The Bait

Harvey had been out gathering information for several days, yet there was still no sign of him. Ian had no idea what progress he had made.

Ian was now being forced to practice witchcraft-like abilities nonstop. His path of cultivation had actually gone astray.

"Once Nolan is dealt with, I'll set it right again."

No matter how powerful witchcraft-like abilities became, they could not grant longevity. Even in battle, how could that compare to crushing others through a superior realm?

He had few witchcraft-like abilities at hand, and many of them were low-level ones with little potential. Spending vast amounts of time practicing them might prove pointless if they were eliminated later. It was not worth the effort.

However, he felt that the Crystal Energy Barrier could be cultivated for the time being.

It consumed very 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 some practical combat value.

With a thought, he brought up the Status 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.

He put away the Status Panel, quickly formed hand seals, and chanted a string of incantations.

"Kryst'thal!"

The syllables Ian uttered were in Tua language, the common tongue of the Wizarding World.

Once the chant ended, a translucent, curved rectangular shield rapidly condensed before him.

The shield was just large enough to cover everything in front of Ian. From a distance, it had the fine frosted texture of glass, with its internal structure faintly visible.

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

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

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

At Ian's command, the shield shot forward and began rapidly circling around him.

He felt his Mental Power being slowly consumed in minute amounts. With another thought, the shield abruptly stopped and hovered motionlessly before him.

He had just tested its defensive effect. A single punch had easily shattered it, leaving him somewhat disappointed.

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

Clayton shouted urgently from outside.

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

"Clayton, what happened?"

"Harvey was injured. He just returned to the shop, and the manager told me to notify you to come 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 gotten hurt?

It seemed that when Harvey met a true genius, he was still a step behind.

When Ian arrived at the front hall, Malena was seated at the head of the room, with Harvey on the left. A middle-aged woman sat on the right—Christine, the shop's other Potion Master.

He noticed that Harvey did not appear to be seriously injured.

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

Harvey looked at Malena, then at Ian, and began his account.

"I only exchanged a few probing moves with Nolan outside town earlier. It did not count as a real fight.

"I have a rough idea 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 the four of them fully prepared, Ian understood that once Nolan's whereabouts were exposed, countless people would come hunting him down.

"You two are also here for the Tranquil Flower?" He was referring to Clayton and Christine.

"Ian, you do not understand what the Tranquil Flower means to Advanced Apprentices."

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

The treasure is valuable, but had they not considered the danger involved? It was as though they could seize it as soon as they acted.

"Malena, you did not seem interested in fighting over the Tranquil Flower before. Why the sudden change...?"

Malena's expression turned grave. "I just received a message from Lady Alivia. The tower may undergo changes in half a year, and she wants me to break through to Formal Wizard as soon as possible."

Ian's heart lurched. "What is going on now?"

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

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

The Crimson Court belonged to the Black Wizards. They acted with bloodthirsty brutality, often conducting blood sacrifices with commoners, completely adhering to the law of the strong devouring the weak.

"Then what is the point of calling me here? I'm only an Intermediate Apprentice."

Ian sensed trouble and hurriedly made clear how weak he was. He had no intention of facing Nolan right now!

"Ian, haven't you always been looking for ray-type witchcraft-like abilities? I happen to have a book on one."

Harvey took out a booklet and looked at Ian.

"Nolan's target is you. As long as you lure him out, you will not need to join the battle. This witchcraft-like ability will be yours."

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

"Ian, you have not taken the Rock Bear Potion you brewed recently, have you? I have a formula here for a Neutralizing Potion, though it is slightly incomplete. This is my payment."

Clayton said he would pay in magic stones instead. He had nothing else worthwhile to offer.

Malena looked into Ian's eyes. "Think this through carefully. This is dangerous. If you do not want to be the bait, no one here can force you."

Ian looked at the parchment and booklet in his hands, then made up his mind.

"This trouble was brought here by me to begin with. Since there is payment as well, I am willing."

He was cautious, but not truly cowardly. With so many people helping him deal with Nolan, he would not let this opportunity pass.

Malena did not try to persuade him further and directly tossed over a Ring.

"I have a protective Ring here. It was once used by Wizard Alivia, and it can temporarily protect your safety. Take it and use it for defense."

Ian also asked the others for several potions that restored Mental Power, ensuring that he could cast spells dozens of times in succession. His mood gradually settled.

"Everyone will give their all in this operation. We must seize the Tranquil Flower, and when the time comes, everyone will get a share."

Malena spoke, setting the tone for the matter. The operation was inevitable.

She wore a dark red hunting outfit, looking valiant and spirited.

Ian sighed inwardly. "It seems I have not truly integrated into the rules by which the Wizarding World operates."

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

Although this felt somewhat like being forced into it, Harvey and the others could not be called wrong. This completely conformed to the principles by which wizards acted. It had simply happened too suddenly, and he had not been mentally prepared at all.

Next, the five discussed the plan in the hall. To avoid attracting other Advanced Apprentices, Ian would need to go somewhere remote.

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

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

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