The Wizard's Pursuit of Truth

The Wizard staff in the shop, along with the other Wizards coming and going, seemed not to see Wang Ya and Mona at all. They occasionally walked right past the pair, selecting the Extraordinary Resources they wished to purchase.

A look of surprise appeared on Mona's face as she looked at Wang Ya.

"The Dream Realm is illusory and intangible. A minor spiritual suggestion, weakened perception, plus a dream entanglement." Wang Ya didn't elaborate, instead changing the subject. "I think I need you to fill me in on what's happened these past few years—anything important or significant."

"It has been four years, after all." Wang Ya gave a helpless smile and shrugged.

As Wang Ya walked out of the Harak Grocery Store, the wind chimes by the door swayed gently. His figure seemed to merge into another world entirely.

He vanished completely from the real world.

Wang Ya's Dream Power rippled out, connecting with the corner of the Dream Realm that shrouded the Dark Land.

「Heart Dream Lake.」

The lake's surface was perfectly calm, without the slightest ripple. Fish swam beneath the water, surfacing to blow bubbles, yet still failed to disturb the placid water.

A thick layer of maple leaves blanketed the water's surface, and it seemed the pile had grown even deeper.

Wang Ya's figure shifted from illusory to solid, his feet landing firmly on the wooden-planked bridge. He took in his surroundings, then glanced at the maple leaves drifting down from the sky.

He spoke softly, "Teacher."

The moment he called out, the maple leaves converged, forming a familiar figure in a Yellow Wizard Robe. A neutral voice spoke up. "Your progress is... something I can't quite comprehend."

The expression under the Illusory Dream Wizard's Wooden Mask must have been something to see. He sized up Wang Ya, seeming to have noticed something. Unable to conceal his shock, he finally managed to stammer out a few words.

"In eight years—the same eight years for others—most would only manage to complete a few Middle-tier Witchcraft spells or perhaps one High-tier Witchcraft spell while maintaining their rate of progress. Your current Power, among Level 3 Wizard Apprentices, probably isn't considered weak anymore."

"I can't even see your Dream Wizard Path clearly anymore, and your Elemental Wizard Path has advanced right alongside it, not falling behind at all." The Illusory Dream Wizard's gaze was profound as he spoke. "If I hadn't been watching you grow all this time, I would suspect that some ancient Wizard Spirit Body had taken over your body... As my disciple, you have already surpassed your master."

The autumn wind rustled Wang Ya's black hair, letting it dance freely. As his robes billowed, he took a yellow crystal ring from his sleeve.

"Take it. This was always meant for you. The 'Ring of Illusory Dreams' can store Dream Power and amplify a Dream Wizard's abilities, but it also has a storage function. It can act as a Dream World anchor, so even if you're somewhere not covered by the Dream World, you can use it to briefly open a passage to the dream."

"It's useless to me now." The Illusory Dream Wizard shook his head. He was now a native of the Dream World, residing within it and anchoring himself to the real world.

Wang Ya didn't hesitate, decisively slipping the Ring of Illusory Dreams onto his finger.

It was a special Witchcraft Artifact, its Grade difficult to ascertain.

Its functions were just as the Illusory Dream Wizard had described.

It also carried another symbolic meaning: the orthodoxy and inheritance of the Illusion Illusory Dream Lineage.

The Illusory Dream Wizard waved his hand, his figure gradually fading. "You still have much to do. The backlog of mandatory missions from the last eight years will give you a real headache. Your 'Child of the Dark' authority helps a bit; you only need to complete ten C Level missions or four B Level missions. With your current Power, that should only take you half a year to a year."

For Wang Ya, this was indeed a vexing problem.

'But perhaps it won't take half a year. It might not even take half a month.'

「The 'Dark Hand' Law Enforcement Department.」

"Lower House Wizard 'Wang Ya Harak,' Power at Level 3 Wizard Apprentice, with 'Child of the Dark' privileges... Do you wish to join the Dark Hand and become one of its Law Enforcement Wizards?"

"Becoming a Law Enforcement Wizard means you must accept mission orders from headquarters at any time, and you cannot refuse them. The Dark Hand is the most powerful department among the Law Enforcement Wizards; you will constantly face danger and may be required to battle hostile Wizards when necessary..."

Gaiu Bruce wasn't part of the Dark Cultivation Plan, so while he couldn't become a member of the Dark Hand, he did serve as a part-time assessment officer.

Looking at the ridiculously handsome young Wizard before him, he couldn't help but emphasize, "You'd better think this through before you answer me. Joining the Dark Hand is no joke, and once you're in, you're absolutely forbidden from leaving."

The young Wizard was also ridiculously young for his resume and Power. In all his years, Gaiu Bruce had never seen anyone advance to a Level 3 Wizard Apprentice before the age of thirty.

He was especially shocked by the long list of completed Wizard Tasks. 'What a joke,' Gaiu Bruce thought, 'they're almost all A Level tasks. There are hardly any D Level or C Level ones. How on earth did this guy manage that?'

'Even on my own record, there was only a single A Level task, and it had nearly cost me my life. If I hadn't been lucky, I'd probably be six feet under by now.'

"I choose to join," Wang Ya said. He sat in the chair, his expression perfectly calm, but his voice echoed throughout the room.

Gaiu Bruce took a deep breath, steadying his emotions. "Congratulations, Wang Ya Harak. You have successfully joined the Dark Hand. I hope you will be a fine Law Enforcement Wizard, uphold the rules, and contribute to the prosperity, stability, and fairness of the Dark Land."