The person who came had oil stains on his collar, and his hair was messy as if he had just woken up from a dream.
His slightly dark skin and the scratches on his cheek from an unknown creature caused his brows to furrow in pain when he chewed.
Seeing Wang Ya's indifferent face, his brows relaxed again. He wiped his oily hands on his clothes and said with a bit of fear, "Don't be like that. We're in the same boat, both excluded."
"I just woke up late and missed out on a hot meal. We both chose extraordinary cultivation, can't you just give me a friendly smile?"
"Perhaps you could wash your hands first, and get rid of that moldy, spoiled clam smell on you," Wang Ya's lips moved.
"No, no, no, you don't understand. This is the scent of a mature man, a commendable medal."
The young man named Gray said, "I always feel that extraordinary cultivation is not inferior to others. What about elemental energy? I estimate that once they reach the Dark Land, these guys won't even be able to produce a small flame in six months."
"The 'Ancient Physique' cultivation witchcraft, applied to my Kobeck, has excellent results. His claws have already begun to change, and his temperament has also become irritable."
The young man, showing his yellowish teeth, said confidently, "In less than five months, I will definitely complete this witchcraft."
A cold-blooded lizard with dry brown skin immediately appeared in Wang Ya's mind.
The 'Ancient Physique' cultivation witchcraft was indeed very suitable.
He also understood that the irritable temperament and scratching of the owner were due to the Seed of consciousness left by the mental perception not taking root deeply enough.
Once the witchcraft cultivation was complete, the Seed of consciousness would transform into a consciousness imprint, thereby perfectly controlling the extraordinary cultivated creature.
This sloppy fellow, though diligent enough, clearly hadn't found the right method for rooting the Seed of consciousness.
Subtle mental influence; rushing would only produce the opposite effect.
Wang Ya didn't say anything, nor did he comment. He just nodded slightly, "Extraordinary cultivation is indeed simpler than elemental energy from a fundamental perspective. Corresponding to the Wizard system, they are two different paths of Wizardry."
Their relationship was that of basic acquaintances.
Only the two of them had chosen extraordinary cultivation.
New students generally believed that personal strength was the correct path.
There was nothing wrong with that.
However, basic witchcraft did not yet count as choosing a Wizardry path.
One needed to learn a large amount of Wizard knowledge and clarify their goals before the Wizardry path gradually took shape.
"They're all smiling so happily. When they get to the Dark Land, if they can't complete the witchcraft course in six months, you'll see them cry."
Gray gave a middle finger to the heated atmosphere in the arena.
The two left the shadowy corner.
Arthur noticed, disdainfully glanced, and then withdrew his gaze. Mediocre talents with low aptitude, choosing the extraordinary cultivation series, showed their lack of ambition; they weren't even worth his attention.
The salty sea breeze brushed against their cheeks and messy hair. On the deck, Gray yawned, "Well then, see you tomorrow, Wang Ya."
"See you tomorrow."
The ocean at night was profound, like ink, where one couldn't see their own hand.
Pulling up his collar, the light in the corridor cast a long, narrow shadow behind him. The vibration transmitted from underfoot was the steam power driving the gears.
The vibrations in the bow area had become minimal. Stepping on the red carpet, Wang Ya looked at the red wooden door in front of him. Before he could knock, a hoarse voice came out.
"Come in."
A black robe enveloped a slender body. Beneath the hood, skin as dry as tree bark clung to the bones, and a pair of sunken eyes stared at Wang Ya.
"Greetings, esteemed Wizard Tuta."
This was Wang Ya's second time entering the captain's cabin. The spacious area was lit by only a few candles, and the heavy darkness oppressed the dim light. There seemed to be a faint scent of blood in the air.
He bowed slightly to show his respect.
Wizard Tuta, seated on the sofa, was shrouded in shadow, his expression unclear. From beneath his long robe, a wrinkled, drooping old man's right hand extended, gripping a wooden box.
Wang Ya's gaze could no longer move away; that was his most important possession.
"Young souls carry vigorous vitality, truly enviable," Wizard Tuta said with emotion, "That little fellow was almost bled dry, yet still insisted on crawling to me."
"Wang Ya Halak, you are fortunate. Fortunate that you possess Wizard aptitude, and at the same time, have sufficiently good luck."
The box opened, revealing a chilling finger bone.
Wang Ya's heart was heavier than his gaze.
The Harak Kingdom, buried in ruins, and the memories buried deep in his heart, resurfaced.
The king had many children. His wisdom and prowess in his youth could not offset his incompetence in his twilight years.
Palace maids, servant girls, and prostitutes had all borne him children.
Green Forest and Wang Ya were born at the same time, as one of over a hundred princes and princesses.
In the cold palace, the two depended on each other.
Ten years later, grievances were rife in various places, and chaos frequently erupted.
Life in the palace remained monotonous. Green Forest, who always followed him around, grew long hair greener than nature itself, and would also force him to drink various nutritional supplements, acting like a busybody.
The war arrived in just four years. The city walls were adorned with the heads of nobles, and the young king committed suicide on his throne.
Everything changed, even when he suddenly awakened his past life's memories and gained the Eye of Truth... it was all too late; he simply had no ability to change anything.
He would have his head chopped off and hung on the city wall, ending his life amidst the cheers and shouts of the common people.
The fear of death made him experience it once again, similar to the feeling of collapsing and dying suddenly from staying up all night playing games in his previous life.
The outcome, however, was different. It was his sister, Green Forest Harak, who rode her horse, incomparably breaking into the Inner City, ignoring all enemy troops, and lifting him onto her horse like a chicken.
Then she left the war-torn city.
He was stunned.
But abnormal power came with a price. Her forest-like long hair vanished with the wind, and her flesh and blood dissipated.
He hugged her chilling skeleton, fell off the horse, and used his back to bear the impact of the shattered stones.
When he opened his eyes again, a black-robed figure stood close by, removing his hood to reveal a chilling smile, "Wang Ya Halak, you are indeed as that little fellow said, possessing Wizard aptitude, though very ordinary. So, will you come with me?"
"Although I am maintaining her soul on the finger bone, it won't last long. There are some solutions, but you will need to pay a price," Wizard Tuta added, "And also the price for me stabilizing her soul."
The price could be magic stones, extraordinary items, or resources, as long as they were equivalent.
This was one of the fundamental principles of the Wizard World: 'equivalent exchange'.
"Of course, I can allow you to temporarily owe these costs."