The Wizard's Pursuit of Truth

’Fifteen days is a bit long.’

Wang Ya’s gaze fell upon the Extraordinary Books on his shelf that he hadn’t finished reading.

Ancient Forest Mountain would soon cease to exist. It would be a real waste to leave all this basic Extraordinary Knowledge behind.

He decisively placed the books containing knowledge he hadn’t yet mastered into his Silver Bracelet.

The books on the shelves in Mosi Bailin’s study were mostly the same as his own, with no additional Extraordinary Witch Books. Otherwise, Wang Ya might have been tempted to check the study of every single Wizard Freshman.

...

The mist swirled, ethereal and indistinct, partially obscuring the silhouette of a building. A figure in a black Wizard Robe stood at the entrance, triggering the internal Witch Array sensor. Soon after, another figure emerged from within, a look of confusion on his face.

”Who are you? What do you want with me?”

Wang Ya said nothing, merely watching him with an indifferent gaze. He raised his right hand, and as he injected Particle Energy into the Shadow Slayer Blade, the weapon instantly extended to a meter in length.

No matter how slow-witted the Wizard Freshman was, he realized something was terribly wrong. He turned to flee back inside, his face a mask of terror, but—the sharp blade pierced through his chest, skewering his heart.

THUD!

His body collapsed heavily to the ground as blood began to pool beneath him. He managed to lift his head slightly, gazing toward his residence. With great effort, he raised his right hand as if to grasp something. But as his Vitality faded, so too did his desperate unwillingness to die, and his arm fell limp.

Wang Ya withdrew the Shadow Slayer Blade and numbly took out a white cloth to wipe away the blood. He was exhausted—not physically, but mentally.

’Snuffing out one vibrant life after another with my own hands... The more people I kill, the more this instinctive revulsion grows, and the more silent I become. Especially since I have no deep-seated grudge against most of these Wizard Freshmen. A sense of confusion is starting to take root in my heart.’

But in the end, he emerged from his haze, his grip on his blade firmer than ever. ’It’s the same everywhere. The weak cannot control their own destiny. The only way to change that is to become strong—strong enough to decide the fate of others.’

’I can’t refuse Wizard Yi Si. I can only do what he believes must be done.’

’My opinions, my views, my thoughts... they don’t matter. I’m just an Executor.’

’Wizard Yi Si can bear the consequences for all of this. I, however, cannot bear the consequences of refusing him.’

’I must become powerful. Powerful enough to bear any price. Even the price of pursuing truth is something a Wizard must bear as they grow ever stronger.’

’It’s over!’

Wang Ya crossed off the last name on the list.

In two days, he had killed all the Wizard Freshmen from the Wizard Clans, along with more than one hundred and thirty from the Island Continent. Most of the freshmen hadn’t even realized anything was happening. This was thanks to the environment of Ancient Forest Mountain, where the residences were spread far apart. That, and the fact that Wang Ya killed with a single, fatal blow every time.

Even if they stumbled upon a body, the other freshmen would only grow more terrified, assuming the string of murders was simply escalating. They wouldn’t dare to leave their rooms or interact with others, hiding inside their residences and not even venturing out to the automated cafeteria.

Back in his own residence, Wang Ya first went to the washroom to clean his hands. The youth in the mirror had a numb, indifferent expression. His black-apricot pupils, situated near the mole beneath his eye, held a cold disregard for life. They also seemed to exude something new—something formless and intangible.

A killing intent that sent a chill down the spine.

After about three minutes, Wang Ya snapped out of that state, his eyes regaining their usual calm and rationality.

He lay sprawled on his bed, staring up at the wooden ceiling. All he could do now was wait for further instructions from Wizard Yi Si.

’Ancient Forest Mountain... So this is what it means to be a Wizard!’

A determined look filled his eyes. He had long been prepared for this.

His eyelids slowly closed, and he fell into the deepest of sleeps.

...

「At the top of the Ancient Forest Tower.」

Inside the administration office, Wizard Yi Si sat in his chair, holding the same metallic mechanical device, which was displaying a series of images.

The images on the screen depicted everything Wang Ya had been doing; even his battle with Mosi had been under Wizard Yi Si’s watchful eye.

When he saw how decisively Wang Ya had killed Mosi, the corners of his mouth curved into a smile. ”Cunning, temperament, combat aptitude... not bad at all. I didn’t expect this batch of freshmen from the Island Continent to produce such a promising sapling.”

”How amusing. Those freshmen from the inland Wizard Clans, every one of them with their noses in the air, relying on their families’ resources to be selected as ’genius freshmen.’ I really wonder what would happen if they were to cross paths with this little fellow.”

He wasn’t concerned about the Low-tier Witchcraft Wang Ya possessed. Everyone had their own fortunate encounters.

The metallic mechanical device gradually changed its form, reassembling into a cube-like object before retracting into Wizard Yi Si’s sleeve.

He stood up, his expression becoming utterly indifferent as his powerful aura filled the entire room.

From the shadows of the room, the Wind Wizard and Lando Wizard emerged, their faces equally grim and filled with killing intent.

”The evidence is collected. Gandhi Wizard has betrayed the Dark Land. The Bailin Clan and the Purple Gold Flower Clan have broken the rules.”

Wizard Yi Si’s eyes were cold. ”The mission directive from the Dark Land is... to let us handle it as we see fit, so long as we don’t involve too many innocent people.”

”My decision is... that the Bailin Clan and the Purple Gold Flower Clan no longer need to exist.”

The Wind Wizard was taken aback by Wizard Yi Si’s ruthlessness. ”Isn’t that... a bit too extreme?” he blurted out. ”Those people in the Dark Land will target you for this, Senior Brother.”

”Rules are rules. There’s no reason for the majority of us to abide by them while the Wizard Clans get special treatment and stir up such a vile mess.”

Wizard Yi Si spoke nonchalantly, ”If they want to cause trouble, let them come. I don’t mind killing a few more useless members of the Wizard Clans on the Battlefield.”

”Too many Wizards from the Wizard Clans have broken the rules. They need a bloody lesson to learn that some lines must not be crossed.”

His tone was absolute. The other two said nothing more, knowing his mind was made up.

”Gandhi Wizard is still with the Bailin Clan. Tonight is the perfect time to take care of everything at once,” Wizard Yi Si added. ”You two head to the Purple Gold Flower Clan. If you run into trouble, just wait for me.”

Lando Wizard grinned. ”Sounds like a plan. I have full confidence in your Power, Senior Brother Yi Si. Taking care of one Bailin Clan will take you half an hour at most. I’ll just wait for you to come and display your awesome might.”

Wind Wizard: ”...”

’I have every reason to suspect,’ he thought, ’that this Lando fellow’s supposed Power as a Level 3 Wizard Apprentice is full of hot air.’

’How did he even get into the Water Swamp School? Saiya Wizard, the head of the school, is so rigid and old-fashioned. He doesn’t seem like the type to let someone in through connections.’

Wizard Yi Si paid the two of them no mind. He turned, gradually stepped into the Void, and vanished from the office.

Lando Wizard clicked his tongue. ”No matter how many times I see it, Wizard Yi Si’s ability is just absurd. Choosing a Wizard Path focused on space sets him apart from most of the White Bone School, but it looks like he’s actually succeeding.”

The Wind Wizard nodded. ”Yes. Senior Brother Yi Si might actually have a chance to advance to the rank of Official Wizard.”

”Well, well! Another name will be added to the Titled List.”

”Senior Brother Yi Si probably doesn’t care for such empty titles,” the Wind Wizard replied. ”That list was just maliciously created by some of the Wizard Clans to stir up conflict.”

As the last ray of sunlight vanished and night descended, the Ancient Forest Wizard City remained brightly lit. Wizard Technology was applied in many areas, including streetlights and architectural facades, which were all adorned with colorful lights powered by Magic Stones.

In the easternmost part of the Ancient Forest Wizard City, foot traffic was sparse, and the buildings were imposing and tall. The area was even constructed like a city within a city, with the name ’Bailin’ inscribed over the entrance.

A figure in a brown Wizard Robe emerged from the Void, hovering in the sky above the Bailin Clan’s estate. The cold wind rustled his purple hair. He raised his right hand, and the metallic device materialized once more.