Bait

Harvey had been out gathering intelligence for several days, yet there was still no sign of him, nor any word of progress.

Ian was now being forced to practice spells constantly. In truth, his path of cultivation had already gone astray.

"I'll set it right after dealing with Nolan."

No matter how powerful his spells became, they would not grant him longevity. And in battle, how could that compare to the sheer satisfaction of crushing someone through superior cultivation?

He had few spells at his disposal, and many were low-level spells with no potential. Spending vast amounts of time practicing them might prove pointless if they were eliminated later. It simply was not worth the loss.

However, he felt that the Crystal Energy Barrier spell was worth continuing to cultivate for now.

It consumed little mental power when cast, and its proficiency rose especially quickly through practice.

Just moments ago, it had already broken through to the proficient stage and gained a certain degree of practical combat value.

With a thought, he brought up the panel.

[Realm: Intermediate Wizard Apprentice (14%)]

[Talent: Medium Light Attribute Affinity]

[Skills: Star-Moon Lower Meditation Method: Proficient (281/400)

Wizard's Hand: Mastery (297/400)

Frost Ray: Limit Break 1 time (36/800) (Limit Break effect: 1. Twin)

Eye of Vigilance: Proficient (261/400)

Bloodline Purification Art: Beginner (63/200)

Crystal Energy Barrier: Proficient (0/400)

Awakening Potion: Mastery (395/400)

Rock Bear Potion: Beginner (8/400)

Basic Potion Identification: Mastery (143/400)]

Ian frowned slightly. Aside from the Awakening Potion, the proficiency of his other skills had not changed much.

Putting away the panel, he rapidly formed hand signs and recited a string of incantations.

"Kryst'thal!"

The syllables Ian uttered were from the universal language of the wizarding world: the Tua language.

Once the incantation ended, a translucent, curved rectangular shield swiftly condensed before him.

The shield was just large enough to cover everything in front of Ian. It had the fine, frosted texture of glass, and its internal structure could vaguely be seen.

Tiny hexagonal lattice patterns covered the shield's surface. Under the sunlight, rainbow halos shimmered around them.

These patterns had not been deliberately woven; they were merely projections of the internal structure.

Threads of extremely thin energy flowed along the edges of the hexagons.

With another thought from Ian, the shield whooshed into motion, rapidly circling around him.

He felt his mental power being slowly consumed at an almost imperceptible rate. With another thought, the shield abruptly stopped and hovered motionlessly before him.

He had just tested its defensive effect. One punch was enough to shatter it with ease, which left him somewhat disappointed.

"Ian, come out quickly! Manager Malena is looking for you."

Clayton shouted urgently from outside the room.

Ian dismissed the shield and hurried over to open the door. Clayton's expression seemed off; he looked rather excited.

"Clayton, what happened?"

"Harvey is injured. He just returned to the shop. The manager told me to notify you to go to the front hall."

After quickly explaining, Clayton grabbed Ian and turned to leave.

Ian was speechless. "Harvey got injured, so why do you look like that?"

He guessed that Harvey might have encountered Nolan and obtained some important information.

Hadn't Malena said Harvey was an experienced veteran? How had he ended up injured?

It seemed that when Harvey met a true genius, he was still somewhat lacking.

When Ian arrived at the front hall, he saw Malena seated at the head. Harvey sat on the left, while a middle-aged woman sat on the right. She was Christine, the shop's other Potion Master.

He noticed Harvey's demeanor and judged that his injuries did not seem serious.

"Come sit here and listen to Harvey explain the situation." Malena beckoned Ian over.

Harvey looked at Malena, then at Ian, and began recounting what had happened.

"I only tested Nolan briefly outside town just now. It did not count as a real battle.

I have a rough understanding of his strength now. He is indeed powerful, but with Manager Malena, Clayton, Christine, and me joining forces, we should have a good chance."

Seeing that the four were fully prepared to depart, Ian understood that once Nolan exposed his whereabouts, countless people would come hunting him down.

"You're also after the Tranquil Flower?" He was referring to Clayton and Christine.

"Ian, you don't understand what the Tranquil Flower means to Advanced Apprentices."

Clayton's tone was full of emotion, and Ian secretly shook his head.

The treasure might be valuable, but had they not considered the dangers involved? It was as if they believed they could seize it as long as they made a move.

"Malena, you did not seem to have any intention of competing for the Tranquil Flower before. Why the sudden—"

Malena's expression turned solemn. "I just received a message from Lady Alivia. In half a year, something may happen to the tower. She told me to break through to Formal Wizard as soon as possible."

Ian's heart jolted. "What is this about?"

"I'll explain." Harvey took over. "The relationship between Shadowmoon Tower and the nearby Crimson Court has become increasingly tense lately. A war may break out."

Ian had heard of the Crimson Court. It was a large wizard organization next door, even stronger than Shadowmoon Tower.

Moreover, the Crimson Court belonged to the black wizard faction. Its methods were bloody and brutal, and blood sacrifices of commoners were commonplace. It followed the law of the jungle completely.

"Then why call me over? I'm only an Intermediate Apprentice."

Ian sensed trouble and quickly made his weakness clear. He had no intention of facing Nolan now!

"Ian, haven't you been looking for ray-type spells? I happen to have one here."

Harvey took out a booklet and looked at Ian.

"Nolan's target is you. As long as you lure him out, you won't need to join the battle. This spell will be yours."

Christine also took out a sheet of parchment and handed it to Ian.

"Ian, you haven't taken the Rock Bear Potion you refined recently, have you? I have a formula here for a Neutralizing Potion. It is slightly incomplete, but this is my payment."

Clayton offered magic stones instead. He had nothing else valuable to offer.

Malena looked Ian in the eyes. "Think this through carefully. This is very dangerous. If you do not want to serve as bait, no one here can force you."

Ian looked at the parchment and booklet in his hands and steadied himself.

"This trouble was brought here because of me. Since there is a reward as well, I'm willing."

He might have been cautious, but he was not truly timid. With so many people helping to deal with Nolan, he would not let this opportunity pass.

Malena did not try to persuade him further. She directly tossed over a ring.

"I have a protective ring here. It was once used by Wizard Alivia. It can temporarily keep you safe. Take it for protection first."

Ian also asked the others for some potions to restore mental power, enough to ensure that he could cast spells dozens of times in succession. His mood gradually calmed.

"Everyone, give this operation your all. We must seize the Tranquil Flower. When the time comes, everyone will get a share."

Malena spoke and set the tone. The operation had to proceed.

At that moment, she wore a dark red hunting outfit, looking valiant and heroic.

Ian silently sighed. It seems I have yet to truly integrate into the rules by which the wizarding world operates.

This was the cruel Wizarding World. For the sake of their own cultivation paths, anyone would dare to risk their lives.

Although this felt a little like being forced into action, he could not say Harvey and the others were wrong. It was entirely in line with wizard principles; it had simply happened too suddenly, and he had not been mentally prepared at all.

Next, the five discussed their plan in the hall. To avoid drawing other Advanced Apprentices over, Ian would be best off going to a remote location.

They would support him from the shadows. There were many unpredictable risks, and Ian would have to handle them himself.

As Ian listened to the plan, he silently felt the violent power within his body, then looked at the "Twin" effect on the panel.

"Then let's see just what level I've reached after cultivating at home for so long."