..."

"I understand, our goals align on this matter, not to mention the covenant as a witness."

Hercules slowly straightened up, but his gaze remained somewhat profound. "Moreover, I’ve already undergone two reincarnations. I’m no longer afraid to tell you that each reincarnation comes with a price. If the price isn’t enough, the body will gradually convert towards a nightmarish existence, even being completely ’absorbed’ by the Dream World and turning into special substances like ink."

"So, if we are constantly trapped within the Dream World, the ultimate outcome is either being killed by other players or the dream rules, or succumbing to the eroding will of the Dream World through reincarnations, with our souls eternally sunk in this illusory dream realm."

"It is for this reason that we, the ’Reincarnators’ who have undergone multiple reincarnations, gradually abandon the pursuit of other players, instead advocating for relatively equal cooperation." Hercules’s eyes were cold as he quickly revealed some crucial information that he had previously withheld from Lucien.

Lucien gasped sharply, steadying his spirit before looking again at Hercules. "We need a stable way to communicate, but my magic pet is a creature of the Dream World. Though it was carried into the dream, it’s in a dormant state..."

"Take this." Hercules flicked his hand and handed Lucien a silver cube, smooth on the surface but densely engraved with numerous Alchemical Runes. If one looked closely, one might even see tiny gears and springs inside the cube, regularly operating.

"This is a mechanical invention I’ve crafted, the ’Communication Magic Cube,’ capable of long-distance communication through special means, though there’s a certain probability of failure each time messages are sent. However, if there’s something urgent, just transmit it a few more times and it should work."

Raising a similar silver cube in his hand, Hercules then said jokingly, "However, this Witch Tool is still in its experimental stage. It’s not for sale. After this affair is over and we both leave this damn Dream World, you’ll have to return it to me."

"No problem." After successfully contacting Hercules once via the silver cube, Lucien nodded to him and hurriedly dived into the Shadow Space.

After watching Lucian leave, Thunder hastily transformed into a bolt of lightning and burrowed into the ground, speeding off in another direction.

...

"Finally made it back." Lucien hurriedly retraced his steps, wanting to retrieve the decree he had previously hidden under Lurah’s body. Afterward, he took out the silver cube, only to find in addition to a previous experimental communication, there was now an additional "message" left by Hercules.

Hercules: I’ll also keep an eye on that organization you mentioned before. Additionally, your identity might be related to the Menter family, right? If it’s convenient, please help me research some information about the Northern Demon Nest.

Perhaps worried about communication failure, Lucien received Hercules’s message three times.

"This seems somewhat like a witchcraft version of communication transmission, or perhaps a trial version of a two-person chat room?" Lucien mused internally, but quickly began formulating a response.

Lucien: No problem, if there’s a chance, I’ll keep an eye on that person’s nighttime activities as well as Miss Roland Trujillo, the Deputy Captain of the Trujillo Family’s Knight Order, and the person who portrays her.

Just as Lucien was about to put away the Communication Magic Cube, it vibrated slightly. Then he saw the rapid message Hercules had sent over.

Hercules: "I am currently playing the role of the vice-commander of the knight’s order, Roland Trujillo..."

At the end of the message, Hercules had deliberately added a few extra periods, allowing Lucien to imagine Hercules’s somewhat bewildered and helpless expression upon his response.

After all, this kind of blunder, where one investigates oneself, reeks of a dark humor.

Lucien picked up the Communication Magic Cube, but after a pause, he didn’t know how to describe it to Hercules.

From the intelligence he had previously acquired, the most suspicious person around Rafael was Miss Roland, who often trained with Rafael at night, but now this hypothesis was overturned before the investigation had even started.

So, how did the player impersonating Rafael communicate with the elder behind him?

Was it through a long-distance communication method similar to the Communication Magic Cube, or through some special and secret "messenger"? And how did they ensure that they wouldn’t be discovered by other players? After all, according to Lucien’s understanding of Rafael, there were never a shortage of covert players around him.

"It seems I need to find opportunities to observe more to gather more useful information," Lucien softly edited, indicating that he had received Hercules’s last message and then ended the communication.

"Information about the Northern Demon Nest? I heard Harvey had specifically ordered someone to collect this data. That’s right, it was because of Rafael and his group’s visit. It might be worthwhile to take a chance to check Harvey’s room. Maybe I can find the information Hercules needs."

Lucien gently massaged his temples and then looked out at the faintly bright sky outside the window. He quickly lay down on the bed, closed his eyes, and silently waited for the new day to arrive.

...Meanwhile, in a temporary encampment next to a forest, a striking purple-haired female knight swiftly put away the silver cube in her hand.

"Damned guy, I, Hercules, have never been so wronged before," Roland, or rather Hercules, cursed inwardly, his tone filled with gritted teeth.

Angrily, he drew his knight’s sword from his waist. The impressive talent [Holy Sword], belonging to Roland, was subconsciously activated, dispersing sword energies that etched densely packed fine marks on a wooden chair nearby, creating an alarming appearance.

"Dumplings?" Two knights responsible for the guard noticed the disturbance and came to the edge of the tent to inquire.

"It’s nothing. I was just trying out one of the methods of using [Holy Sword] and had a little accident," Hercules casually explained, quickly covering up the incident with the personal prestige of Roland’s identity.

"Notify the knights to assemble. Additionally, today, squad three and four are responsible for cleaning and guarding! Everyone needs to be alert. Recently, the demon race seems especially active; not only our Trujillo family but also the Menter and Haisen families have reported traces of demon infiltration..."

Hercules re-sheathed his knight’s sword and issued the commands loudly as he stepped out of his tent.

"Morning, Sister Roland." Just as Hercules was about to mount his warhorse, a voice that was extremely familiar to Hercules, yet also immensely annoying, rang out.

He paused slightly and after a moment, turned his head, showing the same smile as usual, looking towards the young man who was now somewhat surrounded by two noble young ladies.

"Good morning, Miss Sura, Miss Misty, Master Rafael," Hercules bowed slightly, tapping his metal breastplate twice with his right hand as he gave a knight’s salute.

However, when he slightly lifted his head, he couldn’t help but look towards Rafael, who was smiling warmly and innocently.

Hercules’s right hand subconsciously moved towards the location of his knight’s sword, but in the end, his rationality overcame the impulse, and his actions gradually became softer.

"Sorry... It might be because I just had a problem during my training, and I haven’t fully adjusted yet." Hercules, controlling Roland, said this, but suddenly his externally deployed spiritual power tentacles sensed something, and he couldn’t help but look up towards the sky.

It seemed to be a small type of flying hawk-like magical beast.