Chapter 478: Great Arcane Master
Chapter 478: Great Arcane Master
“Madman Certificate?”
Zuo Meng picked up the two certificates from the ground, looking utterly unimpressed. After all that trouble, this flimsy forgery was their best plan?
“If we’re faking documents anyway, why not make doctor or dean certificates instead…”
“You don’t get it.”
Owl Jones puffed out his chest.
“Patients hold the highest rank in the Academic Asylum – easiest to fake too. Doctors and deans have their identities logged in the system. Those magic circles at the entrance would sniff out fakes instantly. But patients? No tracking whatsoever.”
Patients being top dogs in an asylum?
Zuo Meng shook his head. The Floating City’s rules kept defying common sense.
“The lunatics here aren’t ordinary folks. Basic magic circles couldn’t pin them down. They’re only stuck here because they’re crazy – sane ones would’ve escaped ages ago!”
“Just get us inside.”
Zuo Meng was done arguing. Worst case, they’d fight their way through. Once he completed his mission, he’d vanish before the Floating City officials could blink. As a ghost resident with no records, he had nothing to lose.
Flashing their fake certificates, they swaggered toward the asylum gates.
Beep!
“Great-level Arcane Credential detected. Welcome home.”
A winged magic sprite materialized above the door, scattering stardust as the gates swung open like welcoming arms.
“That’s it?”
“Premium service! My cousin provided the asylum’s Arcane codes himself. He’s actually–”
“An owl aristocrat. Yeah, yeah.”
Zuo Meng cut him off mid-brag.
“Why’d the system call our fake passes ‘Great-level Arcane Credentials’?”
Fake madman papers being mistaken for top-tier magic licenses? Ridiculous.
“These inmates are all big shots. Call it a ‘Madman Certificate’ to their faces, and they’ll vaporize you on the spot. Even survivors would cause chaos, forcing the council and academic institutions to intervene. So we rebranded it – learned that lesson the hard way during the asylum’s early days.”
No madman admits they’re mad.
Especially not these former elites who’d chased their obsessions into insanity. They still conducted wild experiments daily, convinced they’re hunting ultimate truths. No wonder the asylum humored their delusions.
“Honored Arcane Master, how may I serve you?”
An Arcane-robed nurse materialized as Zuo Meng wandered the halls. Even the staff uniforms were magic gear!
Now he understood Owl Jones’ warning about patient hierarchy. These “nurses” were really just Arcane apprentices – pose as staff, and you’d end up fetching test tubes for some deranged researcher.
“My friend Aks mentioned a breakthrough. Can’t find his lab though.”
Seeing the nurse who suddenly appeared, Zuo Meng immediately found a way to save time.
“You’re looking for Aks?”
Hearing the name, the previously smiling nurse’s expression tensed.
“Has he caused trouble again?!”
Zuo Meng didn’t understand her sudden nervousness, but having committed to the act, he pushed forward. As an ‘Arcane Master’ of the asylum, his status was set in stone – he needn’t coddle these ‘apprentices’.
“Of course not! Lord Aks is an Ancient One, a Grand Arcane Master…”
The nurse’s smile snapped back into place.
“But Lord Aks is conducting crucial experiments. His soul has journeyed to another plane. Ordinary Arcane Masters can’t locate his true form.” She deliberately eyed the asylum badge on Zuo Meng’s chest.
The nurse’s behavior confirmed Aks was a taboo subject here. Outsiders weren’t permitted to meet him – even fellow ‘Arcane Masters’ got redirected.
“If you seek Arcane discussions, I recommend Arcane Master Hall. His expertise is unmatched.”
She tried steering him elsewhere.
“Cease wasting my time, apprentice!”
Zuo Meng’s sudden fury made her jump. Madmen’s moods were as changeable as spring weather. Swallowing her fear, she pointed upstairs.
“An Arcane Master’s time is precious. Remember this lesson, apprentice!”
Zuo Meng turned haughtily, delivering his parting admonishment.
“Your wisdom honors me.”
The nurse bowed deeply.
This hellish workplace only attracted staff through exorbitant pay. Yet danger brought opportunities – clever workers could earn bonuses by assisting inmates’ potion experiments.
Once beyond the nurse’s view, the owl statue on Zuo Meng’s shoulder stirred – Owl Jones abandoning his wooden pose.
“Good improvisation. Exposure would’ve been disastrous.”
“This way.”
Ignoring the owl, Zuo Meng ascended to the second floor’s shadowed corridor. The promised laboratory waited at the turning – no sane worker would dare misdirect an asylum Arcane Master. Deceit meant chaos, and chaos meant consequences.
Knock. Knock. Knock.
The door creaked open before his third rap.
Darkness yawned. A skeletal figure sat facing the entrance, slowly raising its head as light breached the chamber.