East of the Atla Continent lies a vast and boundless Black Forest.
Elves embarked from here, heroes returned from here, countless heroic deeds concluded here, legends became history, history transformed into myths, and myths were recorded in poems;
One page was magnificent, another was filled with endless suffering…
And the Black Mage Ibon's tower stood here.
Without an invitation, no one could find its location in this labyrinthine forest.
Among all Black Magicians, Ibon was not the most powerful, but he was the most active in recent years.
At this moment, a group of Royal Imperial Guards stood guard at the base of the tower;
Meanwhile, inside a room at the top of the tower, a man dressed in luxurious clothes, covered in flab, gasped as he climbed to the rooftop, plopping down onto a chair:
"Mil, what you asked for has been brought to you. I personally selected 20 young girls with excellent magical talent as sacrifices."
As he spoke, he waved his hand, and several subordinates carried metal vessels filled with fresh blood, placing them on the table.
"Additionally, the Empire and the Theocracy have reached an agreement. The Blood Clan Princess and that Skeleton Knight will be officially handed over to the Empire. My brother will personally oversee this transfer."
The old man in the black robe showed a satisfied smile, holding his staff and stomping it heavily on the ground…
The fresh blood began to boil, forming a thin stream that flowed towards the giant tree in the center of the room.
"Very good, the quality is excellent. The rest is up to me."
After speaking, Ibon held his staff horizontally in front of him and began to chant a spell…
Instantly, the flames of the white candles piled in every corner of the room began to flicker;
The giant tree, having absorbed the blood, pulsed like a heart, and its bark began to writhe, revealing the struggling faces of young girls.
"Hiss—!"
A moment later, the ritual ended. A crack appeared in the middle of the giant tree, and a handsome and dashing man emerged from it.
The fat man sitting nearby stood up upon seeing this, his eyes widening abruptly:
"He looks just like him! Too much! Ha… He's exactly like my elder brother. Is this your biological alchemy?"
Ibon turned around and suddenly shed the black robe draped over him, straightening his previously hunched back. His entire being became tall and imposing;
And his originally aged face instantly became 20 years younger. He stretched his shoulders and said:
"Third Prince, you seem to have forgotten one thing."
"Oh, don't worry! I've also changed the imperial decree. Your apprentice Theron, the one who cast the sleeping spell, is also on the transfer list."
"Very good, but you must remember, the original owner of this flesh puppet must not die during its use."
"No problem. Then… let's go with us, Imperial First Prince, Otto!"
With a sinister smile, the Third Prince waved his hand, instructing his subordinates to put armor on the puppet and take him away.
Ibon walked to the balcony, a black flame ignited on his fingertip, and he lit a letter addressed to the territory of the Great Tomb, dropping it from the tower.
As the letter fell, the black flame burned more fiercely in the wind…
Burning more and more intensely…
Until the entire letter was engulfed in flames, and just before it hit the ground, it suddenly unfurled a pair of burning wings;
Then, with a graceful arc, it soared into the sky from the forest, transforming into a black fire phoenix.
It spread its wings and chased after the setting sun.
…
"Mil, are you sure you don't want to become a White Magician? If you choose to become a White Magician, you will definitely go further on the path of priesthood!"
A White Magic Miss from the church held Mil's application form, persuading him with a face full of regret;
But Mil's tone was resolute.
"No. I only want to become an ordinary elemental magician, thank you."
Ever since Mil submitted his application to study concurrently at the magic academy, he had been subjected to an entire morning of manipulation by his teacher, Klama.
If the dark attribute, originating from chaos, was a mixture of the four elements;
Then the light attribute was independent of the four elements, known as the fifth element, representing spirit, eternity, and gold.
Most people would not have an affinity for light attribute magic.
Moreover, the light attribute was extremely difficult to control. Using magic across attributes would lower one's rank, while using light attribute magic would lower it by two ranks.
To become a White Magician, one needed to abandon their own magical attributes, give up their future as a magician, and dedicate themselves.
The spirit of dedication was the core tenet of the church, so choosing to be a White Magician was also the most "correct" path.
But being a White Magician had no future!
The strongest White Magician in history was Lilith's grandfather, but the old man only reached the eighth rank before he died. If he hadn't chosen to be a White Magician back then, he would probably have refined the Philosopher's Stone by now.
However, the church still needed elemental magicians, so they ultimately did not reject Mil's request.
Urging the White Magic Miss to stamp the application, Mil strode out of the church.
Today, he also received good news—
Soon, the Imperial First Prince would personally come to the Holy City to take away the Blood Clan Princess and the Skeleton Knight. Diana would also accompany them, responsible for the escort.
One could only say it was a heaven-sent opportunity!
Once the First Prince left the Holy City with the two Undead, he would set up an ambush on the road, kill the First Prince, rescue the two Undead, and frame Diana…
As for his own forces, besides the Demon Lord, he had also received a reply from the "Werewolves" these past two days.
The souls of werewolves also belonged to the Abyss, but they usually lived ordinary lives, only revealing their true forms during the full moon.
They were very united internally, and if utilized properly, they would be a powerful army.
…
In the afternoon, led by Lilith, Mil took his letter of recommendation, completed the enrollment procedures, and officially became a student of Sibyl Magic Academy.
"I thought I'd have to attend classes with those 12-year-old students…"
"Low-grade students basically don't learn theory, only some introductory knowledge. I'll catch you up later."
Sibyl Magic Academy was converted and connected from three castles, and as the Holy City had expanded over centuries, this area was no longer considered the edge of the Holy City.
Leaving the administration office, Mil and Lilith walked across the castle's skybridge, attracting countless gazes along the way;
One was hailed as a hero of the Holy City, the other a legendary genius. The two had to activate soundproofing magic to communicate normally.
"But… if I go straight to your classes, isn't the leap too big?"
"Just ask me if you don't understand anything. Actually, courses before 18 years old are mainly practical classes focused on controlling elements; and many contents of later courses are only useful after becoming a First-Order Magician."
"I see…"
Of course, Lilith's help also came with a price…
Under her supervision, Mil copied a letter to his adoptive father, stating that he was hopelessly in love with Lilith and would marry no one else.
"I remember the entrance exam eight years ago, you and I were in the same batch? Actually, among those who entered the school with us and became First-Order Magicians, you can count them on two hands."
Hearing this, Mil, as a Second-Order Black Magician, couldn't help but feel a bit smug. No wonder so many magicians fell and followed the Abyss;
In fact, nearly a quarter of those arrested at the propaganda meeting were "fake geniuses" from this very school.
"But, you're already Third-Order, why are you still attending classes with First-Order people?"
"Because I reached Third-Order too quickly, and haven't finished learning the theoretical knowledge yet."
"6."
A moment of speechlessness. Although she was only stating a fact, it always felt infuriating to hear.
Lilith, oblivious, continued:
"But you must remember, in the eyes of others, you have just awakened your magical talent and are still an unranked magic apprentice. Even the First-Order stone I gave you, don't activate it casually, it will arouse suspicion."
"Hmm, I'll be careful, thank you, you are a good person."
"I told you, we have a cooperative relationship. And being with you makes me a little more relaxed…"
As she spoke, Lilith glanced around at the boys whose gazes were filled with desire and infatuation, sighing helplessly.
Lilith's attire was still a wizard's robe, plus an English-style uniform;
Although her upper body was well covered, the folds of her clothes at her chest still highlighted her figure.
The black stockings on her lower body encased her tall and slender legs, with beautiful lines, well-proportioned bones and flesh, and not an ounce of excess fat…
The skin inadvertently revealed between the top of her stockings and the hem of her skirt was also dazzlingly fair.
Mil also followed her gaze and indeed felt that her life was quite tiring, as if she was constantly in the spotlight.
"Heh… A genius's presence attracts countless gazes wherever they go."
"Sigh… It seems you won't understand."
Lilith sighed. Perhaps this guy was truly a dark-attribute genius, with an absurdly high resistance to charm.
Mil, however, felt that Lilith should thank him properly, after all, she didn't appear in the game's magician hero units, most likely because she died during the sleeping incident.
"If nothing unexpected happens to you, you should become a terrifyingly powerful magician."
As he spoke, Mil's lips curled into a wicked smile. If he could make something unexpected happen to her, like turning her into a Necromancer, it would be a huge gain!
But Lilith sighed, her eyes revealing a thought-provoking melancholy.
"Most likely… there's no chance. It depends on 'that adult's' mood, but she will probably only become his tool."
"Hmph hmph… Don't say such disheartening things. What if I can help you?"
"Heh… Is that so?"
Lilith smiled faintly, no longer replying.