The Traitor: Wizard Yis's Departure

The administrators of Ancient Forest Mountain had a dedicated office building: Ancient Forest Tower. It stood at the mountain's highest point, beneath the shade of an incomparably massive ancient tree. Parts of its walls had even been built directly into the tree's trunk, making it look like a towering spire from the outside.

The freshmen lived halfway up Ancient Forest Mountain.

Wang Ya's idea was simple and brutal, but it would also produce the most immediate results.

The rules of Ancient Forest Mountain had been set by Wizard Yis. Since those rules had been broken, Wizard Yis could resolve the matter himself.

You ignored matters beyond Ancient Forest Mountain, but now it had happened within the mountain itself, where the rules had been openly violated.

With a view of rules similar to Wizard Tuta's, Wang Ya was certain that Wizard Yis would intervene.

What would the final outcome be if someone at least as powerful as a Third-level Wizard Apprentice made a move?

Wang Ya found himself looking forward to it for once. Perhaps he could gather and compare some data.

He had never seen Wizard Tuta take action. He could only sense the equally terrifying, abyss-like Particle Energy auras on both men. If unleashed, they could at least destroy an entire mortal city.

The High Energy Reaction detected by the Eye of Truth was no joke.

If Particle Energy of that level touched him, his body's resistance would be completely incapable of blocking the radiation damage. There would be only one result: his entire body would undergo pathological changes, forming tumors and festering into a deteriorating, pus-filled shell before he died amid unbearable torment.

He wanted to see whether the person behind it all could still sit tight!

Wang Ya's voice carried into Ancient Forest Tower. Before long, the great doors at the base of the tower opened.

Yet the figure who emerged from Ancient Forest Tower was not Wizard Yis.

Wang Ya's brows furrowed slightly, though he maintained his manners. "Respected Wizard Gandhi."

The newcomer wore a white Wizard Robe. He was somewhat plump, with a fleshy face, and a powerful Particle Energy aura emanated from him. Yet compared to Wizard Yis, he was far, far weaker.

Naturally, Ancient Forest Mountain's management could not consist of Wizard Yis alone.

There were also four Steward Wizards who handled all manner of affairs for Wizard Yis. They had appeared at Ancient Forest Pavilion and the Automated Restaurant, though they were more often nowhere to be seen.

Wizard Gandhi before him had, however, eaten lunch and dinner alongside the freshmen at the Automated Restaurant over the past few days. His appearance as a kindly, middle-aged, potbellied man was brimming with warmth, the complete opposite of Wizard Yis's cold face. If Wizard Yis had not left such a deep impression on the freshmen, some of them might have gathered the courage to try speaking with Wizard Gandhi.

It was worth mentioning that Wizard Gandhi and another, Wizard Longtu, were old hands of Ancient Forest Mountain, having stayed there for around forty years. Wizard Yis and the other two Wizards had been transferred from The Umbral Expanse. Wizard Yis, in particular, had arrived within the last five years.

"You said someone violated the rules Wizard Yis established on Ancient Forest Mountain?" Wizard Gandhi's kindly face was filled with gravity.

"Could you explain the situation in detail? If what you say is true, then this is truly deplorable and must be severely punished. Also, may I ask who you are?"

For no reason, Wang Ya's heart skipped a beat. Something felt vaguely strange. He subconsciously lowered his head and glanced at Wizard Gandhi from the corner of his eye. The man still wore that exceedingly kind expression, and his grave look seemed genuinely worried about the matter. It was not fake!

Was it just his imagination?

"I am Wizard Freshman Arthur, Arthur Luci. My number is—"

Wang Ya suppressed the panic rising within him and spoke nervously, even stuttering over a word or two.

It was as though he was deeply frightened by the violation of Ancient Forest Mountain's rules.

"Wizard Gandhi, may I ask where Wizard Yis is? Wizard Yis must be informed of this matter," Wang Ya added.

Wizard Gandhi shook his head. "I'm afraid it is too late. Wizard Yis and the other three Wizards have gone to the Transfer Station to receive the Supernatural Resources delivered from The Umbral Expanse."

"In a sense, that matter is more important than the violation of Ancient Forest Mountain's rules. They will not return for at least a week."

It was as if a bolt of lightning had struck Wang Ya's mind, and an inexplicable chill crept through him.

The moment Wizard Gandhi spoke those words, countless thoughts flashed through Wang Ya's mind.

He did not dare guess, nor did he dare think further. He tried his best to maintain the most appropriate expression on his face.

Wang Ya looked anxious. "Then what should we do? If Wizard Yis isn't here, aren't we in great danger? Who knows whether the hidden mastermind lurking in the shadows will continue trying to kill us?"

"Rest assured. I will investigate the situation and, at the very least, ensure your safety until Wizard Yis returns."

Wizard Gandhi spoke with ringing conviction.

Wang Ya left Ancient Forest Tower with a heavy heart.

He could even sense Wizard Gandhi's gaze lingering on him, as though it wished to pierce straight through his body.

Inside the Freshman Residence, Moxi pushed the door open, with Kadi following behind him.

"The Nameless Wizard Killer has already acted, successfully stirring panic among the freshmen. Those fellows with exceptional talent should understand the situation by now." A smile appeared on Kadi's face as he raised a cup of tea and drank deeply.

"But I am still curious. Why not have the Nameless Wizard Killer dispose of the corpse? Instead, you left behind the corpse, the greatest flaw of all. If it had been discovered a few days later, wouldn't the matter of the broken rules have spread a few days later as well?" Kadi looked at Moxi curiously.

"What we lack is time!" Moxi smiled calmly, full of confidence. "We have only seven days to complete our plan for the Wizard Freshmen. The two Nameless Wizard Killers are meant to die on Ancient Forest Mountain, as an explanation."

"And the most direct stimulus is death. There is no time to wait for panic to spread. Those who have yet to sign the Wizard Contract are all hard bones to chew, and they are clever people as well. Their mentality has already reached the Wizard stage; they no longer possess the various base flaws of the island natives."

"They will certainly be unwilling to accept it and will struggle by every possible means. Even I felt some sympathy for them after reading that contract. But what can unwillingness change? The way to deal with clever people differs from using threats of death against those island natives. Faced with death, they will instead leap over the wall in desperation. You must use both coercion and inducement, then exploit their psychological weaknesses to break through their defenses bit by bit. You must give them hope of survival, and let them see a little prospect for the future."

"Only Wizard Freshmen like that have a greater chance of growing stronger. As for those island natives who have already signed the contract, they are far inferior to this group."

A different light flickered in Moxi's eyes. At this moment, his presence was exceptionally oppressive.

Kadi's pupils contracted, as though he had seen the shadow of the previous batch of direct-line family freshmen.

Suddenly, Moxi seemed to sense something. He closed his eyes, and when he opened them again, his gaze held a trace of amusement.

"Come on. We still need to find the Executive President of the Wizard Mutual Aid Association, our little Anna, and ask what kind of person this Wizard Freshman Arthur Luci is."