Wizard starting from shoeing donkeys Chapter 1531 - 527: Shirendil Plateau

Aboard the swift airship.

From inside the cabin, Rein peered through the porthole, his features marked by deep contemplation.

"Wiping out the entire Isodre School outright would leave a massive power void across the Shirendil Plateau, handing rival cults and hidden academies the perfect opening to meddle in the region."

"Plus, my choices carry profound consequences. After all, they challenge the Empire's grip on the Shirendil Plateau, and even Menia would struggle to manage the fallout."

"Yet this issue demands action!"

For Rein, the situation went beyond the tragic losses of Viery and Fandar—it tied straight to the long-term security of his loved ones.

"Deputy Sect Leader Malcolm? 'Shield of Rock' Stuart?"

"Eliminating those two would render the Isodre School little more than a shell. Rival cults and obscure wizard academies would jump at the chance to interfere..."

"Maybe, once I get there, I should gauge the Isodre School's standing in the Shirendil Plateau first. If the survivors prove worthwhile, I could fold them right into the Bixiu Mechanization School?"

"Earth wizards, be they from the Clay Series or the Rock System, mesh perfectly and could massively boost the school's earth-based engineering prowess."

A sudden flash of insight struck Rein, igniting this bold notion in his thoughts.

Even though, in numbers and power, absorbing the Isodre School's remnants might overwhelm the Bixiu Mechanization School's current roster, Rein felt no concern—with him leading the way.

...

Imperial City Tamriel.

Within the Bixiu Mechanization School's assembly chamber.

Though Mogaro and the school's top talents kept diligently piecing together and fine-tuning the 'Destroyer' demon statue, a shadow of dejection hung over their faces.

"Sigh, even if we manage to fix the Destroyer demon statue, what's the point?"

"The stats make it obvious—a Fourth Level Dawn Wizard is needed to unlock its full might. Trouble is, besides Lord Rein as a Dawn Wizard, Sect Leader Moria sits only at Crystalization Peak."

"Sigh, that's a real hurdle. Hey, do you think the sect leader has a shot at breaking through to Dawn Wizard this round?"

"Tough to tell. I just sense his push for a breakthrough feels a bit hasty."

"Sect Leader Moria aims to hit Dawn Wizard before the promotion review—it's a tall order..."

"Yeah, our school's advancement could get pushed back yet again! If only Lord Rein would come back, that'd be amazing!"

These murmurs hit hardest on Rein's teacher, Mogaro, who felt the deepest sting.

Confronting the grim chance that his prized pupil might never return, Mogaro had sunk into gloom, drowning his sorrows in drink for days on end.

But over the last few days, clarity had dawned on him.

As a teacher, though he lacked the power to save Rein, he could at least safeguard the groundwork his student had built. With a complete Destroyer demon statue, the school retained near-legendary battle power. Even sans promotion, no one could snatch their research.

Thus, Mogaro threw himself back into restoring the Destroyer with full vigor.

Sect Leader Moria, who had intended to focus on reaching Dawn Wizard after mending the Destroyer demon statue and handling the promotion, weighed his options and chose to start the breakthrough attempt right then.

All at once, the assembly chamber's door burst open, and a breathless, thrilled shout echoed through:

"Mentor, Lord Rein has returned!"

The voice belonged to Audrey, Rein's senior fellow student, though since learning of his prowess, she always addressed him with utmost respect as Lord.

"What?!"

At this revelation, every soul in the chamber snapped their gaze upward in shock, zeroing in on Audrey.

"Audrey, where'd you pick up this intel? Is it legit?" Mogaro zipped to her side in an instant, gripping her shoulders with fervor and giving them a shake.

Audrey withstood her teacher's vise-like hold, aware of his overwhelming excitement and unbothered, as she replied:

"It's solid—I headed to Lord Rein's home and spoke directly with Mrs. Olena, who confirmed it herself."

"Fantastic! Fantastic!" Mogaro let go of Audrey, pumping his fists skyward, whirling in place, and bellowing out.

He yanked a tiny steel flask from his pocket, uncapped it in a hurry, chugged several hearty swallows, his cheeks turning rosy, and declared:

"So, where's Rein at right now?"

"We should head to him!"

Mogaro understood Rein now occupied a lofty role and faced a pile of duties on arrival, but that didn't matter—the student might be swamped, yet the teacher had time to spare!

A mentor dropping by his disciple shouldn't raise any eyebrows, should it?

"Um... Mrs. Olena mentioned Lord Rein only lingered at home briefly before departing for Mingster Province."

"Ah? No worries, we can catch up in a couple days—he's back safe, and that's what counts!" Mogaro's enthusiasm dipped for a moment but soon surged anew as he affirmed.

"No way! I've got to talk the sect leader out of it."

"With Rein returned, there's zero reason for him to risk a forced leap to the Dawn Realm!"

Saying this, Mogaro bolted from the assembly chamber without delay!

Meanwhile, down the hallway in an office.

Deputy Sect Leader Bradley stood there, looking rather puzzled.

For mere moments earlier, he'd gotten yet another urgent alert from the Empire's Wizard School Union, announcing that the snag with their Bixiu Mechanization School's promotion had been cleared up once more.