Ian returned to the City of Elements once more.
Yet this time, he felt something different.
"Everything's more hurried!"
Walking down the streets, Ian watched the endless stream of people on either side. Compared to a year ago, there was clearly an added sense of haste.
That was because, over the past year, camps had been established one after another east of the City of Elements.
This expansion brought new vitality, but it also brought new competition.
There were plenty of conflicts, whether over resources or frictions with the Crimson Eye.
For ordinary Wizards, these were naturally opportunities.
But Ian knew very well why this was happening, and what might follow.
"Ah, I really just want to steadily improve my talent and strength!"
Ian sighed.
So, he could only strive to climb higher in the Academy's ranks. Only then would he have a chance to secure a foothold in the war, along with greater odds of surviving in peace.
In fact, he did not want to take part in a real war at all.
And merely being an official member of an Academy clearly would not be enough to achieve any of that.
So he needed to obtain a scholarship, and even more opportunities to prove himself.
After crossing the City of Elements, he entered the Elemental Mountains region.
Then he headed straight for the area belonging to Four Symbols Academy, making directly for the largest Castle atop the mountain—the place where Kieran usually stayed.
This time, he had come straight to Kieran to pass the assessment first.
There was no need to show it off at the monthly assessment meeting. He did not like that sort of environment.
"Lord Ian, please wait a moment. Lord Kieran is selecting a new batch of preparatory students. You may have to wait