Dago went downstairs and found Yuedun, asking him about the process for accepting this mission.
"The mission was released yesterday, and not many people know about it. Dago Wizard, are you sure you want to take on such a dangerous mission?"
Dago nodded. He was mainly after the aura potion, and he hadn't expected the Academy to release such a precious potion. Naturally, he had to go for it.
"Alright then, go sign up with that fierce-looking Wizard over there," Yuedun pointed to an Academy Wizard in the distance.
"Thank you," Dago said and walked towards that Wizard.
Soon, Dago learned from him the requirements for participants. He stated that only five Level 3 Apprentices or Wizards of higher strength were needed, and upon completion of the mission, everyone would receive rewards based on their contribution.
The highest contributor could become a Formal Wizard's disciple at the Academy, while the lowest would still receive ten intermediate magic stones.
Dago inquired about the contribution needed to obtain the aura potion; he would receive it if he ranked second in the team's contribution.
He walked to the side, deep in thought, weighing whether the risks and rewards met his expectations.
During this time, he also saw the young Wizard who had angrily left the bar earlier, signing up and agreeing to the terms.
It seemed he was eyeing the highest reward of this mission, even at the cost of conflict with his family.
Not long after, Dago still decided to join this mission team. With his current strength, he believed he could even contend with Half-step Formal Witches.
Moreover, he had once taken the life of Raymond, a Half-step Formal Witches, though he had barely won at that time.
Dago walked towards the rugged-looking Wizard and expressed his willingness to participate, after which the Wizard handed him a piece of paper.
Dago read the mission agreement very carefully, and after confirming there were no issues, he signed his full name: Dago Heka.
The rugged Wizard took the agreement, looked at the signature, and said with a smile to Dago, "Team Member Dago, welcome to this mission team. I am Ed, your team leader for this mission. I hope we have a pleasant cooperation."
Dago nodded and responded with a smile, "Pleasant cooperation, Team Leader Ed."
"Noon, five days from now, assemble at the Wizard Hall. Any problems?"
Dago nodded, indicating no problems, thinking that he would not easily give up this opportunity to obtain the aura potion.
The five days left before the mission were enough for him to make some small progress.
Before returning, Dago went to the Academy Square and bought a good amount of low-grade Mental Potions and healing potions, preparing for intense cultivation and improvement during the five free days.
After his big shopping, Dago returned to the Wizard Inn. Next, he would begin a monk-like cultivation.
............
Five days later, at eleven o'clock, the warm sun illuminated the snowy, dilapidated Aynak Town.
In the dimly lit room of the Wizard Inn, Dago pulled open the curtains with his snow-white right hand, revealing a floor covered in messy empty potion bottles. He patted his robe, activating a cleaning rune to remove the musty smell that had accumulated over the past few days.
Pushing open the door, he stepped out of the room. The courtyard sun was blazing. Dago squinted, adapting slightly to the daylight he had rarely seen for five days, then headed towards the Wizard Hall.
Entering the Wizard Hall, he scanned the area, his gaze locking onto the rugged-faced Academy Wizard Ed.
"Team Leader Ed, good afternoon," Dago walked towards Ed and greeted him warmly.
"You're here, Team Member Dago. It's still early; the other team members are still on their way," Ed responded with a smile and a nod.
Soon, the young Wizard Dago had seen five days ago arrived near them, accompanied by his parents.
The young Wizard and his father embraced the female Wizard in farewell, speaking reluctant goodbyes before parting.
Afterward, the father and son Wizards walked towards Ed and began to converse with him.
This was very unexpected for Dago; he hadn't thought that the Wizard father would join this mission team for his son.
"Hello, Dago, I'm Helid," the young Wizard smiled and greeted Dago.
"Hello, I am Helid's father, Wilton. It's a pleasure to meet such a distinguished Wizard as yourself," the young Wizard's father also greeted Dago.
Dago shook hands with both father and son. This was a new emerging etiquette in the Wizarding World, where shaking arms confirmed whether a magic wand or other offensive weapon was hidden.
Then he retreated to the side, remaining silent, observing the interaction between the three.
He was observing the strength and personalities of the team members. Only with sufficient information and understanding of that information could he avoid revealing weaknesses in this completely unfamiliar world.
Or, he might die in vain due to ignoring some
trivial
details.
Dago did not believe in improvisation; adaptability was merely an excuse for not having a proper plan.
Knowing himself inside and out, understanding his bottom line and goals, and having a basic grasp of the situation would allow him to know what to do at all times, rather than panicking aimlessly and drifting with the current.
Currently, four Wizards had arrived for the rendezvous. Dago estimated that the mission team was still short one person.
Suddenly, Dago's gaze paused, stopping on an Academy Wizard who had just entered the Wizard Hall.
That was a young Wizard with an indifferent expression, quite handsome, but the occasional arrogance in his brows gave people a feeling that he was difficult to get along with.
He walked directly towards Ed, nodded to him, and surveyed the people behind him. He carried an aura of a "favored child of heaven," different from that of a wandering Wizard.
Helid and Dago's faces clearly rippled with emotion, and they coldly looked away, thinking in unison, "It's another one of the Academy's big shots."
The atmosphere of the mission team became somewhat awkward for a moment.
Finally, Ed stepped in to smooth things over, saying to everyone, "This is Laiqiong from the Academy. His strength is excellent, and like me, he is a Half-step Formal Witches-level combatant."
Dago and the Wilton father and son pair looked at him in surprise. This Academy Wizard, who looked to be only in his twenties, was actually a Half-step Formal Witches. No wonder he didn't even look at people properly.
So, the entire team had three Half-step Formal Witches-level combatants. That's right, Dago had reported his own realm as a high-level apprentice, concealing a little bit of his strength.
"Since all members of the mission team have arrived, and everyone has no questions, let's depart."
Ed led with an undeniable authority, and everyone in the team began to move.
The group silently followed Ed, bypassing streets and alleys full of snow and potholes, and arrived at a two-story small house in the eastern part of the Town.
Ed lit the bonfire basin prepared beforehand in the middle of the small house, dispelling the chill they had carried along the way.
He reached into his waist and instantly produced a small parchment map, covered with the distribution of streets and houses in the Town, and specifically marked locations circled in red.
Ed let out a deep breath of mist, cleared his throat, and said, "Alright, I need to explain the details of this mission to everyone."
All four of them perked up their ears and listened carefully to him.
"Our primary mission here is to destroy the Dark Blood Council's blood pool stronghold established in the eastern district of the city. According to the information sent back by our sacrificed scouts, this stronghold is located in the Fifth House on Third Street in the eastern district."
"This stronghold is probably guarded by a dozen Black Robe Wizards, but everyone doesn't need to worry. The Academy will dispatch an airship to assist us with this mission."
"At two o'clock in the afternoon, the airship will bombard the stronghold for ten minutes and then withdraw, and what we need to do is cooperate with this bombardment on the ground, clearing out the Black Robe Wizards on the ground."
"Please, everyone, you must eliminate this blood pool stronghold. After the mission is completed, contribution points will be determined by the number of Black Robe Wizards each person kills, and you will receive rewards from the Academy. Do all team members understand?"
"After we collect our rewards, I will treat everyone on the team to a good drink at the Wizard Bar."
After quickly stating the mission objectives, Ed finally promised a treat.
The team members, except Dago, all showed confident smiles after hearing this, especially Helid, who even seemed a bit excited.
Dago watched with a cold eye; he would never believe that this mission would be as easy and relaxed as Ed claimed.