Heir of Synthesis: The World Mage

All 12 thousand entered the large plaza, where that statue stood in the center. Even with everyone there, they didn’t occupy even two-thirds of the place. Around it, there were no buildings, only the continuation of the forest. At first glance, it felt like this huge plaza had been built in the middle of nowhere.

But after stepping inside, everyone felt the ground emitting an intense spatial fluctuation. Everyone was certain: this entire place was a special kind of inscription.

At that instant, Uswyn moved to the opposite side of the plaza. Then she took out an emblem, which lit up.

*Buzz*

With a soft hum, the space in front of her opened. A large portal appeared and expanded for several meters.

From inside, countless figures emerged without stopping.

All the young Mages swallowed dryly. All the newcomers had different sizes, forms, and genders, but... all of them emitted an intense and powerful aura.

After a few short minutes, the portal closed. At that moment, Uswyn turned to those 12 thousand.

”These are the four thousand young Mages born inside the sect. They didn’t need to take the first two tests, but now they’ll join you for the final test.”

Everyone heard this and nodded, observing those four thousand newcomers. They quickly noticed four figures who stood out a lot, and all the others seemed to orbit around them from a certain distance.

Uswyn spoke calmly:

”The final test of the outer sect takes place in a special location called the Chaotic Elemental World. In that place, you’ll have to show not only the most basic and pure ability of a Mage: energy control. But also teamwork.”

”One important point you must hear: this time, if something happens to you, it will be impossible even for the Elders to interfere and save you. That’s because, imagine the place as a large swimming pool; if an Elder uses their power inside it, it would be like a massive body jumping into the pool. All the water around it would be stirred up, creating terrifying waves.”

”In short: if someone powerful enters that place to save one person, everyone else will suffer a thousand times more, possibly killing countless others as a consequence. Because of that, you will have no protection.”

Her words echoed in everyone’s minds, making them tense.

”If you want to become disciples of the sect, the first thing you need to do is be ready to give your own life. Your chances of living are definitely higher outside the sect than inside it. As for the final test, the chances of losing your life are extremely high.”

”If you choose to back out now, you’ll receive the status of a highest-level worker; it won’t be as bad as it sounds. As a veteran, I’ve already seen many of my friends fall. I saw their powerless struggle in the face of death. So, I advise all of you, bluntly, to think carefully.”

The air was tense, as if a stone were pressing down on their hearts. There was a deathly silence, and some people could barely breathe.

”I’ve already said everything I had to say. As for your choice, it’s up to you. If you want to take part in the final trial, step forward. If you don’t, step back,” Uswyn finished.

After her words, most people took a step forward. Only a few stepped back. These people were the weakest, as well as the smartest.

Many of them were those who had fought hard until the end on the Staircase and only managed to pass through pure luck. That very rudimentary trial had left them powerless, without any hope for the next one. There was no reason to get themselves killed, and the status of highest-level worker was already something very good.

Quickly, a few Elders appeared and took away those who had given up.

As soon as they were taken away, Uswyn said:

”Since you’ve chosen to take part in the final trial, I can only wish you good luck. But first, you need to meet a few people. Maybe they can save your lives in this test.”

She turned toward those four thousand.

At that moment, four figures stepped forward.

They were two men, one woman, and also...

Priam narrowed his eyes. The last figure was something whose gender was impossible to identify, either physically or energetically. This figure seemed like a perfect middle ground between man and woman.

”Let me introduce them,” Uswyn smiled and pointed. ”These four are the Super Geniuses of this generation, and also the leaders of their factions.”

”This here is Young Master Inigo. He is precisely the only son of the Lead Elder of our outer branch.”

The first one introduced was a man with a slender build and extremely defined muscles. He was taller than Flaris and stood out because of his pointed ears, framed by long, straight, intensely black hair that fell past his shoulders.

His expression was stern and focused, matching the dark, tight-fitting clothes that emphasized his athletic physique. His grayish eyes emitted a cold and powerful glow.

[Name: Inigo Vaelen]

[Race: Aelglaives]

[Magical Title: Fighter Mage Disciple, fifth level]

[Karmic Title: Unbreakable Royal Guardian]

[Bloodline: 85]

[Anima: 75]

[Wheel of Destiny: 50]

[Loyalty: Neutral]

Priam saw his status and took a deep breath. 85 in Bloodline was an incredible value. Besides that, his Anima was also quite high.

Uswyn pointed to the second man, called Walhart. He was a thin figure, but with hair as red as fire and a burning, fervent aura.

Even though Lumiere was similar to him, the difference between the two was immense. Lumiere was like a focused flame, burning with a calmer power. Meanwhile, Walhart seemed to be a wild flame, twisting as if it wanted to burn everything that existed near it.

[Name: Walhart Igniferal]

[Race: Ashstalkers]

[Magical Title: Physical Mage Disciple, fifth level]

[Karmic Title: Traitor’s Blade]

[Bloodline: 80]

[Anima: 85]

[Wheel of Destiny: 30]

[Loyalty: Neutral]

Priam snorted. This one had an extremely high-level Anima, and an incredible Bloodline as well. But the Wheel of Destiny combined with that Karmic Title... Priam could already feel that he wasn’t someone trustworthy.

The next one was the ’only’ woman, in theory.

Her name was Sallya. This young woman had short hair in a deep blue-black shade. Her eyes were her most remarkable feature: large, luminous, and a bright turquoise shade, containing an intricate, crystalline geometric pattern inside the iris.

When looking at those mystical eyes of hers, everyone felt a peculiar strangeness. But if she closed her eyes, she would just be a simple young woman with nothing that eye-catching about her.

[Name: Sallya Entomari]

[Race: Hivewardens]

[Magical Title: Catalyst Mage Disciple, fifth level]

[Karmic Title: Bloody Princess]

[Bloodline: 90]

[Anima: 35]

[Wheel of Destiny: 80]

[Loyalty: Neutral]

Priam was surprised. He had never seen someone with such good Bloodline and Wheel of Destiny, and such terrible Anima. This young woman held terrifying potential, but she lacked the individual ability to use it.

The last one to be introduced was that androgynous figure.

Their name was Daraen. Their androgynous beauty was captivating, with features as sharp as they were soft, making their expression a complex mix of strength and delicacy. They had pale skin and eyes so clear they seemed to be made of ice, carrying an intense and focused gaze.

Their hair was long, silvery-white, and flowed in long strands, contrasting with their black robes that completely covered their body, making it difficult for anyone to see even the slightest hint of their gender.

[Name: Daraen Taovari]

[Race: Ebbvitals]

[Magical Title: Mystic Mage Disciple, fifth level]

[Karmic Title: Master Archer]

[Bloodline: 30]

[Anima: 85]

[Wheel of Destiny: 75]

[Loyalty: Neutral]

Priam was surprised once again. This figure had a terrible Bloodline, to the point that it was unbelievable. But at the same time, their Anima and Wheel of Destiny were excellent.

After introducing the four, Uswyn spoke solemnly:

”If you want to live, join one of the existing factions. These four are the elites among the elites of this generation of the sect, and each of them has already taken part in more than ten life-or-death battles. You can’t compare yourselves to their battle experience. In terms of talent, you may be on the same level, but when it comes to combat strength, they are ten times stronger than you. If you want to keep your life, abandon your dignity and try to join them.”

The 12 thousand young people didn’t know what to say. Looking at those four figures with icy expressions, it seemed like they were waiting for everyone to start wagging their tails pitifully.

And most importantly: even if someone gave up all their honor, what if that person rejected them?

Uswyn snorted lightly.

”Inside the Sect, you must establish yourselves in one of the factions. You are not actually required to do that right now. But this is definitely a great opportunity, because numbers can make a difference in the factions’ positions during this final test. That’s why the four of them want to recruit you. Later, even if you become official disciples, you may not be accepted... the consequence of that is that you could end up being treated like a sect worker.”

Hearing this, those 12 thousand took a deep breath.

”I won’t waste any more words. You have exactly 2 hours to settle this, then I will begin the final test.”

At that moment, everyone swallowed whatever pride they had and chose one of the four. Then they moved toward them.

Priam’s group stayed where they was, just watching in silence.

Although some suspected it, Uswyn didn’t announce that Priam was also the leader of a faction, and he even felt satisfied with that.

Numbers, to him, meant nothing. It was better to recruit slowly, maybe even one by one, but make sure they were all loyal and proper.

The minutes passed until Priam felt something and turned slightly to the side.

He saw Dandara staring fixedly at those people ahead, as if thinking deeply. Her face said that she was reflecting on something important.

At that moment, Priam felt that, perhaps, his plans could change.