Chapter 351: The Tomb
Chapter 351: The Tomb
Charlott, dressed in a light purple robe, was escorted by two maidservants as she slowly took her seat at the main banquet.
"I apologize for keeping you waiting," she said with a gentle smile, raising her glass. "Let me propose a toast to you all!"
"Cheers!" the crowd responded, raising their glasses in unison.
After emptying their drinks, Charlott sighed and said, "That was a close call. I almost died!"
Recalling the sudden betrayal of the Demon Hunter Corps, Charlott shuddered as she remembered how she had been stabbed. Fortunately, her body had also undergone magical modifications, and she had managed to freeze herself in time to return to the Academy for treatment, narrowly escaping death. Any slight mistake during that time could have been fatal.
Even now, the memory still sent a shiver down her spine.
Today's gathering was a celebration of Charlott's survival, bringing together some of the Academy's wizards.
"I once heard a proverb from the East," Linen began, "that those who survive great calamities are destined for great blessings. Your survival, Wizard Charlott, indicates that fate is on your side, and you have a bright future ahead."
Charlott burst into laughter, her face flushing, "I hope so."
"But Linen is right," Charlott continued. "If I hadn't been assassinated, I probably wouldn't have been able to stay in the Astral Plane for so long."
"The Astral Plane?" Maggie asked curiously. "What's the Academy's outpost like there?"
The rest of the group turned their heads, equally intrigued.
The Academy's outpost in the Astral Plane had always been a closely guarded secret, with few wizards ever granted access.
Rumors circulated,
suggesting that the outpost was the true heart of the Academy.
Some even claimed that Wizard Aksha had discovered a fragment of a spatial realm in the Astral Plane, leading to the establishment of the Academy there.
The truth was a mystery, but every wizard yearned to enter the outpost for its unparalleled benefits.
"The outpost in the Astral Plane?" Charlott shook her head gently. "I can't reveal anything, but once you reach the peak of the First Circle and have a chance to advance to the Second Circle, you'll be granted access."
"Alas!" the group sighed in unison.
Only Beastfolk Nikol, a late First Circle wizard, held his breath, his eyes betraying a hint of anticipation.
Having recently engaged in battles against the Abyssal Cottage and the Demon Hunter Corps, Nikol had earned significant rewards, propelling his cultivation to new heights. With the outpost's potential to enhance his chances of advancing to the Second Circle, he couldn't contain his eagerness.
"Allow me to introduce someone," Charlott said, gesturing towards a young man seated at the end. "Bruno, a twenty-one-year-old Full Wizard and a genius of our Academy, as you may have heard."
The young man stood up, nodding respectfully to the group. "It's a pleasure to meet you all."
"Wizard Charlott, please don't praise me," Bruno said with a wry smile. "My abilities might be impressive elsewhere, but here, they're nothing to boast about."
He turned to Linen with a bitter smile, "Wizard Linen is my junior, yet he became a wizard at sixteen and is now a mid-stage First Circle wizard. He's undoubtedly far more powerful than I am."
"Haha..." Charlott waved her hand dismissively. "Linen is an exceptional case."
"Yes," Linen agreed, nodding. "The magic I cultivate is quite unique. Sometimes it progresses slowly, but at other times, it advances rapidly."
The group chuckled, understanding the nature of the Great Flame Bloodline's tradition.
It was a tradition where one's progress depended on consuming others. With consumption, cultivation soared; without it, progress was sluggish.
When Kito became a wizard and reached the mid-stage First Circle, it was known that he had 'consumed' three Advanced Wizard Apprentices.
And that was just what was publicly known.
In reality, the number was likely much higher.
However, Linen was indeed an exception. Inheriting the legacies of two wizards, his cultivation skyrocketed.
He had never harmed anyone, only inspiring envy for his incredible luck.
"I've received word that the Black Wizard Tower has decided not to provide support to the Academy," Charlott announced. "From now on, we must face the assaults from the Abyssal Cottage and the Demon Hunter Corps on our own."
"What?" the group exclaimed in disbelief.
"How could this be?"
"..."
A restless murmur rippled through the crowd.
Viper Academy, Black Wizard Tower, and Demon Hunter Corps had formed alliances in the past, united against the Abyssal Cottage.
But now, the situation had drastically changed.
Viper Academy, on its own, faced a daunting task in opposing two major forces, especially the formidable Abyssal Cottage. Even with its deep roots, it would be an uphill battle.
"There's no other way," Charlotte sighed. "If the Black Wizard Tower comes to our aid, they'll have to travel a long distance and might fall into the Abyssal Cottage's traps."
"Furthermore, in their eyes, we have a centuries-old foundation and the Starry Plane outpost as our trump card. They believe we can't possibly lose."
"Not losing doesn't guarantee victory," Macy frowned. "What about Rose Academy?"
The influence of Rose Academy extended to all four major forces, and if they could sway this power, things would be much easier.
"The Dean has sent a request for reinforcements, but Rose Academy claims that our conflict is an internal affair and not an invasion by abyssal creatures. They won't intervene," Charlotte sighed.
"Even if the Dean can call in personal favors and bring in some help, we'll still bear the brunt of the resistance."
"But there is some good news," he continued, his voice changing. "The Academy has decided to open its treasure vault to reward those who resist the invasion of the two major forces."
"Various potions to enhance psychic power, magical creatures, secret wizard techniques, and even second and third-rank inherited magic artifacts..."
"Anything can be exchanged as long as you have enough credits!"
The crowd's eyes lit up with excitement.
"Don't worry too much," Charlotte reassured them. "The Academy will offer preferential treatment to outstanding wizard apprentices and wizards, assigning them less dangerous tasks whenever possible."
...
After seeing the others off, Beastfolk Nikol followed Charlotte to the study at the back.
"Well?" Charlotte asked, her previous weakness replaced by a serious demeanor.
"What do you think of Linen?"
"He's lucky and has some hidden tricks, but I can't see much else for now," Nikol shook his head. "He's just reached the late first circle stage after becoming a wizard, but his combat skills are quite monotonous."
"That's normal," Charlotte nodded. "He probably hasn't had time to develop more first circle spells, and he doesn't have a mentor."
"His background is easy to investigate." Nikol agreed.
"About the Starry Plane..."
"You're right," Charlotte's spirit stirred as she spoke. "The Academy's outpost on the Starry Plane is indeed the burial ground of one of the Beastfolk's ancestors, and it's highly likely that a Fifth Rank Powerhouse is buried there!"
"Beastblood Roerl!" Nikol's body trembled.
"One of the Beastfolk's distant ancestors, rumored to possess the power to devour stars and the wisdom to comprehend the universe."
"No one from the Academy has been able to enter the burial ground," Charlotte fixed her gaze on him. "Do you have a way?"
...
Linen borrowed Macy's credits and combined them with his own to exchange for Nether Flame from the Academy.
This flame was not second rank, but it had the potential to ascend to that level.
If it could be fused with the second-rank Flame Wyrm, it might become a second-rank Demon Flame.
"Huff..."
"Even as a first-rank flame, it should be possible to refine it without Holy Source Drops and create a spell at the same time."
He already had a plan for the spell he wanted to create.
Urul's Flame! In legend, Urul was the ancient god of flames in this world, and this spell also had no rank.
The absence of a rank did not imply weakness; instead, it indicated high adaptability.
The power of Urul's Flame depended entirely on the controlled flame. Even a third-circle wizard would struggle to unleash its might without a rankless Demon Flame.
But with a second or third-rank Demon Flame, the spell's power would be terrifying.
"My core is in a hurry, and I must become a second-circle wizard within five years. It's a risk I have to take."
"Swish!"
His body flickered, transforming into the Flame Wyrm, and he devoured the Nether Flame in one gulp.
"Boom!"
The flames on the Flame Wyrm's body erupted.
As the flame's rank increased, its heart became more active, boosting his psychic power.
The late first circle stage was gradually within reach.
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
