Wizard Ethan swept his Spiritual Power over the paper and instantly absorbed every detail.
Most of the names belonged to Wizard Freshmen who had broken the rules. Their offenses were listed clearly, down to the specific violations.
There was no doubt that everyone on the list deserved to die.
As for the targets who deserved death but were not on the list, the three wizards already had them in mind.
"Gandi is a Rank 2 Wizard Apprentice who joined the Water Marsh School. He may have signed a Wizard Contract with the Bailin Family when he was a freshman. But none of that matters. What matters is that he broke the rules."
Wizard Ethan's gaze turned chilling. "Murder, atrocities, even sacrificing an entire city to refine a Wizard Artifact—every wizard has their own ideas, so long as they can bear the consequences. But the price of breaking rules everyone follows? I'd like to see whether he can afford it."
Wizard Lando shuddered. That bastard had joined the Water Marsh School too? How had he not known? Damn it! He hurriedly said, "Senior Ethan, leave that bastard to me. I'll deal with him myself." He resolved to have a serious talk with the Chief once he returned to the Umbral Expanse.
Still, every wizard had the right to join a school if they passed its assessment. Who could know what background they had? Changing the rules was something those higher-ups would have to discuss.
Wizard Zephyr said, "We killed Wizard Longtu, but the Three Great Wizard Families are still formidable. The Antun Family has even established itself in the Umbral Expanse and produced a Limit Wizard Apprentice. Their presence here is only a branch family, and they took no part in the other two families' plot. That makes it difficult to move against them."
Wizard Ethan opened his palm. The cube-shaped device from the freshman assembly appeared there. Tiny arcs of electricity scattered as it split apart and changed shape, and a flood of images appeared above it.
The images showed the Wizard Array Path and its surroundings. They also included evidence Wizard Ethan had observed, even Moss's conversations with Anna and Kadi.
When Ancient Forest Mountain was first built, wizards from the White Bone School had taken part in the work. Naturally, they had left a few safeguards behind.
The Wizard Array Path had more functions than the ones on display.
As for evidence concerning the Wizard Killer, perhaps none could be found. But once they caught whoever was behind it, wizards had plenty of ways to look at the memories inside a person's mind.
"Let me handle the targets on the list, then meet up with you in Ancient Forest Wizard City, Senior Ethan," Wizard Zephyr offered.
He had already guessed that Wizard Ethan would go to the Bailin Family and the Purple Gold Flower Family alone. Given Wizard Ethan's temperament, he would probably start fighting at once. Zephyr was not worried Ethan would lose. He was worried Ancient Forest Wizard City would be destroyed and particle energy radiation would turn the surrounding area into a Death Zone.
Some people in the Umbral Expanse were thoroughly unpleasant. If they seized on that as an excuse to hound Wizard Ethan, he would probably lose patience and challenge them to the Battle Stage.
"No need. I'll make arrangements for the rule-breakers among the Wizard Freshmen." For some reason, Wizard Ethan thought of that interesting young wizard.
Judging by his strength, none of the freshmen on Ancient Forest Mountain could match him. Having the little fellow kill the targets on the list would be rather interesting!
Ethan wanted to see whether this interesting little fellow could surprise him again—and whether he had the nerve to accept the task.
A smile touched Wizard Ethan's lips, leaving Wizard Zephyr and Wizard Lando puzzled. Something else had happened that they did not know about.
After the Wizard Killer's attack earlier that night, Ryan was busy in his Personal Laboratory, which had escaped damage from the wizardry.
The Nurturing Chamber probably could no longer be used to raise Supernatural Lifeforms. The concentration of particle energy radiation was so high that Ryan wore a Radiation Isolation Suit whenever he entered or left it.
His Personal Laboratory lay in the deepest part of the Nurturing Chamber. A defensive wizard array shielded it, keeping the energy radiation out.
Ryan had finally begun cultivating the Shadow Dark Crow's bloodline in the Incubation Chamber. Fortunately, no major problems had arisen. As long as it continued absorbing Nutrient Solution, the Supernatural Bloodline would remain viable. Further cultivation would require supernatural materials, and Ryan had no way to obtain them yet.
The Shadow Blade of Assassination could not be repaired either, but its ability to animate metal and destroy Energy Shields would be immensely useful in Ryan's hands. His first thought was to coat the blade with Green Venom, then have Harak use it for strategic attacks from the shadows.
Ryan had been on edge the whole time. Wizard Gandi and the Wizard Killer posed far too great a threat to him. What methods would the person behind them use against him over the next four days?
Now that he had killed the Wizard Killer and exposed his abilities, they would surely send someone stronger to deal with him.
Four days. I just have to hold out for four days! Resolve hardened in his eyes. Whatever happened, he would give it everything he had.
Suddenly, his pupils contracted. Something had triggered the Wizard Array Central Hub. Someone at the entrance to the mist seemed to be looking for him and had activated its alert.
Who could it be?
At a time like this? He had only just killed the Wizard Killer and had not even cleaned up the traces around his residence.
Ryan's heart sank. Did the person behind this send them? No, that made no sense. It was too soon, and they would not make such a conspicuous approach. He quickly dismissed the thought.
In the end, Ryan decided to take a look. Inside the mist array, he was in control, and the mist would not impede him. With its help, he could run straight back if anything seemed wrong.
Even as he neared the exit, he kept a firm grip on the Mid-level Wizardry Scroll, Darkness Deprivation, inside his sleeve, ready to activate it at any moment.
But as the figure gradually came into focus, Ryan froze in astonishment.
A brown Wizard Robe. Unmistakable purple hair. An impassive face and a cool gaze that seemed to pierce the mist and settle on him.
It was Wizard Ethan!!
Wasn't he supposed to return in a week?
Wizard Gandi had no reason to lie about that. Had something unexpected happened?
Yet Ryan felt an odd sense of safety. Wizard Ethan looked difficult to deal with, but he was far better than Wizard Gandi with his friendly smile and the malice hidden beneath it.
"Greetings, Lord Ethan." Ryan bowed slightly in respect.
A sheet of parchment floated in front of Ryan. His pupils contracted as he read the names, some familiar and some not. Anna Karina and Lafayette were on it too. Nearly everyone who had been aboard Wizard Tuta's ship was listed.
Wizard Ethan said flatly, "Do you dare kill everyone on this list?"
Ryan: "..."
Before you continue