Chapter 124: Progression

March 4th, Second Arcane Era, Year 6397.

It was evening, around 7.P.M.

In his formal black suit, Charles sat in the reception hall and appeared to be in deep thoughts.

'My 'Ghost' nickname started to spread among the masses like wildfire. No, it changed to 'Crimson Ghost' now. Nobles, gang leaders, and mages also started their search to find more clues about me. Not only that, but most of the nobles even started to invite some high-rank mages and mystics to search for their lost artifacts.' He placed his hand on the Chesterfield Sofa's arm and then looked at a blood droplet-like gem-embedded silver ring.

A frown appeared on his wrinkled old-looking face.

If someone looks closely at the blood droplet-like gem, they will find countless runal characters inscribed on the gem's surface. Not only the gem, but even the silver ring had some minute runal magic circles appeared all over the place.

The blood-droplet-like gem was the Fate Swap Spell Matrix!

As for the silver ring? It was a supportive spell matrix, which Charles created to conceal the magic aura.

After successfully inscribing the array circle on the metal disk, he inscribed a Fate Swap spell model inside the circle and created the Fate Swap Spell Matrix.

Following that, he ordered the Holem's Crown to change the metal disk into a simple blood droplet-like gem. Then, he brought a non-decorated silver ring from a fancy shop, inscribed a few runal characters on it, and then attached the gem in the silver ring.

After staring at the red gem for a second, he let out a deep sigh and then turned his gaze towards the front.

In the meantime, Jessie, Rhea, Titus, and Noel stood in lines with a solemn expression on their faces.

Without minding their gazes, Charles leaned his back against the Chesterfield Sofa, placed his right hand on his chin, zeroed his gaze on the black-haired girl, and spoke in a cold tone.

"You failed your personal mission, Rhea."

Upon hearing his sharp dagger-like words, Rhea's body trembled on its own.

Although she tried to maintain her calm self, tears started to appear from her eyes like an opened dam.

On the other hand, Charles quietly turned his gaze towards Titus and sighed in disappointment.

"You too, lad. Your snatch skill hadn't improved a bit."

Titus lowered his head in embarrassment.

'I'm not qualified to be his disciple.' An aching feeling appeared in the depth of his heart. He suddenly felt that he was going to lose something and sobbed in his mind.

Although Titus promised his teacher that he would steal money from commoners to improve his skill, he hadn't stolen a single coin at all.

After he received the personal mission, he went to the Slum Borough in excitement and planned various methods to steal money.

But when he tried to activate the [Snatch] skill, he suddenly felt a pang of strange guilt.

He felt that it was wrong to steal money from others!

The righteous self took over his weak-willed one and stopped him from progressing further.

'Teacher Oswald gave me many opportunities and even trained me personally. But I failed like a pathetic idiot.' His eyes started to turn watery as he thought of his foolish actions.

Meanwhile, Charles turned his face towards Noel and spoke with a light smile on his face.

"Congratulations, lad. You did a good job."

"Thank you, Teacher." Noel's eyes shone in excitement, but he soon calmed his mind and nodded his head.

Noel trained under a mysterious beggar during the past few months, progressed at a great margin, and officially became a Tower Guard!

Not only that, but he even participated in a few fighting competitions and won multiple rewards like medals, gold coins, etc.,

Even Charles got astounded by his rapid progression.

"This is your reward, Noel." Saying so, Charles casually took the silver ring in his hand and tossed it to Noel.

On the other hand, Noel widened his eyes and soon caught the silver ring in shock.

"This is my gift to you. Wear it all the time." Charles added.

Noel nodded his head and bowed his head in respect.

"Thank you, Teacher! I will never lose it." He stated proudly, then straightened his back like a true soldier and wore the silver ring in his left hand.

"Good." Charles smiled lightly and finally turned his gaze towards Jessie.

"How is your progression?" He asked.

"I already memorized all the house names, and their locations in the Chester City, Teacher." A confident look appeared on her pretty face.

"Oh? Then, it's good." Charles nodded his head as he gripped the black cane's handle and spoke in his mind.

'Mr. Runeth, change your form into a red-gem embedded bracelet.'

A strange silence appeared in his head.

'Are you sure about your plan?' The Holem's Crown asked in a solemn tone.

'Yes.' Charles nodded his head and patiently waited for the Holem's Crown's response.

A second later, the black cane suddenly rose in the air and soon transformed into a small red-gem embedded bracelet.

In the meantime, all four of them stared at the newly transformed bracelet with dumbfounded eyes and soon turned their gaze towards Charles.

Curiousness and puzzlement appeared in their faces.

At that moment, Charles casually caught the bracelet and soon tossed it towards Jessie.

"Wear it," He ordered.

Although Jessie got dazed for a moment, she quickly snapped out of it and caught the bracelet with her tiny hands.

Then, she nodded her head and wore it on her left hand.

Meanwhile, Charles thought for a moment and spoke.

"This bracelet is not a gift, lass. This artifact has some protective spells, so whenever you are in danger, it will activate on its own and protect you."

"Protect me?" Jessie tilted her head in confusion and soon asked in suspicion.

"Are we going to do some dangerous mission, Teacher?"

"Hoho, you are indeed a sharp kid." Charles laughed out loud and nodded his head in agreement.

Then, he touched his space ring and took out a bunch of 150 sealed letters.

Noticing the confusion on the kids' faces, Charles smiled lightly and spoke.

"Titus, this mission is especially for you to improve your [Snatch] skill. If you succeed in this mission, you will have the qualification to become my disciple. Now, there are 150 letters in my hand and each letter has a different house address. Your mission is to place these letters in the right houses." He suddenly paused for a moment and then added with a smile,

"But there is one condition, though. Your action must be well hidden and no one can find out that you are the one who placed the letter in their house. You have to put these letters stealthily and come back to our house before 12 Noon. And, your mission will start tomorrow at 9 A.M,"

Upon hearing about the new mission, hope emerged on Titus's face.

Soon, he nodded his head and took the package of letters from Charles's hand.

Then, he checked the address one by one and got puzzled

"But I don't know any of these house addresses, Teacher." He said in a nervous tone.

At that moment, a look of realization appeared on Jessie's face.

"Do I have to accompany him, Teacher?" She took the initiative and asked.

"Yes." Charles's smiled widened.

'Could it be-? Did our teacher plan this all along? Or, did he already predict that Titus will fail in his personal mission?' Absurd thoughts appeared in Jessie's mind!

In a second, she quickly organized her thoughts, took the bunch of sealed letters from Titus's hand, and stored them in her void pouch.