Shadow Nightmare Realm

Charles had a clear understanding and plan for his own path of study and development.

He would meditate diligently, learn more witchcraft, and become a First-Ring Wizard—or an even higher-ranking wizard—as soon as possible.

Just when Charles thought he would be able to go on capturing goblins, earning Magic Stones, and studying under Loran forever—

A new upheaval arose.

It had only been a little over two months since Charles had become a second-class wizard apprentice.

Loran strode into the classroom in a rush.

There were no longer just Charles, Jody, and Joseph in the classroom. There were another six or seven apprentices as well.

They had simply arrived later.

Loran said, "Your luck is bad. Because of the Shadow Nightmare Realm's approach, I have been assigned a mission and will be leaving Isata to garrison a city."

"The rest of your lessons can only continue after I return."

"Or you can accompany me to the city where I will be stationed. During that time, you will become my assistants. Isata will issue you Magic Stones as a reward, and you will receive better guidance from me as well."

"I'll give you two days to consider it. Tell me your decision in two days."

Upon hearing this, one apprentice hesitantly asked, "Teacher, can we get a refund?"

"Hm!?"

Loran's voice abruptly rose. The next second, the apprentice was sent flying, slamming into the wall behind him.

Loran's face was concealed beneath her hood as she asked, "Does anyone else want a refund!?"

Charles and the other apprentices all shook their heads frantically, not daring to make a sound.

Loran left. After discussing it for a while, everyone in the classroom dispersed as well.

Charles left with Joseph. Joseph asked, "Charles, are you planning to follow Teacher Loran outside, or stay in Isata?"

"I heard that when the Shadow Nightmare Realm draws near, it isn't safe."

Joseph spoke rather cryptically.

Charles did not know much about the Shadow Nightmare Realm. He had only seen some basic information in a few books.

The wizard world was not the only world in the multiverse. Charles had known that long ago.

The wizard world was the largest plane in this cluster of surrounding worlds.

There were also many lesser plane worlds nearby.

The Shadow Nightmare Realm, meanwhile, was another large world within the wizard world's world cluster.

The Shadow Nightmare Realm was fragmented, like a shadow.

It intersected with many worlds, and naturally, it also intersected with the wizard world.

Whenever such an intersection occurred, people from the wizard world could enter the Shadow Nightmare Realm.

And the shadow creatures of the Shadow Nightmare Realm would also have an opportunity to enter the wizard world.

Each intersection between the two worlds lasted for an uncertain amount of time. Sometimes it might only be a few days or months; other times, it could last several years, or even more than a decade.

Charles asked Joseph, "You mean those shadow creatures?"

Joseph nodded. "That's right. There are many powerful beings among the shadow creatures."

"If we stay inside Isata, we're basically safe. The great wizards here will deal with those hidden dangers."

"But if we go out to garrison a city, that's hard to say. You understand what I mean, right?"

Charles nodded, understanding Joseph's meaning.

Charles himself truly did not intend to go. He already had a stable source of Magic Stone income within Isata. He only needed to proceed step by step.

Two days later, Charles was in Loran's office.

Loran said, "Charles, I've always thought highly of you. I was planning to formally take you on as my student once you became a first-class wizard apprentice."

"What do you say? Will you accompany me outside to garrison this time?"

Loran leaned forward. She truly did think rather highly of Charles.

Over the past six months, every Zero-Ring witchcraft spell Charles had learned had been purchased from her.

Those spells suited each other well, and she also knew that since entering Isata, Charles had never idled away his time. All the Magic Stones he used for cultivation had been earned through hunting.

Loran had not particularly needed a combat-oriented apprentice like this before, but now that she was leaving Isata, she did indeed have some use for one.

A First-Ring Wizard was naturally very powerful and could crush wizard apprentices outright. Charles was not even a match for one of Loran's fingers.

But garrisoning a city was not the same as fighting alone.

Surely every little monster could not require Loran to personally take action. Would she still cultivate, continue meditating, and carry on with her experiments then?

Loran had a laboratory under her command, but most of the apprentices there served as experimental assistants.

They could assist with experiments, but if they were sent out to handle matters, one careless mistake could get them killed on the road.

That was also why Loran wanted to recruit Charles this time.

But Charles had already made up his mind before coming. He shook his head and said, "Teacher Loran, I'd still like to remain in Isata and wait for you to return before continuing my studies."

Upon hearing that, Loran was immediately somewhat displeased, though she did not show it.

She said, "Charles, you should know that refusing a First-Ring Wizard is not a very good decision."

"I hope you can become my assistant, become my student, and leave Isata with me to garrison the city."

Charles showed a troubled expression. He hesitated before saying, "Teacher, I heard that it's very dangerous when the Shadow Nightmare Realm intersects with our world. With the strength of an apprentice like me, if I leave Isata, can I really be of help to you?"

Loran stood up and patted Charles on the shoulder. "It isn't only powerful wizards who can help me. Your strength is quite good."

After pondering for a moment, Loran said, "How about this? I'll lend you the resources you need to cultivate until you become a first-class apprentice. When you advance to first-class apprentice, I'll also help you inscribe a rune array and assist you in contracting an Abyssal demon."

"You can repay the resources I lend you after becoming a first-class wizard apprentice, or after becoming a wizard. At the same time, I'll also teach you some Zero-Ring witchcraft in ordinary times."

"How is it? That's a pretty good offer, isn't it!?"

This time, Charles was tempted. Wasn't the reason his cultivation speed could not improve simply that he lacked resources?

Although capturing goblins could earn him Magic Stones, he had to return every three days to attend a day of class.

At the same time, he needed to cultivate daily. Even when capturing goblins, his time was limited, and his income had remained low.

On top of that, he needed to purchase witchcraft. Charles had been living on a tight budget all along.

After more than a year, he was still living in free housing. At most, when he had time, he would go find Erika to relieve himself.

Charles gathered his courage and asked, "Teacher Loran, how many resources can I borrow, and how much Zero-Ring witchcraft instruction will I receive?"

Seeing this, Loran smiled inwardly, knowing this was settled. A smile curled beneath the concealment of her hood as she said,

"You know Jody, right? The value of the cultivation resources she buys from me every month is what I can lend you!"