Ancient God Language, Fellow Villager?

"But the first page of Future Diary had writing on it that belonged only to me."

Storms churned through Ahab's mind. He felt as if his head were an old steam engine, belching clouds of black smoke.

Merlin, a second-ring wizard, knew this was the language of the ancient gods.

Yet his future self, already an eighth-ring wizard, had still said this writing belonged only to me.

It made no sense. A second-ring wizard had seen the language of the ancient gods, but an eighth-ring wizard had not?

That could only mean—

"When I was writing Future Diary, my future self was already abnormal!"

A chill ran down Ahab's back, and he felt an indescribable horror.

And judging from the current situation, the Void Ancient God clearly knew Chinese, which meant it could understand this Future Diary.

If that "Master" had been addressed to the Void Ancient God—

"Then I, who have been acting according to the diary's contents all this time, am in danger!"

The suspicion in Ahab's heart reached its peak. Very carefully, he turned his head and looked at Future Diary perched on his shoulder.

"No, that's still not right."

"The very first diary entry hinted that I should poison all the apprentices, but once I did that, I would definitely be taken in as a Demon Hunter Wizard.

"As long as I saw this book about Void Cultists, I would immediately become alert. Would a mighty ancient god make such a stupid mistake?

"Or was writing that passage my future self's true intention, precisely to wake me up..."

Old Wizard Merlin stroked his beard. Seeing Ahab's expression change three times in quick succession, he thought he had pushed him too hard.

After giving someone a slap, one still had to offer a sweet date.

"Of course, becoming a Demon Hunter Wizard also has many benefits."

"Leaving aside gaining authority over the void, as a Demon Hunter Wizard, your very existence would be the greatest contribution to the Academy. Your life and safety would receive the highest level of protection."

"In addition, I can personally promise you three questions. I will answer them with the knowledge reserves of a second-ring wizard."

Ahab fell silent for a long time.

He had gained the chance to become a Demon Hunter Wizard because of Future Diary.

Could this have been arranged by that senior from his homeland?

But on the other hand, in Future Diary, he had not become a Void Cultist, yet his ending had still been to fall under control.

Perhaps the truth was the exact opposite of what he guessed. Perhaps only by following the diary and becoming a cultist could he avoid being controlled.

It seemed that even without any element of threat, he had to take part in this hunt.

Merlin, a second-ring wizard, was currently the highest level of existence he could come into contact with.

The three questions he answered might provide key information and help him see through the truth.

And his aptitude was ultimately still a major problem.

But if he mastered "See Through"—

"I am willing to become a Demon Hunter Wizard," Ahab said firmly.

"Mm. Then familiarize yourself with the relevant information on Void Cultists as soon as possible. Also..."

Old Wizard Merlin stamped his foot, and a teleportation array appeared in the small room once again.

The light of the teleportation array gradually faded, and three apprentices had already appeared inside the small room.

All three wore matching pitch-black, reflective wizard robes, with identical metal badges on their chests:

First-class wizard apprentices!

Ahab was very familiar with one of them. It was his instructor, Gray.

From the looks of it, these three first-class apprentices should all be under Old Wizard Merlin.

"Because positions are limited, the connections between Void Cultists, high and low, will be very close."

"That cultist named Vivian clearly won't be able to escape on her own.

"When she has no way out, she can only contact a stronger cultist. Given the nature of the void, a stronger cultist will not stand by and watch her die.

"So, in your first hunt, aside from facing Vivian, you may also have to face a first-class Void Cultist."

As he spoke, Merlin extended a hand and pointed at the three people below him.

"Taize, you will be responsible for ensuring a way out after the hunt succeeds. Once it succeeds, retreat immediately. Do not get greedy for merit."

"Clifis, you will be responsible for dealing with any powerful Void Cultist who may appear.

"Gray, there is no need to say much for your part. If this matter is handled well, I promise you one chance at advancement within three years. If you botch it—"

Instructor Gray stepped forward and pressed a hand to his chest.

"If I botch it, I will bring my own head to see you, Teacher!"

At dusk, Ahab walked along the Academy's gravel path.

Old Wizard Merlin had made it clear: he was to prepare for three days.

In three days, they would set out to hunt demons.

Although three first-class apprentices would be going with him, Vivian's side might also have stronger followers of the evil god.

In terms of off-field support, the two sides were roughly even.

In other words, he still had to fight Vivian on his own.

Now he finally understood why they wanted an apprentice with terrible aptitude like him to become a Demon Hunter Wizard.

If the hunt succeeded, the Demon Hunter Wizard would grasp the authority of a Void Cultist.

Vivian, a third-class apprentice, had held one authority and managed to kill a second-class apprentice alone without taking a scratch.

If a highly talented wizard went through multiple demon hunts and grasped a whole pile of void authorities...

So, if he wanted to beat Vivian, what should he do?

The powerful part of [See Through] lay in its ability to phase through four spells.

In other words, he had to stand still and let Vivian strike him with lightning four times.

Make her guess wrong?

Not likely. He and Vivian had been enemies once and allies once; she knew his abilities very well.

However, [See Through] could only target spells. It could not make up for the gap in physical ability.

Last time, after both of them had emptied their mana and ended up brawling, Vivian had been caught by him, which proved that point.

Aside from elemental wizards, there were also body-tempering wizards, who naturally did not fear this.

But three days was not enough time for him to temper his body.

If not body-tempering...

Right, there was also bloodline transplantation!

Inspiration struck Ahab.

At the same time, he also understood just how sinister Old Wizard Merlin's arrangement was.

Through bloodline transplantation, one could gain powerful physical qualities and part of another creature's power in a short period of time.

But correspondingly, after transplanting a bloodline, a wizard would undergo mutation.

And the wizard's upper limit would be restricted. Usually, they could only develop to the highest level of the race whose bloodline they had transplanted.

"It's just like choosing low-aptitude apprentices to become Demon Hunter Wizards. This is also meant to limit my potential."

"To keep me from becoming too powerful after I grasp an authority."

Ahab rolled his eyes at the sky.

People who lived forty or fifty years were already shrewd beyond belief, let alone an old wizard like this who was several hundred years old.