The Wizard's Pursuit of Truth

"What we need to do is snatch more of the slots from the School Lineage."

The figures present nodded, understanding the principle. There were only so many slots, and many of them might not get one. The most basic form of fairness was in effect: it would all come down to their own abilities.

Meanwhile, elsewhere, Xugus Wizard had forcibly organized a Salon Association meeting and was also displaying the projected images from Freshman Square.

The participants—Saiya Wizard, Erin Wizard, Wizard Yi Si, Denno Wizard...—were all members of the School Inheritance Lineage.

However, most of the Wizards present were members of the Withered Wood, Water Swamp, and White Bone Lineages.

"Why is everyone so unenthusiastic about such an interesting event!" Xugus Wizard said, sitting in the head seat while holding a green drink. The beverages prepared for the others were all different as well.

He had even thoughtfully prepared two cups of milk tea for Wizard Yi Si, whose expression was stiff. The latter hadn’t said a single word to Xugus Wizard since the Salon Association meeting began.

Wizard Yi Si picked up his milk tea and took a sip. White foam stuck to the corner of his mouth, which he wiped away expressionlessly before shooting a cold glance at Xugus Wizard.

’What’s so interesting about a bunch of Wizard Freshmen fighting? It’s nothing more than children playing house.’

In their eyes, a few Low-tier Witchcraft spells and some so-called combat experience were all the same.

Of course, this wasn’t Xugus Wizard’s main purpose. He was more concerned with the Dark Cultivation Plan, the allocation of slots, and the order of the competitive battles.

He was just about to speak when he was drawn in by the situation on the projection. He smiled and said, "It seems the Wizard Family Alliance came truly well-prepared this time."

Everyone turned their gazes to the screen, their expressions subtly shifting.

Xugus Wizard said with a grin, "A Level 2 Wizard Apprentice, plus an Extraordinary Cultivated Creature... It looks like I’ve won this bet."

Saiya Wizard and Erin Wizard understood immediately. The former’s brow furrowed slightly, while the latter snorted coldly. "That little guy hasn’t revealed his Power yet. He won’t necessarily lose."

"You two just had to be difficult with me and bet on the top three slots. Sigh. If you’d been like me and bet on the top ten, you might have still had a chance." Xugus Wizard’s smile was radiant.

Based on the betting rules, the terms of their wager had also changed slightly.

"But it doesn’t matter. If that little guy can make it into the top ten, he’ll be qualified to join the White Bone School anyway."

As for joining the White Bone Inheritance Lineage, that was now almost impossible.

Wizard Yi Si continued to drink his milk tea calmly. He had never expected to win the bet anyway; he might as well have thrown the Ten Thousand Magic Stones to the dogs.

’Still, the quality of the Wizard Clan freshmen from the Direct Lineage is too high. You can tell how formidable they are just by watching the projection.’

’There’s no guarantee they’ll become Official Wizards in the future, but reaching the level of Extreme Wizard Apprentice should be no problem for them.’

.....

"I’m sure you all have some understanding of the rules for the Secret Realm competition, but I must restate them."

Gusai Wizard stood on a high platform and announced loudly, "All external items are forbidden. This includes, but is not limited to, Witchcraft Scrolls, Extraordinary Potions, Witch Array Techniques, Alchemy Witchcraft Artifacts, and other such items. The Secret Realm competition strives for absolute fairness."

"You may only use your own Witchcraft and wits to fight in the Secret Realm competition. If any issues are detected, you will face a punishment that you’d rather not know about." Gusai Wizard revealed a cold sneer.

The Wizard Freshmen in attendance looked visibly stirred.

Kaze Antuun stood quietly to the side, catching the eye of Zack Antuun among the Wizard Clan freshmen and giving him a slight nod.

Zack revealed a confident smile. ’I will not lose.’

’Even though his father was strict in many ways, he could feel his deep paternal love.’

’Carrying the hopes of the entire clan, I must win.’

Gusai Wizard continued, "You will be randomly assigned to either the Heaven-Filling Fire or the Erosion Forest. Your Wizard Mark will give you the relevant information, what you need to do, and the rules for the slot rankings."

"Additionally, when you enter the Secret Realm’s Teleportation Gate, you must complete a Witch Array authority check. You can store all external items in the Teleportation Gate’s storage space."

"Your Wizard Mark also has a function that allows you to choose to end your participation in the Secret Realm competition. The Secret Realm’s Witch Array Core will teleport you out. When the rankings are calculated, only your performance up to that point will be counted."

Gusai Wizard’s gaze fixed on Kaze Antuun for a moment before moving away. He then addressed the many freshmen below. "Regarding Extraordinary Cultivation Witchcraft and Extraordinary Cultivated Creatures, they are permitted within the rules of the Secret Realm competition. However, you are limited to only one Extraordinary Cultivated Creature, and it must have been registered with the Dark Information Hub."

Among the Wizard Clan freshmen, the corners of many mouths twitched. That loophole had been closed.

Gray said with a grin, "My Kebik will finally have a chance to be useful."

He then winked at Wang Ya. "You’ve been cultivating that crow of yours too, right? Having a Cultivated Creature to help out is a huge advantage in the Secret Realm competition."

Wang Ya flicked the sleeve of his Wizard Robe, and Harak’s bird head poked out. Its pupils were as black as ink, yet exceptionally lively.

Gray gave a strange laugh. "How come your crow is getting smaller and smaller? My Kebik can only be carried in a storage Witchcraft Artifact now. I’m thinking of getting a Cultivation Bag that can hold living creatures later."

Matthew and Mona didn’t have Cultivated Creatures and could only look on with regret.

Wang Ya glanced at the figures who were Level 2 Wizard Apprentices. ’They definitely wouldn’t pass up this kind of help. They’re certain to have Cultivated Creatures, too.’

’But there’s absolutely no way they could be a match for Harak.’

Stroking Harak’s head, Wang Ya’s eyes shone with absolute confidence.

Even Wang Ya couldn’t fathom the potential of the Infinite Genome.

HUMMM!

The enormous, rippling Light Gate could accommodate many Wizard Freshmen preparing at the same time.

When Wang Ya stepped through the Light Gate, he found himself in a separate, dedicated room.

Information from his Wizard Mark indicated that every participating freshman had this type of special small room, used for storing items or releasing a Cultivated Creature from a storage Witchcraft Artifact.

The Witch Array Core automatically identified the information from his Wizard Mark.

Wang Ya placed his Silver Bracelet on the table in front of him, and his red metal ring as well.

Harak crawled out of his sleeve and stood on his shoulder.

"Witch Array Mass Teleportation Countdown: 3 minutes."

"Wizards participating in the Secret Realm are limited to using Low-tier Witchcraft Artifacts."

Projected text appeared before him.

Wang Ya’s eyes flickered, and he took out the Shadow Slayer Blade from his red metal ring.

’Any small boost in Power is good.’

As Wang Ya waited, he grew nervous. The culmination of two and a half years of hard work would be tested in this one Secret Realm competition.

When the countdown reached the final ten seconds,

his heart grew calm, and his expression became serene.

’I’m not inferior to anyone.’

’And there’s no reason I should lose.’

’I have worked hard, endured hardship, studied diligently, persevered in silence, and borne the loneliness.’

’My talent is compensated for by the Eye of Truth, bridging the gap.’

’I will definitely win.’

His fists clenched. As the fluctuations of spatial teleportation enveloped his entire body, he gradually vanished from the small room.