Of course, such a powerful effect came with a heavy cost in mana. Nichs William had only maintained the spell for a few seconds before his forehead was drenched in sweat, his body trembling from exhaustion.


    "You scoundrel! How dare you be so vicious? This was just a minor argument, and yet you tried to take my son''s life?"


    "Attack!"


    Obona Jones roared furiously, and the nearby servants immediately turned fierce, their eyes gleaming with intent. However, the soldiers from the lord''s manor were no pushovers either, and they raised their spears in unison.


    Seeing that a full-blown fight was about to erupt, Dean Bruce decided it was time to intervene. He calmly stepped forward and said, "Nichs, stop the spell."


    "They''re all friends here; there''s no need for this to escte."


    The moment he spoke, all eyes turned toward Dean Bruce, curiosity brimming in everyone''s gaze.


    Nichs William, already nearing his limit, shuddered when he heard that familiar voice. He immediately canceled the spell, and his body rxed.


    Looking up to see where the voice hade from, Nichs William''s face lit up with excitement when he recognized Dean Bruce. "Teacher! What are you doing here? Are these... your friends?"


    As he spoke, Nichs became visibly anxious, his expression turning uneasy.


    Ever since learning Slumber of the Dead, his admiration and fear of Dean Bruce had only grown stronger.


    The spell Dean Bruce had taught him could manipte souls and even drain life force—abilities far beyond what ordinary people could achieve!


    Even his ancient ancestor had marveled at its power, admitting that even at his peak, he wouldn''t have been a match for Dean Bruce. This made Nichs even more determined to stay in his good graces.


    However, Nichs''s words left the entire Jones family utterly shocked.


    Earlier, when Lina Jones hadn''t let Dean Bruce share his background, they had assumed he was just amoner or an independent mage. They never expected that Dean Bruce was the teacher of a young lord!


    In these times, bing the teacher of a young lord wasn''t something one could achieve with mere strength. It required a significant background and reputation!


    This revtion left Obona and his wife even more impressed with Dean Bruce. They were so thrilled that they were practically ready to strip Lina down and tie her to Dean Bruce''s bed that very night!


    Dean Bruce, maintaining his calm demeanor, said, "We''re all on the same side. Whatever happened, let''s talk it out. No need to dwell on it."


    "But what about Herbert..."


    Ezra and the others cast worried nces at Herbert, who was still lying on the ground.


    Seeing this, Dean Bruce exhaled softly. With a wave of his hand, a cloud of purple mist formed, enveloping Herbert.


    Hummm—


    In an instant, vibrant life energy burst forth and flowed into Herbert''s body. His fingers twitched, and momentster, he sprang to his feet, fully revived.


    "What just happened?"


    "Huh? His life force is back already? He''s awake just like that?"


    Seeing this scene, everyone was left speechless in shock.


    Even Nichs William couldn''t help but marvel inwardly, Teacher truly lives up to his title!


    For him to cast that spell, he had to recite an incantation, and even then, he could only maintain it for a few seconds, unable to reverse its effects.


    But Dean Bruce? With just a simple breath, he not only undid the spell''s effects but also re-infused the life force back into Herbert''s body that hadn''t yet been absorbed. He made it look effortless, dissolving the magicpletely.


    The difference in power was so vast that, in Nichs''s eyes, Dean Bruce seemed like a god.


    Nichs William pursed his lips and exined, "Teacher, this is what happened. Our two groups identally bumped into each other. I wanted to resolve it quickly, but that guy stepped out of the carriage and immediately demanded a price from me!"


    "His attitude was incredibly arrogant, and he told me to pay up and get out of his way! I''ve never been treated like that, so I argued back!"


    Hearing this, E Jones lowered his head in embarrassment. This was how he usually handled such situations, and it had never gone wrong before.


    But this time, it led to such a mess, and he couldn''t help feeling humiliated.


    The situation was clear. Once the argument started, the more people got involved, the worse the conflict became. That''s why things had escted to the standoff Dean Bruce had walked into.


    Obona Jones shot E a sharp re before speaking in a stern voice, "Since we''re all on the same side, there''s no need to dwell on this minor issue. Let''s just move on."


    Feeling embarrassed, Obona quickly boarded the carriage after finishing his sentence.


    Meanwhile, Herbert Jones, who had just woken up, scratched his head in confusion. "What kind of magic was that? You didn''t even touch me, and I was knocked out!"


    Nichs William nced at Dean Bruce, seeing his calm expression before replying, "That spell is called Slumber of the Dead, a high-level spell that my teacher taught me!"


    "That''s some powerful magic!"


    Herbert grinned, "Once I get stronger, we''ll have to spar again!"


    Dean Bruce walked up to Nichs William and asked quietly, "Why are you here in Stanlow City?"


    "Teacher, I was invited!" Nichs responded respectfully. "Yesterday, people from Stanlow City came to our manor, inviting my sister and representatives from Notting City to attend the banquet. My father had to stay behind to oversee things in Notting City, so he sent me instead."


    "And inside the carriage—is that your sister?" Dean Bruce raised an eyebrow slightly.


    "That''s right!" Nichs William nodded slightly and said softly, "If it weren''t for this, I wouldn''t have felt so confident. But seeing you, Teacher, makes me even happier!"


    He paused for a moment, then asked, "Teacher, are you busy? Would you like me to serve you?"


    "No need for that." Lina Jones, who was familiar with Nichs William, though not particrly close, didn''t hesitate to interject. She hadn''t spoken earlier because she knew Dean Bruce would step in to prevent the situation from escting.


    With a bright smile, Lina effortlessly looped her arm through Dean Bruce''s, giving the impression of closeness, and said, "Your teacher is apanying me, so he doesn''t need your service!"


    Nichs William''s eyes widened, his pupils constricting sharply. Seeing that Dean Bruce didn''t push Lina Jones''s hand away, he gasped inwardly, as if a tidal wave had crashed within his heart.


    Dean Bruce, however, paid no mind to any of this. He nced up at the luxurious carriage, raising an eyebrow as he remarked, "Your sister is quiteposed—so much has happened, yet she hasn''t said a single word."


    Nichs William gave a wry smile. "That''s just how my sister is. By the way, Teacher, where are you headed?"


    "We''re attending the banquet at the lord of Stanlow City''s manor," Dean Bruce replied calmly, though this response left Nichs William visibly surprised.


    However, after ncing at Lina Jones, Nichs quickly understood.


    Nichs William leaned in and spoke softly, "Teacher, quite a few people are attending the banquet this time. Besides the Nine Provinces Alliance and the lord''s manor from nearby cities, they''ve also invited the Magic Guild and the Mercenaries'' Guild. It seems something big is about to happen!"


    "Do I really need you worrying about me?"


    Dean Bruce huffed lightly. "But you—honestly, you''ve been cking. Without me pushing you, you went days without mastering a single spell. Yet with just one day of pressure, you managed to do it, though yourprehension is still a bitcking!"


    Nichs William flushed with embarrassment at these words.


    In his heart, Nichs William knew that his rapid mastery of magic was purely thanks to his ancestor''s help. But he couldn''t admit that out loud. Instead, he respectfully replied, "Teacher, I humbly ask for your guidance. What are my shorings?"


    "Do you think sleep is just for sleeping?" Dean Bruce asked rhetorically. "Do you remember how youprehended The Interrogation of the Soul?"


    "Huh?" Nichs William, quick-witted as he was, immediately caught on to what Dean Bruce was suggesting. His eyes lit up as he carefully asked, "Teacher, are you saying I''ve been thinking too simply, too narrowly about sleep?"


    "Sleep can lead to dreams! Just like The Interrogation of the Soul, it can directly affect the target''s soul! And the effect would be even more intense?"


    "Not bad, not entirely foolish," Dean Bruce nodded, speaking softly. "Since you understand this,e see me after the banquet. It''s time I teach you a new spell. But remember, learning new magic doesn''t mean you can abandon the previous two spells!"


    Hearing this, Nichs William''s face lit up with joy, his heart brimming with excitement.


    Ever since he had experienced the power of the magic Dean Bruce had taught him, his desire to learn magic had shifted from merely recovering from the embarrassment of a broken engagement to a genuine passion for mastering the craft.


    Dean Bruce''s tone turned stern as he warned, "If you neglect the spells you''ve already learned because of a new one, our teacher-student bond... will end. Mark my words—reviewing what you''ve learned will teach you something new. That''s the secret to mastering all magic."


    "Reviewing what I''ve learned..." Nichs William froze for a moment, then nodded earnestly. "I understand, Teacher. I won''t neglect the spells I''ve already mastered."


    "Good. Now, off you go," Dean Bruce nodded, satisfied.


    He was equally pleased. Running into Nichs William here was a stroke of luck—it meant he could trick him into learning more spells sooner, elerating the rewards the system would give him.


    Of course, Dean Bruce''s face betrayed none of his thoughts. He kept his expression calm as he walked towards the carriage with Lina Jones, while Nichs William watched him with respectful eyes.


    The moment Dean Bruce stepped into the carriage, he immediately felt several pairs of heated gazes fixed on him!