From Wizard Apprentice to Conqueror of Myriad Worlds

The saying, "A bag to last three generations—long after the owner is gone, the bag remains," was no exaggeration.

The backpack also had a very distinctive design: its surface was stitched with numerous metal hooks.

While walking, one could hang water flasks, armor, and other items on them, completely freeing up one’s hands.

In battle, you could swing the backpack around, aim the metal hooks at an enemy, and it would instantly become a spiked shield, capable of tearing the flesh of anyone who dared to get too close.

This design, which balanced both combat and everyday use, made it the favorite type of backpack among Adventurers.

Although Mo Ning was carrying quite a few items himself, he didn’t use a backpack.

He used the most traditional method for Wizards—a Casting Belt.

The belt was crafted from an ultra-light, highly elastic material. It felt as smooth as silk to the touch, yet was tougher than steel.

Hundreds of small compartments were densely stitched onto the belt, capable of holding a large number of items. After all, items designed by Wizards were made with portability in mind and were generally compact, so the small compartments were more than enough.

Furthermore, the belt was worn under his robe and was not visible from the outside. This effectively prevented items from being lost during strenuous movement and avoided the risk of being targeted by thieves in crowded places.

Retrieving items, however, was not affected in the slightest.

This was because Wizards had developed a special Sub-zero Level Trick: [Quick Pick Up].

When cast, this Trick could penetrate the fabric of a robe and directly "yank" a desired item out of a compartment on the belt.

This was easily ten times faster than manually lifting one’s robe, fumbling for a pocket, and pulling out an item.

Mo Ning had repeatedly and thoroughly optimized [Quick Pick Up], focusing on improving its Casting speed. He had streamlined the redundant Magic Circuits again and again, and compressed the unnecessary Divination nodes over and over.

The final version of the Trick could be cast ten times in a single second, a speed that was nearly on par with that of an average Second Level Apprentice.

Of course, Wizards had a solution for larger items as well—they were stored in the inner pockets of their robes.

In an emergency, these large items could even act as makeshift armor plates, mitigating damage for Wizards and Apprentices.

Mo Ning made a point of observing Sitt.

Although this "Strong Person," serial number 001, was expressionless, the character analysis model still parsed his psychological state:

[Current psychological state: Extreme tension, high alert, anger, despair, and indignation, coupled with a strong will to fight.]

It was the first time Mo Ning had ever seen someone display so many emotions at once.

Time ticked by, second by second.

A solemnity, growing ever more intense, enveloped the entire Secret Hall like the pressure of the deep sea, forcing everyone’s breaths to become light and shallow.

The crowd was deathly silent.

The red draperies quivered slightly in the air, each ripple causing hearts to skip a beat.

The moment the clock struck seven.

The unexpected happened.

The crimson draperies suddenly began to billow violently, snapping in the air.

The next moment, the draperies disintegrated into crimson smoke.

The smoke’s color faded rapidly, from blood-red to light red, then to pinkish-white. Finally, it transformed into a thick white fog that churned and spread wildly, blanketing the entire hall in white in the span of a single breath.

A cool sensation emanated from all the new recruits’ Guiding Rings at once as a stream of information flooded into their minds:

[The second group assessment, "Lost in the Wilderness," has begun.]

[Assessment Area: Mist Valley. This area is subject to intermittent fog. Please proceed with caution. After the assessment, you may return to Black Tower Academy via the return point.]

[Friendly Tip: Mist Valley holds many secrets.]

Mo Ning blinked. He was suddenly struck by a sense of déjà vu, as if he were playing a video game. This whole "countdown-teleport-prompt" sequence was just like the "Dungeons" from the online games of his past life.

The so-called "secrets" could easily be interpreted as "side quests." As for the "main quest," that would naturally be surviving for 36 hours.

’Time for a Dungeon run! A Dungeon run!’

He exclaimed to himself.

[Deployment countdown initiated.]

[5—]

[4—]

[3—]

Before the countdown had even finished, Mo Ning felt a faint sense of vertigo.

This was undoubtedly spatial teleportation.

His keen ears picked up strange sounds.

RUMBLE!

It sounded like thunder—a low, deep roar, like a great beast bellowing in the distant mountains.

SHHHHH! SHHHHH!

It was mixed with a dense, rushing sound, like countless leaves being swept up by a fierce wind, or like a hailstorm pounding on a tin roof.

Mo Ning realized in an instant—Mist Valley, the place where the new recruits were about to be dropped, was in the middle of a violent storm.

He couldn’t help but curse inwardly, ’I’m such a jinx!’

Back in his apartment, he’d had an edgy moment and muttered, "Let the storm rage even fiercer!" As it turned out, he was actually getting a storm.

[2—]

The vertigo reached its peak.

A shrill wind howled in Mo Ning’s ears, like the wailing of a vengeful spirit.

"Rain hoods!"

"Put on your rain hoods!"

The two voices rang out almost simultaneously.

The first was Mo Ning’s shout, the second was Anya’s.

The new recruits’ blue robes were the simplest of uniforms. Although they came with their own hoods, they tended to obstruct one’s vision.

In severe weather with high winds and heavy rain, water would run down from the hood’s brim onto their faces and leak down their collars.

Reina was a fraction of a second slower. Her lips had just parted to speak, but the word "rainproof" had barely formed in her throat when her voice was drowned out by Mo Ning and Anya’s.

But her heart filled with joy. ’It seems my [Intuition of the Right Direction] has helped me find a highly competent team!’