I Made Up Forbidden Spells, and They Actually Worked?

Dean Bruce understood the importance of not flaunting wealth.

After all, this was deep in the mountains, and it was clear that Biber Parson and André Maxwell were on the same side. Dean Bruce was concerned that they might turn greedy and target him.

Even though he had the ability to defend himself, he didn't want to waste valuable tools on such a situation.

Moreover, he still needed these two to help him get to Saint Laurent City!

What Dean Bruce hadn't anticipated, however, was that even after keeping a low profile and only revealing the medicinal herbs he had collected, these two principals would be so shocked and excited.

Luckily, André Maxwell still regarded Dean Bruce as a junior, and he quickly said, "These rare medicinal herbs are incredibly valuable. You don't need to submit all of them to secure first place—take some back for yourself."

Hearing this, Biber Parson immediately felt displeased. He said in a low voice, "Dean, I've heard about you from André. I know your parents were researchers for the Nine Provinces Alliance, and they gave their lives while exploring relics."

"Since you're one of us in the Nine Provinces Alliance, if you submit these herbs, I will make sure to fight for rewards for you internally."

After a brief pause, Biber Parson clenched his teeth and added, "When you reach Saint Laurent City, I can help you secure a qualification to enter the Secret Realm!"

Hearing yet another new term, Dean Bruce's eyes lit up. Seeing André Maxwell nod in confirmation, he quickly understood that the Secret Realm qualification was no ordinary offer.

Dean Bruce hadn't planned to keep the herbs anyway, so how could he refuse? He pretended to hesitate, then said, "If it's for the Secret Realm... that might not be a bad deal!"

"Phew!"

Biber Parson let out a long sigh of relief and said, "Young man, it's not that I'm trying to exploit your herbs, but... in some time..."

Before Biber could finish, André Maxwell quickly coughed to cut him off and said in a serious tone, "There are still four days left until the competition ends. What do you plan to do? Train here or continue collecting more herbs?"

"Returning to the city is out of the question!"

André Maxwell, knowing Dean Bruce all too well, didn't even wait for him to respond before continuing, "If you go back, others will definitely suspect favoritism!"

Dean Bruce waved his hand and said, "The entire academy already knows you've been giving me special attention. Even if I don't return, they'll still think there's favoritism! Since that's the case, why not just let me go back?"

"..."

Hearing this, André Maxwell couldn't help but sigh.

Biber Parson, however, didn't care at all and said, "Why do you even care what those other instructors think? Dean has contributed these herbs and made a significant contribution. He rightfully deserves to be the winner of this competition!"

"If anyone is dissatisfied, no matter what methods they use, as long as they can provide more valuable medicinal herbs than Dean has, they can claim first place!" Biber Parson declared.

"Alright then, go back to the city and rest for now. Just remember to return early in four days," André Maxwell added. "And don't forget what I told you—read more theory books. Try to stay in Saint Laurent City."

"That place is where you truly belong."

"Got it. I'll remember," Dean Bruce replied with a smile before turning to leave with Alita Miller.

As soon as they were out of earshot from the two principals, Dean Bruce's smile faded, and he began to ponder their earlier conversation:[ Based on what Biber Parson said, it seems he doesn't know that the Nine Provinces Alliance wants me dead. He even used my parents as a reason to convince me to contribute to the Alliance!]

[It seems there are multiple factions within the Nine Provinces Alliance. The people trying to kill me aren't on the same side as Biber and André.]

[If that's the case… I might be able to use Biber Parson and the others as a stepping stone to infiltrate the Nine Provinces Alliance. Maybe I can gather more information that way!]

Narrowing his eyes, Dean Bruce made up his mind.

As for the potential dangers of entering the Nine Provinces Alliance?

Fortune favors the bold!

In this world, what comes without risk?

As long as the rewards are worth it, danger doesn't matter.

Alita Miller, unaware of what Dean Bruce was thinking, assumed that he simply didn't like her. Tired of trying to win his favor, she sighed in resignation and said, "Dean, I'm heading back to my organization for now. If you ever change your mind and want to collaborate, you know where to find me."

"Mm." Dean Bruce responded with a calm nod, barely acknowledging her as he headed directly toward Notting City.

Despite his low mana reserves and relatively modest level, Dean Bruce was equipped with several high-level spells, so his journey back was uneventful.

High-tier beasts, sensing his magical presence, didn't dare approach, and the lower-tier, weaker creatures that did come near were nothing more than easy prey.

He didn't even need to cast high-level spells. Using the magic he had recently learned from the scrolls was more than enough to dispatch them with ease.

After all, low-tier beasts weren't just weaker in magic—they were also much less intelligent!

By the time Dean Bruce arrived back in Notting City, his system backpack was filled with crystal cores, beast fur, and blood, a substantial bounty from his journey.

As he neared the city, Dean Bruce paused, gazing up at the Michelle family estate.

Even though only a day had passed, the series of battles he had fought had left him mentally exhausted.

Why not rest at the Michelle family's estate?

After all, both sisters had learned high-level spells from him. If he had any requests, they certainly wouldn't refuse him.

With this thought, Dean Bruce didn't hesitate and turned toward the direction of the estate.

When he reached the entrance of the estate, the servant he had met previously quickly came forward to greet him with respect, leading him inside as she said, "Sir, the mistress is still out for the assessment and hasn't returned yet. Only the young mistress is here training. Would you like me to inform her?"

It was clear that Joan Michelle had already emphasized Dean Bruce's importance to them.

"No need, carry on with your duties. I'll go myself," Dean Bruce waved the servant away and made his way toward the underground training room.

Truth be told, he had quite a good impression of Lucy Michelle. If it weren't for her successfully comprehending the spell Wind, Forest, Fire, and Mountain at a critical moment, which boosted his own strength and even earned him some valuable items, this relic expedition and his encounter with the Black Turtle might not have gone so smoothly.

The fact that she could grasp such a spell proved that she had the talent to learn even more magic from his guidance.

Dean Bruce was pleased by this—after all, every time someone else successfully mastered a spell, his own abilities would see a significant improvement.

He effortlessly made his way to the artificial hill where the secret passage opened automatically. Stepping inside, he quickly sensed the fluctuations of magical energy.

Almost the moment Dean Bruce entered the chamber, he felt a surge of electricity bursting toward him. Accompanying the lightning was a clear, excited voice: "Sister, look at my new spell! Wind, Forest, Fire, and Mountain, moving like thunder—take that!"

Hearing this, Dean Bruce immediately understood what was going on. Lucy Michelle had mistaken him for her sister and was eager to show off the magic she had just learned.

Looking up, he saw Lucy Michelle herself transformed into a bolt of lightning, speeding toward him at an incredible pace.

At that moment, Lucy Michelle also realized that the person she was attacking wasn't Joan Michelle but Dean Bruce—the one who had taught her magic. Panic filled her face, and her once-powerful attack instantly weakened.

"Don't stop! This is the perfect opportunity for me to see how well you've mastered it!"

Dean Bruce's voice was calm, completely unfazed by Lucy Michelle's attack.

Are you kidding? Dean Bruce had received a tenfold comprehension and power boost from the system due to Lucy Michelle's mastery of Wind, Forest, Fire, and Mountain. How could there be any problem handling her?

He could easily defeat her with one hand tied behind his back!

Hearing Dean Bruce's words, Lucy Michelle's fear subsided. She accelerated once again, her body moving like a bolt of lightning, crashing into Dean Bruce with thunderous force.

Buzz—

The moment Lucy Michelle collided with him, Dean Bruce activated Wind, Forest, Fire, and Mountain as well!

Bang!

In an instant, Dean Bruce's entire body seemed to transform into solid rock—impenetrably tough and completely immune to the lightning.

As the electric energy flowed across his body, it had almost no effect.

On the other hand, Lucy Michelle was overwhelmed with pain. The intense shock left her unable to stand, and she was thrown backward, collapsing onto the ground.

This only made Lucy Michelle admire Dean Bruce even more.

She had attacked him with all her strength, yet it hadn't affected him at all!

In fact, from her perspective, Dean Bruce hadn't even fought back. The sheer force of the rebound from his physical body had rendered her unable to move.

The gap in their strength was simply staggering.

"Although you haven't met my expectations, the fact that you were able to grasp Wind, Forest, Fire, and Mountain in such a short time does show a bit of talent."

Dean Bruce, knowing how to keep someone hooked, shook his head and sighed. "Within Wind, Forest, Fire, and Mountain, there are multiple elemental magic systems. You're still young, and I get that you're drawn to lightning, which is a more aggressive element. But your understanding of lightning... is far too weak!"

"Huh?"

Hearing these words, Lucy Michelle seemed to forget her pain entirely. She looked up at Dean Bruce in shock and disbelief.