"Why do you say that?"
Dago paused for a moment before asking.
"Because the final step to becoming a Formal Wizard is for the Spiritual Space to sink, reaching Spirit World - Level Two, the depth where the Silver Sea, the collective unconscious emotions of humanity, resides."
"This is also why if you can't open your Spiritual Space after eighteen, you'll never be able to, because the unconscious spiritual energy generated by your Soul will be captured and absorbed by the Silver Sea."
"Spirit World - Level Two has no real-world laws, such as time, distance, or causality. It is full of pure energy and the emotional projections of all intelligent beings."
"The beautiful aspects of humanity, such as the seven virtues—chastity, diligence, generosity, humility, gentleness, temperance, and broad-mindedness—all noble qualities, nourish the Silver Sea."
"There are also strong emotions like fear, anger, hatred, and greed that corrupt the Silver Sea, making it even more chaotic and violent."
"After the Spiritual Space sinks into the Silver Sea of Spirit World - Level Two, completing the Soul sublimation of a Half-step Formal Witches, you will be a Formal Wizard."
"During the descent, you will be attacked by the Seven Deadly Sins Demons from the Silver Sea, whose purpose is to kill and corrupt life. If you are corrupted by them, you will become the embodiment of a Seven Deadly Sins Demon in reality."
"At the same time, the probability and frequency of being attacked by Level Two Demons are also related to the size of the Spiritual Space; the larger it is, the more likely it is to attract the invasion and attacks of the Seven Deadly Sins Demons."
"Therefore, the Wizard Alliance strictly prohibits wandering wizards from performing Soul sublimation and has destroyed related books to prevent the Seven Deadly Sins Demons of the Silver Sea from polluting and distorting the real world."
"So if you want to become a Formal Wizard, you must have the help of a guide to prevent yourself from turning into a demon that wreaks havoc on the real world during the advancement."
"However, becoming a Formal Wizard also has the most direct benefit, which is that it can greatly extend one's lifespan.
It is usually three to five times the lifespan of an ordinary person, which is why countless Apprentice Wizards flock to become Formal Wizards."
"The second benefit is that from then on, you can cast spells without incantations, directly through the Soul Imprint.
It is imprinted on the Wizard's Soul and can change the power and form of the spells released by the Wizard, greatly enhancing their effects."
Dean Jodes sat at his desk, looking at Dago, and slowly explained the risks and benefits of becoming a Formal Wizard.
No wonder Dago saw Flax cast spells without chanting, and the Blood Leech phantom above his head must have been his Soul Imprint, directly affecting the real world.
Dago's eyes flickered rapidly, and he asked again, "Then how should I choose a Soul Imprint?"
"That depends on the characteristics of your Spiritual Space and what style of combat you plan to adopt in the future."
"Every Formal Wizard's spell system is built around the characteristics of their spiritual power, and the different factions among wizards arise from this."
Dago still wanted to ask for more details about the knowledge of the Soul Imprint.
Dean Jodes interrupted him, "You haven't even sublimated your Soul yet, and you're already thinking about the Soul Imprint. Don't be too ambitious, Dago."
Then he continued, "Dago, be my disciple. After this war is over at the academy, I can give you everything you need to become a Formal Wizard."
Dago rubbed his clean chin, constantly weighing the pros and cons in his mind. He finally decided not to become a disciple of Dean Jodes.
Dago bowed apologetically and said, "I'm very sorry, Dean, but the risks of becoming a Formal Wizard are still too great. Thank you for the knowledge you've shared with me."
Dean Jodes waved his hand and said in a low voice, "Dago, this knowledge is common sense for Formal Wizards; you don't need to worry about it.
However, remember this: if you privately advance to Formal Wizard and are corrupted into a demon, only death awaits you."
"Dago will remember the Dean's teachings."
"Alright, since you're unwilling to be my disciple, please leave."
Dean Jodes opened the book on his desk and continued reading.
Dago turned and left the room, gently closing the door behind him.
He wiped the cold sweat from his face and hurried away from the small house by the lake.
Returning to the academy dormitory where he had stayed for several days, Dago's expression improved considerably.
The pressure of refusing a Formal Wizard was much greater than he had imagined. The spiritual fluctuations that Dean Jodes inadvertently leaked the moment he heard Dago's refusal made Dago's heart tremble.
Moreover, there was an element of deception in his actions. Yes, Dago had decided not to advance to Formal Wizard with Dean Jodes's help.
That's why he bowed his head, not daring to reveal even a trace of his thoughts to Dean Jodes.
"That old man wants to trick me into fighting for him. It's hard to say if I'll even survive past the war."
"I still have to rely on myself. If I rely on other Formal Wizards for help, my meager flesh would be picked clean."
Dago's eyes gradually became firm.
"I'll move out of the academy dormitory after tonight and move back to the Wizard Inn in the Town."
Then he showered and slept in the dormitory, waiting for the next day to arrive.
The next morning, Dago, dressed in clean robes, went to the dormitory management and told them that his injuries had healed and that he was moving out of the dormitory.
He walked out of the academy gate, which had separated two worlds, and onto the cobblestone streets of the Town, where snow had been cleared on both sides, smelling the blood and decay carried by the cold wind.
The tattered-robed wizards coming and going all revealed that this world was inherently a cruel, man-eating world.
Returning to the Wizard Inn, he greeted the old man at the front desk warmly.
The old man enthusiastically came out to welcome Dago, saying, "You haven't been back to the inn these past few days. I thought you had died outside."
Dago's face darkened. What did he mean, 'died outside'? He told him that he had stayed at the academy for a few days but wasn't used to the life there, so he had come back to stay.
The old man naturally approved with both hands and feet, chuckling happily as he told Dago about the changes at the inn these past few days. Since it was close to the Wizard Hall, many wizards chose to rest there.
However, many wizards would stay for a few days, and then the next day, they would never come back because they had died in battle with Black Robe Wizards.
Since the day Dago disappeared, many Black Robe Wizards in the Town had retreated, and many lost areas in the Town had been recaptured by the academy.
Many surviving residents and wizards in the Town saw the hope of the academy's victory, and much of the numbness and despair on their faces dissipated.
The inn's old man naturally noticed these changes, and his mood improved greatly. He would chuckle happily whenever he saw a guest.
Is that so? The hope of victory! Dago naturally wouldn't burst such a beautiful illusion.
The weather is always clear before a typhoon arrives.
He knew that Dark Blood Council member Flax had escaped that day, but he hadn't actually suffered any harm.
Dago was infected by the innkeeper's optimistic attitude and smiled as he listened to the old man's trivial daily stories from the past few days.
After a full half an hour, Dago waved goodbye to the old man. As he walked upstairs, he saw a few scattered wizards meditating quietly in the tearoom.
Returning to his room in the Wizard Inn, he looked at the familiar furnishings, which were spotless. It seemed the old man had frequently cleaned his room.
"In war, it's always the common people, the children, the elderly, the innocent, who suffer."
Dago lay on the bed, looking at the ceiling, thinking with some emotion.