The next day.
To the tolling "dong dong" of the academy's magic clock, several hundred Black Wizard Apprentices, Saine among them, gathered before the flowerbeds outside the academy's central Teaching Building.
Appearing alongside Saine and the others were more than twenty Owl Academy Supervisors, perched in scattered positions around the area.
Of the academy's Formal Black Wizards, Saine could see only six standing before the Teaching Building.
Yet there were clearly more than six Formal Black Wizards heading to Shadow Valley. At this moment, mists and gray crows rose and fell through the air above the academy—both were the handiwork of those Formal Black Wizards.
There was no mobilization, nor was there any explanation.
Vice-Dean Dadalong stood at the forefront before the other five Black Magicians and said in a cold, grave tone, "Set out!"
Intimidated by the Formal Black Wizards' usual authority, the several hundred apprentices all remained silent as they left the academy.
At this time, the entire City of Mozhsuobula had become exceptionally quiet.
Two days earlier, the Black Magicians had ordered all residents within the city to remain indoors and strictly enforced a curfew.
Even the Underground Subhumans who traveled to and from the City of Mozhsuobula had been completely driven away by the Black Magicians.
As for when the City of Mozhsuobula would reopen, the lofty Black Magicians had given no definite answer.
Shadow Valley was a great distance from the City of Mozhsuobula. At the very least, Saine had never been there; he had merely vaguely heard of such a place.
The journey to Shadow Valley was clearly not to be made on foot. The Black Magicians had no interest in wasting time on the road, and for the few who knew the truth, including the dean, delay could breed change.
A massive flying