"I am here for the task selection," Ronan said as he approached a group of academy wizards, handing over the copper token he had received during registration.
The wizards glanced at it briefly, then assessed Ronan's mental energy, nodding quickly. "Alright, a seventh-level apprentice. Go wait over there."
Ronan nodded and quietly stepped aside.
Under his robe, his long fingers played idly with a mirror-like shard of an artifact, his feelings mixed.
This was Ronan's first time using the mirror fragment's effect.
Unlike the two named "Francois" who had disguised themselves as advanced apprentice wizards to deceive others, Ronan had instead masked his ninth-level apprentice energy, presenting himself as a mere seventh-level apprentice.
Ronan wasn't sure if this tactic would be effective, but it was better to stay low-key.
Just like the night of chaos in town, his advanced apprentice energy had made him stand out among the lower-tier gray robes on Drop Street, attracting unwanted attention from the black robes.
After waiting for a while, he heard voices coming from the academy's direction.
"They're here."
The academy wizards alerted the crowd, prompting the gathered well-wishers to step aside.
Soon, a group appeared.
They were dressed as academy wizards, led by a figure clad in a silk robe bearing the Hoddam green ivy emblem. His skin was fair, his features handsome, and his hair meticulously combed back, adorned with exquisite silver ornaments.
To Ronan, this middle-aged wizard seemed to emit a blinding light, akin to the sun, making everyone else appear dim by comparison.
"A formal wizard!"
Even though Ronan was mentally prepared for the difficulty of this task, seeing a formal wizard leading the group still filled him with apprehension.
"Master Faor!"
Upon the handsome middle-aged wizard's arrival, the academy wizards on the gray robe side rushed to greet him respectfully.
Ronan took the opportunity to glance past the formal wizard named Faor, noting five academy wizards, all advanced apprentices, exuding an air of "chosen ones" distinct from the wandering wizards.
Suddenly, Ronan's gaze halted on one of them—a young man with an indifferent expression, fairly handsome, but with a haughty air that suggested difficulty in dealing with him.
"Linus."
Ronan was surprised, recognizing the young wizard as Linus, who had left the group after their escape from the forest.
In the time since, Linus had joined the Hoddam Academy, leaping from a fifth-level apprentice to a ninth-level one, even regaining his severed arm.
When Ronan recognized Linus, the latter also noticed him, showing a fleeting expression before reverting to a cold demeanor, turning away.
Ronan had no intention of rekindling old acquaintances with Linus; there was nothing to discuss.
After all, Linus's departure back then had not been honorable.
Ronan contemplated silently, sensing an investigative gaze upon him.
Looking up, he met a pair of jewel-like eyes, so piercing they almost brought tears to his eyes.
When the "light" faded, Ronan saw Linus whispering to Faor, the formal wizard, who cast him an enigmatic smile before withdrawing his gaze.
At that moment, Ronan felt as if he had been marked, tempted to withdraw from the task immediately.
He had no idea what Linus told Faor, but it couldn't have been good.
Was Linus seeking revenge through Faor?
What power did an apprentice have to command a formal wizard?
Ronan didn't believe he had wronged Linus—in fact, he had saved his life.
Surely, Linus wouldn't want him dead just for knowing his true nature?
Countless thoughts surged through Ronan's mind.
Just as he was weighing his options, Faor's voice resonated across the group.
"Now that everyone is here, let's proceed."
Faor's voice was gentle yet authoritative, prompting the entire group to move.
Ronan's expression shifted, but he ultimately followed the crowd.
Opportunities to acquire a Spirit Ignition Potion were rare; he couldn't abandon this chance due to vague concerns.
Otherwise, the resources spent during the five days of preparation would be wasted.
The group moved forward, reaching an open square where a small spell airship awaited. Under Faor's guidance, they boarded the airship.
For most wandering wizards, this marked their first time on such a vessel, and excitement bubbled beneath their attempts to suppress it. They seemed more like a group on a field trip than those embarking on a perilous mission.
Academy wizards watched the gray robes with disdain, akin to observing a group of bumpkins.
Faor maintained a friendly demeanor, exuding an approachable aura.
Ronan stood alone, expressionless, observing everyone on the airship.
The academy had sent five advanced apprentices, while the gray robes numbered twenty-five, including Ronan.
Reaching advanced apprentice status made them standouts among the wandering wizards.
The strongest was a ninth-level apprentice, followed by four eighth-level ones, and the rest were seventh-level like Ronan.
The airship soared through clouds, crossing vast wilderness and forests, distancing itself from the town.
At some point, Faor gathered everyone, speaking in a warm tone, "Now, I need to brief you on the mission."
Everyone listened intently.
"Our main objective is to destroy a potion cultivation site belonging to the Forest of Whispered Death, located in a small pocket dimension.
We might encounter resistance from their black robes, but rest assured, I'll handle any overt obstacles.
Your task is to destroy any potion resources you find."
"Upon completion, regroup at the designated spot to return by airship. Each of you will be rewarded with a Spirit Ignition Potion."
"I hope everyone returns safely."
Faor's relaxed tone, tinged with humor, eased the apprentices' tension, bringing smiles to their faces.
Ronan remained skeptical. A task offering such a valuable reward as a Spirit Ignition Potion couldn't be as easy as Faor suggested.
Expecting everyone to return unscathed?
They'd be lucky if half made it back safely.
Faor then explained the concept of "pocket dimensions" to the gray robes.
These were independent spaces created by powerful wizards using spatial magic, similar to storage pouches.
They served various purposes, like spell experiments, resource cultivation, or habitation. Naturally formed ones often contained wondrous phenomena.
While pocket dimensions were common knowledge for academy wizards, the gray robes found them fascinating.
The airship landed in a secluded valley, and everyone disembarked under Faor's lead.
Ronan wasn't sure how far they'd flown, but it was certainly far from town.
Before them was a cave entrance resembling a tomb's, which Faor entered first.
The five academy wizards followed, then Ronan and the other gray robes.
Ronan discreetly observed, noting Linus's close relationship with Faor among the academy wizards.
He wondered why, given Linus's seemingly unlikable nature.
As they entered the cave, Ronan noticed stone fragments on the ground with strange, unfamiliar writing.
Unable to decipher them, he overheard someone in the group reading aloud.
"What does it say?"
"It seems to say... Corpse Garden."
The journey into the pocket dimension was far less fantastical than Ronan had imagined.
They simply followed Faor along a long corridor for what felt like a long time.
When they emerged, the sky was dark, signifying their entry into the dimension.
"Groups of three, spread out."
"As I mentioned, just destroy any resources you think might benefit the black robes."
Faor gave simple instructions, smiled, and watched the groups depart.
So far, the task seemed as straightforward as Faor claimed—no significant demands or dangers, everything proceeding smoothly.
"You two, follow my lead."
Shortly after breaking away from the main group, an eighth-level apprentice with a hooked nose assertively instructed Ronan and another.
Ronan remained silent, while the young wizard Rainey was less compliant.
"Why should we? Who says you lead?"
"Because I'm stronger."
The hooked-nose wizard sneered, "I don't want your foolishness endangering us or costing us our reward. Disobey, and I'll report you to Faor for sabotage."
"You..."
Rainey's face flushed with anger, but he grudgingly accepted the situation, acknowledging the hooked-nose wizard's leadership.
The latter smirked, casting a glance at Ronan, who seemed cooperative, before leading them forward confidently.
The air was thick with dust and decay as the trio walked along a vine-covered gray brick path, arriving at a desolate graveyard.
Phosphorescent flames flickered everywhere, an eerie chant whispered on the wind, casting a chilling atmosphere.
"Filthy place."
The hooked-nose wizard cursed, kicking aside bones before cautiously approaching a nearby grave.
He seemed intent on examining the inscriptions on the headstone.
Rainey remained vigilant, while Ronan's lips moved, a faint white light in his eyes as he surveyed the area.
With his mastery in [Detection], Ronan's casting time was under a second, revealing more information and traces.
The graveyard appeared black in his vision, filled with necromantic and dark energy particles swirling like smoke.
Amidst the blackness, bright green lines formed a network, hinting at a complex pattern.
Ronan knelt, his pale fingers brushing aside dark soil, soon touching something solid.
His expression changed instantly.
"Don't touch that... let's go!"
Ronan rose swiftly, warning the hooked-nose wizard nearing the headstone.
His knowledge of necromancy included detailed processes and materials for creating undead servants.
Detection had revealed something amiss, and uncovering the soil confirmed his suspicions—this place contained related items!
The hooked-nose wizard glanced at Ronan coldly before continuing forward.
Ronan saw Rainey unmoved and shook his head, sprinting toward the graveyard's far end.
Moments later...
"Crack—"
A sound like breaking echoed in the quiet graveyard.
The ground trembled, and mounds began to rise.
"Boom!"
The hooked-nose wizard barely reached the headstone when the grave exploded, a skeletal hand emerging.
His face paled as he realized Ronan's warning was true, quickly activating an energy shield and fleeing.
Rainey reacted faster, sensing danger as the ground trembled.
But the graves transformed rapidly, skeletal warriors emerging, eye sockets aglow with green fire, wielding decayed weapons as they surrounded the pair.
"Bang!"
A gleaming axe struck the ground, fracturing the brick path.
Ronan, staff in hand, leapt gracefully over the skeleton, dodging its attack with ease.
He landed smoothly, glancing back at Rainey and the hooked-nose wizard struggling.
Rainey wielded a rune-etched scimitar, chanting continuously, sending crescent energy blades at the skeletons, shattering bones.
The hooked-nose wizard swung his staff, summoning fierce winds that toppled skeletons, though lacking lethality.
Both, as advanced apprentices, demonstrated combat experience, casting spells despite the chaos.
Yet their attacks lacked the power to defeat the skeletal warriors, whose strength matched mid-level apprentices. Instead of escaping, they faced growing numbers, nearing overwhelm.
"Whew—"
Ronan exhaled, contemplating before acting.
The skeleton turned, raising its axe to strike.
Ronan remained unfazed, his blue eyes calm.
He raised his staff, sight fixed on Rainey and the hooked-nose wizard through the skeletal ribs, forming a straight line.
In the next moment, the air around his staff distorted.
Energy particles gathered, creating a breeze that stirred Ronan's robe and silver-tied hair.
A massive blue-black orb formed.
"Go!"
"Boom—"
With a sharp cry, Ronan's robe billowed as if struck by a powerful wind.
The orb shot forward like a cannonball, tearing through brick and mud, shattering skeletons in its path, relentlessly advancing.
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