Chapter 198 - 197: Crime Scene
"This is my first time here..."
Zelir slowed his pace, curiously observing his surroundings.
The architectural style here was completely different from the General Affairs Office and the library. It was no longer as grand, but instead had much more of a lived-in feel.
A series of exquisite little buildings, each with a different style and its own private courtyard, were laid out before them, connected by cobblestone paths.
"Back here, most of these are residences and labs built specifically for Resident Mages," Bev said.
"Resident Mages?"
"Yes, those are Mages who have signed contracts to live in the Guild long-term, like the three instructors: Marvin, Manlin, and Lena," Bev explained.
"Of course, some Middle Level Mages are too, including Mage Haddley, who we’re meeting today."
"Someone like you, who occasionally comes to collect rewards and study, is considered a Free Mage."
"The Guild gives Resident Mages an extra, handsome reward each month, but in return, they must also take on the responsibility of serving the Guild."
"For example, being in charge of examinations, managing certain departments, or maintaining the Guild’s daily safety and operations, and things like that."
"Oh..."
Zelir nodded in understanding.
’It’s probably like the relationship between an employee and a company.’
Bev led Zelir through the area with familiarity, finally stopping in front of a building.
"Here we are! Mage Haddley’s very own lab."
Zelir looked up at the lab before him.
Compared to the other small buildings, this one could be called plain.
There were basically no extra decorations on the exterior. It was just an ordinary gray stone building, with very few windows.
Bev didn’t even knock. She just pressed a movable stone slab on the side a few times.
With a soft CLICK, the heavy, black iron door swung inward, opening a crack.
The two of them pushed the door open and entered. The sight that greeted them was a scene of utter chaos.
The room was spacious, but the tables, chairs, and floor... every available surface was piled with mountains of books and materials.
All sorts of parchment scrolls filled with complex formulas, along with draft paper, were scattered haphazardly all over the floor.
The air was a bit stuffy and filled with the smell of dust, likely because the windows hadn’t been opened for ventilation in a long time.
’This Mage Haddley is a bit of a slob,’ Zelir couldn’t help but think.
His gaze then drifted, observing the interior of the room.
’Wait...’
Zelir’s eyes froze.
’Why is there a person lying on the floor?’
Because the room was so incredibly messy, Zelir hadn’t even noticed the person at first when he walked in.
And she was facedown, looking completely unconscious.
Zelir was startled.
A young woman with messy, long hair was collapsed on the floor. Judging by her attire, she was clearly a Mage.
’She... couldn’t be Mage Haddley, could she?’
Zelir rushed over in a few quick strides, knelt down beside the Mage, and turned her over.
Her body was limp and her eyes were shut tight; she was clearly unconscious.
Zelir carefully checked if she was breathing.
Her breathing was faint, but steady.
’As long as she’s not dead...’
Zelir didn’t dare to delay. He immediately took out his Night Peace Magic Wand, preparing to cast the Healing Skill.
At the same time, he turned to tell Bev to hurry and get an instructor.
"Oh my, no need to be so flustered."
But Bev’s expression was quite calm. She waved her hand, looking as if this was a common sight.
"The Healing Skill won’t work... Mage Haddley is just hungry, not injured."
"Hungry...?" Zelir was confused.
He took a closer look and saw that Mage Haddley indeed had no wounds, and her Magic Robe was perfectly intact.
It was just that she looked completely withered. The jawline of her beautiful face was exceptionally defined; she was even thinner than Zelir, who often adventured and fought in the wild.
’Looks like she’s gone hungry quite a bit.’
At first, Zelir had thought some reckless Assassin had broken into the Guild to cause trouble.
"Yeah, Mage Haddley is often like this."
Bev explained helplessly, "She gets too engrossed in her research and always forgets to eat. Or she’s just too lazy to go out, so her health isn’t very good."
As she spoke, Bev skillfully retrieved some honey water from a nearby cabinet.
"Help her up."
"Oh... okay."
Zelir supported Mage Haddley from behind, adjusted her position, and let her rest on his lap.
Then Bev parted her lips and slowly poured the honey water in.
"Mmm..."
Mage Haddley unconsciously smacked her lips, her throat bobbing slightly as she instinctively swallowed the liquid.
The intake of sugar seemed to awaken her dormant consciousness.
’Hahh...’
’It feels like I had a very long dream, a dream full of exquisite and unparalleled rune structures...’
’I have to write them down quickly. Maybe I can create new Magic...’
Her consciousness gradually returned.
After a good while, Hedley’s eyelids twitched, and she leisurely opened her eyes.
Her vision cleared from blurry to sharp, and the first thing she saw was a handsome, unfamiliar face.
He was looking at her with a somewhat worried expression.
Hedley blinked, her brain still rebooting.
She subconsciously opened her mouth and asked, "Huh... who are you?"
"My name is Zelir. I’m a Mage from the Guild."
Seeing Mage Haddley wake up, Zelir breathed a sigh of relief. "I saw you collapsed on the floor when I arrived."
Hedley shook her head and used Zelir’s knees to support herself as she sat up.
Seeing her dazed appearance, Zelir first cast a Calm Mind Skill.
A cool stream of Spirit energy seeped into Hedley’s sea of consciousness, and her mind cleared instantly.
Then Zelir cast Vitality Granting, helping her weak body recover some strength.
"You’re here, Bev..."
Having regained some of her Spirit, Hedley finally noticed Bev standing to the side.
"I thought you were coming yesterday. I was going to ask you to bring some food... but then I don’t know what happened. I think I stood up, everything went black, and I passed out."
"Didn’t I tell you the day before yesterday that I’d taken the next day off?" Bev sighed softly.
"I forgot," Hedley said, a look of innocence on her face.
"Honestly, Mage Haddley, when will you ever learn to take care of yourself?" Bev said helplessly, her hands on her hips.
"Ahaha... sorry, sorry."
Mage Haddley scratched her cheek, looking rather embarrassed.
"GRUUMBLE..."
Just then, a clear, loud sound came from Hedley’s stomach.
That little bit of honey water was clearly not enough to replenish her energy.
...
"Mmm... this is delicious."
Hedley chomped down on the buttered bread and meat rolls that Zelir had just run out to buy.
The Mage’s Guild had its own dedicated cafeteria, which served food continuously until midnight.