3: Chapter 3 Information

"Not bad. In this test, you have truly brought us quite a surprise. I am very satisfied," Klevin said, smiling as he scanned the group.

"If you can continue to satisfy me in the future, then in exchange, after the tests conclude, I will tell you some common knowledge about the Wizard World."

Byron keenly noticed that when Klevin said this, Andrei glanced at him unobtrusively. What did this mean? Could there be something fishy going on? Thinking of this, Byron felt secretly vigilant, not daring to be even the slightest bit careless.

"Perform well in the next part. Let's begin the next test." Klevin didn't say anything more and turned to signal Andrei to continue guiding the group.

Subsequently, led by Andrei, everyone arrived before a massive astrolabe device carved entirely from dark blue rock. The astrolabe was inlaid with gemstones of different colors, looking exceptionally dazzling and captivating. Many young girls began to have stars in their eyes upon seeing this, completely infatuated.

"Just like before, place your hands on it to test your elemental affinity and see which path of a wizard you are suited for. Begin now."

The tests proceeded one after another; the gemstones on the astrolabe lit up and dimmed, dimmed and lit up. Within the queue, Byron watched these people test and keenly discovered that those who had tested high in Mental Energy usually also tested high in elemental affinity, and vice versa, with only a few exceptions. Furthermore, when each person tested, more than one gemstone on the astrolabe would light up, though the light varied in strength and focus. However, due to having too little information and insufficient knowledge reserves, Byron could not figure out why this was the case.

Soon, it was Byron's turn. He took a deep breath and placed his hand on the astrolabe.

The next second, the silver gemstone on the astrolabe suddenly lit up, its light dazzling and eye-catching; the light of the other few gemstones that lit up alongside it could almost be ignored in the reflection of its radiance.

Seeing this, a flash of surprise crossed Klevin's eyes, and he exclaimed, "Oh... Space element dominance, that's not very common. Plus, with your Mental Energy at over three points, this Aptitude can be considered quite good." As he spoke, Klevin showed a smile toward Byron and nodded slowly.

Facing the goodwill shown by Klevin, Byron dared not be negligent and hurriedly returned the gesture with a slight bow, following the aristocratic etiquette from his memory. He didn't know if Klevin recognized this etiquette, but the proper posture had to be maintained. Although Klevin didn't say anything more, the smile on his face was clearly brighter, and he waved his hand, signaling for Byron to step aside.

Byron turned respectfully and returned to the queue. Time passed bit by bit, and the remaining two tests—Soul strength and Comprehension Ability—were also quickly completed. After learning the results of his four tests, Byron felt completely relieved. Aside from his elemental affinity being somewhat prominent, the other three items were all above average. Such results should be able to hide himself to the greatest extent, and in the short term, he should not need to worry about the problem of being exposed.

After all the tests were completed, everyone gathered together again, their gazes cast uniformly toward Andrei and Klevin standing in front, their eyes full of anticipation. Klevin glanced at the silent Andrei, understood, and turned to look at the crowd. "All tests are complete, and I am very satisfied with the results. So, in exchange, I will keep my promise and tell you some common knowledge about the Wizard World."

Speaking to this point, a dazzling smile appeared on the corner of Klevin's mouth, causing one to shudder. "First, I want to congratulate you on being born in the Original Plane, and not in other planes conquered and transformed by other wizards, or even those wild, untransformed planes." Klevin's voice rang out slowly, carrying a hint of condescending pity.

"Otherwise, the vast majority of you would only be able to serve as cannon fodder for your entire lives. Those with slightly better luck might become combat wizards who only know how to fight on the battlefield. Only a rare few can become orthodox wizards and pursue the truth." "It doesn't matter if you don't understand now; when you enter the academy and become Wizard Apprentices like the two of us, you will understand what I mean."

Once these words were spoken, although the crowd did not understand the meaning, they still shuddered, an inexplicable fear arising in their hearts; some even broke out in cold sweat on their backs. Klevin's words did not stop there; he continued, "Secondly, you have caught up to the best era. Today, after our wizard civilization has conquered one plane after another, resources have become extremely abundant."

"You do not need to be like the apprentices of several centuries ago, stuffed into dilapidated wooden ships like livestock, killing each other on the vast ocean! Only a dozen or dozens of people would remain to enter the academy, just to select elites for training and avoid wasting resources." "You also don't need to rush about for Magic Stones every day after entering the academy, dragging down your pace of learning and being unable to focus on pursuing the truth."

Hearing this, images of bloody slaughter involuntarily surfaced in Byron's mind, and a thick smell of blood seemed to rush toward him through the air. He finally understood that the path of a wizard was never a smooth road, but one paved with bones and blood.

"Because the academy or certain organizations can sponsor you with an initial sum of resources, helping you become Wizard Apprentices, officially starting the path of a wizard, and becoming wizards like us." Before he finished speaking, a fireball suddenly appeared in Andrei's hand and flew out of the sailing ship, exploding in the sea of clouds outside. Pieces of white clouds shattered, and a rain of fire flew across the sky.

Seeing this scene, everyone present held their breath, their eyes filled with shock. Seeing the crowd's reaction, Klevin paused his words and continued, "Of course, following the truth of equivalent exchange, you also need to pay a tiny, insignificant price." "If anyone has this intention, you can come find me after today, and I will introduce it in detail; I won't waste time here."

These words were highly infectious; the eyes of the young boys and girls present instantly became fervent, and the fear and anxiety in their hearts were instantly replaced by longing and desire for the future. 'This... I didn't accidentally stumble into some pyramid scheme, did I? It's too damn similar!' Byron complained in his heart, feeling quite helpless about Klevin's set of manipulative rhetoric.

Because for him, someone who had been baptized by countless traps in modern society, this was too simple, even crude. Klevin seemed very satisfied with everyone's reaction, cleared his throat, and said, "Now, announcing the test results."

Ignoring the emotions of the crowd, Klevin held the recording crystal ball and began to read out everyone's names and Aptitude Ranks one by one. This basin of cold water instantly extinguished the fervor in everyone's hearts. As one name after another was read out, people in the crowd occasionally collapsed to the ground, with suppressed sobs emerging. Just moments ago, they were longing for the beauty of the wizard's path, but at this moment, they were beaten back to reality by the cruel Aptitude Ranks, falling from the clouds into the mud. This disparity was enough to make people collapse.

"Byron, Third-Rank top-tier Aptitude." Before the voice had faded, Byron felt many gazes from the whole crowd—some greedy, some envious, and also some resentful and hateful. This feeling of being the center of attention made him feel as if he were on pins and needles, a bitter feeling in his heart. But he could only force himself to hold on, squeezing out a happy smile on his face, pretending to be overjoyed.

But soon, the smile on Byron's face became genuine because someone else had attracted the attention away from him. "What? She actually has Fourth-Rank lower-tier Aptitude. How high is her talent?!" "And him, he actually has Fourth-Rank upper-tier Aptitude. That's more than twice mine; it's simply unimaginable!" "How did these people do it? Where exactly are we lacking?!"

Hearing the crowd's discussion, Byron also subconsciously turned his head to look. At this moment, several young boys and girls were surrounded by the crowd, being watched by everyone. Byron's final gaze rested on a young girl with long golden hair and fair skin. The girl seemed to sense Byron's gaze and looked over at him. The two met eyes, both revealing a sincere smile, nodded slightly, and looked away.

"Quiet." Klevin's voice was not loud, but it spread throughout the entire area, suppressing everyone's voices. When it became quiet, Klevin continued: "Aptitude is only a part of being a wizard; it does not represent everything!" "So, don't be discouraged if your Aptitude is poor. This does not mean you cannot become a wizard; it just means your chances are a little smaller than others."

"And didn't I just say, this is the best era, because you have the help of the academy or various organizations to provide you with resources." "Alright, the advice is finished; next is the arrangement. The ship's cabin has five levels. From bottom to top, each of you can only choose your own level based on your Aptitude Rank. First-Rank Aptitude can only live on the bottom level; as for the rooms, you can choose as you please."

"There are some small surprises in each room; I hope you have a pleasant time during this voyage." "Finally..." Speaking to this point, Klevin curled his lips into a smile again. "Welcome, everyone, to the Dark Eclipse Wizard Academy!" Before he finished speaking, the figures of Klevin and Andrei simultaneously disappeared from the deck.

Seeing this, the crowd on the deck let out another exclamation. And those young boys and girls with poorer Aptitude, who were originally full of despair, had their eyes reignited with light, their expressions becoming firm. They believed that just as Klevin said, with those...

However, a strange look appeared on the face of Byron, who was standing in the crowd. This routine, this plot... why does it look more and more familiar? But it was truly confirmed that this ship was not used for triangular trade. Although, from a certain angle, it was indeed somewhat similar.

Meanwhile, a voice suddenly sounded in the room at the very top of the sailing ship. "Andrei, how many people do you think will come to find me later? Will this part of the proposal, plus the help of these elite seeds this time, be enough for us to advance to Third-Rank Wizard Apprentice?" "It's enough; we can even look forward to reaching the limit." "Klevin, it has to be you, completing the guidance mission the academy required you to do with exchange and surprises." "Just say whether it was completed or not." As soon as these words were spoken, the two looked at each other and both burst into laughter. While the voice was sounding in the room, the young boys and girls on the deck were also scrambling to rush toward their corresponding floors, entering the rooms to search for the surprises Klevin mentioned last.