The Witch's Swamp

[Stargazing Room]

　　The stars flickered.

　　The damage caused by Han Dong such as the rampant spreading fungal colonies, the giant scratches left on the ground and other damage caused by Han Dong is repaired and restored as the stars shine.

　　The test was complete.

　　Mr. Black and White handed an autographed letter to Han Dong.

　　"Take this letter and go see the Great Plague Chief, He should be able to guide you in a couple of sentences if he's free. It just so happens that he's at the [Dead water Swamp] right now."

　　"Is there anything you need to be aware of?"

　　"It's okay to ask a few simple questions, but it's best to wait until he and the witch are done with what they're 'supposed to be doing' between them."

　　"Understood!"

　　The [Dead water Swamp] was precisely one of the dangerous areas in the Department of Mysticism, located behind the Dark Moon Tower.

　　The edge of the swamp is also the border of the Knight Academy.

　　One of the symbols of the swamp is a large, twisted tree with a scary face.

　　In the water of the swamp, which is 1/3 of the height of the trees, a large number of "wet carnivorous plants" are lurking.

　　When they feel the slightest vibration on the water surface, the plants will open their mouths or stretch out branches with the ability to pierce and suction to feed quickly.

　　The rotten and moldy wooden planks, suspended in the air by the vines of the strange trees, are the only way to pass through the swamp area.

　　The area of the [Dead Water Swamp] is comparable to the Dark Moon Forest.

　　It was also the main educational place of the Mysticism Department.

　　Similar to how Han Dong studied plague in the old sewers, many trainee knights who study "Witch Studies" lived in the swamp for a long time.

　　Only female apprentices of the mysticism were allowed to study Witchcraft.

　　As Han Dong walked through the woodwork, he could see a number of different houses built in different styles at the end of the trees.

　　The apprentice witches were relatively demanding, and these tree houses were their main dormitories.

　　Being asked by [Witch-Kellonia Mason] required that more than 80% of the time during the years of attending the Knight Academy, they needed to spend time in the swamp.

　　To avoid attracting attention, Han Dong walked between the boards in a "bird beak costume".

　　At the current time, most of the apprentice witches were in their respective tree houses reading books on alchemy and herbalism.

　　Or making "witch soup".

　　Or making voodoo dolls that can curse others or help themselves to harm.

　　Or practicing drawing and drawing of various arts.

　　Every now and then, a portion of the apprentice witches would be called to the Witch Academy in the center of the swamp.

　　Undergoing the [Witch-Kellonia Mason]'s assessment was akin to a kind of unscheduled work report.

　　Once the report failed, they would face extremely severe punishment.

　　As such, the Witch Apprentice's rarely left the tree house and spent most of its time inside toiling away.

　　However, Han Dong, who was wearing a bird beak costume, still attracted the attention of many Witch Apprentices.

　　A pair of eyes with deep black circles were looking through the glass window at the mysterious apprentice who did not belong to the Dead water Swamp.

　　There was much discussion about Han Dong's arrival.

　　After walking in the swamp area for about half an hour.

　　Crunch!

　　A sound of a door opening came from the twisted tree not far from Han Dong's side.

　　From the doorway of the topmost tree house, 'crawled out' a woman with slightly twisted limbs.

　　In a spider-like crawling manner, she easily crawled and jumped between a large twisted tree, seemingly already familiar with life in the swamp area.

　　As she was crawling down the trees, her black hair was hanging down to cover her face.

　　Coupled with her spider crawling posture, it was a bit creepy in the eerie swamp shrouded by the dark moon.

　　With three meters of height left from the plank, the woman lightly leapt down.

　　Her bare feet stepped lightly on the wooden board, and through the buffering process between her toes and feet, she did not put any pressure on the rotten wooden board.

　　Standing face to face with Han Dong.

　　The woman wore a loose and ordinary white linen tunic, tightened through the waistband, she also wore a pair of underpants underneath so as not to reveal her 'secrets' during the crawl.

　　On her wrists were several odd bracelets strung with 'herbs, ebony blocks, octopi's specimens, bat wings, '

　　There are also some elaborate witchcraft tattoos on the palms and arm joints, which can effectively assist in witchcraft spell casting.

　　Half of the face wore a wooden mask, while the other half revealed beautiful, deep black eyes with large pupils, plus slightly thicker line drive lips, melon face and short black hair.

　　"Mr. Nicholas, it's you, isn't it? What are you doing in the Dead water Swamp?"

　　This little Turkish girl actually directly recognized Han Dong's identity, one had to know that this bird beak costume given by Mr. Black and White was able to conceal the scent and hide the identity.

　　"Miss Mia."

　　That's right.

　　This was precisely the outstanding file student who entered the Mysterious Academy in the same batch as Han Dong-[Mia Seminovich].

　　As everyone gathered in the hall after passing the danger test, Mia grinded and manufactured a large number of medical herbs to distribute to the various injured students.

　　Moreover, Han Dong had seen her in the corner of the first floor when he first went to the Adventurers Guild.

　　"It really is you! I knew it!

　　When you were temporarily taken away, it was never because there was a problem with the assessment, but Mr. Black and White wanted to see you, this portable bird beak costume with the function of "goggles" was also given to you by Mr. Black and White, right?"

　　"Well, Mr. Black and White is my second mentor."

　　"Wow. So jealous!"

　　Mia clasped her ten fingers together and hugged her chest, her cool black eyes examining Han Dong seriously.

　　"Oh." Han Dong didn't know how to respond except for an awkward laugh.

　　"Mr. Nicholas, what are you doing in [Dead water Swamp]?

　　This place is generally off-limits to non-witch apprentices, so if you don't have a special permit and get caught by Teacher Kellonia, you'll end up in a terrible situation!"

　　Han Dong did not reply, and instead just displayed the letter in his pocket a little.

　　The raven wax stamp covering it was extra conspicuous.

　　Mia, slightly excited at the sight of the letter, offered to lead the way.

　　"So, you were introduced by Mr. Black and White, no problem then! I'll take you over there.

　　I've heard that Ms. Kellonia is meeting with a very important guest today, and all of our Witch Apprentice's work reports have been cancelled, so I don't know if she's free to see you."

　　"It's fine, I can find my way there, I'll be fine alone."

　　"Ah, okay."

　　Han Dong directly thanked Mia and continued to head deeper into the swamp.

　　Even though the Little Devil's Eye was in a closed state, it could help Han Dong clarify his direction and penetrate straight into the swamp, not needing anyone to lead the way.

　　Just as he neared the center of the swamp.

　　Han Dong suddenly stopped, his cold voice coming from the bottom of his beak mask.

　　"How long are you going to follow?"

　　With a shake of a branch behind her, Mia, who was crawling stealthily among the branches, jumped down onto the plank again and puffed out her tongue in embarrassment.

　　"I, I just want to see what you're looking teacher for.

　　Also, you can't move forward through the planks any further, your first time in the Dead water Swamp should not know the way to the [Witch Academy], I can take you to your teacher's residence."

　　"Well, thanks."