novelraw Chapter 967: Holy Light Squad
Chapter 967: Holy Light Squad
The lounge, designed for five students, now felt cramped and cluttered with the addition of two extra bookshelves overflowing with books, not to mention the luggage.
“But didn’t I tell you? I ran into Lu Li during the mysticism trials and invited him to join.”
Yeger buried his face in his hands. If he had known how the captain would react, he would have certainly thought twice about inviting Lu Li.
“I thought you were talking nonsense.”
“Mr. Lu Li, you should reconsider joining the Holy Light Squad,” Deputy Captain Margaret reminded Lu Li, her tone as cold as a gatekeeper’s.
“Margaret?”
Captain Kiruet couldn’t believe Margaret’s betrayal.
“No, I’ll stay with the Holy Light Squad for the time being.”
“Excellent!”
Kiruet excitedly clenched a fist, a low growl of delight escaping through her teeth. Then she suddenly froze.“For the time being... what does that mean?”
“I have a companion. She’s still in the junior courses and will arrive in half a month.”
Fudot, having earned ten academic points, had wanted to use the remaining few days to achieve an excellent or elite course promotion.
Although she was lucky enough to not run into Lu Li during the level two alchemy trials, thus avoiding the "potion-making boost," she was caught cheating by a gatekeeper during the level one botany trials just as she was on the verge of success and was sentenced to fifteen days of detention.
“That’s no problem. We can let your friend join the squad as a substitute, or even replace...”
Kiruet cast a theatrical glance at Yeger and Margaret. “...Certain members who are unworthy of the squad's honor.”
“Are you referring to Captain Kiruet?”
Margaret’s voice was as cold as her silver hair.
“Margaret, come outside with me.” Kiruet’s face darkened; she felt the need to exercise her authority as captain.
Kiruet and Margaret left the lounge. At the now-empty round table, Yeger, feeling awkward and ashamed, explained to Lu Li:
“The captain isn’t usually like this. Your... your arrival has made her a little flustered.”
“Her?”
“Yes, the captain is a woman.”
“She believes a female appearance would cause others to underestimate and look down on her. Just don’t tell her I’m the one who told you.”
Lu Li said nothing, calmly listening to the muffled whispers of Kiruet and Margaret coming from the hallway.
“You don’t like Mr. Lu Li... Your Highness?”
“No.”
“But you’re trying to drive him away!”
“He should be in a better squad, a ranked one.”
“With Mr. Lu Li, we’ll be ranked too!”
“That wouldn’t be our achievement.”
“Margaret, don’t make me resort to other means.”
“...”
“Little Mary~ Mmm~ Oh, please~”
“...”
Yeger was oblivious when Kiruet and Margaret returned to the lounge.
Kiruet and Margaret did their best to hide what had just happened between them.
“Mr. Lu Li...”
“You can call me Lu Li.”
“Lu Li...”
As the captain of the Holy Light Squad, Kiruet uncharacteristically dropped the honorific to welcome Lu Li.
Kiruet, Margaret, Yeger, Nasi—this four-person squad was now being joined by Lu Li and the substitute, Fudot.
The as-yet-unmet squad member, Nasi, was currently taking the level five anomaly knowledge trials.
“Lu Li, what are your skills?”
“Can you tell us your legendary stories? The ones from the Age of Anomalies.”
Kiruet, who had spoken at the same time as Margaret, hastily cut in, “We can talk about that later. Right now, I want to hear the stories, litt—”
“Fine.”
The silver-haired Margaret interrupted Kiruet. It was unclear whether she also wanted to hear the stories or simply didn’t want the captain to say that name.
“Which stories?”
“Prusius with the human head and dog’s body, the reformed vengeful spirit Ofelia Green, the bloodline hunter Katerina!”
Kiruet didn’t realize that in that moment, she looked like a little boy or girl, leaning forward over the round table in eager anticipation.
“And the ancient being, the Deep God,” Margaret added quietly.
Lu Li lowered his gaze slightly.
Everything he had experienced was just a distant, fantastical story to an observer.
Lu Li didn’t disappoint the Holy Light Squad, simply recounting his adventures from the time he left the underground bedrock until the Deep God vanished, bringing light to Sugard Mountain.
The simple, unadorned narrative was obviously not as thrilling as a masterfully woven tale, but with the storyteller being the one who lived it, they could feel a different, authentic reality.
“The Holy Light Squad is honored by your presence.” Shaking off her excitement and euphoria, Kiruet repeated her sentiment, this time with genuine sincerity.
Next, it was the Holy Light Squad's turn to introduce themselves.
The Holy Light Squad was undoubtedly formed according to the standard configuration for teams at the Academy of Giant Trees: Kiruet was responsible for combat, defense, and command; Margaret provided potions, support, and strategy; Yeger served as Kiruet's deputy; and Nasi handled investigations and scouting.
The newly joined Lu Li and the substitute Fudot held an undefined status, something the Holy Light Squad would need to decide on.
Story time was over. Yeger hung up a new fluorite lantern, dispelling the atmosphere of an evening campfire gathering.
Margaret’s long, unbound hair reflected a cold, silvery sheen, like moonlight. “Tell us about your abilities. If there’s anything you’re uncomfortable revealing, at least tell us the type: offense or support, defense or escape.”
“The Spirit Pistol; my left hand; four Cursed Titles and the Dreamwalker's ability to enter dreams; killing anomalies to absorb humanity, but that’s not my trump card.”
His trump card was perhaps the Beacon that Friday had once placed in his chest...
But it consumed humanity, and Lu Li had not yet fully mastered it.
“My trump card is a not-yet-mastered power for exorcising anomalies,” Lu Li paused briefly, then continued, “Do Sequence Potions count?”
“They do.”
“Sequence Potions No. 63, No. 81, and No. 96.”
“Three potions from the top one hundred sequences? That’s quite valuable...” Kiruet assessed.
Lu Li continued calmly, “Aside from those and the first forty Sequence Potions, I have two of every other kind.”
This was the final preparation Lu Li had made before leaving the junior courses.
He had acquired two of every Sequence Potion of the 'enhancement,' 'direct damage,' and 'debilitation' types.
Unfortunately, the potions from the first forty sequences were too valuable, and the sellers were unwilling to exchange them for shillings.
Kiruet turned stiffly toward the pile of belongings in front of the bookshelf that had arrived with Lu Li.
“Are they in there?”
“Most of them, yes.”
The relatively valuable Sequence Potions that needed to be kept on hand were placed in a "stomach pouch"—an alchemical storage bag that could hold more than its appearance suggested and was meant to be carried.
“You have Sequence Potion No. 39?!”
Kiruet suddenly exclaimed. A flicker of emotion crossed Margaret’s indifferent face, and Yeger also stared at Lu Li.
Sequence Potion No. 39: Tranquil Forest.
Noticing the Holy Light Squad’s unconcealed desire, Lu Li nodded. “The Trader Antoni is acquiring it now.”
Kiruet lowered her head. “Mr. Lu Li, please accept the captain’s seat of the Holy Light Squad...”
Lu Li had no intention of claiming the captain’s position, but now it was his turn to ask questions.
“Do you need Sequence Potion No. 39?”