I, a cultivator, have ended up in the wizarding world

Chapter 596 Small Psychological Techniques

Jemin and Viola hid behind the long table, exchanging knowing smiles, but their eyes never left that direction for a second. Mentor Clark and the witch from the Crimson Court were still talking.

The two spoke softly, their voices drowned out by the surrounding noise.

However, with Jemin's hearing, he could still make out what they were saying. Although the two of them didn't talk about anything too shocking, the scene itself was already quite exciting. "Do you think they might..." Viola lowered her voice, her eyes filled with ambiguity.

"Don't guess," Jemin said seriously, then couldn't help but lean closer himself. "But I think it's possible."

The two exchanged a glance, both giving each other a knowing look.

Viola picked up a drink and pretended to taste it, but actually held the glass too high, obscuring half her face, leaving only her shifty eyes visible. Meanwhile, Jemin, holding a plate of fruit, stuffed it into his mouth while frantically scanning the surroundings with his peripheral vision.

"Did you notice? The mentor has changed his attire again, I don't know when." Jemin secretly transmitted the information through his mental power. "That robe, that hairstyle, that face... He usually can't even be bothered to shave, but today he looks so smart."

"There was adultery," Viola said firmly.

"The evidence is irrefutable," Jemin agreed.

As the two were talking animatedly, Jemin suddenly felt a chill run down his spine.

That was an instinctive warning brought on by the body-strengthening method; danger was approaching.

He instinctively turned his head...

Clark had turned around at some point and was now looking at them expressionlessly.

Those eyes were as calm as a stagnant pool, but Jemin could clearly read the words "You two are tired of living" in them.

"Run!" Viola reacted faster than him; the mental message had barely been transmitted when she had already darted three steps forward.

But Clark was faster.

Jemin didn't even see how he moved; he only felt a blur before his eyes, and then something grabbed his collar.

The next second, he and Viola were like two chicks being picked up and dragged in front of Clark by an invisible force.

"Mentor, we didn't see anything!" Viola spoke first, her voice almost too sincere.

"Yes, we're just passing by!" Jemin quickly followed. "The scenery here is nice!"

Clark did not speak.

He simply looked at the two of them and slowly raised his right hand.

Jemin's face turned green.

The next few dozen seconds were the experience that Jemin least wanted to remember in his life.

Clark's punches weren't heavy; each one precisely avoided vital points and seemed to cause no real damage, yet they still hurt a lot. Jemin tried to resist with his body-strengthening techniques, but Clark's punches seemed to penetrate all defenses, striking directly at the nerve endings.

Viola fared even worse.

Her stealth skills were useless in this close-quarters combat. Clark pinned her down with one hand and beat her head repeatedly with the other. "Mentor, I was wrong! I was really wrong!" Viola's voice trembled.

"Yes, I know I was wrong." Clark said calmly, his hands still moving.

Jemin crouched on the ground, clutching his head, feeling his face was swollen.

Just when he thought he was going to die here today, a woman's voice came from the side, with a hint of helplessness and a smile.

"Clark, that's enough."

Clark's fist froze in mid-air.

Jemin peeked through his fingers and saw the Crimson Court witch approaching.

She stood next to Clark, one hand on his arm, the gesture natural and intimate.

"They're just two kids, why are you making such a fuss?" She glared at Clark.

Clark withdrew his fist and said calmly, "They're too noisy."

Both Jemin and Viola breathed a sigh of relief.

"Get up." She looked down at the two people squatting on the ground, a smile on her lips.

Those dark red eyes didn't have the oppressive aura of a level seven wizard; instead, they possessed a gentle quality that made people unconsciously relax.

Jemin and Viola stood up awkwardly.

Jemin touched his swollen eye socket and gasped.

Viola fared even worse, with a bruise on her nose.

The witch couldn't help but laugh at their disheveled state. The laughter was hearty, completely at odds with the violent, fleshy aura emanating from her. "I am Castillo," she said, extending her hand to shake Viola's first, then turning to Jemin. "You're also Clark's student? Not bad, standing here at level five, stronger than him back then."

Jemin paused for a moment, then instinctively looked at Clark.

Clark stood to the side expressionlessly, pretending to look at the scenery in the distance.

"Senior Castillo," Jemin quickly bowed.

"Don't call me 'senior,' just call me by my name." Castillo waved his hand, his tone casual as if he were chatting. "I've known your mentor for a long time."

Jemin and Viola exchanged a glance, and the same thought flashed through their minds: Old acquaintance? This is clearly an old flame!

Castillo seemed to see through their thoughts and, without any hesitation, said frankly, "Back then, Clark and I studied together, but later I chose the path of the Crimson Court, and we parted ways."

She spoke casually, but Jemin could sense the weight in her words.

Choosing the Crimson Court means leaving the Norren Workshop, even the Star Ring Federation, leaving the familiar system, and starting from scratch in a completely unfamiliar power.

This path was difficult, but she still chose it.

"Why did you choose the Crimson Court?" Viola couldn't help but ask.

Castillo smiled, a sharp glint in his eyes: "Because the path of the Flesh and Blood Mother Nest suits me better. The alchemy of the Norn Workshop is too conservative. What I need is the ultimate life modification, evolution beyond the limits."

She paused, looked at Clark, and softened her tone: "He understood. That's why he didn't stop me."

Jemin remained silent.

He suddenly realized that what existed between the two of them wasn't the kind of clingy, romantic love, but a deeper understanding—I know the path you're going to take, I won't stop you, but I'll be here waiting for you.

Castillo withdrew his gaze and looked at Jemin and Viola, a sly glint in his eyes: "Did you two enjoy spying today?" Jemin and Viola froze simultaneously.

"I'll deal with you when we get back." Clark's voice drifted over from the side, as calmly as if he were commenting on the nice weather.

Jemin felt his face start to hurt again.

Castillo smiled and shook his head, then suddenly reached out and put his arm around Clark's waist.

The movement was swift and decisive, without the slightest hesitation. Clark's body stiffened slightly, but he did not dodge.

"Come on, let's go over there and talk," Castillo said, his tone carrying a hint of domineering authority that left no room for refusal.

Clark frowned: "This will do."

"It's too noisy here."

Castillo gave him no chance to refuse, half-dragging and half-pulling him toward the side of the banquet hall, where there were completely enclosed rooms designed specifically for wizards to conduct academic exchanges.

"Come on, let me take a closer look at you!"

Clark was dragged a few steps by her, then looked back at Jemin and Viola.

Jemin and Viola stood there, watching the two figures disappear through the side door of the banquet hall.

Castillo walked away calmly, one arm still around Clark's waist, showing no intention of letting go.

Clark was led by her, his steps somewhat reluctant, but he didn't really struggle.

The side door closed, and the two disappeared from sight.

Jemin and Viola exchanged a glance and simultaneously let out a sigh of relief.

"Does it hurt?" Viola asked.

"It hurts." Jemin touched his eye socket. "What about you?"

"It hurts more." Viola rubbed her nose, then suddenly laughed. "But from the perspective of equivalent exchange, it's worth it."

Jemin smiled too.

He turned to look at the closed side door, a sudden thought crossing his mind: "Do you think our professor will thank us later?"

Viola casually squatted down next to Jemin, rubbing her bluish nose: "I'm sure my mentor could see through anything else, but in this area... I'm really not sure."

That's right, the two of them are proper wizards after all, how could they possibly go to such lengths just for gossip?

...Although I also had the idea of ​​reading gossip.

However, seeing the slightly awkward way Professor Clatter and the wizard Castillo interacted, the two decided to put on this act. It's true that not seeing each other for a long time can create a distance between people.

But at this point, even the smallest thing that allows the two of them to participate together is enough to quickly eliminate the already limited sense of unfamiliarity.

Jemin looked away and picked up the unfinished drink on the table again.

It has a sweet taste upon entry, with a slight coolness, quite different from the previous flavor.

"Let's go," he said. "It's time to go back and get something to eat."

Viola nodded and followed him back to the long table.

The banquet continued, and under the magnificent golden dome, countless wizards were conversing, raising their glasses, and enjoying this rare gathering.