Compared to the disgruntled Barbara and Hank, the wizard apprentices present were brimming with excitement.
In previous promotion ceremonies, there were typically only three to five slots available, leaving most of them watching in anticipation, hoping to earn a valuable spot next year through their hard work.
But this time was different. Everyone had an equal chance, and the extent of their power increase depended solely on how long they could endure inside the alchemical array.
Each of them believed they could hold out till the end, but Lynn and the others had quite the reputation, so, apart from the apprentices under Nos, no one dared to step forward.
In the face of such temptation, betrayal was only a matter of time. After much hesitation, Brock clenched his teeth and stood inside the alchemical array. His body trembled, and he dared not look at Lynn's expression.
He was gambling. Gambling that this time he could become an official wizard, and then he wouldn't have to fear the other's harassment.
Lynn cast a meaningful glance at Brock but said nothing. He didn't think Nos would be so kind.
Seeing that Lynn had no intention of punishing Brock, Patti and others, who could no longer restrain themselves, stood in the alchemical array. Following them were Barbara and Hank's apprentices.
"You... How dare you." Seeing her own apprentices enter the alchemical array without a word of greeting, Barbara was furious. If Lynn hadn't allowed that apprentice to leave, things wouldn't have escalated to this point.
"It's useless." Lynn shook his head.
These wizard apprentices joined the "Blood-Red Thorns" for one purpose—to become official wizards. Faced with the temptation of promotion, no one could resist, no matter what he did.
"This is quite interesting," Leya chuckled softly.
The onlookers among the wizards were also curious about whether the alchemical array was as amazing as Nos claimed.
Nos finished the red wine on his table, gazing at the 100-plus apprentices inside the alchemical array with a satisfied smile. He lightly tapped his wand, and the entire alchemical array was activated.
Fine runes shimmered with a dark green aura, followed by a strong surge of magical power radiating from the alchemical array.
The apprentices in the center of the array immediately sensed a certain power flowing into their bodies, and their magic power, as if being pulled, began to stir.
"It's real. My magic power has increased." Brock exclaimed in excitement.
It was a delightful, ethereal, and comfortable feeling. He felt like his soul was humming softly.
He was about to become an official wizard soon.
Leya and the others, who were watching, stared at the scene inside the array.
They had deep doubts about the alchemical array that could help apprentices advance. After all, these apprentices had already reached the limit of their magic power growth, and raising it again wasn't that easy. But Brock's heartfelt praise made them hesitate.
Moreover, the surging magic power around them was indeed a sign of their imminent breakthrough into official wizards.
Barbara and Hank also vaguely suspected that the special material Nos used to set up the array was likely the blood of the Eye of Death. Only that terrifying monster had enough energy to promote over a hundred apprentices at once.
"Lord Nos, do you know if this alchemical array is still useful for official wizards?" an elderly wizard asked excitedly.
"It is. Of course, it is." Nos laughed heartily.
At that moment, a wizard apprentice inside the array let out a painful scream and then collapsed to the ground.
Brock, Patti, and the others also experienced an excruciating, heart-wrenching pain at this moment. At first, they paid it no heed, thinking it might be a side effect of pushing their bodies to the limit. They continued to endure, as Nos had mentioned that the longer they persisted, the greater the increase in magical power they would gain.
In just a short while, their magical power had already increased by fifty percent.
But as more and more collapsed, Brock began to struggle. What horrified him even more was that the power absorbed into his body earlier had now turned into a deadly poison. His body rapidly withered and decayed, and his soul seemed to be torn apart by some mysterious force.
Seeing rows of wizard apprentices contorting in agony and falling lifeless, even the most foolish among them realized that something was seriously wrong.
"What the hell are you doing, Nos?" Hank angrily berated.
Nos didn't reply but muttered somewhat nervously, "Since y'all want to increase your magical power, I'll grant your wish."
After absorbing the power of dozens of wizard apprentices, the power of the alchemical array was becoming increasingly potent.
On the side, Leya seemed to suddenly realize something, as if a chill shot up from the soles of his feet to his heart. He shouted in terror, "It's the Soul-Devouring Array of the Grand Wizard Merk."
"Are you crazy, Nos?" Barbara's face displayed an expression of disbelief.
Nos's lips curled, and he laughed manically. "Of course not, Barbara. Water the most vibrant thorn with blood, that's the purpose of 'Blood-Red Thorns,' isn't it?"
Over three years ago, the Grand Wizard Merk had used the blood of Mindreaper to set up an alchemical array, sacrificing an entire village and numerous apprentices within the Soul Mage School, using thousands of souls as nourishment, in an attempt to enter the realm of legendary wizards.
Although Merk had failed, his power had increased significantly. He could even contend with several grand wizards sent by the Council.
Nos wasn't greedy. The realm of legendary wizards was still far away from him. He just wanted to become a true grand wizard with the help of this power.
"Come, all of you will become part of the esteemed Grand Wizard Nos." Nos raved.
"Madman, he's gone insane, kill him." Leya shouted loudly.
The twenty or so wizards in the banquet hall were also burning with anger. They raised their hands to cast spells, ready to tear this lunatic to shreds.
Hank, in the heat of the moment, even forgot that they were indoors. He raised his hand to unleash a Fireball spell, intending to blast Nos and the alchemical array to bits.
But in the next moment, Hank felt his soul disturbed, as if something had violently pierced his head. The pain caused him to convulse, and the fiery ball exploded on the spot.