Despite no longer wishing to recall it, Margaret's departure cast a shadow over the Holy Light Squad. Until this moment, laughter and joy returned to the resting area, even the quiet Yege spoke more.

Fudote bristled like a kitten facing Kiluat who approached her bed. Kiluat, unaware of the reason, interpreted it as the girl being anxious and took away Margaret's "relic" from his bed.

Not long after, Yege and Naxi came back to the resting room holding new beds, assembling the bed frames and curtains—then Naxi was forced to tidy up his belongings—he was sent to the new bed, as Margaret needed Kiluat for care.

Fudote's mood slightly relaxed.

Obviously, Margaret was in a worse state than Lu Li had been before, but with less negativity. The "glue" formulated by Professor Chris closely welded her soul and body together, although it made her movements sluggish and slow, preventing her soul from leaving her body.

Moving the sofa aside, Yege and Naxi set up a hanging pot in front of the fireplace, prepared the raw ingredients bought from the dining hall, and began welcoming Margaret with a bonfire gathering.

The bonfire baked their faces, and Margaret leaned against Kiluat. Kiluat's cheeks grew tender, dressed like a man, they seemed like a couple.

Fudote felt a bit envious, misunderstanding something.

She still didn't know Kiluat's real gender. Due to reservedness and pride, Yege and Naxi couldn't tell her the little secret, nor would Lu Li bring it up on his own.

Naxi narrated the stories of what happened to the Holy Light Squad after Margaret's absence. The covert assistance by a controller solving tasks for the Holy Light Squad, Kiluat's secret cult duel, and then the month-long lockdown after beating Gienegarde.

"That was incredibly long! The captain and I had no choice but to take on low-level tasks to accumulate credits and squad points—" Naxi mysteriously announced the eventual harvest, "We are just a few credits away from 100 senior credits! The Holy Light Squad also made it to the rankings, but unfortunately, other squads targeted us..."

That made him regretful. Soon after boasting to his family, the Holy Light Squad disappeared from the rankings. Until now, Naxi's family still believed the squad was on the rankings and felt proud.

Margaret's return was undoubtedly good news, but it also made the squad bloated—a four-man squad needing someone to be a substitute.

But this isn't a question of choice. Next, Margaret would undergo a long recovery period, the substitute position is irreplaceable.

"Yege, how many credits do you still need?" Kiluat asked while wiping Margaret's mouth corner with a handkerchief.

"12 credits."

"About the same as Mary... Naxi and I are just a few credits away from the upgrade. Next, the squad will frequently take on tasks, with the rewards mainly allocated to you, Margaret, and Fudote."

Margaret and Yege were close to upgrading to the middle grade, with less than a month left to meet the credit requirements.

Lu Li didn't require their concern. Even without asking, they knew his two theoretical works would earn him plenty of credits.

"We're all moving to the higher grades... What about Fudote?" Naxi asked at an untimely moment.

But it was a matter they had to face.

"With my family's power, it wouldn't be difficult to assemble squads loyal to the Lins Family." Fudote said proudly.

Although the Lins Family was a bloodline family, it wasn't renowned—before The Dark Era.

After The Dark Era descended, Midnight City became deeper into the night, with the old sewer becoming a center, worms serving as the hub allowed the secret faith in Eye Demon Worm, enabling the Lins Family to profit immensely from the old sewer every moment, controlling numerous routes.

Despite being criticized as a parvenu family by the envious, those who can confidently label it as such are only the ancient bloodline families. Most bloodline families came into existence within the last century.

During this period, Fudote took out the Light Tarot Card to use and pushed it towards Margaret.

Alchemy being related to Divination Study enhanced the power of the Tarot Cards.

Margaret refused the Tarot Cards, and Kiluat also suggested Fudote use them.

Because this set of Light Tarot Cards still bears hidden dangers.

Professor Chris mentioned Count Hunter has been offering a reward for this set of Tarot Cards for three years, and the arrogant tone of the task Lu Li took for the 6th level mysticology trial seemed related to Count Hunter.

Letting them know that the Light Tarot Cards are in the hands of the Holy Light Squad is clearly not ideal.

Although a title means holding real power and status in Midnight City, a mere count wouldn't dare to compete with Lu Li for treasures. But if it were other members of the squad, it would be a different outcome—only the Lins Family behind Fudote could withstand such pressure.

"Or you could accept Count Hunter's bounty to exchange the Tarot Cards." Naxi suggested.

"I refuse."

Fudote was indifferent to the count's "friendship," moreover, the prophetic effect of the Light Tarot Cards was more useful than many Homogeneous Items, making it difficult for the count to provide a Homogeneous Item of equivalent value.

The gathering neared its end, the warm bonfire still accompanied by lively conversations.

"Lu Li, how far are you from learning Curse Title Release?" Yege asked.

"Level 7 Mysticology and Level 3 Alchemy."

"You've only been at Giant Tree Academy for two months right..." Yege sighed, sipping red wine.

Naxi followed up, "When will you participate in the Level 3 Alchemy trial?"

"Tomorrow."

"Then there's only the Level 7 Mysticology left!" Immersed in the excitement, Naxi hadn't realized something.

"So... will you be leaving then..."

Margaret slowly parted her lips, suddenly voicing a hoarse whisper.

The lively atmosphere suddenly fell silent, leaving only the "crackle" of burning logs.

Worried that Lu Li couldn't hear, Kiluat added, "After passing the trial, will you move to the higher grades?"

"Yes."

In fact, even if the trial failed, Lu Li would still proceed to the higher grades, as the only real barrier left was the Level 7 Mysticology.

After a brief silence, Kiluat wanted to say something, but whether it was gratitude or reluctance, facing that rational and calm face, words wouldn't come.

"Let's toast to Lu Li." She finally raised her glass, deeply gazing at Lu Li.

"To Lu Li."

The others by the bonfire raised their glasses, gesturing towards Lu Li.

...

Quiet flowed in the resting room.

An hour after the bonfire gathering, the drinking team members had already fallen into slumber.

Lu Li quietly left his bed, nodded to Margaret who was quietly reading and watching, passed by Fudote who made fine snores, the sleeping Kiluat, the mumbling Naxi, the silent Yege, and Lu Li left the resting room.

Unsurprisingly, Lu Li successfully completed the Level 3 Alchemy trial that brought mixed emotions to the Holy Light Squad.

If not for the month-long lockdown, Lu Li would have spent less time in the middle grade than in the lower grade.

Now, Lu Li was one step away from his goal. Before that, he would report to the higher grades.

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