Theodore, seemingly unable to resist the urge to perform, began to recount his tale when he noticed Lynn and the others showing interest.
In recent years, Lydia had become quite the notorious figure across the entire Ieta Harbor. This halfling girl was intensely passionate about tinkering with peculiar and whimsical contraptions.
Last year, for example, she attempted to replicate the propeller of an alchemical vessel and crafted a gadget called a fan. This device, powered by an alchemical steam engine, could create a cool breeze, a welcome relief during the scorching summer days.
However, who would place such a large and costly alchemical machine in their home just to enjoy a breeze? For wizards, summoning a gust of wind with a spell was far more convenient.
Of course, one could still manually operate the fan by hand, and thus, some townsfolk, in search of novelty, were willing to purchase these curious inventions. This, in fact, was how Lydia funded her flying machine project.
"With Lydia's talent, she could secure a comfortable position as an assistant in any alchemy workshop. Yet, she insists on becoming a wizard, which is nothing short of seeking trouble for herself..."
Theodore shook his head. Even he had to admit that this halfling girl had many ingenious ideas. But in the land of wizards, no halfling had ever successfully become a wizard.
Listening to Theodore's account, Lynn began to understand why the "tech tree" in the land of wizards seemed so disjointed. Magic was simply too convenient; many things weren't invented because wizards had no need for them.
As they walked into the main hall of the academy, several apprentices dressed in simple robes bowed respectfully to Theodore along the way.
These apprentices varied in age, with the youngest appearing to be around eleven or twelve years old, and the oldest not exceeding thirty. Those over this age who had not yet become full-fledged wizards would be deemed talentless and expelled from the academy.
"This is the place. Please wait here for a moment. I will go inform the other instructors in the academy," Theodore said as he led them to a spacious lounge. He instructed his apprentice assistant to serve tea before quickly stepping out.
Lynn took a seat at the back of the room. On the table before him, made of redwood, lay several scattered magic books, seemingly left behind by a wizard who had not yet had the chance to retrieve them. There was also a folded piece of paper carelessly tossed aside.
Curious, Lynn unfolded the paper and discovered that it was a publication titled *Magic Weekly.*
To his surprise, even in the land of wizards, such a thing existed.
The front page featured anecdotes from within the land of wizards, while the reverse side contained the latest magical theories, each article signed by its respective author.
"Are the magical reactions of electricity and magnetism identical?", "Experiments on the 24 Fundamental Elements", "The Kozar Force—The Power to Hold Up the World," "The Relationship Between Motion and Gravity"...
Lynn skimmed through *Magic Weekly* and soon found himself engrossed. The unique perspective of interpreting the world through magic intrigued him greatly.
Beside him, Johnny sat upright, tense to the extreme, unlike Lynn, who remained at ease.
Not long after, the door opened again, and Harlam entered, accompanied by several academy instructors.
After taking the main seat, Harlam wasted no time with pleasantries. He turned to Laud and asked directly, "Theodore mentioned that you have something urgent to report to me. Has something happened in the harbor?"
"The situation is likely more severe than you imagine. The entire harbor town's docks have been destroyed, and even the 'Ship Gang' has been annihilated..."
Laud spoke cautiously, but before he could finish, a hoarse voice interrupted.
"Did the 'Ship Gang' slip up while transporting goods and get caught by the Church?"
The speaker was Kevin, professor of Morphology at Ieta Magic Academy. He appeared to be around forty years old, tall and thin, clad in a gray robe with a shining badge on his chest, engraved with three mysterious striped patterns—the mark of a Third Ring Wizard.
Laud quickly shook his head, eager to avoid taking the blame, and hurriedly explained.
But from his perspective, the information he had was limited. All he knew was that the entire chain of events began when Bishop Anruk captured Kol, who had attempted to abduct the Duke's daughter in the Nordland Territory, and then traced the matter back to the harbor town.
"I knew that Kol would eventually cause trouble. We should never have let him leave the land of wizards," muttered Philip, professor of Elemental Studies, with a hint of resentment.
He certainly knew Kol. Before leaving the land of wizards, Kol had served as a professor of Psychic Studies at Ieta Magic Academy and had made significant contributions to elemental, alchemical, and morphological magic.
Had he continued to focus on magical research, he might one day have ascended to the rank of Grand Wizard.
But a few years ago, something inexplicably drove him to abandon everything and set sail across the Sea of Mist, heading toward the Seccas Empire.
Such a decision seemed utterly mad.
Compared to the comfortable life and freedom to study magic in the land of wizards, the Empire was a stark contrast. It was said that people there lived in squalid wooden shacks under the Church's ignorant rule, with no understanding of even the most basic elements.
Philip was about to continue when a colleague beside him discreetly tugged at his sleeve, reminding him that Kol's departure for the Seccas Empire had been approved by Master Harlam himself.
Laud, having his speech repeatedly interrupted, dared not express any dissatisfaction. He seized the opportunity when the room fell silent to recount the entire event as quickly and thoroughly as possible, without the slightest hint of omission.
As the instructors listened, their faces grew incredulous when they heard that Lynn had used a powerful spell to kill an archbishop, annihilate three thousand armored elite soldiers, and even raze half a city to the ground. Even Harlam's expression became grave.
Theodore began to wonder if Laud had botched the mission and was now concocting an elaborate story with this so-called wizard Lynn to cover up his mistakes.
With various thoughts swirling in their minds, the wizards all turned their gaze to the two individuals who had yet to speak.
They recognized Johnny. Four years ago, when Kol returned to the land of wizards, Johnny had accompanied him. But Lynn was a complete unknown to them.
"Allow me to introduce myself. I am Lynn, a scholar from the *Mystic Society* within the Seccas Empire and a close friend of Kol," Lynn said, setting down the *Magic Weekly* and speaking calmly under the watchful eyes of the wizards.
This was the identity he and Johnny had agreed upon during their voyage.