Three Schools

Li Ang looked up, and the sight beyond the carriage window instantly shook him to the core.

A colossal tower, black from top to bottom as though forged from the purest black crystal, stood majestically before him like a giant pillar holding up heaven and earth.

Countless enormous, profound runes and magic arrays were inscribed across its walls, faintly flowing with a deep blue radiance.

This was the heart of Riley City—the Wizard Tower, symbol of a wizard's power and status.

Li Ang instinctively wanted to see whether he could bind this colossal tower, but the information that appeared before him left him somewhat disappointed.

[Riley Wizard Tower: Lv0]

[Status: Bindable]

[Binding Cost: 200 Spiritual Power]

Looking at his current ten points of Spiritual Power, Li Ang helplessly abandoned the idea.

The carriage finally stopped beneath the Wizard Tower, before a towering arched gate wide enough for several carriages to enter side by side.

Two rows of guards stood before the gate, clad in full golden plate armor and holding golden rune halberds, even their faces concealed behind ferocious visors.

They stood motionless like cold sculptures, with only the blood-red capes behind them snapping in the wind.

The reserve apprentices were dumbstruck. A group of sheltered little nobles from the countryside, when had they ever seen such a towering giant tower, or such imposing guards?

Even Matthew, who had always been incomparably arrogant, could no longer spare attention to maintaining the dignity of the former class leader. He stared blankly at the sight before him.

The apprentices did not dare make a sound, afraid they might disturb the guards and be skewered to death by a halberd. Yet in Li Ang's eyes, these guards presented an entirely different sight.

[Golden Guard: Lv0]

[Status: Bindable]

[Binding Cost: 20 Spiritual Power]

Even these guards were wizard facilities? Truly worthy of the Wizard Tower.

Selenst was the first to descend from his exclusive beast-drawn carriage. Seeing this, Li Ang and the others hurriedly followed. Selenst ignored the reserve apprentices and walked straight toward the enormous archway.

As he approached, the faint runic glow flowing across the arch flashed once, and a smaller door, tall enough for two people, opened beside the majestic gate.

Led by Selenst, the group entered through the side door. The instant they stepped inside, the heat and sounds of the outside world were shut out.

The first thing before them was a vast circular hall capable of holding a thousand people. What astonished them even more was that the hall had no dome at all, allowing them to see the sky directly.

The sky above resembled a clear night sky. Specks of starlight flickered and dimmed within it, slowly drifting to form an immense, profound star map.

At last, an apprentice could not help saying, "That's not right. Wasn't it daytime when we entered? Why is it night here?"

Selenst continued leading them onward as though he had heard nothing, but neither did he rebuke the reserve apprentice.

Seeing this, the other reserve apprentices also gathered their courage and began discussing it.

"This probably isn't a real starry sky, but some kind of wizard facility." The one who spoke was Ludik, the bespectacled youth.

His words drew a burst of astonishment from the reserve apprentices, and they seemed to have provoked Matthew's fragile nerves as well.

He wanted to angrily rebuke Ludik for spouting nonsense, but feared disturbing Selenst. He could only glare viciously at Ludik and warn him in a low voice.

"Ludik, if you dare talk nonsense again, watch your tongue."

Frightened by Matthew's threat, Ludik did not dare say another word and retreated to the back of the crowd.

Yet the sight before him made Li Ang regard Ludik more highly. After all, Li Ang had only known this was a wizard facility because of the system.

[Eternal Star Map: Lv0]

[Status: Bindable]

[Binding Cost: 50 Spiritual Power]

Gentle light, from an unknown source, illuminated the entire hall. The floor was paved with mirror-smooth dark black stone, reflecting the flowing river of stars overhead.

At the center of the hall stood a lifelike, enormous statue carved from black stone.

It depicted a wizard with indistinct features, holding a wand and wearing a robe of stars. Upon the statue's base was engraved his name: Legendary Wizard Riley Serta.

Li Ang had heard tales of this man. He was the master of this Wizard Tower, a legendary wizard whose name was known in every household.

At one side of the hall, a dense crowd made the place seem exceptionally lively, forming a stark contrast with the solemn surroundings.

Three long tables stood side by side there. Behind each sat a wizard dressed in either blue or black robes, while stacks of parchment were piled atop the tables.

Above the tables floated enormous three-dimensional emblems formed from pure light.

The first table had by far the largest crowd before it. Apprentices stood in a long line, their faces filled with excitement, nervousness, and anticipation. Above them was an emblem of a vortex constantly shifting through various colors: [Elemental School].

Selenst's gaze swept over that area. He nodded toward the black-robed wizard seated behind the table, who returned the gesture with a nod.

The second table was far more deserted, with only a handful of people in line. Above it was an emblem of a crystal cauldron entwined with emerald-green vines: [Potion School].

The female wizard in blue robes behind the table possessed a tranquil air as she unhurriedly leafed through the parchments before her.

The third table was the most mysterious. Slightly more people stood in line than at the Potion School. Its emblem was a black curtain dotted with countless brilliant stars: [Astrology School].

The wizard behind the table also wore blue robes. His eyes were closed as his fingers lightly traced across a starlight compass floating before him, his lips moving as though muttering something.

Selenst stopped and turned around, his cold gaze sweeping over the newly arrived apprentices behind him, who were still somewhat dazed by the grandeur of the hall and the sights before them.

"This is where your chosen starting point lies."

His voice was not loud, yet it reached every ear clearly, carrying an authority that brooked no doubt.

"Elemental, potion, astrology—the three great schools. The direction of your future efforts and the road before you will be decided at this moment."

His gaze seemed tangible as it slowly passed over Li Ang, Matthew, and Helena, the three official apprentices.

"The Elemental School studies the mysteries of the elements and controls the power of destruction. It is the hall of combat wizardry, and also the Wizard Tower's strongest force against the outside world."

His tone was calm, but when he mentioned "strongest force," a barely perceptible trace of pride flashed through his eyes. "Naturally, the competition is also the fiercest. Only those with exceptional talent can rise above the crowd."

His gaze then shifted toward the deserted table of the Potion School.

"The Potion School focuses on brewing potions. Their effects vary greatly—they can heal injuries and illness, strengthen the body, even extend one's lifespan. Of course, they can also congeal one's blood and vital energy, cloud one's mind, or even poison a legendary wizard to death."

"If you wish to master this path, the most important things are patience and meticulousness."