The Wizard's Pursuit of Truth

"Before I knew it, winter was almost over. It’s been four or five years since I came to the Dark Land. Looking back now, it still feels a bit surreal." Mas leaned back on the sofa, still sipping his favorite Wizard’s Beverage.

The warm light of the lamps filled the room, casting a play of light and shadow across everyone’s faces. Compared to when they first arrived, they all looked more mature and composed, their statures taller and more erect.

Mas had the largest build of the four. He’d already taken off his robe, revealing brawny, muscular arms.

It was perhaps related to the Knight Swordsmanship he had learned during his time as a mortal.

Even now, he still liked to wield a Cross Sword and hunt Extraordinary Creatures when on a Wizard Task.

"Let’s call this a belated New Year’s celebration! To a brighter future for our Wizard Paths, and to every one of us becoming an Official Wizard!" Gray, as enthusiastic as ever, stood up and raised his Wizard’s Beverage.

Wang Ya held his familiar Wizard’s Beverage, the one with a toad’s foot sticking out of it.

The four of them clinked their cups together with a crisp sound.

After taking a drink, they all looked at one another again.

Smiles bloomed on all their faces.

As for exchanging notes on their Wizard experiences, there was none of that. Instead, under Gray’s cheerful guidance, the conversation turned to their hopes for the future and what kind of Wizards they wanted to become.

They also gossiped about which Wizards were two-faced, which were powerful, and what their personalities were like.

They even ventured into the realm of Official Wizards, trading a few ambiguous bits of gossip.

Wang Ya smiled and shared a few things about the Illusory Dream Wizards, but he stuck to harmless gossip.

"Gray, the rumor is you’ve gotten into the Divine Eagle School. They say even the Heritage Wizards have taken a liking to you. I’m so jealous," Mas teased.

"And you, Wang Ya! Becoming the disciple of an Illusory Dream Wizard... I honestly thought you wouldn’t show up for this get-together today."

Gray burst out laughing. "I know Wang Ya better than anyone. Even if he became an Official Wizard, he’d still come to this party. We’re best friends, after all!"

Wang Ya raised his cup and took a small sip. ’This kind of atmosphere... it’s something many Wizards have lost.’

Mona sat primly to the side, watching the three men chat and joke with her large eyes, the corners of her lips curling into an unconscious smile.

Suddenly, something occurred to Wang Ya.

’Gray actually has a chance to join the Inheritance Lineage of the Divine Eagle School?’

He recalled some records about the Divine Eagle School from his memory.

The Illusory Dream Wizard had also briefed him on the subject.

It was an Extraordinary School founded by a Warlock Clan; the Divine Eagle Wizard was a Bloodline Mage.

Unlike Bloodline Wizards, Warlocks also developed their bloodlines but didn’t need to learn a Wizard Meditation Method. They simply had to increase the concentration of their bloodline, and their power would grow over time.

Both their Spiritual Power and Physique would increase until, eventually, they became like true Extraordinary Creatures, possessing all the Traits and Talent Abilities of their respective bloodlines.

Bloodline Mages could be considered an offshoot of Bloodline Wizards.

Generally speaking, the Divine Eagle School only recruited other Warlocks.

Gray wasn’t a Bloodline Mage, and he didn’t seem to be following the path of a Bloodline Wizard, either.

The brown-skinned lizard had just been his choice when he first became a Wizard.

A faint blue glimmer flickered in his pupils.

[Target: Gray Brandy]

[Power: Level 2 Wizard Apprentice]

[Spiritual Power: 24]

[Physique: 18]

[Wizard Path: Spirit Wizard]

Wang Ya was inwardly surprised but showed no trace of it on his face. He simply kept a faint smile and continued sipping his Wizard’s Beverage.

When dusk began to fall, the four of them walked out of the ’Night Night Night’ Wizard Tavern.

The ground was coated in a silvery layer of frost, and their boots left clear prints as they walked.

Wang Ya said his goodbyes and headed in the direction of the Illusory Dream Tower.

He stopped after walking a short distance, a thoughtful flicker in his eyes.

’Gray’s Power... it’s not normal.’

’His Spiritual Power Value is only about a single point lower than mine.’

’How could he, a Wizard from a common background, improve so quickly? Even the geniuses from the Wizard Clans can’t match his pace.’

’I’ve only reached my current Spiritual Power Value with the help of the Dream-Recalling Meditation Method and the advantages of the Dream Mage System.’

’If I had followed the normal path of an Elemental Wizard, my Spiritual Power would probably be around 23 right now, at best.’

’Furthermore, the Dream Realm products that can increase Spiritual Power are exclusive to the Illusory Dream Lineage.’

’The Divine Eagle School has taken an interest in him, but that’s all it is. He hasn’t even joined yet.’

’Even if he had joined, they wouldn’t have enough resources to boost his progress like this...’

Teleportation Fluctuations enveloped him, and Wang Ya appeared inside the Three-Layered Space.

He couldn’t make sense of it, so he decided to put it out of his mind for now.

Even back on the Wizard Ship, Gray’s Spiritual Power had progressed with incredible speed.

’It must be due to some opportunity he has,’ he mused.

After all, he himself possessed the Special Ability, the Eye of Truth.

He changed into an Experimental Wizard Robe and strode into his laboratory.

For Wang Ya, the most important thing right now was to increase his Power.

The follow-up developments and rewards for his recent Wizard Task would probably take another ten to fifteen days to be processed, much like with the Evil God task.

First, he went to the Biological Cultivation chamber to check on Harak’s state.

Inside the massive cultivation space, the walls and ceiling were splattered with a black liquid that resembled crude oil.

There was even more of the sticky substance on the floor, along with numerous skeletons. The bones, however, were a grayish-black color, exuding a deathly, ashen aura.