The So-Called Furnace (Please Read On, Bookmark, and Recommend!)

Chapter 8

Contrary to the cold, sinister Dark Wizards Lynn had imagined, Colin was exceptionally warm and friendly. He even took the initiative to patiently explain The Furnace's background and current state to Lynn, a complete newcomer.

Yet as Lynn listened to Colin's explanation, his expression did not improve. Instead, it grew even uglier.

It turned out that The Furnace recruited Wizard Apprentices every year in order to bring in fresh blood.

But The Furnace's resources were limited, and those resources had to be distributed among its subordinate Wizards and apprentices.

As time passed, the growing number of newly admitted apprentices would inevitably intensify the internal struggle for resources and could even threaten certain Wizards' vested interests.

Thus, every decade or so, The Furnace launched an external war.

On one hand, these wars were used to plunder resources and replenish The Furnace's consumption;

On the other hand, they served to "clear out" the excess Wizards and apprentices within, freeing up more room for resources.

After a war, The Furnace would be temporarily depleted. Therefore, the number of apprentices recruited over the following few years would increase, and the assessments would be relatively lenient.

But as time passed, the resources left behind by the war would gradually be consumed, and apprentice recruitment would tighten once more, until the next war arrived.

Lynn's assessment had come during a period of resource scarcity.

Those capable of passing such a harsh assessment were almost all directly connected to certain Wizards or Wizard Apprentices within The Furnace.

After passing the assessment, these "well-connected candidates" would usually seek out their relatives or patrons, so Colin did not need to waste words explaining it.

A complete newcomer like Lynn could only possibly pass the assessment during the few years after a Furnace War ended.

Because in that "lenient" environment, the death quota in the assessment would be lowered, leaving outsiders like him some room to survive.

In the assessment Lynn had taken, all three others had connections to Wizards or Wizard Apprentices within The Furnace. Lynn had only managed to kill one through his own talent and ability, luckily gaining entry into The Furnace.

But that also meant Lynn had already offended the patron behind Russell...

Not only that, Colin's explanation had made Lynn fully realize one fact.

The place he had entered was not some peaceful "wizard academy" focused on study. It was an organization called The Furnace—a completely different world.

Colin continued, explaining that in the Wizard World, only a very small number of powerful Wizards had the ability to establish Wizard territories of their own.

Depending on the Wizard faction, these territories were divided into two types: those belonging to Dark Wizards were collectively called "Furnaces," while those of White Wizards were called "High Towers."

"So what I joined was never an academy..."

Hearing this, Lynn was shaken and suddenly understood.

The "wizard academy life" he had once anticipated so eagerly now seemed to have been nothing more than his own wishful fantasy.

Everything in The Furnace revolved around the Lord of the Furnace—that great Dark Wizard.

Its purpose was not to cultivate scholarly Wizards, but to maintain The Furnace's production and operation through the cooperation of Wizards and apprentices at every level.

The so-called recruitment of apprentices was merely meant to replenish The Furnace's labor force.

Newcomers who passed the assessment would not enter a unified course of study as they would at an academy. Instead, they would be assigned to whichever departments of The Furnace needed them, receive individual guidance, and carry out related work.

At that moment, Lynn's situation was particularly delicate and awkward.

He could only quietly wait for Colin to send his information to The Furnace's various divisions, hoping one of them would be willing to take him in and bring him away.

However, Lynn knew very well that this was merely an idealized assumption.

More likely, during this waiting period, the patron behind Russell would find him, avenge Russell, and erase him from this world.

At that thought, Lynn's expression abruptly darkened.

Colin, seated nearby, continued watching Lynn with a cheerful smile, his chin resting on his hands. He seemed quite happy to enjoy the changes in this complete newcomer's expression.

He had clearly seen through Lynn's circumstances and emotional turmoil, and understood that Lynn had realized the danger he was in.

Though anxious inside, Lynn quickly forced himself to calm down.

He knew that impatience was useless. Only by staying calm and sorting through his thoughts could he find a way to solve the problem.

After steadying himself, Lynn turned his gaze back to Colin's face.

At that moment, he noticed the meaningful smile at the corner of Colin's mouth. His heart stirred as he recalled an old saying: "There's no such thing as a free lunch."

Why had Master Colin been so patient in explaining The Furnace's background to him?

The other man was clearly not helping him out of pure kindness. He had another motive.

Lynn realized that since he knew nothing about The Furnace, he might as well take the initiative and test the waters.

"Master Colin,"

Lynn swiftly gathered his thoughts, bowed slightly, and said respectfully, "You should know that I seized an assessment slot from someone with connections, so I've already offended that person's patron. You've been so kind to Lynn; surely you have some guidance for me? If there is anything Lynn can help with, please give your orders, Master Colin."

As soon as he finished speaking, Colin's smile grew even more satisfied.

He gave a light clap, his tone full of approval.

"Hehe, pretty sharp, aren't you? Not bad, not bad. Only clever apprentices have the capital to survive."

Colin was clearly very satisfied with Lynn's attitude.

He could tell that this complete newcomer before him was no mediocrity. After all, a newcomer who could fight his way out of a group of well-connected candidates could not possibly be ordinary trash.

"That's right. I do have something I need your help with. And it has to be a complete newcomer like you. Come with me."

Colin rose from his seat and gestured for Lynn to follow.

However, his tone shifted, and he gave a small shrug, sounding teasing yet helpless.

"But I should warn you: my teacher has always been very picky. If you cannot meet her requirements, I won't be able to guarantee your safety. When that well-connected candidate's patron comes looking for you, I can't possibly go against them for your sake. Besides, I couldn't beat them anyway."

Hearing this, Lynn's heart tightened, but gratitude immediately appeared on his face.

"Thank you for your help, Master Colin! Whether I succeed or fail, Lynn will certainly give it everything he has!"

In Lynn's eyes, this might be his only chance.

He had just seen with his own eyes that even that scar-faced Wizard had treated Colin with considerable politeness. The reason was most likely Colin's "teacher."

Without the slightest hesitation, Lynn seized this lifeline.

He understood that regardless of the outcome, Colin's willingness to give him an opportunity was already an immense stroke of luck.

Colin nodded at this. After finding someone in the hall to cover his shift, he led Lynn out of the hall.

The two passed through The Furnace's Living District and wandered through the streets and alleys for quite some time as the scenery around them constantly changed.

At last, they arrived before a small courtyard at a street corner.

The courtyard was elegantly decorated with flowers and plants. Completely different from the cold, rigid style of most buildings in The Furnace, it gave off a warm and tranquil air.

"This is where my teacher lives."

Colin stopped and turned to Lynn.

His tone was calm, but Lynn could sense a faint reverence in Colin's voice whenever he mentioned his "teacher."

Lynn took a deep breath and looked up at the courtyard gate.

He knew that every step from here on would determine whether he lived or died.