Wizard: My magic facility can be upgraded!

Chapter 22 Initiation Ceremony

Back in his own room, Li Ang lay on the soft bed, toying with the silver badge in his hand, a slight smile playing on his lips.

A ladder leading to a higher level suddenly appeared in his mind, and his path as a wizard was finally on the right track.

After contemplating the future for a while, Li Ang withdrew his thoughts and his consciousness sank into the spiritual world.

As soon as Li Ang entered the tower, he noticed that the concentration of magic inside was far greater than outside. Within his spiritual world, the stars slowly rotated, absorbing magic from the air that was far more concentrated than at the bottom of the ship.

However, without the wind-attribute environment created by the sails, all kinds of magic are flooding into his mental world. Li Ang still needs to further transform the magic of various attributes into pure wind and water dual-element magic.

The [Acceleration Pocket Watch], placed close to the body, emitted waves of energy that accelerated the recovery and condensation of mental power.

He could sense that the stars in his spiritual world were beginning to split, and that they would be able to successfully split once his spiritual power was further accumulated.

After finishing his meditation, Li Ang blew out the cheap oil lamp on the corner of the table. He lay down on the soft bed, his body gradually relaxing, and he fell into a deep sleep with a little expectation for the future.

...

Meanwhile, at the very top of the Wizard Tower, in the Elementalist school area.

Inside a room filled with blazing runes, with a constantly collapsing and exploding fireball suspended in the center.

The wizard Celeste shed his cold, daytime mask and stood respectfully before an old man in purple robes.

The old man's beard and hair were all red, as if they were made of burning flames, and even his pupils shimmered with a molten lava-like luster. He was none other than the sect leader of the Elementalist School, a level 5 wizard, [Explosive Flame] Gorman.

"Ceronester, it seems there's been a bit of an unexpected turn of events with this recruitment?" Gorman's voice sounded somewhat hoarse.

"Yes, Faction Chief." Seronst bowed slightly. "We were attacked by the 'Abyssal Hunters' during our voyage."

"Huh? Isn't that shipping route regularly cleaned up? Where did this level 3 sea monster come from?" A flicker of fire appeared in Gorman's eyes.

"That's exactly what I'm wondering about," Celeste said gravely. "According to records, that area was just cleared by the Tanner enforcement team three months ago; there shouldn't be a threat of this level. And..."

"And what?"

"According to the 'Abyssal Creatures Compendium' and my past experience, although the 'Abyssal Hunter' is ferocious, there is no precedent for it splitting and escaping."

A cold glint flashed in Seronst's eyes. "I shattered its core with [Flame Spear Technique], thinking I had completely ended it, but I didn't expect..."

"I never expected it to split into such small individuals, which then burrowed into the ship's cabins, causing unnecessary casualties," Gorman continued, his brow furrowed.

"This is indeed unusual. As far as I know, the 'Abyss Hunter' does not have the ability to split. Your response seems appropriate to me."

Gorman was silent for a moment, as if he were thinking about something, and the temperature in the room rose considerably. Finally, he asked:

"Have you noticed any other anomalies? For example... signs of human intervention? Or some kind of magical fluctuation that induces mutation?"

Celeste shook his head: "It happened so suddenly, my focus was on killing the sea monster and protecting the ship."

"Afterwards, I carefully examined the waters around the ship and found no trace of unusual magic, but... precisely because it was so abnormal, I suspect that there might be something behind it..."

"Perhaps someone doesn't want these apprentices to arrive safely, or perhaps they're testing how much time I have left?" Gorman sneered, and the temperature in the room suddenly rose a few degrees.

"Go back and rest. I'll keep an eye on this," Gorman said, then turned away and said nothing more.

"Yes, Master of the School." Seronster bowed again and left the scorching room.

A look of pain flashed across Gorman's face as he turned his back, flames erupting from his eyes. His condition was deteriorating rapidly; the scorching fire element was beginning to spiral out of his control, even starting to backfire on him.

...

The next morning, Li Ang was awakened by the clock above his desk.

After a good night's sleep, thanks to the [Acceleration Pocket Watch], he felt that his mental and physical strength had returned to their best state.

After washing up, he changed into a gray robe, carefully pinned the silver badge that symbolized his apprenticeship under Master Eve to his chest, and then strode towards the Potions School's main hall.

When he arrived, a dozen or so people dressed in various styles had already gathered outside the hall. They were all prospective apprentices who had chosen to join the Potions School the day before.

They stood in twos and threes, their faces showing the awkwardness and curiosity of newcomers, as well as the uncertainty about the future.

Li Ang spotted the girl with braided pigtails at a glance. She was looking down and nervously twisting the hem of her clothes.

As Li Ang approached, almost all the reserve apprentices turned to look at him.

"My God, the gray-robed man is already a full-fledged apprentice!"

"Idiot, what's a gray robe? Didn't you see the badge on that lord's chest? That's a mark that signifies being chosen by a mentor and taken as an apprentice."

The reserve apprentices whispered among themselves about Li Ang as he walked towards them.

For them, the gray robe alone was already a world apart from their own, not to mention the badge, which was something they could only dream of.

Surprise, envy, jealousy... a mix of emotions flashed across those young faces.

The girl with the braided hair also looked up and saw Li Ang. Her eyes lit up, and then she noticed the badge. A look of genuine envy appeared on her face, and she whispered, "Good...good morning, sir."

"Good morning," Li Ang nodded to her, then added, "Didn't I tell you yesterday, don't call me 'sir,' just call me Li Ang? And what do you call me?"

The girl was a little nervous, and her words came out haltingly, one word at a time:

"Li...Li Da...Ang, I...I'm called Lottie, Lottie Polk."

Li Ang smiled bitterly to himself. What the hell is Li Da'ang? This girl was relatively normal yesterday, so why has she become like this today? Is it because of my badge?

Just then, Ellie's attendant appeared at the entrance to the hall, interrupting their awkward conversation.

She clapped her hands, drawing everyone's attention: "New students, please follow me, the initiation ceremony is about to begin."

Led by Ellie, the group walked through the corridor and arrived at a hall that was much smaller than the ground floor hall, but much more solemn and majestic.

The walls of the hall were covered with animated portraits, each accompanied by a biographical introduction of an important member of the Potions school.

An elderly man, dressed in a deep purple robe and with white hair and beard, stood quietly on a high platform in front of the hall.

His face was kind, but his eyes were as deep as an ancient well, as if they contained endless wisdom. He was Carlos, the head of the Potions School and a level 5 wizard named "All Spirits".

Ellie and several wizard attendants stood respectfully below the stage.

"First of all, welcome to you, children."

The old school leader's voice was gentle yet penetrating, clearly reaching everyone's ears.