The Wizard's Pursuit of Truth

The figure was faint and indistinct, its details impossible to discern with the naked eye. As the autumn wind blew, the silhouette formed from swirling maple leaves became even more dreamlike. Only a Yellow Wizard Robe could be seen clearly, its hem swaying in the wind.

But when he appeared, the gazes of everyone present converged on him, completely unable to look away. That intense sense of presence was as if he were the center of the world.

There was no eruption of a Biological Force Field, nor any other strange phenomenon. He just stood there.

Yet it silenced every Wizard present, who could only stare at him blankly.

Xugus and Schneider understood the situation even better, and what it represented.

Fear and shock showed on their faces, their expressions shifting as their thoughts spun wildly.

’There’s no mistaking it. This is an Official Wizard!!’

’A true Official Wizard!’

’What kind of joke is this? An Official Wizard actually appearing at Freshman Square.’

’And from the looks of it, he’s personally come down just for a Wizard Freshman, and is even competing with Extreme Wizard Apprentices like us so calmly.’

Emotions churned within Xugus, and for a moment, he was at a loss for words.

Schneider quickly averted his gaze. His heart was in turmoil. He hadn’t guessed wrong. He had previously heard his master mention a thing or two about how the Illusory Dream Wizard was... related to this Wang Ya Harak, and he had sensed that the situation was far more complex than it seemed.

’When an Official Wizard is involved, it’s best not to get mixed up in it.’

’This Wang Ya Harak was probably already being watched by the Illusory Dream Wizard.’

But he truly hadn’t expected the Illusory Dream Wizard to personally step in—in his true form, no less—and compete with two juniors in front of so many people.

’So, that rumor was true!!’

Begging shot Schneider a grateful look. He hadn’t chosen to extend an invitation to Wang Ya Harak precisely because he had received a tip from Schneider beforehand.

Words spoken personally by the Demon Dragon Wizard were better to be believed than not.

And sure enough, here was the proof!

If it had been any other Official Wizard, there would have been no problem with inviting Wang Ya Harak, as long as he didn’t accept.

He had also heard his own master say that although the Illusory Dream Wizard seemed peaceful, approachable, and non-competitive, he was actually extremely petty. It was fine if he didn’t take a liking to something, but if he did, it was best not to compete with him, or one could easily find themselves being sabotaged.

’That bastard, Illusory Dream, thinks he’s so great because he’s on the Dream Walking Wizard Path? Peeping into my dreams again? Does he want to see the color of the shit I take, too? Fuck, he’d better stay in the Dream World and never come out, or sooner or later, I’ll go to his door and kill that son of a bitch.’

The furious rantings of the Fierce Tiger Wizard still echoed faintly in his mind. He would always spew such wild words after waking from a deep sleep or a nap.

His master had offended the Illusory Dream Wizard in the past, and whenever he fell asleep, the Illusory Dream Wizard would find him and torment him.

He did not want to suffer the same fate.

Begging looked up at the sky, feigning an air of complete indifference.

’Those two, Sul and Yi Si, are screwed. They actually have the guts to fight the Illusory Dream Wizard for someone.’

However, the curve of his lips betrayed his inner thoughts.

The leaders of the Wizard Clans felt their eyelids twitching uncontrollably. This unique feeling was far beyond their comprehension.

When their gazes landed on the figure in the Yellow Wizard Robe, the clan leaders who knew something about him felt a sharp sting in their eyes, as if pricked by needles. They quickly shut them and subconsciously looked up at the sky.

When they opened their eyes again, they were filled with fright, and cold sweat beaded on their foreheads.

’This is insane.’

’An Official Wizard personally joined the fray.’

They couldn’t possibly be mistaken. Each Official Wizard had their own distinct characteristics. The maple leaves, the Yellow Wizard Robe, the indistinct figure... all these clues came together, and the image of the Illusory Dream Wizard surfaced in their minds.

This master was elusive and unpredictable, and rarely ever appeared at the Dark Land Headquarters. Even some Official Wizards had never seen his true face.

He always had his back to the world, observing the entire Dark Land from a unique perspective. One could say he was the eyes of the Dark Land Headquarters.

And now, for the sake of a single Wizard Freshman, he had... The Illusory Dream Wizard’s personality was not one to be trifled with. Their thoughts were a chaotic jumble; they were thinking of so many things.

Kaze Antuun’s emotions were in the greatest turmoil. When the Rhine Chief, Sul, extended her invitation to Wang Ya Harak, he had already concluded that Isar’s inheritance had fallen into Wang Ya Harak’s hands, which was how he had been able to cast the Flame Demon Fear Witchcraft.

As for the subsequent variations of the Witchcraft, perhaps this Wang Ya Harak had an extremely high understanding and talent for Witchcraft, allowing him to improve and create the many variations himself.

He was already thinking about how to get Isar’s things back from him; he needed to know all the information related to it.

The most important thing was the Black Sun Inheritance. That was paramount.

The Black Sun Badge had to be retrieved. The inheritance of a Level 2 Wizard was at stake.

It was an opportunity that originally belonged to the Antuun Clan.

He wouldn’t hesitate even if it meant going to the Battlefield.

But when the Illusory Dream Wizard appeared, his eyes widened. His original plans were completely shattered.

An Official Wizard had personally appeared to recruit Wang Ya Harak.

He knew exactly what that implied.

His hands clenched into tight fists, his nails digging into his flesh. Kaze Antuun’s face was expressionless... The failure of the clan’s plan, Zack’s misunderstanding, and the lost item reappearing before his eyes only to be unattainable... All of it left him utterly exhausted.

The burden of the clan was too heavy, the pressure crushing him from all sides. He felt tired, weak, but he could not allow himself to bend.

Because he was the only man in the Antuun Clan who could still stand tall.

’I’ll just have to find another way.’

Kaze Antuun lowered his gaze.

...

DRIP.

A drop of sweat slid down her fair neck and was absorbed by the fabric of her Wizard Robe.

Sul subconsciously held her breath. The hand resting on her shoulder, though not applying any force, felt heavier than a mountain.

’When did he...?’ she wondered, glancing over from the corner of her eye. The first thing she saw was Wizard Yi Si’s equally horrified face.

Sul’s face was pale. She bowed slightly and said, "I was unaware which Master Wizard was gracing us with their presence. If I, the Rhine Chief, have caused any offense, I beg for your forgiveness."

Wizard Yi Si took a deep breath and also bowed, submitting. He wasn’t a hard-headed or ill-tempered person to begin with.

The Illusory Dream Wizard’s face was still unclear, shrouded in a haze. He seemed to be laughing, and his clear laughter spread across the entire Freshman Square.

"This Secret Realm competition is quite lively, isn’t it? I was feeling a bit lonely, so I couldn’t resist coming to join the fun. You won’t turn me away, I hope?"

Although the Illusory Dream Wizard said this, Wang Ya could clearly feel the other’s gaze fixed upon him.

His expression was a little tense; he was also frightened.

He couldn’t understand how the other had appeared, and when he tried to perceive him with his Spiritual Power, there was only emptiness.

A subtle blue glint appeared in his pupils.

[Target: ???]

[Power: Official Wizard]

[Spiritual Power: ???]

[Physique: ???]

The long string of question marks shocked Wang Ya. Seeing a chief and a vice-chief bow their heads and submit, he followed their example and bowed slightly, showing his respect for the Official Wizard.

Faced with the Official Wizard’s words, Xugus and Schneider, the most powerful and senior among the Wizard figures present, braced themselves and stepped forward.

"For Master Illusory Dream Wizard to grace us by watching the freshmen’s performance, I believe this is something everyone is happy to see." Xugus’s face was devoid of any smile, showing only uneasy apprehension.

Clearly, he was also someone who knew a thing or two about the Illusory Dream Wizard.

Even Official Wizards had a hard time if they offended the Illusory Dream Wizard. They did not want to inexplicably offend this master.

Schneider coughed and quickly added, "Welcome, everyone is very welcoming! Puni, Begging, Ocam, wouldn’t you agree? We are all delighted that Master Illusory Dream Wizard could come."

Puni Stark: "..."

Ocam Mad’s eyes were filled with resentment.

The Fierce Tiger Chief, Begging, nearly ground his teeth to dust. He forced a smile and said, "Of course. Master Illusory Dream Wizard, do you have any arrangements for us?"

"Arrangements?"

"Of course!" The Illusory Dream Wizard gently patted the shoulders of Wizard Sul and Wizard Yi Si. "You two little ones have some decent Power. In another eighty or a hundred years, you might just be able to catch up to me."

The Illusory Dream Wizard lifted his hands. The two of them instantly let out a sigh of relief, their backs nearly drenched in sweat.

His gaze fell upon Wang Ya. The Illusory Dream Wizard chuckled lightly and said, "Come here, little one. From now on, you are my second disciple."

His Yellow Wizard Robe fluttered in the autumn wind. A pair of fair, slender hands emerged from beneath the robe, and he extended his right hand toward Wang Ya, palm open.

His casual words, however, set off a massive earthquake in the minds of everyone present.

Jim Novy, Dante Qiuji, Riley Shebel, and the other genius freshmen stared blankly at this scene.

The second-place winner, Rod Stark, had a complicated expression on his face.

This was also a moment worthy of being recorded in the history of the Dark Land.

An Official Wizard personally taking a Wizard Freshman as a disciple, and so proactively at that... This had never happened before!

Wizard Xugus, Wizard Yi Si, and the other school chiefs and vice-chiefs also had strange expressions. They had never had such an experience. They had all earned their chief positions through numerous assessments and fierce competition.

The White Bone Wizard was never this intimate with them; their relationship was more of a partnership based on mutual benefit.

’What kind of magic does this little one possess, to be worth an Official Wizard doing so much for him?’

No, perhaps after today, they could no longer call him a "little one." In terms of status, potential, and qualifications, becoming the Inheritor Disciple of the Illusory Dream Wizard already put him on equal footing with them.

He was now a Headquarters Wizard on the same level as them.

Wang Ya’s eyes showed he was moved. Looking at the right hand extended to him and hearing the Illusory Dream Wizard’s gentle voice, he felt an unprecedented sense of warmth and familiarity.

’What is there to hesitate about!’

The feeling that bloomed in his heart solidified his choice.

Under the gazes of every Wizard figure in Freshman Square, and the many Headquarters Wizards watching through projection screens, Wang Ya reached out and clasped the Illusory Dream Wizard’s right hand.

A solemn and dignified moment of inheritance!

At this moment, Wang Ya was the center of everyone’s attention!!

...