Chapter 73 - 72: Child of the Dark, Walking, Stars

Wizard’s Brews are vastly different from ordinary grain-brewed alcohol. The raw materials all possess Extraordinary Properties, and drinking them can produce special effects.

Some exceptional Bartenders can even concoct a Wizard’s Wine with effects similar to an Extraordinary Potion.

There are corresponding sub-branches within the Wizard System, though they are extremely rare and nearly extinct.

For instance, Mixing Wizards, Gourmet Wizards, and Traveling Wizards are all classifications under the broader Wizard System.

Even with their powerful Wizard Physiques, the four of them couldn’t fully resist the brew’s intoxicating effects. Their faces were flushed, showing they were already tipsy.

Wang Ya was captivated by Gray’s words. ’Could there be some hidden story behind the Secret Realm competition?’

GULP!

After another big gulp of the brew, Gray’s face grew even more flushed, but his expression turned serious. "From what I’ve gathered, the freshmen from the Wizard Clans have already been intentionally showing off their Power, building up their reputations, and even using some of the older students to generate hype. There’s a reason for all of this."

"Besides the rewards Gusai Wizard mentioned, the top three in the Secret Realm competition also get the chance to enter an Extraordinary School of their own choosing."

Mas clearly already knew, as he didn’t react much.

Surprisingly, Mona also showed no change in expression, offering a faint smile as she looked at everyone present.

Wang Ya was a little surprised. Over the past month, he had already learned everything a freshman could possibly know, including information about the Extraordinary Schools.

There were twelve Extraordinary Schools in total, including Wizard Yi Si’s White Bone School. All of them were founded by Official Wizards and recruited members from all over the Dark Land.

However, the requirements were extremely strict. Applicants had to be at least a Level 2 Wizard Apprentice and possess exceptionally solid Power and knowledge of Witchcraft to pass the School’s assessment.

The assessment content and requirements varied from School to School.

This was a huge opportunity for the freshmen.

By entering a School, members would gain access to most of the permissions in the Dark Land. They would also be qualified to obtain rare resources and precious legacies. Their rate of growth would be worlds apart from that of ordinary academy freshmen.

Wang Ya had, of course, also considered joining an Extraordinary School.

Gray continued, "The big shots from these Extraordinary Schools will all come to watch the Secret Realm competition. Even those elusive Official Wizards, who are rarely ever seen, will be turning their attention to it."

Wang Ya’s brow furrowed slightly.

Gray gave a wry chuckle, clinked his glass against Wang Ya’s, and insisted they both drink. "Of course, at our level, forget the Official Wizards—even the slightly stronger upperclassmen from the Lower House wouldn’t have the patience to watch us for long. This," he added, his voice dropping to a low and secretive tone, "ties into another, deeper, and more secret matter..."

Mona and Mas were both stunned. This was something they hadn’t heard about. They stared at Gray, full of curiosity.

Gray didn’t keep them in suspense, revealing three words: "The Dark Cultivation Plan!"

"It’s divided into three stages, you could say: Child of the Dark, Dark Walker, and Dark Star. Wizards who earn these honorary titles will see their Permission Level increase dramatically and receive extensive cultivation and resources from the Dark Land."

"Acquiring Dark Points will become exceptionally easy. They’ll receive subsidies for a whole series of things, like entering Secret Realms, posting and accepting Wizard Tasks, and exchanging for legacies of Wizarding Knowledge. They’ll even be qualified to personally seek guidance from Official Wizards."

Even Wang Ya was shocked. Mona and Mas’s eyes went wide, their mouths hanging open, clearly not having processed it all yet.

The other outrageous benefits were one thing, but to personally seek guidance from Official Wizards? The implications were staggering!

Even the instructors in the academy were generally Level 3 Wizard Apprentices; there were very few who were Extreme Wizard Apprentices.

Most of them were upperclassmen from the Upper House, earning some extra money by giving lectures.

Official Wizards had already achieved success on their Wizard Path. Seeking guidance from such a being was tantamount to receiving private tutoring...

Even Extreme Wizard Apprentices probably didn’t receive such treatment.

Wang Ya was also stunned by such a grand gesture. ’What’s gotten into the Dark Land Headquarters? This is insane.’

’No Wizard would refuse this, and I’m no exception.’

"Sigh, but there are too many contenders for too few spots. The three stages also require earning merit to advance. There are thirty-six spots for Child of the Dark in total, and only three of them are allocated to our batch of freshmen."

Gray said dejectedly, "That’s right, it’s the top three in the Secret Realm competition. The geniuses from the Wizard Clans are aiming for this too. How are we supposed to compete with them?"

Mas clenched his fist and said with determination, "Two and a half years is enough time to change a lot. There’s no reason we can’t catch up."

"Having confidence is a good thing, but those geniuses from the Wizard Clans have the power of their clans supporting them. They lack neither Extraordinary Knowledge nor Wizard resources, and they don’t have to struggle to make a living by taking Wizard Tasks like we do."

Gray sighed and continued, "I’ve gathered some information on the geniuses from the Wizard Clans, the strong contenders for this Secret Realm competition. I’ll share it with you."

He held out his right hand, the back of which bore the Dark Wizard Mark. The relevant information was transmitted into the Wizard Marks of the other three.

Wang Ya’s expression shifted slightly. There were ten people in total. At the top of the list were some Wizard Freshmen who already showed signs of using Witchcraft. Perhaps they had already mastered some Extraordinary Knowledge and Witchcraft even before entering the Dark Land.

Aitri Mad, a freshman from the direct lineage of the Mad Clan, seemed to be following the path of a Mechanical Wizard and had mastered an unknown number of Mechanical Witchcrafts.

K. Bernard, a freshman from the direct lineage of the Bernard Clan, had mastered an unknown number of Elemental Energy Witchcrafts.

Guterres Mad, who is Aitri’s brother, was also following the Mechanical Wizard path.

Rod Stark, a freshman from the direct lineage of the Stark Clan, was another powerful opponent who had mastered Elemental Energy Witchcraft.

...

Wang Ya’s brow furrowed subconsciously. By the looks of it, none of these ten people were simple; they were all formidable rivals.

’I can’t give up on the Dark Cultivation Plan.’

’In two and a half years, I’ll have to face these powerful opponents sooner or later. And they’ll definitely have gotten even stronger by then.’

’But just as Mas said, two and a half years is enough time to change a lot. I won’t be standing still, either.’

’With the help of the Eye of Truth, and with my own hard work and diligence, I’m confident I can surpass them.’

Mas and Mona fell silent, clearly having taken a significant blow to their confidence.

Gray smiled at this. "What’s with the long faces? Today’s a day for us to get together. Don’t overthink it. Just drink."

They raised their glasses and drank together, but the atmosphere had turned somber.

「When Wang Ya returned to his Wizard’s Residence, it was already around eleven at night.」

Reeking of alcohol, he first went to the washroom to clean up, then reviewed the Extraordinary Knowledge he had mastered. At midnight, he went into his room to rest.

’As for my plans for tomorrow and the days to come, they will be spent the same way: attending classes, studying, researching, mastering new knowledge, verifying it, and experimenting...’

’And I enjoy it. The fulfilling joy that comes with self-improvement far surpasses any base desires.’