“It’s magical, isn’t it, haha.” Seeing him stunned for a moment, Solomon laughed and explained, “This is made from the Leaf of Enlightenment, a unique symbol exclusive to our Five Leaves Spear. No one can impersonate it.
Remember what I told you, the ‘Five Leaves’ of the Five Leaves Spear represent the Prophet’s Power. The Leaf of Enlightenment contains a portion of such power.”
“Prophet’s Power, I see.” Ivan pondered, wondering if his own Light of Wisdom was also related to this and resolved to pay attention to this aspect in the future.
“Ivan, the Prophet’s Power contained in the Book of Enlightenment is too weak to support any research. Remember, do not use it as experimental material,” Chairman Narnya cautioned.
Sorcerers are a profession adept at research and naturally hold a strong curiosity about the special items around them, including the Book of Enlightenment.
“Yes, each member only has one copy of the Book of Enlightenment, and it cannot be reissued. Don’t be like some unlucky fellows who managed to demote themselves from Third Leaf to Second Leaf members, hahaha.” Solomon quickly added, bursting into laughter as he recalled something.
He was handsome, but his laugh was somewhat goofy, especially when he showed his big white teeth.
It made Ivan somewhat reluctant to look directly at him. He nodded solemnly to both of them, signaling that he remembered.
At that moment, a faint sound came from the swamp ant, resembling that of blood resonance, capturing the attention of the three present.
“Alright, it has recovered to a Level 3 creature and can barely serve as your guard. King Blood creatures are not easy to come by; cultivate it well in the future,” Narnya remarked nonchalantly as he withdrew the medicine he had been feeding the swamp ant.
“Thank you, Chairman Narnya,” Ivan quickly expressed his gratitude. The creature had climbed one rank at a time, and now that the swamp ant had recovered to a Level 3 creature, he estimated he was quite likely unable to defeat it.
“Do you have any other requests?”
“I’ve heard that the organization possesses something known as ‘Fallen Feather.'” Ivan spoke, glancing at Solomon, who had initially used this to lure him into joining the Five Leaves Spear.
Solomon smiled somewhat sheepishly, as his earlier claim that joining the organization would easily grant access to the Fallen Feather was, of course, a figurative expression.
“Do you want to use the Fallen Feather to dissolve your college’s covenant?” Narnya asked.
“Yes, that covenant stipulates a hundred-year term during which I can only serve the college on the Moon Pincer Peninsula, which is quite troubling.”
“Would you like to hear my advice?”
“I am all ears.”
“It’s actually quite simple to reverse the restrictions of that covenant. You just need to find a way to become a Level 2 Sorcerer. At that point, the situation will turn around, and no one will be able to confine you anymore. If you are determined, the entire Mongna Ant Land Cottage might even be at your disposal.”
“But becoming a Level 2 Sorcerer is not an easy task, is it?” Ivan was well aware of this; after all, the world of sorcerers fundamentally operated this way, with power representing everything.
If he became a Level 2 Sorcerer, he would be on the same level as the dean, with equal status.
Then, the dean would either have to dissolve the covenant with him or modify it, with no third possibility, otherwise, a dean with significant assets and business would not withstand a Level 2 Sorcerer’s resentment.
“Your current strength is at the Level 1 Limit. There happens to be a suitable opportunity. It’s up to you to seize it.” Narnya pulled out a rhombic crystal, clearly prepared in advance, and handed it to him.
The rhombic crystal was of excellent quality, typically used to record important knowledge and enchantment diagrams.
‘Ant King Rebirth Cocoon Array’
As Ivan delved into it, an unusual diagram of a runes sorcery array emerged, and he was visibly startled. So this was the true face of the Ant King Barrier Array.
It turned out that the information Christian knew was not entirely false. The Ant Being barrier really could aid in advancing to a Level 2 Sorcerer—this was the opportunity Narnya had spoken of.
“I understand,” Ivan bowed deeply, expressing his gratitude again.
“Once you’ve dealt with the matters at Moon Pincer Peninsula, come to report at the Five Leaves Spear Chanay branch. I will wait for you there,” Narnya gestured to the two men, then transformed into a majestic purple raven and soared into the sky.
He disregarded the defensive sorcery array of Floating Clouds Square as if it were nothing, and in an instant, disappeared into the sky.
“The Chairman is just one step away from becoming a Level 4 Arcane Arts Sorcerer. What is the defensive sorcery array of the square compared to him? Completely insignificant,” Solomon said, admiration flickering in his eyes.
“Sorcerer Solomon, may I ask if you are a Level 1 Sorcerer or a Level 2 Sorcerer?”
“What do you think?”
“I am at Level 1 Limit and still feel inferior to you. You must be a Level 2 Sorcerer.”
“Haha, if you think so, then so be it,” Solomon did not answer directly, “Don’t forget, you owe me a favor, and you can’t refuse when I ask for your help in the future.”
“Of course, we still have to form an alliance.”
“Indeed.”
Ivan, with his extraordinary enchantment skills, had become an official member of the Five Leaves Spear, yet he and his followers needed time to grow in strength. They were not yet ready to form an alliance with Solomon. Discussions of an alliance remained only in words.
… Discover more stories at empire
Bellou Town.
Within the castle, most were unaware of a matter closely related to their fate unfolding in its depths.
Baron Hobson glanced back frequently, his anxious heart unable to find peace.
He knew his cousin Pearney was preparing to become an official sorcerer. Success would bring glory to all, but failure could spell a dire fate. He secretly prayed, hoping his cousin would surely become an official sorcerer.
“Ivan, I will not disappoint you.”
“It should be ‘I will not disappoint myself.’ Remember, you have 4th Class talent. Whether it’s your first or second promotion, there’s a high chance of success, especially with my help.”
“Right, see you later.”
In a room towards the back of the castle, various runes had already been inscribed for energy gathering and concealment. Pearney gave him one last look before walking into the room and closing the door behind her.
With Ivan’s help and after three months of preparations, Pearney was finally ready to take the last step of her apprentice stage.
“I will keep this secret for you, I won’t tell Justine.” After a pause, the Silkworm Queen suddenly blurted out. “Big Black One, you must not speak either.”
Next to them, the swamp ant on the ground nodded gently.
“You are learning more and more,” Ivan said dispassionately after looking at the Silkworm Queen.
“Of course, I’ve been studying hard,” the Silkworm Queen said proudly. After reverting to a Level 3 creature, it had given up competing with the other for the title of Number 1 Battle General, and started embracing knowledge instead.
With more knowledge, naturally, it also understood all sorts of miscellaneous information.
What the Silkworm Queen didn’t know was that Justine was already aware of Pearney’s situation and that Pearney would advance to sorcerer before her. Ivan had not hidden anything from her.
Justine’s only demand was that she become Ivan’s official wife, even if someone else became a sorcerer before her.
Ivan had no objections.
These days, Ivan’s life was very pleasant. Being a steward without oversight allowed him to move freely between the academy and Bellou Town, plotting his own affairs while spreading benefits evenly.
Under his orders, the swamp ant had recruited some of the Shadow Ant servants from the academy as its ant sentinels. In this way, Ivan gained numerous informants in the academy, and various messages were relayed to him through the swamp ant, although no vital information had surfaced yet.
As time ticked by, Ivan’s simple array failed to conceal the signs of advancement, drawing a massive convergence of Earth elements above the castle, forming a layer of yellow clouds, drawing the attention of the entire castle and town.
“Silence! I am well aware of the situation, proceed as normal,” the Baron commanded.
Within the castle, Baron Hobson was present and quickly suppressed the initial confusion.
Focused intently on the sky, Baron Hobson was tortured by his racing thoughts. At that moment, he silently vowed to nurture his children into sorcerers and enhance the renown of the Hobson family.
Outside the castle, some people gathered to spectate, gossiping in pairs and groups, while others shut their doors and windows, unwilling to involve themselves in this unpredictable event.
“The yellow clouds touch the sky, surely signifying the emergence of treasure.”
“Old Geert, pray tell, why do you assume it’s a treasure emerging, and not some other cause?”
“Cause? Your question shows your inexperience. This kind of event needs no reason, just my forty years of explorers’ experience is sufficient, let me tell you—”
The explorer tavern was the gathering spot with the most people and the loudest conversations, their voices bold, not fearing that the newly established Hobson family might hear.
Before Old Geert could finish, a soft, coquettish laugh sounded by everyone’s ears, making their ears itch uncontrollably and drawing their gazes to see a figure in a red dress approaching them.
Her stunning beauty and alluring figure made the onlookers reluctant to look away, displaying greedy and brazen expressions.
“Humph!”
Seeing their disgraceful display, the woman in the red dress suddenly felt disgusted and let out a cold snort.
The crowd snapped out of their reverie, watching in horror as the woman in the red dress walked past the tavern, their ears buzzing painfully, unable to hear any other sounds.
This was undoubtedly a highly skilled sorceress, unpredictable in temper, and definitely not to be provoked again!
Realizing this, Old Geert and the others kept silent, watching the woman in the red dress walk away towards the castle of the newly arrived Baron.