In the teaching area, the wide open space in front of the teaching building was unusually filled with a large number of people, including sorcerers rarely seen on normal days and apprentices busy earning credits; none were absent from the academy.
The crowd was divided into six groups, standing separately according to the Talent Nurturing Team, Enchantment Group, Potion Group, Policing Team, Patrol Team, and Hunting Team, with clear distinctions between them.
“What’s happening? Why is the academy making such a big move this time?”
“I haven’t heard a thing. Since I entered Mongna Ant Land Cottage, I have never seen such an assembly. Could it be that we’re going to war with other powers?”
“Let’s hope not.”
Sorcerers at the front of the groups couldn’t help but inquire with those next to them, only to find that everyone was just as confused and unaware of what was happening.
At the back of the groups, the summoned apprentices were even more clueless and didn’t dare to discuss anything.
Before long, two vice deans and four chief stewards appeared side by side; yet, they didn’t ascend the platform in front of the teaching building but stood at its base instead.
It was evident that one of the chief stewards had an unusual expression on his face. Your next read is at empire
As everyone knew, the most important figures typically make their appearances last.
“Quiet.”
Chief Steward Ove uttered sharply.
The crowd immediately fell silent, their eyes intently fixed on the front.
In their gaze, two figures swiftly made their way up to the platform. The people below focused their eyes, and many sorcerers recognized them: one was Dean Watkin, and the other was Sorcerer Ivan.
“Wise sorcerers and diligent apprentices, it’s been a while. Your dean has returned,” said the man with a gray beard standing on the platform.
“Dean Watkin, welcome back. We extend to you our sincerest greetings,” replied the sorcerers below, not daring to show any disrespect and quickly greeting him, followed suit by the apprentices in a rather spectacular manner.
“Hahaha, thank you, but there’s no need for such formalities. Thanks to your day and night protection, the academy has maintained its former glory, giving this old man a sense of home upon his return. You have worked hard,” Dean Watkin said with a laugh.
After pausing for a second or two, he announced directly, “I have some good news to share with everyone. In recent days, our Mongna Ant Land Cottage has gained a new Level 2 Sorcerer.”
Many sorcerers’ pupils contracted slightly, and their gazes involuntarily fell on the other figure on the platform. An unbelievable yet undeniable thought emerged.
On the Moon Pincer Peninsula, resources and opportunities were always scarce. Out of thousands of persons who sought to follow the path of a sorcerer, not even one in a hundred would make it; and yet, there were no less than ten thousand apprentices.
Out of these apprentices, only about a thousand would become official sorcerers.
And to further become a Level 2 Sorcerer was as rare as hen’s teeth, an event seen once in a century.
Yet there, before their very eyes, one had suddenly emerged—a familiar figure to many.
“Your guess is correct. He is none other than Sorcerer Ivan Marichardon. Let us all give a round of applause for the newly promoted Level 2 Sorcerer—Sorcerer Marichardon,” said Dean Watkin.
Upon dean Watkin’s personal confirmation, reactions from the crowd below varied, some applauding the new Level 2 Sorcerer as instructed, some quietly pinching their own thighs unwilling to believe, while others wracked their brains thinking about how to curry favor.
“Furthermore, I have another appointment to announce. Effective today, Ivan Marichardon will become the second dean of the academy, directly overseeing the Enchantment Group and Patrol Team. All decisions regarding these two departments shall be determined solely by Dean Marichardon, without contradiction from others,” he declared.
This appointment sent shockwaves through many sorcerers’ hearts, silently exclaiming that a shift in power was upon them.
It was well known that the Enchantment Group had always been the domain of the Lidia family, while the Patrol Team, nominally under Chief Steward Jenkins, in reality, included many who were aligned with the Three Great Families, and even Jenkins’s own stance was ambiguous.
Now, with a Level 2 Sorcerer in charge of the two departments, it was clear that there would be no room for the Three Great Families to interfere in the future.
If this wasn’t a shift in power, what was?
Many sorcerers cast their eyes between the two men on the platform, hoping to discern some clue as to why Dean Watkin would cede such power to Sorcerer Marichardon, no, Dean Marichardon.
Others looked towards Teresa and Jenkins with strange expressions, but although their faces looked somewhat dismayed, neither uttered any words of objection. Not one.
“Greetings, Dean Marichardon.”
Like the other sorcerers, Teresa and Jenkins subsequently greeted the new dean, their attitude showing not the slightest disrespect.
As the second-highest-ranking dean, Ivan exchanged a few courtesies with the crowd below and then announced the end of the assembly, leaving the scene before Dean Watkin.
After the crowd dispersed, the repercussions of the meeting were just beginning to ferment, prompting a sense of urgency to vent among many.
In the Hunting Team area, Christian hurried back to his territory, followed by numerous sorcerers, including Andaya and her apprentice. The power shift within the academy undoubtedly had a significant impact on the Hunting Team, leaving them feeling lost.
Seeing that Christian had no intention of calling a discussion, the crowd exchanged looks and ultimately let Andaya enter the office to test the waters.
“Chief Steward, are you alright?”
“What could be wrong? I should be thankful that Dean Marichardon hasn’t taken an interest in our Hunting Team; otherwise, I wouldn’t have a job as chief steward anymore,” Christian replied.
“Please don’t say such things. We’ve always had a decent relationship with the new dean. He has no reason to target the Hunting Team. The fact that he chose to take control of the Patrol Team is the best proof, and I know that Sorcerer Ivan is someone who values past connections,” said Andaya.
Upon hearing Andaya’s analysis, Christian gave an almost imperceptible nod, appearing to accept these words.
However, he still felt uneasy, with some issues that he simply couldn’t comprehend.
“Let me ask you, do you think he became a Level 2 Sorcerer by using the Ant Beings Sacred Altar or by borrowing the power of the Star Moon Alliance?”
Andaya fell silent, not having an answer in her heart either.
“Ah! How could he easily stride over what I have been struggling to pursue for decades, and right under the eyes of all of us to boot, on what grounds?”
“I admit that my Enchantment skills are not on par with his, but—ah, I’m actually not that bad, right? Andaya.”
When it came to Ivan becoming a Level 2 Sorcerer and the Dean of the Academy, taking control of both departments, Christian was certainly one of those most emotionally impacted.
“Of course not, you are a knowledgeable and wise sorcerer, and you are also the most intelligent sorcerer in my eyes,” Andaya replied in a gentle yet firm tone.
“Thank you, thank you for your affirmation,” Christian was taken aback for a moment, touched by the warmth and concern in her eyes, which brightened his expression somewhat.
The two exchanged glances, and a special kind of emotion began to spread between them.
This made Andaya particularly enamored, secretly thinking that this man was finally responding to her.
Before she could revel in it too long, she heard Christian’s inquiry:
“Do you have any good suggestions?”
“We have always been allies with Dean Marichadon. Now that might makes right, it would be legitimate for us to lean closer to him. This would balance the Academy’s power and be of greater benefit to everyone,” Andaya promptly gave her considered opinion, setting aside past matters for the moment. Taking the new Dean’s protection seemed to be a good choice.
Christian fell into deep thought, and after a while, he agreed with a complex expression.
…
The emergence of a new Level 2 Sorcerer unsettled not only the sorcerers considering their interests but also the apprentices, especially those familiar with Ivan.
Residential area, a student dormitory.
As apprentices from Tidal Island who joined the Academy together, Conley, Mellie, Ed, and others had always maintained close ties. They formed a rather united small group among the apprentices.
“He was a Level 1 Sorcerer, we were apprentices; he became a Level 2 Sorcerer, and we are still apprentices.”
After a moment of silence, Prince Conley spoke out with a sigh.
From apprentice to official sorcerer, some people breezed through, while others seemed to be climbing an insurmountable rift, with the latter being the vast majority.
As of now, the few from Tidal Island were still lingering in the apprentice stage, including Conley with his 4th Class talent.
In truth, Conley had failed in his last attempt at promotion.
The others, less talented than him, were influenced by his experience and dared not take that step themselves.
Yet, their former companion had now become a supreme existence, leaving them with feelings of both admiration and bewilderment.
They couldn’t help but reflect: everyone had taken the same boat to the Academy, and why some zoomed ahead effortlessly while others faced constant hurdles, even fearing to cross some, was truly puzzling.
“He’s different from us,” Ed said, shaking his head upon hearing Conley’s words.
“Yes, he is different from us,” Mellie agreed.
The others nodded along, some quickly, some slowly, as if only by agreeing could they unravel the confusion in their minds, avoiding any misguided judgments or steps.
“Mellie, you’re with the Policing Team, essentially under him. You could actually find an opportunity to visit and ask for some guidance,” Conley suddenly suggested.
Within the Academy, if there was no mentorship relation, it was actually quite difficult for sorcerers and apprentices to interact. It had been several years since any of them had seen Ivan face to face.
“Not appropriate, not appropriate. It was okay when he was a Level 1 Sorcerer, but now— the gap is too wide,” Mellie hastily rejected the idea after thinking it through. “However, there is someone we could try connecting with, considering we all come from Tidal Island.”
“You mean that lady, Justine?” Conley immediately guessed who she was referring to.
“Exactly.”
“Not a bad idea, you both are originally from Flying Fish Port, you must have a lot to talk about,” he said.
Thinking of the woman named ‘Justine’, Conley and the others felt a tinge of regret. Her 2nd Class talent and meek personality had seemingly dashed any hope of her becoming an official sorcerer, so they didn’t make an effort to befriend her.
Who could have guessed that her judgment was so precise, picking someone with immense potential and even following him to the Sorcerers Academy?
Now, as her chosen man became one of the most significant figures on Moon Pincer Peninsula, her own status naturally skyrocketed, making her the target of many who sought to curry favor.
Indeed, the world is truly unpredictable!