Mongna Ant Land Cottage: Several days had passed since the defensive barrier was upgraded to an intermediate runes sorcery array, but the sorcerers’ discussion about it hadn’t ceased, especially regarding Ivan, the main character of the event.
Some said his contribution was immense and his Enchantment skills were peerless; the academy would surely hold him in high esteem.
Others speculated that the academy might well decide to ‘kill the donkey when the grinding is done,’ and the Lidia family would definitely not allow authority to fall into other hands.
A considerable number of people leaned towards the latter view, thinking that as time passed, Sorcerer Ivan might be targeted and framed, or even die suddenly and without warning, just like some sorcerers that had previously disappeared from the academy.
“That’s roughly the reaction from everyone. If it weren’t for the Three Great Families, Sorcerer Ivan would certainly have garnered much support. Sadly, now their reverence is just lip service.”
Within the Hunting Team, Andaya whispered to Christian, still discussing the currently most talked-about Sorcerer Ivan.
“These people probably don’t know that Ivan is no longer just a sorcerer of Mongna Ant Land Cottage. Whatever tricks the Lidia family hopes to play, they’d need the capability first. They might even end up implicating everyone in the academy,” said Christian with a complex tone.
“Hasn’t it been unconfirmed?”
“Such matters need no confirmation. Between Mongna Ant Land Cottage and Star Moon Alliance, it’s clear which is more beneficial for his development. Even if he isn’t aligned now, sooner or later someone will force him to side with them.”
With those words, the two fell into a brief silence.
For Christian, it was not just the loss of a trustworthy ally that affected him, but it also made him waver in his past convictions.
“That unknown territory over the sea, has the academy made any new decisions?” Andaya said, quickly changing the subject as he noted the other’s disheartened mood.
“Those two are utterly foolish, constantly clamoring to send someone to investigate, but then they suddenly changed their minds, ordered Barbatt and others to return. Only later did I find out that Chief Steward Ove had come back.”
“How is Dean Watkin doing?”
“With Chief Steward Ove’s return, things must have improved somewhat. I just hope he doesn’t make the same blind decisions about the unknown lands like those two fools.”
Christian had no respect for the people from the Three Great Families, even if one of them was the dean of the academy.
In his view, those people were all the same, which left him worrying about the academy’s future. Perhaps Sorcerer Ivan’s choices were indeed the correct ones.
Andaya gave a slight nod in agreement.
Like the two of them, similar discussions had been occurring among many sorcerers in recent days.
But little did they know, Ivan, who was currently in the limelight, had already accomplished one monumental deed and was now busily engaged in another.
…
Ant Beings’ secret vault.
Ivan had quietly stationed himself in this hidden space, accompanied by the Silkworm Queen and swamp ants.
Now, the square had been tidied up, the originally discarded beast eggs had been cleaned up, leaving only a few eggs scattered in a corner. In fact, these were dead eggs, harboring only a weak lifeforce.
Out of consideration for the swamp ant, Ivan had not disposed of them as waste.
In the center of the square, there was a nearly five-meter-diameter disc, the edges of which rolled up around it, making it resemble an unusual ‘lotus platform.’ This was the array dais that held one of the runes bundles of the Ant King Rebirth Cocoon Array.
“Big Black One, you’ve been here so long with nobody else to talk to. Doesn’t it make you feel bored?” the Silkworm Queen teased, looking around.
“Not bored, my conscious awareness was very low when not hatched.”
“True, if it weren’t for Sorcerer Ivan, you might never have had the chance to hatch in your lifetime,” the Silkworm Queen agreed, seeing it wanted to speak further; she continued, “Don’t forget, without Ivan stepping in, how could Christian have had the capability to find the Ant Beings Sacred Altar, let alone offer his power to you.”
The swamp ant remained silent.
Indeed, if the others in the Mongna Ant Land Cottage had real ability, the swamp ant wouldn’t have wasted so many years in the beast egg, struggling to break free only recently.
The Silkworm Queen wanted to say more, but then she saw Ivan, who was inspecting the array dais, waving at her.
“Why are you so active today?”
“I’m just happy. Once you’re promoted to a Level 2 Sorcerer, we’ll be able to stride across Moon Pincer Peninsula freely,” said the Silkworm Queen truthfully.
“Well said, remember to keep quiet later,” Ivan said with a swift smile.
“Heh, don’t worry, I’ve brought Big Black One to back you up. Even if the dean wants to cause trouble, he’ll have to step over us first,” the Silkworm Queen assured without hesitation.
After a thorough inspection, Ivan specifically assigned defensive positions for the Silkworm Queen and the swamp ant, then he went to the center of the square, sat down on the ‘lotus platform,’ and drank a potion to maintain his vitality and lifeforce.
“Ant King Rebirth Cocoon Array, ‘Cocoon’ refers to the entire Ant Being barrier; ‘Rebirth’ is the Formation’s special effect that aids in promotion.”
“Success or failure hinges on this moment.”
Once the potion took effect, Ivan put aside all other random thoughts and involuntarily closed his eyes, becoming utterly untroubled.
Everything was ready!
The next moment, the Ant King Rebirth Cocoon Array activated.
Within the Ant Being barrier, strands of ancient essence long nourished were drawn from various places, converging towards the Ant Beings’ secret vault, undergoing a transformation through the Formation into a ‘Rebirth’ power.
Finally, it descended into Ivan’s body along the runes lines.
Ivan truly felt it; ‘Rebirth’ was a blessing of life’s evolution, whether it was his spiritual power or his lifeforce, both became exceptionally vibrant in an instant, urging him to evolve to a higher level. Continue your journey on empire
It was a wondrous state; he felt becoming a Level 2 Sorcerer was a natural thing.
Based on this, Ivan quickly submerged his mind into the mental ocean, his spiritual power swiftly coalesced into thirty Level 1 meditation runes. All meditation runes vibrated violently, their emitted power challenging the unknown Confinement Power around them.
This act immediately elicited a response.
The surroundings suddenly changed color, enveloped by a darkness that could devour any light, bringing an endless sense of gloom and oppression. It was as if he had provoked a deity.
Divine Punishment followed; an overwhelming oppression enveloped him, seeming to bend his upright body.
Beyond that, he could clearly sense invisible thorns tearing at his skin, muscles, organs, tormenting both his body and spirit.
Ivan was aware this was the backlash from trying to break the Confinement, a test of both his spirit and elements.
This was nothing; the real test had just started.
Ignoring the backlash, he began constructing the ‘Candle Flame Spell’ magic model; Candle Flame Spell would become the second Solidification Magic.
This was a Level 2 attack Spell. In the past, he had simulated it countless times and knew it like the back of his hand, though it was his first time performing it under these circumstances.
“Piece of cake,” Ivan said.
Unlike the promotion from Level 1, this time Ivan didn’t lose his sensitivity to his inner and outer body. Feeling the continuous ‘Rebirth’ power, as well as his own condition, his lips couldn’t help but curl into a knowing smile.