Wizard starting from shoeing donkeys Chapter 1548 - 533: The Association and Misgivings (Part 2)

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Previously on Wizard starting from shoeing donkeys...
Rein assessed the lingering effects of Donok's poison, noting its debilitating curses and a three-day recovery timeline that temporarily weakened his spiritual power to the Middle Stage of Dawn. Despite this, absorbing gains from slaying Kexi'er and Donok elevated his spirit to the Peak of Dawn, a trade he deemed worthwhile. As an Imperial airship bearing the five-colored dragon emblem approached the ruined Isodre School station, officials aboard debated the destruction's implications, with Pantoscoke decrying Rein's recklessness and Mayer Lane warning of strained relations with the school, whose guardians of the Shirendil Plateau now seemed compromised. The school's elder wizards emerged to apologize to Rein, admitting most members were unaware of their leaders' treachery and pleading for leniency as their institution faced potential delisting.

Instead of replying straight to the old wizard, Rein paused briefly before inquiring:

"Ah, yes, I remember you gathering minerals earlier? Logically, with your expertise in earth sorcery, you wouldn't require such a vast array of rare ones."

"Lord Rein, the circumstances are like this: years back, swarms of foreign spiders invaded the Shirendil Plateau, and handling them proved no simple feat. Our academy even endured heavy losses."

"Our archives hold numerous designs for building constructs, so we decided to experiment with puppets against those invading spider hordes. Tests revealed that stone puppets and mud puppets fell short compared to those forged from metal."

"I understand," Rein acknowledged with a nod.

In the meantime, a well-developed strategy had started taking shape in his thoughts.

From his recent observations, the mages of the Isodre Academy showed deep loyalty to their institution. Even amid this upheaval, blending them seamlessly into the Bixiu Mechanization Academy appeared improbable.

Furthermore, forcing such an integration wouldn't work. No matter its success, if they joined unwillingly, it would spark endless clashes with the existing Bixiu Mechanization Academy mages.

That went against his initial plans and hopes.

Considering the present conditions, forming a construct alliance with collaborative aims first made sense, gradually drawing them in and separating influences. In due course, matters would align naturally.

"I believe the Isodre Academy needn't move. I've long planned to form a group for mechanical and construct innovations to exchange knowledge on builds and ensure group protection. The Bixiu Mechanization Academy stands ready now," Rein explained.

"Should you consent to participate, through our pact of shared safeguarding, dangers from the Tutkash Academy or elsewhere ought to prove controllable. I'll drop by the Shirendil Plateau from time to time."

The pair of elderly wizards grasped Rein's intent right from the start of his words; as ancient pillars of wisdom, they recognized this as more than a mere group—it resembled a defense pact popular among lesser mage academies.

Besides, without a Dawn Wizard anymore in the Isodre Academy, leadership upon joining would inevitably shift to Rein.

Yet, the final words from Rein sparked hope in the eyes of the two veterans.

While shifting their base was possible, for a major mage academy, such a move invited hordes of foes to their gates. With tangled ties and rivalries, a weakened state left them open to attacks from opportunists.

Rein's idea offered them a secure refuge.

What's more, the Isodre Academy had rooted itself on the Shirendil Plateau for a millennium, turning it into their true home. Most academy mages naturally resisted departing.

"That sounds perfect!"

"Combined protection? Exchanging construct secrets?"

Before the two elders could voice their assent, nearby Isodre Academy mages had already buzzed with thrilled chatter.

The veterans shared a glance and promptly bowed deeply to Rein, "This is indeed a boon. Speaking for the Isodre Academy, we eagerly seek to enter the construct alliance under Lord Rein's guidance."

"Excellent, splendid." Rein nodded, a grin spreading across his face.

Truth be told, he harbored another aim: deploying construct builds to offset the Evil God Nael Breccan's edge through endless foreign spider masses.

The Bixiu Mechanization Academy mages alone couldn't manage it; their ranks were too sparse. Yet, uniting with Isodre Academy forces, and arming each mage with multiple constructs for broad sweeps, they could swiftly eradicate the burrowing spider invaders.

Beyond that, this approach might uncover the hidden lair of the Secret Academy - Tutkash, allowing total eradication.

He anticipated they could astonish him once more when the moment arrived.

....

Right then, the massive sky vessel overhead drew close and commenced a gentle descent.

Key imperial figures stepped down the ramp one after another, starting with Elder Ivan, whom Rein had encountered previously, then Pantoscoke, Marshal Alfred, and one unfamiliar marshal.

Seeing this, Isodre Academy mages recoiled in surprise, assuming the visitors sought confrontation.

But quickly, they sensed the reality diverged from their fears.

Even before Elder Ivan uttered a word, Pantoscoke surveyed the cratered terrain like a meteor strike and the fallen behemoth Gorlon remains, then burst out in fervor:

"Lord Rein, you've overdone it. Leaving aside justice or fault, did you think about how clashing with Stuttgart might doom the city of Nirheim?"

"Oh, and where's Stuttgart?" Pantoscoke abruptly recalled and scanned the area.

"That must be your Stuttgart," Rein gestured toward the blackened remains nearby on the earth.

"What! Rein, you... you truly slew him!" Pantoscoke mixed shock with joy.

Overwhelmed by Rein's might, which clearly outstripped expectations.

He realized that though his own power edged past Stuttgart's, vanquishing the foe at the Isodre Academy base would pose immense challenges, as it served as the rival's stronghold.