Chapter 41: Breaking the Rules, the Reckoning Begins

Wizard Yi Si finally reined in his emotions. His expression returned to its usual placid state, but the excitement in his eyes was still hard to conceal.

That somewhat special little guy might have surprised him, but the events of the past few days were the true source of his uncontrollable joy.

For five years, this cancerous tumor rooted in the Ancient Forest Wizard City could finally be excised.

With this accomplishment, he could return to the Dark Land and receive even more resources and support.

In truth, this had been in the works for ten years, not just five. The plan for Ancient Forest Mountain was determined long ago. Two Wizards from the Extraordinary Schools had arrived here first to gather intelligence. Only after they had a full grasp of the situation was the subsequent plan formulated.

It was an opportunity to advance his career... and correspondingly, those two Wizards from the Extraordinary Schools would also receive a handsome reward.

Turning, Wizard Yi Si seemed to step into nothingness, leaving no trace of his existence in reality.

When he reappeared, it was at the highest, most central point of the Ancient Forest Tower—his office as the Ancient Forest Manager. Wizard Yi Si’s robes billowed gently as he settled into the chair.

Before him, two figures in Wizard Robes looked as if they had been waiting for a long time.

Upon seeing his return, one of them—the Wind Wizard, dressed in a black Wizard Robe, with curly blond hair and a mask covering half his face—smiled and said, "It seems Wizard Yi Si has obtained what he was looking for."

"I must thank you both for your help. Without the information you’ve gathered over the past ten years, it wouldn’t have been so easy to pin these people down." A smile also graced Wizard Yi Si’s face.

Lando Wizard, who was rather thin and also wore a black Wizard Robe, had listless, dead-fish eyes and always looked lazy. He spoke in a leisurely tone, "As fellow Wizards of the Extraordinary Faction, these Wizard Clans in the Ancient Forest Wizard City have gone too far. Do they really think the lords of the Dark Land are fools? Even without us, they would have faced a major crackdown sooner or later."

The Wind Wizard nodded in agreement. "Some Wizard Clans on the continent have become so entrenched and powerful they’re difficult to handle. But a Wizard Clan in a trivial port backwater, engaging in these crooked ways... they are a necessary target for suppression."

"However, all of this ultimately falls on your shoulders, Wizard Yi Si. We are merely here to assist."

A flicker of memory passed through Wizard Yi Si’s eyes, taking him back to when he was dispatched to Ancient Forest Mountain to become its Manager.

His teacher, the White Bone Wizard, had personally told him that an unprecedented change was coming. Problems had been quietly cropping up within the Dark Land—not just at the lower levels, but even among the upper echelons.

The root of the problem lay with these Wizard Clans.

Wizards from Wizard Clans entering the Dark Land wasn’t a problem if they didn’t occupy high positions. But once they did, the established rules would be deliberately undermined.

The rules had been tacitly established at the very founding of the Dark Land. They were, undeniably, a means of maintaining balance, but they brought fairness and allowed the Dark Land to continue to progress.

Wizards from Wizard Clans were different. They were more inclined to favor their own clans, secretly disobeying the rules and causing a series of problems.

Now, the resulting conflicts and the internal situation in the Dark Land were intensifying, gradually forming two opposing factions.

Wizard Yi Si didn’t know what the future held or how things would turn out, but he knew what he could do: seize the present opportunity and uphold the age-old rules of the Dark Land.

He himself had once been a Wizard Freshman from one of the Mortal Countries on the Wizard Continent, discovered to have Wizard Qualification. He had endured great hardship, diligently studied Extraordinary Knowledge, and exerted immense effort to enter the Dark Land. Yet, he had witnessed a Wizard Freshman from a Wizard Clan, one who should have been eliminated, take a spot among those who advanced. The commoner freshman who had held the last spot was never seen again.

Back then, he didn’t understand. ’What is wrong with the world... Why did it happen! Why did that freshman, who got into the Dark Land through sheer effort, just disappear?’

’Someone unqualified took that spot!’ He was furious. ’The rules were written so clearly, so why were they being broken?’ It was strange. He had no connection to the freshman who disappeared, yet the anger in his heart threatened to consume him.

Many years passed. After experiencing many things and joining the White Bone School, he finally understood everything.

But the seed of that flame was never extinguished. Instead, it burned hotter and hotter... ’By what fucking right?!’

A surging malice appeared in Wizard Yi Si’s eyes. His aura exploded outward, and the entire office seemed to tremble slightly. The expressions on the two Wizards before him changed drastically. Just as they were about to act, the imposing aura vanished without a trace. It was as if it had all been an illusion.

"My apologies, you two," Wizard Yi Si said, his face expressionless.

The Wind Wizard, who was from the Withered Wood School in the Dark Land, was on relatively good terms with the White Bone School. He took the initiative to speak. "Brother Yi Si, it would be best to keep your emotions stable at a time like this."

Lando Wizard was so startled his dead-fish eyes flew wide open. He was secretly horrified. ’So this is the power of a core member of the White Bone School? It’s just absurd. I’m almost certain Wizard Yi Si is an Extreme Wizard Apprentice, and if not, he’s one step away.’

’And with all the advanced Extraordinary Knowledge from the White Bone School, his power among Extreme Wizard Apprentices must be terrifyingly strong.’

He felt a wave of bitterness. ’The Water Swamp School I joined is full of do-nothing Wizards. No resources, and the Extraordinary Knowledge is just left out for you to study on your own... Otherwise, why would I be so desperate as to take on a quota-based mission operated by the White Bone Faction?’

’Sometimes, you have to swallow your pride to make a living. It can’t be helped!’

Wizard Yi Si gave a silent nod to the Wind Wizard, then continued, "With everything that has happened in Ancient Forest Mountain these past few days, and the evidence collected from all sides, even if those from the Wizard Clans in the Dark Land have objections, they can only swallow them. As for what to do..."

A grim smile appeared on Wizard Yi Si’s lips. "Of course, we do things by the book!"

"I’ve said it before. If anyone breaks the rules, no matter who they are, if they are even the slightest bit involved, then they can just die!"

"The rules are not to be broken. By anyone!" His tone was adamant.

Lando Wizard coughed and said, "Um, Brother Yi Si, then I’ll be in charge of protecting the freshmen in Ancient Forest Mountain. You know me, I’m not much of a fighter..."

Wizard Yi Si stared at him, his expression blank.

The Wind Wizard also gave him a strange look.

Lando Wizard immediately adopted a fierce tone. "The Purple Gold Flower Clan and the Bailin Clan all deserve to die! Kill anyone involved, whether they are Wizards, mortals, or freshmen! Upholding the rules is our solemn duty!"

"This is the target list I’ve compiled over the past few days, Brother Yi Si. Please, take a look."

As he spoke, he took a stack of papers from his sleeve.

On it were the names of many freshmen crossed out with red lines. At the top of the list were Mosi Bailin, Kadi Purple Gold Flower, Anna Karina... and other Wizard Freshmen connected to the recent events.