The night was pitch black.
No stars, no moon.
In the forest, the nocturnal wind howled through the trees, distant owls hooted in the night.
Ronan slowly broke the dry twig in his hand, tossing it into the flickering campfire, listening to the soft crackling as it burned.
Around him stood about twenty other robed individuals.
All were gathered around the fire, occasionally whispering among themselves.
The atmosphere was even tenser than at the funeral of Wizard Porter, which Ronan had attended before.
Through the fog-like night, Ronan observed the faces illuminated by the firelight, most of which bore expressions of deep concern.
This gathering had been called by Old Wills.
The attendees were all wizards living near this treehouse district, convened to discuss the news Ronan had heard in town: the invasion of dark wizards from the Black Wizard Lands.
As soon as he returned home, Old Wills had summoned him.
Ronan thought Old Wills was like a community leader from his previous life, always bustling about, tending to this "community."
He had also presided over Porter's funeral.
"Wills, everyone's here. If you've got something to say, say it. Don't waste our time. I've got a potion brewing at home!"
Ronan's thoughts were interrupted by a sharp voice.
Looking up, he saw a middle-aged man, about forty, thin, with nose and lip rings, looking impatient.
Ronan noticed the man's spiritual energy fluctuating at a Level 4 wizard apprentice tier, which was rare in the treehouse district.
"Then let's begin."
After being urged by the nose ring wizard, Old Wills cleared his throat and stepped forward.
The murmuring gradually subsided as everyone focused on Old Wills.
"I'm sure you've all heard today's news about the Black Wizard Lands' invasion. I've gathered everyone here to discuss how we might respond.
We live here together as grey-robed wizards, and in a crisis like this, we should find ways to resist together.
I have some experience—"
Old Wills was interrupted by a derisive laugh from the nose ring wizard.
"What's there to discuss? Do you really think we can resist the dark-robed wizards' invasion with just us?"
The nose ring wizard sneered, his face full of disdain and disbelief.
His words deepened the worry on many faces, some already showing signs of wanting to leave.
"Our strength alone can't stop a greater force, but standing together is better than standing alone. After all—"
Old Wills suddenly raised his voice, "I've experienced an invasion from the Black Wizard Lands before."
Instantly, the restless crowd fell silent.
Ronan looked at Old Wills in surprise.
"I was quite young then," Old Wills continued, his voice low and aged, carrying the weight of memory.
"I was just a Level 1 wizard apprentice.
Living here, then witnessing the war between Hoddam and the Black Wizard Lands. At that time—"
"Get to the point, Wills! No one wants to hear your boring stories from your youth."
Ronan frowned at the nose ring wizard interrupting again.
He was beginning to dislike the man.
Old Wills didn't get angry, merely pausing before continuing, "Based on my experience, although there are rumors of an invasion now, the actual event isn't as imminent as we might think."
"How long typically?" someone asked.
"Possibly one to two years, maybe longer..."
Old Wills replied, "So there's no need to panic. Instead of worrying, we should find ways to get through this together. Prices in Hoddam are likely to rise significantly..."
"The rent for the worst house in town has already increased to nearly a magic stone per month this afternoon," someone said worriedly.
Old Wills thought for a moment, "There's no need to rush to town now; the forest is still safe."
"That's what you think!" the nose ring wizard retorted. "What if the dark robes appear in the forest tomorrow? With the town's rent skyrocketing, we should move to the town while we can still afford it."
Old Wills calmly looked at him, "Moving too early might deplete your savings before any real crisis hits, forcing you out again."
The nose ring wizard sneered, "Better that than having money but nowhere to live."
"That's unlikely," Old Wills shook his head, "Hoddam doesn't have so many people that the town will run out of space. Living in town doesn't necessarily mean having a house."
"You want us to live like beggars on the street?" the nose ring wizard said angrily.
"That's the worst-case scenario, but compared to dying at the hands of dark wizards, such humiliation is trivial.
In the meantime, we stay in the forest. To prevent an early invasion, I suggest forming a patrol team, taking turns to keep watch and give timely warnings."
"I've never heard such a foolish idea. Ridiculous. Wills, you're getting senile."
"Shut up, you idiot!"
A voice suddenly cut through, shocking everyone into looking toward its source.
They saw a handsome youth in a gray robe stepping from the shadows, glaring coldly at the nose ring wizard.
"You talking to me?" the nose ring wizard asked, pointing to himself in disbelief.
Ronan said coolly, "Is there another idiot here besides you?"
A childish giggle broke from the crowd's edge, but it ceased when eyes turned that way, a little girl ducking behind Old Wills with a guilty look.
The nose ring wizard glared at the girl, then turned to Ronan, his expression darkening, "Kid, who do you think you are to talk to me like that—"
He stopped mid-sentence, sensing Ronan's spiritual energy, his face changing.
"Level 4?!"
He scrutinized Ronan, disbelief etched on his face, "So young? You live here?"
"None of your business."
Ronan's tone was cold. He'd tolerated the man long enough and had no more patience.
To be blunt, everyone here was at the bottom of Hoddam's wizarding community, mostly Level 1 or 2, maybe Level 3 apprentices.
Though the nose ring wizard was also Level 4, Ronan had a dual rune mid-grade protective ring and expert-level [Energy Missile], so he didn't take the man seriously.