It must be said that the education in formal academies indeed has its unique aspects, and apprentices generally have a wealth of means at their disposal, which is incomparable to those from the Wandering Sorcerer Fellowship.
After the battle, only one person from the Four Great Academies suffered severe and critical injuries and returned to the steeple first. The others, after receiving treatment for their injuries, remained in the Flash Vortex Secret Realm to continue collecting water scalding bubble fruits.
On the fourth day, the secret realm returned to normal, and the maturity of the water scalding bubble fruits was hardly affected by the previous day’s battle, allowing everyone to finally relax.
Ivan demonstrated skill in capturing water scalding bubble fruits, and after about fifty minutes of busy work, he harvested 12 portions of the fruit.
“A total of 26 portions, still far from the target of 50 portions.”
This number had already determined that it was impossible to reach the goal the next day, which made him somewhat reluctant to accept.
Wolban slowly walked over.
“How’s the harvest?”
“Not up to expectations. What about you?” Ivan shook his head slightly.
“I’m 16 portions short. Yesterday’s events had some impact on today. This isn’t the production we should have on the fourth day,” Wolban said in a deep voice.
If starting from the first day, the temperature and humidity in the secret realm increased step by step, progressing day by day, the output could reach 20 portions at its highest on the fifth day. However, due to the interruption yesterday, it inevitably affected today’s production, which in turn would impact tomorrow.
He wasn’t sure if he could gather sixteen portions of water scalding bubble fruits the next day.
Actually, he had participated in the encirclement in the smoke-covered area the day before, arrived late, and only harvested five portions of the fruit. Others, however, had taken a great advantage.
This made him unable to feel good about it.
“We’re not very lucky,” Ivan said helplessly.
“With your achievements yesterday, you’re definitely entitled to a portion of Aqua Alva. To be honest, I think one portion isn’t enough to acknowledge your contribution,” Wolban stated affirmatively. If it weren’t for resolving the situation with the beast with the Blood Light Ring swiftly, there wouldn’t be any harvest to speak of for the next two days.
His contribution was undoubtedly ranked first, which was without question. Others, however, were a different matter.
“It wasn’t just my achievement.”
“Be careful tonight.”
After pausing for a few seconds, Wolban reminded him.
Ivan understood. Given the impact on the second and third days, everyone generally had low harvests of water scalding bubble fruits. What to do if there weren’t enough fruits? Naturally, one would try to take others’. Tonight was a good opportunity. Discover more stories at empire
The darker the night and the stronger the wind, the more suitable it was for big actions.
“There have been disputes over resources in the secret realm before, right?”
“Otherwise, why would Sorcerer Bernardson emphasize not to cause any fatalities?” Wolban said seriously. “However, there’s one thing that’s problematic—attacking someone from the same academy can leave lingering issues, while robbing those from other academies might lead to a large melee without any guarantee of safety.
Moreover, after fighting side by side just the day before, it feels wrong to turn against them today, so it might be better to choose an easier target.”
“Makes sense.”
Listening to his logical analysis, Ivan felt somewhat speechless inside—Wolban seemed to have everything figured out already and probably had some plans in mind.
“Do you have any plans for tonight?” Wolban’s tone shifted.
“You’re asking me?” Ivan looked at him in surprise.
“Of course. Based on the current pace, at most I’ll be short two or three portions of water scalding bubble fruits, or possibly not short at all, so there’s no need for a big fuss. If you have ambitions to obtain a second portion of Aqua Alva, you must be planning to make a move.”
“So what?”
“You make a move, and I’ll back you up. I’ll take three portions of the water scalding bubble fruits, and the rest are yours,” Wolban proposed, his calculations clear as a bell. However, this guy’s argument wasn’t without merit; it was possible to collect 16 portions on the last day.
“I’ll think about it.”
“Decide on a target as soon as possible,” Wolban didn’t insist and walked a few steps away. Thinking of something, he turned back and asked, “Do you want a suggestion from me?”
“Let’s hear it?”
“Your other neighbor.”
Ivan waved his hand noncommittally, neither agreeing nor refusing, yet he couldn’t deny that the suggestion struck a chord with him.
He hadn’t forgotten the news reported by the rapid wood silkworm on the first day; a grudge had already been formed.
Furthermore, he had just noticed yesterday that Jefferson had scored big, and likely others had realized it too. He guessed that he and Wolban weren’t the only ones watching the neighbor, which could complicate things.
Time ticked away.
That night.
The night of the secret realm brought no light, no wind—only the sweltering heat and oppression filling the space.
It wasn’t until a noise arose that the tranquility of the night was shattered.
“Bastard, you’re actually trying to ambush me? Do you think I’m an easy target?”
“Hand over the water scalding bubble fruits, and we won’t make it hard for you.”
“You—you’re bullying the few with the many, utterly shameless.”
For a group of 3rd-Class apprentices, the visibility at night wasn’t much different from during the day. The first incident occurred in the area of Black Reef Sanctuary, where someone had ambushed their own people.
Ivan was somewhat distant from that place and didn’t know the specifics of the situation.
He turned his head to look in another direction; the sound of rustling footsteps rose. The other party made no attempt to hide their tracks. It was his next-door neighbor—Jefferson. He hadn’t yet sought out the other party, but they had already taken the initiative to come to him.
“What brings you here?”
“Let’s have a fight. We’ll stake all the water scalding bubble fruits on us.”
Ivan frowned slightly, unsure of the other’s intentions.
Logically, Jefferson should be a target for many and should be trying to avoid trouble tonight, doing his best not to stir things up. His current approach was somewhat puzzling.
Ivan became more alert, not detecting anyone else around, only Wolban who was rushing over.
“I’ve heard that you performed a technique yesterday that exceeded the limits of an apprentice, which requires time to prepare. Guess whether I’ll give you that time or not,” Jefferson seemed not to afford him the chance to refuse, advancing step by step.
“Ivan, beat him up; I’ll back you up,” Wolban called out from afar.
“I’m in too.” Another voice from the Rapid Flow Twin Towers Academy joined in, and it was Kaynen, who had fought side by side with them to the end yesterday.
Jefferson’s expression grew even darker but didn’t change his original plan.
“I’m making a move.”
“Afraid you can’t handle it?”
Not knowing what madness possessed the other didn’t mean Ivan would shy away from the fight, getting the bubble fruit from Jefferson was in line with his plans.
With two people pressing from the periphery, he wasn’t afraid of being ambushed and cornered.
Freed from the worry of being attacked from behind, Ivan’s fighting spirit soared, and he dashed towards Jefferson with a push off his feet.
As the distance closed, both almost acted at the same time, each using their own signature spells right off the bat.
‘Bone-corroding Freezing Wind’
‘Black Magic Hand’
In an instant, Ivan expended a large Magic Stone Water to cast ‘Magic Hand’, which he smacked towards the cluster of bone-chilling wind.
The collision unleashed a thunderous boom, energy surged and smoke belched out, gusts of wind stirred the clusters of water scalding grass on the field.
The confrontations between 3rd Class apprentices often came down to a battle of spells; whoever had the more powerful spell had the bigger fist.
The impact of the attacks was almost equal, and neither could gain the upper hand over the other.
“Bring it on.”
Neither feared the other; instead of retreating, they advanced, closing the distance once again.
The intentions of both were startlingly aligned, a quick battle for a decisive victory.
‘Big Ice Spike’
‘Frozen Thorny Forest’
This time, Ivan chose a large area spell, a mass of runes-covered thorny vines burst from the ground, quickly enveloping Jefferson, along with a swarm of rapid wood silkworms flying into the thicket.
At the same time, Ivan had to face the assault of sharp, frozen spikes crafted from ice; the attack graduated to thirteen or fourteen degrees which was not easy to block, nor was there time to avoid, forcing him to use the Green Tree Star.
The heavily condensed spike collided with the wooden shield.
The contests between 3rd Class apprentices were just that simple and straightforward.
“It’s over.”
On one side, Wolban had already made his judgment.
Combining yesterday’s spells and Combat Energy Slash, Wolban realized that the closer the enemy got, the stronger Ivan became; keeping him at a distance could avoid his attacks but not defeat him. This must be the combat system he had figured out.
In the extreme group of 3rd Class apprentices, the combat power ranking at the front was occupied by Ivan alone.
He had to admit he had underestimated Ivan’s growth rate and combat ability; Jefferson had probably made the same mistake, which was why the fight was nearing its end.
“Stop, I yield.”
As expected, Jefferson cried out the humiliating words.
Hearing this, Ivan retrieved his Green Tree Star shield, called back the rapid wood silkworms, and let the Frozen Thorny Forest dissipate on its own.
From within the thorny vines, Jefferson emerged battered and obviously injured; his face was so grim that it seemed water might drip from it.
“Since you’ve conceded, hand over the item.”
“You won’t be missing anything.”
Facing Ivan’s pressing, Jefferson reached into his pocket resentfully and tossed something out swiftly.
A pure white glass vial.
“Be careful!” Wolban shouted.
This was not any water scalding bubble fruit but an ‘Ice Break Potion’, part of the same series as the well-known blast potion and rarer than it.
Both potions were extraordinarily powerful, and Jefferson’s act was aimed at murder.
This was something none of the people present had anticipated.
Low-level magicalized items need to be charged; otherwise, they not only consume a massive amount of energy but also activate slowly. Since Ivan’s shield had been used once already, Wolban and Kaynen couldn’t help but feel anxious for him,
Ivan recognized the Ice Break Potion as well, he quickly stepped back while morphing his hand into a blade and delivering a Combat Energy Slash.
Jefferson was prepared, allowing the Ice Break Potion to take effect first, spreading a deeper chill a few meters ahead of Ivan, sweeping towards him.
At the crucial moment, Ivan’s Green Tree Star shield appeared once again in his hand, blocking the invading coldness.
“How is that possible?”
Jefferson’s eyes bulged, somewhat in disbelief.
What he didn’t know was that his opponent had three shields on hand, and consuming one didn’t deplete their use.
“You deserve to die!”
Ivan then unleashed the Frozen Thorny Forest, engulfing Jefferson in the vines as the rapid wood silkworms quickly converged.
Now that his opponent had attempted to take his life, he wouldn’t hold back either.
“Ivan, don’t kill him yet,” Wolban stepped forward to advise. “There seems to be something off about this, it’s best to leave it to Sorcerer Bernardson to handle.”
“Alright.”
Ivan pondered for a moment and did not object.
Indeed, there was a serious issue at stake; to reckon, he and Jefferson didn’t have any deep-seated hatred. It was no more than minor grievances and one victory or loss, not enough to warrant a death blow.
“The bastard, asking for his own death.” He suddenly cursed again.
“What happened?”
“He destroyed quite a few water scalding bubble fruits.”
Wolban was taken aback, then indignantly said, “Death penalty may be pardoned, but punishment is inevitable.”
In the end, Jefferson was carried out from the vines with his limbs broken, having passed out.
Ivan contacted Sorcerer Bernardson that night, explained the events, and got Bernardson’s permission to send the person out of the secret realm.
Ivan found twenty-two intact portions of water scalding bubble fruits on Jefferson, the rest were destroyed by Jefferson’s sudden madness.
Ivan wasn’t stingy, giving Wolban and Kaynen three portions each.
The night was still long, and the three of them had to watch over each other to peacefully get through it, they couldn’t afford to be careless.