The red door gently closed, and the light in the room grew dimmer. Under the black hood, Tuta’s eyes held a profound depth.
It was a backup plan, uncertain if it would work.
As an investment, he could display a generosity rare among wizards, but he was unsure if it would yield any return.
The reason for choosing this little fellow was probably that his disposition resembled that of a true wizard.
His aged body and dim vitality wouldn't last much longer, nor could he risk radiation affecting himself, so it was better than nothing.
Escaping this shell could grant him a long lifespan, but he could not accept the severance of his wizard path.
“Formal Wizard, huh!”
A sigh gradually echoed through the room.
There were only five years left.
He shed his black robe, revealing a gaunt body with aged, wrinkled skin clinging to his bones. His heart beat faintly, and even his breathing was almost imperceptible.
Yet, a powerful aura erupted, filling the entire room, extinguishing the candles one by one.
The terrifying sea creatures lurking around the Wizard Ship seemed startled, plunging into the depths to hide.
Horrifying particle energy flowed within his ancient shell; even a tiny release would be enough high-energy radioactive radiation to kill all the new students on the Wizard Ship.
“High-energy reaction detected. Extreme danger. Please move beyond a thousand-meter radius as soon as possible.”
Holding the wooden box, the figure walking down the corridor paused. His forehead was covered in cold sweat, and he shuddered as he looked back at the red wooden door at the end of the red carpet.
Harak, flapping his wings and making a mess of the room with his piercing cries, annoyed Wang Ya, who frowned. He really had to be a ‘poop-scooper’ this time, cleaning up the filth excreted on the room’s floor.
The sensation transmitted by the Seed of consciousness was one of endless fear and unease.
Under that high-energy radiation fluctuation, the affected area was vast, subtly targeting creatures similar to Harak.
Through the round window, the sea remained an endless, excessively dark expanse.
Wang Ya’s pupils contracted. He had never closely observed the sea before, but it shouldn't be a misconception; in the greater distance of the darkness, some massive entities seemed to be stirring.
The next day, as Wang Ya was dumping some waste on the deck, Gray also appeared disheveled, carrying a sack of items to offer his gifts to the vast sea.
“Did your cultivated creature also go berserk?”
Gray touched the several new scratches on his cheek, wincing in pain.
“This is too abnormal. Kobeck went crazy and almost bit me to death.”
“My handsome face can’t bear this kind of pain. If Kobeck bites me again, I’m going to bite back.”
Wang Ya: “...”
“Hey, Wang Ya, look! Arthur’s at it again, chatting and laughing with Anna, acting like a gentleman, but he’s so greasy.”
Gray shouted on the deck, “He’s ugly, and Anna clearly shows distance and rejection, so does thick skin also enhance wizard aptitude? Wow, wow, maybe I should try it too?”
Her fiery red hair was still dazzling and eye-catching. Dressed in a gray robe, beneath her fair and beautiful face, her crimson pupils held a hint of impatience.
“Anna, may I invite you to dinner tonight?”
“No, Arthur, tonight I need to study wizard knowledge. I won’t even go to the dining hall.”
Anna said, brushing a strand of hair from her forehead.
The new wizardry she chose was extremely difficult even among elemental energy series, but mastering it would also be a significant trump card.
The Fire Sun Star wizardry is usually attempted only by a Second-level Wizard Apprentice and does not fall within the scope of low-level wizardry.
She was confident, after all, there were still six months until they reached the Academy.
Her talent was also among the best of the new students.
Arthur said indifferently, “Anna, top-tier wizard aptitude is different from those low-level new students. No matter how hard they try, how desperately they research, they cannot bridge the absolute chasm of aptitude differences.”
As if sensing something, Arthur looked at the two people not far away on the deck.
Gray, with a forced smile, looked like he had been caught doing something bad.
Wang Ya glanced at him indifferently, then turned and walked towards the cabin. He never cared about things that didn’t concern him.
“Wait for me, Wang Ya! I just remembered I haven’t fed my Kobeck today.”
Arthur’s face showed disdain and contempt. “See, Anna? This is a typical low-level new student. His wizard aptitude isn’t outstanding, and his choice of wizardry is extremely foolish.”
“Everyone else chose the elemental energy series. They don’t even have the qualifications to join the wizard exchange activities being held.”
“Once they enter Dark Wizard Academy, after six months, they’ll be expelled and become wild wizards, eventually dying in obscurity.”
“You and I are different. Our top-tier wizard aptitudes are destined to lead us further on the wizard path…”
“I know that, Arthur, but I really don’t have time today. I’m going back to my room to try wizardry particle energy calculations.”
Anna forced a smile. Although what he said was true, she was well aware of his little intentions.
Proud as she was, with her decent wizard aptitude, her chosen partner would certainly need to have advantages that could help her, or even higher aptitude.
Arthur could only be considered a secondary option; keeping him on the hook was enough.
Arthur looked at her graceful retreating figure, taking a deep breath, as if some of Anna’s scent still lingered.
Her fair neck and proud demeanor enchanted him. He was determined to have this beautiful white swan.
…
Half a month passed.
Harak flapped his wings and, as dusk fell, flew into the round window.
Wang Ya closed the window, blocking out the salty sea breeze.
Wang Ya’s brows furrowed with a hint of unease, as he gazed at the undulating waves outside the window. The more distant areas had already darkened, like a scene from the end of the world.
Since the unusual fluctuations emitted by Tuta, an inexplicable worry had lingered in his heart, and today it was at its most severe.
“Caw! Caw!”
Harak, eating sea beast meat, let out strange cries, his body trembling.
Wang Ya noticed this and his eyes immediately brightened. Could this be a sign that the wizardry was complete?
The Iron Claw Steel Skin cultivation wizardry, as its name suggests, can imbue the cultivated creature with corresponding characteristics.
After successful cultivation, it would advance to a transcendent life form. No matter how many mortals, even powerful knights among mortals, Harak could easily kill them.
Its black wings spread, reaching a full five meters. Its sharp claws easily tore through the floor, and its pupils were blood-red, like a demonic crow from hell.
A fierce aura emanated from its body, startling Wang Ya. Ordinary creatures or mortals would be instantly paralyzed by its aura.
Blue, fragmented light flowed in his pupils, observed by the Eye of Truth.
Wang Ya revealed an excited smile. The Iron Claw Steel Skin cultivation wizardry was indeed complete.
He already possessed the ticket to enter Dark Wizard Academy.
This was the first step towards vast truth.
“Target: Harak”
“Race: Black Feather Crow”