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n?Dawn broke over the Arcanist Guild’s Branch Office as its leader, Garrick Chambers, began his day.

nWith a huge stature that commanded respect and a face marked by age and experience, Garrick’s presence was as formidable as his reputation.

nHis hair was already silver, often tied back to reveal sharp, calculating eyes.

nOf course, he didn’t become a Branch Guild Leader just because of his age and experience but because he was a Master of the Transformation Arts.

nIt was to the point that morphing his physical attributes was no longer his main strength. What he could alter now was a part of reality with a mere thought, bending it to his will!

nGarrick’s mornings were a ritual of discipline.

nHe meditated to align his arcane energies, then dressed in the traditional robes of his office—deep blue with golden runes that showed his elegance and authority as a Guild Leader.

nDespite this place being a small town, there were numerous Arcanists traveling or passing this region, and if they were Master Class Arcanists, he would be the one meeting them from time to time. Because of that, he would always fix his attire.

nHis office work was a blend of administration and arcane research.

nHe reviewed reports from guild members, sanctioned missions, and oversaw the training of apprentices. His path demanded constant study; thus, he dedicated hours to refining his Transformation Arts, ensuring his skills remained unparalleled in this town.

nOn the third day, after he heard that a couple of Untainted Sentinels had arrived in this place, some news related to them finally came in.

nHe was actually wondering why it took quite some time… After all, he didn’t like the fact that those two Untainted Sentinels didn’t bother to visit his office and greet him.

nThis town was under his jurisdiction, and he didn’t like the fact that he was ignored by these people…

nAnywany, Eamon had reported Aubrey’s predicament, and Garrick received a detailed briefing.

n“Aubrey Hall,” he murmured, recognizing the name. The Halls were an influential family known for their contributions to various alchemical ingredients. They were a merchant family that had a huge influence on various arcanist families.

nAfter all, from the most basic potions to the most complex formation arts, rituals, and elixirs, the Hall Family could somehow provide them!

nThey may not possess a deep background as an Arcanist Family, but they still have a wealth that they could not ignore!

nGarrick weighed his options carefully.

nAligning with the Halls could be beneficial, but provoking the Untainted Sentinels was a risk he preferred to avoid. No matter how much he hated the Untainted Sentinels, it didn’t change the fact that they were ruthless individuals claiming to be saints.

n“Hmph… They might even be continuing their research in Humonculus Project.” Garrick muttered as he recalled the news he obtained about how the Holy Arts Faction was collaborating with the Church of the Fortune Goddess to create Artificial Humans, which some of them called Druids.

nAnyway, he didn’t take that long before he was able to make a decision.

nHe decided on a course of action that would protect Aubrey without direct confrontation.

n“Arrange for Ms. Hall to stay in our secured guest quarters,” he instructed his aides. “Ensure her safety but keep a low profile.”

nAs arrangements were made for Aubrey’s protection, Garrick couldn’t help but wonder about the item that had drawn such attention from the Sentinels.

nHis curiosity piqued; he knew this situation might unfold into something far greater than a mere guild dispute.

nNonetheless, he decided not to pry too much.

n***

nAfter some time had passed, when the sun was high in the sky, Aubrey’s reinforcements arrived at the quarters arranged by Garrick.

nThe five Elementalists, clad in attire that bore the Hall family crest, were an imposing sight.

nThe three Earth Elementalists stood firm, their expressions stoic.

nBeside them, the Fire Elementalist’s eyes flickered with an inner flame, while the Wind Elementalist, their female leader, carried herself with a grace that belied her power. She seemed to be a noblewoman from how she carried herself compared to the others.

nAubrey greeted them with a mix of relief and uncertainty.

n“I wasn’t expecting such… formidable assistance,” she admitted. She didn’t know them personally, but her Phantasm State could tell how strong they were.

n“We are here under your father’s orders,” the Wind Elementalist replied, presenting a sealed letter bearing the family seal. “I am Myra, and we’ve been tasked with ensuring your safe return.”

nAubrey studied the letter and then nodded, satisfied with their authenticity. “I appreciate your swift response,” she said. “I have a research project that has attracted unwanted attention from the Sentinels.”

nMyra listened intently as Aubrey explained the situation.

nAfter recounting what happened last night, Myra nodded to her team and turned to Aubrey.

n“We will escort you and your research back to the estate,” she assured her.

n“However, is it possible to know what it is? We might have a better method to protect it while we’re traveling.” Myra said while looking at the thing behind Aubrey. She could see that it contained her research project.

nAubrey hesitated for a while as she didn’t know how these people would react. They might even think that she was already possessed and doing something evil.

nWith a sigh, she shook her head.

n“I can’t tell… I can’t show it yet as well… It might attract the attention of the Sentinels since I’ve sealed the box already.”

nMyra looked at Aubrey for a few seconds before she nodded.

n“Very well.”

nSoon, Aubrey completed her preparation…

nThen, she wanted to thank Eamon and Garrick for their help before she returned to her home, but as they prepared to depart with the mysterious box containing Aubrey’s project, Clare and Teresa confronted them.

nThe Sentinels stood boldly, blocking their path in the land owned by the Arcanist Guild.

n“You will not leave with that abomination,” Clare declared, her voice steely.

nTeresa nodded in agreement, her hand resting on the hilt of her weapon. “We cannot allow it to fall into the wrong hands.”

nShe said as if Aubrey was the evil one.

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