Wizard: My magic facility can be upgraded!

Chapter 233 You can finally talk!

Chapter 233 You can finally talk!

Lillian's gaze suddenly sharpened, as if she were reassessing the humans before her.

"You know about the end?" She didn't answer directly, but the meaning behind her words was already clear.

Li Ang nodded, indicating that he did know, and then asked, "Where is this place?"

A bitter expression appeared on Lillian's face.

"Here? This is the Lost Nest," one of countless similar nests. I, and Mia, and all our ancestors were once considered "pets," "playmates," or "vassals" by the elves. But later, some of our ancestors were abandoned, while others escaped their masters on their own, eventually gathering here to form a nest."

"So you saved me because—you dislike elves?" Li Ang carefully considered his words.

"For many people, hatred might be a more accurate word, after all, we are not allowed to live in the sunlight, and being seen by them means certain death," Lillian said frankly.

Li Ang fell into deep thought. It seemed that his mentor, Eve, might have returned to Avalon, the sacred land of the elves, through some means. This place was a refuge built by the elves to escape the end.

Now, by some twist of fate, I've stumbled into this mysterious kingdom located on the other side of space, and I've been rescued by an underground organization composed of "elven relics."

And if one wants to find mentor Eve in this unfamiliar place, then the power of these natives is indispensable.

But should they really take Instructor Eve away from here? Li Ang hesitated for a moment. If this place really was a refuge that could fight against the End, then Instructor Eve might be better off staying here.

This seems to be why the Carlos faction leader, despite his inner struggle, tacitly accepted the matter.

After hesitating for a moment, Li Ang finally decided that he should meet with his mentor Eve first, ask her about her wishes in person, and then decide on the next steps.

He took a deep breath, composed himself, and then looked at the antlerd girl, his tone sincere: "Miss Lillian, first of all, thank you and Mia for your help. My sole purpose in coming here is to find my mentor, Eve Chloe. She may be a detestable elf to you, but to me, she is of paramount importance. Therefore, I must ascertain her safety. You have lived here for many years and know Avalon far better than I do. Could you—with your help—find out her whereabouts?"

Lily listened quietly to him finish speaking, her pale golden eyes calm and composed. Although she did not immediately agree, she did not directly refuse either.

She gently stroked the emerald green strands of hair that hung beside her antlers, her voice calm yet carrying an undeniable principle: "Humans, in the Lost Nest," we have a rule that everyone must abide by, and that is mutual assistance. Mia rescued you, brought you here, and I gave you the ring; this is already the greatest assistance we can show you. We cannot allow us to take greater risks for you and anger the elves simply because you come from the outside world, or because you have a seemingly reasonable reason."

She paused, looking directly at Li Ang: "If you hope to receive further assistance from us, then you must also demonstrate corresponding value and contribute to our nest. Only by proving that you are not a burden, but even an asset, can cooperation be possible. This is a fair exchange, and the law of survival."

Li Ang had anticipated this; in Ironforge, in the Enforcers, and even in Leli Tower, no help was to be taken for granted.

He nodded immediately, his expression calm: "I understand. This is a perfectly reasonable request. What do I need to do?"

'

Seeing that he didn't persist or show any displeasure, a barely perceptible softening flashed in Lillian's eyes. She gestured towards the door: "Mia is one of the people in the lair responsible for hunting and daily guarding. You can go to her. Remember, life here is hard, and they are naturally wary and even hostile towards outsiders. If anyone shows you rejection, please don't take it to heart."

"I understand." Li Ang thanked him solemnly, then pushed open the simple wooden door and stepped back into the dim light of the underground village.

Just as Lillian said, when he stepped out of the cabin, the gazes cast upon him, whether overt or covert, were more complex than before, a mixture of wariness, curiosity, and unease, making the air seem to freeze.

He didn't try to explain or strike up a conversation. His gaze swept around and soon spotted the catwoman, Mia, in a shadow near the village entrance.

Mia seemed to have been waiting for him. As soon as he came out, she nimbly darted over, her pale yellow vertical pupils scrutinizing Li Ang from head to toe. Her small nose twitched slightly, as if she was confirming something.

With the help of the [Spiritual Ring], Li Ang understood her whisper this time, accompanied by a purr unique to felines and a hint of smugness: "Hey, human, you can finally talk! The ring works well, doesn't it?"

"It works very well, Miss Mia. Thank you again for saving me," Li Ang said sincerely.

"I'll say thank you later." Mia flicked her tail, leaned closer, and lowered her voice, which carried a cat-like slyness.

"Listen, according to the rules of the lair, and also according to Lady Lillian's wishes, I helped you, so now you have to help me in return, only then will we be even. Only then can we talk about further 'helping,' understand?"

"Understood. What do you need me to do?"

"The first priority is to fill our stomachs, or rather, to replenish the food supply for the nest," Mia said, pointing to the top of her head.

"We need something in the forest up there. But you can't do it like this." She wrinkled her nose and pointed disdainfully at Li Ang's entire body with her paw.

"You're too conspicuous, and you smell strange too. If you go out like this, whether a patrolling elf catches a glimpse of you or someone from another nest in the forest sees you, it'll cause you a lot of trouble!"

Li Ang secretly sniffed himself, but he couldn't smell anything. He could only say somewhat awkwardly, "Then what should I do? I don't know transformation magic."

"Come with me." Mia beckoned to Li Ang to follow. She led Li Ang through the nest and finally arrived at a small house on the edge of the village.

Mia knocked on the door, and then the door opened a crack, revealing a face covered in fine green scales with eyes that could move independently—it was a chameleon beastman.

After listening to Mia's explanation, his bulging eyes darted around, carefully examining Li Ang. Then he nodded, stepped aside, and let Li Ang and Mia enter the house.

The hut was filled with various dried herbs, mineral powders, and strangely colored jars. The chameleon orc, whom Mia called "Old Zeno," mumbled as he took out a ceramic jar.