The Wizard's Pursuit of Truth

”I don’t know. The information isn’t complete. It seems the specific details have been hidden. The Upper Court Wizards should know more. Everything I’ve said about that person’s power and identity is just my own speculation.”

”I hope they get this Evil God incident under control soon. If it turns into a huge mess and the situation deteriorates, we’ll be in big trouble.”

”Don’t worry. It’s not our turn to step up yet. The Official Wizards will handle it and eliminate the danger before it gets out of hand.”

In the end, Gray didn’t get his answer. The fragmented information left him deep in thought.

’Looks like the Dark Land is finally getting serious.’

’The Evil God incident is real, and the rumors about Official Wizards getting personally involved probably aren’t baseless either.’

He subconsciously tugged at the hem of his robe, his expression flickering with uncertainty. Then, he composed himself, a smile returning to his face as he picked up his cup and began to drink alone.

.....

In the center of the Dark Land, within the grandest and tallest Tower of Darkness.

Twelve figures, appearing as projections, negotiated a definitive solution in the chamber of the Dark Summit Conference.

There was no spoken conversation. Instead, powerful consciousnesses exchanged information via their Wizard Marks, a method far more efficient than dialogue.

Within a day, all subsequent deployments and arrangements had been finalized.

In the face of the Evil God incident, the eleven Official Wizards were in rare agreement, with no major friction or conflict arising.

Taking the lead was ’Gloom,’ an Official Wizard from the Dark Tower of the Dark Wizard, whose power had reached that of a Level 2 Wizard.

The Dark Land had one other Level 2 Wizard, ’Darkness,’ who was in a state of secluded experimentation. Currently, all affairs in the Dark Land were being handled by the Gloom Wizard.

She wore a black Wizard Robe and stood about 1.4 meters tall. Her features were remarkably childish, like those of a little girl. The Gloom Wizard was also the only one in the chamber of the Dark Summit Conference to reveal her face.

Her eyes, however, were as still as an ancient well—exceptionally calm and steady, creating a stark, almost unsettling contrast with her appearance.

”The God of Gendas. I’ve heard this name from other Wizards while in the Inner World. It is a relatively well-known Evil God within Outer Space, one who walks the path of fleshly transformation. Its power is equivalent to a Level 3 Wizard.”

The Gloom Wizard’s tone suddenly became subtle. ”For an Evil God, a true Evil God, to descend into the Wizard World, past the barriers of Outer Space and the defensive lines of the Inner World... it’s absolutely impossible for its true body to have descended.”

”That little one who discovered the Evil God incident is quite impressive, managing to record so much information in the True Sight Ball and return safely.” The Gloom Wizard’s tone shifted again. ”But this also demonstrates the weakness and feebleness of Gendas.”

”An Evil God comparable to a Level 3 Wizard... even if it’s not the main body, just a portion of its flesh and blood essence descending... I don’t think I need to elaborate on the value it represents.” The corners of the Gloom Wizard’s small mouth curved up, revealing perfectly white and even teeth, but the smile was somewhat sinister.

The figure bearing the sigil of the White Bone Wizard Tower, shrouded in flickering darkness, spoke in a hoarse voice, ”Master Gloom Wizard, I presume you already have a plan. I have no objections and am willing to obey.”

Soon after, the figures from the Divine Blood Wizard Tower, the Water Swamp Wizard Tower, and the Withered Wood Wizard Tower echoed their assent.

A few figures seated opposite them, whose Wizard Tower sigils were mostly of strange and ferocious creatures—a Demon Dragon, a Divine Eagle, Thorns, and the like... From the position marked by a sigil of an expanding mist, a tall, thin figure also spoke up. ”We have no objections either. We will follow all of Master Gloom Wizard’s arrangements.”

”White Bone Wizard, Rhein Wizard, and all others present, this is an opportunity. If we capture the avatar of Gendas, perhaps we can conduct a joint, large-scale Wizard Experiment.”

The Gloom Wizard had stated her thoughts, yet the figures present all fell silent, none of them responding.

This reaction made Gloom sigh internally. ’It seems the current situation in the Dark Land can only be maintained as is.’

’So be it. As long as the Balance isn’t broken, there won’t be any major problems.’

”Meeting adjourned. I will notify you of the specific personnel via the Wizard Marks.” The Gloom Wizard’s tone became flat. She suddenly remembered something and added, ”That little one who discovered the Evil God incident is still a Wizard Freshman, correct? For his assessment task to have such a... complication... Illusory Dream Wizard, you handle the specific arrangements.”

A figure in the corner, of whom only the hem of a Yellow Wizard Robe was visible, seemed on the verge of disappearing at any moment.

This wasn’t an issue with the Wizard Technology projection system, but a result of the Illusory Dream Wizard’s own unique nature. A soft, androgynous voice responded, ”Understood. I will make the arrangements.”

.....

With gray hair and a cold expression, the Kelan Wizard, still clad in her off-white Wizard Robe, walked through a bleak forest of withered yellow and falling leaves.

It was utterly silent save for the sound of the wind. The cold gusts blew leaves about, and the ground was already covered in a thick layer of them.

Deep at the far end of this area stood a massive tower, one of the twelve Wizard Towers.

Within the Falling Leaves Forest was a lake. There were traces of artificial construction, but no living creatures were present. A layer of fallen leaves floated on the water’s surface, and a path extended from the shore to the center of the lake.

The Kelan Wizard seemed to be taking a stroll, walking very slowly. Maple leaves from the trees along the shore were carried by the breeze, drifting gently down around her.

At some unknown point, a figure in a Yellow Wizard Robe appeared at the end of the path. His back was to the Kelan Wizard, and his form was faint, as if he might vanish from the world at any moment.

”Teacher... Master Illusory Dream Wizard!” The Kelan Wizard hesitated before correcting herself. She bowed slightly and stood her ground.

”You know I don’t care about such things, Kelan.” The Illusory Dream Wizard’s voice drifted on the cold wind, echoing across the lake. Withered yellow leaves gathered behind him, forming a body of leaves with flawless proportions.

This seemed to sustain the Illusory Dream Wizard’s presence, deepening his essential existence in the real world and making him somewhat more stable.

A look of guilt and regret crossed the Kelan Wizard’s face.

”Wizard Experiments are bound to have errors. It seems you’ve come to understand a great deal. It is best not to get involved in Wizard Experiments that are beyond your level until you are absolutely certain of the outcome.”

The Illusory Dream Wizard spoke again. ”The existence of the Dream World is very mysterious. I have already found a way to utilize some of its Traits while still existing in reality.”

”Don’t think too much about it. My explorations in the Dream World have been very fruitful, and my power has increased significantly. This time, per the Gloom Wizard’s arrangement, I will be heading to the Demon Dragon Territory to resolve that Evil God incident alongside the Demon Dragon Wizard.”

”Regarding the little one who discovered the Evil God incident, his Assessment Task Level and the corresponding reward will be raised from D to...”