Chapter 71: Elemental Mushrooms
At a sand dune approximately two kilometers away from the camp...
After receiving their assignments from Zorro, Sein and Leena made their way to this location to explore and gather essential data.
Their tasks were notably easier due to their advantageous connection with a senior figure. The first reveal of this chapter happened through B1nN0v3l.
Zorro, despite his low-profile nature, was a Quasi Mage pivotal to the set up of the coordinate generators. This allowed him to assign relatively straightforward and less risky tasks to Sein and Leena.
Fifteen days had passed since Sein’s arrival at the camp.
He was gradually adapting to life here.
When it came down to it, a mage was still human, a social creature.
Sein had not reached a point in his life where he could seclude himself in a laboratory for several years or more.
Surrounded by fellow initiates, he felt more at ease and less isolated.
The crystal ball in his hand was recording the relevant information of his surroundings.
When he was done, he regrouped with Leena and made their way back to the camp.
The Sand World was not without its dangers.
The harsh environment and extreme natural disasters made life difficult for black magic initiates.
Sein recalled the massive sandstorm he had witnessed from a distance in the past fifteen days.
Although the center of the storm was relatively far from their campsite, the overwhelming force of destruction it unleashed served as a stark reminder of their vulnerability.
He could not help but wonder whether full-fledged black mages could withstand such a formidable storm, and the answer was unlikely.
Through conversations with Faye and Leena, Sein learned that two months before his arrival, the camp had faced a relatively minor sandstorm up close.
Two senior initiates near the camp at the time were swept away and remained missing. The sandstorm also injured some other initiates.
The harsh environment in the Sand World was no place for ordinary people.
“Oh? Seems like my unfortunate junior has perished here. I wonder if he was swallowed up by sand, or...” Modrik chuckled and looked at Sein.
Sein replied calmly, "He was already a desiccated corpse when I found him."
Modrik nodded, choosing not to delve further into the circumstances of his junior’s demise.
After gathering the two basic magic items that required recharging due to their depleted elemental energy, Modrik demanded for more.
Following some contemplation, Sein took out a magic wand and approximately three hundred autrum.
The wand had been acquired from the intermediate initiate, Marlon, while the autrum came from Sein’s own savings.
Modrik examined the intermediate magic item and finally nodded in satisfaction.
He quickly collected the autrum on his table.
“Not bad. You may now learn the process of cultivating elemental mushrooms from me. If you’re willing to pay a little more, I can even share additional tips on magic plant cultivation. Hehehehe...” Modrik rasped with a sinister chuckle.
***
After exiting Modrik’s tent, Sein and Leena headed back to their own.
Half a month had passed, and the camp was now much livelier than when Sein first arrived.
Around twenty additional intermediate initiates had joined the camp, and new initiates continued to arrive intermittently.
It appeared that the full-fledged black mages had continued sending intermediate initiates after Sein’s group.
It remained uncertain whether junior initiates and the few remaining fresh initiates had also been sent here by the black mages
Sein could not help but wonder about Bousse and Marie’s current situation.
“Elemental mushrooms aren’t too challenging to cultivate. Would you like to try my cooking tonight?” Sein asked Leena as they walked together.
“Sure,” Leena replied.
“Do you want to learn this magic plant cultivation skill as well? I think it could prove quite useful,” Sein offered.
Leena held a different perspective from Zorro and Faye, and after a brief contemplation, she nodded in agreement.
“Sure.”