The villainous young master just wants to live a Buddhist-like life.

　Dark frowned slightly and said, "So, in other words, we can get out as soon as it gets light?"

　“That’s how it is. In fact, whether I’m right or wrong, we can get out by dawn.” Ryan Harks blinked and pointed to the teachers’ dormitory behind him.

　Dark rolled his eyes and said, "So, Professor, what should we do next? Wait here?"

　Ryan Hex said, "My suggestion is that you wait here while I go and catch them. By the way, do you know how many astrologers are in the academy?"

　“I don’t know,” Dark said casually. “But I think this astrological-related barrier is most likely Professor Mitia’s doing. Professor Hawkes, what do you think?”

　Ryan Hacks picked up his cane and took two steps forward: "Very good, you think exactly the same way I do. It seems we'll definitely have a lot in common."

　Dark asked casually, "So, Professor, can you tell me why you came to work at the academy?"

　Ryan Harker chuckled. "Teaching and nurturing students... I was just kidding. Of course, it's because the pay is good! Look at me now, I have hands and legs, and even my hair has grown back. It was probably the best decision I've made in the past ten years when I shamelessly volunteered."

　Dark nodded seriously: "The teachers at St. Mary's Academy do indeed have good benefits."

　The teacher and student chatted back and forth, creating a very warm atmosphere.

　Duck did not follow Ryan Hax's advice to stay there and wait for dawn.

　Ryan Haxes didn't bring it up again.

　The two chatted as they walked, and before long they were back inside the castle.

　Dark intentionally followed the direction indicated by the "Dream Demon" magic card. But of course, he couldn't discuss it in detail with Professor Ryan Harker.

　Ryan Hex said he was going to arrest someone, but he didn't reveal any information related to it.

　Even so, neither of them stopped moving forward.

　Moreover, the direction they were heading almost perfectly aligned with the direction indicated by the "Dream Demon" magic card.

　To ensure the rate of mana regeneration, Dark also recalled Sylveon and Miltank back into his Spellcards. He only kept Leomon, Gatomon, Sabercaburon, and Impmon.

　After the two climbed to the third floor of the castle, they encountered a large number of golems on patrol.

　But Ryan Hax waved his Sorting Card at the golems and banished them all.

　Thus, when the two stopped, they had arrived at the statue of the Archmage, which was quite familiar to Dark.

Chapter 409 Darkdemon Learns the Truth (44/233)

　"Further ahead is one of the entrances to the secret passage."

　Darke had a sudden realization that this time the main event was likely still in the secret passage.

　"But if it's in a secret passage, why surround the entire castle with a barrier? Is it to prevent interference, or for some other reason?"

　Just as Dark was pondering this, Ryan Harker suddenly stopped and said, "There are footsteps."

　Although Dak didn't hear anything, he immediately stopped in his tracks.

　Then Ryan Hawkes glanced at him, reached into his pocket, took out a magic card, and winked at him.

　This was the first time Dark had seen Professor Hawkes use magic cards, and he couldn't help but ask curiously, "Professor, are you also a mage?"

　Ryan Harker made a silencing gesture and silently chanted a summoning spell.

　Although it took a little longer, he did successfully activate the magic card in his hand.

　Then a light, veil-like wave of light rippled out, enveloping the two people and the magical spirits within it.

　Dak felt the lightness of the fabric covering his body and looked on with curiosity.

　But then he did hear footsteps approaching rapidly, and he instinctively moved behind the statue.

　But Ryan Harris grabbed his arm and stopped him.

　The next second, someone quickly emerged from another intersection and suddenly appeared in their field of vision.

　Dark's eyelids twitched, and he immediately realized that the other person hadn't noticed him at all.

　"Is it a magic card with an invisibility effect?"

　He suddenly realized, but then he thought of the "invisible man" from before, and his eyes showed a strange look.

　However, this is definitely not the time to dwell on the "invisible man".

　After all, there are quite a few people who possess invisibility-type magic cards.

　Dark focused more attention on the newcomers.

　To his utter surprise, this person was none other than his opponent at the Duel Festival—Tom Nixon!

　"How could it be him?"

　As Dach frowned, he suddenly focused, because he realized that someone seemed to be approaching—or rather, tracking—behind Tom Nixon!

　……

　Tom Nixon was completely unaware of Dark and Ryan Hawkes' presence and ran past them at breakneck speed.

　Then, the main character of the night finally appeared.

　Witt Gold.

　And his henchmen.

　Robert Broheim.

　……

　Seeing the two of them, Dark felt a little relieved.

　It was as if something had returned to my grasp.

　Overall, it was very heartwarming.

　The corners of his mouth unconsciously turned up.

　Witt and Robert also failed to notice them, and ran past them in a short while.

　Once the footsteps of the three men faded, Ryan Harks put away the magic card, and Dark and the magical spirits revealed themselves.

　Ryan Hex said, "Look what we've found!"

　Dark: "A cat and two mice."

　Ryan Harker couldn't help but laugh. "Why can't it be three mice? Come on, let's follow them and see."

　As he spoke, he moved quickly, and Dak immediately followed.

　Ryan Harker lived up to his reputation as a wartime hero, even his tracking skills were quite proficient, and he always stayed close behind Witt and Robert without them noticing.

　A short while later, the two arrived in front of a wall.

　"This is it."

　Ryan Harks touched the wall to confirm, "They went in through here. The academy has many entrances to its secret passages, and this should be one of them. But normally, the entrances to secret passages should be sealed. How did they manage that?"

　Dakdao remained silent for a while, then suddenly turned to look behind him.

　But behind him was pitch black and eerily quiet.

　……

　Inside the carriage atop the spiral clock tower, Mitya Bartholomew almost instinctively leaned back, then chuckled, "What do we do, Sarah? You've been discovered."

　Sarah Sylph uttered softly, "So be it."

　……

　"Dimmon, have you found something?" Ryan Hex asked suspiciously.

　Dark turned back, took a deep breath, and said, "It's nothing. I think the seal on this secret passage entrance has probably been broken. The reason the castle is surrounded by a barrier is probably to isolate the professors' senses. Shall we continue?"

　Ryan Harker shook his head at this moment and said, "I know nothing about this secret passage and I'm not confident I can protect you. So, I'll continue, you stay here."

　Dark paused, about to say he didn't need protection. But Ryan Harks suddenly looked up at him, his eyes filled with a clear warning: "You're young, you have a bright future. Go back."

　After saying that, Ryan Harker's gaze softened, and he added, "If you still want to get an A in History of Magic this semester."

　Read the full text for free here

　Dak fell silent: "Professor, you lack professional ethics."

　Ryan Harker replied casually, "After leaving the battlefield, I realized something: you can't be too moral. Are you going back or not?"

　Dark had no choice but to say, "Alright, Professor, I'll do as you say."

　"Don't let me see you in there." Ryan Hex left with his final warning, slammed his hand against the wall, and stepped inside as ripples spread.

　Dark looked at the wall, which had returned to normal, put his hands in his sleeves, thought for a moment, and then actually left.

　……

　After moving a distance away, he took out the "Dreammon" spell card, gestured it a couple of times towards the entrance of the secret passage, then put the spell card away and said to the little imp that landed on his shoulder, "Little imp, do you think this melon is sweet or salty?"

　Little Devimon tilted his head, puzzled, and asked, "Can melons be salty?"

　"Don't pretend to be stupid," Gatomon said disdainfully.

　The little devil glared at it immediately: "That's called innocence!"

　Duck: o__o “…

　After a long silence, Dak raised his hand, picked out a wisp of blue wind from his hair, and held it up in front of him.

　The "Blessing of the Wind Spirit" naturally wrapped around his index finger, like a mischievous little fairy.

　Dark stared at the wisp of breeze for a while, then suddenly asked, "Professor, can you hear that?"

　……

　Sarah Sylph did not initially intend to answer.

　But under Mitia's mischievous gaze, she still reluctantly spoke up: "I can hear you."

　……

　As the original owner of that "blessing of the wind spirit," Professor Sylph has many ways to connect with it.

　However, based on her own character, she would not normally do that.

　Moreover, each connection inevitably creates fluctuations in magical energy.

　Professor Sylph was well aware of this.

　She wouldn't have done that if she hadn't been genuinely worried about Dark's safety.

　Dark sensed that slight fluctuation of magical energy, which is why he suddenly asked the question.

　But Professor Sylph's response was still a pleasant surprise.

　He immediately said, "Then, can you tell me what this is about?"

　"So, to tell or not to tell?" Professor Mitis's voice suddenly came from the breeze.

　Dark said without any surprise, "Professor Midia, can you please stop? I'm really tired today."

　Mitia blinked, then moved closer to Sylph and said, "Professor, I'm tired too."

　Dark: "Then shall we just get straight to the point?"

　Professor Sylph's voice came again: "Dimon, are you in some kind of trouble?"

　Dark gestured to the magical spirits, then adjusted his posture and leaned against the wall, saying, "My magical spirits are having problems and need help."

　Professor Sylph asked in confusion, "Is it that lion beast?"

　“No,” Dark said, “it’s another ‘Dream Demon’.”

　Professor Sylph: "That Ghost-type Magical Spirit? What's wrong with it now?"

　Dark said, "It's probably related to what you're doing. So, can you tell me the details? Don't worry, I'm good at keeping secrets."

　……

　Inside the carriage of the spiral clock tower.

　Professor Sylph and Professor Mitis exchanged a glance. Professor Mitis nodded very solemnly and whispered, "They've all entered the secret passage."

　Professor Sylph then said, "It's not that I can't say."

　"That's good." Dark breathed a sigh of relief.