Chapter 342: Chapter 16: Retrospect

It has been six years since the Adventurer Guild officially started its operations. During these six years, Lynch has mostly stayed inside the Wizard Tower, acting as a hands-off boss, except for a few occasions when he had to intervene in troublesome matters.

Doing so certainly saved him some trouble, but he was virtually unaware of how the guild had developed outside.

Nowadays, he pours an enormous amount of magic stones and resources into adventurers daily. Although the returns haven’t disappointed him, he indeed needs to pay some attention, for who knows whether the people below are working diligently or slacking off?

Just because the current returns seem decent doesn’t mean everything is fine. What if there’s room for improvement to boost efficiency? The number of professionals is increasing, and the consumption of magic stones is immense.

“Let’s go on an undercover inspection!”

Lynch decided that this was a perfect opportunity to take a walk in the city, to start as a newcomer adventurer, go through the process of registration, team formation, and task acceptance, all to gain a comprehensive understanding of the grassroots.

He had been planning to do this for a while and, once decided, he immediately began to prepare.

The first step is his appearance.

His current flamboyant and strikingly handsome face is too conspicuous; going to register as an adventurer like this would definitely attract attention, which doesn’t align with his goal of an undercover visit.

Instead, he needs a simple, youthful face, ideally with a bit of a silly look. The standard answer is quite obvious, isn’t it?

Lynch approached the mirror, stared at the smooth surface, and whispered a short spell: “Time Retrospect!”

After opening the Mystical Stone Gate, Lynch successfully obtained the Second Tier Mystic Technique heritage, which included spell knowledge, specifically the Time Reversal in front of him.

This spell was also learned during the apprentice period, but this here is an enhanced version, or rather, deeper knowledge.

Time Reversal, as the name implies, allows time to rewind back to the past.

However, this rewinding doesn’t actually reverse the world’s time, but causes the time of an object to retrospect. For example, a rotten apple can be restored using this spell.

The length of the retrospection depends on the object’s energy strength. For instance, reversing an apple to a few weeks ago might only require dozens of points of spiritual power, while a destroyed house would take hundreds of spiritual power. The greater the object’s energy, the more spiritual power needed for the retrospection.

Moreover,

A soul cannot be retrospect.

“Rustle…”

A faint rustling sound reverberated in the room, and in the mirror, Lynch’s body was undergoing rapid changes at a visibly observable pace.

Lynch’s silver-gray hair tips began to fade and shrink, and the ink color emanating from his roots, like a spilled night’s spring, flowed along his strands, engulfing every thread of silver light. The contours around his eyes dissolved and reassembled under the wash of time particles, forming the smooth curves particular to an unseasoned youth.

“Crack-crack-crack!”

His bones emitted a dense explosive sound, and his tall figure collapsed like a melting candle. The contraction of his scapula stirred waves of writhing flesh, and the expensive Wizard Robe suddenly seemed overly loose, with the collar slipping to reveal a clavicle losing its outlines.

His skin first took on a parchment yellowing tint; then sunspot-like freckles splashed across his cheeks like raindrops; finally, the sharp angles belonging to a high position were softened into a simple rounded bluntness, and his Adam’s apple silently shrunk back.

In a matter of moments, the handsome tall cold-faced cool guy vanished, replaced by a slim, rough-haired, yellow-skinned, acne and freckle-faced frail youth.

A clear picture of a sincere farmer of impoverished background.

Lynch grinned at the mirror’s long-missed face: “Long time no see, Dull Hoe Honest Farmer!”

Indeed, the new appearance Lynch chose wasn’t someone else; it was him, just himself when he first entered the Wizard World.

“Originally, I looked so goofy back then?”

With his right hand against the mirror, Lynch looked at the silly face reflected. Although this appearance was initially crafted to confuse enemies, he had to admit that it did look rather foolish.

No wonder so many laughed at him back then, for if a fool can achieve what others couldn’t, how can that be accepted?

It can only be said that his image design was too successful!

“Well then,”

“let this face take me for verification!”

If such a foolish-looking boy could successfully register as an adventurer and accept tasks from within, it would at least prove that his system on the breadth aspect shouldn’t have major issues…

…

The next day, Feiyan City, Adventurer Guild.

The glow of dawn just passed through the cross-shaped windows onto the clean counter when Erin heard the clanging sounds of armor from outside. A group of adventurers jostled in through the door, instantly breaking the morning’s tranquility with lively commotion.

“Here is my badge, the 83rd Underground City, with a total of 128 soul marks, quickly register them for me.”

“What Bronze Level tasks are available today?”

“I found something interesting in the 61st Underground City, please get the Sealing Master to identify it for me! Let’s see if it’s an extraordinary treasure!”

“Don’t push me, let me through quickly…”

Those submitting, accepting tasks, claiming rewards; the adventurer hall, which was just quiet, suddenly bustled with activity. Erin quickly grabbed a stamp, paper, and a pen from under the counter and immersed herself into this busy work.

Erin really enjoyed her current job. Earning two gold coins a month, while not comparable to adventurers, was still considerable, enough to rent a decent room nearby, cover all expenses, and have some savings left.

Though busy during the day, in the evening, she could stroll the night market with her lover, have a drink at the tavern, and listen to the Minstrels’ latest tales, which was quite enjoyable.

Much better than before!

She remembered the time when the city was ruled by Nobles, with people starving or mysteriously disappearing daily. Nobles did whatever they wanted, and she almost got summoned to serve them, being only 12 then!

Thinking back, it was strange that it didn’t bother her then; she even considered serving the Nobles to be natural. But now it seems she lived no better than livestock back then.

Thanks to the Guardian, thanks to Greywell, thanks to the Light Goddess.

Erin now cherishes each day of her life. A small regret is that she hasn’t been married off yet. Her lover is an adventurer, and has been too busy lately to marry her, but if this keeps up, she might end up an old maid.

’This year, a wedding must be held!’

Marriage, having twins, borrowing money from the gold bank to buy a house in the city, working hard with her husband to repay the debts, and when he retires, using the house to open a tavern or inn to host adventurers.

The husband would boast about his past adventures at the dinner table while she stays by the fireplace with the kids, occasionally complaining but always serving drinks to their table.

Just the thought of such a scene fills her with motivation!

’Go for it, Erin!’

Erin silently encouraged herself.

“Ding-dong!~”

Right then, the wind chime at the door rang.

Just finished with her current task, Erin looked up, seeing a figure walk through the guild’s entrance.

It was a boy, about 14 or 15 years old, wrapped in a green cloak, carrying a Sheep Horn Longbow on his shoulder, an arrow bag at his waist, and wore Deer Leather Short Boots, a typical archer’s outfit.

’A newcomer.’

A fresh face not seen before. Judging by his appearance, he clearly lacked combat experience, likely fresh from training with the Militia Corps.

Erin quickly stood straight, tidied her collar, and wanted to make a good impression in front of the newbie.

“Welcome! Is there anything I can help with, little brother?”

She showed a warm smile.

The boy walked up to the counter, with his honest face looking very naïve. Worried he might be a bit shy, Erin quickly added: “Feel free to speak; treat this place like your own home.”

This employee is full of energy!

Very good!

Coming in for an inspection, Lynch nodded quietly while asking: “Excuse me, is it here that I register as an adventurer?”

Erin nodded: “Yes.”

After a pause, she took out a notebook and a goose feather pen: “May I have your name for registration?”

What name should I use…

Got it!

Lynch said, “My name is Legolas.”

“Legolas Silvanas.”

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