Free Web NovelChapter 187: Chapter 185: Departure
More than two months passed in the blink of an eye.
Ian pushed open the door to his Alchemy Room. The morning light slanted in, casting a pale patch at his feet.
He stretched, his joints letting out a series of soft pops.
His dark gray Wizard Robe was a bit faded from washing, and the cuffs were stained with a few dark, dried Potion marks.
Gaga tumbled out of the shadows and landed on his shoulder.
"Assessment today, gaga?"
"Mm."
Ian walked to the window and pushed it halfway open. It was already bustling outside.
The central courtyard of Shadow Moon Tower was filled with people, most of whom were Level One Wizards.
They stood in small groups of two and three, talking in low voices. The atmosphere was faintly tense.
Robert hurried up the stairs, clutching a Bone Token.
"Sir, the assessment grounds are in the western core area. It’s already begun."
Ian took the Bone Token and glanced at it. His name and number were carved on it: Seventeen.
"Understood."
He tucked the Bone Token into his robe and turned to go downstairs.
With a WHOOSH, Gaga retreated into the shadows of his sleeve, its presence completely concealed.
The assessment took place on a semi-open, circular stone platform. It was surrounded by twelve Rune Stone Pillars, with Crystal Balls for surveillance floating above them.
Seven or eight Black Robed Wizards stood at the edge of the platform. They were from the Law Enforcement Team, and each one looked colder than the last.
Fifty or sixty people had already gathered below the platform; most of Shadow Moon’s Level One Wizards were present.
Ian found a spot on the periphery, his gaze fixed on the two people currently fighting on the platform. He watched with his arms crossed.
On the platform, a burly man using Flame Witchcraft faced off against a gray-robed Witch with an elusive figure.
Fireballs whizzed through the air as gray fog billowed. It was an even match, but Ian looked away after a moment.
’Their skill level is just so-so.’
’Both are at the Level One Middle Stage. Their Spiritual Power has probably just reached Liquefaction, their Witchcraft Models are a bit crude, and their Energy Control is sloppy.’
’In a real life-or-death fight, I could finish them in one move.’
People nearby were whispering.
"There are only twenty spots this time. The three major powers are each sending twenty people, so the remaining ten spots will be fought over tooth and nail by the mid-sized organizations."
"Here at our High Tower, those three at the Peak of Liquefaction are guaranteed spots... The rest will depend on who’s got the stronger fist."
"Look, ’Iron Wall’ Hogan from the Black Tower is up. Tsk tsk, that defense is just monstrous..."
The previous match had just ended, with the gray-robed Witch as the victor.
Ian followed their gaze.
On the stone platform, a short, stocky man built like an iron block was tanking three of his opponent’s Wind Blades head-on.
An earthy-yellow membrane of light around him didn’t even ripple. With a backhand punch, he sent his opponent flying off the platform.
’Solid, but that’s all.’
"Number Seventeen, Ian Marcus."
The referee’s voice rang out.
Ian withdrew his gaze and unhurriedly walked onto the stone platform.
His opponent was a young Warlock in a blue robe, holding an Ice Crystal Staff. His gaze was sharp, glinting with eager anticipation.
"Please," the opponent said with a slight nod.
Ian nodded. He had no Magic Staff and didn’t assume any stance; he just stood there.
A few soft chuckles came from the audience.
"Who’s this guy? He didn’t even bring a weapon?"
"Must be a newcomer. Probably just here to fill a slot."
"How long have you guys been cooped up in your Laboratories? You don’t even recognize him?"
...
The blue-robed Warlock’s eyes turned cold. He slammed his staff on the ground, and a burst of frigid air erupted.
Ian moved.
He took half a step forward with his left foot and clenched his right fist. A Jade-like Radiance flashed beneath his skin for an instant, and his entire body shot forward like a fully drawn bow being suddenly released.
BANG!
The stone platform shuddered.
The blue-robed Warlock didn’t even see the movement. He only felt a terrifying force slam into the Protective Spiritual Light on his chest.
The Spiritual Light shattered like an eggshell. He was sent flying backward, tumbling off the platform and rolling twice before coming to a stop.
The entire arena fell silent.
The referee stared blankly for two seconds before raising his hand. "Number Seventeen wins."
Ian retracted his fist and walked off the platform, his expression as calm as if he had just dusted himself off.
The soft chuckles from the crowd had long vanished. Many gazes, filled with shock, scrutiny, and apprehension, were now fixed on him.
"Shattering a Protective Spiritual Light with his bare body... What kind of monster is he?"
"That move just now was too fast. I couldn’t even see it..."
Ian ignored the stares and found a spot in a shadowy corner to continue watching the subsequent matches.
When the sun set, the list was announced.
Ian’s name was in seventh place. Ahead of him were three veteran Wizards at the Peak of Liquefaction.
"Iron Wall" Hogan, "Fog Blade" Catherine, and "Dark Language" Baal.
The sixteen people after him were all at the Perfection of Vaporization, each with a solid aura and a gaze as sharp as a blade’s edge.
Ian was a little surprised to see that Douglas was also on the list. ’He actually survived the great purge before this.’
Kevin squeezed through the crowd, a broad smile on his face, and lowered his voice.
"Congratulations, Wizard Marcus! I knew you could do it!"
Ian grunted in acknowledgment.
Kevin rubbed his hands together. "So... about that Earth Palace Ghost Dust..."
"If I find any, I’ll bring some back for you."
"Great! Great!"
With the list finalized, the atmosphere grew even heavier.
The twenty chosen stood in a group, sizing each other up in silence.
The three Elder Wizards leading the group gathered together, conversing in low voices.
Hogan occasionally glanced toward Ian, his eyes filled with scrutiny, but he said nothing.
Three days later, they departed.
In the darkest hour before dawn, a massive black airship descended silently onto the mooring platform outside Shadow Moon Tower.
Its hull was made of some kind of matte Metal, its surface covered in flowing Runes.
A giant vertical eye was carved into the bow, its pupil glowing with an eerie blue light.
The twenty of them boarded the airship one by one.
Ian walked in the middle of the group. As he stepped onto the ramp, he felt a faint hum from the metal beneath his feet.
The airship’s interior was more spacious than it appeared from the outside. It had two levels, and they were led to the main hall on the lower one.
Fixed seats flanked long Metal tables, and many were already occupied.
No one was talking much; everyone was making their own preparations.
Time passed quickly, and they arrived at their destination.
Ian followed the others off the airship, his eyes narrowing.
Below them were two other teams: people from the Deep Red Royal Court and the Withered Council.
The members of the Deep Red Royal Court wore dark red Long Robes with an emblem of a burning crown embroidered on their chests. Most of them had arrogant expressions, their gazes openly sizing everyone up.
The Withered Council, in contrast, was clad in greyish-black. Their hoods obscured their faces, and their auras were cold and deathly still. They sat like a row of statues.
The three factions each occupied a side, clearly distinct from one another.
The air was so thick with tension you could wring water from it.
Ian found a spot in the Shadow Moon contingent’s area and sat down.
The sky had brightened considerably, the edges of the clouds tinged with crimson and gold.
Gaga stirred slightly within his sleeve.
"So many people, gaga... Smells are mixed."
’Stay quiet,’ Ian thought, communicating silently.
Hogan stood up and walked to the front of the group, his voice booming like a great bell.
"I’ll be brief about the rules. The entrance to the Underground Palace is in ’Gray Rock Canyon’ up ahead. Once we arrive, we’ll enter in batches.
"No one knows what it’s like inside, but remember..."
His gaze swept over the crowd, pausing for a moment on the people from Deep Red and the Withered Council.
"Coming out alive is more important than anything else."
No one responded, but many clenched their fists or touched the Potion pouches at their waists.
Ian leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes to rest.
Inside his sleeve, Gaga’s breathing was steady and deep.
Suddenly, he sensed at least two gazes on him, filled with scrutiny and even malice.
He looked up, his eyes first landing on the front ranks of the Deep Red Royal Court’s group.
A burly man with a powerful build stood there, reeking of bloodlust. It was impossible to know how many people he had killed.
The man made no effort to hide it, staring at Ian with open killing intent.
Ian let out a silent, soft laugh.
’Heh! Are you that eager to die?’
