Overlord's Medallion

Liam looked at the man and couldn't understand what he wanted from the Head of the Academy since they were strangers.

Since the guest was in no hurry to speak, Liam took a step back, inviting him in. The man nodded, smiling slightly.

The guest's slowness annoyed Liam, for he wanted to return to the healer's office as soon as possible. But politeness did not allow him to leave the stranger. So he resolutely took his seat at the table and pointed the man to the visitor's chair.

The guest placed his straining hands folded together in front of him. It was obvious that he had recently tried to wash them, but they came out badly. Nevertheless, Liam, looking at the man more out of habit than curiosity, noted that he had a rather remarkable appearance.

His eyes were such a pale shade that his irises could only be seen in the evening, and when the light fell on the man it seemed as if he had two glittering pieces of ice in his eyes.

Slightly curly hair framed a high forehead. His long neck betrayed his noble origins. And his gaze was... ethereal, detached, with a slight smile, like that of a kind and condescending father looking at his child.

Liam forgot his troubles and looked at his guest with increasing interest. "Very handsome, I don't understand his nationality, something northern?" pondered the Head.

As if reading his thoughts, the guest extended his hand and introduced himself:

"My name is Ronu Defoe," he showed a white smile.

"Nice to meet you," Liam held out his hand, getting acquainted with the man's energy.

For a moment, he experienced a shock. Letting go of his guest's hand, he sat confused.

"Today is clearly not my day. Why couldn't I feel his power? Could it be?" Liam spoke to himself.

"I'd appreciate it if we could get to the point quickly. I am in a great hurry," said the Head, feeling impatient again.

"Of course," the man replied hastily, "the fact is that I am here because of your apprentice."

"The apprentice?"

"Yes," the guest nodded.

"Are you... related to Unner?" The Head suggested.

"No, I'm here because of the apprentice in the infirmary."

Liam's eyebrows rose. "About Cal?"

"I'm sorry, but what do you have to do with him?" Liam asked again.

"Well, nothing, actually, but still, there's a case. I know where the flower grows."

Liam grew cold at the man's words, but then he remembered that the Twelfth also knew their secret.

"You were invited by the Twelfth Elder?"

The man was silent. Liam took that as agreement and continued:

"In that case, can you tell me where this plant can be found? We're talking about reversing the Transfer technique, aren't we?"

"Yes, but I'd rather tell you all about it on the way."

The guest rose and headed first to where Liam himself had longed to go: the healer's office. At the Head's charge, the unidentified man examined Cal especially carefully, and then the Seventh.

From somewhere he pulled out a small scroll and handed it to the healer with the words:

"Follow these recommendations until we return.

The healer hesitantly took the scroll and read it. His attitude toward his guest warmed markedly after reading the instructions, he nodded contentedly.

The head also realized that the patients were safe. Together with Ronu, they further headed toward Rebirth lake. However, a poisonous fog prevented them from entering the valley.

Then the man apologized to the Head and removed the restraining field by himself. Liam was stunned!

To create it, several of the strongest elders had joined together in this valley and had expended much of their strength. Then, one wonders how one man could destroy everything!

"Why is there this mist?" The man asked, waiting for the valley to clear.

"We had to keep the lake safe from students who wanted dragons."

"And for what reason?" Defoe did not let up.

"There's been a terrible incident involving a dragon, the public has demanded action... It's all internal Academy business and I don't think I have the right to tell you," Liam apologized, "but let me ask, why do we need the lake?"

"The fact is that the plant you are looking for grows at the bottom of this very lake," the man began to descend into the valley.

Liam marveled, "So easy?" and hurried after him. However, it turned out that it was quite difficult to dive into the lake and reach the bottom.

The man explained to him that he would have to wait until midnight to pick the luminous flower. Only that could penetrate the darkness in the water column and allow him to sink to the bottom safely.

It looked pretty clear and simple, and Liam didn't understand why they had come so early then. However, his companion made himself comfortable on the shore and invited Liam to join him.

It was getting late, the sun was almost hidden behind the distant trees, and the cool air began to drift across the land. The dark surface of the lake stirred slightly. Liam involuntarily turned and looked at the man beside him.

"Who are you?" He asked, implying that it would be nice to get to know each other better.

"I'm looking for something around these parts," the man replied vaguely.

"What is it?"

"An old friend," the man said thoughtfully.

Liam knew it was wrong to pry, but he was still haunted by doubts and mistrust.

"How did you know I was looking for a flower?"

"Because I saw your apprentice get sick. I happened to be familiar with the technique of Transfer, so I immediately thought it would be better to cancel it. I wanted to meet you as soon as possible to tell you everything, but you immediately disappeared, and when you came back, you brought a woman on a stretcher. I couldn't come up to you in the street, so I had to wait in the waiting room."

"Does your friend study or work at the Academy?" Liam asked.

"Not exactly, but let me tell you all about it later when we've helped your student. His recovery has a lot to do with whether or not I can move forward with my search.

"Okay," Liam nodded, "so what do we do before midnight?"

"Let's talk. Tell me about your apprentice."

Liam tensed. This was the second time he'd been questioned about Cal in one day. It seemed very suspicious. He had no reason to trust a stranger, so why was he so insistent?

Liam was trying to find words to politely decline, but in the meantime, the man pulled a small package from his pocket. Unfolding it, he showed Liam a beautiful locket.

"We will need this for the case. Summon your dragon."

"What? Why?" The Head wondered.

"You will see," the man said mysteriously.

Liam stood up and took a few steps back. Then he raised his whip in the air and a moment later Zhu-Er descended toward him, slashing through the sunset clouds.

The dragon was very happy to see his master. He began to frolic and play around him, and then suddenly turned his head and looked at the man on the shore.

When Defoe got up and went to Liam, his dragon dutifully retreated and even crouched down on his front paws.

"You've become so polite, Zhu-Er," Liam laughed as he looked at the dragon's reaction, "it looks like we might need your help with something."

The man stopped and deftly slipped a locket over the dragon. The gold chain glittered in the air, becoming a gigantic lasso that landed precisely on top of Zhu-Er's neck.

He soared into the air in surprise but immediately melted away. Liam rushed anxiously in Zhu-Er's direction but was confronted by a young man in shimmering silver clothing.

The second pause lasted like an eternity. The head looked at the strange young man, and he looked at his body.

He wiggled his fingers cautiously, then took a few uncertain steps, and then ran farther down the valley like a madman.

Liam watched the scene with all his eyes and a vague hunch in his head that it seemed to be Zhu-Er. This means that the Overlord's medallion exists!

Then who was this man who had it? Would he have had anything to do with the theft of the Overlord's Library?

"Zhu-Er," Liam called softly, and the boy stopped dead in his tracks and looked in his direction.

He came running up and squatted down, obediently.

"Come up," Liam asked, "how do you feel? Were you hurt? Are you all right?"

"Oooooh," the boy mumbled, but it was incomprehensible.

"What do we do with him like that?" Liam turned to Defoe.

"Well, there's one technique to give him a speech, but there's a problem with it."

"What's that?" The Head stared, not understanding what could be wrong with giving someone such a valuable gift.

"There's no way to take it back," the man replied simply.

"Ah, that's it..."

"But what's wrong with that?"

"Well, what do you think? Would a dragon say anything very clever, considering that he has the intelligence of a seven-year-old child? He's never learned, he lives his animal, primitive life... You might want to teach him something, so you can talk to him normally."

...

"Besides, a talking dragon immediately becomes a desirable object for others..."

Perhaps the last argument was the strongest. But still, the temptation was so strong. The man patted him on the shoulder, understanding the inner struggles the Head was experiencing.

"Okay, let's refrain from experimenting," Liam decided.

"Good decision," the man smiled.

People with lanterns appeared at the edge of the valley. Liam turned and hurried toward them. The Third Elder was leading the group, followed by several more mentors.

Liam met them and informed them that everything had happened to his knowledge. He took full responsibility and sent the worried people back home.

"But if you could bring us something to eat, I'd appreciate it," Liam said to the assistant.

She looked appraisingly at the people on the shore and nodded to the Head. Half an hour later she returned with a basket of food. Handing the precious cargo to the man, she squinted her eyes and glanced once more at the strange company.

"Any news from the healer?" Liam asked.

The girl was silent.