My System Just Exploded, And You Ask Me to Become a God?-Chapter 35 --A Stifling Atmosphere

Old Mage Peter didn't even have time to scream—

he was blasted into pieces by a single punch!

The First Grand Duke Ilan had displayed overwhelming dominance.

Even when facing the Pyrothian Kingdom, he showed absolutely no fear.

Everyone was stunned in place.

They had never expected the First Grand Duke Ilan to be so forceful—

even killing a member of the Pyrothian Kingdom without the slightest hesitation.

"Long live the Grand Duke!"

While the crowd remained silent and barely dared to breathe,

Joad's bright voice suddenly rang out.

He had long disliked that old mage Peter,

but had never found a good opportunity to act.

Now that the First Grand Duke Ilan had helped him finish the job—

so decisively and without hesitation—

Joad couldn't help but admire him.

Of course, the First Grand Duke Ilan hadn't acted out of recklessness.

It was because Lena had caught the eye of Duke Blazefury,

giving the entire Ilan Royal Academy a powerful backer.

Moreover, this time the Grand Duke also stood on the moral high ground.

So even though Peter was killed, Bruce could only frown—he wouldn't dare act rashly.

At that moment, a trace of mind power flickered across the shattered remains of Peter,

quickly gathering into a small figure—his spiritual body.

The Grand Duke prepared to strike again to eliminate him completely,

but Bruce stepped forward to block him.

"Peter has paid the price for his actions.

Please, Grand Duke Ilan, show some restraint.

We of the Pyrothian Kingdom will not pursue this matter further."

The Grand Duke frowned slightly.

But before he could act, Peter's spirit body activated a magic rune,

vanishing in the blink of an eye.

Joad frowned. He could sense that this rune wasn't ordinary.

It was likely a protection given by the Pyrothian Kingdom—

even the Grand Duke hadn't been fast enough to stop it.

Bruce, meanwhile, let out a quiet sigh of relief.

The Grand Duke turned his gaze toward the Mington Principality.

"Go back and tell your Duke—he has seven days to give me an explanation.

If not, I'll march in and wipe your principality off the map!"

Hiss—!

Everyone present sucked in a cold breath.

Was the First Grand Duke Ilan always this intense?!

Soon after, Headmaster Simar escorted everyone out.

The conflict came to a close.

Just as Joad thought the matter had finally passed,

he heard Headmaster Simar say:

"Joad, go back to your dorm and rest. Everyone else, stay."

Joad was slightly taken aback.

What did that mean?

Why was he being told to leave again?

He had been deep in thought about the Ilan Manuscript,

and now they were just brushing him aside?

"...Fine, fine."

Joad sighed helplessly and turned to head back to his dorm.

Headmaster Simar watched his retreating figure and muttered with displeasure:

"That kid actually looks annoyed."

Grand Scholar Geoffrey chuckled and said:

"Well, you told him to leave by himself. Of course he's unhappy."

"What use is he staying, anyway?"

Simar snorted.

"Every time something happens, he hides until it's over."

Because of the situation with Lena, Headmaster Simar had taken a particular dislike to Joad.

But the Grand Duke only smiled and said:

"I actually like that kid's attitude."

...Huh?

Everyone looked stunned.

One man was bold and domineering, the other cautious and self-preserving—

How could these two possibly be "alike"?

After a few casual remarks, the conversation turned to serious matters.

Senior Leit recounted everything that happened in Ilan's Study Hall.

Although they found the main hall, there was no trace of the Ilan Manuscript.

"It must have been inside the hall!"

The Grand Duke said.

Leit frowned deeply, a hint of suspicion in his voice.

"Could it have been taken by that blonde Mary?"

The Grand Duke shook his head gently, his eyes deep and thoughtful.

"Probably not her."

"I suspect... the Rogue Thief Kid."

"Rogue Thief Kid?!"

Bachelor Geoffrey exclaimed.

But the Grand Duke continued calmly:

"Though his reputation is terrible, he's never actually shown malice toward Ilan Royal Academy."

"In fact, I even have the faint impression that he's secretly... protecting the academy."

"...What?"

Everyone exchanged stunned glances.

A notorious rogue thief... protecting the academy?

That was absurd!

The Grand Duke continued:

"What worries me most isn't the Rogue Thief Kid obtaining the Ilan Manuscript..."

"But someone else."

"You must understand—the Ilan Manuscript was left behind by the Mage God himself."

"It contains knowledge and power that could drive anyone insane with desire."

Headmaster Simar nodded solemnly.

"You're right, Grand Duke.

The Mage God's notes are bound to attract many forces who covet them."

"That's what we should be most worried about."

Everyone fell into a heavy silence.

The disappearance of the Ilan Manuscript felt like a ticking time bomb—

one that could explode at any moment, plunging Ilan Principality—

and perhaps the entire continent—into a massive storm.

After a while, Simar broke the silence.

"Our top priority is strengthening the academy's defenses."

"We must not allow anyone else to infiltrate."

...

Meanwhile, the other factions that had left Ilan Principality were also deep in thought,

trying to figure out where the Ilan Manuscript had gone.

Everyone knew the truth:

The Ilan Manuscript was either in the hands of Ilan Royal Academy...

Or it was with the Rogue Thief Kid.

They didn't know where the Rogue Thief Kid had gone—

but Ilan Royal Academy was right there.

...

"Bruce, please take Lena with you."

Headmaster Simar asked Bruce to take Lena away.

He had a faint feeling... that Ilan Royal Academy was heading toward great trouble.

But with Duke Blazefury's protection, Lena would be safe.

Even if the principality fell, she might one day rebuild it.

Simar had also considered asking Leit to leave as well,

but Leit was too righteous and insisted on staying to protect the academy.

In the end, Simar could only wait for another opportunity to get him out.

...

Joad leaned against the statue of the Goddess of Magic,

a little nostalgic.

He'd lived here for so many years...

He did feel some attachment to the place.

This chapter is updated by freēwēbnovel.com.

He could sense the strange atmosphere within the academy—

a clear result of the Ilan Manuscript's disappearance.

One precious document...

Had stirred the desire of countless people.

And the contents were enough to drive anyone mad.

Who knew what they would do next? Everything was spiraling out of control.

As Joad thought of this, his eyes unconsciously drifted toward the academy's treasury.

"Maybe I should just..."

But before he could finish the thought,

a middle-aged man appeared in front of him.

The man stepped forward and asked,

"Excuse me—are you Joad?"

Joad nodded, a flicker of surprise in his eyes.

"I am. Who are you?"

"Let me introduce myself—my name is Maron, Ivy's uncle."

"Oh, a senior from House Rima."

Joad gave a respectful noble's salute, his tone polite.

Maron waved a hand and said,

"No need for formalities, Joad.

I'm here on behalf of our house leader to find Ivy—

and to ask you something."

"What is it?"

"I heard... that you promised to help Ivy become a high official mage within three years,

and even raise her magic affinity to level 4—for the cost of 100,000 mana stones.

Is this true?"

Joad frowned.

That girl Ivy had sworn not to tell anyone—

and now she'd sold him out?

But the situation was what it was. He could only tough it out and reply,

"Yes, that's correct. Our family has an old friend who can make it happen."

Without another word, Maron handed him a storage pouch.

"There are 100,000 mana stones inside.

The house leader asked me to deliver them.

Ivy's future is in your hands, Joad."

Joad felt dizzy hearing those words.

That easy?!

He wasn't even ready yet!