Wizard: Start with Biological Transformation to Grind Experience novel Chapter 44

Chapter 44: 011: Greed and Non-greed

Graham stepped into Lynch’s stone hut.

For someone who had grown up in a privileged environment, this was the first time he had entered such a humble place. When he walked in, he even seemed a bit reserved, hunched his shoulders slightly, and barely touched his toes to the ground.

Faced with the chair Lynch handed over, Graham hesitated for a moment, but thinking of his current predicament, he gritted his teeth and sat down.

Lynch asked, "Would you like some water?"

Graham quickly waved his hands, "No, no need. I already drank some before coming here; I’m not thirsty now."

Lynch raised an eyebrow slightly, closely observing every subtle expression of this Netta Apprentice. He couldn’t understand it—why someone clearly so disgusted by the environment here would still force himself to stay.

Was there something he needed help with?

Lynch said, "Alright."

After a pause, he asked, "Visiting so late at night, is there something important you need to discuss?"

Graham nodded repeatedly, like a chicken pecking at seeds, "Yes, yes. I’ve come to see you about something very important."

Lynch said, "Please, go ahead."

Graham opened his mouth, but when the words were about to come out, he didn’t quite know how to start. Should he just blurt it out to Lynch: Hey, my mentor asked me to help you remove your revenge mark, but I embezzled the Magic Stone resources, and now I’m about to be caught—can you help me keep quiet about my corruption?

Graham’s expression shifted—sometimes hesitant, sometimes conflicted, sometimes filled with fright and fear. Honestly, Lynch had never seen someone with such a wide range of facial expressions. If this were Earth, he’d definitely become a blockbuster actor.

After what felt like forever, Graham finally made up his mind. After all, this concerned the future course of his life.

He steeled himself and asked, "Um... I heard you were marked with a revenge mark—is that true?"

Hmm?

Lynch’s eyes narrowed slightly.

Oh!

Then quickly widened again.

So that’s what this is about!

As Graham spoke, Lynch suddenly remembered where he had seen him before—wasn’t this the apprentice he had encountered last time when he went to the Tower to collect his reward? He had even been yelled at by him back then.

Coming here so late to specifically ask about the mark—does this mean...

Lynch suddenly recalled that during his last visit to the Tower, Leonard had told him that he would arrange for someone to help him deal with the mark. But Lynch had been waiting all this time and no one ever came. Initially, he thought Leonard was just unreliable, but now it seemed there might be other hidden reasons.

If his deduction was correct, then this boy’s purpose for being here was obvious—he’d likely screwed up and feared being exposed, so he was here to remedy the situation preemptively.

Though he already had a general guess in his mind, Lynch kept his composure on the surface.

He nodded and said, "Yes."

This forthright honesty eased Graham’s tense nerves a bit. What he feared most was Lynch going on a power trip—humiliating him and ultimately refusing to help.

Fortunately, Lynch seemed quite straightforward; maybe he could make this work...

Thinking that, Graham quickly put on a helpful front and said, "That’s great! Ah... no, I mean, here’s the thing: my mentor arranged for me to assist you in removing the revenge mark."

"But I’ve been busy handling some urgent matters recently and overlooked it. Now that I’ve just finished, I hurried over—would it be convenient for you now? I can help you clean it off."

Lynch shook his head, "No, that’s not possible."

Graham was taken aback and quickly said, "Do you have something urgent right now? Leaving the mark on for a long time isn’t good for your health. Whatever important matters you have, could you set them aside for now? Let’s deal with this mark first."

Now you’re anxious? Where were you before?

Lynch shook his head and said, "You’ve misunderstood me. I absolutely understand that keeping the mark on my body is not good, which is why I removed it a few days ago—it can’t be cleaned off again."

"Ah!"

Graham’s eyes widened, "You removed it? You really removed it?"

Lynch nodded, "Yes."

As he spoke, he handed Graham the receipt showing his purchase of Soul-Washing Water.

Graham was dumbfounded. Weren’t the Outer Ring apprentices supposed to be impoverished refugees? Where did he get enough Magic Stones to afford Soul-Washing Water?

"Well..."

Graham continued, "You certainly have foresight—this is fantastic. Since the revenge mark is taken care of, I have nothing further to do. But there’s a small favor I’d like to ask of you."

"Because this matter was ultimately my negligence, if anyone asks about it in the future, could you please keep it a little secret for me?"

Lynch resolutely refused, "No."

Graham said anxiously, "Why not? Your revenge mark has already been resolved."

After a pause, he seemed to realize something and hurriedly added, "If it’s about the Soul-Washing Water, please don’t worry—this was my fault, and I’ll fully reimburse the Magic Stones you spent. I just need your help in keeping this under wraps..."

Lynch stubbornly shook his head, "Nope."