The Wizard's Pursuit of Truth

Wang Ya raised an eyebrow. He’d had no dealings with the Antuun Clan, had never even spoken with Kaze Antuun, and they were by no means familiar. And yet, the man had invited him for tea!

Zack Antuun had even been his opponent in the Secret Realm competition, a newcomer he had personally eliminated.

Wang Ya couldn’t quite figure out what the head of the Antuun Clan was planning.

Still, he decided to go. As the second disciple of the Illusory Dream Wizard, his status wasn’t that much lower than the head of a Wizard Clan.

Besides, this was just the head of a clan outside the top ten.

Still, the man’s Power as an Extreme Wizard Apprentice deserved respect.

He could also use the opportunity to visit the Resource Management Department and collect the rewards he had accumulated. As for the privileges that came with being a Child of the Dark, he needed to mull those over carefully.

The autumn wind was exceptionally cold today. A few maple leaves clung to the buildings, and the number of Wizards on the streets had visibly dwindled.

Autumn was nearing its end, and he would soon be facing his third winter in the Dark Land Headquarters.

Tugging at his black Wizard Robe, Wang Ya’s breath formed a white plume that traveled a good distance through the air before dissipating.

In the Mortal World, there were festivals for family reunions and new year celebrations, but here in the Dark Land Headquarters, Wizards were inherently aloof. Most of them were constantly cooped up in their laboratories.

Of course, some Wizards chose to meet with close friends and relax for a day or two as the year drew to a close.

In this respect, the Wizards from the Wizard Clans were more like mortals, holding gatherings—large, clan-wide ones, in fact.

Dark Wizard Mansion.

Located on the Commercial Street, Wang Ya followed a Wizard attendant and knocked on the door to Private Hall 12. The door opened swiftly.

A pulse from a Witch Array sealed the room, isolating it from the outside world and preventing any eavesdropping or scrying.

Compared to the Night Night Night tavern, the Dark Wizard Mansion had strong ties to the headquarters, making it a much more suitable place for private discussions and negotiations.

Kaze Antuun wore a simple gray Wizard Robe, giving him an austere appearance. His beard was neatly trimmed, and his curly hair was tied back, falling over his shoulders. He looked to be around forty, his eyes filled with a sense of world-weariness.

He was seated in a chair, the table before him laden with drinks and refreshments. These weren’t ordinary snacks; they possessed some Extraordinary Properties, having been made with special ingredients.

Light from the window streamed into the room, illuminating Kaze Antuun’s rather pale face. His lips were faint, and his complexion suggested poor health.

"Wizard Wang Ya, you’re here." Kaze Antuun rose from his chair and extended his right hand in invitation.

Wang Ya was inwardly puzzled. ’His attitude is far too amiable.’ Leaving aside the inherent conflict between the School Lineage and the Wizard Clan lineage, the man’s Power as an Extreme Wizard Apprentice alone was enough to crush the current Wang Ya.

In the Wizard World, Power was what gave one the right to speak. There was no need for him to act this way.

The two sat down, each taking a sip from a cup of strong tea, but neither touched the refreshments. The room was kept warm by a circulating Witch Array that also constantly exchanged the air with the outside.

Wang Ya didn’t speak, showing great patience. The other man had been the one to seek him out, so he was curious to learn his objective.

The first words out of Kaze Antuun’s mouth made Wang Ya’s pupils constrict.

"Wizard Wang Ya, the Rhine Lineage Inheritance Witchcraft you practice... it came from Isar, did it not? From that red metal ring." Kaze Antuun’s gaze was unsettlingly deep, his voice low. "There is something else inside it. Something that proves Isar’s identity."

A stir went through Wang Ya’s heart, but his expression remained calm. He said lightly, "Wizard Kaze, I’m not sure what you’re talking about. I don’t quite understand."

Inwardly, however, he was already connecting all the dots: the information about the red metal ring’s original owner, that special journal, and the Antuun Clan.

The clues all pointed to the Black Sun Inheritance, the Black Sun Wizard Ruins, and the Aquis Secret Record...

Most critically, back in Ancient Forest Wizard City, the Antuun Clan—originally one of the Three Great Wizard Clans there—had suddenly seized an opportunity, risen to prominence, and relocated from their coastal Wizard City to the Dark Land Headquarters.

This undoubtedly corresponded with the journal’s contents. They must have found a part of the Black Sun Ruins.

Kaze Antuun’s eyes remained fixed on Wang Ya as he spoke with the utmost gravity. "Wizard Wang Ya, I have the deepest respect for the Illusory Dream Wizard, but the red metal ring is a relic belonging to Isar Antuun. It holds profound significance for the Antuun Clan. I must ask that you return it to us."

"As compensation, I will provide you with a generous reward. And regarding the matter of the Rhine Lineage inheritance, I will personally speak with Sul Chief to explain the situation."

Wang Ya knew that for Kaze to approach him, he must already be certain. ’But no one can prove this ring belongs to the Antuun Clan. It’s in my possession now. The only question is whether or not I’m willing to give the Antuun Clan some face.’

Wizards from the Wizard Clans were not to be trifled with. If he hadn’t become an Inheritor Disciple of the Illusory Dream Lineage, this Kaze Antuun would likely have used very different methods to take the red metal ring.

’No, that’s not right. It’s not the red metal ring he wants. It’s the Black Sun Badge inside it.’

Kaze Antuun was operating under the assumption that Wang Ya didn’t know the purpose of the Black Sun Badge. Without the Spiritual Power and Particle Energy of a Level 3 Wizard Apprentice, let alone an Extreme Wizard Apprentice, it was impossible to discern anything from it.

But he could never have imagined that Wang Ya possessed an unnatural Ability like the Eye of Truth, which had allowed him to forcibly analyze the Black Sun Badge’s information and purpose.

After Kaze Antuun finished speaking, the room fell silent. The atmosphere grew increasingly oppressive.

"If that is not acceptable..." A pained look crossed Kaze Antuun’s face. He finally gritted his teeth and said, "I am filled with reverence for the Illusory Dream Wizard, and I do not wish for any misunderstandings to arise between us, Wizard Wang Ya. You may keep the red metal ring, but I implore you to give me the badge-like object inside."

A look of grief washed over Kaze Antuun’s face. "It is the most important item our clan possesses. It is the key to Antuon’s Treasure Vault, and it is the token passed down to the next clan head, the patriarch. I had already decided that Isar would be my successor... but I never imagined he would meet with such a misfortune."

Suppressing his grief, Kaze Antuun managed to force a smile. "Perhaps it was fated that you, Wizard Wang Ya, would bring Isar’s relic all the way back from the distant Endless Sea."

"Men’s hearts are fickle, and greed is a powerful temptation. It was because of some groundless records in an ancient text that Isar put himself in peril and met his untimely end."

’Impressive!’

Wang Ya sneered inwardly. An ordinary person might have actually been fooled by Kaze Antuun’s performance.

’The man is a master of emotional manipulation.’

’It’s a classic negotiation tactic: first, you demand to tear the roof off, then you pivot and suggest just opening a window. It makes the latter seem far more reasonable.’

If Wang Ya hadn’t known the truth beforehand, he might have fallen for it too.

’He would have handed over the Black Sun Badge in exchange for some Extraordinary Resources or a reward of Magic Stones.’

These were the suspected ruins of a Level 2 Wizard’s inheritance. Even if many of the leads pointed to fake tombs or decoys, the prize was still the legacy of a Level 2 Wizard.

An opportunity like this might not compare to the monumental tide of the Deep Blue Great Secret Realm in a hundred years, but it was by no means small. It would undoubtedly hold a powerful allure even for Official Wizards.

’Of course, the main issue is that he’s not being sincere. He’s not laying all his cards on the table.’

As a disciple of the Illusory Dream Wizard, he had an Official Wizard to guide him at all times, allowing him to avoid many potential pitfalls. The Black Sun Badge was no longer as crucial to him as it once had been.

With the privileges of a Child of the Dark, he had plenty of options for acquiring resources.

’If this Kaze Antuun were truly sincere, if he offered something of roughly equal value to the Black Sun Badge—even something a tier lower—I wouldn’t be completely opposed to it.’

’The Black Sun Badge is just a map. Whether the ruins can actually be found and what dangers might lie in wait are entirely different questions.’

’But it would certainly take a huge amount of time.’