The city of Sunset Glow, during the Month of Slumber, had already taken on a desolate atmosphere.
From the narrow paths winding through the countryside to the broad, well-paved main roads, everything was covered in a thick layer of snow. The world stretched out in a blanket of white, with not a single soul in sight.
Whoosh!
A massive wolf dashed across the snowy landscape, sending a spray of snowflakes into the air.
The wolf stood nearly as tall as an adult man's chest, its light gray fur sleek and muscular. Its powerful limbs propelled it forward with ease, and its mouth occasionally opened, releasing a cloud of white mist. Sharp, menacing fangs, still faintly stained with blood, could be seen within its maw.
But the most striking feature was the single horn protruding from the wolf's head.
Fanor sat astride the wolf's back, pulling his fur cloak tightly around him as he glanced at the snowflakes drifting down from the sky. He couldn't help but curse under his breath.
"Damn weather!"
Even as a Level 2 Apprentice Wizard, the bitter cold was hard to endure.
However, his mood brightened as his gaze fell on the bulging pouch slung across his chest.
"With these Silver Moon Flowers, I'll soon be able to construct my fourth star ring!"
"If I'd known the city had so many treasures, I would have left the village long ago to scour resources!"
Fanor clicked his tongue regretfully.
Had he realized this earlier, he wouldn't have wasted decades slowly advancing to a Level 2 Apprentice Wizard.
"But the people at the shop mentioned that these were Star Alliance goods."
Although he had spent most of his life in the countryside, Fanor was well aware of the Star Alliance.
It was a behemoth that ruled the entire continent!
Stealing from the Star Alliance? He didn't need to think twice to know he'd be hunted.
Still, Fanor wasn't overly concerned. Worst-case scenario, he could always find a place to hide.
The Starlight Continent was vast—he could simply pick some obscure corner to disappear into. Surely the Star Alliance couldn't search every nook and cranny?
"Should I head to the Underground World or the Rainbow Sea?"
Fanor had read about these two places in wizard texts. Both seemed far beyond the reach of the Star Alliance. Either would give him the freedom to act as he pleased.
As Fanor fantasized about his escape, a sharp gust of wind suddenly reached his ears.
Alarm bells rang in his mind. He instinctively leaned to the side just as a wet, tearing sound echoed—like flesh being ripped apart. A spray of blood burst before his eyes.
"Awooo!"
The massive wolf beneath him let out a pained howl before collapsing. Both it and Fanor tumbled violently to the ground.
Fortunately, Fanor's sturdy physique spared him any injury. He quickly rolled to the side and scrambled to his feet, turning toward the direction of the attack with heightened vigilance.
Two robed figures came into view.
Calling them men was a stretch—they appeared to be no older than fifteen or sixteen, still in their youth.
Beside them stood two sleek black panthers. Their cold, unfeeling eyes stared at Fanor with an unnerving calm.
"What are those? Magic pets?"
Fanor immediately sensed that the black panthers were no ordinary creatures. In fact, they exuded an air of danger greater than his own magical wolf.
"Who are you? Why did you ambush me?"
Fanor glanced briefly at his fallen wolf, which was barely clinging to life. Blood flowed from a gaping wound in its chest, staining the snow crimson.
Seeing his precious magical companion so grievously wounded, Fanor felt both anguish and fury.
If it weren't for the two figures appearing to be fellow wizard apprentices—and their dangerous-looking panthers—he would have attacked them in a rage.
Hearing Fanor's question, the two youths exchanged glances before smiling wryly.
The boy on the right lifted his hood, revealing a handsome face.
Pointing to the star-shaped badge on his chest, he smirked.
"Fresh from the countryside, huh? Bold enough to steal from the Star Alliance but too ignorant to recognize its insignia?"
The taller, thinner youth shook his head with a sigh.
"There's been a lot of people like you these past few years. Hiding in remote villages to train, only to emerge after becoming Level 2 Apprentice Wizards. You don't know anything, see something shiny, and let greed get the better of you. You even dared to steal from the Star Alliance!"
"You're probably thinking you can escape to the Underground World or the Rainbow Sea, right? Thinking the Star Alliance can't find you there?"
Fanor's face froze. He almost blurted out, "How did you know?"
The taller youth caught Fanor's reaction and shook his head with a knowing smile.
He didn't need to read minds. Many captured apprentices had the same naive thoughts.
"Ignorance is dangerous. The Underground World and the Rainbow Sea are both under the Star Alliance's control. Where do you think you can hide?"
Fanor's face turned pale, his shock evident.
The Underground World and the Rainbow Sea? Controlled by the Star Alliance? Impossible!
Wizard texts clearly described these places as vast and perilous, beyond the Alliance's grasp.
Noticing Fanor's disbelief, the taller youth sneered.
"You clearly don't understand the power of the Star Alliance."
"Enough," the handsome youth interrupted. "Let's stop wasting time. Capture him and report back. I still need to get to Shimmer City."
The taller youth nodded and straightened, his gaze turning cold.
Sensing their intent, Fanor made the first move. Chanting quickly, he raised his hand and fired an icy blue beam at the handsome youth.
Frost Ray!
The youth didn't even flinch. The ray struck him directly but was blocked by an invisible barrier.
"A shield spell? No, it's a protective magic item!"
Fanor's heart sank with a mix of envy and fear.
But he had no time to dwell on it.
Six magic missiles followed, shattering his own shield. Then, a wave of flames surged toward him, forcing him to retreat in desperation.
Within moments, Fanor realized he was hopelessly outmatched.
The two youths not only wielded a wider array of spells but cast them faster and with greater precision. Their power was overwhelming, and they had protective magic items to boot.
Either one of them alone could defeat him easily. Together, they were unstoppable.
Within seconds, Fanor was reduced to a pitiful state, fleeing aimlessly.
"Are all Star Alliance apprentices this terrifying?" he thought, despair sinking in.
Before he could recover, a weakening ray struck him, leaving him limp and defenseless.
Then, a rocky fist smashed into his head.
Thud!
Fanor collapsed unconscious without a sound.
The taller youth withdrew his stone fist, grinning.
"Stone Fist always works like a charm."
"It's only good for enemies without defensive spells," the handsome youth retorted, securing an anti-magic collar around Fanor's neck.
The black panthers leapt over, tossing Fanor onto their backs with practiced ease.
"All done. Let's report back."
The two youths mounted their panthers and headed back toward Sunset Glow City.
"By the way, the Star Eye is incredible," the taller one remarked.
"That guy made just one move, and the Star Eye locked onto his life signature. Without it, we'd never have found him so quickly."
The handsome youth smiled faintly.
"After all, it's a magical construct created by two of the greatest minds in the Star Alliance. The entire Starlight Continent, including the Underground World and the Rainbow Sea, is under its surveillance. No one escapes the Star Eye."
The taller youth nodded in agreement.
"Lord Sunan and Lord Starfall are truly incredible."
Their panthers galloped swiftly, and the two soon returned to Sunset Glow City.
Although teleportation arrays were no longer rare—nearly every city had one—the exorbitant cost of using them made them inaccessible to ordinary people.
The ones who used teleportation arrays these days were mostly nobles, wealthy merchants, middle-class citizens, apprentice wizards, and knights.
When the handsome young man entered the plaza, he immediately drew many gazes.
Those nearby, noticing the robe he wore and the star-shaped badge pinned to his chest, looked at him with awe and respect.
The knight responsible for guarding the teleportation array brightened upon seeing him, quickly approaching with a fawning smile.
"So it's Lord Hailin! Are you here to use the teleportation array?"
Hailin gave a slight nod, his gaze falling on the long queue ahead, causing his brow to furrow slightly.
The knight quickly added, "If Lord Hailin has urgent matters, you're welcome to use the array first."
"Thank you."
Hailin didn't stand on ceremony, walking straight to the teleportation array and depositing a lesser magic stone into the slot.
As the array glowed with radiant light, his figure vanished instantly.
Watching this, two knights at the front of the line couldn't hide their envy.
"Being an apprentice wizard really has its perks," one of them muttered.
"Exactly. Look at that overseer. He doesn't even spare us a glance on normal days, but he's all smiles with an apprentice wizard. So shallow."
Hearing their conversation, a man ahead of them turned around, his expression curious as he chuckled.
"You don't recognize him?"
"Is that person particularly significant?" one of the knights asked, intrigued.
"Oh, more than just significant." The man paused, clearly savoring their suspense before continuing slowly, "His full name is Hailin Anesir—the Emperor's grandson. You tell me, is that significant?"
"Ah!"
Both knights gasped, their faces filled with shock.
They now understood why the overseer had been so deferential.
Being the Emperor's grandson was already an extraordinary status, placing Hailin among the elite of the entire Starshine Empire.
And on top of that, he was an apprentice wizard!
Everyone knew that the Star Alliance's leader, Lord Sunan, was the Emperor's own brother.
In other words, Hailin Anesir was Lord Sunan's grandnephew.
Both a member of the imperial family and an apprentice wizard—Hailin's future within the Star Alliance was undoubtedly limitless.
Realizing this, the two knights felt a pang of regret.
If they had known who he was, they would have approached him earlier, even if it meant humbling themselves, to leave a lasting impression.
Becoming his follower would have been a shortcut to success!
---
With a blur, Hailin arrived at the central plaza of Shimmer City.
Looking at the familiar surroundings, a touch of nostalgia flashed in his eyes.
No matter how many times he used it, the marvel of teleportation arrays never failed to amaze him.
To cross 700 or 800 kilometers in the blink of an eye—what a miracle.
"I've heard that teleportation arrays have been installed throughout the Underground World as well. With enough lesser magic stones, you could traverse the entire continent in a single day."
After a moment of admiration, Hailin began making his way toward the palace.
Before he had embarked on his recent mission, he had received a message from the palace requesting his presence. His grandfather wished to see him.
Krye Anesir, the founding Emperor of the Starshine Empire and brother to the leader of the Star Alliance, commanded immense respect across the entire Starlight Continent.
Though not a wizard himself, even the deans of Hailin's academy treated the Emperor with great deference.
Hailin held deep respect for his grandfather as well.
As soon as his mission was complete, he rushed back without delay.
---
Half an hour later, Hailin entered the Emperor's study.
Compared to the New Year celebrations earlier in the year, his grandfather's hair seemed to have grown even whiter.
Even a bloodline knight as powerful as Krye couldn't escape the ravages of time.
At 191 years old, the Emperor was undoubtedly nearing the end of his life.
"Grandfather, Hailin greets you."
"Take a seat. There's no need for formalities between us."
Krye smiled warmly, his gaze filled with admiration and affection as he looked at Hailin.
Though the royal family had grown large, with over a hundred members, Hailin was the only one with wizard potential.
He was the hope for revitalizing the royal lineage, and Krye naturally treasured him deeply.
"How have things been for you recently?"
"Quite well," Hailin replied, knowing what his grandfather wanted to hear. "Last month, I constructed my fifth star ring, and I've also made breakthroughs in [Puppet Refinement]. I plan to take the Level 2 assessment this month."
As expected, satisfaction spread across Krye's face at these words.
"Excellent. Keep up the hard work. If you lack any resources, just let me know. You're free to requisition anything from the royal treasury."
"Thank you, Grandfather!" Hailin's heart leapt with joy.
The Empire's dealings with the Star Alliance provided it with a wealth of resources. While most were
low-grade, their sheer abundance could save Hailin significant contribution points.
Krye then asked, "Among the academy's younger generation, you should already rank among the top. By now, you should be eligible to apply for the Morning Star assessment. Have you considered it?"
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