The Wizard's Pursuit of Truth

The administrators of Ancient Forest Mountain had a dedicated office building: the Ancient Forest Tower. It was located at the highest point of Ancient Forest Mountain, under the shade of a massive, ancient tree. Parts of the building’s walls were even built directly into the tree’s trunk, giving it the appearance of a tall tower.

The Wizard Freshmen were located halfway up Ancient Forest Mountain.

Wang Ya’s idea was simple and crude, but it was also the most effective.

The rules of Ancient Forest Mountain were set by Wizard Yi Si. Since the rules had been broken, he would let Wizard Yi Si handle the matter.

’You don’t care about things outside of Ancient Forest Mountain, but this happened *inside* Ancient Forest Mountain. The rules have been clearly violated.’

Knowing Wizard Yi Si had a similar regard for rules as the Tuta Wizard, Wang Ya was certain he would intervene.

’What would be the outcome when a being who was at least a Level 3 Wizard Apprentice took action?’

For once, Wang Ya felt a sense of anticipation. Perhaps he could gather some data for comparison.

He had never seen the Tuta Wizard in action, but he could sense that both he and Wizard Yi Si possessed the same terrifying, abyss-like aura of Particle Energy. If unleashed, it could destroy at least one Mortal City.

The high-energy reading from his Eye of Truth was no joke.

If Particle Energy of that magnitude were to touch him, his body’s resistance would be completely unable to withstand the radiation damage. There would be only one outcome: his entire body would develop lesions, form tumors, and degenerate into a festering, diseased state until he died in torment.

’I’ll just have to see if the person behind the scenes can sit still!’

Wang Ya’s voice carried into the Ancient Forest Tower. Soon, the great doors at the base of the tower opened.

However, the figure that emerged from the Ancient Forest Tower was not Wizard Yi Si.

Wang Ya’s brow furrowed slightly, but he maintained a polite expression as he said, ”Respected Master Wizard Gandhi.”

The newcomer wore a white Wizard Robe. He was slightly plump with a full face and exuded a powerful aura of Particle Energy, but it was far, far weaker than Wizard Yi Si’s.

Of course, the management of Ancient Forest Mountain didn’t consist of just Wizard Yi Si.

There were also four steward Wizards who handled various trivial matters for Wizard Yi Si. They had been seen at the Ancient Forest Pavilion and the automated cafeteria, but they were mostly nowhere to be found.

This Gandhi Wizard, however, had been seen in the automated cafeteria over the past few days, eating lunch and dinner with the freshmen. He had the kind look of a portly, middle-aged man and a very approachable demeanor, a complete opposite of Wizard Yi Si’s cold expression. If the impression Wizard Yi Si had left on the freshmen hadn’t been so profound, some of them would have likely mustered the courage to try and speak with Gandhi Wizard.

It was worth noting that Gandhi Wizard and another, the Dragon Rabbit Wizard, were old-timers who had been at Ancient Forest Mountain for about forty years. Wizard Yi Si and the other two Wizards, on the other hand, had been transferred from the Dark Land. Wizard Yi Si himself had been transferred within the last five years.

”You say someone has violated the rules Wizard Yi Si established for Ancient Forest Mountain?” Gandhi Wizard’s kind face was filled with gravity.

”Can you explain the situation in detail? If what you’re saying is true, then this is truly despicable and must be severely punished. Also, I don’t believe I know you...”

Wang Ya’s heart skipped a beat for no reason. Something felt strange. He subconsciously lowered his head and glanced at Gandhi Wizard from the corner of his eye. The Wizard’s face was still very kind, and his grave expression showed genuine concern for the matter. It wasn’t fake!

’Is it just my imagination?’

”I am a Wizard Freshman, ’Arthur,’ ’Arthur Luck.’ My number is...”

Wang Ya suppressed a surge of panic, speaking nervously and even stammering over a word or two.

He appeared to be deeply terrified that the rules of Ancient Forest Mountain had been broken.

”Master Wizard Gandhi, do you know where Master Wizard Yi Si is? This is something Master Wizard Yi Si absolutely must know about,” Wang Ya added.

Gandhi Wizard shook his head and said, ”I’m afraid it’s too late. Master Wizard Yi Si and the other three Wizards have gone to the transfer station to receive a shipment of Extraordinary Resources from the Dark Land.”

”In a way, this matter is even more important than the violation of Ancient Forest Mountain’s rules. They won’t be back for at least a week.”

The words struck Wang Ya’s mind like a bolt of lightning. He felt an inexplicable chill.

After Gandhi Wizard said this, countless thoughts raced through his mind.

He didn’t dare to guess, didn’t even dare to think too much about it, struggling to maintain the most appropriate expression on his face.

Wang Ya looked anxious. ”Then what should we do? If Wizard Yi Si isn’t here, doesn’t that put us in great danger? Who knows if the mastermind hiding in the shadows will try to kill us again.”

”Rest assured, I will investigate the situation. At the very least, I will protect you all until Wizard Yi Si returns.”

Gandhi Wizard said with firm conviction.

With a heavy heart, Wang Ya left the Ancient Forest Tower.

He could even feel Gandhi Wizard’s gaze fixed on him, as if trying to pierce right through his body.

......

「Inside the freshmen’s residence.」 Mosi pushed the door open and entered, followed by Kadi.

”The nameless Wizard Slayers have made their move and successfully incited panic among the freshmen. Those top-tier talents should understand the situation by now.” A smile appeared on Kadi’s face as he picked up a cup of tea and drank it down.

”But I’m still curious, why not have the nameless Wizard Slayers dispose of the body? Instead, you left the body behind, which is the biggest liability. If the discovery was delayed by a few days, wouldn’t word of the broken rules also spread a few days later?” Kadi asked, looking curiously at Mosi.

”What we lack is time!” Mosi said with a confident smile. ”We only have seven days to complete our plan for the Wizard Freshmen. The two nameless Wizard Slayers are meant to die here on Ancient Forest Mountain, to serve as a resolution.”

”And the most direct stimulus is death. We don’t have time to wait for panic to spread. Those guys who haven’t signed a Wizard Contract yet are tough nuts to crack, and they’re smart. Their mindset is already at the Wizard level; they no longer have the inherent flaws of the island natives.”

”They’re definitely not going to accept this lying down. They’ll struggle and try everything they can. Even I’d have to sympathize with them after seeing that contract... But so what if they don’t accept it! The way to deal with smart people is different from just threatening the island natives with death. Faced with death, they’re more likely to act rashly out of desperation. You have to use both threats and incentives, then exploit their psychological weaknesses to break down their defenses bit by bit. You have to give them hope of survival, and a glimpse of a future.”

”Only Wizard Freshmen like these have a greater chance of growing stronger. As for the island natives who have already signed the contract, they can’t even begin to compare to this group.”

A strange light glinted in Mosi’s eyes. At this moment, his aura was unusually oppressive.

Kadi’s pupils contracted. He seemed to see the shadow of the last batch of freshmen from the Direct Lineage families.

Suddenly, Mosi seemed to sense something. He closed his eyes, and when he opened them again, his gaze held a hint of amusement.

”Let’s go. We still need to find the executive Chairman of the Wizard Mutual Aid Association, our dear Little Anna, and ask her what kind of person this ’Arthur Luck’ Wizard Freshman is.”