CH185
Lilian was quite famous at Augustus Academy, primarily due to her beauty and exceptional aura.
Her talent, being Professor Nina's student, attracted many admirers, with Klaus being just one of them.
Seeing a conflict involving Lilian, the academy's people couldn't ignore it and rushed to help.
Malcolm left, not daring to say a word.
Once he was gone, Lilian pulled Helag away from the crowd.
"Why provoke him? You'll be taking the test together, and I'm worried he might harm you," Lilian fretted.
Helag didn't answer directly, instead saying, "I didn't expect you to be so fierce. You really have a princess's demeanor."
Lilian tugged at him, "I'm serious. He's a crystallized wizard with strong combat skills. Be careful."
Helag nodded, "I know. I provoked him on purpose. If I don't, do you think he'll leave me alone? Besides, Malcolm nearly killed me last time. I'll repay him a hundredfold someday."
"I believe in you," Lilian smiled sweetly.
They continued exploring Augustus Academy, visiting iconic buildings and classic spots.
They talked about many things, including past experiences and tales from the Colson Continent.
Before they knew it, it was late at night.
After parting with Lilian, Helag returned to the house.
The Terchy family had three enrollees: Helag, a man named David, and a woman named Reese, both gaseous wizards.
David was sturdy and quiet.
Reese had a great figure, what you'd call curvy in the past.
Both were direct descendants of the Terchy family, with Reese being Larry's cousin.
Seeing Helag return, Brack gathered them and instructed, "In the test, cooperate and help each other. Let Helag lead; he may be young, but he's more experienced."
Brack emphasized to David and Reese, "You grew up protected by the family, lacking experience. Listen to Helag when it matters, understood?"
"Understood," David and Reese nodded seriously.
They weren't spoiled brats; otherwise, they wouldn't have been chosen to enroll.
They respected Helag, knowing he single-handedly defended Kent Valley against Carl, a well-known feat in the family.
"Be cautious. Your lives matter most, even if you fail the test," Brack advised.
"Don't worry, Mr. Brack," Helag nodded, saying little.
"Rest now; the test starts tomorrow," Brack said, trusting Helag to handle things.
***
The next morning, Lilian led them to a hall.
"Enrollees can enter; others cannot," Lilian announced at the door.
"Thank you, Miss Lilian," Brack said.
"I'm going in," Helag told Lilian.
Lilian met his gaze, "Good luck."
Helag nodded, entering with David and Reese.
They passed through the hall to a large auditorium.
Many were already present, with a few people standing at the front.
Helag felt an immense threat from them.
"Second-level… no, possibly third-level wizards," Helag assessed.
At the front stood a man in a top hat, with a monocle over his left eye, appearing around thirty.
He posed the greatest threat to Helag, seemingly devoid of magical aura yet exuding strength.
Sensing Helag's gaze, the man glanced over and smiled slightly.
Helag bowed politely, recognizing a powerful figure.
Half an hour later, everyone had arrived.
The man in the top hat stepped forward, "Hello, I'm Bennings, the main coordinator for this operation."
"As you know, today is the test. But today is more about explaining the test, and you can still opt out."
His words puzzled the crowd.
Explain the test?
Wasn't today the test day? Could they not test today?
And what was this about opting out?
Those who enrolled were ready for risks.
Bennings continued, "Our test is unique, requiring a year-long pioneering war in the Elven Plane. During this year, you'll follow orders and complete tasks. After a year, if you're alive and without major faults, you'll gain permanent residency in the Land of Dawn."
The hall fell silent, then erupted in whispers.
Bennings adjusted his monocle, letting them digest the information.
Helag was surprised, not expecting this test setup.
He'd anticipated conventional tests, perhaps involving battles.
But this test involved entering the Elven Plane for a pioneering war.
A year-long stay in the Elven Plane.
The dangers were obvious.
Plane pioneering wars were bloody and ruthless.
Whether Elven or Wizard Plane, such wars meant countless deaths.
As invaders, the Wizard Plane would face fierce resistance in the Elven Plane.
Now was the war's early stage, when the Elven Plane was strongest, making entry most dangerous.
Many considered quitting but hesitated to forgo the opportunity.
Surviving a year granted permanent residency in the Land of Dawn.
This residency was significant, making one a Land of Dawn member, no longer in the Barrens.
Residency also allowed family relocation to the Land of Dawn, for direct relatives or spouses.
CH186
After waiting a bit, Bennings sensed they had likely made their decisions.
With a wave of his hand, the doors at the back of the hall opened automatically. "Now, those who wish to leave may do so. You have thirty minutes to decide. After that, the doors will close, and you won't have another chance to refuse."
Most had already made up their minds about staying or leaving.
"David, Reese, what are your thoughts?" Helag asked.
David replied, "I'm staying."
Reese nodded, "Me too. This is a chance to revive our family; we can't back down."
The wizards in the hall were from various factions, each bearing some mission or responsibility.
Backing out now would mean disappointing those who depended on them.
David and Reese represented the new generation of the Terchy family, carrying the family's hopes.
Backing out wasn't an option.
While pioneering wars were dangerous, success meant family prosperity.
No one would refuse such a temptation.
Even knowing the challenges ahead, they pressed on.
Helag nodded, "I'm staying too."
Others might be driven by their factions, but Helag fought for himself.
He realized that backing out now might mean losing any future chance to enter the Land of Dawn.
Without entering the Land of Dawn, Helag risked being stuck at the crystallized wizard stage, like Elder Karen.
After thirty minutes, no one left.
Bennings waved his hand, closing the hall doors. "Good, the wizards of the Barrens are braver than I expected."
"Congratulations, you are now members of the Wizard Plane Expedition Team."
"After joining, you can't leave for a year. After a year, you can choose to leave or stay, as you wish."
"Expedition Team?" Helag hadn't heard of this before; it seemed to be a Land of Dawn organization.
Bennings explained, "The Expedition Team is a collective term for our Land of Dawn organization. Members are wizards from the Land of Dawn, aiming to pioneer and conquer various planes, seizing resources. You're joining the Elven Plane Expedition Team, which is newly established and needs people."
"Perform well, and this is a great opportunity. Exceptional performance might catch the eye of the Land of Dawn's wizard factions, as many high-ranking members are in the Expedition Team."
"In seven days, you'll enter the Elven Plane for a year-long test. Prepare and settle your affairs."
"If you have questions, feel free to ask. I'll answer as best I can."
Someone quickly asked, "Lord Bennings, we're all first-level wizards. The Elven Plane must have powerful beings. Will the Expedition Team send us against them?"
This was a common concern. In plane wars, first-level wizards were the lowest rank, almost like foot soldiers.
The Elven Plane likely had powerful beings, and sending them against such foes would be suicide.
Bennings smiled, "Rest assured, tasks will match your abilities. In plane wars, everyone is valuable, and we won't waste your lives. However, be mentally prepared. In the Elven Plane, anything can happen, and no one can guarantee your safety."
"War is cruel; I can only wish you luck."
Another asked, "Lord Bennings, if we achieve merit in the war, will we receive the same treatment as Land of Dawn wizards?"
This question concerned fairness.
Barrens wizards were inherently inferior, and if they couldn't receive due rewards for their merits, it would be unfair.
They feared this.
Bennings nodded, "Rest assured, the war is fair. Merits will be rewarded, regardless of your origin. You won't be deprived or shortchanged because you're from the Barrens."
Bennings answered many questions patiently.
An hour later, the crowd dispersed.
Brack and Lilian waited at the door. Helag briefly explained the test details.
It wasn't confidential, so sharing was fine.
Brack pondered, "I'll have the family send a batch of potions and other resources for you. Time is tight; I'll contact them now."
Brack left to arrange resources for Helag, David, and Reese's expedition.
They couldn't help much, but ensuring ample resources was crucial.
"I'll get you some Elven Plane information from my teacher," Lilian said.
She wanted Helag well-informed about the Elven Plane, as information was vital.
Different information could lead to different decisions, often life-or-death ones.
***
Seven days later.
Augustus Academy had an ancient arena, vast enough for tens of thousands to watch events.
The arena's original function was lost, now used for grand events.
The Land of Dawn's Expedition Team modified it for plane teleportation.
In the large arena stood a massive gate, with a dark green glow inside.
Helag and others stood before the gate. Bennings addressed them, "Enter the gate in the order called. We'll try to assign those from the same faction to the same base, based on your enrollment information."
"Our Expedition Team has thirty bases in the Elven Plane, each in different locations. You'll be assigned to these bases."
Helag sensed someone watching him. Turning, he saw Malcolm with a cruel smile.
Helag understood; Malcolm hoped they'd be assigned to the same base.
Bennings began calling names. Those called approached the gate, entering in groups of two or three.
Malcolm entered with three Green Cottage wizards.
Helag's turn hadn't come, indicating they wouldn't be assigned to the same base.