It actually has an owner?

Freyr's voice was cold, "So, it's also a Magical Creature? A phantasm? Is it very rare?"

Ryan's face showed a hint of greed as he licked his lips and said, "This 'Fear Phantasm' can use an enemy's inner fears to create illusions to fight them. It's a highly intelligent Magical Creature, far superior to ordinary magical wolves and the like. And, and..."

"And what?"

Ryan's eyes sparkled, "Hundreds of years ago, these creatures were the coveted treasures of every wizard. If you catch one and kill it, you can extract its horn and carry it with you to become immune to most mental magic! Its horn can be used to create top-tier magical defense items!"

The Fear Phantasm seemed to understand Ryan's words. Hearing that the wizard wanted to kill it for its horn, the creature's plump body began to tremble violently, its struggles growing more intense. Its small, bead-like eyes were filled with fear.

Most of the Russell family guards had gathered around by now, busy waking their unconscious companions. Even Knight Peter had been roused.

Freyr looked at the little creature in his hand and sneered, "Immune to most mental magic? Quite a valuable thing... So, you just kill it to take its horn?"

Ryan was nearly drooling, "Yes! Not just its horn, but its fur is also a precious magical material. In alchemy, it's a valuable ingredient! I could use its fur to make..."

Ryan's words were cut short by a sharp whistle from the distant mountains. A fireball shot up into the sky and exploded—a signal from another search team, indicating they had encountered something.

Everyone was momentarily distracted, then saw a flash of light from the distant forest, where the signal had come from. The light flew through the air and landed in front of them, transforming into a green flame from which a person emerged.

"Careful! It's high-level magic, 'Emerald Flame Teleportation'!" Ryan said, his voice tense.

The figure that emerged from the green flames was clad in a standard wizard's robe, complete with a tall, pointed hat. The robe was golden, and on their chest gleamed a gold emblem shaped like a three-leaf clover.

Freyr, well-versed in magical knowledge, immediately recognized the emblem as one signifying a "Great Wizard." Wizards on the continent were ranked from one to ten. Those below level four were low-level wizards, those from four to eight were mid-level wizards, and those above eight were known as "Great Wizards." The gold three-leaf clover emblem indicated that this wizard was at least level eight, standing among the elite of all wizards.

The figure, slightly short, was completely shrouded in the golden robe, looking resplendent in the sunset. Their face was hidden under the pointed hat, with a high collar covering even more, leaving no skin visible.

Though he couldn't see the figure's face, Freyr could feel their gaze fixed on the little Fear Phantasm in his hand.

The sudden appearance of a high-level wizard startled both Freyr and Ryan. Considering the value of the Fear Phantasm, Freyr naturally wondered if this newcomer was here to seize it.

"Who are you?" Freyr asked sternly.

Reacting quickly, Knight Andrew signaled the Russell family guards to protect Freyr.

Many events had already transpired today, and the sudden appearance of a powerful wizard made Andrew uneasy. Friend or foe, he had no idea.

"I am a knight of the Russell family. Esteemed wizard, please state your purpose," Andrew said, standing in front of Freyr.

The wizard remained silent, first raising a large sleeve to gently remove their pointed hat, revealing their appearance.

Everyone was stunned!So it's a Witch.

"S-s-sorry...," the Witch's voice was soft and pleasant, tinged with nervousness and shyness. Most notably, the Witch stuttered badly.

"I-I'm h-h-here to f-find it...," the delicate hand pointed directly at the Fear Phantasm in Freyr's hand.

The Witch, with her gentle voice, also had a delicate appearance. After removing her hat, this high-level Witch with a gold clover emblem turned out to be a shy young girl. Her round cheeks were tinged with a faint blush, as if embarrassed by the crowd's gaze. She had a small nose and mouth, but her eyes were large and bright, carrying a look of pleading.

"S-s-sorry… Th-th-this is my-my-my teacher's pe-pet. I-I-I'm here to-take it back," the girl stuttered more as she grew anxious, looking on the verge of tears. "C-c-can you give it back to me? If I-I-I don't take it back, my teacher will-punish me."

**Chapter 23: The Poor Lilith Young**

A wizard, a Great Wizard of level eight or above, who looked no older than eighteen, and spoke shyly and nervously like a debutante, with a stutter.

Everyone around couldn't help but widen their eyes, looking at this blushing girl with her tearful, pitiful eyes. Almost instinctively, they lowered their swords. This girl appeared entirely unthreatening.

Even Freyr was momentarily stunned... This stuttering, timid girl, could she really be an eight-level wizard? But her robe and emblem were genuine! Freyr knew that the Magic Society's emblems had anti-counterfeiting measures.

Clearing his throat, Freyr's grip on the Fear Phantasm loosened a bit. He looked at the timid girl and said, "Witch, are you saying this little creature belongs to you?"

"Y-yes… uh, n-no," the girl finally burst into tears right in front of everyone, "I-it's my-my teacher's. Can-can you give it back to me?"

Return it? Freyr didn't really want to.

Why should he? This little creature had caused a lot of trouble, making everyone look ridiculous. Freyr truly wanted to kill it and take its horn as Ryan suggested. But now, the Witch had come for it herself... It wouldn't be appropriate not to return it.

If they tried to refuse... she was a Great Wizard, after all!

Even though she seemed very weak.

"Witch, please... don't be anxious," Freyr said, softening his tone as if coaxing a child, "If this little creature is really yours..."

"Of-of-of course!" The girl seemed to catch a glimmer of hope, wiping her tears and looking at Freyr with hopeful eyes, her innocent, pleading expression making it hard for anyone to be tough on her.

"Don't worry," Freyr continued slowly, "Even if this little creature is yours, as its owner, I think you should take responsibility for its mistakes, shouldn't you?"