The Wizard's Pursuit of Truth

A clash of Biological Force Fields was a battle of wits, with both Wizards probing for an opening. There were only so many methods of attack, but the power of Witchcraft was certainly enough to kill a Wizard.

Should one cast a Particle Energy Shield for defense, use an offensive spell, or resort to other means? Once a choice was made, the rhythm of the battle would be set. To fall into an opponent’s tempo was to lose the upper hand.

This was the strategic game of a Wizard’s duel.

「On Freshman Square.」

Lando Wizard was instantly wide awake, a broad smile spreading across his face. "Wind Wizard, it looks like we bet on the right horse this time. This kid has really given all of us a huge surprise."

A strange light glinted in the eyes of Wind Wizard and Gusai Wizard. With their keen insight, they could discern the subtleties of the battle.

The Wizard Freshman on the Blood Wizard Path had to be a direct lineage heir prepared by one of the Wizard Clans—a powerful contender for one of the top three spots.

Yet Wang Ya’s current performance was one of total suppression. In terms of pure Power, he was definitively among the strongest of the freshmen.

’Maybe a spot in the top three is actually possible.’

Before this, they had only speculated and hoped, never daring to get their expectations up too high.

Seeing the result play out was a genuine, pleasant surprise.

Gusai Wizard’s mind drifted back to watching Wizard Yi Si’s life-and-death duel, recalling the questions Wang Ya had discussed with him about the illusory versus the real... ’Perhaps this kid really has, without anyone noticing, pulled ahead of all the other freshmen.’

Everyone had their secrets, and he had no intention of prying.

What he knew for certain was that the boy was just a commoner freshman who had made his way from an Island Continent. His background was clean, and he had now demonstrated true value.

Regardless of his final ranking in the Secret Realm competition, it was worth putting the idea in his head into motion. A slow smile spread across his lips.

Nearby, Kaze Antuun watched without expression, his thoughts impossible to guess. In reality, his consciousness had already appeared in the Wizard Clan’s projection conference room.

The moment he entered, he saw Goodley, the head of the Shebel Clan. The man’s expression was as foul as if he’d just eaten something disgusting.

’Fair enough. If my own clan’s direct lineage freshman had run into such a powerful opponent, I’d have a headache too,’ Kaze Antuun mused.

He couldn’t afford the price of failure.

Fortunately, Zack was in the Swamp Zone and had already collected a large number of Dark Badges. His hunts against other Wizards were going exceptionally well; he had already forced more than twenty Wizard Freshmen to retreat.

His Dark Badge count currently ranked third.

First place was held by Rod, the direct lineage freshman from the Stark Clan.

Second was Fox, the direct lineage freshman from the Gobseck Clan.

"Looks like some people’s boasts are a lot tougher than their performance," Jishilin jeered from the side, drawing Kaze Antuun’s gaze.

He knew better than to speak and simply sat silently in his seat.

Puni Stark rubbed his forehead and spoke up. "Alright, Jishilin, there’s no need for that. We are all members of the Wizard Family Alliance. We’ve now seen the School Lineage’s hidden card, and he’s impressive—not much weaker than any of our clans’ own direct lineage members."

"What we should be considering now is whether there are more like Wang Ya Harak. As for the title of Child of the Dark, it must remain within our Wizard Family Alliance, even if it goes to one of our lesser members. We absolutely cannot let it fall into the hands of the School Lineage."

Goodley suddenly let out a cold laugh. His smile was chilling, like a snake’s, enough to make one’s skin crawl. "You don’t actually believe Riley will lose to this Wang Ya Harak, do you?"

All eyes turned to him in surprise.

Goodley shot Jishilin a cold glare, a grim smile spreading across his face. "I told you, Riley will not lose. He *will* claim the title of Child of the Dark. He absolutely will."

Jishilin just snorted and ignored him, turning his attention back to the projected image, worried for Halic’s safety.

...

Halic didn’t know how he had survived the last three minutes. He felt like he had lost nearly two-thirds of his blood, and his body was growing weak. He finally couldn’t take it anymore and used his Particle Energy to activate the Dark Wizard Mark.

’If I die, I die!’ he thought. ’I’ll just gamble my life!’

As the ripples of teleportation enveloped Halic, the delicate Balance was shattered by this external presence.

BOOM!

The release of Particle Energy was so intense it created a shockwave of sound. Large patches of Yin Wood withered under the effect of the radiation.

A savage light filled Riley Shebel’s eyes. His Wizard Robe was blasted to shreds by the wave of Particle Energy as blood-red Biological Energy enveloped his entire body. The ground beneath his feet vanished, leaving a massive crater, sending mud splattering high into the sky.

In that instant, Riley Shebel pushed his Speed to its absolute limit. Against an opponent like this, he had no choice but to go all out.

He moved at a speed so fast it blurred both vision and even the perception of Spiritual Power. His spine flexed like a serpent’s, and his jaw, empowered by the blood-red Biological Energy, unhinged wide enough to swallow an adult’s head.

His sharp canines shot toward Wang Ya’s pale neck.

A fierce wind blasted forward, the very air vibrating from the friction of his speed. As the shockwave hit, Wang Ya’s chiseled face emerged from the shadows. His eyes were impassive. A crimson firelight, like the first light of dawn breaking through darkness, suddenly illuminated the surroundings. That leaping flame filled his black pupils, then spread to cover his entire body. As his robe billowed, sparks flew out, igniting the world around him.