470 The Professor's Arrival
Vicente wasn't as worried about Benson as he was about Casey. Even after another month, Casey hadn't sent any communication or shown any positive signs to the group.
Vicente already believed something terrible had happened, and his group had recently begun investigating Casey's situation. Among their various actions, the Mazzanti family had sent out search missions to mercenary guilds throughout the province, offering rewards for information on possible sightings of Casey.
Casey was an important Mazzanti family investment, but more than that, he was someone Vice respected. If something had happened to him, a rescue, or at least revenge, had to be taken!
Unfortunately, that wasn't the only problem on Vicente's mind. As much as the Mazzanti family was growing with ease, increasing in numbers, strength, and profits, some headaches had recently arisen.
Strangely enough, six of the family's soldiers had died while traveling between Millfall and Martell Village. At first, the group hadn't paid any attention to the situation, thinking it might be an isolated incident. But after the third problem with soldiers going in and out of that village, Vicente and his people had noticed the issue and were worried.
Someone seemed to be targeting their group!
This might not seem like much. After all, the group was powerful, and with just a few of its members, it could now move against even the strongest in the province. However, it wasn't so easy to deal with an enemy hiding and only attacking the weakest members of the family.
Since this happened in the absence of Casey, Jasmine, and Sarah, people who could help a lot in investigating the problem, Vicente and the rest of the family were practically unable to get to the culprit.
'Sigh... Old Torne, when will you be back to advise me?' Vicente thought of the ghost as he pulled up before the Fuller estate.
Torne was still in a dormant state, unable to speak to Vicente. Even after the young man's level had increased after absorbing his third essence, the old ghost's situation had hardly improved.
Vicente didn't know what to do and waited for Newton's visit to see the scholar. That shouldn't take long because it was about time that this man arrived in Millfall.
Since the enemy hadn't shown up and only weak Acolytes had been attacked, his chances of reaching this annoying opponent alone weren't good.
He was powerful, but a lot depended on the enemy deciding to show themselves to him before he could do anything!
With a long sigh, Vicente entered his house, where Nina had just woken up for breakfast.
"Big brother, have you been working?" Nina spotted Vicente and asked, looking forward to another day at his side.
Since she was on vacation and there wasn't much work for Vicente to do, given the relative peace in Millfall, she had spent part of her days with him, learning.
Vicente didn't want Nina involved in his Mazzanti family affairs. Still, after much prodding from her, he had agreed to teach her a few things. It wasn't anything particularly dangerous, but things that might make her less susceptible to being manipulated by others, less likely to be tricked by people like Shelby, and better able to understand the options available to her.
These were basic skills for someone living in this dangerous society, something Vicente was willing to teach Nina so she could stay out of trouble.
"Yes, I was at the Benson King residence. I'm working on my skills to get my 3rd-stage blacksmith certification."
Nina put a happy smile on her face and said. "Fantastic, big brother!"
As they began to eat and talk about the topics they had been discussing for the past few days, one of the estate guards informed Eve of something.
She smiled when she heard it and looked at the two, who were happily eating and talking. "Vice, your friend from Ironcrest has just arrived in town. I think he's on his way here right now."
"My friend?" Vicente stopped eating as he looked into Eve's blue eyes.
"Professor Newton."
Reading Eve's lips, Nina immediately rose from her chair, hearing the name of a genius that even the local children talked about.
But how could they not talk about Newton? He was the professor of a royal academy, a place where many children of nobles and wealthy people wanted to study.
Since most of Nina's classmates fit the profile of potential students at real academies, they talked about many famous names associated with them.
"Newton? The genius from Ironcrest? You know him, big brother?" Nina exclaimed in surprise.
Vicente smiled at her. "Yes. I asked a friend to arrange our meeting... Anyway, you'll meet him soon. Go and get ready. You have to look good to see him."
Nina had just woken up and had messy hair and night clothes.
She listened to her brother's advice and didn't hesitate to leave the table where she was eating to go to her room.
Eve went after her to help her while Vicente quietly finished his breakfast.
Before Eve and Nina returned, the doorbell rang, and he went to greet Newton himself.
"Professor, welcome to my home." He met the middle-aged, gray-haired man with a High-level Mage cultivation at his door.
As soon as he saw Vicente, Newton became interested in this guy with a strange Magic Gem, as he had not yet seen what was behind Cesar's mask.
"You... Your magical form is quite interesting, Vicente Fuller." Newton commented as he greeted the black-haired young man. "No wonder Cesar wants to help you. You must have amazing skills."
"Is that so?" Vicente laughed. "Thank you for the compliment."
"Now tell me, what is your relationship with Cesar? He seemed very interested in me helping your sister. Can you tell me why?"
Vicente replied. "Let's just say that he and I are very close. I know a lot about him, and I support him in the light of day. But I hope the professor doesn't talk too much about him or that with my sister."
"Of course. That's an adult matter." Newton accepted with no further questions. He was a man who knew when to push the issue and when not to.
The young man before him was clearly powerful and influential. The look in his eyes said it all, and Newton wasn't about to take any chances with someone he didn't know.
Soon, they sit in a living room where Nina and Eve would soon appear to greet the greatest genius in the province.
The moment he saw Nina, Newton stood up from where he was and noticed several problems Cesar had already described in messages.
"I see... It's not for nothing that you're worried about her. Her situation is not good, I must say. But give me a moment, Vicente Fuller. I will take a closer look at your sister's situation." He said as he showed his pentagrams while Nina watched him with a twinkle in her eye.
"Do what you have to, professor. You're our last hope."