The Wizard's Pursuit of Truth

He then turned his attention to the other Wizard Freshmen, observing the large group of newcomers standing below the high platform.

Begging was straightforward. He gave Wang Ya a meaningful look, then spoke crisply to the other nine top-ten Wizard Freshmen. "The Fierce Tiger School opens its doors to you. You can all join. As for the Fierce Tiger’s Inheritance Lineage, that requires passing a test."

At his words, the expressions of the nine freshmen shifted. They immediately began to weigh the pros and cons in their minds.

This was, after all, a chance to join a genuine Extraordinary School.

Wang Ya, however, remained calm, his expression placid. He could directly choose an Extraordinary School to join—a privilege reserved for the top three.

Schneider looked ancient, appearing to be in his sixties, yet his hair was a lustrous jet-black, and his eyes were incredibly sharp. He tweaked his handlebar mustache and spoke. "Rod Stark, Fox Granger, and... well, all of you may join the Demon Dragon School."

He had effectively claimed all the top-ten freshmen who came from Wizard Clans, making no offers to the commoners among them. He even extended invitations to the talented Wizard Clan freshmen standing in the back row below the platform.

Any discerning observer could see something was amiss. They were all ignoring the first-place winner.

"Begging, Schneider, not so fast. You can’t have all the fun; leave some for the rest of us." A light laugh echoed across Freshman Square.

Surprise flickered across the faces of the various Wizard Clan leaders present.

This was clearly outside of their expectations.

Begging watched the many powerful Wizard figures walk in from the entrance of Freshman Square, bared his teeth, and said, "Xugus, you damn pervert. Forget leaving you some, I won’t even let you get a whiff."

Schneider asked curiously, "Your White Bone Lineage, and the Withered Wood Lineage, and the Water Swamp Lineage... why have you all shown up in a group?"

Normally, people from the School Lineages wouldn’t bother showing up for the freshman assembly after the Secret Realm competition.

’Could it have something to do with that little one?’

From the corner of his eye, Schneider glanced at Wang Ya. A thought seemed to strike him, and he quickly averted his gaze.

’I want nothing to do with him.’

Xugus surveyed Freshman Square, nodded at Gusai, and ignored the brilliant smile appearing on Lando Wizard’s face.

"Esteemed Wizard Freshmen, I am Xugus, the chief of the White Bone Lineage. And just as you’ve surmised, the White Bone Lineage will be selecting suitable candidates from among you to join our ranks."

The Green Demon Wizard and the Saiya Wizard also announced the Extraordinary Factions they represented, causing the commoner and Wizard Clan freshmen alike to gasp and exclaim in shock.

’What is happening? Why are so many Extraordinary Schools showing up to recruit freshmen after this competition?’

"Go on, Yi Si. The selection process is all yours."

Wizard Xugus patted Wizard Yi Si on the shoulder and gave him a suggestive wink.

The Green Demon Wizard chose a commoner freshman from the top ten. The student was a Wood Element Wizard, a good fit for the Withered Wood School. His disposition, Power, and combat experience were all excellent.

The moment the offer was made, he accepted.

The Saiya Wizard also selected a commoner freshman, then extended an olive branch to Gray Brandy, who was ranked seventh. To everyone’s surprise, Gray hesitated and didn’t immediately accept.

The Saiya Wizard didn’t press the matter, merely nodding slightly before shifting his gaze to Wizard Yi Si.

The commoner freshmen in the top ten had almost all been chosen, leaving only Gray Brandy and the first-place winner, Wang Ya Harak.

Wang Ya looked with some surprise at the cold-faced figure standing before him. It was Wizard Yi Si, whom he had once rejected.

"The terms of the contract are the same as before. You can join the White Bone Lineage, and I will ask my teacher to accept you as his disciple."

Wizard Yi Si stated in an icy tone.

Wizard Xugus’s eyebrow twitched, but he offered no comment. He had already granted the other party full authority over recruitment.

These words caused the expressions of many Wizards present to shift. This wasn’t just joining an Extraordinary School; this was an offer to become a Heritage Wizard of the White Bone Lineage.

There was even a chance of being taken as a disciple by an Official Wizard. Although it wasn’t a guarantee, if Wizard Yi Si personally made the request... success would mean a meteoric rise. At the very least, advancing to Extreme Wizard Apprentice would be a certainty.

The crowd of Wizard Freshmen below erupted in gasps and murmurs. They stared at Wang Ya with feverish eyes, desperately wishing they were the ones standing in his place.

Then they noticed Wang Ya hadn’t spoken, and his face showed hesitation and contemplation.

’Are you kidding me?!’

’This is the White Bone Lineage! A chance to become a Heritage Wizard! What is there even to think about? Agreeing means a meteoric rise!’

’Why isn’t he seizing this opportunity?’

’What is he waiting for?!’

Wang Ya was tempted, truly tempted. This was Wizard Yi Si’s second invitation. He felt he shouldn’t refuse again.

The White Bone Wizards were also Elemental Wizards; at the very least, they could help guide his Wizard Path.

The other Extraordinary Schools had either ignored him or only offered him the status of a normal member... Wizard Yi Si’s offer was truly sincere.

Wang Ya was about to speak, but a thought inexplicably surfaced in his mind.

’Is the White Bone Lineage really the right fit for me...?’ This was the very question behind his hesitation and deliberation.

"Wizard Yi Si, please wait a moment. The one you are trying to recruit is a Heritage Wizard of my Rhine Lineage. Don’t overstep your bounds."

The temperature in Freshman Square began to gradually rise. Xugus, Schneider, and the other Extreme Wizard Apprentices all fixed their gazes on the spot next to Wizard Yi Si.

In the shimmering refractions of light and heat, a graceful, indistinct silhouette gradually solidified into a clear figure.

’So it’s a technique that uses Energy Flame, temperature, and a Biological Force Field to refract light.’

’It’s similar to the Energy Flame reconstruction of my Flame Demon Doppelganger, but this technique belongs to a different category, more like a mid-range teleportation function.’

With long, fiery-red hair and a crimson Wizard Robe, Sul Hepburn’s curvaceous figure appeared before the crowd as she strode forward on long, slender legs. Her brilliant red lips and exquisite features were utterly captivating.

"Wang Ya Harak is a Heritage Wizard of my Rhine Lineage. The Inheritance Witchcraft he used during the competition is also from my Rhine Lineage. He’s been one of ours for a long time." Sul tapped her red lips with a slender, pale finger, then winked at Wang Ya.

"Am I right, little one? Only those from an Inheritance Lineage can use Inheritance Witchcraft, you know!"

"If it were stolen, well, that would be a problem... We’d have no choice but to put down the little thief..."

Wizard Yi Si frowned. He ignored Sul and looked at Wang Ya, waiting for his decision.

Sul also raised an eyebrow, looking at Wang Ya.

At that moment, the assembled Wizards in Freshman Square watched Wang Ya with a mixture of emotions, all curious to see what he would choose.

The two strongest Extraordinary Schools in the Dark Land were fighting over a single Wizard Freshman. This was simply unprecedented.

’Choosing either side seems like a bad move, but choosing neither is even worse.’

RUSTLE!

A sudden autumn wind swept through the square, rustling everyone’s hair. A handful of maple leaves drifted down from the sky, seeming to gather together as the wind blew.

Some maple leaves fell on Wizard Yi Si and Sul, but neither of them reacted, still waiting for Wang Ya’s decision.

Wizard Sul was very confident. With a bit of carrot and a bit of stick, she was sure she could win over this promising prospect.

Wizard Yi Si, on the other hand, remained calm. He had made his offer twice; there wouldn’t be a third. This was his final invitation to Wang Ya Harak.

"I think Wang Ya Harak should choose the Illusion Illusory Dream Lineage. That is the best choice."

"What do you two think?" A faint, neutral voice suddenly sounded by their ears.

A touch as soft as silk, and a pair of long, pale hands rested on their shoulders, having appeared there at some unknown moment.

Their expressions changed drastically, as if they had seen a ghost. They instantly tried to erupt with the Particle Energy in their bodies.

But their energy was as still as stagnant water, completely unresponsive. Horror filled their faces; they opened their mouths, but no words came out.

A large number of maple leaves gathered from all directions and drifted down onto Freshman Square.

Schneider and Xugus seemed to have realized something. Their faces filled with dread, their gazes shifted dramatically to the spot between Wizard Sul and Wizard Yi Si.

Those maple leaves gradually gathered together, forming a faint, indistinct figure.

’This is...’

’You’ve got to be kidding me!!’