Magic 95

Looking at the empty, dust–covered mansion, Everett suggested, “Do you want me to find a few trustworthy men to help safeguard this place?” 

By men, he meant capable retired soldiers. They were men whose character and abilities could be trusted without question. 

Valerie refused. “I don’t want people hanging around my lab.” 

Everett voiced his concern. “As far as I know, this mansion’s secret has already spread among the upper echelons. Before long, there will be countless people coveting this place. Can you really be at ease with no one guarding it?” 

Valerie took a sip of her drink. “I already laid out an array around this house. Outsiders can’t get in.” 

Everett had a clear look of disbelief on his face. “If outsiders can’t get in, how did those movers just now get through?” 

Valerie smirked confidently. “You can go try again.” 

Everett didn’t buy it. He set down his cutlery and walked straight out the door. 

About two minutes later, Valerie heard wailing outside. “Val, help me. I’m tangled up by a 

bunch of snakes!” 

When she walked out the door, she saw Everett running in circles like a madman with an expression that was full of panic. 

Valerie calmly used her phone to record Everett’s sorry state before dispelling the ward at the 

doorway. 

Once he regained his senses, Everett realized the venomous snakes around his feet had vanished without a trace. Staring at Valerie in shock, he stammered, “What happened?” 

Back inside, Valerie showed him the video she had taken. 

After watching it, Everett asked in disbelief, “So, what I saw just now was all fake?” 

From the start, there hadn’t been a single snake. In the video, he looked like a complete fool, panicking and shouting at the door. 

Putting away her phone, Valerie explained, “They’re just some minor spells used to control 

the mind.” 

Everett gave her a thumbs–up. “Val, you’re something else. I’m curious, though. What’s the principle behind it?” 

Valerie answered frankly, “I just used the arrangement of special objects to create visual illusions. It’s just enough to fool outsiders like you.” 

Hearing that, Everett frowned. “So, doesn’t that mean it’d be easy for someone with real skills from the mystic world to overcome?” 

Valerie ate her food slowly, unbothered. “If that person’s stronger than me, then yes. It’d be just as you said, they could come and go as they pleased.” 

Everett remained silent at that answer. 

Someone stronger than Valerie? So far, he hadn’t met one. 

Valerie said, “From today on, this place is my domain. I won’t give anyone the chance to pry into my secrets.” 

What Everett had just experienced was only a small, playful array. She hadn’t even had time to set up the major ones yet. 

Seeing how confident Valerie was, Everett decided not to worry anymore. 

After lunch, Everett suddenly asked, “Did you also board that cruise ship?” 

Valerie raised an eyebrow. “Did Lucinda tell you?” 

Valerie, Everett, and Lucinda were all part of the same circles. During the year she was missing, Everett had maintained contact with Lucinda. 

When Valerrie ran into Lucinda at The Golden Chalice, she had already guessed that Everett was the one who gave Lucinda her current contact information. 

Everett didn’t deny it. “You know better than I do what kind of person Lucinda is. You went missing for a year. Now that she’s caught you again, you can expect her to cling to you till the 

end of time.” 

Realizing he’d strayed off topic, Everett quickly circled back. “It was Lucinda who said you boarded the ship. She also told me that to give you the chance to board it, she even lent you 

her man. 

“What happened yesterday stirred up a lot of trouble, but so far, only people in the know are aware of it. It hasn’t gone public yet, so it seems that someone is suppressing the news.