The Wizard's Pursuit of Truth

"Absolutely not. I have to make him compensate me. And while I’m at it, I’ll see just how much that scowling bastard’s power has grown." Jialan Wizard then climbed right onto the windowsill and jumped.

The world of Extreme Wizard Apprentices was a small one; there were only so many of them in the entire Dark Land.

Word spread quickly among them whenever something happened.

The news that Wizard Yi Si was set to face several Level 3 Wizard Apprentices from the Bailin Clan on the Battlefield had been common knowledge for a long time.

Today, the fight was finally happening.

Jialan Wizard wasn’t the only Extreme Wizard Apprentice going to watch; many others from the School Lineage had gone as well.

A good number of Extreme Wizard Apprentices from the Wizard Family Alliance were also present.

They weren’t there for a thrilling battle; everyone already knew what the outcome would be.

Instead, they wanted to gauge the true extent of Wizard Yi Si’s—and by extension, the White Bone Lineage’s—power. They wanted to see just how far the Second Seat of the White Bone Lineage had truly progressed.

There was fierce competition among Extreme Wizard Apprentices for the resources necessary to advance to the rank of Official Wizard.

And that was something decided by strength of arms.

Many Wizards just hoped the Bailin Clan would put up a good fight, hold on for a while, and, ideally, force Wizard Yi Si to reveal his true power.

In truth, after the two great clans of Ancient Forest Mountain were annihilated, the fate of the Bailin and Purple Gold Flower Clan Wizards in the Dark Land was already sealed.

Officially, they weren’t pursued, as no rule technically implicated them in the transgression.

But behind the scenes, both the School Lineage and even the Wizard Family Alliance were pulling the strings. Today’s life-and-death battle on the Battlefield was the direct result of their machinations.

They knew the odds were stacked against them, but they had no right to refuse. Their only hope was to make it off the Battlefield alive.

......

Wang Ya walked briskly through the academy gardens. At the freshman assembly a few months prior, all the new students had exchanged their Wizard identification info with Gusai Wizard.

He had already used his Wizard Mark to inform Gusai Wizard of the reason for his visit, and the man had agreed to meet.

He was headed toward the Dark Wizard Academy’s Duty Building. Typically, any Teaching Wizard with an Extraordinary Course scheduled for the day would be inside, either preparing their lessons or taking a rest.

A figure in a black Wizard Robe approached from down the path. A cold wind rustled the garden plants, and as it billowed his robe, a scar on the man’s face became strikingly clear.

It was Gusai Wizard!

Wang Ya froze for a second. ’What’s going on...? For him to come out and meet me personally... that’s practically impossible. There must be another reason.’

He stopped in his tracks. The man’s Speed was also considerable. Seeing Wang Ya give a slight bow out of courtesy, Gusai Wizard’s lips curled into a smile. His eyes held a profound meaning as he said, "Your timing is quite a coincidence. Wizard Yi Si is set to have a life-and-death battle today with the Level 3 Wizard Apprentices from the Bailin and Purple Gold Flower Clans. If you aren’t in a rush, you can come with me to watch."

"As for the items you wanted to purchase, we can take care of that while we walk," Gusai Wizard said with a light chuckle. "It’s quite a lively day today!"

A flicker of understanding crossed Wang Ya’s eyes. ’So that’s what this is about.’

He was tempted.

He agreed.

A battle between a single Extreme Wizard Apprentice and numerous Level 3 Wizard Apprentices was an incredibly rare opportunity.

It would also provide a chance to collect precious data.

It might even provide some inspiration for Wang Ya’s own Wizard Path and the refinement of his Witchcraft.

The insight and observation Abilities of his Eye of Truth had improved a great deal.

The Wizard Students of the Lower House simply had no way to witness a battle of this caliber.

Entering the Battlefield to spectate required spending Magic Stones or Dark Points.

The cost in Magic Stones and Dark Points varied depending on the specific arena.

A battle involving an Extreme Wizard Apprentice was bound to be the most expensive to watch. After all, the more that was revealed during the fight, the more a spectating Wizard could learn, and they could even begin to prepare specific countermeasures.

But an invitation from Gusai Wizard was different from entering on his own; he wouldn’t have to pay any Magic Stones or Dark Points.

’This must be one of the perks that comes with status and position.’

.......

The Battlefield wasn’t located in the Upper or Lower House zones. Instead, it occupied its own separate, dedicated area.

Constructed using Wizard Technology, its interior featured folded space, allowing for various combat environments that the duelists could choose from.

The destruction caused by the battles required constant repair, a massive workload that had even given rise to specialized Wizard positions to handle it.

By the time Wang Ya arrived with Gusai Wizard, a considerable number of Wizards had already gathered at the entrance to the Battlefield, waiting before a massive, blood-stained, ancient Stone Gate.

They wore Wizard Robes of every color and had varied builds, but their faces were universally cold and indifferent, projecting an unapproachable air. Their auras, however, were completely imperceptible.

They all looked utterly unremarkable.

Wang Ya subconsciously activated his Eye of Truth to observe them.

The faint blue glimmer in his pupils vanished as abruptly as a snuffed-out flame.

He took a deep breath, struggling to compose himself.

’Are you kidding me?!’

’Every single one of them is an Extreme Wizard Apprentice! There are even fewer Level 3 Wizard Apprentices here than Extreme Wizard Apprentices.’

Gusai Wizard patted Wang Ya’s shoulder and said with a grave tone, "From now on, stay quiet. Some of the people here... even I would find them to be a major headache."