The wizard starts by trimming the donkey's hooves

Ryan looked out through the carriage window and saw that there were rows of houses on both sides of the street.

Most of these houses have reliefs of various sizes on the outer walls, and the styles are exquisite. Because this is in the administrative district, most of them are administrative agencies.

This is also the second time that Ryan has climbed the stairs from Leavenworth Street.

Last time, Ryan and Veronica walked up together.

Thinking of this, Ryan couldn't help but think of the pretty figure of the girl with twin ponytails. I wonder how she is doing on the front line of the fishing port town? When can she return to the branch smoothly?

"By the way, Your Excellency Olena, how is the situation in the fishing port town?" Ryan asked.

"The situation is not very good. At present, the branch has arranged a lot of assigned tasks, and has mobilized a considerable number of sword-bearing teams to rush to the coast of Rossby County and Meister to perform tasks." Olena frowned slightly and said.

"Huh?" Ryan raised his eyebrows, quite puzzled.

This situation was really beyond his expectations.

He originally thought that after the last time that Her Royal Highness Menia, the Red Queen, severely damaged the three-headed sea dragon, the subsequent situation should be one-sided. Why is it that the situation has changed again now?

"How could this happen? Isn't Her Royal Highness Menia over there?" Ryan couldn't help asking.

"Well, Her Royal Highness Menia actually left secretly a week ago and returned to the imperial capital."

"And the entire imperial South China Sea Fleet has now strategically contracted. Sir Ryan, for now, this news is still confidential, please keep it confidential." After thinking about it, Olena lowered her voice and said.

After all, the contraction of the South China Sea Fleet's defense involves tens of thousands of naval officers and soldiers. To a certain extent, it is impossible to conceal it. It is nothing more than controlling the speed of transmission.

"What? At this critical moment, Her Royal Highness Menia actually returned to the imperial capital? What happened in the imperial capital?" Ryan was slightly startled when he heard the news.

This kind of transfer or returning on its own was too unusual, which made Ryan's bad premonition even stronger.

It felt like a storm was coming and dark clouds were pressing down.

"I'm not sure about this." Olena shook her head slightly and said.

"If that's the case, why haven't I received any assigned tasks?"

"Uh, Admiral Edward means that Sir Ryan, you have just completed so many gold-level tasks, so you naturally need a relatively long rest time."

Before Ryan could say anything, Olena continued:

"Sir Ryan, there is another piece of news that you may pay attention to."

"The last outbreak of the evil spirit in the oil painting, after disappearing for a week, began to break out in many county towns in the province a few days ago, and the number of casualties has increased each time."

"At present, any form of art exhibition has been banned in the entire Munster Province, and we have also sent a gold-level sword-bearing team and the elite of the Goddess Church to jointly track down the whereabouts of the oil painting."

"Has it appeared again? Has a giant evil spirit appeared?" Ryan frowned.

"Not yet, the news reported so far are all normal-sized little boy evil spirit incidents." Olena shook her head and said.

Ryan nodded.

He was the first to fight the evil spirit clone, so he knew how difficult it was.

If the evil spirit of the little boy did not merge, it would be difficult for him to eliminate it completely, unless he found the mysterious oil painting.

In addition, since he knew that Archbishop Gomes of the Goddess Church was assassinated almost at the same time that night, the two things were connected and the direction was very clear.

The Black Flame Church must be behind the evil spirit of the oil painting.

They used the giant evil spirit to attract some of the high-end forces of the Goddess Church, and took the opportunity to assassinate the archbishop, catching the Goddess Church off guard.

Now they are frequently appearing in various counties with oil paintings, and they seem to be accumulating strength.

"The storm is coming!" Ryan thought to himself.

At this time, the carriage had arrived at the Temple of the Goddess of Monsoon and Ocean, which Ryan had seen from afar before.

As a cathedral at the provincial level, the temple in front of him is more magnificent than the church in Meister County.

I saw that the top of the tall and majestic temple had many pointed arches. Although there were still several Ionic columns supporting the main entrance, the number was much less than that of the county-level temple.

On the contrary, there were a large number of reliefs and statues as decoration, which made it more exquisite.

Following the sight from the steps of the temple, going down the steps, there was also an oval fountain in the square at the bottom.

In the center of the fountain, there was a female statue about five or six meters high holding a conch, and around it were statues dressed as Knights Templar, priests, etc., praising, bowing or kneeling, with different postures.

The ding-dong spring water kept leaking out of the conch held by the goddess, forming a small waterfall, rushing down.

The defenses around were quite strict, with a guard every five steps and a sentry every ten steps. Obviously, after the assassination of the archbishop, the temple once again strengthened its defense.

Following the notification and confirmation, Ryan and Olena soon came to the reception room of the temple under the guidance of a temple guard.

The two of them didn't wait long in the reception room of the temple. A few minutes later, they saw an old man with a red beard, only about 1.5 meters tall, walking in quickly with a frown and muttering something.

"Young man, you are the one who defeated the giant ax golem guard. You are very powerful!" Before Olena could introduce him, the other party greeted Renn proactively, with a voice like a bell.

"Thank you, Master Mogaro, for the compliment." Ren said with a slight bow.

When they met for the first time, Ren was quite curious about Mogaro's height and appearance that was obviously different from ordinary humans.

"Hey, why don't you bring your war hammer? I think the wound guarded by the giant ax golem should be the damage caused by some advanced hammer technique."

Then, before Ren could speak, Mogaro waved his hand, indicating that Ren didn't need to explain, and continued:

"Forget it if you don't bring it. By the way, I heard that you want to talk to me? I'm busy dismantling the golem, so the time I can give you is relatively limited, ten minutes at most."

this

Ren couldn't help but glanced sideways at Olena.

She really has a weird temper, no wonder Olena wants to vaccinate herself.

In this case, Renn also decided to get straight to the point and said:

"Master, I want to go to your school to study for a while. I heard that you are a metal puppet master. I wonder if I can choose you as my mentor."

"Sorry, I have no plans to accept any more disciples."

"Besides, you sword-wielders who came here only stayed in the school for a few months or half a year, and they couldn't learn anything too complicated at all." Mogaro's head immediately shook like a rattle.

"Of course, this only represents my personal opinion. You can ask other masters."

Hearing the other party's answer, Renn couldn't help but feel his heart sinking, considering that the other party was the only metal puppet master among the three masters who came this time.

After thinking about it, Ren said again: "Well, Master, I am also a metal wizard, so..."

"Um?"

"Are you also a metal wizard? Aren't you a great knight?" Mogaro, a master of puppetry with halfling blood, looked at Ren in surprise and asked.

Apparently, he was becoming interested in Rennes.

Renn did not answer directly, but smiled slightly, quickly deformed the hardened fine gold on the two arm armors, and cast the first-level metal witchcraft 'Metal Barrier'.

The next second, three hardened adamantine kite-shaped shields appeared on Ren's body, slowly surrounding him.

Mogaro's whole body froze suddenly, his eyes widened, his mouth opened wide, with shock and confusion on his face!

After a few seconds, the other party pointed at Ren tremblingly and said: "How can your metal transformation be so fast!"

"Metal Barrier is your natural witchcraft, so it's understandable that it can be cast quickly. But how can it be possible for your Metal Transformation Spell to be cast so fast!" Mogaro repeated again with a horrified look on his face.

As a metal wizard, Mogaro naturally saw clearly that there was no shield in Ren's hand just now, but after just a second, the metal in the opponent's hand transformed into a three-sided kite-shaped shield.

This is not metal transfiguration, what is that!

He was very familiar with metal transformation.

In other words, metal transformation is widely used in puppetry. It can be said that it is one of the most commonly used witchcraft among wizards specializing in metal puppet making.

But this witchcraft is easy to learn but difficult to master. Many metal wizards in the school have been using this witchcraft for twenty or thirty years, and it takes almost one second to transform into a steel shield.

But what did he just see?

The young man in front of him actually transformed into three kite-shaped shields at the same time. Moreover, the shield was not made of ordinary steel, but hardened fine gold!

You know, it is much more difficult to deform hardened fine gold of the same weight than ordinary steel.

"Master, I have been practicing this witchcraft hard recently." Renn smiled and explained.

Just now, Renn slightly concealed the casting time of the innate witchcraft 'Metal Transformation'.

There was no deliberate delay in casting the 'Metal Barrier', which was still about 0.25 seconds. However, when the innate witchcraft 'Metal Transformation' was cast, it was slightly slower and took about a second.

After all, if the metal transformation technique is almost instantaneous, Mogaro, who is also a metal type, will soon notice that something is wrong.

The use of metal transformation as an innate witchcraft is really shocking.

It would be much more normal if people mistakenly thought that the 'metal barrier' was his innate witchcraft.

As for why Ren wanted to show off the two metal witchcraft skills he had mastered, it was naturally because of the other party's statement just now.

He believed that if he could show his strength to be recognized by the other party, things would turn around.

but

Ren didn't expect that the two witchcraft skills he had just displayed seemed to shock Master Mogaro in front of him too much.

"Hard training? What kind of hard training can increase the speed of metal transformation to this level?" Mogaro looked at Ren with a look that said, "Are you lying to a child?"

"It has been forty years since I mastered the Metal Transformation Technique, but when I use it, my speed is still not as fast as yours."

When he said this, Mogaro's eyes were filled with shock, envy, and at the same time, a hint of decline.

Um?

Renn was a little confused.

It shouldn't be

But when Ren thought about it, it was normal.

After all, his lv12 witchcraft control level is roughly equivalent to the proficiency a wizard can gain by practicing a witchcraft for ten or twenty years.

Normally, it is impossible for a wizard to practice only one witchcraft for a long time.

"Moreover, you can transform into a kite-shaped shield made of hardened adamantine on three sides at once!"

"Um, Renn, what is your metal element affinity?" Master Mogaro excitedly grabbed Renn's arm, his face flushed, and his blood flushed.

"About ninety or so." Renn thought for a while and said a more conservative number.

The last time it was measured, it seemed to be 93.6, but the problem is that if one day his steel body talent changes again, this value will increase again.

Now it is unwise to state numerical values ​​very precisely.

For example, the effect of Dragon Bloodline this time may have caused the value to change again.

"Early ninety? No wonder your metal transformation technique is so powerful! Over ninety, this is a super talent!"

"The ability to understand witchcraft is super strong, and the affinity with metal elements is super. He is extremely talented! He is extremely talented!!" Looking at Mogaro's appearance, he almost beat his chest.

Olena on the side also looked at this scene in stunned silence.

But she vaguely remembered that Ren's metal element affinity wasn't over eighty?

Why are you in your early nineties now?

Because Admiral Edward was more concerned about Renn at that time, she had some information about Renn.

"No, I have to contact the dean immediately about this matter." Mogaro seemed impatient.

"This, Master Mogaro, is on my side." Renn reminded him kindly.

"You just said you wanted me to be your mentor?"

"No problem, I can promise you now." Mogaro looked at Ren with bright eyes.

"If you have any other requests, just ask."

Mogaro looked eager.

An expression that says I won’t give up until you make demands.

"This." Renn looked thoughtful.

He discovered that the level of strength he displayed was a little higher.

Because of the other party's enthusiasm at this moment, it was a little difficult for him to adapt.

"It's like this. Master Mogaro, Lord Ren, is a diamond-level sword wielder in our branch. You should know something about sword wielders at this level. They are the pillars of our Munster branch."

"So, during my further studies at your school, I may receive some outing missions from time to time." Olena said in a timely manner.

"What! With such valuable imperial research talents, your Munster branch actually lets them go out to carry out dangerous missions?" Mogaro said angrily.

"What the hell! I will definitely file a complaint with your sword-wielding headquarters about this."

Olena suddenly looked embarrassed!

"Master Mogaro, actually, this was my request and has nothing to do with the branch." Renn had to interrupt the other party's speech.

"Okay. Okay then."

"I have just understood that during the study period, you may have to go out to perform tasks. Although the school has not had such a special case before, because in my opinion, this will affect your study."

"But you are different. I can make an exception for you."

"Do you have any other requirements?" Mogaro asked again.

Ren and Olena looked at each other and shook their heads.

"Then follow me back to the school's headquarters now!"

"Now?" Ren said in surprise.

This is too urgent.

"It may not be possible now, Master Mogaro. Tomorrow, Lord Renne will attend the viscount investiture ceremony in the province of Munster."

"Viscount? It seems that you have made a lot of contributions to the empire. You are a viscount at such a young age." Mogaro couldn't help but look at Ren again and sighed.

"You are so young and promising! This is a good thing, so naturally I can't stop you."

"Okay, after your award ceremony is over, I will also finish here. Then we will return to the school together."

"Okay, Master Mogaro." Renn nodded.

When Ren and Olena left the Goddess Church, they did not expect that this incident would be so dramatic.

This made Olena couldn't help but secretly glance at Ren in front of her again, and sighed in her heart, 'Sure enough, strength is the key factor in changing other people's opinions! ’

When Ren returned to the branch, he opened the door and saw that members of his team, including Neolo and Evelin, were still in the training room exchanging some combat experiences.

Seeing Ren come back, everyone greeted him one after another.

After thinking about it, Renn naturally took the next step and told everyone that he might go to the Construction School to study.

"Captain, it's a good thing that you want to go to the wizard school to further your studies, but there is one problem. If you are not here, we may not be able to bear some of the assigned tasks." Neolo frowned and said.

The others were thoughtful when they heard it.

Ren knew that Neoro was not trying to push the envelope, but because he was a diamond-level sword-wielding captain, so the difficulty of the tasks assigned to him, no matter how low, was at least gold level.

If he were not here, it would be difficult for Neoro and the others to successfully complete the gold-level mission. After all, they had just joined the Sword Bearers, and the time was too short.

"Don't worry, once there is a mission, I will rush back. I have already communicated with the school initially about this." Renn patted Neolo on the shoulder and said.

"That's fine. By the way, why did you choose the Bixiu Construction School? I heard that it is a research-oriented wizard school." As a scroll master and a member of a marquis family, Neoro has heard of some wizard schools in the empire.

"Neoro, you forgot that the captain is a metal wizard. The Construction School should have the metal witchcraft that the captain wants to master." Angus said with a smile.

"Yes, the stock of metal witchcraft is scarce, and the Bixiu Construction School should be one of the few schools." Neoro looked suddenly enlightened.

"Yeah." Ryan nodded.

"By the way, you may need to pay attention to the situation in the city recently. I always have some bad premonitions."

As he said, Ryan told everyone about the reappearance of the oil painting evil spirit.

"From this point of view, it is very likely that the cult will do something big next!"

"By the way, captain, speaking of this, we haven't conducted combat drills properly yet." Vieri said on the side.

"Well, you reminded me." Ryan nodded.

Before, he had always been fighting alone, and recently he was either busy improving his extraordinary combat skills or improving the professional level of the Great Armorsmith (Extraordinary). Therefore, since Neoro and others joined, the entire team has not really conducted coordinated training.

This is still very necessary.

Apart from other things, just this scroll of Neoro can bless him with a lot of gain-type witchcraft.

For example, the Swift Wind can increase his speed by nearly 20%.

Starting from the next morning, the administrative district, church district, noble district and upper city district of the entire Munster were decorated with lights and colors, and the atmosphere was joyous.

Although the number of people promoted to baron and viscount each year is not large, there are nearly a hundred people in the entire Munster province.

Among them, nearly half of the number came from noble or wealthy families in the provincial capital Munster, so there were many nobles who were directly and indirectly affected by this awarding ceremony.

In addition, even the nobles above the Munster baron also received invitations to watch the ceremony.

Ryan wanted to invite his mother Emma and father Ryan to attend, but his mother Emma always felt that the two might embarrass her son in terms of image, so she rejected her son's kindness.

Instead, the beautiful women Jennifer and Jenny accompanied Ryan to the banquet.

In terms of nature, the awarding ceremony is more of a symbol, and the evening exchange banquet is the focus.

Because at the banquet, the newly promoted barons or viscounts can communicate with the old nobles, and at the same time, young men and women can release hormones.

Around five o'clock in the afternoon, the sun sets.

There is a lot of traffic at the entrance of the magnificent administrative hall.

Ladies and young ladies in various dresses come one after another, but even in this environment, the beautiful woman Jennifer beside Ryan is one of the most eye-catching ones.

"Hello, Lord Ryan!"

"Lord Ryan, long time no see!"

Many people greeted Ryan, because most of the young sword bearers were awarded the title of baron, including Angus, Evelyn and others.

Among the sword bearers, Ryan, the 'Maest Battering Ram' who knocked down the obsidian giant with one hammer, was naturally famous.

A quarter of an hour later, hundreds of nobles and their families of all levels in Munster, dressed in their best clothes, gathered under the stage, and representatives of the Goddess Church, sword bearers and others also attended the ceremony.

Ryan also saw the special envoy Javier, but Admiral Edward did not come.

At the same time, Ryan also saw the supreme ruler of the entire Munster Province for the first time-the Duke of Munster.

The other party was a spirited old man with gray hair, dressed in aristocratic formal clothes, with a calm aura and awe without anger.

Just as the Duke of Munster was about to step forward to give a speech, a man dressed like a personal guard came over quickly and whispered a few words in his ear. Suddenly, the Duke of Munster's face became ugly.

Since Ryan was awarded the honor as a viscount, his seat was arranged in the third row at the front. With his super perception, he could vaguely hear a few key words such as "giant evil spirit" and "cult".

This made Ryan narrow his eyes.

"Could it be that the cult chose this time to take action?" Ryan thought to himself.