The Admission Tickets were limited, but how many were there? Would there be enough for the Wizard Freshmen on Ancient Forest Mountain? There were already more than four hundred people. Even excluding those who failed the assessment, that number...
Ryan frowned. From what he had learned over the past two days, Ancient Forest Mountain was not the Umbral Expanse's only assessment site for freshmen.
And Wizard Ethan's words suggested that competition on Ancient Forest Mountain was fierce enough to require rules against vicious incidents. Such rules would only exist because those incidents had happened before.
Wizard Ethan's records listed Ryan's technique as the Supernatural Nurturing spell Iron Hide Steel Claws, with the Black Feather Crow as its subject.
After Harak's mutation through the Thorn Heart, her size and appearance no longer quite resembled the spell's usual result. But a powerful Wizard could still discern the Supernatural Essence within her.
If Ryan wanted, he could get an Admission Ticket to Umbral Wizard Academy from Wizard Ethan at any time.
But that was not his best choice. There was another reason he needed to stay on Ancient Forest Mountain a while longer.
Basic Supernatural Knowledge was Ryan's weakness. He needed to remedy that before he could study and master Advanced Wizardry.
Over the past two days, Ryan had discovered that many books on the shelves in the freshmen's lodging contained genuine Supernatural Knowledge.
Most covered the basics, which was exactly what he needed.
They seemed to have been deliberately mixed in among the other books. The Wizard Freshmen would have to look carefully to find them.
Anyone who missed this Basic Supernatural Knowledge would have to spend a considerable number of Magic Stones, or even the academy's Contribution Points, to buy it later.
That was the real Wizard World: magnificent, vast, and practical. Everything rested on Equivalent Exchange, on what one gave and what one received.
There was no reason to give up something he could obtain.
A solid foundation would help Ryan adapt to Umbral Wizard Academy more quickly.
Wizard Ethan left the large conference room.
Just then, a voice rang out, amplified to echo through the room. "Everyone, I'm Moss Bailin, a Direct Lineage Member of the Bailin Wizard Family. Welcome to Ancient Forest Mountain after your long voyage across the Endless Sea."
The speaker was seated near the center of the fifth row.
He stood in a White Wizard Robe. His silver hair and handsome face drew the eyes of the female freshmen.
He continued, "As your hosts, my good friends from several other Wizard Families and I have arranged a grand welcome party. I hope you'll join us. We can also share information about Ancient Forest Mountain, the Umbral Expanse, and the Wizard World."
Moss Bailin smiled. He carried himself with striking poise and showed no trace of nerves under so many watching eyes.
"This will be a chance for all of us to get to know one another. We can talk about the moments in our lives we're most proud of."
Among the crowd, Anna's crimson eyes lit up. She had gathered plenty of information over the past two days, including the identities of the Wizard Freshmen with the finest aptitudes.
Moss Bailin came from the Bailin Wizard Family, one of the Three Great Wizard Families that dominated Ancient Forest Wizard City.
His family background, status, Wizard Aptitude, and resources were all exceptional. Even if Arthur were still alive, he would not have been fit to shine Moss's shoes.
With the Bailin Wizard Family's support, she could gain a tremendous advantage on her path as a Wizard.
An idea took shape in Anna's mind. This gathering might be the perfect opportunity.
"The Bailin Mansion in Ancient Forest Wizard City has prepared a feast and sweet fruit wine. Ladies and gentlemen, what are you waiting for?"
Moss smiled and looked openly at the Wizard Freshmen before him.
"Of course I'll come. This may be the kind of party we get to attend only once in our lives."
Anna tossed her fiery red hair and stepped forward with the confidence of a swan holding its pale neck high.
Moss's eyes lit up at once. He was far from the only one; few of the Wizard Freshmen could keep their eyes off her.
With her fiery red hair and tall figure, she stood out even among the other young women.
Once one person agreed, others followed. Many Wizard Freshmen answered Moss's invitation, ready to accompany him to the Wizard City for the gathering.
They had paid no heed to Wizard Ethan's warning.
The Wizard City, the promise of closer conversation at the party, and the charged atmosphere of attraction appealed to them far more.
Ryan watched in silence. He did not join them.
Something was wrong.
He thought of what Wizard Ethan had revealed and the rules he had announced for Ancient Forest Mountain. Clearly, he did not recommend that the Wizard Freshmen leave.
These freshmen from the Wizard Families were being a little too enthusiastic as well.
They're even celebrating the chance to meet us... Are there enough Admission Tickets for everyone? Is there no competition at all?
The more Ryan thought about it, the more things seemed amiss.
He sneered inwardly, his gaze cold.
But it had nothing to do with him. Whether they went or stayed, it did not matter so long as they did not interfere with him.
Once they made their choice, they would need to be able to bear it.
If they could not, they would have to accept the price and the consequences.
What Ryan had seen of Wizard Tuta had taught him how Wizards handled things: what the rules forbade was absolutely prohibited; beyond that, they watched with indifference.
Of course, some others had noticed something was wrong. Quite a few people had declined to respond.
Ryan rose from his seat, intending to return and fill the gaps in his Basic Supernatural Knowledge.
But a voice stopped him. "Ryan, we came here on the same Wizard Ship. Come to the party with us. This is a rare opportunity, and it could do you a lot of good."
Ryan frowned and looked over.
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