Ding!

A blue window appeared in front of him.

[Hello, NPC Ludville Eckart’s favorability towards you has exceeded 85%. Would you like to access NPC Ludville Eckart’s system files? ☆]

"......"

Ban Yue pressed “Yes”.

[Unlocking NPC Ludville Eckart’s system files…]

[NPC Ludville Eckart’s system files have been successfully unlocked.]

[Skills: The Master of Stealth (S)]

The Master of Stealth (S)

Active effect (s): Allows the user to move around undetected for 10 mins. Allows the user to unlock any doors.

Condition (s): The skill affects players and non-player characters who are Level S or below. A cooldown of 1 hour will be in effect after every usage.

Passive effect (s): Allows the user to detect movement within a 10-meter radius.

[Would you like to copy NPC Ludville Eckart’s system files?] 

[Please select the files you would like to replicate: The_Master_of_Stealth_(S).sks]

A chill ran up Ban Yue’s spine. 

This…isn’t this a little bit too much?

Things were going in Ban Yue’s favor, but he couldn’t help but feel like he was holding something dangerous. 

This level of privilege for a player is kind of ridiculous. Just randomly giving out these kinds of skills…

Ban Yue could already see 100 possible ways things could go wrong. 

What were the developers thinking?

This dream was increasingly becoming scarier and scarier the longer he stayed here. Ban Yue wanted to finish this scenario quickly and logout.

[NPC Ludville Eckart’s system file The_Master_of_Stealth_(S).sks has been successfully replicated.]

Unlike Ludville who had to carefully pick the lock, as soon as Ban Yue activated [The Master of Stealth (S)], the padlock on the cell broke and fell on the floor. 

When Clodine saw this, his mouth fell slightly open in surprise.

“…It’s a little rusty.”

Clodine felt a sliver of hope rise within him, but after 100 years of trying to leave this place, he knew better than to hold onto baseless expectations. 

Looking at Ludville Eckart who was now standing just a few steps away from him, Clodine could clearly see that this child didn’t possess any aptitude for magic. 

These were shackles that even he, the greatest light mage of his time, couldn’t undo. Why should he pin his hopes and expectations on a pitiful child who just several days ago can only squeeze himself in one corner and cry? 

He swallowed hard and squashed his hopes down quickly. Clodine’s bright eyes started to dim.

He had long accepted it. 

He will never be able to leave this place again. 

Mages typically had strong inclinations towards nature. 

Wind mages liked the feeling of wind gently caressing their hair and their skin, so they typically choose to stay in remote places where the quality of air was fresh. They felt like they could breathe better. 

Water mages liked to feel the cold wetness of water slide against their backs, so they usually found themselves drawn to places where lakes, ponds, rivers, or waterfalls thrived. They felt invigorated as if their thirsts have been quenched after a long time. 

Earth mages enjoyed receiving from and giving back to the soil, so they liked to stay in areas where flora and fauna thrived. They felt like they had finally found something they had long lost. 

Fire mages were inherently passionate people, so they usually preferred to be in places where they could make the most of their abilities. They created, destroyed, attacked, and defended. That way, it was less likely for them to go out of control. 

As for light mages, they were beings who liked to bask in the light of the sun, moon, and stars, so for Clodine Becket, there wouldn’t be a single day when he didn’t find himself in a high place to look at the sky. It made him feel like he was free.

After being imprisoned here for such a long time, Clodine felt like he had lost an integral part of himself, and that he could never be the same person again. He felt like he was stifled, drained, lost, and trapped. Some days, he wished he were dead.

“There’s no point…” Clodine whispered under his breath, but Ban Yue didn’t hear.

Meanwhile, Ban Yue stood there quietly, with his hands on his chin. 

A blue light was reflected in his eyes. 

He remained oblivious to Clodine’s current thoughts which were quickly making him descend into the depths of despair.

Suddenly, Ban Yue spoke, “I’ll be back in three hours.”

Clodine’s head snapped up towards Ban Yue’s face. 

Despite his efforts to push his hopes down, as soon as he didn’t hear a complete rejection, his heart started beating fast in anticipation.

Clodine’s mouth turned dry, “W-what do you mean? Can it be done?”

Ban Yue stared at the blue window in front of him.

[Code inspection is currently in progress. Estimated Time of Completion: 02:58:31]

Ban Yue frowned. 

He couldn’t promise anything, so he only said, “It all depends on your luck.”

Ding!

[The effects of Incognito have ended. You will now be returned to your original host.]

Ding!

[You are entering an area in the map that has yet to be unlocked. In order to not affect the progression of your currently selected scenario, the system will now return you to your starting point in…5...]

“It’s times up for me.”

[…4…]

Clodine looked at Ban Yue in confusion, but the latter only gave him a relaxed smile. He knelt down to meet Clodine’s eye level and asked as if he was greatly troubled.

[…3…]

“So, um, can you pass a message for me?”

[…2…]

Ban Yue pointed to himself.

“When this kid wakes up, tell him I’ve gone ahead. I’ll meet him back at the usual place. He’ll probably be really confused.”

[…1…]

“Wha-“

“Anyway, bye.”

Ban Yue gave a single quick wave at Clodine. 

Then, just like that, Ludville’s body slumped to the ground. 

Ban Yue had left before Clodine could even bat an eye.

BXX: Please don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe if you enjoyed this chapter! It would mean a lot to me! ( ﾟヮﾟ)