Initiation Ceremony

Returning to his own room, Li Ang lay on the soft bed, turning the silver badge over in his hand. The corners of his mouth could not help but curl upward.

A fresh stairway leading to greater heights appeared in his mind. His path as a wizard had finally gotten on the right track.

After imagining the future for a while, Li Ang gathered his thoughts and sank his consciousness into his Mental World.

The moment he entered the tower, Li Ang had noticed that the concentration of magic power within far surpassed that outside. The Astral Stars in his Mental World slowly revolved, absorbing magic power far richer than that beneath the ship's hold.

But without the wind-element environment created by the sails, magic power of every attribute was flowing into his Mental World. Li Ang still needed to further refine the various elemental powers into pure wind-and-water dual-element magic power.

The [Acceleration Pocket Watch] rested against his body, sending out waves that accelerated the recovery and condensation of his spiritual power.

He could feel that the Astral Stars in his Mental World were already faintly showing signs of splitting. He only needed to accumulate more spiritual power before they could successfully divide.

After finishing his meditation, Li Ang blew out the cheap oil lamp at the corner of the table. Lying on the soft bed, his body gradually relaxed, and with a trace of anticipation for the future, he fell into a deep sleep.

At the same time, high within the Wizard Tower, in the Elemental School's domain.

Inside a room covered in blazing runes, where a fireball at its center endlessly collapsed and exploded.

Wizard Selenst had shed the icy mask he wore during the day and stood respectfully before an old man in purple robes.

The old man's beard and hair were crimson, as though they had been formed from burning flames. Even his pupils flickered with a lava-like radiance. He was the head of the Elemental School, the Level 5 wizard [Blazing Flame] Gorman.

"Selenst, it seems something unexpected happened during this recruitment?" Gorman's voice was somewhat hoarse.

"Yes, School Head." Selenst bowed slightly. "We encountered an attack by an Abyssal Stalker during the voyage."

"Hm? Isn't that route regularly cleared? Where did a Level 3 sea monster come from?" The flames in Gorman's eyes flickered.

"That is precisely what puzzles me." Selenst's tone was grave. "According to the records, that stretch of sea was swept by the tower's enforcement team just three months ago. A threat of that level should not have existed there. And besides..."

"Besides what?"

"According to the Bestiary of Abyssal Creatures, as well as my past experience, Abyssal Stalkers are ferocious, but there has never been a precedent of them splitting apart to escape."

A cold glint flashed through Selenst's eyes. "At the time, I shattered its core with the [Flame Spear Technique]. I believed I had ended it completely, but unexpectedly..."

"Unexpectedly, it split into those small individuals, bored into the cabins, and caused needless casualties." Gorman took over, frowning deeply as he continued.

"This is indeed abnormal. As far as I know, Abyssal Stalkers do not possess the ability to split. I see nothing wrong with your response."

Gorman fell silent for a moment, as though pondering something. The temperature in the room rose considerably, and at last he asked:

"Did you discover any other irregularities? For instance... traces of human interference? Or magical fluctuations capable of inducing mutation?"

Selenst shook his head. "It happened too suddenly. At the time, my attention was focused on killing the sea monster and protecting the ship."

"Afterward, I carefully investigated the waters around the vessel and found no abnormal magical residue. But... precisely because it was so abnormal, I suspect that behind this, perhaps..."

"Perhaps someone did not want this batch of apprentices to arrive safely. Or perhaps they were testing how much time this old sack of bones has left?" Gorman sneered, and the temperature in the room abruptly surged.

"You should go back and rest for now. I will keep an eye on this matter." After saying that, Gorman turned his back and spoke no further.

"Yes, School Head." Selenst bowed once more and withdrew from the scorching room.

A flash of pain crossed Gorman's face as he stood with his back turned. Flames burst from his eyes. His condition was worsening by the day—the scorching fire element had begun to slip beyond his control and was even starting to devour him in turn.

The next morning, Li Ang was awakened by the clock above his desk.

After a peaceful night's sleep, aided by the [Acceleration Pocket Watch], he felt that both his spiritual power and physical strength had recovered to their peak.

After washing up, he changed into a gray robe and carefully pinned the silver badge marking him as Eve's apprentice to his chest. Then he strode quickly toward the Potion School hall.

By the time he arrived, more than a dozen people in varied attire had already gathered outside the hall. They were all reserve apprentices who had chosen to join the Potion School yesterday.

They stood in twos and threes, their faces carrying the restraint and curiosity of newcomers, along with uncertainty about the future.

Li Ang spotted the braided girl at once. She was lowering her head, nervously rubbing the hem of her clothes.

When they saw Li Ang approaching, nearly all the reserve apprentices turned their eyes toward him.

"My god, he's already wearing a gray robe. He's become an official apprentice."

"Idiot, what does a gray robe count for? Didn't you see the badge on that lord's chest? It marks someone who has been noticed by a mentor and accepted as their personal apprentice."

The reserve apprentices whispered among themselves as they watched Li Ang approach.

To them, even the gray robe already represented a gap as vast as heaven and earth. As for that badge, it placed him so far ahead that they could only gaze after him in despair.

Surprise, envy, jealousy... all manner of complicated emotions flickered across those young faces.

The braided girl also lifted her head. When she saw Li Ang, her eyes brightened, but the moment she noticed the badge, sincere envy appeared on her face. She said softly, "G-good morning, sir."

"Good morning." Li Ang nodded at her, then added, "Didn't I tell you yesterday? Don't call me sir. Just call me Li Ang. And you are?"

The girl was somewhat nervous now, her stammering words popping out one by one.

"Li... Li Da... Ang, I... I'm Lottie, Lottie Polk."

Li Ang felt a bitter smile rise in his heart. What the hell was Li Da-Ang? This girl had been fairly normal yesterday. Why had she turned into this today? Because of his badge?

Just then, Ellie's attendant appeared at the entrance to the hall, interrupting their awkward conversation.

She clapped her hands, drawing everyone's attention. "New students, please follow me. The initiation ceremony is about to begin."

Led by Ellie, the group passed through a corridor and entered a hall much smaller than the one on the lowest floor, yet far more solemn and majestic.

The walls around the hall were covered with moving portraits, beneath which were introductions to their lives. Every one of them was an important member of the Potion School.

An elderly man dressed in deep purple robes, his beard and hair entirely white, stood quietly atop the raised platform at the front of the hall.

His expression was kindly, yet his gaze was as deep as an ancient well, as though it contained boundless wisdom. He was the head of the Potion School, the Level 5 wizard [All Spirits] Carlos.

Ellie and several wizard attendants stood respectfully beneath the platform.

"First, let me welcome you, children."

The old School Head's voice was gentle yet penetrating, reaching every ear with perfect clarity.